Chapter dedicated to tailorgang, who as she said, Keisha was dealt with hahaha (though knowing you, you would have wanted something more brutal :') LOL )

Wolf Chase [28]

The muffled grunts of men as they did another taxing workout floated to the living room, where Massie dutifully worked on her social studies assignment. It was an eight-page essay about whoever she thought to be the most influential women's voice in the 1800s, three references required. The essay wasn't due until next week, but Massie was no procrastinator when it came to school work. She preferred to get things out of the way and enjoy her free time.

From her peripheral view she detected a female figure enter her study place. Massie immediately knew who it was, and decidedly continued to type away on Sebastian's laptop. He allowed her to borrow it after overhearing her continuous complaints about a cramped wrist and tired fingers. She had been exaggerating of course—as was her nature—but she was thankful nonetheless.

At first, the figure merely breezed past her, and Massie almost sighed in relief until she saw her enter again. This time, more leisurely and with a sense of purpose.

"Massie, I want to speak to you."

"You don't say." Massie failed to keep the sarcasm from her voice, but she at least managed to not roll her eyes.

Keisha bristled, but reigned it in just as quickly. Massie clucked her tongue and lifted a brow. Whoa, she actually had self-control. Where did this new restraint come from? "I don't want to talk to you any more than you want to hear me, but I must complete my pack's orders, and one of them is to apologize to you." She admitted. Keisha scrunched her nose in distaste, as though being around Massie were equivalent to smelling a foul, offending odor.

Massie yawned. Great, now she had to go through fake pleasantries with the girl who tried to chop her head off. She would have been quite content in continuing the ignore-me-and-I-ignore-you game they've been playing, but if the pack ordered Keisha to apologize she might as well let her. If she didn't, she'd be sure to hear it from Sebastian later.

"Sure. Go right on ahead." Massie waved dismissively, ready to get this over with.

Keisha cleared her throat before beginning what appeared to be a well-practiced speech. "We of the Dark Falls pack are a people of peace, righteousness, and self-control. We do not harm innocent lives, nor pose a threat to any human. We protect those in our power to do so, and most importantly we protect our people..." She clenched her fists, almost as if it took her great effort to say the remaining line. "I'm sorry for assaulting you that other day." Keisha's voice had remained monotonous throughout the whole speech, but at the last part it was more resentful. Massie pictured her rehearsing the whole thing in a mirror.

Wow. Well that was a mouth-full. Was this suppose to be their motto or something? She'd certainly never heard it before.

Nonetheless Massie nodded in acknowledgement and said what was expected of her. "I forgive you."

Keisha balked. "That's it?"

Massie looked around her, as though searching for something. "Um, am I suppose to say anything in specific? No one gave me the script for the protocol. And if there is one I can't find it." She said, checking beneath her textbook.

"You're suppose to raise your hand with your palm up as a sign of acceptance. Then I touch your hand with mine and it is forgiven. Don't you know anything?" She said derisively.

"Actually, no. I don't know anything. Have you forgotten I'm human, I don't know your customs."

Massie looked at her palm. There were so many things about them she had yet to learn, and it felt like everyday she was learning about their ways and how they did things. Perhaps she should be more proactive about reading that book in her room. She had only read a page of it, but she would be dedicating more time to be in the loop.

Keisha snorted. "Trust me, it's impossible to forget you're human. You reek of it unfortunately. And," Keisha said, stopping for emphasis, "just so we're clear, my apology does not mean I like you."

Massie gasped in fake shock. "Really? And I here I thought we were gonna be besties and sing kumbaya together." She pouted in mock disappointment.

The she-wolf regarded her with puzzlement. "Kumbaya?" She repeated, evidently unaware of its reference. Then, as though remembering who Massie was, her face hardened. "Anyway, just because I can't hurt you physically doesn't mean I won't try my hardest to convince Sebastian to drop you. I don't want you here."

The purple-eyed beauty decided to ignore her blurb and instead opted to lift her hand towards Keisha. If the she-wolf wanted war, it would be one-sided on her part. Massie loved the Cult and enjoyed being near Sebastian. She hoped that eventually Keisha would grow tired of her catty antics and let it go.

