Watercolor Girl

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TRIGGER WARNING DESCRIPTION OF s****l VIOLENCE

Nox

“Alpha Tom believed in letting anyone who wanted to train. He believed it made for a stronger pack if even the she wolves could hold their own. She used to train. I loved it. She felt a sense of purpose and it kept her away from the home. Always the second one there after Alpha and usually was the last to leave. We were there that night and it was just us packing up, us and him. She didn’t hear him behind her and in an instant he had her face pressed into the wall. She struggled but he laughed. Laughed in our ear about how she-wolves would never overcome a strong male. They are inferior. He told us how training she wolves kept them fit and appealing, that’s the only purpose it served in a pack. He said ‘do you wanna service your future beta, little b***h, serve your place in this pack.’ And he started cutting away clothes with his claws.” I snarled. Growled. Hissed before continuing on. “He threw her so hard down, we couldn’t breathe and then his hands and claws were on her, I bit him. I latched on to his arm trying to sever something so he might not be able to hold her down, so she could run. But he drove his knee into her between, we couldn’t breathe in this body. She pleaded, begged we wouldn’t tell if he stopped now. But he didn’t stop. He dragged his claws along her, flipped us onto our belly and pulled her hair back, raking his claws on her back, kneeing her legs apart. And he took her. He grabbed her belly to pull her up to him, his claws cut in deep. Too deep. He tore things inside her belly. He told her we liked it, that he could smell that we liked it. He was on her when Alpha came in. Alpha forced him away. Chased him away. We would be gone if young Alpha didn’t force him away. They didn’t think we would still be here. But we are stronger then they thought. We have no scars now. Not on the outside.”

Lev

I just held her. When her wolf receded she sat trembling in my arms, and I couldn’t stop the tears that fell into her hair. Ciaran never told me how much he’d seen or what he knew. It always had been a subject he stayed away from. I understood why he didn’t speak of it and maybe why her presence would present an issue, if he replayed that scene when he saw her. She was mine to protect now. This isn’t how I wanted to meet her wolf. Til whimpered, as Nox is technically his mate, it coming from her made it harder for him to digest, but it would have been difficult from either. The disassociation evident in Nox’s description drove home the horror of it. A wolf believes themselves to be our stronger half in every way. Physically and mentally they possess the power to protect us on a higher level, Nox suffered too, she couldn’t protect her and didn’t escape from internal scarring, that was evident. Who was more present is hard to tell but it’s clear they both shared enough of that moment. She didn’t cry. I peeled my shirt off and kept her tight against me, the trembling slowed but she shivered now and again, and her skin against mine calmed the rage I felt for the situation, the continued situation. Rayvn’s reaction was telling that it hadn’t been forgotten, and aside from Alpha and Luna she is the only one I know who knows. I feel her snuggle into me a little more, as we sit there on the floor in a virtually empty dorm. She came here for me. She’s standing against that things that drove her away for me, and I’m not sure how to soften it for her.

“Got a minute, Beta?” Ciaran’s voice cut through my mind.

“Important?”

“It concerns you.”

“I’ll be down shortly.”

I gave her an extra squeeze before pulling her eyes to mine, Nox’s matte black had disappeared and my mate’s galaxy eyes looked up at me. I pressed my forehead to hers.

“I have to go meet Alpha.” Her arms tightened a bit around my neck, “Do you want to come? Apparently it concerns me, I imagine by me, he means you.” She nodded slowly before popping off my lap and scampering to the bathroom. I followed her to the door, when she came out I couldn’t help but admire her as she meticulously washed her hands, she turned and caught my glance. I almost asked her not to wear those shorts, I struggled to peel my eyes away from the spot where her thigh met the curve of her rear that they were just barely too short to cover, but I couldn’t. She dug around in the only little bag she’d brought with her when we left her home, fishing out a pair of black jeans that seemed to be more hole then fabric and I found them to be even more delightful then her tiny shorts, the way they hugged her hips and somehow managed to accentuate her slim but muscular calves. She slipped on a pair of very old looking boots, but made no effort to tie them, the laces had been knotted and trimmed so they didn’t slide through the eyelets. She continued to dig through her little bag pulling out what seemed to be 100 articles of black clothing, I couldn’t help but chuckle, our closets would match.

