"I'm sorry, I just don't think this job is a good fit for you." Riley swallowed hard, but didn't cry. She was proud of herself for that. Thirty two years old, and still being fired from menial jobs. It wasn't even her fault, someone had groped her behind and she had reacted without thinking, yelling out loud and demanding, just like those classes in self defense had told her. Draw attention to the potential threat and people would look over and remember in case she went missing. Granted her mind probably went too far with that thought, she was in a grocery store for heaven's sake and it was just some pervy middle aged man who had grown up believing he owned the world. In the twenty first century, 2023 to be exact, things were thankfully changing. But still, not fast enough as Riley was concerned. Realizing she had drifted off in thought, she forced herself to meet her now former boss's gaze and nodded seriously. "Thank you for the opportunity." The boss looked relieved she wasn't throwing a scene. Or at least, Riley assumed he did, she wasn't very good at reading body language.
At her locker, a friendly fellow-former she corrected herself- associate came up with sympathetic gaze. Riley didn't have friends, not for lack of trying, but really. All the people her age were married and had kids and didn't still share an apartment with a couple of strangers just to split the rent money like a bunch of college students. Thinking about college always made her sad, so she pushed that thought firmly away and turned her attention to the other, discretely checking the name tag to remind herself the name of the one talking to her. "It's okay Sam." She always tried to use people's names, even if it was difficult sometimes, interpersonal communication just sucked. "I'm sure I'll find another job soon enough." Sam wrinkled her nose, looking concerned for some reason still. She was really was pretty, all petite and delicate, with inky black hair, almond shaped chocolate eyes, pert little nose and little rosebud lips. So, maybe RIley read a bit too much romance novels but really, Sam looked like the perfect little Japanese doll that in her books some burly Yakuza would swoop in and steal for his mafia or something. Riley blinked at her train of thought. Wow, she really needed some sleep. She had been up all night trying to study for an exam that unfortunately she probably wouldn't be able to afford the payment on next week and so was probably pointless to concern herself with.
Shaking off that melancholy thought, Riley realized Sam was talking to her. Shaking her head, she pulled her earbud out of her ear, mostly to blame that on the fact she hadn't been listening and pretend she just couldn't hear over the non-existent music playing. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" Sam was normally sarcastic, bordering on abrasive and rude, but for some reason, she had always been kind to her. Riley had a suspicion Sam assumed the other girl was mentally deficient in some way, others had assumed that alot. Riley had been diagnosed with Autism at age six, when a concerned teacher had pointed it out and went above and beyond to try and get Riley help. First grade had been the only time Riley had actually done well, the years after that were a total bust. Her mother had been too interested in chasing after her newest boyfriend to care if the schools actually followed the IEP plan set up for her. She had barely graduated school and had thought college beyond her reach. Until she hit thirty, realized she had done nothing with her life and had applied to college anyway. It was a simple community college that worked with older students but Riley had thought she was doing pretty well. Not that it mattered at this point.
Sam grinned at her, clearly amused by Riley's wandering thoughts, instead of annoyed like everyone else would and had been. "I was saying, you should stay with me and Sin for a bit. Instead of rent, you can cook for us." Riley blinked, stunned by the generous offer. She actually did love to cook and the weirdo in her loved to clean. Riley had only met Sinclair once before, but the woman was absolutely stunning in the old school vintage model type - all lush curves in a perfect hourglass Riley had thought had to be done by a corset, it looked so impossible. The woman had been absolutely stunning, vivid red lipstick, skin so pale she could see the blue veins and Riley had only caught a glimpse of her eyes, before looking away, but they had to be contacts. No one's eyes were that shade of vivid purple. Raven black hair, somehow messy but artfully done, half chignon and half tumbling to her waist, and Riley figured she dyed it, because it had shades of blue in the strands that were a rich midnight but still.. blue. She figured the other woman stood easily at six feet, the heeled boots she had worn had been pretty modest, but really, no one was that pretty without money.
Realizing she had been distracted, Riley leaned against the locker, clutching at her worn backpack. "I have a dog." She said, tone uncertain. Well, more like the dog owned her. Ashanti had shown up one day in front of her, badly injured, and whining softly. Riley didn't drive, but she had found a car rideshare that allowed pets, had wrapped the massive dog into blankets and rode to the nearest emergency vet. The poor dog had leaned heavily on her, barely able to walk, mostly dragging her back leg. The vets had looked confused and a bit wary but when the dog hadn't even growled when they reached for her, they had immediately taken the dog back, though Riley was pretty certain she had heard one mutter, "Pretty sure this thing is a dire wolf." Riley had looked up dire wolves on the library computer later that week, the dog waiting patiently outside, leash loosely wrapped around one pole. Riley had blinked, leaned over to see the dog all wrapped in bandages and poor shaved fur, and stitches and then back to the picture. Wow. The vet hadn't been kidding. The dog.. wolf .. thing, the shoulder's came to Riley's hips and head pressed into her stomach. Pure rippling muscle, and gorgeous shades of brown and grey, tufted triangle ears and fluffy tail, well, it had been now it was sadly shaved and stitched but the dog had thumped it anyway when Riley came back after her time had ended and the computer warned her it would be logging her off shortly. Riley had knelt, gently patted the wolf on the head and received a lick against her wrist in welcome. Well, dog.. dire wolf, whatever. She was a creature who for some reason had sought out Riley for help. And so Riley had emptied out her savings without thinking to the vets.
Now, six months later, the wolf followed her wherever she went, always patiently waited outside whenever Riley went to work or to the grocery store, sometimes the library, all within walking distances from her little apartment. She very rarely went inside the apartment ,not after her roommate, Josh, had about had a heart attack when he first saw the massive creature. Riley wasn't sure who owned the beauty of a wolf, she only knew the name because the collar had a tag on it. A name, a number, but no address. Riley had tried to call the number, but no one had answered, and it had gone straight to voicemail each time. Riley had left three messages, then given up and hoped for the best. The wolf usually slept on the porch at night, since she lived on the first floor, and her neighbors hadn't yet complained to the landlord.. too much anyway. Most days, since it was summer and warm and the wolf ran hot like a furnace, Riley usually slept outside, using the massive wolf as a pillow.
