The Queen Of Tricks

Fox's Moment Part 2

"I mean it's beautiful, sure. But is that reason to stay?"

He ignored me. The giant bear started sniffing the air. His nose twitching as he took in all the scents. A smirk formed on his face as he gave me a once over.

"I know who you are, Silver Fox."

I smirked up at him. "I know who you are too, Baras. Now we can avoid introductions."

The smirk evaporated from his face. "How?"

"I heard a rumour." I examined my nails. "Plus, I know your father."

His face blanked.

I gave him my award winning smile putting my hand out for him to shake. He didn't take it, not at first.

"My name is Vienna. Your name is Baras. It's very nice to finally meet you."

Gingerly he took my hand and slowly shook it. "Does my father know you are here?"

I nodded my head. "Sort of. He asked me to come. He wanted me to deliver a message."

He looked me up and down, deciding if I was telling the truth. When he saw enough of my face he moved to the side and gestured for me to go inside his cave.

As I walked into the cave I heard Harlen growl grow louder. Pacing against the border that kept her out.

I quickly turned enough to wave at her and give her a reassuring smile and a thumbs up. I was probably safer with the bear than the Alpha anyways.

As the thought crossed my mind, I walked into the cave.

***

I don't know what I was expecting, but a plain cave was not it. That was all it was. A dark, wet, cold cave.

Only big enough for him to sleep and eat. A pile of bones sat in the back corner. I didn't let myself check what species.

"You couldn't at least add a rug or something?"

He gave me a flat look, not even a slight smile. He could at least pretend to laugh at my jokes.

"You're just like Angus. No taste."

"How do you know my father?" Baras asked. Straight to the point.

"Doesn't matter." I shrugged off. "Love the cave's shape though."

"What is my message?"

"You know, I still stand by the fact naming you Baras and not Bear-ass is one of the biggest mistakes he has ever made." I laughed at my own joke. "What a waste of an opportunity."

Baras didn't find it as funny. "You believe my name is the biggest mistake he has ever made?"

I looked deep into his eyes. "Yes. I do."

"How long have you known him?"

"A while."

Getting uncomfortable under my strong gaze Baras looked away. "What is the message you have?"

I sighed deeply. "Straight to the point. Just like Angus. He wants you to know that he oves you and he wants you back home."

"Is that it?" The bear huffed.

"Is that it? Is that it?" I repeated. "What do you mean is that it? I risked my life to get you that message."

"It was a waste of your life." He snarled.

"I don't think so." I snapped." Your father loves you. He wants you to go home. To be with him again. That's not a waste in my book."

"I was expecting more."

"Yeah well I was expecting the bear that makes stew out of his enemies children, not an ungrateful smelly panda bear. Looks like we're both disappointed." I glared at him.

A throaty growl come from him. Warning me to shut up. "The message you bring it means nothing. I chose to be here."

I gave him a flat look. "Then choose not to be."

"I made a deal with the Alpha. I cannot leave."

I rolled my eyes. Even the fiercest bear doesn't want to mess with the pampered poodle. I have to do everything myself. "Well why do you think I'm here?"

He raised his brows at me.

"To get you out."

"You said you are a prisoner. How are you supposed to get me out when you cannot get yourself out?"

"Details, details." I waved him comment away. "I'm stuck for now. But not forever."

Baras looked me up and down, confusion in his eyes. "How did the Queen of Tricks become a prisoner?"

"Long story, why did you choose to stay here?" I asked.

Baras shrugged his large shoulders. "I retired."

I gave him a crazy look, glancing at the small empty cave around us. "And you chose to retire here?"

"I don't like beaches." Baras huffed.

I was about to respond when I was cut off by a very angry dark howl charging this way. We didn't have much time left.

"Does the Alpha know who you are?" I asked him, staring at the mouth of the cave.

"Yes. Does the alpha know who you are?"

"Nope. And I would like it to stay that way." I glanced at him quickly. "I don't know how long it will take, but as soon as those barriers go down, get out. Your father with find you."

He didn't get the chance to respond, a bright flash came from right outside the cave.

Cassar Salvaterre stormed inside. I honestly think steam was coming out of his ears from rage.

The alpha would have just been in his wolf form. The bright flash was Cassar shifting into his human form. That is why Cassar Salvaterre was naked. Very very naked.

