I'm Bleeding Out, For You

by sapphirecelestial

Why would she choose to protect a Succubus over a Warrior? Even Tamsin didn't know the answer, but there was something to the Succubus that she could not turn away from. However; this Warrior, she had shaped herself and she would bleed for Tamsin; and Tamsin would bleed for Bo. But before Tamsin could worry about choosing her ward, she had to save the Succubus first.

6. Pride and Fate

I don't own anything but school loans…

I just let me say I am sooooo sorry this took a while to get out, in truth it's been complete since last week, but I went home last wknd and my parents decided to get free labor from me and then this week I had a test in Organic Chemistry; so that was daunting and I had to hardcore study for it.

(And on a side-note I decided to add a few things into this chapter, so here's 50+ pages of Lost Girl/Randin goodness.^_^ )

WARNING! There is slightl shipping in this chapter but please don't send my a million angry fan reviews- I swear I've had this part planned out since the beginning. But I did tone it down since everyone loves Valkyrir so much, but since I had this planned out I had to commit to it. (and thx to ineedacigarette for the ship name lol)

And sorry for any edit fails, it's 50pages so my eyes got lazy after like 30...lol

Hope you like it!

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I slowly slid into a sitting position against the wall and let out a satisfied sigh, blowing a few strands of hair out of my face. The room was splattered with blood; not large amounts, but splotches and sprays from when some of the humans tried to run. There were only three maybe four humans who had enough blood in them to still be considered 'alive'; but I could smell the blood pooling out of them and onto the carpet.

While it's true that we Fenrir wolves mostly feed on fear from other organics, there was one part of the 'werewolf' myth that as true; blood had an excellent rejuvenating effect on our powers and health overall. I looked down to survey my body and the wounds littering my arms, back, and lower torso were completely healed, and the ache of my ribcage had subsided. But I gazed down at my chest and saw that all the marks had only faded, they were no longer the angry red color they were before, they were a tamer red color. Also there were no more deep gouges in my chest; just divots showing where the talons had tore into me. Scars…like the healer had spoken of…

I sighed and let my head fall back on the wall; of course it would be just my luck to scar… I slowly shuffled to my feet and did one last sweep of the room before walking over to the door and letting myself out. Al and Kiara were there to greet me, I smiled at seeing my friend who had been absent during my waking. "Hey!"

Kiara looked annoyed before registering my presence and smiled as she walked towards me, embracing me, "You crazy bitch," She pulled back and held me at arm's length, "I hope this means you're not going to run off any time soon."

I let out a short laugh, "Nah, I'm ready for a few down-days. Oh!" I looked over at Al, "There's a few still kick'n in there, if you want them." Al gave a shrug and walked into the room.

I turned back to Kiara, "Where's Mom?"

"Either with Tala or your Father, not sure exactly. I know she went to check on Tala's progress but I don't know if she's still there." Kiara said as she stepped back a pace.

"That's right; you were out with Tala weren't you? What did the Counsel have you guys do?" I asked with genuine curiosity as we began to walk back down the hall towards my room.

"We had to hunt down the human Doctor that worked for the Light Fae; she was the one who went rogue and helped those humans at the compound get the upper hand on the Fae." Kiara responded and a crossed look appeared on her face.

"Did you find her?" I asked but it wasn't Kiara that answered me. I heard a distant roar coming from somewhere else in the house. I looked down the hall to the stairs that lead to the ground floor, and waited for Kiara to explain.

"Yeah, we found her…" Annoyance very evident in her voice, "Tala has been interrogating her for a while now... I got bored after the first twenty minutes when the Doctor wasn't giving a different answer from the first."

"How long has Tala been interrogating her?" I asked growing curious on what I had missed out on.

"Almost an hour I'd guess."

I stopped and looked over at Kiara, "What, no one has stopped her? That's far past the limit we're supposed to use when interrogating a human."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I got bored…" Kiara said plainly.

"That Doctor has the protection of the Light Fae! They could come down hard on us if they find out what we're putting her through!" I said fiercely before making my way down the hall past my room and towards the stairs.

"Randi' wait! What the hell are you going to do?" Kiara called after Randin as she watched the young wolf's pace pick up as they descended the stairs. "Ugh, stubborn…"

I took note of the heaviness in my chest again, but this time it didn't settle in, it didn't grow heavier, and I didn't need time to adjust it. It gave me such a sensation of solidarity that I did not fear what the future held. I turned my head this way and that, trying to get a good queue from where Tala was holding the Light Fae Doctor. I heard another roar off to my right, it was coming from outside. I walked out throwing the doors open causing a few heads to turn towards me. There were about fourteen wolves standing in a circle formation and I could see Tala in the middle of the group. I could make out another figure in the middle on their knees.

'What the hell is Tala thinking? She knows the repercussions that could fall on us for this! She can't be so reckless!' I thought as I stormed towards the group. Unbeknownst to me, Kiara had noticed a change in my demeanor.

Kiara watched as Randi's shoulders became tense and set in a ridge posture. She also saw Randin's arms flexed as her fists tightened by her sides. There was a new essence rolling off of the young wolf that she grew up with, an air of undeniable confidence and power. Kiara smirked at the change in demeanor of her life-long friend as she followed her into the fray. 'This will be interesting.'

I pushed two wolves aside and they let out subtle growls; as they were more loyal to my sister than me, "What the hell are you doing?" I demanded stepping directly between Tala and the traumatized human Doctor.

"Sister," Tala said pleasantly, "glad to see you're awake and doing well. And that you've healed." She said reaching forward and tugging on the collar of the shirt to get a better look at my chest.

I knock her hand away still annoyed to learn that my sister is willingly jeopardizing the small trust the Counsel had in the Pack. "You've been interrogating her for an hour." I say as a statement, not a question.

"Yes, I would have waited for you but I didn't know when you'd wake, and the Counsel wanted answers now." Tala said undeterred by my tone. "I am glad that you're doing better Randi', you were in really bad shape eariler." She offered me a warm smile that only came out in the most rare of moments, but this was not the time and I wasn't going to let her think it was.

"An hour Tala! The Light Fae could come down hard on the Pack for this if they found out! It's in our law that we don't interrogate humans for this long! Much less one's under the guardianship of the Light Fae!" I said with angry ringing through my voice, which only caused Tala to smirk, and my anger to boil below my surface.

I heard taunting murmurs around the circle bubble to life, "Aw, poor little wolf doesn't want to anger the Light Fae…" Seemed to be the most popular line along with several different names being thrown at me indicating that I was a wide variety of 'weak' or 'pathetic'.

"And how would they find out, sister?" She said insinuating that the Doctor wasn't going to leave our house alive, and the Doctor whimpered on the ground understanding the underlying meaning. "That aside, why would we fear the Light Fae?" She asked chuckling at a privet joke, "They have nothing strong enough to take all of us on, even without the full strength of the Pack here." The wolves standing around the circle chuckle at her words.

I gave Tala a small disapproving shake of my head before I turned and crouched down to the Doctor's level; she violently flinched away from me. When we interrogated someone there wasn't a need for physical contact, not when you could elicit endless amounts of fear from our target without touching them. This was a very effective technique because most people could deal with physical pain and it was still easy to lie while enduring that pain, but to endure a fear that could not be controlled by the mind- that was a totally different. It was a cold innate fear we drew on, it was the ultimate 'flight' response but you were so paralyzed you could not even do that. It was something most people never experienced in their lifetimes and it was completely hopeless. That's what made the Fenrir such a dangerous opponent, that's how all our 'roars' worked- they just worked even better when focused on one target, and all you could do to remain sane was to tell the truth and nothing but the truth…

The Doctor tried to move away from me but her body wouldn't answer her commands, so the best she could do was lean away from me. She was terrified of me…of what she knew I could do, in her mind I was here and that meant I could do what they had been doing to her for the last hour...and she wasn't wrong about that.

Her hair hung across her face as she looked away and cast her eyes down from me. I could see her cheeks coated in the tell-tale sheen of dozens of tears. But she wasn't broken yet, which was amazing. "My name is Randin. What's your name Doctor?" I paused letting my warm voice reach her. We had a way of comforting people who we made fearful. It was in our voice, we would become warm and welcoming to them; comforting and safe. It was hard to do but if done right you could earn back the trust of the person you made fearful of you. "Don't worry; I'm not going to hurt you. No one will." She took in a shaky breath before she flicked her eyes up to me, before quickly casting them back to the ground. It was progress.

Tala's stern voice answered back. "Strange, last time I checked she was my prisoner, not yours."

I ignored her and leaned a little lower so that my head was lower than the Doctor's, letting her see that she was 'higher' than me and that I would submit to her. Usually it was a good way to earn someone's trust. "Hey," I said offering a gentle smile, "you can call me Randi' if you want. I don't really care it's just a one letter difference." I held my smile on my face and this time when her eyes met mine they lingered a bit longer.

"L-Lauren…" She uttered out quietly, if not for my superior hearing I may have missed it.

Then Tala let out a low echoing growl and the Doctor flinched away tucking her head closer to her chest. My neck tensed in annoyance. I quickly rose and delivered my own growl in return, defiantly meeting her eye. I saw her back become ridge and the wolves around the circle shuffled, shocked by my response to my sister.

