Paws of Fire - A Wolfs Aura

Chapter Two - Beta

Conan sat in the bar of his house, a glass of amber liquid in his hand. He took a deep sip and leaned on the counter as Morrison entered the room. At first, without a word, he sat down on the chair next to him.

He grabbed the bottle that stood in front of Conan and poured it in one of the low, beautifully decorated glasses. Conan hadn't given him a single look. After he too took a big sip and made a disgusted face, he added: "I really don't know..." He made a short pause. "How you can drink this strong stuff." But even now, Conan remained silent and withdrawn.

Of course, Morrison didn't just come here to tell him that. He also noticed that Conan behaved differently and drinking was just one of the many signs of it.

But he couldn't know what exactly it was, because Conan was silent like a stone.

It was the girl. Since he was back home, it was like something was missing. His mind still wasn't as sharp as it had been before this encounter.

He wanted her, yet he knew that he couldn't have her. All this not in a perverse way, he still knew that she was a child and that was exactly the point that nagged at him from the inside. He wished she was 18 or older. No matter. Everything just shouldn't be as damn weird as it was right now.

At the same time, there was still a conflict in him, a part that would prefer to go far away from her, that didn't want her at all.

He'd loved someone before, even before Cyne. A mate doesn't always mean love. A part of both souls was connected, but that didn't mean that you would automatically like each other just because something in you craved the other. Love was something that came from getting to know a person fully.

He had known Cyne since they were children and while he had never considered her as a potential partner before, everything changed when it was revealed that she was his mate. He had been 19 and things had been going well for a while... until they didn't anymore.

Conan didn't want to go through that again and certainly did not want to love again.

He couldn't even know if he and Chandrya would like each other when she was grown. Maybe she couldn't stand him or he suddenly hated everything about her. Then it wouldn't matter what the wolf inside him said, he'd rather be alone and live with another scar that hurts from time to time.

"Conan," Morrison began. "It's not just the pack that's worried, I am too. What's the matter with you?" It was true. The whole pack had noticed the Alpha's increased absence and there was no Luna to take care of everything in time. Morrison had taken on many things and simply spoken on his friend's behalf. Many had wondered why Conan didn't speak to them himself, but none had dared to ask Morrison directly about it. After all, he was his beta - a consultant and also a good friend. Both trusted each other, but until today, Conan still hadn't told him what was going on inside him.

Conan gave a barely audible sigh and emptied the glass in one gulp. In the same movement, he refilled it and drained this glass as well, before turning to Morrison, who immediately caught the slightly acrid, but also subtly sweet, earthy smell.

"I'm fine.", he said annoyed and rolled his eyes.

Once more the liquid flowed into his glass and got Conan's attention again.

"You've drunk before, but this is too much. Whatever it is, you can't drown it in alcohol." Morrison pushed the bottle, which was only a quarter full, away from Conan and to the other side of the counter. He was aware that he sounded like his mother, if she had been here she would surely have given Conan a lecture. Morrison didn't want to be like that, but he had to take care of his friend when he was neglecting himself like that.

"Listen, we're friends and I'm also your beta - your advisor. If there's something that's bothering you, then we should talk and find a solution together," Morrison said.

"I don't know if there is a solution.", Conan's voice sounded absent and slightly slurred. Morrison leaned back in the chair.

"Maybe, maybe not. What's going on in your head? Does it have anything to do with the human?"

He hadn't thought that Conan would actually say anything and was therefore greatly surprised when he nodded imperceptibly.

"It's like back then, with Cyne.", Conan began cautiously. Morrison didn't quite understand what he meant by that. What did this tragic incident have to do with a human girl?

Even without asking, Conan continued to speak. "That shouldn't be possible!" He looked helpless.

Without knowing it exactly, Morrison said: "Some things about this case are actually not possible and yet it is the way it is."

Now Conan looked at him. "Probably true," he mumbled, remaining silent for a moment.

"What do you feel in her presence?", Conan wanted to know.

"The child's? It has a strong aura, which is unsettling. It's stronger than most alphas. That was quite confusing," Morrison replied. Conan thought this was similar to what he suspected, but didn't answer the unspoken question he wanted to ask.

"You don't feel that attraction? Other than a sense of following. More of a deeper connection."

Morrison raised his eyebrows questioningly, even though he understood now. Like Cyne... he thought. It all made sense now. Or actually not. It really couldn't be. Before Conan could explain it in more detail, he knew that there probably couldn't be a real solution to this.

"You think she's your mate?" he asked, even though the answer was obvious.

"Yes."

