The scarlet haired woman twitched in her sleep, brows furrowing, breath coming in short pants through her parted lips.
Screaming. Blood. Howls.
She moaned softly.
Pain in my paw. I yelped, desperately trying to shake off the hyena who had his jaws locked around my hind leg.
Her face tightened.
Then my-blue-male was there. He growled and attacked the hyena, and my paw was freed. He yipped at me to go, but I growled my refusal. I would not leave him.
Her hands dug into her bedsheets, fingers curling into fists.
But the cubs... who would help the cubs? there were four of them penned up, they would have no idea how to get out. I hesitated. Then I heard little-kitten cry out in fear, and I instantly ran towards the sound. I glanced over my shoulder at my-blue-male and whined. I would come back for him. I broke the lock in my jaws and opened the cage, letting the four cubs tumble out. Two of them instantly bolted, in opposite directions. The remaining two huddled up close to me, in human form, too terrified to shift. I had to get them out first before coming back for the other two.
We barely made it to the escape boats before the buildings exploded.
Erza Scarlet, human age late twenties, shifter age late thirties, woke with a cry, breathing hard.
The nightmares had become more common recently, and Erza had no idea why. Her inner wolf was on edge, stiff and tense, fur bristled, although the animal knew there was no threat. Releasing a soft growl of frustration, the scarlet-haired beauty slid out of bed, shivering once as the cool air met her mostly-bare skin. Erza wore soft, silky lingerie nightgowns to bed. Pretty underthings were her secret indulgence.
It was nearly 5 AM, so Erza abandoned thought of going back to bed and decided to just start her day. She padded barefoot through the hallway and into the bathroom, where her towel was at the ready.
A hot shower later, Erza came out of the bathroom feeling refreshed and relaxed. Towel wrapped tightly around her, she went back to her room to change into her work attire; she had easily been one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the state, but retired six months ago to pursue her long- time fashion of owning a bakery. It was a neat, happy bakery called StrawBeary, it's logo a fluffy pink bear. Erza personally didn't care for the logo, but the important part was the delicious strawberry-themed desserts which were very well known.
Ready in her ruffled white blouse and formal blue skirt, Erza started preparing breakfast- preparing, not making, as Erza couldn't cook for her life.
"Erza-nee?" Came a sleepy voice, and Erza glanced up at Millianna.
"Hey, little-kitten" Erza said affectionately, using the term her wolf used, putting a mug of milk in the microwave.
Millianna and Wally were the two cubs Erza had managed to get away with. Millianna was a wildcat shifter, and Wally a black bear shifter. They were both similiar in age, about seven years younger than Erza; in human years, they looked about nineteen. They'd both dropped out of college, however; Wally was an intern with a famous engineer/inventor, while Millianna worked full time with Erza in the shop, saving up money to make her own cattery one day.
"It's not even six in the morning" Millianna mumbled, blinking sleep out of her eyes. She woke up easily; years of being yanked to awakeness had made her a light sleeper. Wally, on the other hand, could sleep through world war three.
"Shop opens at 7:30, so we have some time to clean up beforehand" Erza replied cheerfully, handing Millianna her cup of hot milk with sugar.
"I'll make pancakes for breakfast" Millianna offered, and Erza relaxed, clearly relieved she wouldn't have to attempt making breakfast and probably setting the kitchen on fire.
"I'll go down and see if Mira is there yet" Erza spoke of their beloved head baker Mirajane Strauss. The Strauss siblings were half wolf and half human, and had unique half-shifter abilities. Mirajane was the only one of the three who could fully shift into a beautiful silvery-white wolf.
Erza exited the suite and skipped the elevator in favor of the stairs. Six flights of stairs later, Erza was crossing the street to StrawBeary.
"Hi Erza!" Lisanna, Millianna's best friend and the youngest of the Strauss siblings, chirped a greeting. She normally helped Mirajane out in the bakery. "You're here early; is Millianna coming?"
"She'll be here soon" Erza sent a quick smile at the younger girl before continuing into the kitchens to see Mirajane. "Mira?"
Mirajane set a tray of cakes into the ovens, before turning to aim her usual sunny smile at Erza. "Good morning"
"I wanted to ask you if you guys wanted to come camping with us next week, for thanksgiving. The bakery will be closed down anyway, and the cabin we booked is way too big for just the three of us" Erza cajoled. She knew Mirajane did not accept any kind of pity for the Strauss sibling's weak financial status, but she wanted her dear friend to accept this one gift.