Tala looked pissed. I saw the different waves of anger crash over her face before her blue eyes melted away to red and I saw her neck muscles tense right before she opened her mouth and let out a fierce roar inches from my face.

The Doctor screamed, the people in the circle bowed their heads in submission, Kiara turned her head to the side flinching only to the smallest effect, but I stood unaffected by her roar.

I wasn't playing the submissive role anymore.

I saw it dawn over her face that I hadn't submitted. Then I let out my own roar and I felt the air around us quake as the surrounding wolves fell to their knees in submission and I saw fear flash across my sister's face as she unwillingly took a step back.

"You've crossed the line Tala. You can't treat the Light Fae Doctor like this and not expect repercussions!" I shouted before taking a deep calming breath and kneeling down to the Doctor's level again.

"No one will hurt you, I promise." I said once more in a soft voice. Hopefully now she saw that I commanded the most respect. "Please Doctor Lauren, come with me. You have my word; no one will hurt you…" I extended my hand towards her, but not too suddenly, it was a smooth even gesture.

She tentatively met my eye again before flicking it around the circle to see the submissive positions everyone had taken; well, except for Tala. But when she flicked her gaze to Tala she quickly reached out for my hand; understanding that I would be able to protect her from the other imposing wolf.

I offer her a gentle smile, "Thank you Doctor." I turn towards her as I slowly begin to stand and I help the shaken Doctor as she mirrored my movements. She steps close to me casting her eyes down and away from my sister's presence. I place my hand on her lower back and position myself to be a wall between the two of them. I turn us and walk us out of the circle, Tala says nothing and everyone else just watches in silence as I take Tala's prisoner away.

As I approach Kiara she has an impressed smile on her face with her eyebrows slightly raised. But she doesn't say anything as she lightly shakes her head and turns to fall in step next to me as we pass.

"Don't worry Doctor, she's my friend." I say soothingly to the human when I feel her tense at Kiara's presence; Kiara was there when they captured the Doctor, but I know Kiara would have never harmed a Light Doctor like my sister had.

As we walk back through the doors of the house I turn my head towards the Doctor and speak in a soft tone, "You can stay with me for the time being, I'll have the Light Fae Counsel contacted telling them we successfully found you and I'm sure they'll send someone over soon."

Worry crosses the Doctor's face before she opens her mouth to respond to my statement. Then I heard slight shuffling noise behind us and a heavy force slams into us from behind sending me and the Doctor flying several feet through the air.

"Randi'!" I heard Kiara shout before I brace myself off of the floor and look in front of me, Tala crouched in her human form snarling at me.

I react quickly. I spring forward and knock her back with a solid upper cut.

As she rights herself I quickly move over to the Doctor and help her stand. "Are you alright, Doctor?" Her eyes flicker over to Tala and I can see the fear coursing through her as her pupils dilate. Tala lets out another angry growl and I re-grip the Doctor's hand and take have a step closer to her before I turn my head and respond with a low growl of my own. I feel the Doctor relax ever-so slightly.

"She's my prisoner, not yours." Tala says with her eyes practically glowing red.

"Not anymore," I responded in a stony tone. "Kiara." I didn't need to say anything else as I heard her quickly move across the foyer to us. "Keep watch over the Doctor. If any of the pack members make a move for the Doctor, use whatever means you deem necessary to stop them..."

"Okay, twist my arm why don't you?" Kiara said sarcastically, not really caring if she had to kick a wolf's ass if they were loyal to my sister.

The Doctor tightly gripped my arm in fear of me leaving her side. So I broke eye contact with my sister; showing that I was not concerned about her at all. "Don't worry, I trust Kiara. She's strong and can deal with anyone if they try to bother you. She'll keep you safe." I could tell she was still afraid but she relented and released her grip of me, and Kiara stepped forward and braced an arm across the Doctors body, gently pulling her back and out of the way.

The wolves slowly move inside the foyer while some lingered by the door; everyone has been waiting for this. The final showdown between me and Tala. I didn't want it, but she went too far this time and someone needed to stop her, if not my parents; who undoubtedly knew about this, than I would.

"So this is how this finally goes down…you stand between me and a human. A human you don't even know!" Tala said with a sarcastic laugh. "Why now, sister? Why over this? You don't know her, she means nothing to you. And yet this is where you choose to find a spine…"

"It doesn't have to be over the human. It doesn't have to be now, Tala. We can both just walk away and settle this when the time really calls for it." I say stoically. I truthfully didn't want to fight Tala now, I wasn't completely healed, and I had been dreading this day with my sister… Everyone had been waiting for it, wanting to see what the true outcome would be; would my sister turn out to be the strongest one between the both of us, or would I outdo her like everyone has suspected. But having to face one of your own family members and kill them for rights of being Alpha…that never seemed right to me so I always fell in line. Tala had always taken the leadership role anyhow, I-…I was a good soldier. Yet somehow, I felt different standing before her this time, like I knew I would face her down this time if she pushed the situation. I felt stronger and I had confidence with this new strength- I wasn't going to let anyone tell me how I was supposed to act, or when to step into line anymore.

Just like in my Dawning… I would not let them make assumptions of me anymore; I would show what I was capable of.

"Oh, I think it calls for it now. Regardless of the worthless human, the Light will more than likely have her killed for treason anyway." Tala said plainly as she took several steps towards me. "This however," she gestures between us, "has been coming for a long time and I think we've kept everybody in suspense long enough...I know I'm done waiting."

I say nothing and the room instantly becomes stuffy. I can hear the Doctor's heart hammering in her chest in panic. Kiara and the other wolves that had gathered to watch, their hearts were pounding in their chests as well, but it was from excitement. I heard my own heart speed up as did Tala's, both knowing we were about to clash; truly, for the first time.

I see a slight dip in her shoulders and we both dashed forward practically in a blur, meeting in the middle and exchanging blows. Neither of us shift, not this soon. Just like in my Dawning it was a sign of weakness to shift first in a Wolf on Wolf fight, and I'll be damned if I'm made to be the weak bitch again. I dodged her punch and knocked back her knee the followed shortly. I landed a low hook punch in her abs and she unwilling rocked back on her heels. I saw an opening to tackle her and bring it to our ground game, but it was also a perfect opening to an uppercut- uppercuts were my favorite. I smirked to myself; why not have a little fun with this. So I landed my uppercut, sending her several more steps have.

She noticed the tackle opening I had missed and cut her eyes at me since she thought I was babying her. I fed into it by smirking at her- Tamsin would be proud. She sucked in a deep breath and let out a thunderous roar shaking the air around us and the other wolves in the room shuffle and bend a knee, not wanting to run because that risked missing the fight of a generation.

Now, I'm not one to be cocky, but my smirk goes into a smile because I know my roar would win the showdown. I take in a quick breath and let out a deafening roar, the air humming with power throughout the room. I feel the wolves around the room slink away from my voice; Kiara remains unmoved knowing I would never hurt her and the Doctor is firmly held by her side.

Tala's eyes look at me questioning where this new sense of self came from, the power behind my voice gave her pause in her rampage. But only a pause. Then she releases a snarl as shadows take over her body and her wolf stretches from the abyss.

I faintly hear Varkus's voice somewhere behind me before I shift to meet my sister. "What the hell is going on?"

"I hope you brought popcorn." Kiara said plainly as she watches the two contending Alpha's clash in the middle of the room, the sharp clicking of the teeth knocking together playing over the background noise of the growls paired with each blow.

"Dude, I will microwave a whole fucking corn field for this show." Al said entering the room after Varkus, gazing in amazement at the two sister wolves clashing the foyer.

As we dance around each other our claws struggled to find purchase in the smooth flooring and since the foyer was not that big, it was becoming a task to clash with Tala. We both weren't fighting our hardest yet though, I think she still expected me to submit after a few minutes because that was usually the longest my bravery lasted in the past, but not this time. I wasn't fighting to my fullest because I didn't want to harm her, she was my sister… I was trying to forcing her hand first.

We lunged at each other she went low and I quickly slashed at her with my claws before snapping down and dragging my teeth along her shoulder. Then I feel her reach around and her teeth drag up my ribs snagging some skin there. I slam my weight against her causing her skid away from me, but I quickly spring after her and slam into her again. I latch onto the back of her neck while resting my body on top on hers and with grip hard to come by on this flooring all she could do was tuck her ears back and snarl at my dominate action. I snarled into her fur and didn't release her for several seconds until I was pleased she got the message…

I released her neck and jumped back from her, when my feet hit the floor black mist cascaded over my body and my wolf melted away. I stood there looking no worse-for-ware, except the small snag in the side of my black shirt that now covered my torso; there was light bleeding where Tala had snagged me with her teeth on my rubs. I watched as Tala glares at me from the corner of her eyes and slowly dissolves through the black mist to stand as a human again as well.

As our red eyes gauge each other the warm scent of our Mother reaches my nose. My eyes immediately search for her; she's standing on the second floor with her arms crossed under her chest, watching us. She says nothing to either of us, just stands there surveying the situation sliding her eyes from me to Tala. Then I move my eyes back to Tala and the anger and humiliation crashing over her face lets me know that she too smelled our Mother. Which to Tala meant that I had committed the ultimate form of disrespect; she wanted them to see her as the only option as Alpha, that was how it had been…until now.

