Kierra

Now if you go back in your history, dire wolves were a thing, many thousands of years ago. Just like giant cave bears and smilodons. They weren't too much larger though, just thicker with longer fur. His is long, but not to the length of a real dire. Of course, that's all conjecture on what has been found, all fossilized an such. Granted Were-animals are much larger than their normal counterparts, but he is just ridiculous. Bigger than the Tan who's skinned pelt is in a box in my room at home.

Yellow eyes snap open when I sense him in front of me. Around six and a half feet of male specimen stands just a few feet ahead. No cologne on this one, he's all wild smells and a subtle soap. His charcoal hair is pulled back, so I'm unsure of length, but just like mine, the wave is obvious. His smirk turns into a grin as I take another step back.

Deja vu kicks in, feeling as if I've done this before as I stiffen my spine and stand firm. No male will cow me, I don't care who they are. With my hands now loose at my sides, I look at him intently.

"You and I have met before, haven't we? Not here, but here. Now the question becomes, did I call you into mine, or did you call me into yours?"

I can feel Ava's confusion at my back, already tense from reading my reactions.

Long legs are encased in dark blue ripped jeans and a black button-up shirt that's only done up halfway covers his wide shoulders and leads down to a tapered waist. Thickly muscled without being bulky; tone developed from hard work, not lifting weights. A light shadowing on his jaw is the only facial hair he has over his tanned skin. Actually not sure if it's a sun-tan or if his skin is all over naturally tan. Would have to see him nude to find out, and I have no plans for that to ever happen. Ever.

His head cocks as he keeps eye contact with me, a slight nod my only answer to the questions asked. Doesn't really answer both of them, and he doesn't seem likely to elaborate. I scowl as another Werewolf comes into the picture, this one is familiar though...sort of. A young black timber with white socks on all four feet and undersides, and a diamond on his forehead much like you'd see on a horse. Faded blue eyes glitter in excitement as he trots up from the tree line, tongue lolling as he dances around, looking from me to his Alpha.

Dirk, the young wolf who almost got himself impaled by the way he came at my back in the store.

If I ever want to get into trouble, seems all I have to do is go shopping. Quite sad, that. Find trouble or some animal or another, even a Vamp or two. The shopping center really does have everything.

The upright man holds out his hand. Crap.

"I'm Gabriel Drayman, Alpha of the Gray Wolves. I know who you are, but not your name. Combined with Dirk’s description, dreams, and rumors, you're pretty easy to spot. Moreso now that you have come out of hiding."

I hate handshakes. Really, really do. Total awkward social concept. A wave and a nod or a hug should be enough. I'm really not that OCD about touching people, honest, I just hate shaking hands. My looking at his has him smirking again. Pursing my lips, I reach out as well, sliding my hand into his much larger one. See? Awkward. Feel like a damn child holding a parent's hand.

Giving a slight movement of my hand, which should be plenty enough, I move to pull away. His hand closes over mine and keeps hold. My claws haven't retracted at all, so with his grip holding mine, I flex claws against his skin.

"And just how would you know I was in hiding?"

The young wolf is totally oblivious as he plants his butt next to his Alpha, just to stand, fidget, then sit again. Gabriel just gives me a look. Not worried at all over the fact I could rip his hand open.

"Considering you cried out over my lake but disappeared before anyone could find you, sightings in town that could never be proven, and giving Dirk the name 'Silver' instead of your own. Would seem I'd get close to discovering who you were when new rumors would get spread around. Some have you painted as quite the she-devil."

Can't help but grin at that, which has him raising an eyebrow at me. My eyes bleed back into my normal bright green, but the claws stay. Might as well play the part, right?

"I'd be willing to bet that was started from the Red Wolves, wasn't it? Or maybe a Vampire or two?"

Doubt it on the Vamp part, but never know. His continued hold of my hand has me looking down. He's not gripping hard or anything, just keeping me from pulling away.

"Do you mind? We just met, and I'm not into the whole hand-holding thing."

I give a tug, but he still refuses to let go. Looking back to his blue eyes with their black specks, I feel his pull once more. Now it's my turn to raise an eyebrow. Dominance suggestion? Not so much a pull from his looks or him being a virile male, but his wolf. Alpha calling for a subordinate to submit.

Ha!

Gonna have a long wait on that buddy.

Just as in the dream, his eyes flicker in annoyance when I don't obey. Shit eating grin in place, I tug at my hand again. This time he lets go. Not sure if it's the whole Silver thing or just my own attitude, but either way it works for me.

"Would you like to see the house?"

