AN: OMG! I had so many new followers and reviews! You guys are amazing! I'm surprised how many Kouga lovers we have out there! This chapter was hard for me to write. Mainly because I love both Inu and Kouga, but here it is! I hope you all love it. I tried to reply to all of you last time. To my new guest reviewers I see you guys as well and thank you just as much! Leave me lots of love again okay?!

Chapter 10

When the door shut, Inuyasha closed his eyes for a moment, silently weaving together a seal to close off the exits. He refused to have any disturbances while he interrogated his beta. When he finished he regarded the prostrated form of his beta with a hard glare. Kneeling, he lowered himself in front of the other male. His beta was struggling to hold himself up, his arms shaking and straining against the weight of his presence. He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. Fuck. He really didn't want to do this.

Ever so slightly, he relented his wolf, allowing his beta and friend to regain his composure. "What the hell Kouga? What were you even thinking? Did you think I wouldn't notice? Did you think I wouldn't be able to smell your all over her later?"

Kouga stared back at him, not saying a word and it only seemed to fuel his anger. "Fucking answer me, or so help me, Kouga-"

"I don't know what happened. I thought she was annoying, but..."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes dangerously. "But what? She is bonded—but nothing."

Kouga slowly pulled himself to his feet, his body still shaking with aftershocks of his Alpha's rage. Meeting Inuyasha's gaze he spoke honestly. "My wolf likes her."

It was dead silent, but Kouga could see the fury building again. He held up his hand. "Just listen to me for a minute."

The Alpha bit back a growl, his fist clenching so tight his knuckles bled white. He knew he wasn't going to like what Kouga had to say. "What?"

Kouga took a deep breath. "Yes, she is bonded, but by our laws, she is still able to choose another mate. Your scent isn't covering her. Your bond is weak. You haven't mated her yet. Why not give her to me, or better yet, let her choose?"

A snarl so fierce and savage Inuyasha was shocked it came from him at first. However, he could feel the wolf inside him breaking through. It wanted to rip Kouga's throat out for even suggesting he surrender his mate. The air sparked and thickened once more—his control slowly slipping. This wasn't up for discussion. Kagome was his mate and belonged to no one else.

"Make no mistake, Kouga. She is mine."

Kouga arched his brow in challenge. "Oh? Then why is it she smells more like me right now, than you?"

Kouga knew he shouldn't have said it the second it left his mouth, but it was too late. The damage had been done and Inuyasha lost what little bit of control he had been holding onto.

Using all her might, Kagome wrenched her wrist away from the slayer's iron tight hold. She wasn't going anywhere. She didn't know what exactly was going on, but she had a good idea and she refused to be locked away in his room and left to wait. She wasn't a child and was doing her best to understand the rules and regulations regarding her new position in the clan. So, why was she being thrown out? Especially when she was almost positive Inuyasha's mindless rage was entirely her fault.

She wasn't stupid. She had seen the look on his face when he found her locked in another's embrace.

She had felt his anger. Actually felt it. Hot, burning, and completely relentless as it filled the room. The atmosphere had practically thickened and sparked with his fury. And yet, he hadn't even spared her a glance. Something deep within her was uncomfortable with that fact. Was he so angry that he couldn't even look at her? The thought was unsettling, but if that was the case then shouldn't she be in the ballroom? This was her fault.

"I'm going back." She told the slayer, her eyes filled with determination. "He's angry with me and he's about to take it out on Kouga."

Kouga.

His intense glacier eyes, the eyes of a hunter, immediately filled her mind. There was something wild and untamed about him that both alarmed and charmed her. He had seemed so cold and detached when she had first met him, but today dancing with him had felt so natural and comfortable. At first, he had seemed a little more than put out by Sango's request, but he had gracefully relented. He had been patient and even kind, despite her atrocious dancing. He hadn't done anything wrong as far as she was concerned. He had been the perfect gentleman.

"Kouga is perfectly capable of handling himself, Kagome. Come on, let's go."

Sango started for the stairs again, her shoulders pulled back and her head held high. An air of authority and purpose surrounded the slayer and for the first time Kagome thought she didn't recognize her friend who had worked quietly beside her for months. No. This was an entirely different woman. She moved with purpose and her resolve to follow her orders was unwavering. Was obeying Inuyasha's rule that absolute?

