Divinity: Leto & Lykos

In the midst of war life continued undeterred. Babies were born, the elderly died, seasons came and went. It was this constant that kept most from being affected by the properly gutting realities of war. The pure bliss that came with the ignorance to the emotional and physical weight of experiencing battle was widely unappreciated. And yet those who are properly gutted over their participation, things witnessed, or all of the above, are also expected to proceed in their previous lives. The lives that existed before the war. At the end of the war, those lives were ripe for the taking. But it wasn’t the same witches and wizards coming back. Most soldiers were young, joining the fight that began before their time. Many had thought they would never see home again. Never have to touch their loved ones with the hands that destroyed so much. Relieved the haunted look in their eyes would only fall on those mirroring the hurt. It had ended abruptly. For the Lykos and Leto Packs of the United Kingdom a treaty was signed in front of an established Alpha Senate. The two largest packs of England now a united front against a common enemy. Both Packs originated in Greece during ancient times when God’s and Goddesses fraternized with mortals. Leto was the mother-wolf, her twins Artemis and Apollo, were the first born wolves. The wolves of the Leto Pack were founded by direct descendants of Artemis, the Teresi family. The current Alpha being, Mathias Teresi. Lycaon was the king of Arcadia who was punished by Zeus after trying to feed the deity human flesh. His punishment was for him and his sons to live the remainder of their lives as wolves. Lycaon attacked and bit one of his senate, Barabas Andros, turning the man the next moon cycle. Andros gathered a pack that evolved into the Lykos Pack. His descendant Alpha Jason Andros in the process of grooming his son to replace him. The war had started in Greece and waged through generations. A tragedy is said to have been the fuse that lit the animosity and future insults, deaths , and such things through the years kept it smoldering. The Greek packs were forced to flee their motherland. The battles brought too much attention and casualties to the humans. They were forced out, fled to Britain. Through money and good marriages the alphas of both packs became members of the peerage. The battles had become more discreet. Assassinations were also a well-used tactic as the years wore on. Until a foe that could eradicate wolves entirely came to light. Fated Mates were depleting. The gift of the Gods was being taken. Alphas were losing power. Each wolf possesses Moon Alchemy. A magic at the very marrow of a wolf. The potency, amount, and manifestation unique to the individual. Fated Mates strengthen and thrive on their shared Alchemies. An alpha with their Mate would be at their strongest. The High Oracle was shown the solution by the Gods. Amongst the Lykos and Leto Packs were Fated Mates, Mates from opposing packs. If these Mates did not find their match, the Gods would take the Mating glands and bonds forever. Eventually, ending wolves. That was a year ago and the Senate decreed all unmated wolves, regardless of pack affiliation, would work, train, eat, and cohabitate together. They call this new area of a communal pack land, Divinity. Fane walked through the door of the Unmated House flanked by his two Alpha Guard, Cole and Sethos. Usually, such gatherings were for the lesser members of the Packs; scouts, betas, and low level soldiers. The females that typically frequented these were of the same sub-standard rank as the attending males. Omegas didn't tend to stay unmated and those that were, weren't safe in the open. It was a moot point anyway, omegas were few and far between lately. The females were a good way to scratch his itch, but Fane had never actually been interested in any of them. Alpha Jason, Fane's father, thought to use Divinity as a honing tool for his successor's Alpha responsibilities. Tonight it was mandatory attendance. A new group of unmated wolves just got in and was rumored to be majority females. The Alpha left no room for misinterpretation, “You'll go, represent the Lykos Pack, flirt with some Letos, and bring your Guard. Zeus knows you three need to find females to reign yous in.” Fane gave the expected responses, “Yes, father.” Or “Of course, I promise nothing for the other two.” And with a sharp nod, his dark brown hair falling into his eyes, he left to mentally ready himself. As soon as the trio strode in an uproar