Regina smiled to herself, watching the children play in the meadow below. Jack and Marie were wrestling in the grass. Aaron was being chased by his brothers and Shane was soundly napping against Ruby nearby. The alpha was resting in wolf form, watching in amusement at the pups playing. Today was a day for the pack, for its pairs to express their love for one another. Since Regina and Ruby did so frequently and on a daily basis, they would spend the day with the children, allowing everyone else to fully relax and enjoy their day of appreciation. She decided to make her rounds, doing a quick sweep around the clearing to make sure there was no danger near or they weren't intruding on any of her packmates' privacy. Ruby decided to take the kids down to their special place, the rock where they had first truly met.
"Tell us a story, Mom." Jack said.
"Ooh!" Spencer raised his paw. "How about how you formed the pack."
"No, tell us about a battle!" Aaron piped in.
Marie rolled her eyes when he bumped into her. "Tell us when you first met Gina."
Ruby chuckled and sat down. "Okay, I'll start with Marie's, but it should settle all of your various curiosities."
It was at this moment that Regina realized she didn't remember the first time she met Ruby. It was so long ago everything was so hectic then, what with all the wars and riots she had been dealing with being the Evil Queen. Ruby remembered though. She remembered every moment of that day.
"It was the battle of the black river." Ruby began. "It was the dead of winter. Everything was cold and barren and Snow's army was starving…"
Winter had all of the Enchanted Forest in its cold clutches, slowly squeezing the life of the rebel army. Ruby watched the tired men and women, former farmers and spinsters and bakers and blacksmiths. Every one of them trudging through the makeshift camp on bent backs and weary feet. The army was tired and cold and hungry. They wouldn't last much longer. They were situated on the banks of a great, wide river, a river so deep and with water so dark, it was called Black River. Black River was frozen solid, an icy pathway to the promised land, for just across it lay a nice big city filled with warm hearths and mead and hot food. Snow's army could easily disappear within it, gather strength and wait for the spring to try and overthrow the Evil Queen again, but there was a problem. And that was the Evil Queen herself, who was waiting on the other side of the river with an army twice the size of Snow's, with twice the manpower, twice the food, twice the weapons, twice the experience.
Ruby moved down to the river's edge, drawing her cloak tightly around her and looking off to the other side. At dawn tomorrow she would be leading the attack across. The werewolf had always assumed that the Evil Queen won her battles through sheer numbers alone, but she was shocked to find how good a commander they were facing. Regina always lead from the front, was present at nearly every battle, offering commands and support. She kept the enemy on their toes with small midnight raids and attacks, never allowing them a full night's sleep, making sure they were exhausted the day of the battle. She had more than enough troops on reserve to do so. Regina was a terrible enemy, but Ruby's wolf purred at having to face her. A real challenge.
Ruby looked up, feelings eyes on her. Her gaze drifted over the banks until she met the fierce eyes of the queen herself, wrapped from head to toe in a menacing black cloak of fur. Ruby wasn't sure but it might've been a wolf cloak. Her eyes met Ruby's and stayed there. She stared down the werewolf without fear and without hesitation. Ruby's wolf started purring again. A real challenge indeed.
The next morning saw Ruby up at dawn, in wolf form. She charged across the frozen river, meeting the black soldiers head on. She leaped right into the middle of them, slashing flesh and ripping armor to sink her teeth into crucial body parts. Screams, yells, metal clashing, all of it filled her ears as the two armies met on the ice, fighting above the frozen river. Within minutes the werewolf was practically breathing blood, but she couldn't stop. They didn't have reserves and Ruby was the most experienced fighter on Snow's side. She had to keep going. That's when she felt those same eyes again. She turned to find Regina down the river, astride a mighty black stallion. She stared Ruby down again and the wolf growled and charged her. To her surprise, Regina charged as well. Finally, a worthy challenger. The wolf leaped, prepared to tear Regina off her horse, but the queen whipped out a black sword out of nowhere, narrowly missing Ruby's head. She landed and turned to charge again. This time Regina vaulted off her horse, completing a spin in the air and sliced open Ruby's shoulder.
