Kierra

Don't understand why those two have to go over each of my actions the way they do. Especially ones that have no bearing on them and are past events to begin with. Not even sure why I even bother trying to explain myself. Never had the need to before.

I miss Faline. I miss Asher. Reaching out, I try to connect with my sister, just a soft touch to know she's okay. Feeling me, she meets me halfway, sending warmth and asking if she's needed at home. Telling her no, I pull back, sensing she's busy. Having gotten so used to feeling the black wolf in my head when I was sad or dealing with some emotion or another, it's quite the blow when his voice never comes.

Ava doesn't even bother knocking when she comes in, shutting the door firmly behind her as she leans against it and looks at me.

"You alright?"

"I'm fine. Going crazy, but I'm fine."

She smirks at me.

"You were already crazy, don't think there's much crazier you can get at this point."

I smile and splash cold water on my face, washing away the few tears that had fallen.

"Heard Asher left, is he coming back?"

Shrugging, I grab the towel she hands me and stuff my face into it. Holding it there for a minute before actually patting my face dry.

"If he does, it won't be for a while. He went back out to search for the one he's been searching for for years. He's been looking for that leech for twenty-five years, if he hasn't found him by now... There's no guarantee that Vamp is even in this area anymore."

She nods while giving me sad eyes, then a glint shows as she cocks her head. Knew this was coming.

"And the new assortment of males you've shown up with? Who are they?"

I grin at her a little sardonically. She knows I'm not the type to collect males, let alone romantically. Bastion, Asher, Xavier, and Maii were surprise enough. Three new ones have got her all curious.

"Not my fault, they keep following me home. Seems to be part of that whole 'Silver Wolf' thing. God knows it isn't my charming personality."

She scowls at me, which just makes me smile widely. It's a good thing she isn't a violent person. Not unless the need arises, otherwise, she'd have had me black and blue throughout the years.

"I originally came over to deliver the boys' papers, then was going to snag the practice area for Xavier to teach the boys how to use a knife, then laundry came up again."

Another smirk arises as she turns off the water, turns to open the door, and leads me out. I get two steps before I have a kitten in my arms. Ava has given up on yelling at Lily when she jumps at me anymore, knowing I don't mind and that it always brings a smile to my face.

"Speaking of males, the blue is Shade, purple is his older brother Zypher, and the teenager is Kani. Couple Arctic wolves I picked up at a bar and a red fox that had been driving Asher nuts for over a week."

The eighty-pound snow leopard kitten in my arms pokes at my brain, so I look down. Think she meant it as a whisper, but it comes out to everyone if she can steal the boys and go outside to play. I look up at Xavier since he's the one who will be teaching them. He shrugs, so I try to make a compromise.

"Well, you know how your mom and I practice over by the beach? Xavier's going to teach them the blade, why don't you go with and learn too? You may have sharp claws, but you won't always be able to use them if you have to stay in human shape."

She'd started to pout until I included her. Here's to hoping having her there won't make the boys want to show off. Pretty sure even if they do, it can be turned into some lesson or another.

Purring, she headbutts my chin and hops down, going for her room so she can change. I look over to Maii and ask him if he can change back to. He nods and heads for one of the guest rooms, getting halfway there before he pops upright into human form. He stumbles a bit but catches his feet. I can't see his face from this angle, but I know the expression he'll have. He's getting better at controlling it, but it still frustrates him, so he'll look surprised then highly annoyed.

I look to Bastion, who's already on his way over with the stack of clothes for him. My Imp’s smile has me smiling. Maii's nudity doesn't bother the young boy. I'd been afraid it would when I realized Maii couldn't control his shifting, but Bastion realized it too and took it on himself to help whenever possible.

The weather today has been going back and forth on being cold and relatively warm, so they should be okay on the not freezing part. Xavier comes over and touches my arm, nods to Ava, and heads out to the back porch. Meanwhile, the new guys have been introducing themselves to my best friend.

Her explaining the rules of her home is simple enough. She'd had two guest rooms converted for different uses. One being a tattoo room where she keeps her art and ink supplies, the other outfitted for when she's doing someone’s hair or nails.

She's come a long way from doing her trade in the living room of a tiny apartment. When she got this house, I remember her being so excited about the plans that she had for each room. Those plans had changed several times, but she eventually settled on what she wanted.

I love her tattoo room; the walls done up in red and black, splashes of brighter colors popping out. She also had it outfitted with a blacklight since she'd done a lot of the art in neons and invisible ink. A small couch is set off against one wall while the chair she'd ordered sits in the middle. One of those used in normal tattoo shops, not some other re-outfitted seat. Tables and shelves are set up to hold all her inking and body piercing paraphernalia while images hang up along the walls showcasing ideas for both. Her past work and large mirrors set up everywhere.