"Tala, we can walk away…this isn't how this has to happen." I said solemnly, this wasn't how I imagined my first day awake ending. But in hindsight I guess I did this to myself…

"No Randin, it's already started we can't walk away now. That would just make both of us look like a coward." Tala said back in a calm tone. After a pause she slowly starts to walk to me, "Everyone's always praised you behind my back, saying how you're 'so strong' and how 'your sister would never had made it without you'. It's bullshit. You don't make any discussions, you follow mine!" She pauses and her red eyes stare emotionless into mine, "But yet the fools talked and every one of them knew it would come to a day like this… When you and I wouldn't stop until the other was no longer possessed a heartbeat, and now you want a way out? It doesn't matter if you postpone this sister; it's going to reach its climax eventually." She stops several feet from me and I see no regret in her eyes, no resentment either, just determination. "So I don't know about you, but I've never been one for the dramatically-awkward waiting game…"

She pauses again and I think she's waiting for my response- but that was a rookie mistake. She shifts back to her wolf in a blur and slams me with a bone shattering force that sends me rocketing into the support wall for the flight of stairs and I become buried in the rubble.

Lauren let out a stifled scream as Kiara quickly pulled them out of the line of fire, and Kiara watched the rubble pile intently; ears perked to the fullest extent her human form would allow.

There was a deep rumbling in the rubble pile as pieces started to shift and move, and then chunks were sent flying back into the room and Randin's wolf burst out of the dust- teeth bared.

As I lunged forward from debris I let out a growl, shaking the air in the room. 'Fine, she wants a fight…I'll give her one.' I run forward and we both rise to our hind legs as we clash again. Claws digging into the other's shoulder or scrapping down the other's chest to remain up right as our teeth could snap and twist against each other; trying to get past the other's to get at the soft flesh of the neck.

I felt our hind legs slipping in different directions, goddamn floor… I pushed my weight down on Tala hard and she skidded away from me and I slammed hard down on my elbows before scrambling up quickly before she righted herself. I barreled into her and we both tumbled over each other into the front wall where the door was. The wall cracked and splintered outward from our collective weight hitting it, and this time- thanks to the wall, Tala was on top.

I saw the red glimmer in her eye that had nothing to do with her eye color, it was bloodlust. She was lightening fast in her strikes and at first I struggled to keep up as her teeth tugged at my neck; but then it clicked inside of me. 'I'm stronger than her, I've always been.' I start kicking my back legs and push my paws against her throat until she has no choice but to dislodge herself from me. I quickly right myself and she moves to pounce on me again, and as she lungs I tuck my head and charge into her chest knocking her off balance again. I stand to my full height again and I watch as my sister mirrors my movements.

'She doesn't get to control me anymore. She doesn't get to tell me what to do. She doesn't get to pass judgment on me!' I let out a roar that makes the room tremble more than the people in it. I watch as my roar hits Tala and her shoulders quake as her head drops ever so slightly and I rush in to continue my assault… never taking notice of the new figure standing next to Kiara.

We clashed again exchanging swipes, bites, and roars; but this time I remained the one dominate factor. Always being the one to push her back, to land that one extra blow at the end of the power struggle, I was the one sending her crashing into walls now. And I didn't care, she deserved it! She wanted to push me down, belittle me! Now she was going to see just what kind of bite I possessed!

I chased her around the small foyer and before long I had her practically corned in the hole under the stair that she had made with me earlier. Her ears where slick back against her head as she snarled at me and her tail was curled down around her back leg. My ears were forward, intent on listening to every little move she planned to make, and my tail was still up showing I was still ready to bring the fight. She lunged out in an attempt to escape the hole and the second she crashed into me, I disappeared into black mist. Then without a moment's pause, I lunged down with my wolf taking shape and descending upon her from above. My left paw came down strong on her shoulders and my teeth wrapped around her neck, slamming her in to the floor.

She flailed and trashed against the floor to try and get out from below me, but I held tightly, and as she moved she flopped onto her side to try and push me away with her claws. I secured my left paw against her chest, pushing just enough to keep her claws from tearing into my face, as I readjusted my bite on her neck and I held on…

It was so silent in the room that it created a ringing sensation in my ears. I chose to focus on a point beyond the still open doors on the opposite side of the room.

Seconds ticked by and my sister's trashing was still intense.

Minutes passed and they finally started to wane…

Then, when her struggles became too weak to do more than stroke my fur, I relaxed the leg I had braced against her chest and slowly began to stand while still keeping a grip on her neck. As I stood there I looked down at Tala, and her red iris grew dim as the one watched me. I dropped her neck.

There was an audible gasp in the room as everyone knew I would release Tala, but no one thought I actually would- considering what they had just witnessed.

I watched as her limbs sagged against her body and her breathes came out deep and slow… my Sister…my Family…I did this to her. My red eyes watched as she struggled and her red eyes met mine one more time…

And then a cold trickle ran down my spine and I lunged forward- snarling, as I brutally piercing her neck just below her jaw with my large canines. It would insure she bled out fast.

The room was taken in silence again, as if all the breath had been knocked out of them. I remained there for a few minutes move, laying down next to her and laying a front limb across her neck becoming a little more comfortable in the position. I tried to just stare into space again but I couldn't keep my eyes from wondering. My brows shifted as I looked over toward Kiara and she stood tall next to the Doctor, who was still unharmed-for the most part. I saw Al and Varkus watching, Al not hiding the surprise on his face, Varkus watching on stoically.

Then I noticed another figure, I don't know when he got there, but my Father stood just behind Kiara; watching pensively. His emotionless face made my heart skip a beat- he saw me do this…saw me kill her. Then my mind possessed the gut-wrenching thought of what my Mother's face must look like…if she was still watching.

I felt a dull throb against my canines that were still buried in Tala's neck and I waited-closing my eyes, until the dull throb of her heart stopped.

Black mist started leaking out of Tala's body and I released my bite on her. My wolf quickly ruptures into black smoke revealing my human form. I felt a cool tingling sensation grow behind my eyes as I watched Tala's body slowly dissolve in the mist and her human form finally took shape. Her hair long and black like mine, her eyes now a dull blue, and the pair of bite marks that disfigured her neck.

Shame racked through my body and it became painful to stand there looking at her… So I tore my gaze away from her as the stinging behind my eyes became more threatening, and walked over to Kiara and the Doctor.

I didn't meet my Father's eye as I first spoke; I instead chose to look at Kiara's feet. "You should contact the Light Fae Counsel and let them know we found Doctor Lauren." I sense the Doctor tense at my words, but I choose to slowly raise my eyes to my Father's. "We can arrange for them to pick her up or we can deliver her…"

Father says nothing, he just watches me; I can tell he's looking deeper into my eyes to see what I was feeling inside. But the truth was I didn't know what I was feeling at the moment. "When will the pyre for-" I stopped myself, the thought of saying her name made my throat contract. "When will it be ready?"

I smelled my Mother's scent as she drew closer, and Father had no choice but to speak. "A few hours, Perhaps dawn is best…"

That gave me the last few hours of late afternoon and all night…gave me time to do what, I don't know. I just knew I wanted to leave this foyer soon, if not immediately. I turned back to the Doctor, "You can stay with me until the Counsel lets us know of our next move."

She readily nods and steps forward to take my hand once more. Lauren had no idea what exactly had just transpired in front of her, but she knew just from listening to the conversations that the two wolves who had just fought were sisters, and that they had some kind of note worthy status in the group. Her savior- no, no, she shouldn't say that she barely knows this woman. The wolf who came to her rescue seemed to be the underdog between the two, or maybe perhaps just the younger of the two. Lauren was so confused; she was still slightly terrified from the 'interrogation' the first wolf put her through, which was now being constantly battled with the kindness and comfort this woman showed her, and now this whole mess…she wasn't going to understand until someone explained it to her. But she felt it wasn't in her place to ask.

I cast a glance down to our hands before looking at my Father again, "Please come and get me when the pyre is ready." I say quietly.

Father giving me a slow understanding nod, "Of course."

Kiara, Al, nor Varkus offer up any words; which I'm grateful for at the moment.

"Ran," My Mother starts to speak from beside me, I meet her eyes and she sees the broke soul behind my bright blues.

"…Don't call me that, Mom." I said in an almost inaudible voice and she laments and steps back to allow me to pass. Kiara falls into step behind us while Al and Varkus decide to remain by my Father.

As I walk up the stairs with the Doctor still attached to my arm, each wolf took a step back against the wall- giving us plenty of room to pass by. Kiara didn't say anything until we were walking down the hallway towards my room.

"We can give her, her own bedroom Randi'." Kiara said in a cautious tone, which cause Lauren to look back at her in confusion.

"…After what my sister put her through, I think its best if she stayed with me." I responded, understanding where she was heading with this suggestion. "I don't want any of my sister friends to bother her."

"We can post a guard outside of her room. Hell, I'll stand guard if you like." Kiara answered quickly. "I agree that what your sister did to her was bad, but letting her get too attached to you isn't going to help the situation."