Ruby growled as her blood stained the ice. She faced her opponent again. Regina smirked, circling her, leaving a trail in the thin layer of snow with her fur cape. This woman had the gall to laugh at what she thought was an easy victory. Her confidence was kind of a turn on though...If only she wasn't such a bitch. Ruby roared and charged again, but a ring of fire suddenly sprung up, separating them.
"You didn't think it would be that easy, right? Wolfy?" Regina taunted. She had the sexiest voice Ruby had ever heard. Her wolf roared to life, refusing to kill the queen. Ruby backed away, getting a running start to fly straight through the fire. As soon as she did, she realized her mistake. Regina simply teleported away as the ice started breaking up, cracking right beneath her paws. Everyone rushed to get off the ice as it started splintering.
"Red!" Snow yelled.
Ruby scrambled to find purchase but the piece of ice she was on tipped and she slid into the water. She had to dive to avoid being crushed-
"I don't remember any of this." Regina interrupted.
"You don't remember finding me naked the next morning down the river and covering me with your fur cloak thing?" Ruby asked. Regina shook her head. "How could you not? You let us go after that."
Regina frowned, racking her brain for the memory. Then it hit her. "Battle of Black River- that was a year after your mother died, wasn't it?"
Ruby nodded. "It was one of the smallest battles we ever fought, but still. That was the first time we actually met."
"Wait a minute." Marie intervened. "Gina almost kills you and that made you fall in love with her?"
"Uh, yeah." Ruby said. "Have you seen this woman fight? She's like a goddess of war." She gave Regina's cheek a quick lick. "She's fucking amazing."
"Aw." Marie purred.
"Ew." The boys said in unison.
Ruby rolled her eyes and looked at her mate. "What do you remember as our first time meeting then?"
"The Assault of the Dark." Regina answered.
It was midnight in the forest and Regina and her army were moving across the battlefield. Using magic, they were invisible and made no sound as they crept across the blackened and blood soaked no man's land, skirting the bodies of both enemy and comrade. Tonight Regina was sure would be the night she would capture Snow White once and for all. Her plan was perfect. They reached the edge of the slumbering enemy camp undetected and just as she was about to give the signal to attack, she heard the warning of Snow's pet werewolf. That stupid fucking wolf! She ended the spell and sent her men forward to crush the peasant army. Astride her black stallion, she watched the chaos unfold. But again, it was that stupid wolf that was causing problems. She had forgotten all about its sense of smell. She was going to have to kill it. A dark shape suddenly slammed into Regina, knocking her off her horse. Air came rushing out of her lungs as pain spread through her abdomen.
The wolf snapped at her horse, making it bolt, leaving the queen at the mercy of the beast. Regina placed a hand over her stomach and uttered a quick healing spell. She got back to her feet and conjured a sword. To her surprise, the werewolf changed back into a human. A very...alluring human. She was rather stunning to look at, even covered in blood and almost naked. "What is your name?" The queen inquired.
"Most people call me Red, but my real name is Ruby."
"Well, I'm sure you know mine."
Ruby bared her teeth. "Yep." She looked around and picked up a fallen sword. "Shall we begin, your majesty?"
"So either way you ended up fighting?" Aaron asked.
Regina nodded. "We were on opposite sides of a war."
"And as the queen Regina couldn't just announce to the world that she had fallen madly in love with me." Ruby added. "Even though it was true."
Regina arched an eyebrow at her and she licked her cheek again. "Suck up." They shared a laugh and laid down together while the kids wandered about, playing to their heart's content. Ruby nuzzled at Regina's fur, almost purring with happiness and pride. Today was a good day. Why not be happy?
Both of them looked up when they heard footsteps. Out of the bushes came the small forms of two children. Regina recognized them as Hansel and Gretel, the two children she had sent into a witch's den. The pair of siblings were out of breath and covered in dirt. Small twigs were stuck in Gretel's unruly mane and Hansel's entire face was red.
"What are you doing here, children?" Regina asked, shifting into human form.
"We need help." Gretel whispered.
/
Emma picked up her phone and anxiously paced back and forth as she called Regina, hoping against hope that the queen would pick up. She sat down to the kitchen table and tapped her fingers on the wood. "Damn it, Regina, pick up the fucking phone!"
