Kierra

The fox backs off immediately, thinking I'm mad at him I would assume, but once he sees my glaring at her, he relaxes and comes to stand at my back. Her eyes follow him in disgust and that's it for me. I walk right up to her, the extra two inches she has on me not doing a thing to help her.

Alarico stands off to the side and sighs, arms crossing. Lucia looks hurriedly to her husband for help as I come at her, but he shakes his head. Good. I get right up in her face and her eyes drop and even close.

"Now, I know you didn't try that Alpha bullshit here, did you? If I had no problem laying you out in front of your den, what makes you think anything would change while on my land, in front of my home?"

Xavier and Kani both stayed back, Bastion stayed on the porch with Maii, and the brothers have their arms crossed in front of them while standing off to the side, closer to the house than they had been. Each one has annoyance and anger coming from them in waves.

It isn't until right now that I get what Xavier was trying to tell me earlier about asserting dominance. If it isn't done, I'll have a lot more Lucia's around.

"I offered the use of my property for your Pack to be able to stretch their legs, to be free and able to be themselves away from human eyes. Are you really going to chance that offer taken away because of your pettiness and need to be queen bitch? Well, guess what Lucia..."

I step closer, right into her face as the air around us grows icy, frost laying over my skin as if magnetized. My words are said right into her face.

"...this is my den, and here, I am queen bitch. A title given by those here. Not because I rule them, but because I have their respect. You ever insult those who live here again, and you will never be allowed to come to my lands. This is my one and only warning to you. Heed it."

She's shivering by the time I step back, falling to her knees and abasing herself. Fear clear on her features that she refuses to look at me with. How many times am I going to have to scare this woman before she gets the point? Stepping away so Alarico can tend to his wench, I go back to Xavier and Kani. Shade and Zypher come up with heads bowed, just as all my animals have theirs, with Bastion giving me a small smile. I didn't want it to be this way, but if I come up against others like her...

I look back to Alarico and when our eyes meet, I let him know I didn't want it going like this. He nods, his expression much the same. Once he puts her back into their truck, I walk him over to the neighbor's house.

"I'll leave it to you guys if you use the cellar or not, but I warn you now, it's only recently been cleared out. The old couple that had been living here were not what they appeared. The cellar was their torture room."

He raises an eyebrow, so I take him to it. Not sure if the Vamps actually cleaned everything, but the bodies and parts are gone. With him pulling one side while I get the other, the heavy doors are lifted up. Soon as the seal parts along the door edges, you can smell what happened here. I was prepared, poor Rico wasn't.

"Just be glad it's nowhere near as strong as it was when I first found it. I had a crew come and clean it out, but the doors have rubber seals, so the smell will probably always be there."

He nods and backs away, I take pity and close both doors myself, then show him in to the house and lead him around. Flipping switches reveal that there isn't any electricity, but both of us are pleasantly surprised to see that there's running water. No hot water of course, but it's better than nothing, and it's amazing there's even that much.

"I don't get it. The place is deserted like no one's lived here in years, yet I’d seen them earlier last month, I think. Might have been earlier than that but not that long ago. Complete dead zone, yet water comes in here and the utilities at my place as well as mail. Works for us though so I'm not complaining, just curious."

I lag behind as he looks around some more, going into each room. The overall set up is the same as my home, just an extra floor and rooms added on. Looking to where the basement door is at my place, they don’t have one, at least not at first glance.

When I came before, I did a quick overpass perusal, and in picturing my own layout, I didn’t see anything. Taking a better look now and even going up to it, there is a thin doorway situated in the corner. I’d assumed it to be a closet or pantry last time, but opening it now, reveals the descending steps.

Doing a quick map sketch in my head, this one might lead to the cellar, but I don't recall seeing a door in there. Taking a chance, I go and start snooping. This door isn't as swollen or warped as the front door had been, so it opens easily enough. Some stairs lead below, but no dead body smells. Yay for small favors. Making my way down, my eyes stay peeled for anything out of the ordinary. Then again, what's considered ‘out of the ordinary’ these days?

Shaped similar to mine, just smaller and empty. Couple broken boxes and dust, but that's it. Good. With nothing interesting showing itself, I go back up. Rico is up top and makes his way down when I come up. While he does his check I go back out to the front porch for some fresh air. A few minutes later he comes out beside me and we look out over the wooded area. Since he left open the backdoor, there's quite the breeze going through. I take that as a good sign.

"So you're offering us the use of this house and the run of your territory?"

I cock my head and look at him.

"The house, yes. Think that display with your wife has made something clear to me. You may run free over my land; it being a safe place to do so, just make sure your wolves understand something. You of all people know I didn't have to make the offer. Could be just as tight-assed as every other wolf that seems to be around."

I slide him a smirk as he raises an eyebrow.

"Those who live within my home; it's their home as well. I don't want any squabbles over marking either. Right now, the only markings out there are Asher's, I haven't gone out to do my own yet."