I stopped at my door and stared into the room for a moment, the Doctor's hand was clammy and cold in my own; she was still terrified. "…What would you have me do, Kiara?"

Kiara hesitated for a moment; she hadn't expected me to sound so defeated. Her face grew soft as she answered, "You don't take orders from me…"

"Then this is what I'm going to do." I turned my head towards the Doctor and gesturing her to go inside. I didn't mean to be dismissive but I wanted nothing more than to be away from everyone right now. I just wanted to be in silence, it felt uncomfortable talking with someone when my mind was nothing but silent.

Kiara seemed to understand, "'Kay… I'll see you tomorrow…"

I gave a small nod and walked into the room with the Doctor still on my arm. I closed the door behind us and just stared blankly at the room before I realized I had to remain focused, the Doctor needed the comfort I offered her before. I owned her that much after what my sister put her though; I would be able to morn for my sister tomorrow…

"Make yourself comfortable, no one will bother us in here." I said trying to keep my tone light and soft, as it was before.

She takes a second looking around the room before casting a question out into the room. "Why was she so worried about me getting 'attached' to you?"

A small smile jerked at my lips, the Doctor was living up to her reputation now, not missing the slightest detail. Any human who went through what she had just been subjected to should not be worrying about trivial little details, and yet this human wanted the whole picture. "She's referring to what I've been doing with you…" I paused and she looked down at me in confusion. As I started to speak again I felt my throat constrict. I was going to have to say her-… I cleared my throat, "Tala, the wolf who interrogated you, she used the power of our voice to frighten you. That's what we do; the Fenrir, we are able to create fear in any other being- well most any other being. It's a very useful technique when trying to extract information. Normally, prisoners can physical torture to a certain extent, but with our abilities we don't have to worry about their bodies giving out; we attack the mind- the most primitive side which controls the 'fight or flight' response. No one can consciously control that response and that's what gives us an advantage; we can get the answers we're looking for in half the time compared to physical torture."

Laruen's brow furrowed, "I still don't understand."

I gave her a half-hearted smile, "Sorry, that brings me to the second part of my explanation. My sister," My heart froze in my chest but I covered it up by clearing my throat again. "…she elicited fear in you, but that's not the only thing we're capable of. We can also provide someone with the feeling of absolute protection or comfort. Mother explained it to be a 'dog thing'." I gave her a playful smile before continuing. "We are able to speak to someone in a tone that gives them the feeling that we will we will be their 'immovable object' so-to-speak. That we will protect them from anything; that we are able to carry their burdens for then; that they can rest their world on our shoulders…" Laruen watched me as I spoke and her eyes began to flicker back and forth between mine, she was piecing it together. "That's what I did to you outside, that's why you trusted me enough to take my hand and let me lead you out of the circle."

I paused giving her a minute to process the information. "So, is there a bond, or something, between us?" She asked innocently.

I chuckle at her question, it wasn't stupid, it just reminded me of Tamsin; I asked her the same thing once. "No, not exactly. I'm just a comfort-blanket for you right now. What Kiara was referring too out in the hall is that there are usually two ways this 'comforting' thing goes. One is similar to the initial effect; you just feel like you explicitly trust me- I'm like your lifelong friend who's always been there and will always be there for you. So it's more of an emotional attachment, when you're comforted by just being around me and talking with me. But then the second way this could go, it's a bit more awkward." I clear my throat again and look at my feet as I feel my neck heat up. "The other is more along the routes of a…physical comfort…gaining comfort from being close…" I trailed off; I thought it was embarrassing having Mother teach this to me? I never considered I'd have to explain it to a human…who I had 'comforted'.

'Could anything else possibly go wrong in my life at this point?...' I thought sobering up instantly at the thought of my sister….

Realization passed over the Doctor's face. "Oh! That's what she meant. How do you know if it's going to be the first or second type of 'comfort'? Does it depend on the circumstances? Or duration of the…comfort?" Her face scrunched as she struggled to find the words, "Is that how you say that? Just refer to it as 'comfort'?"

I was impressed she still had the cognitive thought process to question information like this; she really had a strong mind. "No, we usually refer to it as 'showing our puppy-side' but back in the day it was called the 'roar of reassurance'. Later generations thought that was stupid though, since we didn't actually 'roar' at them." I shrug, "So we got inventive with it and 'showing our puppy-side' kinda stuck, but I thought I'd explain it in more words since you asked."

Lauren slowly nods her head and giving me a shy smile, "Thanks then, I probably would've asked for a more in-depth answer anyhow. But, is there any way to determine which route your 'puppy reassurance' will take with me?"

I shake my head from side to side, "No, that depends on you. We have the ability to comfort you but how your mind chooses to process it is out of our hands. Just like the fear we create in you- we don't know exactly what fear we call upon in you but we know that we can trigger absolute fear from it."

She gives and understanding nod and again I'm impressed she's been able to keep a straight head and keep up with delivering questions and processing my answers. "Okay, I'll say sorry now, just incase this takes a turn down the second path." She said giving me a tight lipped smile, clearly embarrassed that what would happen later was completely out of her hands.

I just give her a gentle smile again. "Don't worry about it. I needed to get you to of the situation; she shouldn't have treated you like that and I apologize for it."

"Don't, you saved me from it." She said shaking her head causing the curtains of gold framing her face to sway.

I take a deep breath, 'Tala…' I look down at my body and see different places where my wolf's cloth was matted to my body from blood- I couldn't tell exactly, but some of it had to be my sisters. My stomach churned, "Excuse me for a moment Doctor; I'm going to change out of these cloths. Feel free to make yourself comfortable on the bed or whatever you choose. There are clothes in the dresser if you'd like to change as well." I walked over into the closet and flicked the light on. My pulse was racing as my body began to panic at the thought of my sister blood on me…how could I hold a whole conversation with her blood on me!

'Because I had to…' A soft voice rang out in the back of my mind.

I grabbed a large tee-shirt and pair of extra large sweatpants before exiting the closet and making my way to the bathroom. I close the door and look at myself in the mirror, 'Murderer…' the voice utters.

My eyes trace over the places where blood was splatter on my top, and my chest started to heave painfully but I keep my cries silent, the Doctor didn't need to hear me breakdown in addition to the terror she was still feeling. Tears raced down my cheeks and I didn't even feel them…I didn't feel if they were hot or cold. I tore my shirt off and threw it by the tub as I hung my head and clinched my jaws together, not making a sound.

I reached forward and slammed the sink on to blast cold water. I looked up into the mirror again and my eyes fell to my chest. The angry scars from The Wanderer glaring back at me.

'Everyone saw my scars…' I think growing ashamed.

I look back to my face and my red eyes are glaring back at me. I reach down and scoop the icy water up to my face several times.

'He went crazy.'

Splash.

'We had to put him down.'

Splash.

Pieces of my Dad's story rolled through my mind and after pulling the cold water to my face one more time I sat there and braced my hands on the edge of the sink. Then, slowly I raised my head to look at my reflection. My blue eyes glistened in my reflection; I let out a heavy breath and turned the faucet off. Then the scar caught my attention again and my anger flared.

I dried my face and pulled the shirt quickly over my head, and without pausing I pulled my pants off and pulled the sweat pants on. A chill ran down my spine again and I left my wolf's clothing were they landed stared at myself in the mirror a moment longer. I calmed myself pushing thoughts of The Wanderer and my sister out of my mind; this was not the time to think about them. I walked over and opened the door before calmly stepping out.

The Doctor was sitting on the edge of the bed in an over sized tee-shirt and a pair of my sleep shorts. Her features were still anxious and looked weathered from the stress my sister put her through. I approached the side of the bed that she was perched on and in noticed that she relaxed as the distance decreased between us.

"You should get some sleep; it will help you readjust more quickly. Then you won't need my 'puppy reassurance' as much." I said jokingly. Being this close I realize someone had come in and changed my sheets while I was gone.

"What about you?" She asks softly.

"I'll stay up a bit longer. I'll be here though, no one will bother you. Go ahead, lay back and get some rest." I gestured for her to lay back as I turned and pulled a high back chair close enough to the bed to kick my feet up on the edge. When I grabbed it a scent that lingered on the chair crashed over me, 'Tamsin, she must have sat in this when I was asleep.' I inhaled again feeling some of my unease dissipate and pulled the chair next to the bed.

"Okay," she says as she tentatively lies back on the bed and tucks herself under the covers as I sit back in the chair. She turns to her side and stares at me with her big doe eyes. I can tell she wants to say something but I remain silent and wait for her to ask it. "I know you just said it but, you're going to stay right?"

I smile; I know she's probably scolding herself on the inside for asking the question I just announced as a statement, but this was part of the process; I provide her with unwavering reassurance. "Yes, I'll stay."

"Thanks," She mumbles as she curls the blankets up to her face and closes her eyes.

I sit there with my feet kicked up on the bed; but not intruding in her space more than necessary, and maintain my warm exterior composure. On the inside…it was quite. Not numb, I hadn't hit that state yet. It was just quite. I cast my eyes around the room looking for something, anything, to focus on, but the burgundy wall paint made me think of my sister's eyes. They weren't that dark but it was the only connection my mind felt like making.

