Chloe ran until she felt like her lungs were turned inside out. She finally stopped when she couldn't feel her legs any more. She dropped to her knees in front of a tree, out of breath and tears streaming. She saw the flash of hurt in his eyes when he told her to run. He was more beast then man, and she had been afraid. The truth was she was afraid for him not of him. But there had been no time to tell him, to explain. If she could take that split second back she would have but now, she just needed to breathe and figure out where she needed to go what she needed to do.
Yes she needed to get to Kalaha to get help for her village, but a more basal part of her needed to go back to help him, to beg for forgiveness and be the champion he needed. The one he had not been granted in his long life.
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"We should reach Kalaha this afternoon," Clark spoke as they sat in the shade, eating a small lunch. "Here." Clark spoke as he pulled a small plant from a pouch on his belt.
"What is this?" Gabe asked.
"Wolf bane." He spoke. "You are still new to the change. Your emotions are raw and may accidentally trigger your change. The moon from what I understand is the primary driving force, but you need to keep your new skill a secret."
"What do I do with it?"
"Take a leaf off and put it under your tongue or in your cheek." He shrugged. Gabe just sniffed it and grimaced and put the plant in the pocket of his pants.
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"Must find her, must find her, must find her." Was the only thought that the Chancellor had. His beast had taken over his good sense. He was a monster draped in human skin with an unholy obsession for the butcher's daughter.
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Oliver felt head clogged and achy. He also felt the very distinct shift in his vision, he was the wolf. He whined when he thought of the look on Chloe's face when she saw the wolf claw from underneath his skin. The look that would haunt him all the rest of his days. He opened his eyes again to see a man and a woman kneeling in front of him. 'Enemy,' he thought. They were the reason that Chloe left him afraid of the monster he was. He growled low and menacingly at the pair.
"Easy," the man spoke. Oliver ignored the human words and only growled more fiercely. "You really want to fight me?" he spoke his voice gruff. The woman reached and took the amulet off his neck and put it into a pouch and tossed it over her shoulder to someone Oliver had just noticed standing behind them. He felt the release of the pressure of having to remain a wolf and took several deep breaths and finally allowing the man to come to the surface. His muscles ached and he was physically exhausted.
He lay naked on his side and closed his eyes and groaned. "What is it you want from me?" he croaked his throat still raw.
"Don't you know who we are?" the man asked, seeming to lose his patience.
"Yeah you are the people who scared off the one person in my life who accepted me for me. You showed her the monster I am and in her eyes was nothing but fear. So if you are looking for gratitude –thanks again for reminding me how utterly alone I am." He hissed as he sat up. He saw that there was a pile of clothes for him to put on which he did very slowly.
"I don't need attitude or gratitude." The man hissed. The woman next to him put her hand on his knee to calm him.
"After all these years, you are finally home." The woman spoke softly.
"I beg your pardon?" he spoke.
"You…unruly mongrel you…are our son." The man spoke with laughter in his voice.
"I'm sorry?" he asked again.
"Yes you are our son." She spoke smiling hopeful that he would calm down. Oliver just pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head.
"Wonderful." He spoke his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"What?" she asked.
"Great. Wonderful, after all this time, now you find me?"
"Watch your tone boy." The man cautioned.
"Or what? You'll spank me? Take away my favorite toy?" he sassed. "I have been living on my own for years." He was winding up. "Where were you when I was adopted by the nomads?" He asked angrily. "Where were you when I was turned away from them at the age of 8 when I first shifted? Forgive me if I'm not overly excited to have you now considering I have been alone all of my life."
"Son.." the man spoke.
"No… you have no right to call me that." He glared.
"You were once Aiden." He spoke softly. "A happy, healthy, curious baby boy."
"You had just learned to walk, when you wandered away." The woman spoke. "We were being hunted and had to leave our camp. We had all of our best trackers looking for you. We couldn't find you. It was as if you fell off the planet." She spoke tearful.
"Hunted by what?" he asked.
"A beast," the man spoke curious of the direction of the conversation. "It was so much stronger than us at the time. We went into sacred lands to get away from him."
Oliver cursed a blue streak. "That beast then left you alone and went and took over a small village and has driven them to ruin."
"What?" The man asked
"It has a human skin," Oliver spoke grimly.
"And the woman—the human?" the man asked.
"Watch your tone old man." He hissed glaring at him. "You just told me that you are my father after all these years and now you want to parent me? No." he spoke. "I have led my life the only way I could – to survive." He showed them his left forearm. "These 5 are my cross to bear, my burden for what I am."
"Would you two stop it." The woman spoke. "Please, Aiden." She spoke.
"That's not what I go by, that's not my name." he spoke. "A name holds power and I will never again feel powerless." He spoke. "You may call me Woodsman, for that is the name I give easily enough."
The elder male sighed and wiped his face with his hand. This was not at all how he imagined this would go. "Look, I'm sorry. Really. Can we at least start over?…." The man spoke. "I am Quinn and this is your mother Alynn." He spoke. "We are the Alpha pair of this pack." He paused briefly. "You have a brother and a sister and a brother and sister in law." He spoke. "They are all anxious to meet you." The woman looked at him hopeful that he would listen and be receptive to them.
Oliver took a minute to let it all sink in. He had a family, a real family one that had lost him, not abandoned him. He was angry because of Chloe. She was running from a danger that wasn't there and was now afraid of him.
"Is that hu—woman your mate?" Alynn asked.
"I." Oliver started to answer and something inside him clicked. The word mate hit him like a bolt of lightning. It would totally explain why he had become so attached, so protective of her. A warmth spread through his system, a rightness that was off kilter since she was not with him. "Yeah, I think she is." he spoke. "And damnit if she isn't in the forest afraid you are coming after her." He spoke. His father stood as well.
"I will send a sentry after her to protect her." He spoke. "We really need to talk." He spoke. "And then you can go after her." Oliver looked doubtful.
"We protect our women." He spoke. "She will be safe until you get to her. Please, let the trust start now." He asked. His wife stood as well. Oliver nodded. The man turned and the man that had been behind his father was now a wolf and running into the forest. "Now come to our hut so we can tell you all that you missed not growing up with the pack."
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What Oliver thought was going to be a brief discussion went long into the night. He met his sibling and their families, heard stories from the elders and people who he was told he was related to. Ollie learned of all he was capable of, that he could indeed control his shift, and that damnation was only the product of his adopted parents. He was no more damned then a natural wolf surviving in the wild. He still harbored resentment for a species that had stronger senses that could not at all find a child of theirs lost in the forest.