Sam snorted for some reason when Riley said that, waving one hand, voice still filled with mirth as she answered, "Yeah, the Carlyn, I know. If I was her, I wouldn't leave either. I know you spoil her rotten." At that, Riley smiled wryly. It was true, she did spoil her pet terribly so, always sharing her lunches, the wolf taking the snacks from her fingers so gently, and she always brushed her fur before bed, the routine soothed both of them.
Ashanti tended to be a bit over protective, but Riley didn't mind. Whenever someone came up and tried to talk to her, and Riley was too awkward to find a way out, the wolf would simply muscle the other guy out of the way, plop herself down and very deliberately show her teeth but no growl. Most just made an excuse and fled. Only once had one done something different, he had looked annoyed, muttered something about "Damn Alphas," and pretended to growl back at the wolf.
Surprisingly, the wolf had made a chuffing noise, almost like a laugh. The other had introduced himself then, an easy going smile as he explained, "I'm Nicolai. And you are friends with Saimrel, so I wanted introduce myself." One brow arched at the wolf, "If that's okay with you." Ashanti looked away, regal bearing, and Nicolai had snorted in amusement and turned her beautiful attention back to Riley. He pronounced her name as Sigh Ahm Rye Ale. Riley was sufficiently distracted by that and the thought that Sam really only knew beautiful people. The man looked as if he could step off the magazine of GQ, that dark bronze skin, dark eyes, and tousled black hair, he looked like a Spanish pirate turned twenty first century in Gucci and whatnot.. Riley wasn't really up to date with rich people clothes. Riley had belatedly introduced herself and Ashanti, but the man just gave her a sweet smile, clearly not judging her at all despite Riley's terrible awkwardness. No one that pretty was allowed to be that nice but he had fallen into step beside her, chatting easily and not seeming at all to mind she didn't want to actually carry a conversation but content to listen to him and that accent that Riley couldn't quite place but it was just heavy enough to make her have to pay attention or fail to comprehend what he said.
He had paused, and Riley had realized they had reached her apartment without her realizing. Reaching into his coat breast pocket, he had offered her a card, a gentle smile at her again. "You are a good friend for our Sam," He had declared, though his voice was oddly sad. "She doesn't .. want to be with Micheal and I anymore, but I still want to watch out for her." Riley had accepted the card, clutching at the card, then had dared to offer, "Sam has been really sad lately, maybe she changed her mind?" The man had looked so hopeful then, giving Riley a devastating smile, all white teeth shining against that dark skin. "Perhaps so cub," He had given an odd little bow to Ashanti, then laughed and dodged her nip after patting Riley's shoulder. Laughing, that rich sound that sent shivers down Riley's back, he had strode away. The wolf huffed, and Riley was pretty sure if a wolf could look pouty, Ashanti managed to. Gently ruffling the wolf's head, she had offered, "No one is home, wanna come upstairs and stare like like your usual pervy self as a shower?" It always amused her that the wolf would whine pathetically at the door whenever Riley took a shower when the roommates weren't home and had shut the bathroom door. The wolf looked away at the question, as if denying the words but had followed Riley anyway upstairs.
Now, Riley stared at her friend, belatedly realizing that she looked happier than she had for the last few weeks. Maybe she had worked out things with her guys after all. Riley wasn’t sure what arrangement they had, Sam had an Ace flag pin on her backpack, but still they had something going on. Maybe they were just friends and they had temporarily broken up the friendship. She did say her and Sinclair so she didn’t live with the other guy. Shaking her head at her runaway thoughts Riley straightened and nodded. “Yes. Please. That would be wonderful.”
Sam grinned at her, and then reached out and firmly grabbed her arm, leading Riley away. Riley had a moment to wonder how Sam knew how to touch her, that she needed to be gripped firmly because gentle touching made her skin feel like ants crawling and the strong deep pressure was best. It was why she loved with her wolf laid on her, like a warm living weighted blanket that she’d always wanted to buy but couldn’t afford. 200 dollars for a blanket just wasn’t in the budget. As she was lead away, Riley hitched her backpack over her shoulder and let Sam lead her to the Jeep. The doors had been put back on and for that Riley was grateful. Buckling herself in, she settled her bag by her feet, and pointed as she directed Sam where to go. It was a good thirty minute walk from work to her home, longer if she had to wait on traffic that didn’t obey the lights and crossing signs. Hitching a ride wasn’t too bad, she reasoned. She would just find a different way to exercise tonight. Her wolf tended to growl whenever Riley’s stomach growled but she was tired of being overweight and since she couldn’t afford healthy food.. it was just better to skip meals and add more exercise.
When they arrived at her apartment Riley left her bag in the Jeep, peeking her head in and offering “I won’t be long but you can come in if you want. Fair warning Josh is home with his girlfriend and she’s kinda loud.” Riley tried to take Ashanti for walks when that happened, because the wolf liked to compete in loudness by howling. Some days it was a tie. Sam blinked and then crinkled her nose in clear disgust. “Yeah. I’ll wait here. Gather your stuff and your hellhound you call a pet.” She paused and then looked dubiously at her backseat.” I think she should fit.” Riley couldn’t help the soft giggle. The wolf had to be easily over 200 pounds of pure solid muscle now, maybe closer to 270 if Riley had to guess after a bit of research on the library computers.