My eyes widened as I averted my eyes from the pissed off alpha. Only to fall on Baras, who at that moment I realized, was also naked.

A laugh jumped from my throat. This is not good.

Cassar's nostrils flared noticing the absence of Baras clothes. Cassar's eyes even blacker then I have ever seen them.

The most intense growl I had ever heard ripped from Cassar's throat. It bounced off the walls of the cave, making it seem even louder. Even I had to hide my knees from shaking.

The growl was not a threat. It was a promise.

A promise from the most feared Alpha in the Unknown World.

Cassar grabbed Baras by the throat and threw him against the wall. Baras shot up and went to attack Cassar with a loud roar. Neither of their eyes a human colour.

They were brutal as they fought. Shifters didn't fight like men, they fought like animals. Both half shifted and utterly pissed.

Baras might be the most vicious bear shifter, but Cassar Salvaterre is the most vicious wolf shifter. Two creatures carved from the same stone.

It looked like they were honestly going to rip each other to shreds with their claws. Staying in the depths of the cave, they never got to close that I had to move.

Baras was probably the only other shifter that could stand next to Cassar and still hold his own. I was almost impressed with them. Between the two of them, they could destroy the entire territory.

As much as I would love to see that happen, I couldn't let it. Not yet anyways.

Lazily leaning against the cave wall, I avoided actually looking at either of them as they attempted tearing each other a part.

"You know," I drawled loudly enough to gain their attention. "It may be most girls fantasy to have two naked men fight for her honour, but personally I just find it weird."

Their fighting slowed but both refused to submit. Cassar's eyes as black as onyx. Baras with glowing auburn eyes.

Cassar had Baras pinned against the wall of the dark cave by his neck. Snarling in his face with the fury of Hades.

"What did you do to her?" Cassar snarled, his canines ready to rip out Baras' throat. I've heard he's done it before.

"She came here." Baras snarled back.

"Why?" Cassars growl was menacing. His body was shaking. A small part of me understood why creatures are so scared of him.

It was only a small part though.

"I got lost." I shrugged looking nonchalant.

They both turned their dark glares on me. I just waited patently as I looked at the cave around me.

They both turned their attention back to each other as they growled at each other.

"Are you guys done yet? The testosterone levels in here are going to make me gag." I told them impatiently.

"Vienna," Cassar growled. "now is not the time."

Oh he was definitely irritated.

I just rolled my eyes. "The s****l tension in this cave is brutal."

Both of them snarled, ignoring me completely.

"I am only going to ask one more time. Why is my mate here?" Cassar snarled at him, bashing Baras' head into the cave.

"Mate?" Baras balked. Not letting the bashing faze him. His eyes left Cassar for barely a second to look at me. "You are his mate?"

"He seems to think so. I have a different opinion." I said to him.

Cassar growled. "Stop refusing to admit it."

"Oh come on Alpha, no one wants to hear you howling about your problems." I laughed.

Baras didn't seem to care, but I could have sworn I saw Cassar's lips twitch.

***

Finally deciding Baras had done nothing to hurt me, Cassar let go of his throat and took a small step away from the bear. Unfortunately it was closer to me. Keeping a barrier between Baras and I.

"Wait. You mean, your mate refuses your mating bond, and you have to imprison her to stay with you?" Baras asked, eyes wide.

At the same time, I said yes, Cassar said no. We both took a moment to glare at each other.

Then for the first time I met Baras, his mouth turned into a smile. A laugh boomed from his chest as he doubled over, clutching his gut.

I couldn't help but laugh with him. Cassar just glared at us both, his back straightening from his predatory stance.

"It is kind of funny if you think about it." I giggled.

Baras wipes a tear from his eye. "It's not funny, it is sad."

Cassar rolled his eyes, glaring at the two of us.

"I needed that." I sighed with a smile on my face, after calming down. "On that note, I'm going to go."

I turned around heading for the mouth of the cave, remembering they were both naked. "Nice meeting you Baras."

"You as well, Vienna." Baras waved back through the tears as he laughed.

Cassar growled, he did not look inclined to fallow me out. Probably still deciding if it was worth it to kill Baras.

Turning my head I called to him. "You coming or what?"

Like a good puppy, Cassar gave one last warning to Baras as he fallowed me out. And once again Vienna saves the world by tearing the bear and the wolf apart.