Taking note of her action, Keisha followed through and joined her hand with hers. When they touched, Massie felt the roughness of Keisha's skin. It tough and calloused. The hands of a warrior. When they separated, Keisha seemed to lose some of her previous fume, and merely walked out of the living without as much as a glance at Massie.

Massie grabbed a hold of the laptop and got right back to work. For the next hour, she remained steadfast on her assignment, and even managed to get halfway done before she started feeling antsy. She mentally yelled at her professor for daring to give such a long assignment. Eight pages, and he wasn't even kind enough to make it double spaced. Sighing, Massie walked around in attempt to get rid of her restlessness. She neared the backyard, but stayed inside, resigning herself to only watching what. Sebastian didn't like it when she stepped outdoors, stating she was a "distraction" to the men and he needed them to focus on their training. But judging by what she saw outside, they were no longer fighting. As a matter of fact, most of them were not in human form anymore.

Wolves were lined up before huge hoses that doused them in water coming out at quick speeds. The water would come out clear, and fall from them in muddied colors.

Were they...bathing?

Many hoses spilled out water, but one of them in particular splash a soapy liquid once the weight of one of them stepped on a template. Sebastian was one of the few who was still in human form. He had a brush in his hand and would brush the fur of wolves who were so muddied that even the high pressured water would not get rid of the dirt. The sinews of his bare shoulders and large biceps flexed as he went down the line from wolf to wolf, making sure his comrades were clean. Her eyes fell more than once onto his bare chest and abdomen, admiring the rippling muscles he exposed. Once he was done with them, they would go under the water again before turning into their human form and entering through a door she'd never seen before.

The number of wolves gradually decreased until only familiar faces were left. The twins, Noah, James, and of course Sebastian. Sensing it was safe to venture outside, Massie left the confines of the indoors in time to watch them shift into wolves. Everyone except Sebastian.

"So you guys do give your wolves a shower!" Massie blurted, approaching them.

Sebastian gave her a look. "I thought I told you to not come outside." He began brushing James while Jayden stood under the soapy water.

"But trainings over," she protested, gesturing to the now desolate grounds. Sebastian gave her an I'll-deal-with-you-later look before returning his attention on James.

Noah and Jordan's wolves circled her. Jordan pretended to jump on her and bared his scary teeth. Massie screamed and jumped back, only to see him hackle in laughter. "Hey! That's not funny!"

Massie jumped over him and tackled him while Noah charged at his hind legs, causing him to lose balance and plummet to the floor. What Massie hadn't accounted for, was the dirt that now layered over her clothes. "Eww! You're still dirty!" She screeched, watching a brown stain mar her shirt. He was so lucky this shirt was not one of her favorites!

"Under the soap with you!" She ordered, ushering him forward.

Jordan galloped to where his brother was, who now looked like a bubbling massive poodle rather than a wolf. He was only suppose to stand under the soapy hose for a large splash, much like James did, but it seemed Jayden enjoyed the soapy water for reasons unknown to her. Noticing Noah was calmly laying down on the grass, she began to push him there too.

"Don't think you're exempt from a wash. You need it too."

Noah's wolf yawned. After further prompting he then stood...only to then drop again and bare his teeth in what she knew to be a trickster smile. He laid down on the grass belly up and howled. Massie knowingly ruffled his belly, to which his tongue lapped out and she knew he was enjoying it. His wolf was much different than Sebastian's. Whenever she caressed Cinnamon, he did not make expressions of pure joy like this.

"Noah, get under the soap water or I will leave you as dirty as you are." Sebastian warned. He moved to brush Jordan as James galloped to the clear water. Jayden still refused to move from the soapy hose.

"I'll help!" Massie offered. Beside Sebastian she noticed an extra brush, but before she could grab it he took it out of her reach.

"You will not."

"But I only want to help!"

"And I said no." His tone was laced with finality and Massie pouted.

