Play Nice

The next morning was thick with strained silence, at least is was so for Sivanna. She sat by the fire, fiddling. She broke branches into sticks, and sticks into twigs. The memory of what had transpired the evening before played continuously in her mind. Where had all that madness come from? Also, why in oblivion had she truly believed that Vilkas chose her as his mate? Confusion swirled through her, what should she truly be feeling? Should she be angry with him for lying? Filled with sadness, since they were not lovers? Happy that he had decided to be honest? Or should she be afraid of him? It was obvious that Sivanna did not know what he was capable of. To learn that Vilkas had used her, lied to her... and then traced her skin with his lips... What does he truly want? The thought of him intentionally harming her now, just did not seem likely. Even then, when he had attacked her, there had been a purpose. Still, Sivanna had not survived this long by being careless. Best to keep my guard up, she thought.

Sivanna's beast had been unusually quiet about their situation. Surely, the wolf was disappointed, wanting so badly to be at her alpha's side as his equal. I have sadness for you, she told the wolf, yet perhaps this is best. The beast did not reply, sullen and lonesome as she was, she remained stubborn. Sivanna sighed. Not even her own beast would speak with her, this was the most alone she had been since before Arnbjorn had taken her in. She shook her head, wishing to be rid of every memory of him.

"Ear mites?", Vilkas teased. It was so unlike him to joke, that she actually smiled.

"Gods, no. Though just as irritating."

"What ails you?"

Sivanna shot him a look, to which he replied with an indignant shrug as he sat across the fire from her. Dagger in hand, he began carving staves for arrows. "I did not ask out of curiosity."

Sivanna snorted. "Are you saying you meant to be polite?"

Vilkas flicked his eyes to hers, then back to his work. What is he playing at? The Vilkas she knew never bothered himself with being polite. Feelings were beneath him. Perhaps she should indulge him.

"I-I was doing my best to make sense of thing..."

"Aye, and?"

Sivanna cocked her head, it was almost as though he had known what she would say.

"There is still too much that I do not yet know."

"Ask."

Her eyes widened. Did he just...

"Take too long and I may change my mind." he said, eyes still fixed on his staves.

Flustered, Sivanna rambled off her questions. "Why have you never told me that Arnbjorn sired you? What changed in you to decide to tell me now? What could possibly make you think that attacking me and then vanishing would be for the best? Does the rest of the pack know? If so, what do they think of your transgressions?"

Vilkas raised an eyebrow. "That all?"

Sivanna stared at the ground, face flushed. "No. Why... why kiss me?"

The almost humor in his face disappeared, replaced with the more familiar scowl. "How am I to answer all of them at once?"

"I only did what you told me." Sivanna answered.

Vilkas sighed, putting down the dagger and stave. Resting his forearms on his knees, he lifted his face to meet her gaze. "As you wish. I will answer a question for you, but in turn you must answer one of my own."

Sivanna couldn't think of anything that would be important enough for him, but she agreed to his terms.

"So, why did you not tell me about your history with Arnbjorn before now?"

"I had a mind to once, and I was getting to it. That day in the training grounds. Of course, nothing went as I had planned."

"Why not try harder?"

"Ah ah." he said, shaking his head slightly. "My turn. Why have you stayed with my pack?"

"I... I had never been accepted by anyone before, other than Arnbjorn. When I joined you, I felt as though I could finally be honest. No more hiding. Also, I had never met another like myself."

Vilkas said nothing, but Sivanna noticed his jaw was firmly clenched. "What made you want to tell me all of this now?"

"You deserve the truth, you always have. Only... these are things that... trouble me. I have always known that I should tell you, and yet things are never that easy."

"Is it me that makes it difficult for you?"

"Partly." he nodded. "Now, what were you hoping to find in the woods that night, when we found you?"

Sivanna frowned. "Find? I was only enjoying the night. I searched for nothing."

"Is that so? Hmph. As you say."

"When we return, are you going to... banish me?"

It was Vilkas's turn to frown. "And why would I do that? After yester-evening, you still believe I would force you out?"

"I don't know, I never know what you are going to do."

He chuckled. "No, lass. I'll not make you leave. Truly... I would prefer you to stay." He seemed uncomfortable as he said the last part.

Sivanna pondered that for a moment before continuing. "When I kissed you in the cave... and again the next morning... why did you not stop me?"

"Stop you? Do you feel that you need to be stopped?"

"N-no. I just... why would you let me?"

"Why would I not? It isn't as though you resemble a hagraven, indeed you are... beautiful."

"What is wrong with you?" she blurted. "You are not yourself. You're being... almost kind, and flattering. What is to be gained?"

Vilkas sat up abruptly. "Gained? What do you think I am?"

"In a word? Confusing."

Vilkas snorted. "Girl, you make it hard to play nice."

Sivanna opened her mouth only to be interrupted by him. "You get one more, and that will be all."

She thought for a moment, wanting to be sure she asked the right question. "Vilkas, what do you want from me?"