Kagome narrowed her eyes, tearing her gaze away from Sango's retreating back. Well, Kagome had her own intentions and they didn't include following anyone's orders. Turning on her heal, she broke into a sprint and headed back down the hallway towards the ballroom. She heard Sango swear under her breath as she passed a row of beautiful impressionist paintings along the main corridor before the slayer called out to her angrily. Kagome didn't even look back as she rounded the corner pumping her arms harder, her feet landing lightly against the shining marble tiles. If she slowed or hesitated for a minute she knew Sango would catch up to her. The only way she was going to make it was by keeping her pace. Her heart was racing and she could hear the rush of her blood pounding through her veins as she approached the large gold encrusted doors.

Her eyes darted to the hall to her right, the sound of foot steps and soft words drawing her attention. Someone was coming up the hall. She pushed herself harder, her eyes fixing back on the magnificent doors. She didn't know who or what they wanted, but they wouldn't catch her.

Thrusting out her hands, they met the smooth surface of the twin doors with a thud. She frowned, not understanding why she couldn't push through them. Surely they weren't locked. She shoved harder, the doors refusing to budge under her weight. A savage growl erupted from within the ballroom, rattling the closed doors and Kagome froze. Flashes of Inuyasha's battle with the blood crazed vampire invaded her thoughts and her panic set in. He wouldn't go that far, would he? Kouga was his comrade, right?

"Kagome!" Sango yelled, flying around the corner. "Don't go in there!"

She ignored her, frantically trying to open the doors before her friend got to her and hauled her back upstairs. She had to get in that room! She had to explain that Kouga was innocent! Slamming her hands against the doors, she tried once more to force them apart.

"Open, dammit!"

As if on command, the doors fell open and she stumbled inside, barely catching herself as the doors closed quietly behind her. She didn't take the time to question the odd tingling in her hands and instead turned her attention to the room. The sun had retreated leaving the room in a pale dusky glow. Desperate brown eyes strained against the dim lighting as they searched the area. Then she felt the breath leave here as they landed on the two figures in the center of the ballroom. Two very large and inhuman figures.

No way...

White fur gleamed and shimmered through the shadows, the beast's silhouette a silvery sleek outline in the darkened room. It was large enough to be a full grown lion, yet held the shape of a wolf. It advanced toward the second creature, which appeared to be almost the mirror image in shape, but was lesser in size. The other exception was the wealth of lustrous onyx fur that shone like sleek black ice in the coldest of winters. She recognized the white wolf from her first visit to the mansion. She had seen its picture in the stairwell and recalled the warmth she had felt as she gazed into its eyes. However, no warmth flowed from this animal. Only rage.

It moved again, its steps powerful and majestic as it approached the black wolf. Dangerous lips curled back over flashing razor sharp teeth, a warning and a dare. The smaller wolf backed away, its held lowered in reverence.

"Know your place, Beta!" The white wolf roared and Kagome swallowed hard, her heart rate increasing ten fold as the voice that echoed in her head confirmed her suspicions. It was a voice she knew well. A voice that had heated her blood and flushed her face the night before.

This wolf was Inuyasha. Her future mate.

He stood before her in all his majestic splendor, completely and utterly breathtakingly beautiful. She had never seen anything so marvelous—glorious in her life! Her eyes turned and traced the obscure outline of the black wolf with wonder. That meant that the other wolf was Kouga. She took a hesitant step back, forcing herself to breath as she gathered her thoughts.

She was here for a reason. She was here to help Kouga.

Adrenaline flowed through her and she felt her feet force her forward again. Was she scared? Undoubtedly. She didn't know how Inuyasha was going to react in this form, but she didn't care. She had to fix this. So, she ran like she never had before, forcing her lungs to work hard, her legs to move faster, and her arms to pump more fiercely.

The silvery animal lunged, the motion like the fatal gleam of a knife under the rise of the moon and Kagome felt her heart almost stop as the wolf pinned the beta to the floor, his deadly jaws closing around the vulnerable neck of the black wolf.

"Inuyasha!" She cried, and saw the beast freeze before throwing a hard, cold golden glance out the corner of his eye. She thought she saw irritation and confusion reflected in those amber depths before she slammed into him hard. Her arms wrapped tightly around his soft neck as if her frail mortal body could hold him back. Her face buried into the creamy velvet of his white coat clutching him fiercely . "Please, stop! Don't do this! You don't want to do this! I know you don't!"

For a long moment he didn't move, the only noise the sound of his breathing and her soft sobbing. She wasn't sure when she had started crying, but she couldn't stop. Slowly, he released the beta and backed away his jewel like eyes burning as the landed on her. "Are you defending him? Do you understand what you're doing?"