'As I stood there I looked down at Tala, and her red iris grew dim as the one watched me. I dropped her neck… I watched as her limbs sagged against her body and her breathes came out deep and slow… my Sister…my Family…I did this to her. My red eyes watched as she struggled…'

I think back to the final moment in our fight and I feel myself slip off into a void. My sister, for one hundred and seventy-two years…and I ended it in a handful of minutes.

I ended it.

After all the times we fought together.

After all the times we clashed together...

All the times I submitted to her.

It was all in the past now and we would never make any more memories like them…

And I did it…because I changed.

I'm a disgusting kin slayer.

A Murder…

I consciously knew this void I slipped into was a deep one, but I didn't know how to get out of it on my own…

So I sat there in my self-created void as the light disappeared from the room, and soon my eyes closed, my legs slid to the floor with a 'thud', and my head slumped back against the chair. Thankfully the last thing that crossed my mind was a comforting one, 'Tamsin…'

---

When Lauren woke it was dark in the room and instantly her heartbeat tripled in the space of a few seconds. She flicked her eyes to the chair next to the bed; Randin was still there, slumped in the chair asleep. 'She didn't leave, she's still there. There's no reason to panic.' Lauren thought scolding herself for such childish worries.

She slowly got up from the bed and sleeping wolf did not stir, 'She must have been more tired than she let on.' Lauren thought as she went to the bathroom to relieve herself. She took note of the black clothing discarded on the floor and wondered briefly how they were able to remove that clothing if it came from their wolf; essentially.

She walked back over to the bed and couldn't help but take note of how adorable Randin looked slumped over in the chair. Her black hair was flipped to one side of her head and pushed up in the back from her slumping down in the chair in her sleep; her lips were slightly parted and her cheek was squished on her shoulder that was keeping her head from hitting the side of the chair; and her tired arms were drooped to either side of her body while her legs had long since lost the fight against gravity. She was simply a picture of cuteness slumped in the chair, and what Lauren found herself liking the most was knowing of the endless protection she had from the sleeping wolf. Even though her more logical side knew it was only for a time…

Lauren decided to wake Randin and help her on to the bed, the chair couldn't have been comfortable and after all she's been through- that Lauren witnessed at least, it was the least she deserved. She leaned down and her lips landed on Randin's temple. Lauren quickly jerked away, 'Crap, why did I just do that! No, I'm not going down that route. She doesn't need that on top of everything that happened. She doesn't!'

Lauren ran her hand roughly through her hair and took a deep breath. Randin warned her that this might happen, Lauren had apologized jokingly earlier that she was sorry if this happened, she didn't actually expect it to happen! No! She wouldn't let this happen!

She kneeled down in front of Randin's knees; far away from her mouth, and gave the sleeping girl's leg a gentle shake. "Randin…Randin," The girl gave a small groan in protest at being woken. "Hey, why don't' you move to the bed, it will be more comfortable and you won't wake with a crick in your neck tomorrow." Lauren said with a smile in her soft tone.

Randin let out another groan as she slumped forward to move to the bed. Lauren caught the girl's arm and helped lead her shambling-sleepy form onto the bed. She wiggled her way into the middle of the bed, showing she was conscious enough to give Lauren her space back on the bed.

Lauren slid back into her space and watched as Randin tucked one of her arm's up under the pillow while the other remained lazily by her side. Her face was now squished into the pillow and her hair in disarray around her head.

'So sweet…..how could she inflict fear in anyone?'

Lauren thought innocently, registering again that her situation with the wolf was unique. A little voice in the back of her head scolded her as she reached up and pushed the dark hair away from Randin's face. She just felt so comfortable, so safe….and she knew she was supposed to, but as she lay next to the wolf the voice in the back of her head grew dimmer and dimmer…

Lauren slowly stretched the gap between the two of them and planted a soft kiss on Randin's arm where the sleeve had ridden up, before leaning up to slowly pepper kisses up and around Randin's visible cheekbone…

---

I groggily make my way to the bed before slumping down in the middle of the bed and instantly sink into the fabric. As I start to slip back into my abyss I feel the Doctor shift next to me, and then I felt soft warm petals on my arm before they reached my face. I crack my eye open and see the Doctor's dark brown eyes looking down at me. I could see the struggle inside her; she knew this was ridiculous because I had explained this to her, but it's hard to deny yourself the comfort when it's right there…

I understood, I knew the outcomes of doing this for the Doctor; but it had been the right thing to do that the time, so I had to stay with my chosen path.

'Well, shit…'

I took in a short breath and raised myself up off the pillow slightly making my lips accessible to the Doctor. I saw her eyes flicker down to them silently asking permission and I gave her the slightly nod letting her know it was. Then her soft lips were on mine; warm just as they had been on my arm.

I increased the pressure and began the slow tentative dance with our lips and I felt her relax more into me. I knew it was important to let her lead most of this; at least that's what Mother warned. She had to do what she felt was comfortable, I had to accommodate. If I started controlling the encounter too much the Doctor could feel pressured and feel like it was out of her control; just like it was when my sister was interrogating her…So I had to let her have this, let her lead.

As she leaned down into me more I rolled over on my back. She greedily leaded her torso against mine and her warm wet tongue flick against my bottom lip.

'At least she doesn't seem to have a problem taking the lead….Ugh this is going to be so weird later. But…she needs this...'

I thought as I opened my mouth beneath hers. Her tongue instantly lunged out and began to play with mine, and I gently batted hers back. The Doctor slowly readjusts to straddle me and I reach up and grip her hips as her hairs falls and tickles my face.

She lets out a small moan and fists my shirt. She then disconnects out lips and scatters several kisses down onto my neck as she begins to pull my shirt up. Then she bites my neck, my back instantly arcs and I let out and uncontrollable groan.

She pulls back with a smile on her face and a teasing glint in her eyes, "You approve of the nibbles, hn?"

I return her teasing glint with an annoyed glare. "I'm a wolf; it'd be weird if I didn't like 'the nibbles'." I say plainly.

All I get in return is a cheeky smile as she leans down to bury her face in my neck again, "Good to know." Is all I hear before I feel her hard-wet teeth scrap over my skin. I clinch my jaw and roughly grip her hips; now she's just playing with me.

She pulls my shirt up and I'm forced to raise my arms as she throws it off of me. She hangs back a moment surveying my chest. At first her eyes instantly go to my beasts- which I've always been proud of, their more than enough to be a handful but not obnoxiously big. But then I can tell her attention is instantly drawn above my beast, to my fresh scar.

My jaw muscles flex again as I stared up at her waiting for her pity. Her finger tips gently trace over some of the angry pink marks before she meets my eye again. "How did you get these?"

"I don't really want to talk about it." I reply making sure my tone is not too harsh.

She nods before leaning down and placing a kiss in the middle of slash marks etched into my chest and I feel a mixture of anger and thanks swirl in my chest. It was the only sign that I had met my match on the battle field- the only sign that I had almost been beaten and it angered me every time I saw it, and to have someone see it, touch it, made me seethe with anger. But I yearned for more of that gentle caress she had just showed…

She pulled back to look down at me again my face was passive, and she just leaded down and molded our lips together again. Our breaths start to mingle and I feel the heat from our bodies seeping into the air around us. And I will admit that the human Doctor actually tastes good on my tongue, and her pheromones have a certain spice to them that intrigued me.

She pulled back briefly and pulled her shirt off, throwing it over the edge of the bed before diving back down to crash against my lips again. She groans at our hot tongues meet again and she leans down pressing her chest tightly to mine.

We continue to indulge in our little make-out session for several more minutes, and I control myself as her hands and lips move along the exposed parts of my torso. Then her fingers hook themselves on the waistband of my sweatpants and my eyes snap open.

'This is about to go a bit further than I'd like…Shit, how do I do this tactfully?' I think as my eyes flick around trying to get the cogs in my head to turn faster.

I reach down and cup her face, guiding it back to mine while my other hand takes hers and laces our fingers together. I feel slightly uncomfortable at my own gesture because the memory of Tamsin's fingers being laced with mine when I woke was still so fresh. Tamsin, I wished she were here- not to witness this, but I just…I always felt better having her around, and I really needed her after everything that happened today…

After making sure the Doctor's attention had been redirected above the belt for a time I pulled back and held her back for a moment. Her eyes looked lazy and hazed over from our extended make-out session, "Lauren," I started using her name this time; hopefully using her name would make this more personal and let her know I meant no harm in what I was about to say, but I wasn't about to sleep with a human- owned by the Light Fae least of all! That's a way to sign myself to the guillotine, or the Una Mens, and they made Baba Yaga look like a fairytale…

"I understand this is what you need right now…but we still have lines that can't be crossed; even this is dangerously testing our chances..." I see hurt flicker across her face and I soften my face to watch hers. "You're Light and I'm Dark. I'm going to be here for you, for how long you need…but even in this room we have boundaries. I'm sorry…but if anyone found out that more happened, they'd kill us and everything in this day would have been for not…"

Her dark chocolate eyes never broke contact with my bright blue, and after a short pause she nodded her head after reason had sunk in. She didn't think this- whatever this was, would have carried on this long. She didn't want to go down this path to begin with, it seemed weak… "I understand. Sorry- I didn't mean for it carry on this long…" She looked down abashed at her actions, but that wasn't my intent.

