Alex's POV:

Amber and Kayla were in Keidran, yet again. I had avoided mentioning it, but I think they got the point that it annoys me. Amber skipped up to my side, a look of worry crossing her face, before she forced it out. "Alex, I have something I need to tell you." We both stopped walking, Kayla nearly slamming into Amber. "Alex, don't freak out, but something that happens to us every once in a while is happening... i'm going into heat."

Amber's POV:

Alex turned to me, obviously confused at the statement. Then, something clicked in his head. His eyes snapped wide for a second, then went back to their normal state. He sighed and asked, a panicked tone in his voice. "So that happens with you guys… I half expected this at one point or another." I replied "Well, that's somewhat of a relief."

Just standing next to him, I was sort of drawn to him. I took a step away. "Sorry. It's hard to control the… urges. It's been going on for around two days now. I didn't want to have to tell you."

Alex walked to me and rested his arms on my shoulders. "Whatever it is, no matter how difficult, I'm sure we can get through it." His words caused a heat to flow into my face. Screw it. I grabbed Alex's face, being careful of the claws, and pulled his lips to mine.

We sat there for a few seconds, letting it sink it. So many different emotions were flowing through my mind. I was the first to pull away, a look of shock still visible on his face. Kayla said from the side, "That's not something you see every day…" Alex turned to her, and said flatly "What?" "Kayla looked back in slight amusement, replying, "A Keidran kissing someone, let alone a human."

A warmth yet again came to my face, and upon a short glance, his face was a shade of red. The feeling of the kiss came back, deepening the feeling. No! I will not let this control me. I shook the thoughts away, focusing on the task at hand. We are close to the nearest town. Hopefully the news of us hasn't made it there yet. As if almost reading my mind, Alex asked "How close are we to the nearest town?" Before I could reply, Kayla answered "We should be able to make it there by nightfall."

The sun was getting low, and I just wanted to be off of this island.

We reached the outside edge of the town, half expecting to be charged by Templar. Luckily, none approached us. Straight away I asked "Alex, can you go find some cuffs? Alex found them, and handed them to me. He understood what I was doing, but asked "Is this really necessary? And what about Kayla?" as he helped me slip the cuffs on, leaving room for them to be slipped off.

"I'll wait here. Just go find some other cuffs. Let's get this over with." Was her reply. Alex led me into town while Kayla stayed behind to wait. We went to a supply shop, and forked up the coins required for the bindings. We also conveniently stopped to buy a few mana crystals. On our way back, a thought crossed my mind. What If the Templar were really here? No. They couldn't be… could they?

Kayla's POV

This should work… I clawed my way up the nearest tree, avoiding drawing attention to myself. It was uncomfortable, but It would have to do for the time being. The traitorous thoughts that had been crossing my mind less and less, but it was still tempting. If I were to, it would be soon. After all, where can I hide on a boat?

Suddenly, a sight coming down the pathway nearly made me lose my footing. My claws dug furiously into the surrounding branches, trying to keep myself in the air. Of all the people- Templar. They were few, but armed with swords and reserve mana crystals. I have to warm them… Being careful to not arouse any suspicion, I carefully lowered myself from the tree. I can't be seen like this! Without any cuffs? I waited until Alex and Amber were close.

I threw the small rock, and Alex's head tore away from Amber's gaze, facing towards where I was. Or rather, where the templar were coming from. As soon as Alex caught sight of the approaching men, he immediately pulled Amber away from the street.

Alex's POV:

Amber hissed at me, unexpectedly- especially from a Fox. I nodded silently toward the pathway. Amber slowly moved her head out, and caught sight of the approaching men. The look on her face confirmed what I had thought to have recognised- Templar.

We need to find Kayla. I suspect that rock to have been her. Suddenly, something touched me from behind. I drew my knife, and to my relief Kayla was standing behind me. She had an innocent smile on her face, not even flinching when I instinctively drew my knife. "So. Templar are here." "Yeah. I had gathered. Thanks for the rock, by the way." I replied sarcastically. The smile didn't leave Kayla's face. "No problem!" She said back happily. It set me on edge by how she didn't seem worried. "You are seriously concerning me. Why are you so happy all of a sudden?" I asked, confused. "Well, for one, I like to see some good action. And two, I have a way out of here."

