AN: Heya guys! I'm making the official publishing day Thursday, so expect chapter 4 next week!

We've got some Miraxus down below while NaLu takes a nap, but just a bit. Big thanks to reviewers howtodreamagain, raepan2010, nanashitomboy, pu3Asiyah, BlueFlame, Helenezahl, KkMarie9005, and two Guests!

Thanks for reading!

~BrennaCoris~

Mirajane blinked several times to clear her eyes of sleep. She sat up with a slight groan, enjoying the feeling of the sheets sliding over her sore body. Her mate had really outdone himself the previous night, and she glanced at his sleeping form with a small smile as she placed her bare feet on the floor and stood, raising her arms above her head in a satisfying stretch.

"Leaving already?" A low voice rolled over her and she prolonged the stretch in an attempt to extend the pleasant feelings running through her. Even though they had been mates for several years, his husky tones never failed to excite her.

"Mmhmm," she lazily replied, giggling lightly as he let loose a playful growl. "You know how Erza gets when someone shows up late."

"Why'd she request you again?"

"Maybe if you hadn't interrupted me last night, you wouldn't have to ask."

His hands slid around her waist and pulled her back against him. She rubbed the knuckles of his human form, allowing him this small moment before she had to meet with the beta. Brushing strands of white hair out of her face, she firmly removed his fingers and moved away before he could catch her again.

"She wants to discuss the Concourse. Apparently, Gray's patrol picked up more than a stray Sabertooth scent crossing our border and she's all riled up over it." she explained, drawing out her words as if speaking to a five-year-old. Her mate rolled his eyes and rose from their bed, striding across the room to join her in all his naked glory as she pulled her bangs out of her face.

"Are you going out as a human?" he asked softly, leaning down to kiss her shoulder. She hummed in response and focused on remaining upright as he bit down gently, sending an arousing shock through her body. Letting him win wasn't an option. Erza would as soon barge in on their privacy as let her be late.

"Laxus, stop it." she turned around and tapped his nose. "I'm supposed to escort Wendy to the human town so she can get supplies."

"You owe me when you get back." Laxus muttered, ending with a full kiss.

"Of course." She pulled away and reached up to snag her pink dress off its hook. "Unless I'm late because of you."

XXXXXXXXXX

Mirajane strolled through the dim tunnels, darkness no match for her wolf. She had always found it amusing how humans would stumble around, blinded, while she could roam freely and without restraint. When she was younger, she thought her kind to be above the humans. Life's sorrow was enough to teach her of their many similarities.

The hem of her dress brushed the stone floor in soothing strokes. She held a pair of matching shoes in her hand, reluctant to put them on. Even though her human feet would be damaged by the forest floor, sometimes she found it difficult to force herself to put on something so enclosing. Her dress was similar to her wolf fur, causing no discomfort, but shoes were different. Not to mention their uselessness in fights. If she was to protect Wendy Marvell, the healer's apprentice, she couldn't have her shoes flying off and ruining a crucial hit. Still, human customs demanded that she wear shoes and the alpha demanded that they all follow human customs when in town.

She picked her way past the wolves in the makeshift den and slipped outside. The sun had barely risen above the rim of the hollow, leaving the camp in the cold air of early morning. Few wolves were out, preferring to stay within the warmth of their dens for as long as possible before forcing themselves out into the chill. Winter always struck hard and they had to prepare unless they wanted months of hunger and cold.

"What took so long?" Erza growled, ceasing her impatient pacing to deliver her infamous "beta eye" that had fighters running for their dens. Mirajane simply smiled and gave a passing Levy McGarden a cheery wave before moving to join the scarlet-haired beta. Erza's human form was as intimidating as her wolf form, with beautiful features laced with hints of strength. She wore her usual outfit of a blue skirt and a sleeveless white blouse, complete with tall brown boots that reached to her knees.

"I'm not late." she pointed out. Erza turned off the beta eyes, realizing they had no effect. "Where do you want to chat?"