I quickly reached out and lifted her face, she shouldn't be ashamed of her behavior. She literally couldn't help it in this situation! "Don't be. I told you this is how it could turn out, and I may not be an elephant or have the memory of one but I'm pretty sure you apologized earlier in case it came to this." I said with an edge of teasing in my voice as I gave her a cheeky grin.

She leaned back and lightly covered her chest, "Yeah, I had been joking then…" She said with laughter hidden in her voice.

"Glad to know that I'm once again the punch-line." I said teasing her, which worked and she smacked my shoulder. "You're one of the best human-kisser's I've ever experienced, if that helps."

She rolls her eyes skyward, "Thanks." Then she gives me an awkward tight-lipped smile, "Although…I'm surprised to hear that you've let other humans get this far…"

I shrug, "I had my wild-wolf years." She smiled at my lame alliteration. She let her head fall forward once more and the curtains of gold folded over her shoulders; she was actually quite beautiful… I slipped my hand under her personal curtain and lightly took hold of the side of her face; she needed to know that it was okay, that everything that happened was okay- expected even. But there were certain things that I couldn't do. I leaned up towards her and slowly inched hers forward. Her eyes rolled back and closed, and she instantly gave in when I brought our lips together again. I let mine close as I let her indulge in one more kiss.

Then she pulled away and rested her forehead against mine and I looked up at her. "How about we get some more sleep?…" I asked softly and her tired eyes met mine as she nodded.

She flopped off of me and onto the pillow; I slipped the one arm under my pillow as I moved to a laying position. I would keep her close until morning; she seemed to like the closeness. So I readjusted the comforter I scooted closer to her and slid my hand across her waist, she smiled faintly at the gesture.

"…Thanks again, Randin." She mumbled out into the pillow.

I opened my eyes and looked at her graceful image, and I toyed with the idea of joking about saying 'don't mention it…to anyone', but thought it was too soon for the jest. So instead I spoke back with the same lazy softness she had, "No problem, Lauren." I let my eyes slide shut and within minutes I was asleep again.

---

When I woke I was staring at the ceiling; I had rolled over in my sleep, and apparently the Doctor noticed because she was now curled on my chest with her arm draped across me. I lay there for a moment before I look over towards the window, it was still dark outside which meant I had time to get cleaned up for the ceremony…for my sister.

I gave Lauren's arm a soft pat before shaking her slightly, "Hey, Lauren…Lauren…"

She moaned and scrunched her face before relaxing back into me. I actually smiled at the gesture, "Lauren." I said once more softly and I finally got a response.

She cracked one eye open at me before mumbling out in a grumpy tone, "What?"

"I just wanted to shower and I didn't want to worry you if you woke and I wasn't here. I need to get ready for today." I said leaving the actual activities of the day to come unsaid.

After considering it for a moment Lauren uncoiled herself from my body and tucked the comforter under her chin tightly before sighing, "..okay…"

"Thanks." I chuckled as I got up from the bed before grabbing the basic bra and panties before walking into the bathroom. After I closed the door I switched the fan on and turned the water on to the right temperature. Then I looked at my reflection again, the angry red marks sneering back at me, and the pain that ached in my chest below it. In that moment I almost wished my chest had been ripped open again…for what I had done to my sister…

I turned away and stripped before stepping into the hot water. I was no numb to the world that I didn't hear a conversation pick up in the bedroom…

---

Tamsin uncurled herself from Bo and gave the brunette one more serene look before she left a fleeting kiss on her temple. The Succubus had been exhausted when she finally found her at the sad excuse of a shack she shared with Kenzi. Apparently the little Goth human was missing and it had poor Bo running around like a Gorgon with her little snake heads cuts off. Tamsin had; awkwardly, taken on the roll of consoler as she told Bo that the little human had always been quite-annoyingly- resourceful and would be able to keep herself alive; even in this raging shit-storm that had hit. She told Bo that Kenzi was probably smart enough to get-the-hell-out-of-dodge and lay-low until this all blew over, or until Bo returned for her.

Bo agreed with Tamsin's reasoning and collapsed against the sturdy Valkyrie. Tamsin didn't know how it happened but she tentatively curled her arms around Bo and held her up as she felt Bo's body weight settle against her. The warmth that exploded in Tamsin's chest was different from the kind that grew there when Randin was with her. This feeling sparked and tingled in her chest making her sizzled with excitement- like a stupid little child. Compared that to the warm resonating warmth she felt with Randin; and she didn't really know how she feel about this…

Then Bo asked her about The Wanderer, and after taking a very deep breath, Tamsin explained. She explained how The Wanderer contacted her years ago, when she had reached a particularly low point in her history, telling her to seek out a very specific person and in return he would give her the power to avoid Expiration. 'Eyes both Brown and Blue, Virtuous yet Lustful, neither Light nor Dark, and yet both'.

She explained that he was never granted the status of a full God but he was no longer regular Fae either. His powers were immense, as they had witnessed, and yet in the days of old he had been even more dangerous because no one knew in the beginning that he was a trickster like Loki. He was the one who convinced the God's of Old that he could trick Fenrir into willing allowing himself to be bound; and he succeeded. He approached Fenrir and challenged him with a test of strength, fainting that he wanted to test out his new Rune Smith's work but he could find no one stronger in the land then Fenrir himself to test the bonds. Fenrir became boastful and accepted the task; he agreed to show The Wanderer the strength of his new Rune engraved chains.

At first, the chains held and the Old God's even considered going through the Rights of Commencement and announcing The Wanderer as a full God. They deliberated for years over this, and The Wanderer waited patiently; he could bind his time until he finally got what he wanted. But while the God's deliberated they failed to notice the chains binding Fenrir weakening and his strength growing each day as he trashed against them.

Then finally the chains snapped and Fenrir declared war on the Old God's, and he and his children set out to destroy them. One of his children reminded him it was The Wanderer who bound him and Fenrir turned his gaze on him… The chaos Fenrir unleashed after breaking free was one of the biggest power surges The Wanderer had ever received and he intended to take all he could from it. So when Fenrir found him he talked Fenrir down once more; telling him the Old God's made him do it or they would have stripped him of him powers yet let him live for eternity, allowing him to starve but never die. Fenrir took in The Wanderer's lies and turned his full fury on the Old God's.

This is where The Wanderer trapped himself; Tamsin went on to explain, he had successfully turned the anger of the Fenrir back on the Old God's and he would undoubtedly kill several before they would kill him, but The Wanderer's mistake was in joining the fight. He felt strong from the chaos raging around him and could not help but slay a few of the Old God's himself. Fenrir saw this and saw it as a sign of trust, the Old God's saw this and knew they had been betrayed. So when the war had finally been won and Fenrir and his children had been slain, the remaining God's once again turned to The Wanderer. He tried to talk his way out again but the God's were not listening to him. Under a unanimous decision they agreed to lock him away in a realm all his own, far away from the Earthen realm so he could no longer cause harm. They couldn't simply kill him because in one-on-one combat The Wanderer was now powerful enough to hold his own against any God; and the Old God's couldn't chance killing him and when the unknown future may call for a need of his unique set of skills…

To Tamsin's surprise Bo remained quite through the whole explanation and only had one question at the end, "Where you alive, during that fight?"

Tamsin was taken back at the question; she hadn't planned for the Succubus asking if she was present during the events. "…I wasn't there for the initial clash, Odin ordered us to stay back. This was a God's war. But when Fenrir devoured him…all the Valkyries rushed into the fight to avenge our fallen Commander. So, I was there for the end. I saw him get banished, and all he said was that we still had a deal, and I was bound to him until I fulfilled it…"

Tamsin was relieved that was the only question asked, she didn't want the Succubus to get too comfortable and ask more questions about her past. She wasn't up for sharing all of it. But Bo curled into Tamsin's side as the sat on the couch and shortly-there-after Bo fell asleep. After several hours was watching shitty TV shows it was finally dark outside and Bo was still asleep on her, so she carefully lifted her and carried her up to the bed and when she went to leave the Succubus reached out for her.

"Please, stay…I don't want to be alone…" Bo mumbled coaxing the Valkyrie with her soft doe eyes. And the warrior caved and slide across the bed next to her and held her. A softer side showed that was usually reserved for someone like Randin, but somehow Bo had been able to draw it out of her as well…Tamsin didn't understand how.

So now Tamsin was lacing her shoes back up and the Succubus was still asleep… Tamsin gave her one final glance before leaving, she felt bad leaving the fragile Succubus like that but she needed to get back to Randin, to check up on her, she had already been gone much longer than she wanted to be.

Tamsin walked into the wolf's den, so to speak, and immediately noticed the freshly destroyed foyer…

"I was wondering when you'd get back," A voice called out from her right, she looked and it was Kiara. "You missed one hell of a show."

"Give me the Sparknotes version." Tamsin said regarding Kiara with interest because when the wolf spoke she did not wear a smile on her face, as most wolves usually did when talking about a fight.

Kiara shrugged, "Okay, we found the human Doctor; like the Counsel asked, and Randin and Tala fought, Randin killed her."