He was the last to bed; he'd been given the hut that he and Chloe had shared. He lay down on the pallet and drew the pillow she rested her head on to his face and inhaled deeply. Her scent was soothing to him. He yawned and closed his eyes, praying she was safe as he drifted off to sleep.
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Chloe sat for what she thought was hours debating what to do. Once she got up and started running back the direction she came, then she thought of her father and stopped and would return to where she stopped. It was the driving force of her father's memory that ultimately swayed her decision to go on to Kalaha. She looked over her shoulder and prayed to God Oliver was safe and that he could forgive her. She took a deep breath and began to move on toward Kalaha. She made great progress when fatigue took over. She had had a hell of a day and her body was protesting going any further. She found a very small clearing protected by some large boulders and a downed tree that looked like just as good of place as any to rest for the night. In the morning she would be refreshed and ready to get to Kalaha. She curled into a ball tightened her cloak around herself and drifted off to sleep.
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Kalaha had been long reveled in peace. When the Queen went mad and was institutionalized and the King's son disappeared is when things began to subtly change. The King was heartbroken and lost. He tried to stay focused on the prosperity of his people but over the years, as he never remarried, never found his son, he began to lose himself in his grief. Slowly taxes increased and his overall fairness decreased. The military was used as the police and his tyranny reign began.
The good people began to get bitter and since there was no heir, the only hope is to overthrow the King and find someone else to rule.
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The next morning Ollie was jostled awake by a knock to the door. He yawned and stretched and stood and opened it. It was his parents each with an arm load of food.
"Good morning," Alynn spoke as they entered.
"Good morning." He spoke moving aside to go and sit on the bed.
"Breakfast?"
"Thank you." He spoke, it all smelled wonderful. He dug in to what they provided. "You know I have to leave, I have to find Chloe." He spoke looking up at his parents.
"I understand Aiden," his mother spoke. "I refuse to call you Woodsman. The name you were blessed with at birth was Aiden." she spoke proudly.
He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry I'm no longer that boy. But as my parents I can extend a trust I have given to very few. I am Oliver."
"Oliver?" she spoke trying it out. "I like it."
"Very noble." Quinn spoke. "Oliver." He spoke nodding. "So when do you plan on leaving?"
"As soon as I'm done eating; I can only imagine how scared she is." He spoke shaking his head.
"And will you come back?" Alynn asked.
"Depends on if I can convince her not to hate me and we can save her village." he spoke.
"She would be foolish to hate you." Quinn spoke. "Love in this clan has never had an easy path." He spoke reaching to his wife and pinching her bottom.
"Ohh you." She smiled at her husband.
Oliver just shook his head he finished eating and stood. "I wish I could promise a quick return or a return for that matter, but she is…..she is my hope and I intend to give her the same. However long it takes me to convince her I won't hurt her." He smiled at them both and left the hut.
"Well?" Quinn spoke to his Alynn.
"He has been scarred, almost irrevocably." She rolled her eyes. "To truly win his trust he will need what he's never had." She spoke.
"Support?" the tall man spoke. She nodded. He leaned and kissed her then left the hut as well. He called on two more to go with him as he took off to help his son.
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Clark and Gabriel entered the city of Kalaha at the south gate keeping a low profile. "I know or at least I used to know where my in-laws live." Gabe spoke. Clark nodded.
"Ok there is someone I need to see in the city." He spoke. "We will meet back here just before sunset. Keep some of that wolfs bane in your mouth, at all times." he spoke. Gabe nodded and the two parted ways.
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Chloe entered the city at the north gate. She made it, but felt so guilty for not having gone back to Oliver. It felt like she was missing some part of herself. She was here in the city, now what? She had grandparents or at least extended family that lived nearby, if she could only remember what her father had told her about where they lived. She walked through the market racking her brain trying to remember.
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Clark entered the small shop quietly. He was trying to keep his anger in check, wanting to talk to the witch, not scare her.
"I will be with you in a minute." The voice came from a back room. Clark just looked around and saw the different mixtures and potions and herbs and wondered which one she used on his mother to drive her mad. The witch—who turned out to be nothing more than a middle aged woman came out to the store tying an apron around her waist. She looked up and gasped.
"I'm guessing I look familiar to you?" Clark spoke coolly. The woman who visibly paled could only open and close her mouth like a guppy.
"How? Why?"
"I was adopted by nomads, raised in the forest. Interesting group of people. I learned to love them…mostly. I always wondered if there was more to that life than I had gotten. I became a tracker, a hunter and gatherer of information not only for myself but to help my poor adopted brother." He spoke as he moved toward her. "When I heard the story of the King, small snips of my memory came back. I do remember my mother; I remember her whispering nonsense to me. I guess I knew she was unhinged even then. But as I got more information I always wondered what you gained from the whole deal."
She turned away from him and shook her head. "I was only trying to protect you and the King." She spoke.
"Do you honestly believe that?" he spoke. "That he was better not knowing I was alive? That maybe my presence would have helped him cling to his sanity?"
"I never said it was a great plan." she shrugged.
"Try another story; I'm not buying the one you are selling now." The witch turned and her face went from passive to very, very evil in a blink.
"Huh, you aren't ready for this one, but ok I'll play." She grinned. "The Queen went mad, because she was feeding my beast, my creature that would take over the entire realm. He was a true child of those pesky nomads. One that I found wandering, he suit my purpose just fine. With just the right amount of magic, he began to feed and grow. The first of my experiments died, the one that is in L'espoir right now is the best of all the experiments. He is the one that will take over when this pathetic King crumbles or is over thrown which ever really comes first."
"Not if I have anything to do about it." Clark spoke.
"You? What possibly can you do? In fact I think you may go just as mad as your dear sweet mother." she grinned.
"I don't think so." He spoke grinning. "I'm going to give you a little warning. You have messed with too many people over a reeeeaaalllyyy long time." He smirked and turned his back on her. He moved to her shelving and began to read labels. He reached for a jar of something and began to toss it between his hands. "What goes around comes around. And your around is coming fast. You best be prepared," he spoke and tossed the jar on the ground and a large plume of white smoke was left in the air and when it cleared Clark was gone.
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Oliver made to just outside Kalaha in a very short period of time. He knelt and the tree line and closed his eyes and put his nose into the air. He inhaled, a million scents hit his nose and he filtered, layer by layer until he found the one that he wanted, she was in the city, and she seemed to be fine. A wave of relief nearly crushed him. He then caught another scent, one that was sinister, evil and it was close. He needed to warn Chloe. She was in danger.