Ashanti growled at Sam, but Riley knew it was merely for show for she promptly sat on Sam's foot, looking as smug as a wolf could be when Sam promptly cursed in what Riley assumed was her native language and tried to pull her foot free. Mostly complaining about her rather expensive boots and threatening to use the wolf's fur as lining for her next pair. Riley darted up the stairs, a soft humming under her breath, only to frown as she realized as she reached the top, that her apartment door was open. Frowning slowly, she carefully pushed open the door, calling out, "Josh? Sarah? Brandon?" Hearing nothing, she frowned harder and carefully stepped inside. Inside, the place was absolutely trashed. Riley swallowed hard, a glance to her side, seeing as always the faint flickering of an outline. If she looked closely, she could almost see the usual ghost that tended to haunt the apartment. Riley had learned at an early age to not tell anyone she saw spirits, it just was bad news. And most of them were just bored and lonely, content to talk to her and share stories. Riley had figured out being a ghost had to really suck, mostly in terms of being lonely and bored. Sometimes that meant that the ghosts who figured out she could see them would often pull pranks or do something silly, just to make her laugh, especially when she was supposed to be paying attention in class.
The ghost now, a young girl dressed in traditional victorian servants garb, wrung her hands, her soft lilting voice apologetic. "I'm so sorry Milady, I tried to scare them but they were so very strong. I'm not sure what they took, but they left really mad, so maybe they didn't find what they were looking for?" Riley nodded, stepping again carefully into the apartment. She knew the pretty maid would have warned her if there were any danger left. "It's okay Astoria, you did your best and thank you for that." If a ghost could blush, Riley was sure the girl would have, the cute way she ducked her head and looked shy. Riley wasn't sure how the girl died, most ghosts couldn't remember why they died or when or how but Riley figured it had to be a sickness that came suddenly and without warning, probably some kind of plague. The girl held no real lingering resentment or anger, the way those who were murdered tended to be.
Sighing deeply, Riley stepped into her bedroom, wondering how much she cared to actually call the police and stay for the report and the fingerprinting. She lived in the rather.. poor. section of town and the cops would just make a note, promise to look into and then promptly do nothing. No one cared about the poor people, they were only a step above the homeless that everyone liked to pretended didn't exist. Kinda like the divergent in that one really popular series a few years ago. Riley shook her head, picking up her books one by one, and lamenting a torn cover here and there. What shocked her was the fact that even though the baseboard in her closet had been pulled up, the little ceramic piggy bank had been left completely alone. Whoever had done this, they weren't druggies looking for quick cash. Picking up her little piggy bank, a gift from her grandmother when she was a child, she carefully pulled the stopper and then pulled out a couple bills just to be sure. A twenty, two fifties, and a lone single hundred dollar bill, the rest singles. Yes, everything was there, her rainy day fund. Definitely not druggies then. The hell..
"Riley?" She turned at the sound of her name, only to pause at the odd expression on Sam's face. The low growling from Ash caught Riley off guard, it sounded far more dangerous than she had ever heard the wolf sound. The little maid gave a soft eep and promptly hid behind the bookcase, leaning sideways against the window preciously. Ash tracked the wolf with her gaze, which didn't surprise Riley , animals always could see spirits, but Sam frowned over in the direction where Ash looked for a moment, then shook her head as if dismissing the spirit as a threat. Riley glanced down when Ash leaned heavily against her side, nearly losing her balance but catching herself against the bed. Even her perfectly made bed had been rumpled and tossed. They were looking for something clearly. "I think you need to tell her the truth Ashanti." Sam's voice was calm, almost eerily so. When the wolf growled, Sam glanced down at her, one brow arched. "Do you want them to come back again, and steal your mate next time?" At the deep, viscous growl that provoked, Riley couldn't help the soft shiver and involuntary step forward, wanting to soothe whatever upset the wolf. Sam motioned towards Riley as if to say, "see?" and Ash sighed deeply. She moved to jump onto the bed, and before Riley could blink, with a quick sound of bones crushing and shifting, it sounded horribly painful if it wasn't done so fluidly and quickly, there on her bed was the prettiest woman RIley had ever seen. Dark caramel skin, the same deep chocolate eyes, tumbling locks of dark black with hints of red and brown, over a body that well, Riley was a bit jealous of the solid muscles. Riley was too well insulated to be anything but soft curves.. kinda like an apple. Realizing her gaze was lingering and that the wolf.. now woman.. was watching her with a bit of unease, Riley blurted out in her typical fashion, "That is the fucking coolest thing I've ever seen. So you're a werewolf? Do you change in the moonlight? Are you bound by the moon's cycles? Do you have a knot? Can you control the shift? Can you smell as well in your human form as your wolf form?" When she paused for a second for a breath, Sam in the doorway laughing, Ash looking absolutely dumbfounded, Riley realized she had been rambling and blushed. "Sorry," She muttered, moving to pick up her stuff again. "I know I'm weird."
She paused when those strong arms wrapped around her, gently taking what she finally realized was a bra, and wow, that strength and power in the embrace and oh yes, the Alpha was naked, her libido finally helpfully reminded her. Batting away her attention with a stick, Riley nearly swallowed her tongue as Ash leaned over, her warm voice heavy with accent, a rolling burr as she spoke, "You aren't weird love, you are yourself and that's perfect for me." Riley stared blankly at the wall for a moment, her brain doing a literal blue screen.. error 404 brain not found. Swallowing hard, Riley pulled free, belatedly shoving a cardigan she picked up nearby hanging on the lamp at Ash. "Did you pull that out of a romance novel? Cause I'm pretty sure I read that part outloud to you last week, when I was reading you the really good parts .." A pause. "Only good parts of the book. Seriously, people need to learn to invent in an editor, especially when they plan to self publish." Riley waited until Ash took the cardigan with a bemused look. "It smells like me right? I wore it yesterday." The garment was brought to a nose and sniffed, then a slow nod. Riley grinned. "Right. You wear it, smell like me, and we'll be good right? You gotta smell like your mate right?" Another slow blink, a helpless glance to Sam, who just laughed harder. "Dude," She said, "You are the one who's lived with her for the last six months. I've just worked with her for the last two. I would think living would show more of a person rather than work."
