Kierra

"I was fine for a while, even though he was blocking my path to return. He had initiated play, I was surprised, but went with it, pushing him closer in the direction I thought home was. To my shame, I started enjoying myself. Not him so much as just the act of playing and running, which I have found is my weakness."

A smile creases my face as I remember the feeling of freedom when running on four paws. Keeping my gaze firmly away from the boy and wolf, I continue.

"I couldn't resist the running, testing my speed against his. At first, I think I shocked him with just how fast I was. I had stopped by a creek to cool my paws when I thought of my sister again, which led my thoughts to Bastion, who I'd left alone at the house."

I stare down at my hand engrossed in midnight fur as the memories fill me, trying hard not to relive them. Asher flows into my head again, offering solace. It's getting to the point I wonder if he ever actually leaves my head, or is always a shadow within it.

"By this time I was totally lost, not even having a direction on where to go. Feeling that we had formed some kind of connection, I had impressed on him my need to get home. He refused at first but then he started leading the way. It was then that I'd realized just how much time had passed. The moon was rising, and I couldn't take human form. I was nervous for myself, but even more so for Bastion."

I take a deep breath, still avoiding the boy's face, let alone his eyes.

"He wouldn't go any faster than a normal walk. I'd thought it was because he was tired, but that wasn't it at all. After trying multiple times to get him to move faster, I tried howling, but he'd bitten into my throat to silence me. I finally started running in the direction we were going. He stopped me once by knocking me over, but I got away and took off again. I didn't get far that time before he was on me again. This time I was able to maneuver in just right to flip him. As he went down, I was out of there like a bat out of hell."

I now vaguely recall I'd ended up running through a cocklebur bush. Bastion must have gotten them out before I had woken.

"I got pretty far, far enough that I made it to an area I recognized. Still miles from home but now I knew where I was. It was in a field when he caught up with me. His teeth sank into my hip, pulling me down. From there he got a hold of my neck and shoulder. As he was holding me down, I started my shift into my own personal monster."

My body becomes tense, trying to draw away from Asher, but he's having none of it. Staying firmly planted against me. I sigh and continue. My hand tightening in his fur, clenching my fist within it.

"The movement of my shifting ended up putting me at an angle that he was able to..."

I clench my teeth hard, shutting my eyes. It wasn't remembered pain I was feeling now, it's rage.

"I hid my shifting while under him for as long as I could, controlling the energy output. He was too busy with other things to notice at first. When he became aware, he kept up his motions while starting to shift as well. By the time he started, I'd just finished, so I reached back and threw him off me. Just in time too, he had almost...I'd thrown him over my head. While he tried to unboggle his brain, I went in for an attack. I was so close to castrating him, but the angle had been wrong. I also got some licks in on his face, his skull will carry my claw stripes permanently."

That thought brings a small smile to my face, even knowing they will mostly heal.

"He jumped up and I went back at him. He caught my hands, but I got a mouthful of his chest. Of course he got a hold of my shoulder, but since he had my hands, I used my legs. I was able to score into his groin and inner thigh. He tossed me, felt like I broke my tailbone when I landed. After that I didn't want to get close again, so we faced each other. For a while there it was like he didn't want to kill me, but I think I changed his mind after all the damage I did."

Stopping for a moment, I recall the black shadow that was Asher. He'd been so fast, where had that speed come from? And the disappearing after?

"Before we could come to blows again, a black mass had come out of nowhere to tear into this guy's abdomen, then disappeared just as fast. He was damn close to being gutted. After that, he pulled back and ran. I was too tired to try and follow, too hurt, bleeding from at least half a dozen wounds, my shoulder bleeding the most. I'd made it home but my strength was gone, practically falling into the house and again when going down the basement stairs. Last thing I remember was falling onto the nest of blankets."

I had a sense though, that Bastion had stayed close. I feel Asher in my head again, offering some answers. It indeed was him, that speed is one of the abilities he'd mentioned. Not able to use it often for it was exhausting.

After he tore into the other wolf, he ran back into the woods, not wanting to take the chance of his wolf trying to push its claim. He did follow from a distance though, making sure I got home. I send the inquiry of how he found me.

The black wolf had been staying near the house in case anyone had shown up, was on the other side of the woods when I'd come out. Once he picked up that I left and was following another's trail, he followed.

He had lost us a few times, the last time he had been close enough to hear my cut off howl, but not close enough to prevent what had been achieved. Asher is holding guilt for that, but I let him know that in no way did I blame him and he had nothing to feel guilty for, that I'm eternally grateful that he came after me at all.

"I was very, very lucky. That Werewolf was huge. Like, big big. Bigger than Asher here as wolf and even bigger in Were form. After that, I stayed in the basement for the duration of the moon."

