For the day Abel avoids his mate, choosing instead to watch the Hyena before she after what feels like hours finally falls asleep. He leans down, taking the bottle from her hand while tucking her in. "I'm sorry..." He hears behind him.

The Neko doesn't have to turn around to know who it is. "It's alright. Not the first time I've done this." He turns his head, handing her the empty bottle. "I'm just surprised how much she can drink."

"Oh yes, years of practice." Irene answers in a tried voice. "Still thank you. She doesn't normally let men in so you three must be special to her."

Normally he'd ask but all he does is smile. "Well Alfred gained her respect while I'm pretty sure she still hates us." He takes a step forward only to be blocked by the Hyena. "Ma'am?"

"She's hurting...but I mean..." She looks down as he rests his hand on her shoulder. "It's normal here right?"

"No I'm sorry." Abel gives a small sigh. "But can I ask what happened to Ivan?" For a moment she doesn't answer as she stares out the window at the moons start to rise. "Irene, I'm not that stupid. You don't just slit a man's throat for the fun of it, well unless you're Jason but even he has his fucking reasons."

At the last of his remark she gives a knowing smile, turning back to meet his eyes. "Tea? I'm not in the mood for drinking nor do I think you are."

With a nod he answers, "Lead the way. I got time." Deep down he knows Alfred is probably wondering where he's run off to but, his curiosity is getting the better of him so like with Natalia he finds himself back in the basement. "So," he starts taking a cup from her hand. "What happened?"

"Many things happened I'm afraid." She cradles the warm cup in her hand as she tries to collect her thoughts. "I was here to document your um...culture. The problem was while I could handle myself this was still a dangerous land for omegas so my brother and Natalia joined me." Looking back she wishes that she would have begged for someone else to join her instead. "The Elders agreed only because Ivan was well...I know she told you."

"She did." He answers resting his chin on his hand. "So learn anything interesting?"

Again the smile appears on her face. "A few things, mostly on the Avians in the south as well as the Aquarians...both are very unique clans."

He lets out a deep laugh. "That's putting it mildly but, it explains how you know the Prince."

"Yeah he's a sweet gentleman an...what's the term?" She takes a sip. "Oh well it's not important but, we were coming up to the North to see how different they were when the Jackals ambushed us." She shivers thinking of her tall brother face first in the mud. "They...were so cruel and most." She bites her lip as the images flash across her eyes. "When he was castrated he forgave Nat instantly and again when they had that gun pressed to his head..." Tears begin to fall, while Natalia will never forgive her for telling the Alpha it hurts too much to keep it to herself. "He said forgive them sister, don't let their hatred become yours." The words catch in her throat for a moment as her shoulders quake. "It took me so long Abel...I wanted to murder them all in their sleep. Slit their throats with nothing but my fangs like my great grandmothers had done but, it wouldn't have brought him back."

He stares unsure what to say for a moment but, seeing her sobbing in front of him starts to break his heart. "Hey you did the right thing," he says pulling off his jacket and drooping it over her shoulders. "I never met the guy but I'm sure he's happy that you two are safe."

Quickly she wipes her eyes. "I know he is, I've prayed for him since the moment they took him away. For me it helps though for my sister..."

"Well you can always come back with us and we could...you know escort you back home." Her eyes watch him for any signs of suspicion. When she only sees his warm blue eyes, she nods.

"I'll have to ask my sister once she's feeling better...and really while I'm sure they would agree I want to speak with Alfred about it as well."

"I'm not lying."

She stands up, removing his jacket. "I know you're not and while I know the Alphas make most of the decisions here," she says handing him the heavy jacket. "I'd feel more comfortable talking to him about it." She turns and heads for the stairs.

For a moment he looks down at the jacket before back at her. "Wait,"

"I know you know everything now but, remember Alpha." She stops looking over her shoulder. "We aren't the meek creatures we lead you to believe." With one last smile she walks up the stair case and into the darkness. "Good night Abel."

A chill runs down his spine as what both Omegas had told him truly sink in. Neither need their help to make it back in fact he's certain they'd be fine on their own. "Damn..." He says to himself walking up the stairs wondering how many they could have killed if this Ivan hadn't told them not to. Five? Ten? They could have destroyed the whole camp if they really wanted to yet they toyed with the Jackals instead.

He stops outside of Alfred's bedroom door to listen for any signs of snoring but, as he's about to walk past it opens much to his surprise. "There you are," Alfred says warmly already taking his hand. "I've been looking for you all night Dude."

"Uh," Abel starts looking down at his hand than at Alfred. "Why?"

"You ran off after screaming at me. It wasn't like you so after a while I tried to hunt you down." The Omega shrugs slightly never taking his hand away from his lover's.

Abel stares but lets his Omega pull him towards the bedroom. "How much did you hear?"

"I heard enough, but I want to hear most of it from you." Alfred hopes his voice has the same care in it as Allistor's at moments like this.

Throwing his jacket to the side Abel closes the door. "It's not my story to tell kid."

"No," Alfred moves him to the bed. "Not theirs...yours." When he's answered with a sigh Alfred takes his hands. "I'll tell you about me if you...just please Abel?"

Kissing his forehead Abel lets out a small purr, "Okay Kid but it's not a pretty story." He lies back with the younger man on his chest.

"I don't want you to sugar coat it." As the moonlight is hidden by new clouds bring more snow Alfred wraps them tightly in a wool blanket. "I can take it."

Abel rests his head back on the pillow, letting out a sigh. "I know you can kid...I'm just not sure where to start."

"Start at the beginning."

"Yeah...okay."