Right about that moment, the door burste open and in walks my Honey Bunny. Charlie. He strode in the door, wearing, shockingly, a t-shirt and jeans. If I may put emphasis on 'shocking'. Charlie was gay, and sometimes, wore very. . .shocking clothing. But as I looked closer, it wasn't a t-shirt. It was more of a mesh fish-net type of thing. It showed off his light glowy skin. I didn't know why he was so pale. If he wanted just an ounce of sun on him, he'd be the prettiest little thing. But hey, I guess that wouldn't of been Charlie. He worse faded out dark blue jeans. With a dramatic flare at the bottom, ending the finale with steel toe boots. He had rips along his knees and thighs. Charlie was smaller than the rest. Probably about 5'10, maybe 160. Not really huge, but he was among average I guessed you'd call him. He had black hair that was spiked in front. Leaving the feathery look he liked so much. His deep green eyes were set on the scene before him. "I guess knocking is out-dated, huh?" I nudged Achillies to set me down. Reluctantly, he did. Charlie wasn't one of our kind. One night we'd found him in the woods, left for dead. I begged Achillies to take him in. And he did. But I guess, that didn't mean he had to like or trust him. Charlie stood, legs spread, arms crossed. With the most childish grin smacked on his face. He was about 23, and the thin lines around his eyes didn't give it away. I smiled at him. Gesturing for a hug. He 'tsk' me, and ran over. If I may add, gayly. Hugging me tightly. Charlie may have been smaller, like me, but he was definitely strong. Once I'd almost had the idea that maybe he'd been a leader of a pack once before ours. But he was under me in submission, so I knew that couldn't have been possible. "You guys are back early!" He liften me off my feet and set me back down. He glanced back at Achillies, the smile still there, but not as bright. He bowed low, and Achillies nodded his head. Huffing to the kitchen. I wanted to growl at him, but strongly resisted the urge. "I'm going to make coffee." He called over his shoulder. I rolled my eyes, and earned another mouth watering smile from Charlie. His green eyes were huge and happy. "So, what are you so happy about, eh?" I raised an eyebrow. He pulled my arm over to my huge couches. Lifting his legs to his chest, and sinking into the cutions. "Met a new boy, is that it?" I couldn't help but to giggle at his crimson blush. What a woman. He rolled his eyes, looking back at where Achillies had stood, moments ago. "You're talkin' bout me sweety." He made a huffing sound under his throat. Tucking his feet under him. I'd noticed he'd kicked off his boots at the door. Thank you. I smiled, ackwoledging the gesture. He returned my smile, holding my hand. "So, are ya'll like, a couple now?" I blushed, shaking my head. He burrowed his brows. "It looked like it." I couldn't help but to blush, I imagined I was even redder than he had been. "A good morning kiss." I shrugged it off. He let go of my hand, reluctantly. "My ass." I couldn't hide it. I put my head down, desperate to hide my laughing face, my shoulders shaking. I lifted my head to look at him, full of giggles. "What about your ass, this time?" He opened his mouth, eyes wide. "That was horrible." He breathed. I giggled, a real giggle. Hugging him quickly. Then he grew silent. Eyes still wide, mouth closing, slowly and forgottenly. I looked up at his silent face. "I was only joking." "Hunter?" I turned around me smiling at Nathen. He had a towel wrapped around his lower waiste. Showing off the thin line of honey brown hair, losing track in the towel. And his famous 'V' line, shimmering with a cold shower sprinkle. "Yeah?" I was trying my best to not smile. I knew Charlie was gawking. I secretly squeezed his hand behind me. Hushing anything he'd say to scare him away. Nathen ran his fingers through his dripping hair. Shaking it lazily, looking like a 14 year old skater kid, with hair much too long. His hair was shaking droplets of water on his shoulders. Running down his thick bare chest. His abbs rippling like water while he walked towards the opposite couch. Immediately sinking into it. He went rigid, scooting to the edge, gaining composure, leaning foreward. Tiny sprinklets falling from his hair. He looked up with his deep green eyes looking over at me. Finally moving his gaze over towards Charlie. He visibly stiffened. "Oh." "Oh." Charlie said a little too enthusiastically. I twisted my head towards Charlie, giving him a dozen different warnings from the twist of my lips, and the slit in my eyes. Charlie smiled weakly at me. Smiling dully at Nathen. "Hi." He said in his most drown out southern accent. "I'm Charlie, and you're. . .Nathen?" He tilted his head, getting his hair to accomodate to the side. "Yeah, Nathen. Nice to meet you, Charlie." "Pleasures all mine." I surpressed an embarrassed smile. Or was I the only one who caught the enthusiasm in his last comment. I looked over at poor innocent little Nathen. Realizing