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The Chancellor made it to the outskirts of Kalaha faster than he anticipated. He sniffed the air, and smiled when he caught her scent. She would have to wait, he needed to visit his 'mother' to let her know he was in town and her plans have been changed.
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Oliver ghosted her for what fell like forever. It took him no time to find her, but it was the waiting for the right time to talk to her is what was killing him. She was wondering, seeking but not going in any specific direction. She was heading toward the meat section of the market when finally spotted an opportunity. He ducked into an alley way and went behind the market, never losing track of her scent. She turned a corner trying to get to a different section.
Chloe was edgy jumpy. She tried walking around hoping that something looked or seemed familiar. She turned a corner and when a gloved hand covered her mouth and she was pulled into the shadows in an instant.
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Gabe had walked up the hill on the west side of the shire to where the house of his mother in law was supposed to be. He looked and it was leveled in its place were several crosses.
"You lookin' for the house that was there?" an old man spoke from behind Gabe. He spun to see a face he hadn't seen in years, his father in law.
"Zeb?" he asked shaking his head.
"Do I know you?"
"It's me Gabriel." He spoke moving closer to the old man. The man studied him and then shook his head.
"Oh praise be." He spoke and rushed to hug the man. Gabriel stood hugging his father in law, tears streaming down his face. This was his last blood connection to his wife, it had been years and he couldn't hold back the torrent of emotion that took hold of him. "I never thought I would get to see you again." The old man spoke and pulled back looking up into the face of his son in law. "Come on let me take you to my new place and fill you in. I'm glad you are here, I need your help." Gabe nodded and walked with the old man to a different place.
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"Don't you know it's dangerous for little girls be all alone in the city?" Oliver grumbled in her ear. Chloe gasped and spun into his arms and held him tight. "Shhh Princess, I'm here, I've got you." She pulled back tears streaking down her face. He looked at her worried. He heard a noise and pulled her further back into the shadows of the alley.
"Oh Ollie," she spoke squeezing him again.
"Shhhh," he spoke rubbing her back. "No tears," he spoke and kissed her temple.
"I…" she spoke and looked up into his eyes. "Wasn't scared of you I was scared for you." She blurted "And then I ran and I didn't get to tell you….." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her to silence. It was supposed to be a 'shut up I'm kissing you' but it ignited a fire in the both of them. He started out as the leader and then quickly became the follower. She pulled back trying to catch her breath. "I'm so glad you're here." She whispered.
"Me too, now we need to get you someplace safe." He spoke.
"What?"
"Princess, I think the Chancellor is here?"
"What?"
"The Chancellor is the beast, and if he's here it can only be trouble." He looked into her eyes.
"But my family, getting help?"
"Sweet," his look was tender. "I have been following you, trying to find a good time to get your attention. Honey, you have been walking for a while with no luck. Come on let's get out of here and then come up with a plan. I promise I will help you."
"Really?"
"Absolutely." He smiled at her.
"Ok." She spoke and he took her hand in his and pulled her back the way he came.
Chloe and Oliver made it out in a slinking zigzag path to the south side of the shire. The ducked out that south gate and into the forest. When Oliver finally got a perceived safe distance he quickly spun Chloe so her back was to the nearest tree and he pinned her there with his body; his restraint evaporating like a morning fog.
She was completely overwhelmed by him. His strength, his scent, his lips that were walking a wicked path down her neck. "Oliver," she spoke on a sigh as his hand rested on her hip.
"I can't explain how lost I felt without you by my side." He purred as he switched sides of her neck.
"Ohhhyeaahhh, I agree." She again spoke on a sigh.
"Keep that up princess and…." He stopped. Literally froze in place.
"Oliver?" she felt the stiffness of his posture. He spun around in a second, an arm back to protect her.
"You have this really nasty habit of trying to sneak up on me." He growled to someone. Chloe couldn't see who he was talking to. She tilted her body and saw that he was talking to a tall brunette man.
"Come on you know I can't sneak up on you." The man appeared to try to be teasing Oliver.
"Oliver?" Chloe spoke. The man looked at Oliver with an arched eye brow. Oliver wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side.
"What are you doing here?" Oliver growled again.
"Believe me or not, I came here to help you." He spoke.
"Oliver who is he?" Chloe whispered.
Oliver shook his head, "No one to be afraid of. He's just my brother."
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The three wolves watched from a distance that they would not be detected. Quinn wanted to growl, how his son could think the human was his brother. His wife would have told him to be patient. He would be, he would watch, he would wait, that is how he became Alpha.
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Chloe was sitting leaning against Oliver while he and his brother were glaring at each other. "Stop." The man spoke.
"Why? I think I have reason don't you?" Oliver spat.
"Listen, for the millionth time. I am sorry." He spoke. "You have no idea how sorry I am. I've been tracking you for years trying to get you to listen to reason." Oliver moved to speak. "No…listen. I was eight when you left. A child myself, I once tried to speak to them about what they did and was punished harshly. The only thing I could do was learn to track, to hunt, so that I could find you someday and explain. We were tight brother and what they did to you killed me. I lost my best friend."
Oliver wanted to rage to shout, the small gentle hand on his upper leg was like his center of gravity, his solace and he sighed, bone weary of this entire argument. "I never thought how this affected you. All those days and cold nights cursing why I was kicked out…."
"I know and you had every right." Clark spoke shaking his head. "I want to help you accomplish what you've set out to." he frowned and paused.
"What?"
"The fifth that you bit, survived." He spoke leveling a look at Chloe then to his brother. Oliver groaned and closed his eyes.
"What? What am I missing?" Chloe asked looking up at Oliver. He wrapped his arm around her drawing her closer to him.
"That night you left L'espoir, when your father was sacrificed to the beast….once you ran away…. your father…he was so near death princess. I thought that maybe there was just enough life left him that if I bit him, I could save him for you. When I left I had no idea if he lived or died."
"You mean my daddy is …."
"Like me? Yes." He nodded head down, shamed. Chloe moved to straddle his lap and hug him.
"Thank you, Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you" she whispered peppering his face with kisses. He was shocked beyond belief.
"Princess." He spoke grabbing her by her upper arms and pulling her back from him.
"No…he's alive, it's a miracle." She smiled a smile that lit up her entire face. The dread of her fear just simply ebbed away. He wanted to say a million things to her to extol upon her but he heard the clearing of his brother's voice.