of greetings temporarily drowned out the music. From the large entry way through a wide corridor to an even more spacious kitchen/living area smoke and wolves filled most available space. A breakfast bar for fourteen sported a few dancing females, one of which was pouring liquor from the bottle to the mouths of those standing on the floor. He didn’t recognize the pretty wolf with shoulder length hair just a shade darker than his own. “That one looks promising,” Sethos said, eyeing the brunette female with a grin, running a hand through his light brown curls. Once, the obligatory niceties were through and Fane had his drink he surveyed the partiers. The double doors leading to the back terrace and pool stood open. Wolves freely milled in and out of the house. There were faces he didn’t think he’d seen around Divinity, but also paid so little attention to most of the residents it was difficult to pinpoint the newcomers. Being in a crowded room with Leto and Lykos alike put him on edge. A Pack that had been the object of all his grief and rage now intermingling for the sake of Mates had his Alchemy on high alert. He moved to a large arm chair facing the room and lounged, arrogantly running his fingers through his hair. “She’s a Leto,” Cole's deep voice informed Sethos from his spot on an end table to the left of Fane. Cole was a no-nonsense kind of wolf. His hair was buzzed close to his head and his brown eyes missed nothing. “Isn’t that why we’re here?” Sethos shrugged as he removed a male from the end of the couch and took his seat. Before Fane could answer a breeze blew from the open doors and a whiff of salted caramel and vanilla hit his nostrils. He froze. What the f*****g hell? His eyes scanned the room and just as he was dismissing the odd sensation a head of deep red curls standing at the far corner of the breakfast bar caught his attention. She was definitely new. Her back was to him, hair was wildly curly and the tips just brushed the small of her back. A cream colored crop top and high-waisted black skirt accentuated her full breasts and hips. That arse! Her skirt hit mid-thigh flashing a sliver of her golden skin above the top of her thigh-high black boots. The female had a drink in one hand and seemed to be trying to wrangle the brunette that had caught Sethos' eye. “Oh, a friend.” Sethos followed Fane’s gaze to the two now scuffling over the bottle. He still couldn’t see her face, why was he so drawn to this female? As he watched, his amusement at the females died when a male came to stand by the redhead. The male placed his hand on her back and leaned down to her ear. Fane tensed, he wished it wasn’t so f*****g loud so he could hear what was being said. She nodded to the male and dutifully tilted her head back for the brunette to pour some of the brown liquid into her mouth. He held those fiery spirals back for her and Fane wanted to snap that hand clean off. The brunette and male cheered as she cupped a hand under her chin to catch any escaping liquor. Then the male steered her to the wall by the kitchen. Her! Of course it was f*****g her. Who else would have caught his attention besides the bloody Leto Princess. The youngest sibling of the Leto Alpha, Mathias Teresi. The last time he’d seen her was at the one year anniversary peace gala a few months ago and even then it was just in passing. She hadn’t been of age at that time or he would have noticed her then, if not him, then definitely his wolf, Titan. He couldn’t recall a time that he had really studied the Leto. She had grown up nicely. Her knotty curls now fell in waves and spirals, the garrish orange had deepened to a fetching deep red. Those lips were tantalizingly pouty, her nose was pert, high cheekbones, gorgeous neck. The moonstone pendant she always wore lay nestled in the delicate v of her top. That was the last time Fane had really looked at her. Presently, she was laughing at something the male said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The two jerked their heads to someone shouting to them across the room. The blonde Leto prat pulled her into his side and quickly led her in the opposite direction to the terrace. Fane stood and began following without a second thought. His. Mine. Titan agreed ardently. ~~~~~ THE whiskey burned her mouth and throat, but the house “punch” made a good chaser. She looked to the blonde male and brunette female cheering and laughing. Her own bubbled out. “Who's next! Line up you lot!