Mirajane raised an eyebrow, somehow still maintaining her perfect smile. "Cabin is too big, huh?"
"And I need someone my age to talk to" Erza moaned.
Mirajane snorted. "I'm technically around ten years younger than you"
"mentally and physically, you're my age" Erza waved off the argument. "Millianna really wants Lisanna there, and then Wally will be bored without someone."
"Then, fine" Mirajane accepted. She would do anything for her younger siblings, anything to make them smile and be happy. "How much should I pay for our half of the cabin?"
"Don't be ridiculous" Erza waved it off. "Just make sure you cook for us so we don't starve"
"aha, there's the real reason" Mirajane laughed, turning back to the baking. "now, shoo. I'm experimenting with caramel cupcakes."
Erza left Mirajane to her baking, going upstairs to her office. It was spacious and rather empty-looking, everything stored away.
Erza collapsed on her chair, sighing as she started going through the company's paperwork.
The rest of the week passed by in a blur, as Erza all but attacked her work to ensure she could afford to take the next week off. The four younger ones were thrilled that they were going on a trip together, and their collective joy had brought a smile to Erza's lips. Mirajane, being the more organized one, emailed everyone lists of what they needed to bring, specific for each person. When the day finally came, everyone was in front of StrawBeary a half hour early, which made Erza laugh. They loaded everything into the huge luxury SUV and were on the road.
The campsite was about a four hour drive away. It was at the edge of Fiore, in a massive forest that faded into mountain ranges. Their cabin was farthest out, no other cabins around for arrived at sunset on Saturday, and everyone was out of the car the instant it stopped. Shifters didn't like being caged in.
Erza's wolf was alert, clearly excited about the prospect of open space and new smells. She wanted out, and made it clear. Erza pushed the urge to shift away and promised herself she's go for a run in wolf form when they were done unpacking.
They roomed in pairs- Erza and Mirajane, Millianna and Lisanna, and Wally and Elfman. Telling the others to unpack and relax while she checked out the place, Erza stripped quickly and shifted.
Erza's wolf surged to the surface with a delighted growl. Erza only let her out about once a week. Erza's wolf craved the comfort of being in a pack, and Erza regretted not being able to get that security. So the wolf considered Millianna, Wally, and the Strauss siblings her pack.
The wolf lifted her muzzle, inhaling the clear forest air and acknowledging the various scents. Small woodland creatures, various birds, and... Wolf.
The wolf and the human inside both stood attentive. This Cabin lay on wolf territory. The wolves would scent the wolf in Erza and the Strauss and could consider it trespassing, and would try to drive them away.
Right on cue, a chilling growl came from about fifty yards away.
Erza's wolf swung around and growled back, flattening her ears in warning. The wolf was a muscular male with a scar over his right eye, his fur a dark reddish brown. Then she caught a deeper whiff of his scent and went rigid. The other wolf's ears pricked with interest at the same time.
This wasn't a regular wolf pack. They were shifters.
The male put his nose up and howled, the rough note echoing through the forest in a clear call for backup. Erza, inside her wolf, grew angry. They had been excited for the trip for ages, and it was only for a week. No one- shifter pack or not- was going to ruin this for them. Her wolf was in complete agreement. No one interfered with her pack's happiness.
Erza's wolf bared her fangs and attacked. The male wolf moved with surprising speed, dodging her attacks. Erza's wolf hadn't fought anyone in years, but before that almost every day had been a savage battle to stay alive. Instinct and recollection kicked in, and she managed a slash to the male's muzzle. He snarled, and lashed in for a hard strike to her stomach. Erza's wolf rolled to her feet instantly, head down, evaluating her opponent, who slowly advanced. The male was fast and observant, clearly reading her moves, and confusing her with feints and fakes. Erza's wolf's mind sharpened. They both leaped at the same time. She ignored his feint and went straight for the kill, slamming into him and relishing his yelp of confused surprise as her jaws locked around his throat and her legs stood between his so he couldn't wriggle away. She tightened her jaws in warning, releasing a chilling growl, telling him to submit. He growled back and raked his hind legs across her belly, shoving her off just enough for him to slip away. Erza's wolf flattened her ears and got ready to pounce again, when another presence drew both of their attention to the trees.