"Miss Swan, what do you want?" Regina appeared in the chair across from her. The queen looked exhausted and wired at the same time.
"You okay?"
"No, I should be napping with my mate right now. What do you want?" She demanded.
"What kind of a gift can you give a dragon who can magically conjure or buy anything they could ever want?" Emma asked, ignoring the queen's flippant attitude. She didn't have the time right now. "Me and Lily have our anniversary coming up and I want to do something nice for her."
Realization dawned on Regina's face and she nodded slowly. "Dragons, for all their ferocity and desire to be seen as these savage, alpha beasts, are complete and utter divas. The best thing you can do for Lily is to treat her like the queen she was always meant to be."
"But she hates when I do stuff like that." Emma frowned.
Regina shook her head. "She pretends to, Emma. She's just not used to it. What woman doesn't like to be waited on? That's what you should do: wait on her, dote on her, adore her, cater to her. Take her to the spa- better yet, give her a massage yourself. Run her a bath, fill it with bubbles and rose petals. Buy the most expensive wine you can find, prepare her a good dinner, give her a mani pedi, paint her nails." Regina shrugged. "Give her the most relaxing and wonderful day she's ever had because I'm sure she's never had one like it growing up in this world."
Emma nodded slowly. "Thanks."
"Oh, and top it off with sex." Regina nodded once. "Wait, not sex, make love to her. Make sure you do all the work. If a dragon submits to you, then she truly cares for you." The queen teleported away after that and Emma immediately got to her feet to get started.
/
Mulan was already aware of how to create a perfect day for her beloved. Even now Mal was already in the tub, relaxing as Mulan finished combing the small tangles out of her hair. The room was dim, with only some candles to light the way. Petals lay scattered everywhere and soft music was playing. The music could barely be heard however, over the sound of Mal, who was purring so hard the tub was nearly vibrating. Mulan grinned as she picked up a small ladle and scooped some of the bathwater to gently pour over Mal's shoulder.
"What is the occasion for this?" Mal asked slowly, eyes still closed.
"I can't show my appreciation for my favorite dragon?"
"I better be your favorite." Mal opened her eyes to find a naked Mulan straddling her lap.
"Today is the day many of us decided to show our mates a little love and appreciation. Not that we don't do that every day, but today...is special."
"How so?" Mal asked, bringing her hands up to grab Mulan and pull her closer.
"It's nearly the anniversary of when Ruby formed the pack." Mulan answered. A soft gasp escaped her lips when Mal kissed her neck, one hand slowly traveling beneath the water, between her legs.
"Uh huh…" Mal murmured with a smirk. Mulan gasped loudly when the dragon sank two fingers into her without warning. "And what else does my favorite savior of China have in store for me?"
"Dinner."
"And what will be on the menu?" Mal inquired, the idea of food quickly attracting her attention.
"Me."
/
Zelena's plan for Belle was rather simple. Belle herself was a simple person. She didn't really require extravagant and grand gestures, and even after all these years Zelena found herself highly inexperienced in such matters. After so long of never having anyone to love and to now be surrounded by more love than she knew what to do with, it was tricky finding the perfect way to show her appreciation for her favorite bookworm. In the end, she decided on a simple breakfast in bed to start off with. The rest would be up to Belle.
When Belle awoke, she found it odd that Zelena wasn't nearby. The witch was the furthest thing from an early bird so it was almost shocking to find her up and out of bed. She sat up and looked around, finding a small tray at the bottom of the bed, consisting of her favorite breakfast...and a little riddle.
I turn polar bears white
and I will make you cry.
I make guys have to pee
and girls comb their hair.
I make celebrities look stupid
and normal people look like celebrities.
I turn pancakes brown
and make your champagne bubble.
If you sqeeze me, I'll pop.
If you look at me, you'll pop.
Can you guess the riddle?