"We can use my den. Jellal is out on a hunt, so we'll be alone."

"Is Natsu back yet?" Mirajane followed the beta across the camp and entered the spacious den. Erza shook her head and opened the door to her human rooms, stepping around a thick pad of moss and feathers that would easily fit two large wolves. The human rooms were large, with a large bed pressed up against a wall and a circular, woven rug covering the floor. A pair of armchairs faced a laden coffee table. Erza's collection of swords hung neatly on the wall opposite the main door, every blade gleaming with polish and care. An arch marked the entrance to the private bathroom, complete with access to running water that came with high pack status.

Mirajane had always found the female baths far more entertaining. There were many opportunities to snag some information or gossip on a secret attraction or quiet romance, and she relished in such information. It was terribly useful when she wanted some fun or drama.

"So what happened?" she asked, settling into an armchair. Erza sat opposite from her and pulled strands of scarlet out of her face.

"The alpha sent Gray to check a stray scent on our Sabertooth border. With the Concourse coming up, the camp won't be at full strength and an unexpected attack could have severe consequences." Erza began. Mirajane nodded, already aware of the basic facts and worries. "He tracked the scent to the rapids, where it trails through our territory and across the southern border. A few paces out past our marks, the scent meets up with a human. They roamed the area and separated at the same place as they met, with the shapeshifter returning the way he'd come."

Mirajane frowned. "Gray couldn't place the scent?"

"It wasn't a Sabertooth shifter. He thinks it could be a rogue who was smart enough to cover himself with Sabertooth's scent marks to move the blame."

"But a rogue wouldn't go so far, would he?" Mirajane found the entire scenario unsettling. Rogues went out of their way to avoid the packs. If anything, the mysterious scent screamed loner or pack wolf.

"There aren't any loners in that area. Sabertooth takes care to drive them all away." Erza said.

"Could it be a different pack? Maybe Blue Pegasus decided they were still sore over losing against Jellal."

Erza snorted. "Ichiya might have once though he could fight to claim me, but I think I made it clear that I'm not a fluffy pelt to be passed around. I chose Jellal over the Blue Pegasus freaks and Ichiya sucked it up. Besides, that we over three years ago."

"Very true." Mirajane agreed. "So what now?'

"The alpha wants everyone who's going to the Concourse to head over and catch the scent to see if we can match it. Greater chances with everyone on the lookout."

"Who's going?"

"The alpha, me, Jellal, Natsu, Levy, Wendy, Freed, Bickslow, Nab, and Wakaba." Erza ticked off the names on her fingers, pausing at the end to make sure she missed no one before nodding once. "That's it."

Mirajane ran through the list. "If you're planning to leave strong fighters behind, why not leave Natsu? He's the first commander."

"Gray has a pregnant mate to defend. He'd die before letting an enemy get near her."

Mirajane sighed, part in blissful happiness and part in worry. So much promise from the couples in the pack and so much danger for them as well.

"What if you get attacked, not us? Shouldn't you take some power for yourself?"

Erza raised an eyebrow. "There's me, the alpha, and Natsu. Not to boast, but we could probably take on half a pack with just the three of us."

"That, I can believe." Mirajane giggled. "Don't worry. I'll keep them all in line while you're out."

"I know you will."

"How many wolves are out right now to get the scent down?"

"Two groups. I don't want to leave the camp weakened, and there's still a good three nights before the Concourse."

"I'll keep the camp alert, maybe switch out guards. I don't want anyone sneaking up on us."

"That'd be great. C'mon, we should go. The human stores close early this time of year." Erza rose and moved towards the door. Mirajane remained in the armchair for a few seconds longer, reluctant to rise and go into the autumn chill. A long sigh escaped her and she stood, promising herself a pleasant evening with Laxus if she got everything done.