he hadn't caught it. He just smiled wearily. "He's gay ya know." Achillies voice rung behind us. I wrenched behind me to stare at Achillies. Glaring at him with matching intensness. He smiled, acusingly. "That's not funny." I said softly. Daring a glance at Nathen, who's eyes were wide, but he was still smiling. Good man. I felt like patting him on the head. I looked behind me and caught Charlie still gawking. I patted his hand. "Coffee's done if anybody wants some." I turned my death ray vision at him. Daring him to say anything else smart. He glared back at me. Harshly. He lifted his chin, telling me to get up. I looked at him quizzically, but still getting up. He walked over to us, as if bored. Pushing me towards Nathen. Sitting down beside Charlie. "He's not gay." "I know." Charlie said automatically, pulling himself back together. I sat beside Nathen, patting 'his' hand. I'm such a good hostess. I raised his palm, face up. Placing my hand on the inside. Charlie noticed but didn't say anything. "Nathen is apart of the pack now, we'll have to call a meeting." Charlie got serious. He smelled the air, only hinting the flare of his nostrils. "He smells strange. Not wolf, is he a sub or a dom?" He sniffed the air continuelly. Searching for what was amiss. We both looked at Nathen, who shyed away. Looking away from all of us. "He's a wereleopard. We're going to be his pard. Make him apart of the pack. Treat him like one of us, although I already know you would anyways." Charlie stopped sniffing the air, leaning back into the couch. Smiling his lop-sided smile. "Oh, sure." He said, lifting his finger to his mouth. Numbly biting on the tip. I had to shake my head at his obviousness. I patted Nathen's hand again. "So sweety, are you a submissive?" Achillies turned his head slowly, I couldn't see the look, and didn't really want to. When his head was out of the way I saw Charlie's face. He was all business now. Good. He could flirt with the Kitties later. "We're not exactly sure what or how much, he is now. I'm sure he's submissive. But he's strong willed. Maybe a future dom, I'm not sure." Achillies said, accent drawing lazily behind. Sounding tired, and bored. But when he looked at me his eyes told another story. Changing the subject, I added. "When should we call the pack?" I said softly, just as lazily and uninterested. Achillies shurgged his shoulders, his brownish and red hair spilling around his shoulders. Wavy and relaxed. "Next full moon." Charlie raised his head to the ceiling, closing his eyes smelling the air intently. "Tommorow night." Achillies nodded, silently. "Tommorow night we will confirm his memborship." Achillies had a trick for things to sound bland. Even if it were a life or death situation. He made Nathen sound like he were purchasing a Blockbuster memborship card. It pissed me off a little. There was a strange unrecognizable feeling floating around me. It was Nathen, we were both a little annoyed at his 'Oh so bland' attidtude. I would confront him about it later. But not now, business first. "We can figure out if he's a dom or not." I raised an eyebrow at that. I didn't like the sub and dom determinations. Some could be brutal, some were fairly quick and easy. But the slight tenstion in the comment made me narrow my eyes. Achillies ignored me, pissing me off even more. I didn't like being ignored. I looked at my hand holding Nathen's. I noticed how clean cut they were. Shaped perfectly. I flipped his hand over, noticing that the under side was a pinkish olive color, and the top was a light brown. It looked strangely Indian, and reminded me so. I toyed with his hand, bouncing it back and fourth in my hands, like a cat with a fuzzy ball. I smiled at my annalogy. For the first time I smelled the coffee brewing, and it smelled delicious. I closed my eyes and smelled. Deeply. Blocking out four different conciouses. Filing out Achillies and Charlies words. Filing out four different heart rythmes. I finally got up, entranced by the smell. What coffee can do. It made me feel like I was on crack or something. I padded silently into the kitchen, automatically pulling out my favorite wolf mug. I'd gotten it as a novetly once. I thought it was a funny joke if I bought it, so I did. I poured the essence of life into my mug. Fluttering my eyes closed, inhaling the scent of raw coffee into my lungs. "Mmm." I hummed happily, sipping the black. It was a little bitter, but that's how Achillies liked it. I'd gotten used to it. I listened to the numbed out hushing of air wooshing through the trees outside. The wind was angry today. Little, microscopic rain drops hit my kitchen window. Sitting happily, I watched through my large kitchen window. The sky was a dull grey, the blue blanded out. There were darker clouds spraying here and there. The trees shook uneasily. I glanced at the clock, noticing it was only about 1:00. I sighed, a rainy day. I loved rainy days. The sun hurt my eyes, and sometimes the sky was so blue, it did too. But