Ash's mouth opened, shut and then she turned at Riley's question. "Do you have fangs? Like Sam?" Sam blinked, one hand clasping over her mouth. "I figured you were some kind of vampire a long time," Riley admitted, shrugging as she continued shoving random clothing into a duffle bag. She didn't own that much, it was just scattered everywhere. "Demon actually," Sam said slowly. "Leirth. Vampires are native to Earth. We aren't. But we both drink blood, Leirth just feed on soul energy as well." At that, Riley frowned, then turned sharply around. "Wait? You mean you're an alien? That's even more cool." Sam snorted, amused despite her clear upset about being found out, and shrugged. "Not me personally, but I think my great grandmother was. And we don't come through spaceships or whatnot..there's a portal between our two realms." Riley slowly nodded. "Yeah, Patrick, he's the ghost who lives in the park a short distance away, told me about that. He said he wanted to return home, cause the Reapers don't usually take his kind home on this side of the portal, but he hasn't' found a way yet."
Sam blinked, but it was Ash who answered, "Shadowyn. She talks to the Shadowyn." At that, Sam's face cleared up. "Oh yea, The Second War really was horrible. Just stay away from the really bad ones, most Shadowyn are harmless victims." Riley was about to ask another question but Ash stood in front of her and crossed her arms,. Riley did her best not to stare at the other woman's breasts but dang, it was hard. They were so perky, and Riley was once again envious. And well, maybe a little turned on. It wasn't everyday a stunning woman stood in front of her naked and looked all growly and Alpha and all dominating and grr, obey me, and Riley realized she had completely zoned out when Ash barked out a laugh. "The Mother does not make a mistake." Ash told Riley, who simply blinked in confused. The.. who? God? Was that what they called God? Riley really wasn't religious. She believed in God, she believed in Jesus, and angels, but the rest.. meh. Her hair, tied into a loose braid, was tugged, and then Riley glanced over, realizing that Ash had tossed on a pair of leggings, since her butt didn't fit in most jeans Riley almost always wore jeans or sometimes dresses if she ran out of clean clothes and didn't have the coins for the laundromat. With a tank top under the cardigan now, and her feet shoved into socks.. no shoes of Riley were going to fit the feet of a woman who Riley had to guess, stood over six feet tall. Riley had the sudden thought that the Alpha could hold her up against the wall easily, despite all her extra weight, with those muscles. Riley tore her gaze away from where the leggings stretched over Ash's thighs and up into a very amused looking face. "I will let you look your fill later pup, its only fair after all." She grinned then, and sadly there were no fangs, but that smile was rather wicked. "For now though, to answer your questions, no, I'm not a werewolf. Those are native to this planet as well. I'm Carlyn. Similar species, both wolves, just slightly different. Kinda like how tigers and leopards are both still cats." Riley blinked, then nodded. Oh that made total sense. "I'm not a male wolf, so therefore I don't have a penis and thus no knot." Her smile turned a bit wicked. "But I do have very fun toys, and a couple of them have those if you were interested." Riley couldn't help the sudden deep blush on her cheeks, she hadn't realized that had slipped out, and she turned sharply away, pretending to double check her bag. Taking pity on her, knowing Riley tended to get overstimulated easily, Ash backed off and just tugged gently on the braid, before letting go and answering, "As to what happened here? They were looking for me. They being the rival pack. When you found me, and rescued me, I had been badly injured. There's a rival pack that's trying to overthrow my brother and they are resorting to underhanded tactics. They tried to kidnap our youngest sister, a little Omega who's barely past cub, and far too young to be mated off." Her expression went dark and stormy at that, but it cleared quickly. "I fought them off, and she's safely hidden in Kristopher's palace of a home," Sam snorted at that. "His home makes Micheal and Nick's look like a cute little cottage. Granted, he's the Queen's Consort, but still. She has like six of them." A pause. "Four. It's four now. I forgot two of them found their mates." At Riley's confused look, Sam shrugged. "Leirth are a matriarchal society, but the Queen is benevolent. If you find your mate, she won't make you stay." Riley frowned, but hefted her duffel bag, nodding seriously. "I'm glad your Queen is awesome then. So what now? We go back to your home and kick the butt of this evil pack?" Ash shook her head, tugging once more on Riley's braid, her smile impossibly fond. "Home is in Lousiana cub, are you sure you want to travel that far?" Riley frowned at that, then belatedly picked up a pair of panties she almost missed and shoved them into her pillowcase, then tucked her pillow between her back and the duffel she had shoved onto her shoulder to keep it there. "Your accent isn't Southern though. It kinda sounds more like Greek or something." A pause. "You kinda look like a Greek goddess, like one of those bronze statues?" Ash blinked, looked down at herself, but Riley was already barreling on, moving towards the door. "And its not like I have anything tying me down to this place after all, anyway. I kinda got fired today." At that, Ash growled, and Riley blinked. "Wow. Why is that hot? Like, a little scary, but in the good kind of scary?" Waving one hand dismissively, Riley turned around before Ash could answer, marching out the door. "I mean, you are stuck with me. You called me mate after all, right?" A trace of insecurity hit Riley then, a sudden deep seated fear. She knew she was weird, intensely so, she had no filter, and never shut up talking. Combine that with a body that most made fun of rather than looking at her with lust, and well. Her thoughts abruptly derailed when she felt a hand slip under her company shirt, which woops, she forgot to switch into a normal shirt and give back the stupid thing to her former work. And- all thought rushed out of her body when her nipple was tweaked through her sturdy, boring, over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder of a bra. "Such a shame," The voice purred in her ear, and Riley felt her knees go weak. "To be stuck with a mate such as yourself." The other hand slid down over her belly, and Riley tried to suck it in, and couldn't help the sudden jerk when the touch tried