"What are these half-breeds doing at a council meeting?" A wolf named Zirconis growled gesturing to Natsu, Fuyumi and Gajeel.
The pack had gathered its adult members to discuss the eastern packs intrusion into their territory.
"They are a part of this pack and they are the ones who found and drove off the intruders." Igneel announced staring down the offending Lycan.
"They have just as much right to be here as any of us." said a tall and fierce man with slicked back hair the color of metal. A few other members nodded in agreement. "Not to mention they have impressive alpha potential. They are among the strongest fighters and hunters and have more than earned their place in this pack."
"Thank you Metalicana." Igneel said gesturing for the Lycan to take a seat.
Natsu and Fuyumi looked in awe at the high praise coming from the Lycan. Gajeel also looked moved by his adoptive father's statement. What surprised them more was the number of Lycans that voiced their agreement.
"For those of you who don't know members of the eastern Lycan pack were found attacking shifters from Magnolia on our territory. Natsu, Fuyumi, Gajeel and Erza were able to intercept them and send them all back to their own territories." Igneel continued.
"What?!" exclaimed one Lycan, "I didn't realize that shifters had been trespassing as well. What were they doing in the forest?"
"It seems one of them followed my brother and me into the forest. Two of her friends came in after her to take her back home." Fuyumi answered.
"You two were supposed to make it in and out of Magnolia without being seen. It seems it is your fault we had trespassers." one female snarled.
"What was that?!" Natsu said jumping to his feet.
"You heard me if wasn't for you two bumbling your mission we wouldn't have had this problem." The female snapped.
"I will admit that the shifters' coming into our territory is the fault of Natsu and Fuyumi but the other Lycans that trespassed are not. Besides I believe the shifters had no ill intentions." Erza explained.
"What makes you think that?" asked Atlas an older Lycan with gray streaked red hair.
"Not once did the shifters attack any of our pack members. They even helped drive off the eastern Lycans." Gajeel added. "Once they made sure their friend was safe they went right back to Magnolia."
"What about the eastern Lycans? Which of their members were trespassing?" Metalicana asked.
"Zancrow was one of them." said Natsu.
"As well as Azuma and Kaine Hikaru." Fuyumi finished.
Murmurs ran through the meeting hall at the mention of the Lycans' names. The three were known to be good trackers and their alpha often sent them out as an infiltration team.
"That means they are more than likely trying to spy on our pack. No doubt their alpha is trying to find a way to gain our territory." Igneel thought out loud. "We will have to double our patrols. I want to make sure there are no holes in our defenses. Let's start by forming some new teams for patrol."
As the pack selected new teams Natsu noticed his sister was deep in thought.
"What's up?" he asked her under his breath.
"I was just wondering what he is up to?" Fuyumi mumbled. "I mean why now? It has been almost five years since the last time he attacked our pack."
Natsu growled at the memory. It had been Fuyumi and his first night on patrol. Acnologia, the alpha of the eastern pack, had broken through their borders and attacked their patrol team dragging his sister off into his territory. It was well known that he despised half-breeds. Igneel had organized the pack and attacked trying to get his daughter back. It wasn't until several days later that Fuyumi, bruised and bloody, was let go. She wouldn't talk about what had happened but the proof was there for all to see. Acnologia had marked her claiming her for his own but not fully making her his mate.
Being marked was a huge deal for a Lycan. Lycans mate for life and marking was one way to solidify that bond. By marking her like he did Acnologia had made it impossible for Fuyumi to find her mate. The only way for her to be rid of him was for another male to fight Acnologia for her. Finding a mate was hard enough for a half breed but to find one that would fight a powerful alpha for her would be even harder.
"Natsu and Fuyumi you will join Erza and Gajeel for the midnight patrol." Igneel said bring Natsu out of his thoughts, "Metalicana your team will check our defenses. Does everyone understand their assignments?"
With no other questions everyone started filing out of the meeting hall. Igneel walked over to Fuyumi concern written across his face.
"Will you be ok?" he asked her.
"Yes sir, I'm part of this pack and I want to do everything I can to defend it." Fuyumi replied standing a bit taller.
"Alright then," Igneel smiled as he watched his oldest daughter exit the building. "I know you will have her back son." Igneel turned to Natsu. "Both of you be safe out there."
Clapping his hand on Natsu's shoulder they both headed out of the meeting hall.
%%%%%
Lucy and Levy walked back to her house stopping to get some pizza for dinner.
"I can't wait to get back to your place and read more of this book!" Levy exclaimed as she hugged it close to her chest. "Don't you think it's fascinating? Lucy?"
"I was just thinking the lycans in the forest called the one who saved me half breeds. Do you think they could be werewolves like in the book?" Lucy asked her friend.
"It's possible. The book says that werewolves are children of a shifter and a Lycan so that would make them half-breeds." Levy replied. "Why do you have such an interest?"
"I don't know. The Lycans I met saved me and my dad has always told me how cruel and violent they are. I can't help but think it's all just a big misunderstanding." Lucy reviled.
"I don't know Lu it could be." Levy said.
Arriving at Lucy's house they made their way up the steps. Opening the door Lucy called out "I'm home."
"Welcome home Princess how was studying?" her maid Virgo asked walking out into the foyer.
"Good Virgo. Levy and I picked up pizza for dinner." Lucy said as she hung up her coat.
"Sounds good Princess is there anything I can do for you?" the maid asked
"Nope we're good." Lucy replied as they headed up to her room.
Levy and Lucy headed up the stairs walking past the many rooms until they came to Lucy's. Levy walked in sitting the book on a desk in front of a large window overlooking the backyard and the forest behind it. Lucy gazed out the window at the forest wondering if he was out there right now.
"So far we have found out about the differences between Lycans and Shifters. What else are you curious about?" Levy asked Lucy as she opened the book. "Hey I found an index at the back."
Lucy came over to the desk reading the book with her friend. "Origins, Anatomy/Physiology, Forms, Mates there are so many topics where should we start?"
"Well we could start with mates." Levy waggled her eyebrows.
Lucy shoved her friend playfully. "I think we can save that for later how about we start where we left off at the library."
Levy skimmed down the page finding where they had left off. "Werewolves' human forms differ somewhat than that of regular Lycans. Their canines remain sharp and slightly elongated. They also retain their heightened sense of smell whereas a full blooded Lycan's senses dull somewhat in their human form."
The two continued reading the book soaking up as much information as they could from the pages. When they reached the page about mates Lucy moved to skip it but Levy stopped her.
"Hey look! It says here that they mate for life." Levy read.
Curious Lucy read on, "Lycans are completely loyal to their mate and choosing one is not done lightly. If two Lycans have interest in each other it starts with a courting period. Interest is shown with a lick to the muzzle which is returned if the other party has interest as well."
"Wow there is a lot of detail here." Levy said reading on, "If a male wishes to court a female that is already being courted he has to fight her suitor and win, then the female has to accept him."
At that moment Levy's cellphone rang interrupting the bluenette from her reading. "It's Cana." She said as she answered her phone. "Hey what's up? I'm at Lucy's house right now. I don't know let me see." Turning to Lucy she asks, "Cana wants to know if she can come over is that all right with you?"
"Of course," Lucy replied, "the more the merrier."
Levy turned back to her phone. Lucy turned to look out her window facing the forest, deep in thought.