grey, and wind, and rain didn't. Maybe it was my animal side, but I loved it. It made me want to go running. I left the kitchen, hushing through the side door, leading automatically to the hallway. Avoiding the living room and the terribly, 'too open' space. I set my steaming mug down on the arm of a near by chair. Slipping out of my silky pajama pants, and old worn t-shirt. Now having blood smeared on it. I made a not to clean it. But already knowing I wouldn't, seeing as Achillies would get around to it before I did. I slipped on a black sports bra, with matching sports shorts. It'd be cold outside, but I knew I wouldn't notice. Or care, for that matter. I pulled my long black hair into a long, bouncy poneytail. Hanging thick and wavy around my waiste. I touched my toes, and stretched from side to side. Taking a long hot chug of coffee. Feeling the burn as it washed down my cold throat. I smiled, I felt good. And the day was calling me. I opened my screened in back door. Popping it open. If I went out this way, no one would notice. My back door immediately led to my small backyard. It was bland and plain. No plants, like the front. No one came back here. The lawn weas mowed, but obviously needed to be mowed again, and soon. I didn't have kids, or dogs. So there were no play toys, or swings hanging around. I popped open the creaky iron gate. Edging my way from the neatly mowed suburban grass, to the overgrown woods. I climbed through the branches, looking for my special route. I found my wolf trail, that I'd often used for hunting. Achillies didn't even know of this spot. I smiled, pulling through the thick underbrush of branches. Holding out my arms for a moment, when I got back onto the trail. Looking up to the sky. Closing my eyes. There were no birds chirping. Or dogs growling. Or barking. All you could hear were the trees rubbing elbows. Autumn orange and brown leaves hanging on the ground. Reminding me of the upcoming, cold weather. I breathed in a deep breath. Hearing the worms squirming in the ground. Hearing my footsteps beat against the dark soil.I let the trees scratch me along the way. Knowing they'd be healed when I came back to the house. I hadn't been on my little trail for a while. So, after a few minutes of hard running, the underbrush grew tight. Where I had to practically crawl to get through the small opening. I dug my knees into the soil, crawling through. I got on the other side and started off again. The thick, untreated grass, slowly started to get shorter and shorter. And neater and neater. Till I was standing in the shadows of the swaying pine trees. Looking out over the park. It was empty. There were grey clouds hanging above it. There were ten spread out benches, lining in a circle. There was a small swing set left in the middle. Looking terribly out of place. And old. Not the new, bright yellow and green paint, and the rubber seats. But old, forgotten wood and metal. The chains rusted and clinking together. It made me wonder how many days they'd seen and felt the rain. Year after year. No children. There used to be alot of houses lining the area around here. And this used to be a small part of a huge park. Really just meant for pretty authentic, not children playful. It was supposed to be quiet and secluded for chatting, and talking. And it had stayed that way, me being its only occupant and visitor. There were ten Oak trees swaying behind the ten benches. Years and years ago set up. There was a brick walkway, leading to the huge forgotten park. That was half gone. The houses were mostly, abandoned or empty. It's old occupants moving to the new houses, or just leaving. I'd gotten here when they had just finished with the suburban houses, lining the new black street. These were old, and big, and forgotten. I sat on the rickety bench. My back to the playset. I watched the brick walkway. Dark and brown. Green grass stretching out to cover it up. Like it never existed there. The trees were thick, and there was a walkway as far as I could see. I closed my eyes and listened. Listened to the trees, the air, the silence, the. . .breath. I wasn't breathing. Suddenly the breathing stopped. I slowly turned to look behind me, to find no one. I smiled at myself. No one. I heald my head up to the sky, holding out my tongue. Little splashes of water were bouncing off my chin, no longer microscopic. Then it started hailing Mary with rain. I smiled, dancing in it. I stretched out my arms, turning in circles. I was soaking wet, shaking horribly. For the first time noticing the chill running through me. I smiled, today was a good day. I ran down the brick walkway a couple of times, it was longer than it appeared. Until the rain got vicious, and I knew I had to leave soon. I sat down on the squeaky swing set. Breathing heavily. My voice drowned out by the roar of the wind and rain. My hair was down, and plastered to the shape of my neck and face. I leaned my head against the rusty red and black chains. Even the creaking with my weight, lost