to slip under her jeans. "Sorry," A soft rumbling sound, the hands slipping free to firmly squeeze Riley's arm, rather than abruptly letting go and stepping back as most would have. "I'll go slow I promise. It's just hard to keep my hands off such a beautiful creature." Riley turned slowly, aware she was scowling, but Ash had nothing but absolute sincerity in her gaze. "You think I'm pretty?" At that, Ash drew in a breath, and nodded seriously. "You'll see when we go home, but we like our women to be just like you. I'm an Alpha, yes but I'm also a warrior, meant to serve and protect our pack's High Alpha, my brother and our siblings. Trust me cub, if Sam wasn't here, I would gladly push you onto this bed and wipe out any thoughts except of me." Gentle lips brushed against Riley's while Sam snorted in the background. "Ugh gross. Go do your sex stuff somewhere -away- from me. It's bad enough that Nick likes to come over and brag about his exploits with his mate." Still grumbling, Sam stalked off down the stairs. Riley belatedly accepted the hand offered to her, and followed after Ash after a moment, tugged along gently. She hadn't even realized her duffel had been removed from her grasp until she saw it over the other woman's shoulder. One last glance over her shoulder, and then Riley turned resolutely and let herself be lead to her new life.. in apparently Louisiana
Ash settled herself down against the seat, gaze moving towards the window. Adam had lent his private plane for them, a side bonus of his best friend being her brother's mate she supposed. Sure beat driving from New York all the way to Louisiana, and she tended to get growly around too many people.. there is no way she would have been able to fly, even first class, amongst so many strangers. Her gaze moved towards her mate, who had promptly passed out in the plane after assuring her that she always slept in cars airplanes were totally different! And yet, the soft creature had shifted, laid her head on Ash's shoulder and was breathing with these soft snuffling noises that almost could be snores. Ash still couldn't believe how well she had taken the truth, the transformation, and well, just everything. Although, her naming of the Shadowyn had be the best part. The shades didn't remember their names, so Riley had given them new ones. Astoria from the apartment.. Patrick from the park.. Susie from the supermarket.. and so forth. She was a strange creature, but as the wave of possessive heat rolled through her, the itch of her gums as the need to claim her mate tried to consume her, well, Ash found she was perfectly content with the strange creature. She was so soft so very soft, with such soft skin. Ash vowed to buy her all the pretty unscented of course, lotions that RIley could want, since she so lamented about her dry elbows and had tried to make the little bottle of lotions last each day. Ash had so wanted to help her, to soothe her, to take her into her arms and promise her that she never had to worry about money again, but she'd been trapped in her wolf form. Helpless, silent, and just waiting until she finally healed. Which had been a mere three days ago, and well, Ash had planned originally on just disappearing on Riley and going home. No need to drag her rather human mate into her affairs. But she'd found her mate wandering the streets late at night, barely wrapped in a coat, unzipped and in pajamas of all things, searching the streets at two am. The thought of something happening to her had made her blood run cold. It wasn't until another wolf had sought her out, head tilted, neck bared, even though she was the intruder in the pack lands and explained he had scared off anyone who would have harmed her. Riley had been grateful and when assured that his Alpha did not mind her prescence, for he knew that she had shown up gravely injured, well, it had been only common sense to give the wolf her brother's information and private number in case the Alpha's wanted to ally or even just meet. Her brother had sent someone the very next day, which had been the one who met the three of them outside Sam's car. Riley had stared at the man, turned to Ash, and then asked, "Is he a werewolf too? Cause no one human is built like that. Not unless he was abusing steroids or something." Ash hadn't been able to help the laugh at the look on the man's face. Carlyn easily reached seven feet tall, at just barely six she was considered rather short for her people. And they were leaner than their Shuuherian counterparts, but still, they were often powerfully built, the men huge and imposing and the women solid and steady. No delicate wildflowers in her people, well aside from Marionette, her brother's wife, but she was mostly Siren and Ash had long figured that she didn't count. Which brought up the question.. most Carlyn had a wolf mate, even if the wolf was only a quarter like Netta. Yet, Riley smelled and looked completely human. Well, maybe with Terran blood, with the whole Soul Acolyte thing, but still. She couldn't catch a wiff of wolf on the girl. Not that it mattered, anyway, in the long run. The other wolves would grumble, but her brother would accept her mate with open arms and the rest of the pack would hold their tongue out of respect for their Alpha's choice of actions.
Now, she sat in the private airplane, miles above land, watching the different views of the planet below and the clouds, with plenty of space to stretch out, and wondered what she was going to do next. Obviously, she knew what she wanted to do, grab her mate, and toss the girl into the bed and have her wicked way until she was dazed and promptly bitten and Marked as Mate. But Ash knew that Riley deserved flowers and courting and wooing and taking things slow and careful. She was pretty sure Riley hadn't even been kissed before, not properly anyway, by the way she had held so still when Ash had barely kissed her earlier. The thought of being her first made Ash shift, biting back the whine that would wake up Sam at least, even if Riley tended to sleep like the dead. Sam had shifted to her full demoness form, too nervous on airplanes to feel comfortable unless her wings and tail were pulled from .. Ash didn't get it, but it was kinda like the 4th dimension? Still attached to their bodies, always attached as arms and legs were, but yet not in the same physical plane of existence so they weren't visible or able to affect reality unless the demon shifted. Ash didn't get it, but whatever worked for the demons, she had no problems with them. And really, it made sense. If one could fly, of course you'd feel weird about something else flying you instead.