“I know I packed a hoodie.” She was basically flipping the bad upside down shaking it out now.

I moved to the closet and pulled down one of mine, it didn’t fit anymore, but I liked it and refused to throw it away. I handed it to her, she sniffed it, exaggerating her eyes rolling back,

“I love the way you smell.” She pulled it on, it was adorably long, she rolled the sleeves up just enough and then jumped at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Don’t leave me right now.” She whispered into my neck.

“Not right now. Never.” I whispered back.

Evangeline

It didn’t hurt me to talk about it as much anymore, but Nox hated it. She felt in some way she failed. She harbored the majority of that guilt. It was excruciating to remember in the detail she explained it in, and she even left out the worst parts, but she always let me recede and carried the pain of discussing it on her own. It wasn’t as horrible or humiliating to tell Lev. The mate bond is a powerful thing and the calmness that his touch radiates took the sharp edges off of it. It didn’t fix it, but explaining had lifted a bit of the weight, that conversation was over and done. I couldn’t imagine it being rehashed in the future. We both bore scars from his brother, and I loved him for wearing his where I never could.

His eyes watched me, and I decided it best to put on real pants, it wouldn’t do my situation here well to insult the Alpha and Luna immediately with poor attire choices, although I questioned my second choice when I noticed Lev chewing on his lips while examining my short legs in these as well. His scent on his hoodie made my blood warm. Dense wood smoke, dark and mysterious. I would never get tired of it. He smiled, and laughed when I pulled it on. It fell down to my mid thighs and the sleeves were several inches too long. Being completely covered by his scent made me want to be in his arms, when I finished rolling up my sleeves I launched myself at him, and he caught me easily with his fluid way of moving, clasping his hands under my thighs and pulling me up so I could press my face into the spot where his shoulder meets his neck, my legs dangling down at his sides. I felt impossibly little in his arms.

“Don’t leave me right now.” He wasn’t trying to, he asked if I wanted to accompany, but I couldn’t imagine not being with him, touching him in some way in this moment. His presence made everything seem alright. Even in this unfamiliar empty place he had called home.

“Not right now. Never.” He whispered back, and I squeezed him just a little tighter before he leaned down and set my feet back on the floor.

He smiled down at me and offered his hand, leading me through the sad living room and to the door. He planted a kiss on the top of my head right before we exited, making our way to the Alpha’s office several floors below.

Ciaran

20 minutes later and I’m still waiting for Lev to drag his lanky body into my office. Rumors were already spreading throughout the pack. Rumors that he had brought a human here. Rumors that he had mated a witch. All of the rumors and none of them were even close to the even more startling reality of it. He knocked and opened the door, not waiting, Anjie followed, she bowed her head.

“Alpha.”

Lev plopped down on the sofa, before nodding and mimicking her greeting.

“Well it’s fitting I have you both here. Anjie, are you settling in? Is Lev making sure you have what you need up there in that windowless dungeon?” A thin smile crossed her lips, I could see the witch rumor. Her color palette matched Lev’s, black. Her hair was long and straight and she wore it down, letting it fall over one eye. She had changed, grown, despite having known her well in our youth I wouldn’t recognize her now. She was still short, but she had a strong build. I wondered how big her wolf was, if it was as petite as she was in this form. I knew her wolf was strong, Nox was the only reason she’d survived through her ordeal.

“He is. If I let him.”

“Has he introduced you to anyone yet?”

“I haven’t even been here a day.”

“That’s fair.” She had always had a sarcastic type of humor, she had always been witty, and it made me smile to see she’d kept it.