"Sorry." Oliver blushed and spun Chloe around on his lap so she was facing his brother.
"He is in the city and went to find your family," he told Chloe. "He must have found them since he wasn't back at our meeting place." Chloe sighed in relief.
"There is something else?" Oliver asked as he watched his brother's posture change. Clark only nodded.
"While I was tracking you…I found out who my parents are."
"Really?" Oliver asked surprised.
"Yeah…" he shook his head as he proceeded to tell him that he was Prince Clark, son of the King. How he was taken from his parents and about the witch that had changed the course of his life forever. He also spoke of her plans to take over Kalaha and then anything else with the help of the beast.
"The beast is here." Oliver spoke. "He was the Chancellor that turned L'espoir into a poor, helpless village. I was summoned there by Chloe's father." He spoke.
"Wait, you aren't going to treat me any differently because I'm a prince?"
"Why should I," Oliver smirked. "I may be hard headed but you didn't treat me any different for the teeth and claws. However you spin it…we are brothers and always will be." He smiled.
Chloe smiled, Clark blushed. "Thank you Oliver. Truly…Thank you."
"If we are telling stories though." Oliver blushed and looked down at Chloe. "The people that you thought kidnapped us?" he asked. She nodded biting her lower lip. "They weren't kidnappers; those were my parents." He turned to Clark. "I found my family too." Clark smiled happy for his brother. Oliver then told him the story of how he wandered from their village that was moving to avoid the beast and how he was never found.
"Is this the same beast?" Chloe asked. "That's a long time and the chancellor isn't that old."
"Maybe, maybe not. The witch could have created a couple of them." Clark spoke.
"And he's here?" Chloe asked. Clark nodded.
"So," Oliver shook his head, "We need to kill the beast, defeat the witch, overthrow the King and save the Kingdom?"
"In a nutshell yes." Clark laughed shaking his head.
"Doesn't sound too hard to me."
"It sounds utterly and completely stupid to me." A voice spoke coming from the trees. Oliver had thought he had caught the scent. The man was flanked by two men. Chloe moved closer to Oliver, still very much afraid of the man. They didn't however stand at his arrival.
"Don't worry Princess he won't hurt you. This is Quinn….my father." He spoke.
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The old man led Gabriel to a small shack that was his home. They entered and Gabriel noticed that it was nearly filled to the brim with his belongings. "This is what I was able to save from the fire." He spoke.
"My Aggie, she was lost, our kids fled to farther kingdoms to be safe. I've been living here by myself since. I prayed every night that you and Chloe were alright."
"I hope she is." Gabe spoke under his breath.
"What did you say?" the man asked.
"I said, I like your place." He half smiled. "Zeb, tell me." He spoke. "What's going on with the King?" he asked. Zeb paled and moved him further into the room.
"Shhh, not so loud." He spoke. He led him to his tiny bed room. There was room for a bed and a small chair in the corner. Gabe sat on the chair, Zeb took the bed. He shook his head. "The king has been going mad ever since his wife and child…well you know that story. He has become increasingly ruthless. My home was burned down by the guard when I couldn't pay my taxes."
Anger rolled over Gabe and he could feel the stranger inside him wanting to awaken and peel through his skin. He pulled another leaf of the wolfs bane off his plant and shoved it in his mouth. "You're telling me your Attie was killed in your home because of your taxes by the King?" Zeb nodded.
"I tried to save her, heard her scream." He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "Sorry, damn dust in here."
Gabe's heart broke for the kind old man. "No need to be sorry." He spoke. "Zeb, I'm here with a friend, and we needed help in town, but we may just have to help the town."
"Really?" he asked.
"Absolutely." He smiled. "Look dad, I have to go." He frowned. "Stay here, don't leave until I come and get you." He spoke and Zeb nodded.
"I'm glad you're here Gabe. You were always such a good man."
"Thanks," he smiled. "Just stay safe, do that for me will you?" Zeb nodded and Gabe stood and moved to the door. He was just about to open it when he peaked out the window and saw the Chancellor walk down the street. He turned to Zeb. "Change of plans..."
"Why?" Zeb asked. "What did you see?"
"Danger, dad. Very real danger and I'll be damned if I lose another member of my family." He spoke grimly as he faced his father in law.
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"How long were you in the trees? I thought I caught your scent."
"Long enough to hear you call this human your brother." Quinn growled.
"Well he's more a brother to me then my natural brother. I was raised with him until my first change. And the fact that he's human doesn't bother me at all. You had better get over it because Chloe is just as human and will be a part of my life." He spoke with a pointed tone.
Quinn just smiled. "I was just testing you." He grinned, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "And you passed heartily." Oliver growled. "Now let's get back to the problem." Chloe just kissed Oliver's cheek to sooth him. "I owe the beast, dearly for terrorizing our people and taking you from us. We." He nodded his head toward the two men with him. "Will take him on."
"I have a feeling that the witch will be with him."
"Then we get two prizes." Quinn grinned
"I'm going after the King." Clark spoke.
"And I'm going with you." Oliver spoke. The two men shared a look, no words needed to be spoken.
"And I'm going with you." Chloe spoke to Oliver.
"NO!" it was a unanimous chorus of male voices. Chloe turned to Oliver and what had once been a sweet and trusting look was on of anger and contempt.
"Excuse me?" she spoke moving away from him and standing crossing her arms over her chest.
"No way, no how." He spoke standing as well and glaring down at her.
"And who made you boss of the universe?" she hissed.
"Not boss of the universe, boss of YOUR universe." He hissed.
"You did not just say that to me did you?" she shouted.
"Listen." Clark spoke standing.
"SHUT UP CLARK." The couple shouted.
"Princess, this is going to be really dangerous, and I unlike you can heal if I get hurt. I would be worried about you being in harm's way?"
"So what? You want me to be the little woman and wait for the conquering hero to return? My father is in the city, MY FATHER! The man who raised me by himself after my mother was sacrificed. "The man who taught me to sew, to hunt, and skin a carcass with just 3 strikes of a blade. If you think for one minute that I am going to be any safer staying behind and waiting for you then you are crazy. The first thing I would do is follow. Now wouldn't it be better if I were with you where you could keep your big eyes on me?"
Oliver glowered at her and the look was piercing and simultaneously smoldering. The other men took it as their cue to leave, hide, just walk away.