"What?…"

Tamsin watched Kiara for any change in facial expression, any hint that the wolf was joking…but found nothing. Tamsin looked back across the foyer and saw a large dull red spot several meters away from where they stood. Had Randin really…no, Randin wouldn't…she was so opposed to fighting her own kin.

She whipped her head back to Kiara to berate at her for her blatant lie, but Kiara cut her off. "It's true, ask anyone Tamsin. When Randin came out of the room she found out the Tala had been interrogating the Doctor for much longer than we're supposed to when it came to humans. And Randi was worried that the Light Fae Elders would find out and come down hard on the Pack, so she stepped in…and surprised all of us."

"Where is she now?" Tamsin said in a short tone, still not believing.

"Up stairs with the Doctor, she ended up having to comfort the Doctor because she was pretty shaken up."

Tamsin's face hardened. She had to…comfort the Doctor?

She stormed up the stairs and she knew Kiara was hot on her heels smirking. Tamsin had the clarity of focus to whoop her ass right now so her cocky little smirk, but she just had one Doctor in mind…

She slammed the door to Randin's bedroom open and Laruen instantly sat up in bed looking terrified. The way she was holding the blanket over her chest, Tamsin could tell she was shirtless. Tamsin let out an audible growl. Kiara chuckled from the doorframe behind her.

"Tamsin, what are you doing here?" Lauren asked in confusion; did she come here to take her back to the Fae?

"Visiting an old friend." Tamsin said in a dangerous tone and then they all heard the shower turn off.

"You know Randin?" Lauren asked confused yet again.

"Yes, apparently not as well as you, but we go way back." Tamsin said crossing her arms under her chest as Lauren blushed at her comment.

---

I pulled the bathroom door open releasing the heat from my shower into the room, and as the air exchanged I smelled a familiar scent of steel and snow. I quickly wrapped the towel around my form- even though I had undergarments I was still kinda modest, and stepped out before turning towards the main door. "Tamsin."

She was standing there with a pissed-off expression on her face. 'Ugh, I just can't catch a break…'

"Hey Kid, have a fun night?"

I cut my eyes at her, Kiara had to have told her what happened yesterday and she fuck'n wants to be petty-Betty right now? Fuck that. "Not as fun as yours, I'd imagine." I shot back and she instantly picked up on my dig at her time spent with the Succubus.

"How do you two know each other?" Lauren's voice called for my attention from the bed and I broke my eye contact with Tamsin as I answered.

"She was my Mentor when I was young."

"Tamsin…was your mentor?" Lauren asked just as confused as Bo had been when she found out.

"Yeah Doc, laugh it up, Bo and Kenzi already have." Tamsin said once more in a short tone. It was fairly obvious she was displeased with the attachment the Doctor had to the young wolf, and somewhere deep- like Mariana trench deep buried under her current raging anger- Tamsin knew that this attachment thing was temporary and Randin only did it to save the Light Doctor's sanity. But that did not mean she had to like it.

"No I didn't mean-" Lauren started but I cut her off.

"Ignore her, she's molting." I said in a stony tone. "You can shower if you'd like Lauren, I'm sure Kiara can find you some better fitting clothes. I need to finish getting ready though." I looked past Tamsin to Kiara who releases a loud sigh.

"Fine! I have to miss the second best showdown of a century, but whatever, I'll go find the some Doctor clothing…" Kiara said exasperatedly as she turned to wander down the hall to find something akin to Doctor clothing.

My eyes immediately drop when she mentions the 'second best showdown', knowing she's referring to me and my sister, yesterday. Tamsin must have noticed the shift in my attitude because I felt in a shift in hers, her anger instantly disappeared and her aura became soft.

"Yeah, I think a shower sounds nice." Lauren said as she began to look for her shirt. But it was at the foot of the bed, so I walked forward and retrieved it for her.

"I won't go anywhere." I said giving her a smile that she returned, before I turned away and walked past Tamsin into the closet. I heard Lauren close the bathroom door a moment later and the shower kick on, and I sensed Tamsin follow me in to the closet.

I look around the closet for something to wear and I'm at a loss. The closet becomes stagnant with all the things left unsaid between us right now, then she breaks the silence.

"How are you?"

I stare blankly in front of me and I answer honestly. "I just killed my sister less than twenty-four hours ago…I- I don't…I can't feel right now. I don't know…"

She remains quite a moment knowing how much I had been dreading this day and I choose to end the silence as tears warp my vision. "I could have stopped….I did…but then I knew she wouldn't have, so I didn't."

Tamsin was quite a for long time; I knew she always wanted me to stand up to Tala and she was probably happy on some level that I finally had but she wouldn't ever say it out loud now. I heard her soft footsteps on the carpet as she drew closer. At first she lamely placed a hand on my shoulder but then she took a step closer and slipped her hand down my arm and gripped my hand as her other arm slipped around my neck and pulled me back into her. I reached up and gripped her forearm tightly and immediately buried my face in her arm as my cold tears began to burn trails down my cheeks.

"I didn't want to…but she-…she wouldn't have stopped…God Tamsin, what have I done…"

I said in a broke voice in between my silent sobs that racked my chest, causing even more pain. She tightened her grip on me and I felt her plant a kiss on the side of my neck. "You did what you had to do. I know it hurts you Kid, but even if you had stopped, she would have forced your hand in the end. Fighting your kin is never easy…" She said with regret coating her words, "I could have Mentored you for a thousand years and it still would not have prepared you for this kind of pain, and believe me when I say, I'd do anything to take it from you. I'm sorry Randin…"

"I just- I just feel so disgusted with myself- I feel so cold inside. But, there's also something else…I can't tell what that part of me feels, and that scares me…"

I crane my neck and look back at her and I can see that she's conflicted inside. I know this isn't her area of expertise, but I'm glad she's here. I turn around fully and embrace her crashing us together; it causes a spark of brief pain in my scars but even as a fresh wound, that pain was nothing compared to the pain I'm feeling now.

She tenses but I feel her arms instantly close around me as if I triggered a bear trap; and I break. I bury my head in her neck and my tears soak her skin. I feel her hand tangle in my hair and her other hand grip the back of my towel as she, for a brief moment, pulls us even tighter together. "You didn't do anything wrong Randin. I know you bear this with a heavy heart and I'm sorry, I truly am."

"I killed her! Tamsin I-"

"Shh- Shh." She plants a kiss just above my ear, "Just don't talk right now. It will only delay the pain if you say it out loud. It's better to grieve in the presence of others feeling the same pain… Trust me Kid; it only hurts worse if you grieve alone."

We stand there and her arms stay around me. The next few minutes stretch out like decades and the rest of the world falls away. I listen to her words and it's hard to focus at first but her firm voice is soothing and pulls me back in, and I listen. On some level her words are making sense but I also feel that I haven't lived long enough to fully understand their meaning, but I trust her with my soul, so I listen and slowly calm myself down.

I slowly pull away and look up at her, "Thanks for coming back."

Her brow tightens and I catch my own unintended double meaning at my words. I wasn't trying to get a dig in at her for leaving before…but thankfully she understood that was not my purpose.

"Of course," Her hand that is still tangled in my hair slowly unweaves itself and I'm in awe as she traces my jaw line now. "It's the least I can do, after everything you've done." I immediately sense where this conversation is moving as she reaches down to my towel. Her eyes never leave mine and she pulls it loose, "How are you healing?"

The towel falls around my ankles and I clinch my jaw as my scar comes into full view for her. "Well enough, but it's going to scar…" I cast my eyes down ashamed of my markings. I feel her hand's feather-light touch dance across my top most markings.

Tamsin's jaw clinches as she once again takes in the angry red markings on my chest. They are all healed over, but the oddly textured skin that is left behind cannot be mistaken for anything other than a scar.

As I stared at the floor I realize that all of the bystanders had probably seen my scar when I had shifted during my fight with Tala. "…they all saw it. My scar, the only proof that I am weaker than someone…" I say in a hollow voice showing that I'm not only filled with the anguish of my sister's death, but also the shame of the other's seeing my weakness.

"Weaker than someone?" Tamsin asked as her eyes turned up towards my face again. "Randin, you faced down a Demi-God, and won. This is no sign of weakness." Tamsin continued as she pulled my chin back up to look at her. "If anything this is the most profound sign of strength I've ever seen. You faced down a man that the God's feared they could not defeat, and you walked away from it."

I see her unyielding determination radiating in her eyes; a look in her eyes that tells me she will never let me view these scars as anything less than a sign of strength. "Is that what you think of them?" A silence looms between us for a few moments as Tamsin gathers her thoughts.

"I'm not going to say I'm proud you got them. I should be the one with markings like that, I should have felt that pain…and I can't express to you, how sorry I am that you have to bare them. But no one will make you feel ashamed of these, Randin. I'll tear their soul from their body if they do." Tamsin's stature read that she wouldn't think twice to kill anyone who made me feel ashamed of these scars.

"I don't regret what I did." I took a deep breath and I felt the anxious feelings of the others seeing my scar fade away. "I wouldn't do anything differently."

After a second she cracks a smile, "Well then, this has been a pointless heart-warming conversation. Never going to forgive you for making me dredge through that one."

Of course she'd have a wise-crack waiting in the wings. I give her a half smile before I shuffle backwards and kick my towel to the edge of the closet. "You probably won't forgive me for this either, but will you help me find something to wear? I don't feel like wearing black, I always wear black."