I look up then to Bastion, his face holding sadness. I think he understands now why I had wanted to bring him here in the first place. I had left him alone, all day, then had trouble protecting myself. If I had that much trouble, how was I going to keep him safe?

He stands up and comes over to me, Asher moves his head and body out of the way so the boy can once again wrap his arms around me. My eyes close as I return his hug.

When he pulls away, I look over to Ava who's all over the place with the emotions playing over her face. She stands and comes over as well, dropping to her knees in front of me and pulling me into her, hugging me fiercely, then pulls in Bastion and Asher, touching noses to both of them. I always thought that was just one of her ways to show affection, but now I'm thinking it's a cat thing.

Bastion looks surprised and can't decide on uncomfortable, embarrassed, or proud as an expression. I smile at him encouragingly. By this time the sun is starting to lower from it's highest peak.

"Okay, I know most of us have no problem with the cold, but your little man here is a tiny thing and needs my food in him, so come inside."

Bastion smiles at Ava, I think he's taking to her quite well. She calls in Lily and the three of them head inside. Bastion looks back, but I make a motion for him to go in.

"Oh, Ava! Can I borrow your machines? I need some clothes washed."

"Of course, bring it in when you're ready."

My hand finds Asher's ear as I whisper into his head.

"I think Bastion likes her, and I know he'll get along just fine with Lily, she likes everyone."

He nods before putting his head in my lap again. I start thinking, frowning slightly.

"Asher? When you did the remarking, you haven't caught that wolf's scent anywhere since then, have you? Since he ran off, I'm a little nervous he'll come back."

"I found no new scents after he ran. I've been making rounds further and further out checking. So far so good."

"Thank you so much, I know I depend on you for a lot. You've kinda become my rock through all this craziness."

I try making light of it, but I'm serious, and I know he feels that in my mind. Leaning down, I lay my forehead against his, eyes closing. Trying to convey all my gratitude.

After that I retrieve our clothes and take them in, throwing them into the wash while Ava and the kids are in the kitchen making messes. Leaning against the wall on the outside of the kitchen, listening to them all, the large archway next to me is decorated with Halloween themed garlands.

Ava likes Halloween stuff, so her house always has some of the stuff up. Otherwise, the house is made up of fairies, dragons, unicorns, and rainbows. It's kind of a mish-mash but works for them. Lily's room is filled with horse stuff and a few wolf things I've given her over the years.

She'd been afraid of them at first, so I worked with her, teaching her about them. She isn't as crazy as I am about them, but she indulges me. Who knew that one who loved something would later become it.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is, as I've been proving. Both me and Faline have been finding that out, our bodies will more than likely always carry the signs of that, not to mention our minds and hearts. It's one hell of a rebirth.

Lily is teasing Bastion about eating a leek, apparently, he's making some weird faces. Leaning against the wall, I smile, my heart feeling like it's being tugged on. I'm sure both Ava and Lily know I'm there, but they say nothing.

I'm not sure where Asher has gone off to, he didn't come into the house with me. It gets confusing with him inside a house setting. He's no dog or pet, yet not on two legs and talking, so finding a way to not insult him or coming off as a jackass is tricky. I could probably just ask him, but that would just be too easy.

From the amazing smells coming from the room behind me, I'd wager they're making meatloaf. My stomach growls at the thought of Ava's food. She loves to cook and is damn good at it. She tells the kids to get cleaned up and comes out to stand next to me, dishtowel in her hands as she dries them.

"Where's your wolf?"

I raise an eyebrow and look at her.

"You wanna be a bit more specific with that wording?"

I grin, acting oblivious on purpose. I get smacked with the towel as an answer.

"Very funny. By the way, what did you do to your hair? You didn't use some knock-off color, did you? I told you not to use that shit, I'll do it for you."

She's mad, but I just have to laugh, the urge to hug her strong in my head. I hold off for now.

"I didn't do it. Feel it. When I turned back to human that first time, they were there. At first I thought it was like one of those stress things, but it's the same color as my fur."

Startled, eyes widening, she reaches for my hair and pulls a silver streak into her hand. My hair is so long I don't even have to lean forward. She inspects it with her fingertips, running it over and through them. I can see she's trying hard not to be suspicious.

I roll my eyes and head for her room, she follows. Going in and shutting the door, I strip down and go into wolf form right in front of her. Her brown eyes flash an ice blue as she backs up. I sit back on my haunches and tilt my head at her.

Feeling hurt that she would be afraid of me, I rear back as if I'd been slapped, ears tight to my head. Anger flashes within me that after everything she and I have gone through, she would be afraid of me now. The window beside her bed is always kept open, so I take advantage. I leap through it.