in the hurricane winds. When my breathing finally came back to normal, and I was more than freezing, I reluctantly let go of the chains. Whispering, "Thanks for letting me visit." I patted the seat, and left. Pulling through the tree branches. Slightly covered from the horrid rain. But leaves and branches were flying everywhere. Scratching me to pieces. I ran, forgetting about the underbrush. Falling head first into it. I yelped in pain. It wasn't just underbrush, but thorns of some kind. I lifted, only falling deeper. What was this? "What the-" I was falling in some kind of hole. A rough hand grabbed my arm, yanking me out. I squeeled in surprise. Looking down at the hand, the looking up. A got a glimpse of white hair and white skin, and then there was no one. And I was staring at the angry trees swaying and hurtling side to side. I stood for a moment, staring into nothing. Trying to think of what had just happened. Finally the cold got on to me. I stepped under the underbrush, or whatever the hell it was. And was off in a flash. Arriving all too soon at the neaty mowed lawns. Now looking at a line of matching back bedrooms and matching lawns. I pushed through my own, standing on the doorway, looking back at the thick wall of trees. Shutting me out of their little world, and their little secret. I glared at it through the wind and rain. Trying to comprehend what had just happened, but, again failing. I sighed, shaking my head. Pushing open my bedrooms door. Irritated at the now, wet carpet. I shook my head and walked down the hall. Achillies bound in front of me, shoving me against the wall. "Where were you?" He growled. I growled back, showing teeth. "My house, and I can do or go anywhere, without having to consort to you." "No. I am your packmaster. Where ever you go, it goes through me. With new people, I am not comfortable with yet. You will tell me every move you make. Clear?" He said, eyes narrowing in on me. I glared back. My defiance wasn't always the best answer. He was pushing me back against the wall, I suddenly cringed. Feeling a terrible feeling brushing my back. He noticed, asking, "What's wrong?" I stared back at him. "Nothing." He flexed his jaw, not a good sign. We were like freaking brother and sister. "Turn around." "Make me." God, I was so stupid. He grabbed me by the end of my hair, twirling me in the air. It didn't hurt what so ever. I just felt a chill of cold air hitting my back, and that stung a little. I really shouldn't have said what I did, especially not around him. But I couldn't keep my mouth shut. He shoved me roughly against the wall. My chest and cheek coming roughly against it. I whimpered, stupidly. Of course he would have made me. I felt his finger tip tracing scratches. "Did you trip?" I mumbled. "What?" He asked, tracing another. I rolled my eyes. He heard me. I could have breathed it and he would of heard. "Yes, I tripped." "In what? A pile of knives?" "Oh, yeah. You have to watch out for those damned puddle of knives out there." I mumbled. He poked my arm. I whimpered, that hurt. I looked at my wrist and forearm, where the 'man' had grabbed me from falling. "You didn't leave with this." "Someone helped me up." I said, turning back around, but having Achillies grab me again, he picked me up bridal style. Easy to not touch my back. Walking into the kitchen. I looked around me. "Where's Charlie and Nathen?" He smiled. I glared at him. "Charlie wanted to give Nathen a little show around his house." I gave him a wide eyed stare. "He wouldn't have gone." "No, not unless you said so. Or I said so." I shook my head. "You're a sneaky, mean old man you know that?" He sighed, "And getting older my wolfet." I shook my head, becomind too tired to hold it up, so laying it against his chest. My hair swung around Achillies. Entwining in his hair, making a dark, wet contrast. He pushed open the kitchen door with his foot, scooting the phone away from the counter. I touched it with my fingers, pouting. "It's cold." I hissed, while he place me face first on the counter. I squirmed, "I can stand." "You can lay." He pushed my shoulder down, and there was no more moving. He opened drawers and cabinets, rummaging through them. He came back to my side. "I don't need it, they're just scratches." He didn't say anything. He put a sticky substance against my back. "They scratched deep and thick, not like branches or leaves. What was it you exactly fell over?" He wasn't using ointment. He was using his own concauction he liked to make. "This will sting a bit." A fire burste through my back. And I groped at the counter for something to squeeze. I heald back howls, all except for a small trimmer and a whimper at the end. He took my hand. "That stuff hurts like hell." "That stuff is a life saver." He chimed in happily. I rolled my eyes. "I hate your stuff. Why can't I just go take a shower, and be tough." He slapped on more of the gew. And I couldn't help but to shake at the burning on my back. I shook violently. Biting on my