“So, in the hours you’ve been here, I’ve heard that you’re a human and a witch.” Lev chuckled.

“They really do spread fast don’t they. Goddess forbid there be a hint of a mystery in this pack.”

“We need to figure out how to do this. Generally all the ceremonies are done in one, when the beta assumes their title, his mate is a part of that. Buuuuut, since that didn’t exactly work this time around, almost, but not quite, I’m at a loss how to go about it. Anjie I know you’ve never been big on being the center of attention, and Lev sucks at it. Dargan I wants to do something, she wants to be able to spend some time planning something and getting to know you since you’re sisters in maintaining certain things regarding the pack now, but I don’t want to approve something that’s going to make you miserable.”

“Why do you call her Anjie.” I am absolutely certain Lev heard nothing I just said and hyper focused on the name I used for his mate.

“I don’t really care to be the center of attention. But I’m also not stupid enough to believe that I won’t cause at least a minimal stir. I don’t want to cause drama.”

“You’re here, and you’re my beta’s mate. We have no intention of hiding you away, the pack will accept it and that’s the end of it. It just may take a bit of time and reacquainting them with you.”

“Why not just introduce her at pack dinner on Monday? It isn’t formal, but the majority of the pack is generally there. We’re always there.” Maybe he did hear me. Dargan might not like the simplicity of this idea, but knowing them both, it’s a good idea.

“Anjie?” She is still standing, Lev’s hand gripped tightly in both of hers.

“Whatever you think is best. I don’t know what pack dinner is.” We hadn’t started this until after she had already moved to the outskirts.

“We have a bigger meal on Mondays and do our best to get the majority of the pack through. It’s more of a social gathering so we can get to know pack members we may not have the opportunity to otherwise. It isn’t mandatory, so not everyone comes, but I’d say 60-70% of the pack makes an appearance. It’s a 3 hour time block, and they come and go. So it’s not everyone all at once.” She nods.

“That sounds fair, Alpha.” Her visible eye meets mine, “And, thank you… for allowing me to stay.” The tone of her voice changed, I can’t hold her stare and I look away, she isn’t thanking me for letting her stay here now, she’s thanking me for letting her still be walking this planet.

“No, Anjie. Thank you.”

She smiles, and nods, and I find that despite the time, I still like her, and I’m glad she’s back.

Dargan

“They’re both down here in my office. Come down. Meet her.”

Lev’s mate was causing quite the stir already, but no one seemed to connect who she actually was. I was dying to meet her. Ciaran spoke so highly of her when we discussed her just a few nights ago. Ciaran was tipsy and chatty. He’d filled me in on the part he played, walking in and seeing what he saw. She’d been nearly disemboweled and he had to tear him off of her. Ciaran said she remained conscious, but scarily quiet through it all, he remember most the deafening silence while he waited with her. He said he was afraid her insides would fall out if he tried to pick her up. I can’t imagine, nor do I have any desire to. Crimes committed against mutual pack members are rare, especially such as that. But to see and witness the violence of it is a picture I imagine he sees in his nightmares now.

I bounced through the door, no knock, she startled, Lev grabbing her and pulling her onto his lap. She struggled to get up and when he finally let her go she stood, nodded towards me.

“Luna.” She was a tiny little thing, I had to have 5 inches on her, but she was stout and I imagined could hold her own despite her size.

“Did Lev pick out your clothes or are you two already just being adorably matchy matchy.” They both wore black jeans, black boots, Lev in his typical black t shirt I’m convinced he only has one of, and her in one of his hoodies.

“Did you two plan this?” Lev asked, Ciaran laughed.

“I made a similar comment.” I caught his eyes, he was in a good mood so I imagine this conversation had gone well. “Monday, Dargan. At pack dinner.”

“Whaaaaaat, that’s no fun?! It’s already planned.” I pouted at him. Before turning back to Lev’s mate.