Her 'salon' room is almost the opposite visually. Where the Ink was all darkish and eye-catching, the other is more subdued and calming. Pastels and flowers, lots of pinks. I hate getting stuck in that room. There are three seats set up in that one, not counting the set of perming balls you put your head in against the wall. Pictures of the different styles from old to knew, all kinds of hair types, another couch off to the side. That room literally looks like a salon, just in one room. A mini-salon.

She even had it outfitted with a sink to be able to wash hair. Mirrors, counters, various gizmos, and thingamabobs used for prettying up and looking all glamorous. Hair, makeup, nails. You know, girly shit.

She warns the new guys that while they can go in and look around, not to mess with anything. The Ink room really gets the brothers' attention, already covered in tattoos, that's not surprising. Kani explores both and makes admiring noises.

While she gets into her element with them, I head out back where the other half is waiting on me. Xavier found a small box to put the blades in, so he has that in his arms while we head over. A very hyper Lily dressed in heavier clothes, even though she probably doesn't need them, leads the boys ahead with excited cries to follow her.

They look back at me as if for permission, so I shoo them ahead.

"Would you like to go running ahead with them too?"

Xavier just gives me a look, so I give a lopsided grin.

"You have to give them time you know."

My grin fades. Picking my way through the trees almost blindly while ignoring the male at my side. Don't know which side annoys me the most, his playboy or his adult. Guess you can say he just annoys me all around. I refuse to rely on another male, should have known better the last time. They don't like how I do things, that's fine, they can leave.

My feet continue to take me forward till we reach the small clearing. Last time I was here I'd cried out over the water and got into it with Ava. A small smile quirks my mouth as I recall how she bulldozed me into the water. Giant ass cat and just as huge wolf going into fight poses right on the edge of the water.

We threw our weight around with no injuries. Unless you count my pride that I was taken down by the stupid mud. Xavier goes forward as I hang back and lean against a tree.

The giant hay bundles set off to one side are set up as our main targets, but there are also certain trees that are used as well. A picnic table is set up for a table as well as seating. After setting the box on it, Xavier walks around looking at the various 'wounds' made on the various targets.

The shape of a man is drawn out on the hay barrels, doing that being easier than constantly changing paper cutouts. Ava's arrows are sharp-tipped, not the practice blunt ones. The maned wolf stops at one of the trees, really looking at the markings.

"This isn't throwing knife or arrow."

"Hatchet."

He nods as if that's what he figured. Both of us look behind me as the others come up. Feeling antsy, I move away and hop onto the assorted boulders that frame each side of the small beach.

"Ava, bet me five bucks."

"For?"

I grin at her, a glint in my eye as I look from my current perch to the opposite side’s rocks. It's at least a ten-foot gap. She looks at it with a critical eye before smiling.

"Alright, you're on."

No idea if I can actually do this, but it gives my body something to do. The opposite side has the small outcropping of rocks that I use as a perch when here. Right now, it's my target; it being the widest and flattest surface I feel comfortable with landing on...or attempt to land on.

The others watch on curiously as I situate myself, pulling on Were strength by adding extra leg and thigh muscle. Aligning myself visually, I crouch down and coil. Visualizing it as if I'm pouncing on something rather than leaping a distance. Counting myself down, I spring off the stone.

The cold air rushes past me as I leap towards my goal; the middle of my perch rock. I land softly, lowering to a crouch as I touch down, a smile forming. Standing upright, I turn and pull back the extra muscle. Not sure if I needed it or not, but it may have helped. My eyes go right to Ava as she claps for me, so I oblige and take my bow.

The exhilaration and adrenaline still coarse through me, so I turn back to the rock I had originally come from. It's only a fourth of the size as the one I'm on now, so more challenging. This time I don't pack on the muscle and just use the Were strength I have while in human form. The embarrassment of falling on my face all the more incentive to succeed.

Lining myself up once more, I take the leap.

Almost overshooting my rock, I step forward onto another for balance. I surprise myself with being able to do it, even more so with having to take that extra step without the extra muscle to have backed it. Forgetting everything around me for a moment, I laugh heartily and dance from rock to rock. Reality crashes back though when I turn and have everyone looking at me.

I stop instantly after one last jump to the hard ground. What's the point in being a monster if you can't find enjoyment in the power it gives you? Clearing my throat, I go to Ava and pull her off to the side away from everyone.