Ash glanced over at her mate, at the soft lush curves that Riley so hated and lamented over, and couldn't help trailing her fingers carefully down where the shirt had ridden up, exposing her belly. Riley hated it, but Ash rather liked the curve of it, the way it spilled a little over her too tight jeans, the only pair she owned and had forgotten until the mess from the apartment had unearthed them. For some reason, she had refused to wear leggings on the trip home. Strange little cub.. Ash would of course dress Riley in whatever clothes she wanted, be it jeans or skirts or dresses, clothing specifically tailored to fit her. And if she wanted to lose weight for her own self, not because society said she would, then well, Ash knew a few good personal trainers that would like the challenge of helping a human and all the limits that came with it and working around their lack of well.. everything. Ash was pretty sure the only reason Humans thrived was because they were too dumb to give up and they bred like rabbits.
Carefully Ash slipped a finger under the waistband, then frowned at the feel of skin indented there. Shaking her head, she carefully unsnapped then unzipped the jeans, rubbing gently at the marks the pants left. Silly girl, no one would judge her for wearing comfortable clothes.. they'd judge her for being human and not wolf. Giving up on that pursuit, she carefully let her fingers slide upwards this time, reaching the sturdy bra, and then up and just barely into one cup, stroking against the soft breast there. Ash was absolutely certain her hands couldn't contain the treasure there and the flesh would spill over. Ash couldn't wait to see, to feel, to grope to fondle.. the urge to bite her mate, to leave hickeys and marks and signs of possession tried to control her and she swallowed hard and tried to fight it away. Only to glance down and see chocolate eyes staring back up at her, glasses askew, and a little bemused smile on those full bee stung lips. "What are you doing?"
Ash glanced down at her hand, then shrugged and shoved it completely inside the bra, just to barely touch against one nipple. She watched in satisfaction as Riley drew in a sharp breath, biting her bottom lip and squirming. So very responsive. "You belong to me." Ash shrugged at that, then deliberately pulled Riley's shirt slightly, just to see better. At that, Riley snorted. "Alright, big bad Alpha. Does that mean I get to play helpless damsel in distress while going oh no, don't and yet making no effort to escape?" Ash couldn't help the soft laugh, even as she pulled her hand free, and tweaked RIley's nose instead, amused at her cross eyed look in response. "No, it just means that I can't keep my hands off you." A sudden, serious gaze and Riley did her best to meet it. "But its your body, and your consent. You don't want me to touch, I won't be offended. I know some days are bad sensory days, and I won't ever hold that against you." Ash couldn't help the sudden wicked smile. "Long as you hold me against you on the good days, okay?"
Riley stared at her so long, Ash wasn't sure what she had done wrong. Silence on her bubbly mate was a rare occasion. Finally Riley nodded, glanced over at their companion, who was far enough away in the plane that even if she woke up, she'd just roll her eyes and go back to sleep without seeing anything they were doing. Sam had strong opinions about sex.. namely that you did it away from her.
Ash let her be, knowing sometimes Riley needed time to process her thoughts and work through emotions, especially unexpected ones. She'd learned a lot living with her mate these past few months, but mostly it was because her youngest nephew was also the same. Riley wasn't as severe as Maliean, but still. Patience was the key here, and Ash found herself rewarded with a sudden unexpected hug, a face buried into her neck, which made her wolf growl in primal satisfaction of her mate taking comfort in her, and a tear laden voice saying, "Thank you for understanding." Leaning back, Riley wiped at her eyes and offered Ash her brilliant smile, unashamedly for once not hiding her crooked teeth as she always did. Ash couldn't help the sudden gleam of satisfaction of her mate trusting her, even as her two legged side was still ultimately baffled at how easily Riley had taken everything. She'd have to send Donnec to check on her later, to make sure she was alright. The girl wasn't wolf, but her brother was a gentle, kind soul that put everyone who met him at peace. It was why the Alpha pack had tried to attack, they thought him weak. Granted, they had waited until he was out of town on business to make their move like the cowards they were, but Ash knew had her brother been there, he would have easily dealt with all of them by himself. He may be most days a gentle teddy bear, but he still had his claws and could best even the best of their fighters in combat. Aside from maybe Rudra or Sasha, but they were dragon and bear, kinda wasn't a fair fight.
"Of course," Ash agreed easily, then laughed when Riley added bravely, "Once we are alone, I'll hold you against me." Shaking her head when Riley's face fell, she leaned over and brushed her lips against the other's. "Not laughing at you pet. Laughing at my wolf pouting about how we have to be alone which probably won't happen until next week or so. I have so many pack duties that I have neglected being gone, and Netta is going to want to spoil you rotten." At Riley's crinkled brow, Ash explained. "Marionette. She's the High Alpha's Mate. Most of the pack call her simply Alpha-Mate, but since she's my family, I'm allowed to call her by the nick name." Riley nodded, thinking this over, then glanced once more at Sam, who pointedly curled her tail over her face in response. The demoness rarely actually slept, simply rested quietly in most situations. Ash wasn't sure she even slept when with her two boyfriends, and their on again, off again relationship. Ash knew, as Micheal was part of her pack, that he wanted to claim Sam as Mate as well, even though he had already had Nicolai. It wasn't completely unheard of, a triad but it was still rare enough Micheal had sought out Donnec earlier this year and asked permission. Now the hard part was convincing Sam to agree to it.
Ash settled down after that, content to have Riley in her arms. She would just have to be patient to claim her mate is all. The airplane ride was smooth and easy and they landed with no fanfare or fuss. Of course, the airport was a distance away from where she actually lived, but that was the way of small towns. Miles away from civilization. Her pack lived in Riverstone, a half hour walk through the swamps from Willow Springs. However, Riverstone was completely owned by the pack, and only other Carlyn and a few Shuuherian of the pack lived in the little town. Willow Springs on the other hand, was something called a Sanctuary Town, which meant they accepted any and all who came within their borders - provided they followed the laws of course. The town had very strict laws, namely because the most of the people who drifted in were either hiding from the Hunters or else were simply not good people. There were the occasional down on their luck people who just needed some time to pull themselves together, and a handful of dual shifters who were escaping family or places that didn't acknowledge the laws about them had changed a mere twenty years ago.