Belle looked over the riddle twice, her mind instantly switching into beast mode to come up with the answer. Usually she could figure out these in seconds, but this one… "Oh. Duh. Can I guess the riddle? No." The room shook as a small passageway opened up in the wall. Belle grinned. "Zelena, what are you up to?" She quickly hopped out of bed and put on a robe to enter the passageway. She stepped in and found a staircase leading down. Interesting. She grabbed a flashlight and descended into the tunnel, but no sooner had she gone two steps the staircase flattened into a slide and she was thrown head first into a crazy spiral. A minute later she was dumped onto a green path. "What the hell, Zelena?" The brunette picked herself up and looked around, finding that she was no longer in the mountain den, but in a private garden bursting with plant life. It was an explosion of color and sunlight and Belle couldn't help bursting into a smile. She walked along the path until she came to a pond. On the other side was Zelena, laying naked in the sun and balancing a wrapped present on her feet.
"It's about bloody time." The witch called.
"How am I supposed to get over there?" Belle asked.
"You're the smart one, Love. Figure it out."
Belle rolled her eyes and looked around. There was nothing that she could use to construct a boat or something anywhere near. In the end, she removed her robe and her nightgown and dove into the water, swimming across to her redheaded beloved. She climbed onto the banks and crawled to Zelena. "I have to work for my day of appreciation?"
"Not anymore." Zelena handed her the gift and she quickly tore off the wrapping paper. Inside it was a book entitled Beauty and the Witch.
"Aw, Z. Is this our story?"
"A variation of it. I hope you like it, but before you begin it, we have something else to do that's practically a gift for the both of us."
Belle smirked. She knew exactly what kind of gift the witch spoke of. Sex in a garden equaled the best sex ever. While a spent Zelena relaxed in the sun, Belle used her back as a pillow and started to read the beautifully elaborate retelling of how they met and fell in love. "Zelena?"
"Hmm?" Zelena opened an eye to look at her little bookworm.
"Thank you for this, and I love you."
"I love you too."
/
For the main couples of the Lucas pack the day had gone perfectly and the bond between the pack members grew stronger in the process. But for one, a new bond was starting to form.
Tink had just finished cleaning up the living room from their last family movie night when an arrow suddenly struck the wall next to her head, cracking the stone. She pulled it out, noticing that she didn't recognize the feather. She couldn't tell if it was Merida's, Dorothy's or anyone else's, but it was a finely crafted arrow. Tied to the shaft was a message with only one word. Tonight. A smile touched the lips of the fairy.
"Tink?" Regina peeked back into the room. "You okay?"
"Um, yes. I'm just gonna head out for a while."
"Don't forget about our building plans tomorrow."
Tink smiled and kissed her cheek. "I won't. See you in the morning." She grabbed her coat and was gone in a flash, leaving Regina to wonder at who or what could possibly fluster and make the blonde smile so hard.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"They're fast." Ruby commented, watching Hansel and Gretel race around the meadow with the other pups. "You talk to their dad?" She looked over her mate, who nodded.
"He doesn't want them. Can't deal with them." Regina answered. "They'll be safe here, but they'll need to be changed to keep up."
"Yep. At least the kids will have more friends." Ruby said, turning back to the scene before her. Mal and Mulan stepped in to instruct the kids. Soon, they would be taken out on their first hunt and they needed to be taught how to work together. Ruby walked forward, Regina following, and approached the panting children. "Have any of you ever read a book on werewolves?" She inquired. The kids all looked at her and nodded, except for Hansel and Gretel. "Have any of you read those stupid angsty lone wolf fiction novels this world likes to spew out by the dozens?" They nodded again. "Forget all of that. Wolves are social creatures. Lone wolves are almost abnormal and boring. I used to hate being a werewolf, but now I embrace it. We are a better breed, a stronger force when we are happy being who and what we are. You're werewolves, part of the Lucas pack. There is no better place in the world to be." She smiled when the kids started cheering. "But listen. Being a werewolf isn't all about dominance and alpha this and beta that. It's about family. Raising children, hunting together, growing together. That is what a wolf pack really is and what it really means. One wolf is not a pack, and a pack isn't just a bunch of wild dogs. In order to hunt successfully, you need to see yourselves as one wolf, moving together, thinking together. That's why Regina and I decided to implement something new for your first hunt in a week."
Spencer gasped. "What is it?"
