Kaiah was sitting on Ria's bed, braiding the Imperial's hair. She was skilled with cornrows and forming dreadlocks in people's hair, but Ria's hair was wavy and soft and wouldn't be able to handle such a tight braid. She took some of her castor oil and poured some on her hands before running her fingers through her friend's hair. Once she combed it out, she started sectioning it and started creating a Nordic braid. Her short hair made it very quick and easy to do. Once she braided all three sections, she pulled some loose hairs in front of her face.

Ria got up and walked over to her mirror and looked at herself. Her face lit up as she gently touched the braids in her hair. "It's beautiful Kaiah! Thank you!" She then hugged her Redguard friend tightly. Kaiah chuckled, "I'm glad you like it. I tried not to pull too hard on your hair."

Kaiah went back over to her dresser to put her comb and oil away. Ria was still changing into her dress and boots. It was a long light green dress with a light brown corset that tied from the front. She then put on her brown lace boots and strapped her steel sword around her waist. Kaiah followed her out of the living quarters and into the main hall. Farkas was already waiting upstairs near the main entrance. Ria rushed over to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. They both waved the Redguard as they left Jorrvaskr.

"I can't believe you're encouraging them."

Kaiah jumped as she turned around and saw Vilkas, sitting by a nearby table reading a book. He was dressed in his black tunic and had white cloth wrapped around his biceps down to his wrist. He gave her a scolding look and she walked over to him.

"Aren't you happy for your brother?"

"I don't feel happiness." Vilkas deadpanned, taking a sip of tea that he had on the end table beside him.

She grabbed the book from his hand, making sure to not lose his current place. "Are you always so cold?"

"When people steal my book from me," he snatched his book back from her hand, "yes."

"Truly," she scoffed, "you are jealous of your brother."

Vilkas let out a laugh, "That's ridiculous."

She chuckled, an amused look on her face, "You're jealous that he found someone who loves him for who he is. I'm sure you've never found someone who could put up with your brutishness."

"Oh please!" He scoffed, "I have maidens falling at my feet, waiting for me to pull out an Amulet of Mara for them."

"They would surely need to be ill if they ever consider marrying a troll like you."

Vilkas slammed his book on the end table and stood up, towering over the Redguard. She kept her stern glare and never once broke eye contact. She noticed a slight golden hue forming around the iris of his silver eyes. If looks could kill, his would have certainly murdered her. But she wasn't afraid of him. No, quite the opposite. It almost felt as if she was enjoying this.

"You are an insufferable wench!"

Her lips curled into the most mischievous smirk, "Oh? Did I hurt the big bad wolf's feelings?"

Vilkas felt his beast blood boiling over the surface. 'Did I hurt the big bad wolf's feelings?'

Vilkas pulled the Redguard into a hungry embrace, forcibly taking her mouth with his. Taken by surprise at first, Kaiah soon returned the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing her hungrily, he guided her to the long table and pushed her against the table, her back now laying on it. He crawled over and started kissing her neck, causing her to moan silently. He continued down her chest and nearly ripped her dress apart so he could ravage her breasts. She wrapped her legs around him and ran her fingers through his tousled hair, calling his name. "Oh, Vilkas…"

"Vilkas…"

"Vilkas!"

But of course, that's not what really happened.

He was pulled out of his trance when Kaiah said his name with a rather concerned look on her face. She was still clothed, and they certainly weren't about to make love on the long table where they eat their meals. Kaiah waved her hand in front of his face. "Are you okay?"

Vilkas stepped away abruptly and then stormed off in the other direction, towards the training yard. He slammed the doors of the hall on his way out, making Kaiah flinch.

"Why does he always do that?"

She looked down at where he was sitting and saw his cup of unfinished tea. She picked it up and smelled it before putting it in her mouth to drink. It tasted foul. Disgusting. She then spit it out back into the cup, looking inside. "No wonder he was acting weird, this tea is fucking disgusting."

Ria and Farkas were walking along the stone path past Chillfurrow and Battle-Born farm, just outside the city. The two were holding hands, swaying as they walked. Farkas knew of a small area in the woods towards the mountain where they could have a picnic. He had packed some precooked food for them to eat and carried it in his knapsack. He had taken a strong liking to the Imperial, he thought she was so adorable and sweet.

Ria smiled at the Nord, "So, where are we going?"

He pointed over to the small mountains towards the east, "There's a small grove there that I think you'll like."

She clutched his forearm, "Well I'm excited!"

The two had walked for a while longer until they finally reached the grove that Farkas had mentioned previously. The two sat down in the grass by the pond on the edge of the grove. Pine trees surrounded the area and birds could be heard chirping from the branches. A ray of sunlight crept through the top of the trees and onto the water. It was beautiful.

Farkas took out all the food he had brought and gave some to Ria. They started eating for a little bit before Ria spoke up. "What do you think of Kaiah and Vilkas?" Farkas finished chewing and looked up at the sky. He thought he understood what she was asking about. "My brother has feelings for her, but he always denies it."

Her face lit up, "He does?" She almost sounded a little too excited.

"Well, Vilkas has never been good with his feelings. It's weird, he's so smart, but he doesn't have a clue when it comes to women."