"Knowing how to skin a dead animal is not going to help you here Princess. You are the weak one here but not because you are a woman, because you don't have teeth." He spoke flashing a bit of fang. "Because you don't have claws." He spoke as he traced and index finger along the rim of her red cloak. "And especially because you aren't battle trained." He leaned forward so they were nose to nose. "But…you are correct, it would be better for me to not be distracted by having you with me." He whispered then he squinted at her. "But know this, you do anything to get hurt, and I personally will paddle that sweet ass until you find it difficult to sit for an entire month." Chloe gasped at the raw masculinity of him. "And the big eyes are I have are better to see you with." He moved his head by her ear, "See those gorgeous curves under your dress, to see how your chest heaves when I get….this…close." he licked her ear lobe.
"Well…" she panted. "You have very big teeth too." She spoke teasing.
"Huh, the bigger the teeth the better to taste you with…" he nuzzled a spot just behind her ear. "I am yours Princess." He spoke moving to face her. "Unequivocally, irrevocably yours. I would be lost if anything happened to you." He spoke cupping her face in his hands. "I only ask you do as directed, so that we get out of this in one piece. And when it is all said in done, I will see you, touch you and taste you to finally ease the ache I've had for you since we first met." He purred. Chloe's eyes had drifted shut with his words and she nodded and licked her lips. He leaned and kissed her, lazily, languidly, showing her with his mouth what her body could expect.
"Alright, enough you too." Quinn spoke smirking. Clark laughed as Oliver pulled Chloe into his body and the group finally got serious about making a plan.
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"Hello Mother." Alexander spoke as he entered the witches shop.
She turned in a start. "What are you doing here?" she squeaked and looked out the window to see if anyone saw him here. She saw him stagger, his eyes glazed, "Are you drunk?"
He shook his head in an exaggerated manner. "Nope, never felt better." He spoke smiling.
"Why are you here? Our plan…"
"I fell in love MOTHER." He hissed, "And she's here." He sighed. "I will find her, you will bind us then our plan will continue."
"You stupid oaf, you can't have her." She hissed.
"Watch your tone with me old lady I have the power here." he hissed. "She will be mine."
"No you fool," she snapped. "The King's son is here, in the city as well. If he gets to the King first then you are out, you are done. And WE will be kicked to the forest or worse killed."
"No one can kill me." He spoke as his fangs descended. "I am too powerful."
She shook her head. "Look tomorrow morning the King will be in the main square to announce a new tax and oversee some hangings. If you can challenge him tomorrow we may still have a chance."
"Challenge him; wench I will kill him in the square and take what is mine." He grinned.
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Gabe stared at Zeb who was very scared. "Zeb, I have to go and find my friend." He spoke trying to reassure the old man.
"B-b-but," he spoke then sighed. "Look tomorrow the King is going to be in the square rumor is we are getting a new tax and there is going to be hangings." He frowned. "Some of the rebellion leaders have been caught and he intends to make an example of them."
"All the more reason to find my friend. He may know of a way to help." He spoke. "Look I promise I will be back for you. Dad I won't let anything happen to you." He spoke. Zeb nodded. "Ok."
"Alright." He spoke moving to the door and looking left and right. "Just stay here, lock the door and don't go outside for any reason." Zeb nodded and then Gabe left heading out of town as fast as he could.
0000
"Look I will go get us some food." Quinn spoke. The other two men became wolf and ran away into the forest. "They will get water. We will be back before dark." Clark and Oliver nodded.
"How was my father?" Chloe asked.
"Grateful to be alive, scared that you would be afraid of him." He spoke.
"How can I be afraid of him?" she spoke looking up at Oliver.
"It's one thing to know faith, another thing entirely to have it. You love him, but he probably feels because he's different, your love will change. I can certainly relate to that." Chloe thought about it and wanted to tell him that was silly, ludicrous, but could she? Did she love Oliver? How could she love him when she had known him for such a short period of time?
"Why don't you guys try to get some rest?" Clark spoke finding a place to nap as well. "We could all use the extra strength."
Oliver nodded and laid down stretching out. Chloe laid down next to him using his arm for a pillow and they fell asleep easily.
0000
Gabe went through the south gate and went looking for Clark. He caught a whiff of a scent he didn't realize he knew but welcomed it all the same. He spit out the wolf bane he had been sucking and on and made his way to where his daughter was.
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Chloe was resting she felt peace cradled against Oliver's body, she sighed in contentment until she felt his muscles tense, she was awoken and being tossed unceremoniously away from him. There was a loud growl as Oliver was dragged upright by his collar and then tossed back to the ground. "Get your hands off my daughter."
"Daddy!" Chloe screamed as the two rolled around on the ground. After many minutes and Clark trying to get in the middle of it, plus the return of Oliver's father and his men, the scene got out of control.
"Leave them." Quinn spoke to Clark. "He needs to do this on his own."
Oliver finally pinned Gabriel to the ground, he was panting heavily. "You will be still." He growled. Gabe froze with the tone in his voice. "I won't make you submit as you are the father of the woman I love, and I can't do that to her, but you will calm down and relax, do you understand." He spoke. "Gabe didn't say anything only growled. "You will be still or I might just change my mind," he spoke again.
Gabe finally nodded, relented unwilling to break eye contact to submit. Oliver let him up and Gabe sat up and dusted himself off. Just in time to be tackled by his daughter who was all hugs, sniffles, and tears.
"Oh daddy," she spoke crying.
"Oh sweet heart," he held her tight. "My beautiful brave girl." He spoke. "Shhh, I'm here, I'm fine." he spoke.
"Come let's give them some peace," Quinn spoke as the rest of the group moved to go and make a small fire and cook the food they had caught.
00000000
"I was so afraid you were dead." She sniffed against his shoulder.
"Me too angel, me too. From what I understand I was really close too. I was bitten by a wolf."
"He said he wasn't sure you lived."
"I'm grateful although this is very, very strange." He spoke. He pulled back to look at her and wiped her tears for her. "You aren't afraid of me?"
"Daddy no!" she spoke. "I'm glad I have you back." She hugged him again,
"And that young man loves you?" he asked getting growly again.
Chloe sat back and blushed. "I know, I don't know." She spoke. "I haven't even known him for a week." She spoke, her brow furrowed.
"Sometimes it just happens that way." He spoke. "But take your time, be sure." He smiled. "I love you angel."
"I love you to daddy." She spoke and hugged him and kissed his cheek.
"Ok sweet, let's go and find them. I have news."