“ April, ever the performer, ordering wolves around. Her layered hair flying around, halter top creeping up her torso, shorts that Nicole would consider pants, and heels, she was gorgeous and confident. Envy at her Guard's casual grace was fleeting, she turned to Gideon. Her Beta was egging April on and had a supportive hand between her shoulders. Gideon and April kept her…young. After the rogues she had cloaked herself in numbness against the myriad of feelings. The two spirited wolves were bringing her back, a bit at a time. Growing up, she was the Alpha Sister, the blood of Artemis. Leto's twins were the first born wolves, the female twin was Nicole's bloody ancestor. A goddess descendant and Alpha father, now Alpha brother. Expectations of her actions, words and outward appearances were lofty. She lacked the luxury of a mental tailspin. Without Gideon and April on the Leto Alpha estate she would have grown to be a prim and proper bore. Nicole mock-glared at her female Guard dancing away on the bar. The brunette was a sodding hooligan, thank the Gods Nicole had insisted she wear shorts. The charismatic brunette had been pulling Nicole into her shenanigans from the day they met. Her and April were intercepted on their way to check the pack lands perimeter, they were four. Three years later Gideon had happened on the two gluing her brother, Nate's, school texts and notes together. “We should do his shoes to the floor next!“ He had offered and they had been by each other's sides ever since. Mathias had been torn between relief and apprehension when all of their names were added to Divinity. “No worries, Alpha, I'm sure you'll be visiting often.“ Gideon wound him up better than anyone. “You lot better not cause any extensive damages!“ Mathias had warned the three during the lecture of the year. Literally, Gideon habitually timed the Alpha's scoldings, orations, and castigations of the trio. Both pack Leto and Lykos Alphas were staying on the grounds for the night, of course the rest of her overbearing brothers came along as well. Rasmus had already been “invited” to Divinity the month previously. He was the lesser of the four evils that were her brothers. “The pack Alphas traditionally stay the monthly initiation night.“ Mathias had tried to soothe. “What about these wankers.“ April had gestured to the other two Teresi brothers. Of course Rasmus, upon arrival at Red House, walked through the front door,to the back terrace, and phased into the woods behind the Houses. Nicole smiled at her thoughts. “As I live and breathe!“ At that voice Nicole and Gideon groaned. The Leto beta, Curtis, could chat the skin off you. “Come on move! Or we'll be stuck with that wanker.“ He slung his arm over her shoulder and led her to the wall to the left of the bar. He turned them and rest their backs on the surface. Her Beta's light sandalwood scent was reassuring in the midst of so many other wolf signatures and party smells. Gideon was a good looking male. Blonde hair cropped short, hazel eyes, tall runner's body and for not the first time since the onset of the Divinity bollocks, she thought how much easier her life would be if he was her Mate. “Give the males your good side.“ Gideon joked nodding to the room. A few males were certainly looking and she felt her face flood with heat. She rolled her eyes and took a drink. Nicole watched April toss her should-length hair, it was so dark it looked black in the low light. “Let her entertain the masses.“ Gideon had said when he noticed the females' tug of war over the bottle. “And you could use one.“ The hair on her arms raised at the sensation of being watched. She looked across the room to a male lounging in an arm chair. Long legs, sinewy torso and arms, mocha colored hair falling into his eyes. Eyes blatantly staring into hers. She could just make out the green of his irises. Fane sodding Andros. All the air in the stretch separating their gazes vanished. She felt light headed and hot. It's the drink. “Here,” Gideon tipped her chin up with his arm and blew smoke from a joint into her mouth. Her air returned as she was pulled from the piercing green, only for her to gulp in the sweet secondhand smoke, “You need to lighten the f**k up. Oi!“ He yelled to April. She wobbled down the counter to the L shape end by the two. “You're supposed to be my Beta, help me stay the course, yeah?“ Nicole feigned haughtiness. He glared and gestured to her, “She wants another!“ He called over the music. April grinned like a loon and tipped another shot into Nicole’s mouth. “Nika.“ More smoke. She felt pleasantly light and giddy. “Miller, who is your friend on the bar?