I crack my knuckles as I sit in the corner of my new cage.

"Peter…"

"Shut up, Seven."

"You're not a circus bear…"

"I said shut up."

"Listen, we will be out of this in a jiffy."

"I'm spose to believe that?"

"The Ursinus wants us caged, not the Ursavus. He promised to free us once we arrive in his territory."

"Do ya honestly believe that?"

"He gave us his word."

"His word means nothin'."

"You have to learn to trust, Peter."

"Shut up."

"Pete, this…"

"Shut up," I hiss. "Someone is coming."

Rustling announces an approach, the light footsteps stumbling closer. The smell of wolf fills the area along with fear, frustration, roasted meat and a sweetness I can't place. A muffled scream just outside the cage causes me to knock against the bars as I sniff at the air. A sly grin crosses Trent's face.

"Hello?"

I shake my head at Trent as he slides closer to the soft voice.

"What have you done to deserve bars, bears? You don't smell evil," they sniff, small hand outline presses against the bottom of the bars. "Slightly angry and sad but not evil."

Trent smirks over at me.

"Can you not speak? Come on. I know you're there. I smell you in there," the voice loses some of its airiness as she teases.

Trent's stomach rumbles at that moment.

"And I hear your stomach growling."

My stomach betrays me as the smell of cooked meat overpowers everything else and I realize I've moved closer.

"Both of you."

Half a cooked hare appears under the tarp covering the bars in front of each of us. I don't know what is more intoxicating the smell of the roasted meat or the scent of the wolf holding it. "I don't know why you're in there but you're hungry. I can help with half your problem.

"Thank you, Madam."

"You are welcome."

I eye the meat.

"Take it," Trent whispers.

"Come on. I could hear your stomach a mile away. I know what it's like to be hungry and in the dark. It sucks. I had a stranger be kind to me too."

"She is the new Ursus. She…" He cuts off as I drag my fingertips up her forearm, the need to feel the wolf's skin overwhelming. That voice is suddenly in my head. Chaotic and fragmented. Pain is in the forefront. Overpowering pain that she tries to keep hidden away but it slowly oozes through her control. Thin scars circle her wrist, her nails look gnawed to the quicks. Nervousness rolls off of her and hard as she tries to keep her hands still, they tremble slightly. At least a third of her concentration is on stilling that tremble as I slide my fingers back up to clasp her wrist loosely. "Don't be scared," her voice in my head almost orders. I don't know if it is for herself or aimed towards me. Finally, I take the meat from her fingers, pressing my forehead to her now empty digits. The tension ebbs from my body and hers.

"Ursus," I grunt, pulling myself from her.

"What on Earth was that? Did you just show respect to a wolf?"

"I wish I knew," I think. I have never even met one of our so-called enemy wolves before but I instinctively deferred to this one. And her voice in my head…what was that? "Maybe I am crazy. Too much time as my bear, my mind can't adjust so it is bringing back the hallucinations."

Trent continues to stare at me.

"Like ya said, Ursus," I shrug.

"That was more than respect for an Ursus."

I shrug again, digging into the hare.

XXX

"Peter," Trent sighs. "You don't have to do this."

The overpowering scent of Tala bringing me to my knees. "Yea, I do," I pant. Breathing through my mouth seeming to ease the inappropriate thoughts running through my head. "Braun needs to know about those two from ta other night.

"Why?"

I growl.

"Peter."

"Bears following her at night. Not 'er guards."

"How do you know? Braun could have replaced…"

"No night shift when Braun is home."

"You know this how?"

"Naomi travels for the Ursinus' lands to hunt. Konnor to the Neutral land. Rowen disappears near the swamps ev'ry night. No one on duty at three am," I sigh standing.

"What are you doing in the woods at three am? Peter," he snaps when I start walking instead of answering. "Are you still not sleeping?"

"No," I growl.

"Gods," he huffs as we reach the gate to the Ussuri. "So strong."

"Breathe through your mouth, it helps," I huff. "Let's get this over with.

Another wave of thoughts hit me. "Can't go in there. Too much. Out here better."

Trent knocks.

"Enter," Braun calls.

"Sire," Trent calls from the open doorway. The wolf's scent even stronger.