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Oliver wanted to go back to see if Chloe was ok but she was with her father. It was a totally irrational need to be with her. His father coaxed him to eat and stop looking over his shoulder. He finally felt better when the father and daughter came to the fire. Chloe moved to sit next to Oliver and kissed his cheek as he set some food in her hands. She just rested her head against his shoulder.
"Did you find your family?" Clark asked.
"Sadly I did, only my father in law is left. All the others fled to avoid the King's rule. He says that tomorrow the King will be in the square, apparently to announce a new tax and maybe oversee some hangings." All the men stopped eating and looked at each other. "What?" Gabe asked.
"That just changes our plans for the night." Oliver spoke smiling.
"I think I know what you have in mind and son, I really like how you think." He grinned as he explained it the rest of them.
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Oliver and Chloe went for a walk before they went to bed. He wanted to talk about the whole, "woman I love thing." To explain it himself, if he could. Chloe knew he had a lot to say, and he was nervous, he would pass a glance at her then just keep walking.
"It will feel better if you just say it." She spoke pulling him to a stop. She turned to face him giving him a megawatt smile.
"Ah princess," he spoke dropping to his knees in front of her. "I…" He shook his head and looked up into her face. "I can't take back what I said to your father." He smirked. "I really do love you." She reached and cupped his cheek in her hand. "Alynn—my mother…. She asked me if you were my mate." He spoke searching for fear in her gaze.
"Mate?" Chloe asked trying the word out on her lips. I should have brought panic, fear, but she only felt warmth in side.
"Yeah, mate. One who I will love forever, protect with everything that I am…will fight with, make up with" Chloe dropped to her knees too.
"I think I can live with that." She smiled. "I just need time to adjust to it." He leaned and kissed her.
"I thought you would have run screaming." He teased.
"I could but all it would do is cause you to chase me." She teased.
"I'm glad I came to your village to help you."
"Me too." She smiled then yawned.
"Come on, let's go get some sleep tomorrow is going to be a big day." She stood first and gave him hand to stand up. He kissed her palm first before standing.
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The square was packed with people, there were 3 gallows set up for the hangings. The King was slowly making his way to the Dais to be seated on his throne. He sat and waited for his people to stand from kneeling.
"Citizens of Kalaha." He smirked. "I am here to say that I am sadly disappointed." He spoke shaking his head. "Disappointed that you are planning to rebel against me, 3 of your rebels were caught last night and will be hanged today." He gestured and his guard brought to young men and one old man. Oliver, Chloe and Gabe had been cloaked and standing together near the back.
"Ohh god, that's your grandfather." Gabe whispered. Oliver was angered that they would consider hanging an elder.
"That changes things." Clark spoke.
"And in lieu of your betrayal, I am now incurring a new military tax so my guard can better police you rebels. Its triple your tax now. No pay, you go to the dungeon or get hanged, if the dungeon fills up." He smirked. "Guard, get the prisoners ready to hang." He spoke and 3 guards moved and drums began to play.
"You know I really don't think I like your plans." Someone shouted out at the King and approached the dais. It was the Chancellor. "In fact I think I can run this kingdom so much better then you."
"Who are you peasant?" he spoke. "Guard take this idiot away."
"A peasant and an idiot?" Alexander growled. "I don't think so." He spoke and he lunged for the king and changed into the beast. The crowd began to scream and disperse.
"I'm going to get Zeb." Gabe spoke and ran toward the gallows.
"Princess, stay hidden, please," Oliver spoke as he proceeded to head to the dais.
"Stop!" Clark yelled. People froze, the beast still holding the king turned to the brunette man who was the spitting image of the King.
"No, it can't be?" the king spoke, stunned at the ghost in front of him.
"Sorry," The beast spoke. "This one is mine; I get to have the Kingdom, not you." He spoke and in lightning fast slash he slit the Kings throat and let the body drop.
"NOOOOOOO." Clark shouted and drew his sword and charged the beast.
"Best laid plans." Quinn spoke. He signaled to his men as they charged at the beast, shifting in mid leap.
000
Chloe watched from the shadows, she saw the witch Clark had described and she was running toward the dais with a huge basket of wolfs bane. Chloe looked around for a weapon, not finding one she ran toward the woman and made a tackling leap. She knocked the woman to the ground and tried to pin her down.
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Gabriel pulled the 3 prisoners from the gallows, tossing Zeb over his shoulder as he ran away. He deposited him a safe distance away and ran back to find Chloe. He got close enough to see her in a huge cat fight with a woman. The woman pulled a knife from her belt and tried to stab Chloe. Gabe saw red, then all his vision and perception were distorted as he turned into a wolf and charged full throttle at the pair. Chloe heard a howl and rolled out of the way in time for a large grey/black wolf to land on the woman and bite her in the neck squeezing until she stopped moving. Chloe panted, trying to catch her breath. The wolf turned to face her and whined. He sat on his haunches and put a paw up. Chloe shook her head and moved to her father and wrapped her arms around his furry neck. "I love you daddy." She cried.
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4 wolves and one Prince with a sword fought long and hard and finally were able to take the beast down to the ground. Clark then landed the killing blow to the heart and the beast was at last dead. They were all exhausted, the wolves collapsed on the ground. Oliver went to find Chloe who was making her way to him with her furry father. She dropped to a knee when she saw him and hugged his furry neck. "I don't suppose you can change back now can you." The wolf just whined and shook his head. "Can't really hide the clothes under there huh?" she asked. He growled and yipped at her. "Ohh you big baby." She teased and stood as they walked over to Clark who stood over his father's body.
"I'm so sorry Clark."
"Me too, but maybe now he will finally have some peace." He spoke. A crowd gathered around them. He turned to face them. "Good people of Kalaha, I am Clark son of the King, Prince to this city. Years ago my mother made a pact with the witch, and when she went insane I was taken and deposited in the woods far away from here. I apologize for not being able to be here sooner, but would like a chance to make amends for my fathers misguided plans."
"And how do we know you are who you say you are?" Someone shouted from the back.
Clark rolled up his sleeve on his right arm and showed them a birth mark which was identical to the one the king had. Everyone gasped and dropped to their knees. "The time for that is no longer,stand." He spoke. "I promise that there will be peace and prosperity again in Kalaha and we will unite again all the cities that were banished because of my father's delusions. "Give me half a day to go through the kitchens and the coffers to see what is truly what. Be back here at sunset and we will celebrate your freedom." He spoke. He moved to the corpse of his father and took the crown of his head for a split second he thought about adorning it, then he thought better of it and tossed it to a peasant, "Melt it or sell it, use the money to feed your family." He spoke and turned and he and the 4 wolves and Chloe entered the castle.