She could hear the quiet anger in his voice as it entered her mind and she shuddered. A pain cold, yet searing, stabbed through her chest and she shut her eyes tightly at the implied accusation. "I need to be here. I have something to say."

A soft growl vibrated deep in within the wolfs chest, but she refused to release him. "Your words are pointless. He's going to be punished."

She shook her head meeting his gaze straight on, her tears clinging to her lashes like sparkling gems.

"It's me you're angry at. Not Kouga. I'm at fault. So, please. Please, don't hurt him."

The wolf simply stared at her his piercing gaze tearing into her. She lowered her head, one hand clasping in front of her as she tried to explain what happened.

"I fell and he caught me. It's my fault for being so clumsy. Please, Inuyasha. I couldn't bear it if someone was hurt over my own thoughtlessness. I'll do anything!"

The white wolf seemed to consider her words, tilting it's large head in thought. "Anything?"

She nodded silently. She was an intelligent woman and it had taken her little time to figure out what the real issue behind this situation might be. In her mind, the whole incident could have been avoided if she had simply done as Inuyasha had requested the previous night. Perhaps he wouldn't have attacked Kouga if he was certain his scent was prominent on her. He might have been more at ease knowing she would be spending her nights in his room. Despite her unwillingness, if it meant it would spare Kouga harm then she would agree.

"I will move in tonight."

Kouga shifted soundlessly on all fours, picking himself up off the floor as if to protest and Inuyasha gave a warning growl. It was heeded. The black wolf lowered its head in submission. Inuyasha fixed his eyes on her once more seeming to reach a decision. "Fine. I'll agree." He tossed a chilling glare at the smaller wolf. "Get out of here, Kouga, before I change my mind."

"It won't happen again." Kagome said gently, releasing the larger wolf, suddenly feeling shy and he snorted.

"You're damn right it won't. Keep your damn paws to yourself, Kouga. If I see you so much as sniff Kagome the wrong way your neck is mine. This is your only warning."

Kagome bit her lower lip as Kouga passed by her, not even glancing at her as he head for the door. She frowned following him with her eyes before feeling Inuyasha nudge her with his head. She turned her attention back to him, his gaze mesmerizing.

"You had better prepare yourself." He warned, nuzzling his face against her stomach and she relaxed a little at the touch. He was so very soft and she reached her hands up to dive into his fur. "I'm going to spend the rest of the night bathing you in my scent."

Her face flushed considerably at his words, her hands stilling. "You aren't serious! I-I don't think...I'm not ready, Inuyasha."

His soft chuckled echoed deep in her mind, a soothing balm against her anxious thoughts. "Don't worry. I understand you need time and I'm willing to give you that. However, when I find you in the arms of another wolf...I'm less willing to be patient." She felt him smirk. "Although, there are other ways to enjoy ourselves, Kagome."

She swallowed nervously, deciding it was time to change the subject. What bothered her the most was that she was actually looking forward to what might happen later that night in the solitude of his bedroom. But her timid heart was desperate for a different topic. Anything to steer the conversation to something less embarrassing and intimate. "Anyway, I wasn't expecting to see you like...this."

"And I wasn't expecting you to break through my seal—again." He left her and walked over to the door, examining it. "I don't understand how you managed to break through that. "

Kagome shrugged. "It was locked at one point, but I must have loosened it when I slammed into it. " She moved next to him, folding her arms over her chest. "I should probably get a head start on moving my things, right? Guess I'll be going too."

He glanced at her, silently studying her before asking the question that weighed heavy on his mind. "Are you scared of me in my true form?"

Kagome blinked. She honestly didn't feel frightened of him like this at all. Sure, he was intimidating at first and she had been wary, but he was still Inuyasha. He was still the same man who had held her throughout the night while she cried and the man who had kissed her heatedly the night before.

Smiling, she met his eyes. "If I was scared, you'd be able to smell it right? Or is it a lie that dogs can smell fear?"

He rolled his eyes and she giggled leaning down to kiss his head affectionately before leaving the room.

AN: Well, I'll admit, I'm not super happy with this chapter. But what do you think of Kagome's strange ability to blast through magical seals, hm? And is Kouga giving up? Who was in the hallway? How far will Inuyasha take things? More developments to come next chapter! Leave me lots of love again guys! You're all awesome. and remember... REVIEWS MAKE FOR FASTER CHAPTERS!