“ Sethos Elio was a little taller than Gideon, he had golden brown curls and laughing blue eyes. If the smoke was not swirling through her brain she would have been tense and suspicious. He was largely attractive and more than one female had noticed. The Lykos could pass for Gideon’s cousin. He was a decent wolf, regardless of his associations, “Teresi, barely recognized you. Grown quite fit.“ He bloody winked. “Elio, your charms are wasted on me.“ Nicole deadpanned. The two males laughed and moved to the corner of the bar to do the proper introductions. April giggled and flirted with the Lykos, sending Gideon back to her. “It's true! Ask her- Nika!“ Tolly, one of the males in her company during the battle, called from his spot within a group to her right, “Tell them we kissed!“ He slurred. Tolly was a year older, nice bloke, bit dim, great soldier. “You slobbering on her face on the battlfield-“ Her Beta choked out between laughs, “Does not a kiss make.“ “Didn't she break your nose?“ Taylor Tolus, a female from the company, commented from the edge of the group. “It was the adrenaline!“ Tolly defended sheepishly. Raucous laughter erupted from the wolves, “f**k off, the lot of you!“ he grinned and finished his drink. She laughed too, a big belly laugh that had Gideon pulling her into a hug. His mirth encouraged her own and vise versa, she had tears of laughter rolling down her face and it felt good. It had been too long. She had to stop. With the alcohol and the depth of release this episode created, she would cry in earnest if she continued. Between the battle and being named Alpha Heir there was not room for anything else. Her emotions were kept carefully guarded and it scared her to be unsure if it was to protect her or…everyone else. Mathias summoned her to the Alpha conference room that morning and her whole body was trembling when she sat in the leather chair in front of his desk. The High Oracle had named her the next Alpha. She had only just presented as an alpha female- Alpha?- which was uncommon enough. Mathias had been in the middle of his, “You were chosen by the Gods, you were born for this, I'll teach you everything, get your shite together and have a biscuit” speech, and she had fainted. Fainted! The scent of teakwood froze her thoughts. Her Alchemy skirted under her skin pleasantly. A blanket of warmth settled over her. She looked back to the chair and it was empty. Gideon nudged her, “Alright there?“ “I'm high.“ She giggled. He grinned. “Pavlos!“ He greeted someone on her left, nodding. She faced a stern looking male who was tall and broad. His hair was shaved close to his scalp. His smell transported Nicole to a forest at dawn. Have to dial back the drinks. “Miller,” He grunted, “No Mate for you either, huh?“ Cole Pavlos was looking at her, but obviously talking to Gideon. “Nope, enjoying the ride though.“ He produced another joint, and once lit, passed it to Pavlos. She could not recall a time she had spoken to the Lykos Beta. Teakwood wove in between the smells of the party and she shivered. “Teresi,” she startled at Pavlos calling her name. He hovered over her shorter stature and blew smoke into her mouth when she looked up at him. The Lykos' brown gaze was mischievous. What was he playing at? “Erm- thanks.“ She managed around the smoke in her lungs. He chuckled and she stuck out her chin. Was that the wrong thing to say? Well, bugger him! Sipping his drink the Lykos smirked into the crowd. This night was bizarre. Pavlos settled in the space on the other side of her. The three sipped their drinks and watched the party. The Lykos bent to her ear, “I'm sorry for the liberties. The furniture can't take much more. My hand was forced.“ Bloody bizarre. She could only blink up at him as he waited a beat, then walked off. “What's happening?“ Gideon blinked at her. “I'm knackered and half pissed, I'm gonna bugger off.“ She said. Twenty minutes later she had convinced him to stay and left through the back doors, alone. She jumped the terrace low wall and started for Blue House, second to last of the mansions on the far side. SHE reached the door and teakwood alerted her to his presence. A large hand wrapped around her bicep, heat radiated off his front into her back, but not touching. Oh Gods he smelled good. Masculine and spicy. Her center pulsed and she suddenly longed to go back and heed her no skirt advice to April. He had followed her and she, Lieutenant of a Leto company in bloody battle, a sodding demigoddess- loosely - did not hear a breath from him until now. She raced through possible reasons as to why. She supposed he could feel that… pull as well as she did. The two had been little more than playground rivals in the past. Taking a deep breath she opted for pettiness. She'd blame the influences of the night later. Play the daft cow. "Gideon, you didn't have to-" His deep voice growled, "You know bloody well who it is." She studied the glossy wood of the door, the grain and texture pressed into the skin of her forehead. Her heart was going to beat out of her chest. Her Alchemy was humming and buzzing where his hand held her. “What do you want Andros? Going to call me the carrot t**t again?