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"I thought I told you to stay put?" Oliver spoke as he put clothes on. He came out from behind a changing panel.
Chloe just shrugged. "I tried, I really did, but the witch?" she smiled cheekily. He just laughed and held a hand out to her and she took and he pulled her into his arms.
"What a fearless warrior you are princess."
"Oh no, there was definitely fear." She grinned and kissed him.
"We better go and check on everyone before we start something we can't finish." He grinned and they left the room they found and headed out to find the others.
00000000
Clark, Oliver, Quinn, his wolves, Gabe and Chloe sat in what appeared to be the throne room going over what had been discovered.
"The guards that were loyal to my father are gone, they ran away. The captain is waiting for orders right now." Clark spoke. "There is enough food to fill every belly for years." He spoke. "There will be a feast tonight and the rest of the soldiers are going to be handing out food. The money ohh god, he was milking them dry. It will take weeks to get back to them."
"You don't have to do this all in one day brother." Oliver spoke.
"HE is not your brother." Quinn protesting his frustration at the sentiment.
"Haven't we been over this already? I'm sorry if it offends your sensibilities but it's fact. Deal with it." Oliver turned to speak to Clark.
"I'm glad to hear you say that." Clark spoke. "Look, would you like to be the Commander of my soldiers? I need someone for sure I can trust, plus you do know how to fight."
Before Oliver had a minute to even process the request Quinn spoke up again. "No I forbid it. He is the future Alpha of our pack; no way will he be working for a human!"
"In what world do you get to speak for me? I have been your son for less than what 2 days? NO you don't have a right to tell me what I can or can't do or who I can or can't work for. In case you have forgotten Kalaha was a divided kingdom. It was dying being separated from others by sheer madness. Do you want your pack to die from isolation too? Have you ever considered how the pack would thrive if you integrated more?" he turned to Clark. "I accept brother." He spoke. "I owe you for the times you were there and I had no idea."
"Thank you." Clark spoke smiling.
"No thank you." Oliver smirked.
"This is all touching and stuff," Chloe spoke but what about L'espoir? "There are still men loyal to the Chancellor there." She protested.
"I think that would be a great first task of our new commander." Clark smiled.
"With pleasure." Oliver grinned.
"Well then, let's go feast and see if we can't start setting things to right." Clark spoke and stood and led the group from the room and back to the square where people were waiting and the future of the Kingdom grew brighter with every moment.
EPILOGUE
It took weeks to truly sort things out, arrest guard who were still loyal to the old king, and start the path to healing. Chloe spent so much time with Oliver that she was irrevocably his. She loved the big bad wolf and it was the easiest thing to do.
The wolf pack finally moved closer to Kalaha, Alynn had a lot to do with that. She had years without her son and wanted to get to know him again. She also agreed with his forward thinking about the pack.
Oliver, Chloe, and Clark rode into the forest one evening to find the nomads. It was time to face them and their adoptive father and mother. A sentry had been sent to find them and they were actually not that far from Kalaha. They entered the camp and the people of the village all stared, it wasn't every day that royally dressed people appeared into camp. The three rode to the main hut, the one that was set aside for the infirm, and dismounted.
A small woman came out wiping her hands on an apron and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the two men.
"Is it?" she spoke and her hands went to cover her mouth as she began to cry.
"Hello mother." Clark spoke. He held his arms open to her and she ran into his embrace.
"You're here, you're here, you're here." She cried squeezing her son. "I prayed and prayed."
Chloe held Oliver's hand as she watched his gaze hardened at the reunion. He looked down at her and winked. The woman pulled back and turned to the other son. She shook her head.
"I…" she blushed and wiped her tears. "There are no words. I am so sorry Oliver. I'm sorry to the bottom of my very soul." She moved to step towards him. He stood stone still. "I know words won't ever undo what we did. But I…."
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He sighed searching for his words. He cleared his throat and then met her gaze. "People fear what they don't understand." He spoke coolly. "I was afraid because I didn't understand." Then he did the unthinkable he let go of Chloe's hand and pulled his mother into his embrace and hugged her and she sobbed. "And to move forward I need to let go of the past, the pain. You are forgiven…mother." He whispered in her ear and she only cried harder. He whispered nonsense in her ear to sooth her. He finally pulled back. "Can I see him?" he asked and she nodded wiping her eyes. "Alone." He spoke. She nodded again. He turned to Chloe and held a hand to her she took it and he led her into the hut.
The room was dark but for one lit candle. There was an old haggard looking man who lay in bed, eyes closed. He opened them when he felt the presence in the room and gasped when he saw who it was. His eyes filled with tears and he began to sob in earnest. Oliver sat on the edge of the bed and took his father's frail hands in his. "Shhhh," he spoke soothing him. Chloe just stood behind him resting her hands on his shoulders.
"I didn't think I would get to see you before….I'm so sorry. God, I am so sorry,"
Oliver's eyes filled with tears. "I wanted to hate you forever old man. To keep that dark fire on my soul burning, but I can't. I have been granted the most amazing gift, and I learn from her every day, every day. I forgive you." He spoke.
"I don't deserve that. I …"
"Shhhhh." Oliver spoke. "Everyone deserves it, you just need to accept it and forgive yourself."
His father coughed and sighed. "I never thought I would get to see the day." He smiled staring.
"And the days have changed. The brutal King of Kalaha is dead, Clark is the new King. All peoples from the wolf clan to the poor of L'espoir are reunited; even the nomadic are welcome in the gates of the great kingdom."
"Really? We are?" he asked and coughed. "Amazing, I just wish I could live to see the great city."
"That is a choice you can make." Oliver spoke seriously. "You can if you choose life."
"What are you saying? Would you?" he shook his head. "I could never ask that of you; ever not after."
"That's just it, you aren't asking, I'm offering." He smiled. "Mother still needs you, the people need you." He whispered. "You would be bound to me be my pack, the ones I created." He frowned. Chloe just leaned rested her chin on his shoulder lending him her support.
"I appreciate so much the offer and the forgiveness," he coughed again. "But it's way too late for me. My time is very short." He spoke tears falling again.
"Clark!" he shouted and Clark and his mother entered.
"I admit I wasn't a good man, heck not even a great leader. Give them hope, strength," he spoke holding out a hand to his wife who took it and kissed it and then put it against her chest.
"Ohh my son, my Clark, I'm just as sorry…as….I was hard on you too."
"Water under the bridge. You are most certainly forgiven." He spoke as he wiped his eyes.