Mirajane had an admittedly strange position within the pack, and members from rival packs made sure to point that out before she shut them up. She'd used to be one of the leading female fighters, going head-to-head with Erza for the position of pack beta, but after losing her sister to a family of bears she retreated from active service. Several years passed with her working in the mothers' den, keeping watch over expectant she-wolves and helping them deliver. Slowly, she began to rejoin the pack, first by defending the mothers' den during attacks and then by occasionally joining hunts and patrols. She had developed what humans called a berserker rage, losing herself in the battle and plowing through her enemies, and she became famous for it. Other packs loathed facing her on the battlefield. Now she was something akin to a second beta, watching over the pack when both the alpha and Erza were gone. She was a third voice in final decisions while not holding an actual position of power. No one questioned it, especially after she took on the self-assumed position of pack matchmaker. Someone had to do the hard work of getting dense wolves to realize their feelings and she considered herself to be more than up to the task.

Weaving through the entrance fissure, Mirajane met up with Erza and Wendy and the three set off towards the southwest corner of their territory. The healer's apprentice was still small, too young to be fought over, but Mirajane was certain she'd attract a lot of males. Her human form was admittedly very flat-chested, something human males seemed to dislike, but she had a gorgeous face. Her eyes were a gentle shade of amber and brown, set amongst soft lines and expressive features. Twin tails of dark blue were held up by red clips. She wore a short, scale patterned green dress with thick stripes of blue, green and yellow angling up to a clasp around her neck. Red sandals snaked up her feet in crisscross patterns.

"So, what are we hunting for?" Mirajane asked with a bright smile. She had a soft spot for Wendy and anyone who dared lay a finger on the little girl would face her wrath.

"Porlyusica wants more gauze, but she mainly needs horsetail and yarrow. Vijter caught a fever and she wants him out of the den as soon as possible." Wendy replied with a slight giggle. The healer was amazing at what she did, but her dislike for her patients was just as famous.

"Isn't there a patch close to the rapids?" Erza asked, frowning.

"A group of human children ruined it." Wendy grimaced at the memory. "Porlyusica was terrifying."

"I bet she was." Mirajane murmured. She had only seen the healer angry on two occasions and considered herself to be luck to not having seen more. Wendy would be scarred for life, living and working with that female.

"What about Natsu? Is he back yet?" the apprentice asked, weaving around a large clump of thorns. Mirajane and Erza exchanged a quick look. The alpha had wanted to keep the loner female a relative secret and they didn't know how much Wendy knew.

"Not yet, Wendy." Erza replied. "He should be back soon, though."

"He'd better be. He promised to teach me how to throw off pins." Wendy smiled up at the older females, who exchanged another, much more worried glance. Natsu and Wendy had a brother-sister relationship and the apprentice looked up to the first commander. Neither of the two females had known he was teaching her how to fight.

"Isn't it Porlyusica's job to teach you defense?" Mirajane asked slowly. Wendy nodded.

"Yeah, but I want to learn offense too. When Lamia Scale attacked, all I could do was hold my ground until someone came and beat the other wolf away. I want to be able to defend myself and my patients, and I can't do that if I can't beat my attacker."

Erza blinked. "That's really great, Wendy, but why Natsu?"

"Because he's the only one who takes me seriously. He teaches me like he teaches Romeo when Macao is too busy. Sometimes I even spar with Romeo, and it's really fun."

"Is it now?" Mirajane asked, her voice a low growl as she imagined all the things she would do to the first commander next time she saw him. Wendy's eyes widened and she shot a panicked look at Erza, who, to her dismay, was in a similar state of vengeance.

"It's fine! He makes sure I never get hurt, and Porlyusica approved! She even watches us sometimes!" Wendy pleaded, suddenly very fearful for her offense teacher's life. The females relaxed significantly at the mention of the healer's approval.

"Well, if Porlyusica approves, I suppose it's fine. We'll have a chat with him when he returns, just to make sure." Erza tried to offer an encouraging smile, but her eyes were still dark. Wendy gulped and nodded, silently apologizing to Natsu for all the things the two females would do to him.