Morrison's throat let out a surprised sound. He too needed a drink now and swallowed the rest of his glass in one gulp. "Wow.... This is getting weirder and weirder." He certainly didn't have to explain to him that a wolf could only have one mate, or that you couldn't imprint on a baby.

"Pervert," Morrison joked, but with an extremely serious tone in his voice. Even the drunk Conan had to laugh briefly. That's exactly what he had thought of himself a few times. Morrison chimed in.

A little calmer, Conan asked: "So, my advisor, what should I do now?"

"Good question," Morrison hesitated. "None of that should be possible, I don't think something like this ever happened either. If she were 18 I'd say go get her, but like this...waiting would be hell." He thought of Andréa, his own mate, who had kept him floundering for a year, although neither could deny the connection between them. And even that one year had been cruel, how was Conan supposed to endure 18 years and at the same time lead the pack that was waiting for a Luna? And what if she didn't want him? Morrison was even more concerned and put an arm behind his pal's back.

"I know, but I can't think straight anymore, it's driving me crazy." Conan looked down sullenly.

"Maybe you just need to get out there and run!" Full of energy, Morrison jumped up from the chair and grabbed Conan's arm. "Just clear your head, breathe fresh air." Maybe it would help, maybe not. Conan hadn't transformed since the day he first saw Chandrya. Out of fear the feelings would take over and he would lose all control. Would he be able to transform back? The longer you stayed in your wolf form, the stronger it became and took control with its animalistic instincts. He didn't want to do something rash that he might regret. But maybe the wolf had to go out and drain energy from himself that otherwise only accumulated in Conan's head.

Conan also rose from his chair. He and Morrison strode hurriedly toward the exit and then toward the woods, which were not too far from the estate. Before they even left the property, the two transformed in the darkness of the night and ran.

Tovar, as Conan had called his wolf, was good at roaming through the undergrowth, leaping over rivers, and prowling around trees. Even though his feelings hadn't changed, he felt a little relieved. Maybe the desire had grown a little more.

But for a few minutes, this had been the best idea ever. Conan felt more free than he had in a long time.

But suddenly, without much thought, he saw an opportunity as Morrison rushed in front of him. He dropped back a bit and drifted off. He ran as fast as his paws could carry him. The goal was clear, his wolf knew exactly where to go.

He was now standing in front of the house of the Elouans, in the middle of the city of the humans. A huge wolf hidden by nothing more than a few bushes. He cautiously approached the window of the children's room. And sure enough, he could see her sleeping peacefully. On a chair in the corner of the room sat a member of the Fire Crescent pack. Conan wanted to protect her, take care of her. Now in his wolf form, the feelings were even more intense.

This was wrong... He couldn't go on like that, he was putting everyone in danger. His pack, the other werewolves, her - everyone! While she was so young and he couldn't think straight, he had to distance himself.

Morrison appeared behind Conan, completely out of breath. He was in his human form and must have been trying to catch up with him in town. Although the forest wasn't very far from the Elouan house, it was still quite a walk.

He braced himself for having to tie up Conan and drag him back, lest he protest to come along. He was amazed when Conan stood in front of him, closed his eyes and struggled to turn back into a human. When he did, he just gave him an apologetic look and asked if they should both head home. Morrison couldn't be mad at him that much. He knew what this imprint could do to you and especially Conan's case was a very special one.

___

Draco, Francis, Conan, Morrison and one of the seers had met again. This time, Conan avoided looking at Chandrya entirely. He couldn't guarantee anything when he did, neither no unexpected mood swings nor really thoughtful thoughts and suggestions. Still, he had made a decision days ago.

This time it was himself who walked straight up to Draco, taking him aside to discuss something important.

"Listen!" Conan began tensely.

Draco gave him an expectant look. "You have to do me a favor."

Of course, Draco wanted to know what it was about. Conan knew Draco was the only one who could help him and who understood. He'd probably guessed it anyway, and noticed the effect Chandrya was having on him. Simple and concisely but not leaving out anything important, Conan explained everything to Draco.

He had been astonished, but not surprised. It hadn't escaped his notice. He also knew about Cyne's history and knew that Conan's past only made it all even more difficult for him.

Like a father helping his son with a problem, he made every effort to be there for him.

"... I have to go. I'm just a danger. You have to take her in, please take care of her. Someone has to protect her and I can't do that!", Conan admitted.

"How am I supposed to say no? If you're going to ask me something like that, you must have thought this through carefully. The circumstances make it seem so." Draco replied empathetically. "She will be part of our pack. Maybe I can adopt her without taking her away from her parents. I will protect her with my life! Especially until you come back," he assured. Conan seemed calmed. In Draco's care, she was safe and he himself wasn't going to disappear forever. But he had to go, far away at best!