Slowing I started walking back to Harlen and the other wolves who were waiting for us on the other side of the boundary. They were too far to hear and the trees blocked their vision from seeing what was happening, but I could still feel the tension coming from them.

Cassar quickly caught up to me, fuming. He grabbed my hand, halting me in place. His previous anger back, but now directed at me. "What the hell were you thinking?"

I didn't look at him, only jumped away from the Alpha, ripping my hand away. "I'm not talking to you when your naked."

"But you will talk to the bear when he is naked." He spat.

"Yes, it looks better on him." I said with a straight face.

Cassar's eyes glowed as he growled. He started to turn around, probably to kill Baras for that comment. I gripped the top of his arm and turned him back around.

"Relax." I rolled my eyes, explaining. "For Baras being naked is natural. But for you, it's weird."

"Because I'm your mate?" He smirked.

"Noooooo. Because you're weird. Nothing else."

Cassar ignored me, his anger getting the best of him again. "Did you hear me when I told you to stay in my office?"

"Did you really think I would listen?"

"I hoped."

I barked out a laugh. "Sorry to disappoint."

He growled at me, his classic scowl etched onto his face. "This is not a joke Vienna."

I raised my brows at him, taking a step closer. "Cassar, your whole life is a joke."

Cassar glared at me. His eyes darker then they were seconds ago. "Do not disrespect me, I am your Alpha."

My eyes widened in shock. I took a step closer sensing the challenge behind his words. "Excuse me?"

"While you are on my territory, I am your Alpha, and you will show me respect."

"The last thing you are to me is my Alpha." I spat, mocking in my eyes. "Actually, the second last. You're still not my mate."

I turned to walk away from the spoiled Alpha, but Cassar's deep growl disturbed the forest around us.

Before I could react, I felt a large hand grab me by my shoulder. Cassar shoved me against the trunk of a huge pine tree. Thankfully he kept a safe distance away from me, and I was too pissed to even notice his nakedness.

Cassar growled at me, his face inches away from mine. "When I tell you to do something, you do it. If I tell you to stay, you stay. Do you understand me?"

My own growl ripped through the forest. I glared at him with the force of seven suns. My fists balling at my sides. I knew my own eyes were no longer blue.

"No matter what you're dumbass wolf instincts tell you, you do not own me. And I will not put up with your possessive pigheaded Alpha bull shit." I hissed at him.

"I am trying to keep you safe." He growled at me. His hands gripping my shoulder.

"I am not your slave. It is not your decision on what is safe and what isn't." My voice rose with each word until I was yelling.

Cassar grit his teeth, glaring daggers at me. "You are not my slave. You are my mate. My job is to protect you."

"No it's not!" I shouted at him. "No ones job is to protect me, but my own. Get that through your thick scull."

My own body was shaking now. Anger coursing through my mind. All I could think of was shifting into my own fox and tearing him apart. Who does he think he is ordering me around? I already made it clear that he held no power over me.

Cassar was about to reply, but before he could I took my left fist and aimed it right at his seething head.

As my fist was sailing through the air, Cassar caught it with his own. Only inches away from his face. A roar on the edge of his lips.

He had caught my fist with the arm that was pinning me in place. While he was distracted I used my right hand and all my strength to shove him away from me.

Cassar wasn't expecting it and took a few steps back to catch his balance. Letting go of my hand. I used the little room I had to slip away from his grip and started storming away.

It didn't take long for Cassar to get over the shock and start stomping after me.

"Why didn't you listen to Harlen?" He snapped at me.

I glared at his face from the corner of my eye. "I told you I'm not talking to you when you're not wearing clothes."

"Why did you go into the cave?" He growled, still glaring at me.

I rolled my eyes at his tone. "Because I felt like it, Cassar. It's not that big of a deal."

He took a quick breath of air. "Big deal? He could have killed you. Do you have a death wish?"

"Would you relax?" I groaned. "I'm fine. He wasn't going to hurt me."

"How the hell do you know that?" He growled.

"Because."

"Just because you smile at someone, it doesn't mean you get everything you want."

"I know, or I would be out of here by now."

I heard Cassar take a deep breath trying to calm down. I could still feel his steel glare on the back of my head though.

"I just want you to be safe Vienna." He sounded slightly calmer.

"And I told you, you don't have to worry about that."

He sighed deeply. "I am always going to worry."