Tossing the single duffel Riley had brought over her shoulder, her feet now clad in boots thankfully since the wolf that had been sent to find her had brought her a complete outfit in case she'd been trapped as a wolf. It happened more often than you would think. One hand settled possessively against Riley's back, the other reached for the one in front of her and squeezed the arm of the man who simply rolled his eyes and arched one dark brow. "Really, Ash? You disappear for months without a single word of contact and you bring home .. this?" He swept a gaze over Riley, who flushed and looked down. Ash snorted, shoved her oldest brother hard against his chest, not that it remotely moved him. The man towered over her, well over seven feet and built like a battering ram, barrel chested, tree trunk thighs and arms that bulged with muscle.
"Be nice. She's not used to your particular brand of asshole Daimon." Daimon grunted, but answered instead. "Least you found someone pretty, even if she's human. Can't imagine why she picked you, out of all the people probably fawning over her." Ash snorted, then grinned at Riley's look of complete confusion, one hand motioning towards herself as if to say, "Me? He thinks I'm pretty?" Ash was pretty sure she was mouthing the words to herself at least in sheer bafflement. Ash patted Riley gently on the back, amused still by Daimon who didn't even bother to attempt to take the duffel from Ash, both because he was indeed an asshole and because he knew Ash would be possessive about her mate's things, much as he was about Jalen. Instead she tossed one arm over Riley's shoulder, enjoying emmensely the fact that she immediately snuggled into the embrace and followed after her oldest brother.
The problem with living so far from civilization was that it took an hour to reach her home from the next city, and since the territory was owned by her High Alpha legally through the K'na'Gran Empire, the miles and acres surrounding her little town was nothing but forest and swamplands with no one allowed to build on it. Many humans had tried, but somehow had never managed to obtain the proper permits. The Human government was absolutely aware of Shifters and their own government, but the two somehow co-existed peacefully. Maybe because Shifters had been such a vital reason that World War Two had ended with the Allies winning, or for the Americans, the fact that the Shifters had mostly sided with the North. Mostly because the North had promised the Shifters an alliance and not hunt them further if they helped. And so far, the Human government had upheld their side of the bargain. It also didn't hurt that as the years progressed, the laws stopping Shifters from sharing their technology, especially from beyond the portal, lessened and the Human military rather liked the toys they slowly were being allowed to play with and the Human medicine progressed. Even if sadly it only benefited the rich and powerful with the technology slowly trickling down to the less fortunate as more and better technology was introduced to the one percent.
Ash didn't get it. The K'Na'Gra had their issues granted, but they would never leave their people to live in poverty and homeless and helpless, abandoned and forgotten. You were either a productive member of society or else sometimes, if your body was just too damaged, then the Soul Walkers would carefully escort your soul to the Reapers and thus ensuring your soul would be reborn into a better body and better life. Suicide was absolutely anathema to Shifters, if your life was absolutely that horrible then speak to the Hunters and they would help you. Sometimes it was just the fact that meds were needed because your brain wasn't wired correctly, or physical assistance such as needing help beating an addiction.
Usually though, most who couldn't survive as a Free and wanted to die, ended up submitting as a riko. And most thrived and blossomed. Owners took extreme pride in tending to their rikos, they were beloved possessions and were usually were spoiled rotten. Alot of Shifters, who struggled, especially those with mental illnesses, ended up as rikos. And then the choices were taken from them. Don't want to take your meds today? Too bad, you have to. Don't want to take a shower because your depression is too strong? Too bad, you'll be dragged into a warm shower, scrubbed down in your favorite scent, and then briskly dressed in soft warm comfy clothes and plopped down at the table and ordered firmly to eat. Ash had done that a couple times to one of her rikos, who had sighed deeply and ate the warm, filling broth anyway, after of course pouting and being spoon fed the few few bites in response. And then later had been allowed to curl up on the couch with a well read romance book and heavy weighted blanket and snuggled while Ash did paperwork on her computer. Maybe that's why the Shifters had been so on the side of the North - rikos were beloved slaves, meant to taken care of and tended to, much as Humans spoiled their pets, especially the cat owners. And to see the Humans abuse their slaves, To treat all of them as ricón, which were slaves that had been tossed away by their owners and left to fend for themselves on the streets. No one cared if a ricon was absused, or punished for no one reason, or just sold without warning. It was absolutely illegal to turn a riko into a ricon, but it still happened. And unfortunately most of the poor souls didn't realize they had legal right to seek out a Hunter and ask for sanctuary, for help. The Omigadoi usually just paid off the legal owner, and then settled the ricon into a program meant to rehabilitate them into being sold again as a proper riko. Some though, were too badly damaged and could never survive again with a normal Owner. That's where Ash into play, she fostered those rikos, the ones battered, the abused, the abandoned, the ones who had been thrown away. Some were violent, some were simply sad and lost, and others were belligerent and angry but ultimately harmless. Either way, Ash kept them until they were ready to return back to the Omigadoi or else, if she decided, they would be given to the Soul Walkers and granted peace. Only twice had Ash had to do that, once because the poor riko had been so badly abused she was blind, missing an arm, and in a month, had only sat there listlessly, rocking back and forth and never once responded to any sort of outside stimulation. The other had been because the riko had been simply too dangerous, a kyriiko, the ones trained as fighters and meant t protect, had been captured by his Sienter, his female Owner's, enemies and tortured before she had been killed before him. And unfortunately, Ash couldn't hold her own against a kyrriko, they were often ex-military who's PTSD were so bad they had turned to being kyriiko rather attempting to survive life outside the service as a Free. She had simply told the Hunter who offered her the chance to foster that riko to grant him peace and to ask the Reapers to make sure he and his Sienter were born once again close to each other so they could find each other once more. Currently Ash had two rikos at home, and hopefully her brothers had been taking care of them. Luckily they were both pretty mild cases and one was pretty close to returning to the Omigadoi so she wouldn't be surprised to come home to only one after six months away. Ash hadn't yet bought one of the fosters but she'd come close a handful of times.