Why was he being so complicated? If she helped he would finish much faster. He finished Jayden and called over Noah, and in similar fashion motioned for Jayden, who looked reluctant to leave his bubbling bliss.

"Why do you wash all the wolves?"

"Because as one of the chief trainers it is my duty to make sure my men are well taken care of," he said seriously, looking very much the devoted trainer. Since Jayden had been under the hose for so long, he was the fastest to finish, but judging by the soap on his fur it would take a whole lot of water rinse it out.

"And who does you?"

Sebastian nodded at Jayden, who was idly under the water hose with an expression of pure boredom. She almost laughed at how comical he looked now that he couldn't be under his soapy heaven. Before Sebastian could see her intentions, Massie grabbed the brush in his hand hid it behind her.

"I'll brush you."

Sebastian regarded her silently, making no move to take the brush away from her. Then, to her surprise, he transformed without making an argument. He barked something at Jayden, who merely nodded his head beneath the cascading water. After making a stop under the soapy hose, he made his way to her, his strong legs moving gracefully with the stealth and strength of a predator.

"My sweet Cinnamon, how I've missed you!" Massie cooed. She rubbed her nose with his and he emitted a low reverberating growl.

Noah and Jordan, who were now in human form, laughed loudly beneath the spitting hoses.

"Cinnamon? What is he a cereal box now?" Noah cracked, his boisterous laughter reaching her.

"Oh no, wait, maybe he's a pastry!" Jordan continued, and then the duo slapped hands as if it were the funniest thing.

The purple-eyed beauty giggled, finding their comments rather entertaining. Cinnamon regarded her darkly, as though he very much regretted letting her wash him. She placed her hands on her hips. "Don't give me that! You never minded me calling you that before, now that Jordan and Noah and being imbeciles you have a problem?"

The named duo doubled over in laughter, as though her statement made the situation even more hilarious. Fed up, Cinnamon gave two barks and the two blubbering males straightened out.

"Yes chief!" The chorused, then they ran to the mysterious back door. Massie wondered what he told them to have them leave so abruptly, but decided it was none of her business.

She got to work and made sure to get rid of all the debris. He was just as dirty as the other ones, if not slightly more. Despite him being a trainer, it was evident his gave himself into everything he did, and Massie found this to be an admirable quality. She liked the way he took care of his packmates, the way he placed them first before taking care of himself. His father taught him well the way of a true leader.

"Don't you guys have conditioner or something?" Massie asked, referring to how they only washed with soap and water.

Cinnamon ignored her. He was content to continue staring at the endless tress that enshrouded their large property. Jayden stepped out of the water hose, finally thoroughly rinsed of all the soap. He barked towards a singular bucket filled with bottles of un-used conditioners. He walked past it with disinterest before transforming human and entering the back door.

Massie could only shake her head. Figures these males could care less about conditioner, but Cinnamon was under her watch now, so she would make him put some on. When she signaled he could go under the water, he trotted to the hose and rinsed. In the meantime she obtained a bottle of conditioner, and before he could protest she slathered it all over him.

This thing has amazing slip...

It's official, she would take one of them home and use it for herself. Her wavy hair was prone to tangles and the one she had now did not cut it. It's completely unfair that a wolf with coarser hair who probably never used conditioner had no knots at all. As in none. Not any. Zero. This world was not fair!

When she finished lightly combing through his hair with her fingers, he doused a final splash of water and then landed his paw on a lever that ceased all the water from gushing. Massie expected him to turn into human form but he didn't. Instead he drew close. His nose roamed over her damp body. She wasn't fully wet, only the bottom half of her shirt and parts of her jeans. He sniffed her, and other times he just allowed his wet nose to bump her, similar to the night when he visited her home.

His nose curved under the damp shirt and perused her stomach, making her shiver at the cold contact. Then, she felt a warm tongue slid across her skin. Massie blushed. Of all places he's never licked her there before. Only her hands, very few times her cheek. She knew that when a female exposed her stomach it was a sign of submission, but she didn't know what him licking there meant.

