If my wolf hadn't chosen to run, I would have killed him, Ryan said softly, deadly, tilting his head slightly. Noble t'sked, moving to stand in front of him to study the sword, but also to block his path, whilst ignoring a bolt of pain.

"Now, Ryan, saying things like that is what's going to get you into trouble. You can't just run around killing humans, even if they do shove a sword through you. It's not like it'll kill you," she said wryly glancing up at him. "Hmm, I see this has healed around the sword. I assume that's why you haven't taken it out?" The werewolf turned his attention to her.

Yes.

"Well, it's gonna have to come out sooner or later, you know. And it's gonna hurt like a son of a bitch. It'd be best to get it over with now, while you're still changed," she told him, experience filling her voice. "Turn around," she said regretfully. Ryan eyed her and she raised an eyebrow. At last he turned, moving to the wall and digging his claws in, tensing for the pain. She put her hand on the sword handle. "Ryan, it's better if you relax. Less tissue will be torn." She watched as his back relaxed. "Okay, count of three. One-" she said, yanking the sword out as smoothly as possible while Ryan let out a monstrous bellow of pain. Whirling, he grabbed Noble by the throat and threw her across the room, where she crashed into the cabinet, breaking what few dishes were left.

Then Ryan turned to study Cooper. He bared his teeth in a grin, took a step. Sam started growling.

"That fucking hurt, Ryan. Hush, Sam," grumbled Noble, climbing to her feet as Sam stilled. Ryan growled, hiding his surprise at her quick recovery.

See how you do when you have a sword in you, he grumbled back. Noble held up the sword so all could see the bits of flesh sticking to it.

"Yes, I can't imagine it's not too pleasant. But you've already healed, so stop whining." Noble smiled cheerily at him. Suddenly she dropped the sword and fell to the floor, curled into a fetal position. "Oh, God in heaven," she moaned. Ryan watched impassively as Sarge and Cooper ran to her side, hesitating only to make sure he made no further move toward them. Spoon picked grabbed one of the pans of water off the stove and a spare towel and brought it over as well.

"Noble? Can you hear me?" Cooper asked, checking her pulse and shocked to find her skin even hotter than before.

You shouldn't fight it, Ms. Howlitt. It only hurts worse, Ryan said, a smirk in his voice. Sarge stood and stepped up to Ryan, glaring up at him.

"It's my wolf she's fighting, Ryan, and she wouldn't have to do that if you hadn't used us in the first place." Ryan tilted his head and eyed the angry man, an eyebrow raised.

I had been wondering why you hadn't changed, Ryan replied, his tone amused. Sarge swung at him, aiming to knock a few teeth out, but Ryan easily caught his fist and brought his jaws to Sarge's throat.

"Stop," Noble said and the two froze caught by Noble's will, Ryan's teeth inches from Sarge's jugular.

"Noble, what's wrong?" Cooper asked, applying the damp cloth to her forehead. She was breathing hard and her eyes were closed. Perspiration dotted her skin. Spoon, who had risen when Sarge had swung at Ryan, regarded the two frozen figures. Poking Ryan, who didn't move, he asked, sounding awed, "What did you do to 'em?" The woman's eyes fluttered open, blazing wolf yellow. Cooper, startled, dropped the cloth, but recovered quickly.

"I told you Wells' wolf was strong. Guess I won't be hunting anytime soon," she smiled weakly. "Ryan, release Wells. Wells back away. There will be no fighting between you tonight. Carry on," she said, blinking rapidly as Ryan and Sarge did as instructed. Ryan growled.

How are you able to do that? Noble smiled at him.

"You're both beta wolves to my alpha. Even my father can't stand up to my will. Good thing I only use it when absolutely necessary," she laughed weakly before spasming and groaning with pain.

"Noble!" Cooper yelled.

"Present," she panted faintly. "Keep me here, Coop. If I go, so does Wells. Gotta stay conscious." Cooper nodded.

"Alright, let's get you sitting up then. Come on," he helped her into a sitting position. "Spoon, how much longer till sunrise?" Spoon checked his watch.

"At least two hours, mate," he answered anxiously.

"Shit. Noble, can you last that long?" Cooper held the pan of water to her lips and she drank a little.

"Don't know. Hope so," she replied, blinking blearily at him. Her pupils had changed to slits.

That's comforting, panned Ryan, moving to the table blockade and sitting. Noble coughed a laugh before the others could glare at him.

"No, I don't suppose it is." She groaned again, holding her sides as though they would burst. "Alright, alright. Talk. Ask me questions. Keep me focused here. I'm sure you have plenty," she stammered, eyes glowing in the light from the stove. Spoon moved back to his chair.

"Alright. Where're you from?" he asked, grabbing his frying pan and fiddling with it.

"Canada." Sarge frowned.

"Canada? But you grew up in the UK, right?" he asked, moving back to his chair as well. Cooper stayed beside her and tried to cool her down.

"Nah. Canada. Spent a lot of time in the States as well." Sarge tilted his head at her.

"But you haven't got an accent," he told her. Noble smiled, licking at a stray drop of water.

"Yeah, I do. It's a British one. I acquired it with my dragon. No one knows why." She groaned.

Dragon? asked Ryan.

"Aye. A scaly fire-breathing dragon," Spoon said.

"It sounds like you weren't born that way," Cooper said checking her pulse. Noble shook her head.

"Wasn't." She snorted. "Gods call it a gift. They gave it to me about 130, 140 years ago."

"140 years? How old are you?" Sarge asked. Noble counted, mouthing silently.

"'Bout 180, I think. Yeah, that sounds about right. Funny bit is I was born in 1955," she chuckled, then groaned.

"Where do you get the extra hundred years from?" Cooper asked, puzzled.

"Time travel."