own lip. "Because you're not tough, when are you ever gunna realize that?" Finally he was through. And my back, like always, felt better. But I just didn't see it worth the flame set on my back. I'd rather it just ache for a while. "That hurt." I sat on my bottom, my legs swinging, never being able to reach the floor. He smiled his lazy lop-sided smile. "I know." He kissed me softly. Barely brushing his lips against mine, like a butterfly tango. He pulled away looking down. Touching my arm. I yanked it away. "No ointment." He smiled. "No, no ointment." He warily traced the now soft bruise around my forearm. "Did you see this man?" I nodded. Looking at my arm. "For a moment, then, like magic, he just. . .left." "Left?" "Dissapeared." Achillies flexed his jaw. Biting the inside. "You okay?" He looked into my eyes. Smiling a full teeth smile. "Great." I leaned on him. My face smushed into his chest. "Tired?" His chest rumbled with his words. I nodded. "Tired." I said, adding a yawn. I turned my head, more comfortably to face the crook of his neck. Seeing little white scratches along the inside, barely noticable. I twirled his hair around my finger absently, still looking at his neck. "What happened, here?" I said, tracing a finger, his hair still entwined around it, up his neck. He stiffened, a little. Then it was gone. "Old scar." I squinted my eyes, trying to look closer, "Can I see them?" He hesitated. "If you want." I nodded. He waited a moment, then pulled me away from him. Picking me up by my bottom, he pulled me into the cozy living room. The wind and rain still beating outside. He sat me on the couch. He hesitated a moment. Pulling his shirt off. His back flexed and his shoulders tensed. His hair blocked his face and his chest. I got up, moving his brown and red locks out of the way. I squinted, there were little white marks everywhere, paling his skin. I turned him around wide eyed. I was afraid to take the picture in. His back was shredded. Or at least, I visioned it when it had been. There weren't little white marks, there were deep, thick, rigid marks in him. Thick and full. Still screaming alive. They were on every inch of his skin. Going from the bottom of his neck, to the very low of his back, still going, lost in his jeans. One nasty one scraped around to his shoulder blade. Tracing around to the middle of his chest. These were whips. Of some kind. Who would do this? "What did these?" I said softly. Barely audible. "Cat tails." He said blankly. Empty and dull. "Cat tails." I whispered to myself. So many. Everywhere. Absolutely covering every inch of his skin. "Achillies." I said softly. Trying to wake myself up. He pulled away, groping for his shirt. "I'm sorry." He said, trying hard to figure out why his shirt was so tangled. Like it were his first time ever putting one on. I took it from him. Tracing my fingers along every inch of his chest. "Why." I studdered. "Would someone do this." I whispered hoarsely. He shrugged. "I was captured, you know that." There was something in his voice, but I couldn't. . .I couldn't desiver what it was. I looked up into his eyes. Looking, searching, but Achillies had had a lot of time and years, to practice his guard. And it was as tight as a metal fortress. And there was not one window. Not one light of day, or a bland light. There was cold hard, steel. I hugged him. Leaning into it. Pressing my face against his chest. Wrapping my arms around his waiste. Hugging to him. My hair caught in front of me, tangling around his belt and fingers. "I'm so sorry Achillies, I'm so sorry." I mumbled over and over again. Pressing wet cheeks to his chest and bare skin. I felt his large hands, holding my head against him. His large arms supporting me. Always supporting me. I got to my knees. Pressing my forehead to his legs. My hands on the ground, leaning my head down. My hair falling around his socked feet, and twirling in circles on my carpet. I bowed my head as low as it would hang. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Was all I could say. "Master, I'm so sorry." He picked me up by my shoulders. Hugging my body to his. Not even realizing I was a foot off the ground. "Donot call me Master, ever again. And you have nothing to be sorry about." He said this with a glint in his eye. It almost looked like a tear. But before I could investigate, or pry. He took me to my bedroom. Laying me on my back, lightly. Carfully, laying down beside me. His body curving beside mine. He lay with his leg intertwined with my thighs. One arm under my head, and the other wrapped posesively around my stomach, pulling me closer. I turned my head to his. Pushing against his forehead, lovingly. "I'm so sorry." He closed his eyes. Kissing my forehead. "Go to sleep, pet." I did start to drift off. My vision became blurry and it seemed like my body weighed a thousand tons. I let my mind wander. "I love you." I remember whispering. "I love you too, Hunter." And then I was out. And everything was hazy, with white whip marks.