"My boys, my family." He smiled at his wife. "I'm sooo tired, love. I think I'm going to sleep now." He yawned and closed his eyes and with one last breath he was gone. Chloe, Oliver, and Clark left leaving their mother alone. Chloe pulled Oliver into her arms and held him as he grieved, for the loss, the gain and then his agonizing loss.
They ended staying two days to help with the burial and then got the group moved to Kalaha.
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The night they returned to Kalaha, Chloe had gone to talk to Oliver but couldn't find him. She asked a few people and they said they had seen him go up the hill above the castle. Chloe found him sitting on the overlook staring up at the stars. She sat next to him and rested and hand on his leg.
"How you holding up?" she asked.
"It's strange…. for years there was just anger and now…."
"It's okay to miss him, to grieve." She leaned against him and he wrapped and arm around her.
"Thank you princess." He spoke and just stared up at the sky.
"Alynn cornered me at the stables today." Chloe spoke. Oliver turned to her with an arched eye brow. "Says its time you make an honest woman out of me."
"Princess."
"I proceeded to tell her it was none of her business." She smirked and continued. "Because you have been soo busy with your new position you have all but forgotten about little old me."
"Really?" he spoke glaring at her.
"Uh huh." She spoke and shrugged and stood up. "Well, I will leave you alone now." She spoke and turned and he reached out and grabbed her ankle.
"NOnononono. You aren't going anywhere." He smirked.
"Really?" she teased. He nodded and moved so he was kneeling at her feet.
"Can the sky forget out the sun or moon?" he purred. "Or can you forget to breath?It's impossible just like me forgetting you, it's impossible." He sighed. "I have spent my life feeling like a bastard, unwanted and unloved until you came along." He took her hands in his. "I want so much for you, even our first time. I want that to be special, as a man err…"
"Man." She spoke with conviction. "Above all else you are indeed a man." She smiled.
"Man and wife." He grinned impishly. "Will you marry me Chloe?"
"About time you asked." She laughed as he stood and picked her up and spun her around then scooped her up and into his arms and charged down the hill. "Where are we going?" she asked.
"To get Clark to marry us tonight."
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That plan didn't last for Chloe's father wanted a real wedding. And two days later in the Square in front of the people of New Kalaha were Chloe and Oliver wed. The celebration that followed was nothing short of epic, feasting and lots and lots of dancing. At very nearly midnight he carried her over the threshold of their suite in the castle.
"Finally alone." She smiled as she slipped her shoes off. "My feet are killing me," she smiled.
"So beautiful." He spoke staring at her. Her dress was off the shoulder, narrow bodice and flowing skirt simple and elegant. She blushed under the scrutiny of his gaze.
"And you are so handsome." She spoke. He was in white riding pants, black boots and a deep green tunic. He looked like a prince.
"Why thank you." He spoke holding a hand to her, which she took and he drew her to the bed. "Now, I have waited forever for this moment, but there is one more thing I would like to do first."
"Seriously?" she whined.
"Yes impatient one." He teased. "It's a wolf binding." He spoke frowning.
"No. No frowns allowed on the wedding night. Bring it on; just tell me what the problem is."
"To bite you to give you my curse would change you in a way you couldn't have children." He spoke. "And I want girls with curls like you." He smirked. "But if we don't you will live a normal life span….."
"No frowns!" she spoke reiterating her point.
"But if we share blood, you can have my lifetime and not my curse."
"Oliver you aren't cursed. Yes there are times I've cursed you." She tried to make him smile, "but I want to live our lives together, however long that is."
He pulled a small dagger from his boot and closed his eyes and let a little of his animal come forward, eyes and teeth changed. He took the dagger in his left hand and sliced his right palm. Chloe extended her left palm and he looked into her eyes searching and then she nodded. He then sliced her palm and then pressed their hands together. He growled softly and then pulled their hands apart. His shift reversed and he turned and pulled a small cloth off the bed and wrapped her palm. He brought it to his lips for a kiss. "Together for as long as we both shall live."
"Now I love the sound of that." She smiled. He growled and stood pulling her up with him.
"Let's see what sounds I will love coming from you." He spoke grinning as he moved to stand behind her and unbuttoned her dress. He kissed the nape of her neck then dragged his tongue across her skin from shoulder to shoulder. Chloe turned in his arms and kissed him like she had been dying to all day. He peeled the dress down from the front and gloried at what was revealed.
"I'm really going to stop calling you Princess." He spoke as he drank her in. "I'm clearly married to an angel." He whispered. She was gloriously naked. Her curves were perfect and he really wanted to touch every freckle with his tongue. He buttoned his tunic and shed it. He then unbuttoned his undershirt and pulled it off.
"Aren't you going to move or say something." She whispered getting nervous. He shed his boots and stood before her in his pants and nothing else.
"Actions speak louder and right now there is not enough blood in my brain to form good sentences." He reached out to her and took a hand and brought it to the front of his pants. "This is what you've been doing to me for weeks." He whispered. He closed his eyes and groaned when she squeezed and raked her nails over him. "Keep doing that I won't make good on all the things I want to do." He smiled. Chloe turned and backed up to the bed and sat down, legs slightly spread and she shrugged innocently.
"You like playing dangerously with the big bad wolf?"
"Well," she teased. "Not so bad really."
He growled and moved and knelt between her legs. "Lay back." He directed. She did. He put a leg over each shoulder.
"What?"
"I think at one point you complained about the size of my teeth. And I replied…."
"The better to taste me with?"
"Don't mind if I do." He grinned and leaned and took one long slow lap at her moist flesh. Chloe's toes curled and she shot up off the bed. He shook his head and looked up at her and she relaxed back on the bed. He then took to her like his favorite dessert, licking and sucking until she shattered all over him.
Chloe thought she died and went to heaven; the sensation was nothing like she had imagined. She was painting when he stood and removed his pants. Chloe opened one eye to look and nearly swallowed her tongue at his glorious physique. He was yummy. She sighed and he scooped her up and moved her further up the bed. "I love you Angel." He purred as he gently caressed her cheek. "You truly saved me." Her eyes filled with tears and she pulled him into a searing kiss. Two souls that were made for each other took to gently and eagerly touching, exploring, joining in the most primal of ways; sealing a bond that had caught them both by surprise. It was a sharing that happened repeatedly that night and into the early morning. Just before dawn and sleep, Chloe sighed. Who knew that red riding hood would capture her wolf and live happily ever after?
The END