"Telepathy." Ruby answered. "We'll try it out tonight and learn how to work with it, and then by this time next week, you all will be going on your first hunt." The kids cheered again. "Hansel and Gretel, we'll have you shifted by then and have you fully installed in the pack, okay?" Gretel nodded. "Good. For now, Mal and Mulan will give you all a full tour of the territory. We'll catch up to you later." The kids followed the pair off into the woods and Ruby sat down in the grass, Regina following and crawling into her lap. "No more people in the pack." She said. "Or we'll have to do some remodeling."
Regina smiled. "You did a nice thing for them, giving them a home."
"It was you who convinced me." Ruby replied. They didn't need any stupid repercussions from the town about them stealing children. She didn't have any time for idiocy.
"Hmm." Regina hummed, nuzzling her mate's neck. "I like this."
"What?"
"This calmness. Being normal for once. Or how we envisioned our normal would be when you made the pack."
Ruby frowned. "Why do you keep saying I made the pack?"
"Because you did. And I love you for it." Regina kissed her lips and the wolf felt a warm flutter in her chest when she did. She couldn't help just staring at the former queen, the one who had made her dreams come true. It was because of Regina that she had this perfect life. She had a great place to live, a family, a pack, children, the love of her life, and no darkness. Well except for the pesky wolf locked in the basement. Besides that...life was pretty damn good. "What are you thinking so hard about?" Regina poked the lines in her forehead that formed when she was in deep contemplation.
"Just thinking of how much I love you." Ruby answered. "How you made my life so amazing."
"Oh...well, you're welcome." Regina grinned, rolling into the grass next to her.
Ruby grinned, pulling the woman back into her arms and laying in the grass with her. "I want you to know something, Gina?" Regina turned to look at her, eyebrow arching expectantly. "I know you never wanted to be queen. I know you hated it, probably still do, but...you'll always be a queen to me. Really, you'll always been my queen." Regina smiled, blushing at her heartfelt words. "Um, that's it. I just wanted you to know that."
"Thank you, Baby. And you will always be my beautiful, badass pet wolf and mate."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "I'm sick of you trying to outdo me." Regina laughed...and it was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
After a period of time, the pack children were allowed to go back to school and their return won them many admirers and a few more enemies, except for one that simply would not go away.
By the time the last period of the day rolled around, Henry was more than excited. He wasn't the most physical boy, never had been, but Emma had been working with him so he could join the school rugby team. Today was the day of the first practice and he was determined to make the starting team. Unfortunately for him, there were a few obstacles he would have to face that came in the forms of three werewolf dragon boys.
Emma, Regina, Zelena, Mulan and Ruby were in the small stands when he approached dressed for practice. A scowl contorted his face when he spotted Jack, Aaron and Shang also dressed to try out.
"Hey kid." Emma got up to greet him. "You ready?"
"What are they doing here?" He asked, nodding to the werewolves.
"They want to play too, I guess." His mother shrugged.
"Thought they hated it here." Henry growled. They were always complaining and bragging about how their stupid mountain was better than Storybrooke. He wished they would just stay there.
"Hey, don't worry about them. Worry about making one of the teams." Emma kissed the top of his head. "Go get 'em, Tiger."
He nodded and walked onto the field. There were about 30+ boys on the field and the coaches, Frederick, Princess Abigail's true love, and Neal, would have them go through several drills and scrimmages and split them up into two teams for the school. It would be a hard day, but Henry was determined. He didn't care that his dad was one of the coaches, he wanted to be the best.
"Alright!" Frederick's booming call sounded across the field. "Get to stretching!"
Henry sat down in the grass and started to go through his stretches. It wasn't long before he was joined by a smirking Jack. "What do you want?" He asked.
"Just came to wish you luck, Little Prince."
"I don't need it." Henry scoffed. "You probably do."
"How rude. After all, we might be on the same team. Even if we're not, you should get used to seeing me around. My picture is gonna be on all the bulletin boards in school." Jack flashed his dazzling smile that reminded Henry far too much of his former mother.
"I wouldn't count on it, Mutt. You and the other dogs should just go back to the forest and stay there since you wanted to leave town so badly."
