Apparently, despite not being a wolf herself, Branwen - sadly - suffered from their behavioral symptoms.

Now let her explain what she meant.

She was abnormally possessive and protective and - surprise, surprise! - didn't like new people in her space without asking. And to think, she never would have paid any of this any mind if Ms. Wing hadn't brought her daughter over to learn with her for the day.

Carinine Wing was a pretty little girl that had brown skin, black hair, and dark eyes that twinkled in wonder and maybe if things had been different Branwen would have liked their first meeting to have been a positive one. But as it was, the moment the girl stepped foot into her house, the blonde witch was ready to fucking fight.

It was like her eagerness to meet another young witch was trampled underneath this upsurging of aggression and territorial anger and in hindsight, she probably would have been scared if she had been capable of feeling anything else. She had been cagey since the girl stepped foot into the door and when she made eye contact with her and kept doing so - the audacity! - Branwen was just stopped from lunging at her by a growl from her mother.

Turning on her heel, the blonde instead snarled at Leah and immediately felt like shit.

Covering her mouth with her hands she took a step back and cringed when the smell of the girl's perfume wafted over to her. Hunching her shoulders she breathed out through her mouth and bit at her lip.

"Sorry mum." She muttered wide-eyed and when Leah kept staring at her, she carefully averted her gaze and tilted her head to expose her neck. She was damn lucky her mother had taught her all she knew about wolf culture because it made keeping the household calm far easier.

Hearing a sigh, she jumped when she felt a soft hand curl into her hair.

"Sorry Martha," Her mother smiled grimly and she felt so guilty. "it seems something has come up. Maybe we can try this again in a week or two?"

"Of course." The elder witch murmured and Branwen felt her shoulders hunch and her ears burn because she had almost attacked the woman's daughter.

The door opened and closed and the young freckled blonde stared down at her toes and felt extremely uncomfortable. There was a silence in which she was sure her mother was waiting for her to say something but oh no, Branwen wasn't going to walk herself into that verbal trap - and so with a hum hands were slotted under her arms and she was lifted up. Immediately hiding her face in Leah's neck, she refused to move when she felt her mother walk and sit in the next room.

Now keep in mind that she wasn't actively seeking out anybody thoughts - she never did - but stray ones were always heard and when she read the dawning realization in the elder blondes mental frame she tensed.

I expected as much.

Branwen shifted in the hold and glanced up into the blue eyes of her mother and furrowed her brow.

"I'm not a wolf right?" She asked and was rewarded with a snort.

"No Wen, you're not." She confirmed drily. "If you were I likely wouldn't have been able to birth you."

"So then I'm what?" Branwen needled. "Part witch part?"

"Part nothing." Leah assured as she nuzzled into her daughter's cheek. "You just seem just to have an extra set of instincts."

She blinked.

"Wolf instincts?"

Leah nodded and the young witch narrowed her eyes.

"And nothing else?"

"Only the mannerisms." She promised in an attempt to placate whatever worries Branwen may have. "You have none of the drawbacks I swear."

She paused.

"So I don't get any of the super senses but I get the behavioral problems?" She whispered angrily to herself. "That doesn't seem fair."

Her mother gave her a look and a half before rolling her eyes and poking her directly in her stomach, making her squeak.

"You should be thankful." Leah teased and Branwen groaned. "You have the presence of a wolf without being a wolf, I think that's a fair trade-off."

And just like that Wen perked up.

"Wait wait," She interjected excitedly as she clamored upright in her mother's lap. "are you saying I feel like a were to you?"

Leah smirked at her and Branwen couldn't bring herself to be annoyed at the smug look the woman was giving her.

"Sometimes the feeling is stronger than other times but yes."

The younger blonde's mind was whirring.

"Okay so if you met me out on the street and you didn't know me or what I am, what would you think I was?"

Her mother stopped to think about it and leaned forward to brush her nose along the scent glands in her neck and the girl giggled at the sensation.

"Hm." She drawled as she drew back. "At first I'd think you were a child who was turned wolf but then I'd notice you hadn't scented me back and would think human instead."

Leah hummed and tapped her chin.

"But after some more investigation, I'd assume you were some magic creature that sometimes felt like a wolf but sometimes smelt like a witch that was of unknown origins and would have to deal with you accordingly." She finished up and Wen was floored.

"How would you deal with me?" She asked curiously and her mother shrugged.

"Report you to the Marrok." Leah told her and then abruptly froze and Branwen understood. That man was a taboo subject especially to a witch born from a wolf and a lone female Were.

Deciding to be merciful and change the subject she shoved her arm under her mother's nose and grinned mischievously.

"Does my smell and stuff really confuse you like that?" She asked and like clockwork, the other woman took the bait.

And the topic of the Marrok was left to fester away from prying eyes.

Her mother knew how to handle guns and she knew them intimately.

It was almost frightening, the efficiency of which she could unload, reload, and fire any arm piece - particularly revolvers.

"Where did you learn to use them?" Branwen asked as she watched her mother spin the silver gun around of her fingers and Leah grinned.

"I grew up a country girl on a desert settlement and my daddy and brothers taught me all I ever wanted to know considering I was the only female in the family after our mother passed away." She explained and the young witch was awed. "They wanted me to learn how to protect myself."

"So what?" She asked excitedly. "Are you like southern or something? Do you still have your accent?"

Her mother grinned and tipped an invisible cowboy hat.

"Darn tootin' I do lil lady." She drawled and Branwen squealed. "I've just grown used ta talkin' without it is all."

"Do you know how to ride horses and stuff like that?"

There was a proud nod.

"My daddy an' your granpappy ran a dozen or so ranches on the homestead." She told her with a smile. "It was his pride an' joy, 'sides me 'course."

Branwen was stunned.

"Will you teach me what you learned?" She asked as she practically vibrated in her seat and Leah looked at her. "Please? Please?"

"Iffin that's what you want." The rogue Were agreed as she pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Then I'd be happy ta teach ya."

Clapping her hands together, the six-year-old watched starry-eyed as her mother continued on with her little showcase because one day, she'd know how to use a gun just as well.

Her mother promised after all.

New chapter! Sorry this took so long lol, I had a block for a little while but I'm better now.

Leah has a little backstory here. She grew up southern and can use guns like no other. Branwen has a lil wolf instinct in her but has none of the upsides or downsides but well, wolf instincts are a downside in themselves I think.

Quick question: Pick three of your fav characters from the series and tell me how you think they would react to Branwen.