Kierra

Looking much like he did when I first met him, I take a step back. Diego has to dart to the side so I don't step on him, but that's his own fault. Worse than a cat trying to trip you.

Playboy visage gone, Xavier shakes his head, looking every inch the predator. Hell, he'd be one even if he didn't have an inner animal. Soldier-trained and years of battle to Special Ops then to mercenary. Lots of death potential there.

My voice was soft when asking, but I don't doubt supernatural ears didn't hear me.

"I am not a babysitter. You may not mean to treat me as such, but you do. Those boys are mature enough to be left on their own if needed. Staying in a house twenty-four-seven is driving me crazy, I need to do something. I belong to you, I'm not denying that, but I need to do something. Do you understand?"

Thinking back over things, I have been treating him like one. I'd relegated him to staying inside with kids instead of letting him be the active adult he is. Wincing, I nod.

"You're right, and I didn't mean to do so, I apologize."

I know the boys are mature enough, but that isn't the point. Point was to keep them safe from outside sources, those who're coming after me and Faline and will use them to get to us without a second thought.

The tall as hell male drops to his knees in front of me, bones hitting the concrete cause me to wince again. My hands raise as he goes down, leaving my waist free for his arms to go around. Not exactly what I was going for, and my hands hover awkwardly over his head as he presses it into my abdomen.

Getting the outpouring of emotion from him, I have to block it out, cut it off so I don't drown in it. Looking to Diego in confusion, he sits once more and cocks his head at us. That's helpful.

Feeling like a dolt, I finally rest my hands down on his head and shoulder. One of the emotions I had gotten before turning it off was his skin craving, the need to be near someone else and feel them. Nothing sexual, not really, just one of those things that even humans can get when alone for too long.

Yes, I may technically sleep with this man every night, but I don't sleep with him, and not in bare skin. Not alone either. You know, that just sounds all sorts of wrong, even in my own head.

So when feeling heated hands slip under the back of my shirt to lay on my skin, I cool my first instinct to freeze or run away. It’s not as easy as it sounds though. More touching happened with Benjamin, but I was also not in my right mind. I was in the left...the crazy part.

Apparently, I don't succeed totally in not freezing, because he presses closer, keeping me from moving away and whispering that he won't hurt me. I know that, but that isn't the issue. Wouldn't even know where to begin to try and explain it to him, so I just keep quiet and will myself to relax.

Hot hands on already heated skin creates what? That's right. Sweat. His hands stick to me while I finger comb his hair, enjoying the feeling of it. Of course, where there's sweat, there's smell.

Doesn't have to be a bad smell to smell, so if someone says you smell, you could smell like roses to them for all you know. Granted these days that's highly doubtful, uneducated in tact that most are, but yeah. As for right now, the smell is skin, the scent that comes off your body naturally.

Xavier's natural skin scent is musky, earthy. Not surprising when his animal smells of musk, burning leaves, and wood. Smells of just pure sin too, if you ask me. Not sure how I'd explain it to anyone, but I figure it has something to do with pheromones and his 'animal magnetism'.

Feeling ridiculous with a man's head right under my boobs, I grip handfuls of his hair and pull his head back. His eyes are closed, face peaceful as if sleeping.

"Hey sleepy face, we need to get upstairs with the oth..."

Don't get any further when the sounds of a commotion find us. He abruptly lets me go as we rush up. Rounding the wall that makes up the fireplace, the problem is at the open front door.

Taking in the scene before walking up, Shade and his brother stand to either side of a gray wolf while Tristan stands off to the side with wide eyes. Shit. Looking back to Xavier, I flick my eyes over to my very human friend.

He nods, making his way over to him as I walk up closer to the stranger. Not a wild wolf, this is a Werewolf who got too close and ran into a pair of wolves unknown to it. Holding my hand out to the teeth-baring wolf who looks about to pounce, I reach for its mind.

"There is a human here that does not know about any of us. Please, let's go outside and you and I can talk."

Gold eyes instantly fall on mine while a growl starts, causing Zypher and his brother to take on more threatening stances. Ears then go up before licking his maw then closing it, bristled gray and brown fur settling as he calms his posture. Watching me as if he knows who I am, he paws the floor. Motioning for the brothers to back off, I step closer till I'm in Tristan's view, hiding the wolf with my frame.

Can hear him talking to the others about how cool it is and that he forgot there were wolves in this park. Not sure if that's good knowledge or not. How can you forget? Either way, I'll have to talk to him. The large wolf backs up till it's just outside, then it darts down the steps and around the house.

Telling the others to stay, I follow after it at a normal pace. When out of human eyesight, I move faster. Having darted off to the left, I find the wolf under a cluster of trees. Out of sight and away from the house clearing.

Hands are slid into my pockets as I walk up to it calmly. Steps are light, unhurried, while my hair catches on the lower branches. Doesn't stick, but I can feel the tug.

"I take it you're one of Gabriel's wolves. Question is, are you one who hates me on sight, a curious bystander, or one who's looking for trouble?"