“ Her voice was slightly muffled by the door. It was one of his favorite insults since she was too young to really know what he was saying. His chest brushed her back as he deeply inhaled and exhaled. Her heart was pounding in her ears in anticipation. If it was not for his grip on her arm she would have thought he left. His forehead suddenly burrowed into the curls at the crown of her head, heavy breaths added to the perspiration at the back of her neck. He felt so comforting, despite his dominating stance. Mate. Sabine purred in her mind. Shite! She glanced down to see fingers curled into fists a hair's breadth away from her flanks. His magic was visibly runninging through the muscled limbs in her peripheral. "Look at me, Teresi." The vibrations of her name settled at the apex of her thighs adding to the wetness there. Her back met the door firmly and an electric current coursed through her body at his meadow green eyes. They pinned her in place with the want and heat burning in the depths. She closed her eyes "f*****g females." He muttered before covering her mouth with his own. His hands grabbed the hair at the base of her skull and pulled her closer. Nicole gasped and he widened his lips to match hers, licking into her mouth. His tongue stroking hers. Jolts of need shot to her core with every pass of tongues. She tentatively pushed hers into his and felt his groan in her soul. That small response unleashed a frenzy of tongues and shared breaths. Her hands gripped the front of his shirt and an embarrassingly loud moan filled the air when he dragged open-mouthed kisses from her jaw to her neck. "Smell like a f*****g cocktail of males." He murmured against her skin then brought their lips together once more. Nicole had never experienced anything like it. The buzzing in her brain returned ten fold, her heart beat so hard her ribs would bruise, and this burning desire to feel all of him spread from her fingers to her toes. The taste of his mouth and the passion of his kiss pushed everything out of her mind. Everything, but him. She pulled away to pull in air and he went back to kisisng her neck. “I can't f*****g stand it.“ He growled. What? Males, right. The Lykos sucked the skin above her mating gland and her head fell back with a thunk against the door. He licked a strip up to her lips and began snogging the life out of her. It wasn't slow or fast, it was bloody intense and… passionate. Andros slowed the kiss, biting firmly onto her bottom lip. She whimpered. His hands ghosted by her face and hair to land on either side of her head on the door. She had unconsciously arched into him brushing his erection against her stomach. Nicole immediately flattened herself to the house and turned her head away. "Easy," He soothed, “Apologies, it was the adrenaline.“ The sardonic tone had an underlying aggression. Jealousy? She still hadn't opened her eyes. "I think we're passed the carrot t**t stage, yeah?" A joke with an underlying threat. He wanted her to be passed it. She wanted to punish him a bit. “I like you hair,” He said huskily, his breath on her face. It smelled, not unpleasantly, of whisky. His fingers brushed the curls at her temples. She did not know what she had been waiting for, but it was not that. “You look-” a hard swallow, “Bloody sexy tonight, Teresi.“ She failed to quell the shiver that ran up her spine. A shaky exhale the only sound she emitted. She felt his finger move over the knuckles of the hand clutching her moonstone pendant. A caress along her jaw, a slow drag across her lower lip. She vaguely wondered what she looked like, sagged against the door, properly snogged, "Sweet dreams." He had was impossibly close to her ear. His whisper made her stomach fill with butterflies. One more stroke along the line of her jaw and she heard his footsteps retreating. She had kept her eyes closed and didn't open them until she could no longer smell teakwood.