The third wolf emerged slowly, steps firm, the huffs of air through his nose the only sign that he had rushed here. His fur was a deep cobalt blue, his eyes a glittering green-gold. The brown male lowered his head in respect, but his eyes were fixed on Erza.
Erza's wolf's nostrils flared. What was that familiar scent?
He took a few steps closer, lowing his head and relaxing his ears and tail. He was the picture of respect and surprise, which confused Erza just as much as it did the other male; he let out a soft whine in protest.
Jellal. My-blue-male.
Erza recoiled, but her wolf had no such qualms; tail wagging and ears slicked back in joy, she all but rushed the other wolf, touching noses and rubbing cheeks.
He smelled different.
The same, but different. The softer scent was... darker, more masculine, and Erza's wolf loved it.
Erza was in a state of shock. This couldn't be true.
Jellal. Jellal wasn't here. He was dead. He'd died in the tower. What was happening?
"Erza!" Came a terrified voice, and all three wolves swung around to see everyone standing there, Mirajane in front, a gun in her hand.
"J-Jellal?" Wally squeaked.
The wolf grinned a big happy wolf smile, tongue lolling out, and wagged his tail at them.
Mirajane's eyes went wide. Erza's wolf sniffed at Jellal again.
"okay" Mirajane attempted to take control. "Everyone inside, NOW. Elfman, get some of your smaller clothes for the two males. Erza..."
Erza's wolf grudgingly trotted into the house, the others hesitating before following. Erza shifted and fled to her and Mirajane's room, slamming the door. For a moment she felt like she couldn't breathe. Jellal Fernandes. Her best friend while in that hellhole. She thought he'd died in the explosion.
She'd thought he'd died.
Did he have any idea how she'd suffered? The months she'd fallen asleep with her heart aching? The struggle to adapt to the human world? She'd missed him so much her wolf had wilted into depression, but Erza the human had had to fight through it to keep her, Millianna, and Wally alive.
And then he waltzes out of a forest without a care.
Erza's shock was quickly turning to anger. Growling under her breath, she yanked on the first clothes she saw- an old hoodie and faded short shorts- and stormed outside barefoot.
All thoughts in her head vanished when she saw Jellal in human form.
He was wearing elfman's shorts, which were too big on him, and was shirtless, and holy hell the man's body was absolute perfection. He had perfectly defined muscles without being overly muscular or bulky; his broad shoulders narrowed down to a sculpted stomach. all in all he was rather slender. He looked about 8 inches taller than Erza, making him about 6'4. Erza pushed away the urge to run her hands- and tongue- over his abs and tried to focus on his face. Which wasn't much better. His face was perfection, slightly angled with a strong jawline and intense green-gold eyes currently boring into Erza's.
"Erza" He murmured, and her breath caught. The rich, seductive baritone of his voice caught her off guard, making her dully realize that of course his voice wouldn't be the same. Her wolf growled low in approval, wanting to roll around in his scent and rub hers on him in turn. Stupid animal.
"Jellal" She murmured back, and his eyes darkened.
"So this is Erza" The other male, a bulky male with a scar over his right eye and spiky red-brown hair, ran his eyes over her body. "She's pretty hot, man"
Jellal sent a warning glance at the other male, and he shut up.
"You're alive." Erza said, trying desperately to get her previous anger. "You're alive and you never bothered to contact me, never bothered to-"
"I searched for you" Jellal interrupted, straightening, eyes flashing. "I've been searching for you ever since I got off the bloody island. Who would have thought that you would have waltzed right into my territory and started a fight with my beta?"
"your territory, your beta" Erza repeated dumbly, stricken with realization. "You're the alpha of a shifter pack."
The side of his mouth quirked up, and he nodded.
"Erza-nee?" Millianna squeaked from the corner, and Erza glanced at her. Millianna and Wally were all but huddled together on the sofa, staring at Jellal with wide owl eyes, unable to process what was happening. Lisanna and Elfman hovered anxiously over them. Mirajane gave Erza an are you okay? look from her position standing in front of the sofa. Erza gave her a small nod back.
"It's okay" Erza assured, and Millianna flew off the sofa to stand behind Erza, staring at Jellal. Wally instead threw himself at Jellal in a bear hug, and started wailing. Jellal rather awkwardly parted from the younger shifter, but gave him a light smile and a touch on the shoulder. Wally bawled, and Millianna dragged him off.
"We should return" Jellal's beta said, turning to his alpha. "Or the others will worry."