“Dargan,” I said reaching for her hand while she untangled her fingers from Lev’s.

“Evangeline.” She had a strong grasp, I expected something more meek.

“Is that what you prefer? Ciaran calls you something else.”

“It doesn’t matter. Whatever is easier for you, Luna. I haven’t heard Anjie in years, but I respond just the same to either.”

“Will you be lifting the block you have up for linking? Although it isn’t that fun being accessible 24/7, it may be easier then having a constant flood of wolves knocking at your door.”

“It’s already lifted. Thank you for being understanding about it before.”

I couldn’t help my urge to hug her. I expected her to be different, a need for her to be handled with kid gloves, like she might break if we looked at her wrong or spoke in the wrong tone. She wasn’t at all. There was an undeniable strength that existed under her skin. She had found her mate, who happened to be the brother of a wolf who nearly killed her, she had accepted that bond, and moved almost immediately to the smack center of a pack of wolves that had willingly forgotten she existed with little resistance and here she was, polite and formal addressing us and stepping into a major role within that pack. She wasn’t hiding, or shrinking. She glanced to me and smiled. Her one dark eye peeking out from her hair, the other curtained. I reached out and I hugged her.

“We’re so glad to have you here. And I’m so happy for you and Lev. You waited too long for each other.” She squeezed back, but only minimally. I let go of her and stepped back, wiping a tear from my eye before it could run my makeup.

“Dargan, are you?” Ciaran spoke quietly.

“SHUTUP I HAVE DUST.”

Ciaran and Lev erupted in laughter. I had never heard Lev laugh so freely, in fact I’m not sure I’d ever seen his teeth from a smile. She was going to be good for him and it already showed.

“Well what are you still doing here?! Lev you better take her so she can pick out something to sit on in that cave of yours. I hope you haven’t been making her sit on the floor.”

“Well, I…”

“Oh my Goddess, Lev. Get out! Go get a damn sofa, or a loveseat. I better hear them hauling it in before tomorrow or I’ll take her myself and we’ll decorate without you.”

Lev hopped up and shot to door, towing his little mate behind him.

“No thank you you, Luna, I am all set with pastels.” I growled fiercely as he shut the door behind him.

“I like her” I looked at Ciaran.

“She isn’t what you expected is she?”

“Not at all. She isn’t frail. I thought she would be.”

“If Goddess could have put a more complex puzzle together I’d be amazed. But they’re absolutely perfect.”

“Do you hate pastels?” Ciaran laughed before wrapping his arms around me a vast weight lifted off of both of our shoulders as I pushed him to the couch. Speaking of places to sit.

Lev

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes.”

“FINALLY?! I’m starving. What do you want?”

“Meat.” She caught me off guard and I paused before erupting in laughter.

“What kind of meat? How would you like your meat cooked? Do you want it cooked at all?”

“I just want a burger, a horrible greasy burger.”

“That - I can make happen.” Eyes followed us as we walked to the kitchen, she pretended not to notice, keeping her focus on me, but I knew that she was aware she was being noticed.

Salads and burgers were a constant in the kitchen. They were quick and easy, so they kept them coming almost all day and into the evening. During non specific dining hours it functioned almost as a cafeteria. You grab what you want and go. I grabbed my usual salad, she grabbed two burgers, her eyes scanning the kitchen.

“Drinks?”

“Mm, yeah.” We walked to the big glass refrigerator, the majority of it was filled with water, but it had some juices and sodas as well. She reached in and grabbed a soda.

“Eat here or upstairs?”

“Do they still have tables outside??”

“They certainly do!” She smiled, and I melted a little. Moving towards the door that opened to a very small patio with only a few tables. She chose the one furthest from the door, her back to the corner. I sat down beside her.

“Are you really going to eat two of those?”

“No.” She unwrapped them both, pulled the top buns off both, and plopped the patty from one onto the other before replacing a bun and pushing the other away. “MEATTT” she growled before taking a bite, glaring at her self constructed double burger like it had just called her a name.