I know it's just piss on a tree or rock, but it's still signs that he was here.

"Just as I did with my house, you're free to mark up around this property. Whole thing will be yours."

Not sure how my midnight wolf would take this, but since he left, it's my say now. The Red Alpha fidgets. Not too noticeable, just leaning from one foot to the other, so I look over at him.

"Why are you giving this to me, to us?"

I look him in the eye and smile.

"Wolves don't deserve to be hidden away in a box. Even before I became one, I always loved them. Seeing how you confine yours to the underground while rogues have their freedom out in the light, doesn't seem right to me. Like I said over the phone, if I'm supposed to be the bringer of change, I want it to be good. The original plan for the first was going to be the council, but I think giving this to you and yours is just as important."

Minutes go by as he looks out into the trees, his jaw clenching. I keep my smile to myself, feeling his conflict. He wants this, really wants it, but is afraid of how it will make him look.

"Don't have to decide right now, but I do have other stuff I have to get done today. You took in all the scents of those who are mine, yes? No molesting of the fox or coyote. The wolves and maned wolf can handle themselves, but the other critters are kids. When in human form, Maii doesn't speak. I've never seen or heard him make a single sound. As an animal he doesn't communicate in words, he understands them, just doesn't repeat them. So he's not trying to be a smart-ass by not responding other than an actual animal would with body language and sounds."

He nods with a small grin.

"How do you keep them all civil towards each other? Are there no squabbles ever in your home?"

I shrug.

"So far so good. I think it helps that none are fighting for their own territory. Each one has said they wish to stay, and they know that to do so that they have to be tolerant of the others. Sleeping together I think also strengthens bonds. Doesn't your pack sleep together? If you keep them all underground..."

He nods, looking over to me as he talks now.

"We do. We're just not as close-knit as you and your group. Hope you realize I would never say this to anyone else. Not only are you the Silver, but I've seen how you interact with your own. You had no qualms about standing up to my wife over a fox, you gave warning for your coyote pup, and you're fully confident that the wolves under you can take care of themselves."

I'm a little lost on where he's going with this.

"I'm sure you'll see quite a difference in your own wolves after they've had a good run. It's had to have been a long time for you not to remember what being on four paws can do for you. Tell you what, while I go do the stuff I need to, take Lucia for a run. Might mellow her out too."

He smiles at that, shoulders also releasing tension. Think I know part of his problem now.

"Alarico, she's welcome here as long as she doesn't try pulling her crap with me or mine. Respect is earned, not automatically given. She doesn't seem to understand that. She can be Alpha all she wants on this property, but everywhere else, she does not have that title. If I do have any more problems with her, I'm going to have to ask her to leave. I can't have her creating problems when there would've been none to begin with. I hope you understand."

Jaw clenching, he inclines his head. With a warm smile, I hold out my hand. He looks at it for a moment, then takes it. I don't do anything with it, no shaking or squeezing, just hold it.

What I do, do, however, is stare into his eyes and feel for his emotions. If I'm setting myself up for trouble, I need to know now. So far all I'm getting is concern for his wife, Pack, and his desire to have what I offer, for both him and his wolves.

The Alpha’s curiosity is really high up there, his protectiveness as well. Letting go, I nod as well.

"Shall we head back? You can drive back over here and show her everything, take the time to run with her. Enjoy being a wolf again. You'll probably come across Asher's old home, I ask that you and your wolves leave it be. He still has personal items there that until he says otherwise, I will keep for him."

Rico's eyes nod in agreement. Them having been friends once upon a time, I hoped he would. On our way back, we make up small talk about the rumors flying around. When just coming to my driveway, I make yet another offer. I’m so charitable, there must be a blue moon.

"Instead of opening your bar tonight, why don't you bring your Pack out? You and Lucia get things set up here then bring them out tonight?"

"Was already thinking of doing that."

I give him a large smile. Letting him know we'll be gone for a few hours at least, and that I need his two newest employees for use of their truck, he grins and nods his head. Not like he’s opening anyway, right?

When we come up, his wife is still pouting in their truck and refuses to make eye contact. Fine with me. He takes her back to the house while I get my group ready for a day out. Asking the brothers real sweetly if they will come so I can use their truck for everyone's assorted clothes, I even make a pouty face and praying hands. Tell them I even got them out of work today since the Red Pack will be here tonight. Everyone kind of stops at that.

Probably should’ve mentioned that sooner.

"That's why I want to get going now so we can get everything done. While you guys stay at Ava's I can get my paintings delivered real quick."

None of the adult males look happy but that's too bad.

"I explained to Rico what his wolves are allowed and not allowed to do. Their 'territory' is that horror house. They can mark there but nowhere else. I figure later tonight we'll all go out so I can get everything officially marked. Besides, none of us have run together so it should prove interesting."

The fun part will be finding something for Bastion to do. He'll say he can just stay home, but with Red Wolves everywhere, I'll want him at my side. I'll rig up something, even if it's a sled and some ropes.