I turned around quickly, somehow even more irritated. I let it show in my glare as I looked down on him. Even if he was a heck of a lot taller then me. "You barely know me, so don't."

Cassar looked at me for a long time. Searching for something in my face. When he didn't find anything but sheer will, he sighed in defeat.

"You're a pain in my ass." He grumbled.

"I try my very hardest." I grinned up at him, my own shaking ceasing. My fox calming down. Then I realized he was still naked, and I quickly looked away. "Now stop talking to me."

"You know, you're making my plan a lot harder then it needs to be." He said as he walked beside me.

I looked up at him from the corner of my eye. "And that plan is?"

He smirked down at me. It was still a little forced. "Thats confidential."

I rolled my eyes. "That's fine. I'm not talking to you anyways."

Being a shifter I've seen a lot of naked people in my life, but it didn't make Cassar standing next to me any easier. I just kept my eyes straight and ignored him all together.

"Do I really make you that uncomfortable?"

"Yes."

He gave me a flat look, but with a bright flash he easily shifted into his wolf form. As strange as it was, he looked very soft.

Cassar slightly pushed me with his large torso. I glared at him. "Do we want a repeat of the rock?"

Cassar let out a quite whine in apology, which I easily ignored.

At that moment, I saw the most terrifying sight I had ever seen in my life. In all my years of stealing, lying, cheating, non of it had prepared me for a pissed off Harlen.

Still growling, her eyes blazed with a winter storm. She paced back and forth in front of us. Her wolf teeth bashing against each other. Her eyes didn't leave me as she glared.

"I change my mind." I froze. Cassar looked at me questioningly. "You should go fight Baras again."

I tried to turn around, but Cassar blocked my path back to the cave.

"Please." I pleaded with him, my eyes full of fear.

His eyes widened looking for the threat that scared me so badly. He turned around growling, thinking Baras scared me.

"Not him." I breathed, I twisted my hands into his fur in fear. "Harlen."

He looked between me and Harlen and gave a wolf like snort. He bumped his head into my back and nodding for me to keep walking.

I'll protect you. His eyes seemed to joke.

I rolled my eyes at him. I dug my feet into the ground not letting his huge wolf head move me. "I would rather face you and the bear. At the same time. Then go out there."

He pushed me again with his hip. My legs easily betraying me into moving forward.

"Stop it you inbred mutt."

He growled at me.

"And stop growling all the time, it's not attractive." I chided.

He rolled his eyes, but unfortunately we kept walking forward. Cassar only a foot away from me, so close I could touch him. I almost wanted to.

Not in a weird way, but his grey fur looked very soft. I was slightly curious if it was as soft as it looked. I refrained from doing so.

We walked closer and closer to the giant black wolf who looked like she was trying to freeze me to death with a look. I'm pretty sure it was working.

Harlen's glare shifted from mine to something behind me. Her eyes becoming even colder as she glared.

I gave one last look behind me at the giant bear who was watching us leave his property. His bear form almost the exact replica of his fathers. Only slightly larger.

Cassar glared at me catching my eye. I stuck my tongue out at him because of his childish behaviour.

I didn't notice how many wolves had gathered around Baras boundaries. Only Cassar and I actually allowed to enter inside.

Cassar could enter because he was the Alpha and was probably the one who set the boundary. While I could enter because I wasn't part of his pack, it had no effect on me.

All of the wolves I passed stared at me with wide eyes. Amazed that I was actually coming out alive. Baras had a reputation after all. I gave them a wicked grin.

Reputations weren't always the truth. I knew that better then anyone.

Cassar and I crossed the boarder, joining the group of pack members that watched us. Not bothering to stop we started our walk back to the pack house.

Harlen glared at Baras before she turned around trailing behind a stoic Cassar and a cursing me.

Now that I had my meeting with Baras, nothing was holding me back from getting out of here. I would worry about Baras along the way.

For now, I needed to figure out how to break the stupid blood-tie.

I needed to get away from here before they learned who I really was.

It was weird to think that this soft looking mutt had killed his own father and half of his pack for power.

That he has started brutal wars just for the glory. How he tortured and killed any rogue that set foot on his territory, mounting their heads on a stake as a promise to others.

For some reason I felt sad thinking about it. All that this male had done, and yet some part of me, a small part, didn't want to believe it.