His question catches me off guard. Smooth drawl of his voice fairly purring out as I'm sure the snake did with poor Eve. My eyes narrow. What's he up to?

Ava shifts behind me, calling my attention to her. Had forgotten all about her for a few minutes there. Kitty stillness hiding or my obliviousness? Probably a combination. Her uneasiness beats at me, now regretting bringing me. Hmm.

"I'd love to, but I don't see the point. Just from the size alone, I can tell it's going to be beyond me."

His head cocks again. The young wolf at his side whines but is instantly quieted when Gabriel touches his head. Interesting.

"I'm sure something could be worked out, just as it has with Ava."

I turn my head enough to see her out of the corner of my eye. She looks nervous, but over what is unclear.

"What is it you do for him?"

She shrugs, so I look more directly at her and she winces. Christ, what has she been doing for him? My face hardens as I look at her, my anger growing. Her eyes widen as she shakes her head hard.

"Oh, God, no! You should know better, I would never do that. The farming plots; I help bring in food for his Pack. Also have my services available when it comes to artistry he needs doing and the ear of the contacts I have."

While I'm glad she isn't exchanging sex with the man, I'm still uneasy. Looking back to him, I wonder what he would need art for anyway. Doesn't seem the type.

"So, what? Payments are lowered because food she plants goes to your wolves?"

"Something like that, yes."

His response isn't comforting. Roaming my eyes around the area, I don't see anything being harvested around here. Granted I only see one side and the front, but judging by how close the trees look from what I can see of the back, doesn't look like much room for gardening. May outwardly look the part of an old southern farmhouse, but clearly isn’t on the land for it.

Green eyes flick back to him while showing my unamused expression, he shows the opposite as he looks very entertained and smug.

"As soon as Ava got a hold of me again about a friend of hers seeking a place within my territory, I began to wonder. Sure enough, when Dirk saw you at her house, it became clear. I'm confused about the others seen with you though. A young human and Shifter, two foreign Werewolves, and two others he was unsure of. Are they your lovers?"

I look down at the young wolf, his rowdiness stilling instantly as his eyes lower and he cowers. This may be his territory, but he has no right to be spying on Ava. Using a child to do so is even worse.

"Who I have with me is none of your concern, nor is my relationship with any of them."

Smug expression stays as he goes on, my attention back on his face.

"Actually, it is. You see, you will be bringing in strange wolves to my home, as well as others. In order to keep my Pack safe, everything within this preserve is my business. A female Shifter with child is one thing, but yours is a whole different situation."

The more he talks, the more annoyed I get. His voice taking on a pitch as if he were talking to someone who's desperate and has nowhere else to go but here. Ha. We'll see about that.

Wiping my face of expression and going to one of boredom, I lift my arms in a shrug, unclawed hands coming together in a soft clap.

"While I can see your point as I also have those I have to protect, clearly, this is not the place I need when you have children spying for you. Thank you for your time, the house looks lovely, but I'll be on my way."

I see a dark eyebrow raise before I turn and go back to the ATV. My pace is casual and indifferent as I wait for Ava to mount first. She hasn't moved from where she was and is looking at me as if I'm out of my mind. Don't know why she's looking at me like that when he admitted to having someone watching her home. Must be another animal thing I know nothing about. Whatever. When she shows no sign of moving, I turn and start walking.

Way I'm feeling, walking back is probably a good thing. After a few hundred yards or so, a hand goes through my hair in agitation as a small wolf comes up to my side, unsure but determined.

"What do you want, Dirk?"

"You never gave your name."

Even his pitch in my head sounds nervous.

"No, I didn't. Surprised it isn't known already by Ava telling him."

"He asked her, she wouldn't give it."

Huh. Imagine that.

"That's not my problem."

My booted steps are just as quiet as his padded paws. Arms are loose at my sides, swinging with my stride, brain going a million miles a minute. Disappointment is the main theme here.

"Are you seriously going to walk away? I saw your face when you guys were pulling up, you really wanted it."

I frown down at him. I must have really been lost in the visual of it all, missing the scents of two different wolves.

"There's a lot of things I want, doesn't mean I will get them. I have what I need already."

Actually, I don't, but he doesn't need to know that. Well, I do, but the others with me don't. Living out of small dressers in my basement isn't what I'd peg as a desired way of living.

Granted a new house would be for me too, but it would also be for those who need a stable life; like Bastion, Maii, Faline, and any others who decide to stay. Doesn't mean it has to be here though. Was a nice thought to live close to my best friend, but again, we can't always get what we want.