Jack sighed. "You want to know a little something, Henry? Most animal species bare their teeth as a threat display. You know, of aggression. Of leadership. It serves as a terrifying reminder that these jaws can-and will- open your yielding throat with absolute glee for insulting my family." Jack let that statement stand, his eyes glowing to punctuate it. "Remember that the next time you see me smile." He flashed that signature smile and rose to rejoin his family. Henry fought off a scowl and stood up. He was not going to be intimidated by a flea bitten mutt.
Practice was exhausting. They ran suicides, did sprints, practiced handling, passing, agility, defensive and offensive formations, blocking, tackles, goaltending. By the time they got around to trying an actual scrimmage game the sun was starting to set and all of the boys were exhausted but determined to win this game. The score remained stagnant for the longest, until Jack found a way to slip through the defenders on Henry's team, using Aaron as a battering ram. Henry skirted two players and took off after him.
"Come on, Henry!" Emma yelled.
"Let's go, Jack!" Ruby and a newly arrived Marie yelled at the tops of their lungs.
Henry put on an extra burst of speed to try and catch up to Jack. Jack looked over her shoulder to see who was behind him. He smiled...Henry scowled and tried to dive at his legs, but Jack leaped over him and sailed into the painted area for a goal. His team erupted into cheers as he let out a loud wolf howl.
"Good run, Henry." Henry's friend, Josh said as he helped him to his feet. A former lost boy turned star athlete, he was Henry's truest confidante his age.
"Thanks." Henry sighed, arching his back.
"Alright!" Neal called. "Everyone pack up, go home and get some rest. The teams will be posted tomorrow in the cafeteria."
Henry returned to his mother's side, who immediately lifted him onto her shoulder. "That's my son! That's what I'm talking about!"
"What are you talking about? I didn't catch him."
"You almost did!" Emma dropped him back on the ground. "Betcha you make captain for that. How about we celebrate?"
"How about we celebrate after tomorrow? I'm beat, Mom."
"Of course." She grinned. "I'm proud of you, kid. I'll order out from Granny's instead."
Henry nodded and grabbed his backpack and gym bag. He looked up when he heard loud whooping. Ruby had all the kids on her shoulders and was jumping around like she was crazy. Regina was watching, shaking her head with a wide smile painted on her face. He was surprised she stayed as long as she did. Outdoorsy things didn't really sit well with her. Or at least he thought they hadn't. The pack disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke and he turned back to follow his mother to the car.
The next day Henry all but ran to the cafeteria. He wasn't surprised he was on his father's team, but he was glad he made captain. Unfortunately, Jack had made captain too, for Frederick's team.
"Told you, Little Prince." Jack said as he walked by with a smile.
"It's not like you'll win anything." Henry shot back.
"We'll see."
Henry rolled his eyes and looked at the list again. At least Josh was on his team. Their colors were red and blue and apparently they were the Avengers. Dad couldn't come up with a better name than that? The other team was dubbed the Wolves and their colors were black. Not surprisingly. The teams would practice on separate days. The Avengers had Monday and Wednesday. The Wolves had Tuesday and Thursday. Fridays were reserved for the games. It was certainly going to be an interesting season.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I've done it!" Belle yelled, racing into the kitchen where the women were preparing dinner.
"Done what, dear?" Zelena asked, coming to her side. Belle held the book she was holding up to the redhead's face. "You found it?!"
"What?!" Ruby asked.
"A way to defeat the darkness once and for all!" Belle screamed. "I am amazing. I deserve a reward for this. Alphas, let's talk about it."
Ruby laughed and took the book. "Belle, you can have anything you want." Regina peeked over her shoulder. It was an old tome and it depicted the Dark One's dagger without a name on it. Below it was a drawing of a flame. "It has to be burned and melted in the same fire in which it was forged. And...we need the rest of it."
"What? The hell do you mean rest of it?" Merida exclaimed.
"I mean," Ruby said, "That the dagger is just a piece broken off a sword. Excalibur."
"That's in Camelot." Regina offered. "In the Enchanted Forest."
Ruby slammed the book closed. "Looks like we're going on a road trip."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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