Ria let out a small giggle. Farkas laughed with her, then took another bite of his apple. Ria spoke up again, "I always thought they would be so cute together. But Kaiah always insists there's nothing there."

"I don't know a lot about love," Farkas said, a piece of his apple still in his mouth, "But I've been told that it's not something you force. It's something that grows on its own."

Ria gave him an impressed smile, "You are absolutely right, Farkas. And how do you help something grow?" He gave a confused look. She rolled her eyes a little, "You nurture it! They just need a little push, that's all." Farkas nodded his head in agreement, even though he had no idea what she truly meant.

Kaiah was outside in the training yard, practicing her swing on a dummy. She was thinking about her confrontation with Vilkas earlier in the morning. When she looked into his eyes, they started to glow with a golden hue, she had never seen anything like. 'Was he about to turn?' She thought. 'Did I rile him up that bad?' Kaiah's thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone call her name. She stopped what she was doing and turned around to see Skjor, his arms crossed over his chest.

"I've been looking for you. I have something a little special lined up for you."

She gave him a tired groan, "On my day off?"

"It's not that kind of task," He assured her. She sheathed her scimater and listened to the old Nord. "I have something special planned, but it's not for everyone to hear. Meet me in the Underforge tonight." Skjor walked away before Kaiah could say anything. 'The Underforge?' She wondered what this special task he was speaking of was. She couldn't even begin to guess. She supposed she had something to look forward to now.

Vilkas was in his room with his doors open, punching the dummy that he had next to his bed. He had been punching the poor dummy for what felt like hours, and the shape of the dummy was already starting to falter. He was so engulfed with thoughts that he didn't even hear Kodlak at the door.

"What are you doing, my boy?"

Vilkas turned around abruptly and saw his mentor standing in the doorway with a curious look on his face. Vilkas looked down at his knuckles and saw they were already turning raw from hitting the dummy for so long. "Just sparring."

"All by yourself?" Vilkas looked up to the old man and then back down at his hands, "I prefer to be by myself."

Kodlak let out a small chuckle, "I've noticed. And Ria and Farkas seem to be out today." Vilkas didn't respond to the old Nord. He simply picked up a nearby bandage to wrap his knuckles in. "You don't seem happy for your brother."

"I told him it was a bad idea," Vilkas muttered.

"How come?" Kidlak pushed, "There are certainly no rules that say that they couldn't." Vilkas let out an irritated groan. "That's not the point."

"So then what is the point?"

The Nord flailed his arms, "Must I say the reason aloud? So then everyone can finally understand my concerns?" Kodlak nodded his head slowly, finally realizing the source of Vilkas' concerns. In truth, while the Harbinger thought it strange that Farkas showed interest in Ria, there was no doubt that his lycanthropy could make such a delicate relationship complicated.

"The beast blood does not hinder man from finding companionship with another."

Vilkas' stern expression softened as he listened to his mentor. "While I may have chosen a life of solidarity after taking the blood I have never intended to push that choice onto my students. This is a hard life, filled with uncertainty. Surely every man seeks to find love with another to make the road of hardship more bearable?" Vilkas lowered his gaze to the stone floor, "Some of us are not worthy of such kindness."

"My boy," Kodlak placed a hand on his student's shoulder, "Your heart is strong, filled with the inequities of your emotions and concerns. Let go of your concerns, and you may find that you are worthy of that kindness."

It was nighttime now. Farkas and Ria returned to Jorrvaskr and everyone had already finished eating their evening meal. The Imperial filled Kaiah in with all the details of their date, except when they spoke of her and Vilkas, and Kaiah listened intently, trying to soak up all the details that she could. She was happy for her friend, but would never admit that she was rather envious.

Masser and Secunda were high in the sky when Kaiah walked out through the training yard of Jorrvaskr. She looked around and saw Skjor leaning against the large rock that the Skyforge sat on. She walked over reluctantly, a million thoughts racing through her head as she wondered what was about to happen next.

"There you are," Skjor stood up, "Are you prepared for whatever happens next?"

She gave him a concerned look, "I'm not really sure what's going on."

"Follow me, and all will be clear."

Skjor opened a stone slab that was hidden underneath some hanging leaves and moss. She had never noticed that door there, though that was apparently a good thing. He disappeared into the room and Kaiah followed shortly behind him. She closed the stone door behind her and realized it was pitch black inside. She couldn't see her own hands in front of her. She heard Skjor's footsteps and the heavy breathing of someone else. Skjor lit a torch and lit the area around them.

Kaiah jumped when she saw a large, auburn furred werewolf standing on its hind legs next to a large stone bowl. She started to feel her legs subconsciously tremble beneath her.

"I hope you can recognize Aela," Sjkor said hopefully, "Even in this form."

She pointed at the werewolf, "That's Aela?"

"She's agreed to be your forebear?"

A lump started to form in Kaiah's throat. "M-My forebear?"

Skjor stepped closer and Kaiah and she could see his battered face more clearly. He narrowed his brows and looked at the Redguard with a serious expression. There were a couple moments of silence before Skjor finally spoke up.

"We are offering you the beast blood."