“LETTTUCCCEEE” I growled before shoving a forkful of greens into my mouth. She covered her mouth and howled out a sharp laugh. Her laugh wouldn’t help the witch rumor. It was somewhat cackley, but I adored it. “Just doesn’t have the same ring does it?”

She shook her head, taking another overly aggressive bite of her slain cow. Growling some, and showing her teeth when I looked at her.

“You mated a feral witch…” she sang through my head and I literally spit water out. She was aware people were watching us, and she was giving them something to gossip about. Her sense of humor fit me, I thought it was adorable as I watched her viciously chomp down her burger. Her growl and fang shows the cutest thing I had ever seen, the way her nose crinkled up.

When we finished, I thought it best to go and pick out a couch. Dargan was right, although I didn’t mind the prospect of her being on top of me constantly. There may be an occasion she didn’t want to be, and the floor wouldn’t suffice. We wandered down to the pack warehouse, anything you could need for furnishings was there. Dargan kept it up well. Stocked with just about everything. She handled most relations outside of the pack with the human territories. She’d special ordered me my TV.

“This isn’t at all what it used to be.” Evangeline looked around at the packed warehouse. “They barely used to have cans of beans in here.”

“Dargan has done well, this was all her. She said the pack is too wealthy to be living like we’re a vagrant camp. She puts some of the budget aside to keep it stocked. She’s a great Luna and has a wonderful mind for the needs of the pack that sometimes those who live in the pack house forget.” We wandered through a labyrinth of stuff before finding furniture. “Pick whatever you want.” I pulled her hand up to kiss her fingers peeking out of the sleeve of her hoodie. Her eyes scanned, pausing for a moment at the different couches and loveseats and recliners and whatever other living room furniture one could come up with to shove in a corner of a warehouse. Her eyes lit up and she scampered over to the furthest corner, a dark purple couch, she reached out to touch it, patting the fabric.

“This one is soft. I like this one.” It had a chaise, and seemed to sit lower then the other ones. The seats were wider in a way, it almost felt bed sized, but with a chaise.

“This one?”

“If you don’t like it that’s ok.” I kissed the top of her head.

“I love it.” Her eyes lit up and she reached out to touch it again. Til cooed in my head “Evie is happy.” Evie? Where were all these names coming from? Did I miss something? I reached out to to find Earl. An older jovial wolf who ran the warehouse.

“Beta! What can I get for you.”

“A couch, thing. I think. It’s gonna be a beast to get up to my wing.” Earl appeared from nowhere, smiling, striding towards us with an easy gait.

“I knew Dargan would get you down here eventually!” His eyes finally saw Evangeline, still patting the fabric. “Oh!! And who is this?!” Cheery and friendly, Evangeline’s head turned and she matched his smile.

“This is Evangeline. My mate.” His eyes brightened and he reached for my hand. Shaking it fiercely.

“Congrats Beta! And a pleasure to meet you Evangeline! I hope you’ll be a better decorator then this one.” He laughed, turning to assess the chair he had the task of coordinating to my wing. “This one. I can have it up in an hour or two. Need the young ones to haul that one up there.”

“I can help them.”

“Ohhh no! We’ll get it up there. You just take your time showing Ms. Evangeline around the pack. I’m sure there are plenty of wolves who’d like to meet her.” His eyes twinkled some as he turned and walked off. Evangeline’s eyes followed him until he disappeared back into the warehouse.

“I like him.” I swept her up into my arms. Sniffing her hair.

“You seem to like everyone.”

“Not as much as I like you.” My mouth found hers briefly before I grabbed her hand and we wandered off.

“Anything else you can think of? She shook her head. “Nothing at all?”

“This place is overwhelming. I can’t think of a single thing.” I grabbed her hand and we found the exit. Moving off towards the pack house. Her eyes sparkling in the light, scanning the grounds and sniffing the air.