"Then don't wear black, wear a different color." I let out a sigh, there's not much more to wear to a funeral but black. "Why not wear her favorite color? It was dark green or something, right?"

I chuckle at Tamsin's lack of attention even after spending fourteen years together. I know she and Tala didn't get long- throughout any of those years, but you'd think she'd at least pick up on some stuff. "No, it was red, ironically enough." I said making the mental connection between our eye's when we shift and Tala's favorite color.

"Figures, crazy bull-of-a-bitch." Tamsim mumbled out before seeing me look at her with a baffled expression.

"Did you just compare my sister to a bull?"

"It's a pretty good analogy from my position, every time I entered the room, she got angry." Tamsin said with a shrug, making a very valid point referencing their relationship.

"I hate to say it, but in my sister's defense you never really tried to get along with her."

"I my defense, I knew she was a bitch."

I reach my arm around and give her a firm 'thump' across her abdomen. "Come on, I need to find something to wear." I reach forward and pull some black slacks off of a bottom hanger and I hear Tamsin sigh as she looks around the closet. She steps across the closet and pulls something off two different hangers, when I turned around she was holding out a red silk blouse and a black suit vest.

"Try this."

I take the silk blouse from her and slip it over my head where its cool texture rests on my shoulders, and then I slip my arms through. I step in front of the hanging mirror and study how it looks; it's tight but not distractingly so; its coloring wasn't too bright or too dark, it was the perfect crimson color Tala would have liked. A smile flutters across my face as I think of Tala's approval of the shirt. Tamsin moves to stand behind me and hands me the black vest. I take it and slip it over my shirt, I leave it unbuttoned as I debate if I like it or not.

"What do you think, vest or no vest?"

Tamsin's eye dance across my figure in the mirror and there's a tint in her eye that I'm not use to. "I vote vest. I know you don't want to wear black, but too much red might send the wrong message."

I chuckle, but her logic is sound. "Yeah, I guess you're right." I reach down and button the vest over my shirt, and it does look better. It was weird seeing my red scars streaking across in between the openings of the collar of my shirt; it was almost as if they tried to blend the opening of my shirt with my skin. But Tamsin was right, I won't be ashamed of them today, today was Tala's day.

Tamsin reached forward and softly linked our hands together. I met her eye in the mirror and curled my lip up in an effort to smile as the weight of the situation start to settle on my shoulders again. She moved forward and rested her chin on my shoulder as she gripped my other hand and curled our linked arms around the front of my torso, effectively holding me against her again. I relax back into her and let her bare my weight.

"I would bare your burdens if I could."

I give her an endearing smile and I nuzzled my head up into hers, she gives me a half-hearted scowl in return.

"Randin are you- Oh, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." The Doctor's voice came from the entrance of the closet and Tamsin turned her head to glare dangerously at the Doctor as she slowly uncoiled herself from me.

"It's okay, what do you need?" I said calmly as walk towards the door. I can practically feel Tamsin's dramatic eye roll. I didn't know the history between Tamsin and the Doctor but Tamsin didn't seem the least bit pleased she was here.

"Your friend dropped off some clothes, but I just didn't see you when I walked out, so I got worried…I know it's silly-"

"Oh, boo-hoo."

"No it's not. It took me longer than I thought to find an outfit, I'm sorry." Tamsin and I spoke at the same time, but I tried to keep my attention focused on Lauren.

I watch Lauren's eyes dance over me, "You look nice."

"Thanks, Tamsin gave me the idea of wearing Tala's favorite color today, so this is what we came up with." I said shrugging. Lauren tried giving me a smile but the mention of my sister made her flinch away slightly as the memory of the terror my sister made her feel. "You can stay here if you'd like, I can have someone I trust stand guard." I say soothingly.

She considers it for a moment but I see the fright flash through her eyes at the thought of someone else protecting her. "No, I'd like to go. If that's okay…"

"Of course," I respond but in my mind I'm going over what will happen when I bring Doctor to the pyre. Many of the wolves will be mad about a human being at the pyre; this was something no human had witness since before the segregation of the Fae from humans. Also, the Doctor was under the protection of the Light Fae; not exactly the home team… Then other wolves would be additionally mad because they were loyal followers of Tala, and they will not want the Doctor there, she will be a constant reminder of what I fought my sister for, and that I had won.

Footsteps coming down the hall cause me to look towards the door. My Mother walks through the door moments later and out of reflex takes a deep breath and flicks her eyes to the Doctor. 'Uh-oh', is the only thought I can pick out of my brain as it begins to buzz with panic and embarrassment. By the scent any wolf could easily distinguish what happened in the bed last night.

"I'm glad to see you've both showered and washed the stench of this room off of you. But we must leave soon or else it will linger on all of us, and that would just be awkward, would it not Randin?" She says with a playful smirk on her face before she closes the gap between us and pulls me into a hug while placing a kiss on my cheek. "Hello Sweetheart," She leaned back and gave her usual love filled smile in place of the playful one, "you look nice."

Tamsin tilts her neck to the side and pop's her neck at my Mother's comment about the smell of the room, and I'd swear that she held her breath as she walked towards the door. The look of agitation was very readable on her face.

"Thanks Mom and no teasing…you know I had too…" I mumble out as I feel my neck start to flush; which was nothing compared to the stark red Doctor right now, who was trying to use her hair as a curtain and hide away from the world.

"I know," She paused with the smile still on her face as both of her hands came up to cup my face, "Tis still a good thing though, the Counsel had requested the presence of both you and the Doctor."

"The Counsel? But what about Tala's pyre? I'm not going to miss it." I said in a demanding tone.

"I know Sweetheart, I told them we had a death of a prominent family member and they agreed to delay the meeting until this afternoon. They were very keen on seeing the both of you today."

I looked over to Lauren and she was staring at a stop on the floor with a stormy look in her eyes, raging between worry and fear. I knew she needed someone to root her, make her feel safe…but then in the moment I decided to let her come to me if needed. This would help ease the attachment between us, hopefully. From the sounds of this Counsel meeting the Light were going to take the Doctor back into their possession.

I look back to my Mother and her expression is now sad. "The pyre is ready Randi'."

My head numbly bobs up-and-down in the nodding motion but I barely feel it. "The Doctor has expressed interest in coming. I told her she could remain here guarded or come with me."

"You should have said 'would'." She says as she looks over at the Doctor once more. "Congratulations Doctor Lewis, you are about to witness something no human as witnessed since the segregation of Fae culture from Human."

"Thank you, I will show nothing but respect for your loss." Lauren said bowing her head.

"Thank you for the gesture, but your presence there will be doing the exact opposite." Hel responded in an even tone, showing that she would tolerate the human's presence but she wouldn't be happy about it.

"No I- I'm sorry, your right. It's foolish of me to go. I'll stay here." Lauren amended quickly, realizing the problems she would cause coming to the pyre burning.

"You can come Lauren; I think it's extremely brave of you to want to show respect to my sister after she treated you like that."

She shook her head from side-to-side, "No, your Mother is right, I don't want to cause more trouble…"

"It's fine Miss Lewis, you may come. Nothing will happen I assure you, no one is stupid enough to challenge Randin now." My Mother responded in an even tone, letting Lauren know she understood the situation and would deal with anyone who tried to make an issue of it.

I took hold of her hand reassuring her that it was okay and we followed my Mother out of the room. I did not miss Tamsin's dramatic eye roll as we passed before she turned to follow us as well.

We reach the outside patio and we pause at the threshold. I found my Father standing by the pyre with a lit torch in hand. Around him is a sea of black; all of the wolves here grieving, and to my surprise some red garments speckled throughout. As soon as he sees me he lowers the torch to the bottom pieces of kindling and the fire slowly spreads along the bottom. We walk forward and the crowd parts for us, I hear some murmurs of the wolves angry that the human and Valkyrie is here, others are just angry at me. Several of the wolves dare to release a low growl at me and I feel the Doctor tense against me before I release a low threatening growl in response, and they back away.

"I dare you." I turn and look to see that one of the wolves had been pushed back forcefully into others. One of them I guess stepped to close when my back was turned and Tamsin forcefully placed herself in between, promising to strike with the force of a storm if anyone stepped any closer.

I turned back and soon Mother, Father, and I stand there in the front row and watched as the flames grew along the pyre. I watched as my sister's figure disappears behind the flames and I felt the cool trails of tears making their way down my face. I feel Laruen's grip tighten around my hand as she watches me fall apart. The pain wrecking my heart causes me to shake but just like my tears, I do nothing to stop it. I deserve this pain.

We stand there a long while before I snap out of my unfocused haze and tune into what's going on around me. Whimpers are rising from the crowd slowly like a chorus. I look around the circle standing closest to the fire and then over to my Father; it was time. But he's staring at me and he gives me a small head nod telling me to do it. I take a deep shaky breath and tilt my head back and let out a high pitched howl, it vibrates my chest in a different way than my roar does.

Then my parents join in and slowly the rest of the pack. The sound of it is powerful and fills the silent air surrounding the fire. When I finally run out of breath I once again relax my neck to watch the trance inducing flames as the pack continues to sing…