My voice is kept light, friendly. Approaching much the same way I would with a wild animal. Showing or smelling of fear or uncertainty is never a good idea. False bravado will get you killed just as quickly too.

Golden eyes stare at me, reading what I show. Darker than my sister’s, but still an obvious gold. Maybe bronze? Meh.

"Bit of the last two, I think."

Smiling, I lean my back against one of the trees facing away from the house. A male wolf, go figure.

"I like your honesty, but I'd request, in a friendly way, that next time you don't walk into a whole house full of predators if you're by yourself. Are you, by the way? Or is there anyone else looking to be a surprise?"

His head shakes, sitting down and contemplating me.

"Alright, so why are you here? If it's to cause trouble, come back when we're moved in and I'll take you up on a spar. Right now I have a human friend who's oblivious to what we all are. Later I'll be bringing in another who is as well. Neither will be around on a permanent basis, so no need to worry."

At his constant staring, I shrug and look up to the branches. There are two large trees to either side of the house that can be gotten onto from the top floor balcony. I haven't climbed a tree in... I don't even know how many years.

"My Alpha says you are to be left alone, that to cross you would mean pain."

Chuckling, I give him an amused expression and hold out my arms.

"Yet here you are. Sounds like you listen about as well as I do. Who would be dishing out this pain, by the way?"

Wolves aren't exactly equipped to shrug, so it's more just reading the facial and visual expressions. He's pretty talkative though, so there's no guessing needed.

"He wasn't too clear on that part. My assumption of it was you, so I had to come see for myself just who you are. Wasn't expecting there to be so many here, but seeing them is good too."

I nod, curious yet also pensive.

"Can pretty much tell you I'm not what he seems to think I am. Putting me ahead of anyone else is unnecessary and unwanted. Can tell him I said as much too. I'm not a bully, but I will protect what's mine. I know I'm on your guys' land, so some leeway will be given, but I'll only be pushed so far."

Getting blinked at, I raise an eyebrow. A Bluejay diving in catches my attention, watching it as it bounces from branch to branch. Have to watch out for them, they can be mean little buggers.

With Tigger and Diego, have to keep an eye out for the larger birds; owls, hawks, eagles, and even falcons. Wouldn't do to have them carried off and me going on a rampage because something ate my cat.

Heh, tells you where my priorities are, doesn't it? I'm not that cold, I promise.

"Dirk paints a different picture of you to the others, a scary yet playful mystic with attitude. While some are indifferent, others have shown interest. Story is, you're the cause of Joshua's death."

Can't keep my gaze from going stormy, eyes slipping into the yellow of my beast. He watches impassively as I stand more upright, arms crossing in front of my belly. I am so tired of hearing how I was the reason for someone's death when they brought it on themselves.

"You could put it that way, I guess. Man can't keep his hands to himself and who gets blamed? Me. Well, that's just peachy. Fine, sure, I was the cause of this man’s death, I'm just sorry I wasn't the one to give the finishing blow. Must not have been much of a decent guy, forcing himself on someone else. Doubt I was the only one, but that's just me. But go right on ahead, I will willingly take on the blame for his death, but be aware, it was justly deserved."

I get stared at for a couple more minutes, so I turn my own gaze back to the bird so I can calm myself. When we get moved in, I plan on hanging that asshole’s hide up in the library for all to see. Anyone who doesn't like it can kiss my tail and leave my home.

Rapist sympathizers are people I really don't understand and don't think I want to. There's absolutely no reason to force yourself on another like that. Cries of 'I couldn't help it' or 'he/she was asking for it' or even 'I was drunk'. No. Just, no. Don't, fucking, even.

"I'm not saying one way or the other. Didn't much care for the guy myself, a bully to those he saw as under him. But just like any other bully, he had his groupies. Those are the ones you need to watch out for, because they will cause you trouble."

Shrugging, my hands slide back into my pockets and I smirk. The look is not at all friendly and very evil.

"Well I'll just have to keep an eye out for them, won't I? Can't very well have them feeling neglected if they crave a beating. Your Alpha won't have to worry about them for long if they cause too many problems with me or mine, because I will put a stop to it one way or another."

A good fight is what I need. Sparing with the guys is nice an all, but they pull their punches, holding back on all movements, which helps me with squat. Might as well be tangling with a giant teddy bear.

Just look at how Xavier had reacted before when my hip popped. He thought he 'broke' me. Seriously? Come on. Not only am I a freaking monster, but I'm a thicker chick with muscle and spunk. You're not breaking me that easily.

The wolf blinks at me a couple more times, then turns tail and runs off. Rude. Didn't even give me his name. Flicking my tongue in finality, I realize my jewelry is gone. Dammit. Gonna end up buying the damn things in bulk. Why? Because.

Won't say there's other stuff I had to give up, since so far I haven't, so it isn't stubbornness of wanting to hold onto something. Well, I take that back, I've been giving up my privacy left and right with all those I bring into my home, but that can be worked around. As for the tongue ring, it's just a thing.