Jellal nodded, not looking away from Erza. "You'll come? Just to see? You might see a few familiar faces"
Erza blinked. "like who?"
Jellal just gave her a crooked grin. "let's go"
"I'll be back for dinner" Erza told Mirajane, eyes on Jellal. His grin grew as he unbuttoned his shorts and shifted. The other one followed. Erza kicked off her shorts and shifted, shaking off the tattered remains of the shirt.
Jellal's wolf flicked at ear at her and took off, his beta following behind. Erza's wolf bounded after them, out of the cabin and into the forest, a challenging sprint through the brush and tree trunks. Her paws thundered against the soft earth, the cold air ruffling through her fur and sweeping through her lungs. Both Erza and her wolf loved the feeling.
It was about twenty miles before Jellal's wolf finally slowed, tongue lolling. Erza's wolf was panting hard, but had loved the challenging run and the exercise.
The beta snuffled through the bushes before dragging out bundles of clothes. Jellal's wolf nosed through them before picking up shorts. He shifted, and Jellal yanked on the shorts before raising an eyebrow at Erza's wolf.
Her wolf huffed at the prospect of turning back into a human, but she and Erza sniffed at the clothing. It was all quite worn out, and the female clothing consisted of only some shorts and tank tops.
Erza turned away from the men to shift, pulling on denim shorts and a loose black tank top. When she turned around both were waiting, wearing plain white T-shirts and shorts.
"We tend to walk around as humans in our den" Jellal explained, and Erza instantly envisioned a large primitive cave of some sort.
Yet when they walked through the trees, they saw several cabins scattered around a central rich patch of grass, where several people were milling about.
Two girls whipped around to stare. One had fluffy pink hair and bright, curious eyes. The other, older, had long black hair and generous curves. She narrowed her eyes at Erza in suspicion.
"Jellal?" A tall, muscled blonde man with a lightning-shaped scar on his right eye walked out of the largest cabin, the only one two stories tall.
"This is my other beta, Laxus"
"why do both your betas have scars on their right eyes?"
"They used to be slaves. The owner scarred their right eyes as a mark of his property. Cobra's eye never healed; he now has only one eye." Jellal replied quietly.
"Nii-san!" A dark skinned blonde man with a small black tattoo near his chin came out of another cabin, and froze when he saw Erza.
Erza gaped, remembering the little dark-blonde cub who'd idolized Jellal, and was quite close to Erza too.
"Sho" She whispered.
"Nee-san?" Sho took shaky steps forward. His shock quickly turned to joy, and before she knew it he was hugging her tightly.
"I knew Nii-san would find you" Sho said fiercely, shaking. Erza returned the hug, and gave him a teasing smile when she saw the tears on his cheeks.
"You always were a cry-baby" Erza chided, and Sho sniffed.
"I'm not a cry-baby!"
"Okay, enough" Jellal interrupted.
"Jellal, who's this?" The curvy black haired woman from before approached, the pink haired girl close behind.
"This is Ultear, and the girl behind her is Meredy" Jellal introduced. Ultear gave her a short nod, evaluating her carefully. Meredy beamed and waved enthusiastically.
"how many members do you have in your pack?" Erza asked.
"Well I have Cobra, Laxus, Freed, Evergreen, Bixlow, Sho, Ultear, Meredy, Racer, Midnight, and Angel. So twelve members of our pack including me. We're pretty small for a shifter pack. I met another shifter pack with over thirty members." Jellal said, and began walking into the complex. "Meredy, Sho, and Midnight are our younger ones. We're a young pack, we have no elders. But we're strong, and we've held our own. The large building over there is the Alpha house- The ground floor has the kitchens, a living room, and an entertainment room. The upper floor has two large bedrooms with bathrooms attached, and a small sofa set in the space between. It's exclusively for the Alphas of the pack, so I live alone. The rest of the cabins are for the pack members, in pairs or trios."
"It's an actual pack" Erza said in awe, and her wolf wriggled with delight inside.
"There are quite a lot, actually. Hidden from humans, of course. We're part of the official network. You've grown up all alone here, I'm assuming you haven't heard of it"
"Nope" Erza shook her head slowly, her mind racing.
Jellal glanced at her, looking mildly surprised. "Erza... you know there are people trying to kill you?"
HI GUYS
soooo
this ended awkly but I felt like it was supa long so I just killed it
It's 2 am I'm tired
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I will not update until I get ten reviews for this . which sucks I know I'm sorry