Suddenly, he shifted, and in Cinnamon's place was Sebastian. He towered over her, completely wet from head to foot. His hands roamed the place his snout once was, slipping under her shirt higher and higher until midway. His fingers were cold from the frigid water, leaving goosebumps wherever they trailed. His amber eyes were clouded, almost as though he were in a trace. He closed the distance between them and let his nose skim up her neck and then slid down her collar.

"Thank you." He whispered. He nuzzled her neck in appreciation and then separated himself. Massie could only stare in wonder as he entered through the door as all the others had, watching him disappear from sight.

[o-o-o]

Massie flapped her arms in front of the mirror, feeling very much like a small bird with wings. This T-shirt was massive. Then again, that was to be expected from her soon-to-be boyfriend. Sebastian was large himself, so it was no surprise his shirt not only made her look puny, but completely dwarfed her.

Massie smirked. Look at her, already wearing his clothes. One point for her! It would so be romantic if it weren't for the fact that he only gave it to her because her previous one had gotten wet. Massie turned around in the mirror and frowned at the second angle. She may look like a cool bird, but its length hid her butt. Dang it, now minus one point for not only hiding her slim waist, but also covering her cute tush.

Perhaps if she tucked it in...

Massie tried the idea— it only made her look ridiculous. The shirt had excessive fabric and didn't look right. She pulled it out once more and exited the bathroom. Oh well, her face was pretty enough, and it wasn't as though Sebastian checked her out like that. Her amazing body was a complete waste on him, he hardly appreciated it. The only time he really looked at her like that was on her birthday, and she put much effort that day. Most of the time Sebastian was so proper, never letting his eyes wander. With his reserved persona, it's not hard to believe he's never had a girl-friend.

"Massie, just the person I wanted to see." A voice gently greeted her. "I have a favor to ask you."

Massie paused in the hallway and smiled warmly at Mia, Sebastian's mother. She looked stunning as always, with long, rippling brown hair that cascaded around her face beautifully. Her features were soft. She had a small, cherub-like nose, rosy cheeks, and thick lashes that framed bright caramel eyes. She looked like a fire-angel that descended from heaven, easily the most beautiful woman Massie ever saw. Mia was always so nice to her, and the few times they bumped into each other she never failed to acknowledge her.

"What is it?"

Taking note of her shirt, Mia got distracted. "That's a huge shirt." She commented.

Massie knew she was really asking how she came upon it, maybe even whose it was. It was easy to see this shirt was not hers.

"Oh this. I was helping wash Sebastian's wolf after the men finished training. My shirt got wet so he gave me one of his to change into," she explained.

"I see..." Mia's eyes glimmered with hidden satisfaction. "Well, my favor is if you could do my eyebrows. I heard you do them, and mine need some help."

Massie laughed. Who would have thought that word of her talent got around in this house. She was glad the favor was something she could easily do. "Of course! I'll go get my tweezers."

"Meet me outside in the gardens. I'll be sitting in one of the lounging chairs."

"Okay!"

Massie sped to the living room. There, she found the men playing video games just as she had left them. Sebastian continued to sit in the empty seat beside her stuff, responsibly doing the social studies homework she had been working on earlier. He simultaneously kept sending unwelcoming don't-bother-me-or-else vibes all around him, and they were obvious enough for the other men to notice; not once did they call him over to play.

Leaving him be, she grabbed her bag and rummaged through it to find her tweezers. When her hands grazed its appointed spot, her searching left her empty handed. She paused.

Wait a minute...didn't Sebastian steal them from me a couple days ago?

Her head snapped to the offending wolf in question. That's right, he never gave them back! Determined, Massie planted her feet in front of him to get his attention, unwelcoming vibes be damned!

When he didn't look up, she cleared her throat for extra measure. "Ah-hem!"

Sebastian remain unfazed, his attention still on the paper and very much actively writing. Massie glared. How dare he sit so calmly and not telepathically know what her issue was!

Then, as though hearing her thoughts, he spoke. "Massie, I am aware you are there." He murmured, sounding slightly distracted.

She hmphed. "It would be helpful if you actually looked at me when I want to tell you something."