Before she realized it, Ash looked up to see that their hour long drive had come to an end and they were pulling into the sprawling mansion her brother called home. Riley stirred from where she had been sleeping against Ash's shoulder and her mouth fell open. "Please tell me more than old couple live in this place." Ash couldn't help the soft laugh at that. "Plenty of people live in this place cub. My third oldest brother and his mate and their children, my second oldest brother and his revolving door of women," At that Damion snorted as he parked smoothly in front of the ten car garage. "And mostly the rest of our family comes and goes often. Moma and Popi live there as well, but they travel alot more since Donnec took over the pack from Popi."
Riley nodded slowly, clearly thinking that over and then sat up and grinned at Daimon when he opened the door for her, somehow not afraid of him despite the fact that everyone who saw him tended to be. He stood easily close to seven feet tall, with the traditional Carlyn dark skin, only a few shades darker than Ash's own, but she knew Humans tended to be uneasy around those of darker skin tone for some reason. Plus the dark scowl, the jagged scar that bisected his eyebrow, over his milky white eye, and curled his lip into a permanent snarl. Add in the fact he looked about the size and width of a tree, and the personality of a thunderstorm, most were rightly afraid of him. But Riley, she just reached up without thinking, pushed the shoulder-length inky black strands away from his face and smiled warmly at him. "You shouldn't hide behind your hair. Scars tell a story, and that one looks like one to be proud of, yes?" Damion simply stared at her, black eyes staring at her, slitted pupils narrowed, before he turned to Ash and growled, that deep rumbling tone of his voice as he declared to her in their native language, "Hurt her, and I'll break your kneecaps." At that, Ash snorted, watching as Riley hummed under her breath, half swaying, lost in her own world as usual, and wandered around the car, talking to absolutely no one as she commented on the house. Or well, maybe she was talking to someone, maybe there were ghosts at this place, not like Ash had any hint of Soul Mage ability after all. Instead she matched Daimon's stare and remarked seriously, "I'll stand still and let you." Damion nodded, apparently satisfied by that answer, the implicit promise and turned his attention back when he heard a yell.
Immediately a tiny bundle of gold landed in his arms, which he had already held out without thinking. Ash waved away the gold dust explosion, and grimaced at the fact she was now coated in glitter. Jalen had a tendency to want to create, which while his art turned out beautiful, glitter was still the herpes of crafting. It just never went away. She was pretty sure she was gonna be finding glitter two days from now on her person. Jalen for his part paused in peppering kisses over Daimon's face, who stood still longsufferingly, as if he simply tolerated the affection. Ash knew though that he looked forward every time he was away to Jalen's open, messy affection, unbridled and enthusiastic. Jalen leaned way back, trusting Damion to hold onto him and then waved with bright energy towards Riley who promptly grinned at him and bounded over. "Wow, she's pretty," Jalen declared to his mate, then cocked his head curiously, "Where's your wings?" He fluttered his, the gold and crimson paper thin wings catching the sunlight and seeming to glow. They looked like the fragile little wings of a butterfly, but Ash knew they were simply manifestation of pure energy and couldn't actually be harmed, at least not in this realm. Jalen had commented once that he mostly existed in the Faerie realm, as pure energy as all Fae were, but he took a good portion of his lifeforce permanently into a Mortal body to spend Daimon's life with him.
Riley blinked, then laughed and reached out without thinking to brush against Jalen's wings, who promptly shivered at the touch but reached out and patted Riley's shoulder in sympathy. "Did you lose them? It's okay, I'll help you find them." Riley peered behind herself, as if genuinely looking for wings, then back to Jalen. Ash tended to forget he was so tiny, barely over four feet tall, because he had such a vibrant personality. Porcelain pale skin, so pale to see the blue veins running underneath, with big pale blue eyes, a tiny pert nose and little cupid's bow lips, with a head full of white blonde curls, he looked like a dandelion just wanting for someone to come by and make a wish before blowing the fluff away on the wind.
Ash snorted and gently pressed one hand behind Riley's back, gently guiding her towards the house. "She's Human little Faerie, she doesn't have wings." Jalen looked supremely doubtful by that, but simply wrapped his arms around Damion's neck, content to be carried back to the house.
Once inside, it was a cacophony of noise and excitement, with Derrick striding towards Ash, picking her up in a bear hug and then setting her down and ruffling her hair, before peering intently at Riley, turned to Ash and asked, "May I?" In answer, Ash turned to Riley, who said, "Um. Okay?" Only to squeak as after Ash nodded her permission, as she was promptly lifted into massive arms and hugged tightly, her giving a little squeak. Once set down, she looked a bit dazed, saying without thinking, "No one's been able to lift me before. I'm too -" Her words were cut off when she was suddenly engulfed into a cloud of billowing silk, as Marianette tossed arm around Riley and hugged her tightly before promptly sticking out her tongue at Ash who pretended to pout in response. Riley turned slightly, surprised at the open affection, and maybe by the wings that wrapped around her as well, gorgeous things that looked like deep crimson bat wings, with sharp spikes on the top and curved on the bottom, which was a good thing since otherwise the incredibly sharp and equally strong tips would absolutely leave craters in the wood floor. Marianette was half Siren and half Carlyn, and a tad shorter than Riley at maybe five six, while Riley stood easily about five eight in socked feet. Marianette let go of Riley then, her wings folding behind her, huge enough to lift over her shoulders and brush against the floor, and strong enough to fly her faster than Ash could run in her wolf form. They'd had fun racing each other a few times when she needed a break from her newborn and find her sanity from her overprotective Mate and later clingy toddlers.