Glancing up from his paperwork, Braun smiles. "Hello. What can I do for…"

"May we speak outside," Trent interrupts.

"Why?"

"Young Peter is having a difficult time with the…current state of your wife," Trent explains.

His eyes immediately glue to me. I try running my nose along my bicep trying to wipe away the scent trapped in my sinuses.

"You alright there, Pete?"

"Not use ta wolf pheromones," I mutter, nodding.

"They're strong right now. I'm sorry. I have conditioned myself to the scent. Let's go outside. What can I do for you?"

"Rumor says Tucker and Eric has disappeared," Trent starts.

"Yes."

"Want ta volunteer," I huff, fight against the images flashing through my head.

"Volunteer for?"

"Ursus Tala's guard," Trent smiles, hand on my chest. I don't even realize I'm moving forward.

"Get yourself under control, Dunne."

"How can I trust you to guard my wife if you can't control yourself?"

"I…" The argument coming automatically, panic settling into my chest.

"I have a difficult time controlling myself with her right now, why should I think you can?"

"Have ta," I slur, drool pooling in my mouth. "Bears are against 'er. Plottin'."

"What?"

"There were very loud talks by three bears in the pub that the wolf bitch would destroy the Ursidae. Mr. Knight and Mr. Young came to her defense and a brawl ensued. The five were thrown out and no one have seen them since."

"When?"

"Three nights ago."

The larger bear seems to mull the information over.

"I can keep up wit 'er."

"What?"

"There otha wolves in ya territories? Black wolf tat runs nights through da woods. I can keep up wit 'er ata full sprint."

"You can keep up with a wolf at a full sprint," he chuckles softly before really looking at me. The smile falls from his face

"Followed 'er through da woods ta here three nights last week alone," I explain.

"Tala, can you come here please? We have guests."

I feel her stir somewhere in the house. My other self wanting to surge forward in search of the wolf. "Hold it together. Just hold it together."

She appears shortly, a long flowy dress clinging to her form, her hair thrown up in a messy bun. Her skin almost glowing. "Hello," she smiles shakily, her hand slipping into Braun's.

"This is Trent Seven," Braun introduces. "And Peter Dunne. They would like to volunteer as your guards if that is alright with you."

"If it's…" She seems puzzled by the prospect.

"I'm leaving this decision up to you, Princess. You don't need anyone thrust onto you anymore."

Amber eyes drift over us and we instantly drop our gaze as they meet hers.

My hands start to tremble as I struggle to remain in control.

"What is wrong, Dunne?"

"A lot to take. Smell…"

"I know an Omega can wreck a wolf but I…" she starts.

"Definitely does the same for bears," Braun interrupts.

"Bears too," I state simultaneously.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "Please, don't torture yourself. If you can't handle…"

"I ca handle it," I panic. "I promise, Ursus."

"First thing," she states, stepping closer and I lock my muscles. "Unless we are in the presence of those that demand titles, call me Tala. I'm just a lowly wolf."

"No Madam. You are the future," Trent smiles.

I nod, the only action I feel safe to do.

"I hope so," she nods. "And I hope to get to know you two better. After my heat is over."

I breathe a sigh of relief as she disappears into the house. We turn to Braun. "You two have three days to move into your new housing by my estimation. Konnor and Naomi have the back two so you will be on either side. I believe you four will be enough for her protection."

"Thank you for your confidence, Sire."

"I hope you don't disappoint me. Dismissed Trent. Pete, we need to talk."

I turn my head to the wind allowing it to clear my mind.

"Why are you following my wife, Pete?"

"She needs protection."

"From?"

"There are bears watching her in the woods. Never can see them or smell them but they're loud enough to hear. Spook her. They try to chase. I follow parallel to her just out of sight."

"What exactly are you doing in the woods?"

"Can't sleep. Been in a cage all my life. Like the space."

"Pete," he sighs.

I close my eyes against the sympathy in that short phrase.

"Konnor said something about nightmares and you."

"'M fine. I just need to make sure Tala's safe."

"Why?"

"I don't know." "Like Trent said…She's our future."

"If you can't control yourself. You need to step down."

"'M fine."

"You know the punishment for attacking the Ursus?"

"If I attack Tala, I will accept death."