"Oh, really?" I asked, half surprised. She led us away from the side of the building, snapping her cuffs on loosely. Sigh. Guess it's the only way around. Kayla lead us through town, nearly pulling me over on several occasions. We earned several nervous glances, including a "Well, it's not everyday that you see a wolf dragging its master around town."

We came to the docks in only a few short minutes- yet again, reminding me of my old life and how much smaller these towns really are. I cringed at the thoughts of my old life, my memories still haunting me.

Kayla came to another Keidran and its master near the edge of the docks. He asked something In Keidran, and earned a short reply from Kayla. They sat for a few seconds in silence. The male keidran eyed me suspiciously, looking Amber and I up and down. Kayla drew his attention back to her, speaking rapidly.

He nodded towards the man holding his ropes, and Kayla slowed her tone. After about a minute of aimless eavesdropping, Kayla turned back. Alright, we're all set. "What- how?" I asked. "I told you, I have connections." Amber had rested her head on my shoulders. "We are in public…" I whispered. Her head immediately shot off of my shoulder before anyone could see.

I still don't like the thought of these 'basitins'.

Fast forward several hours, we began to board the boat. We stood on the deck while Kayla finalised our rooms. That's when I remembered- If i'm sharing a room with Amber… and this heat thing… As if sensing my thoughts, she leaned on my shoulder and reassured me. "Don't worry. I should be able to control this." She said confidently. Kayla strided over and informed us of our rooms. The boat was finally leaving port. From the side of the boat, we heard shouting. I recognised the source of the noise immediately as the men that had chased us out of the inn. They all had their swords drawn, and were angrily sprinting down the docks towards the boat. Lucky. The boat was far away that they could do nothing but stand and yell. Luckily, nobody seemed to notice.

Amber and I headed below deck to our room. According to her, this journey would be a long few weeks. We strode down the stairs, and down a long hallway that seemed to span the entire length of the stopped just short of the staircase to the next floor down. When in our room, I questioned Amber. "So, what's with this 'heat' thing?"

She was obviously uncomfortable with the subject, but decided it fit that I was to know. "You obviously know what it is. We go through it every few weeks to months, but it hasn't been to bad for me lately. But, it's harder when you're around your partner." Amber's hands immediately shot up to her mouth. I could feel my face turning red. Amber went back to her talking, but not after muttering "Discard that…"

"But as I was saying before… that… it's harder when you… are around people. I'm not old enough to the point where heat to be too difficult, but I have a feeling this time is going to be worse."

Amber's POV:

The more he listened, the more apparent his scent became. I tried to draw my focus away from it, unsuccessfully. As we sat on the bed, he asked "How old are you, exactly?" I replied "I should be around 8 and a half to nine by now. I have never been allowed to keep track."

I brought my gaze up, only to hear a loud Thud. I looked over, and Alex was unconscious on the floor. Right… 'not from around here…' I woke him in the usual manner, by placing my claws on his face and flexing them. He shot upright, and stared into my green eyes in shock.

"Y-you're nine?" He stammered. "Sorry, but I forgot to mention- we Keidran usually only live to be about 25 years old." Alex's expression instantly calmed down. I leaned down to him, feeling my instincts start to take over. Suddenly, a loud knock sounded at the door, snapping me from my state.

Alex stood up, seemingly uncertain. He eyed his knife as I sat innocently on the bed. He opened the door, and whoever was on the other side seemingly surprised him..

Alex's POV:

The wolf stood at the door, and I immediately recognized it as Kayla. I had half expected it, considering the usual Keidran attire, or rather, lack of, yet I was still surprised. Kayla wasn't wearing anything. It was brought to my attention that unlike Amber, she was very muscular.

I was suddenly able to understand how she nearly beat me in a fight. "Hey, eyes up here." She said, just quiet enough that Amber's sensitive ears would miss it. "Food is the next floor down if you're hungry, but It should be left at your door."

Sorry, I am unsure about what happened with today's chapter. I think I accidentally posted a duplicate, but here is the chapter that was supposed to be our 12 hours ago. Sorry about that, let me know if I screw up again (I check the reviews often). On the bright side, expect a chapter up in another 12 hours. Sorry, Im not sure how it slipped by me.