Scars and the Claws That Leave Them

by HakuroNoKage

William Grimm newly transferred to the ZPD from the Ulfhaven Sheriff's Dept. tries to move forward with his life as his past remains a burden that seems to haunt him at every turn. Rated M for everything under the sun, and Nihil Nove Sub Sole. Much love, and many thanks to Darkwolfslayer21 for a cover image for this story, and for so much more besides. It's Nodachi Time.

18. Senna

Here we go, another installment of the Ulfhaven arc. I have announcement(s) - first, and foremost is about the forthcoming crossover between this fun little story of mine, and Darkwolfslayer21's own Monsters, and Animals. I'm just along for that ride same as the rest of you, and looking forward to it like you wouldn't believe. I really can't wait to see the full fruits of what his capable paws produce. Relatedly his OC Jack will probably be making appearances here in Scars sometime down the road; we've tossed some incredible ideas back, and forth, and let's just say when it does come time for Scars to end Special Officer Jack Snowfur has a rather important, and trusted role to play. Also Lola's cub wouldn't have quite the fleshed out future she now has if it weren't for those melding-of-genius's ideas we've had, and I hope we continue to have. Another thing to mention is this chapter's title song; it comes from the anime Bleach in particular the film Memories of Nobody where it's on the official soundtrack. Oh, also a note: when you read To-san this is not a shortening of Minamoto-san, but the way to say father in japanese, and when you see 'to' inbetween the japanese words I use this is the japanese word for 'and'. Lastly Scars has passed three thousand views, and I'm just like wow though I will say more reviews would be appreciated :)

P.S. - And this is why reviews are important, sometimes I spend so long writing out these chapters that I miss things that I only find when I get around to rereading them after I've posted them. For example I just fixed Lola being in her underwear for the whole chapter, and am now going to fix the goof I made in the last chapter about how far along she is; you see in the wolf gestational cycle a trimester is roughly twenty one days not fourteen. that said i'm not trying to throw stones at anyone since I too am in that glass house of just reading, and not always reviewing when I should. Though I do respond to my reviews, always so don't be shy.

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'sometimes to keep new secrets, we must give up the old in equal measure.' - ZIA lucky axiom #13

Tuesday [Week five, Day two]

Judy awoke nestled in the naked fur of her fox, and in her contentment nuzzled into his chest. The way his scent filled her nose only fed her relaxedness as it registered in her olfactory sense as belonging to her mate. Though technically they were still only boyfriend, and girlfriend, and hadn't mate-bonded yet she couldn't help think of him as such which was only reinforced by the way they kept being referred to as mates.

Comfortable as she was with the way his arm draped over her loosely holding him to her she couldn't help looking up at his sleeping muzzle never tiring of how peaceful he looked. As she gently ran a paw along his visage the way he smiled in his sleep at her touch brought a smile to her own muzzle, and with the same gentleness she ran her paw down along his neck into his chest fur savoring getting them down into his soft undercoat.

As she closed her eyes as she felt his firm muscles that his fur hid, and listened to the rhythm of his steady breathing she was too relaxed to control her body's natural reaction to him blood flow heating her core down to her sex. It didn't help that she remembered the slow, and caring way he'd made love to her before they'd both fallen asleep from their exertions. The thought alone of how his tongue had caressed her, and made her ready for his member that had felt even better than she'd imagined was enough for her to want him again, but those thoughts triggered the memory of their mutual passion making her need him again.

Running her paws lower along his abdomen she mused to herself that while the vulpine dildo she'd purchased had been a very good investment, but now that she had the real thing it was laughably useless. She couldn't help her light chuckle at the thought, and with a deviously lustful smirk she worked her way lower so his currently flaccid member was not only in easier reach of her questing paws, but scant inches from her muzzle where the strength of his scent that emanated from it set her resolve.

She started with slow licks along his furry sheath teasing the tip of him, and encouraging his member to awaken for her. It grew slowly at first, but as she increased the pace of her actions it swiftly reached full readiness much to her pleasure. She grinned further when his hips lightly bucked towards her as his body responded to her even as his mind was still in the depths of sleep which only encouraged her to go forward with what she wanted to do.

Wrapping her padless paws around him she reveled in the warmth him as she gently rubbed his length. At the base of him she could feel his knot that had yet to engorge with blood, but she would soon see to that. With care to wrap her lips around her front teeth so she wouldn't graze him with them she slowly put his tip in her mouth gently caressing it with her tongue before she got more of him in her mouth to see just how much would fit. She was just a little bit smug that she managed to fit half of his length in her mouth with his tip comfortably teasing the back of her throat.

Then she began her efforts in earnest having read enough articles, and heard enough from her more experienced, and active sisters to know despite her personal inexperience that what mattered when one was performing this particular act for a male was suction as well as how to go about achieving it. As her younger sister Jackie had put it, it was like sucking on a large straw though not necessarily with the same level of force, and the advice served her well though the simple size of a fox was larger than even the biggest of hares.

As she bobbed her head along what of him she could manage she used her paws to stroke the rest of his length making sure to give his knot the attention it needed as well as enjoying giving his furry scrotum a gentle massage knowing how easy it was to use them to cause any male significant pain which was the exact opposite of her current intention. The continued small thrusts of his hips encouraged her to increase the pace of her actions, and focus on stimulating his knot since she wanted to cause him to release his seed. When he started panting in his sleep from her ministrations the fire between her loins screamed at her for attention she hoped he would give her when he awoke since her paws were full with him.

When he did come she heard the low whine that escaped his muzzle while what little had been left in his testicles after their previous exertions filled her mouth. After she licked clean his now deflating member she crawled back up towards his head where she saw his eyes flutter open.

"Good morning sleepy fox." Judy said with a tellingly smug grin.

"Good morning love bunny" Nick responded with a happy smile of his own as his nose told him that he had not been dreaming about the attention from her that he'd received.

---

"Well that was a weird dream." Will said to Layla as he awoke.

"Hmm? What happened in it?" Layla sleepily asked in response.

"I was at the precinct in the 'Silent Cell' which is the most heavily sound proofed interrogation room." Will said recounting what of the dream still lingered in his mind "In front of me was a feline unlike any I've ever seen. He was on par size wise with say Nick, but his fur was white, and longer than any feline species I know. I don't remember what I was questioning him about, but I swear my nose still tickles with how he smelled which was definitely feline, but there was something there I can't put my paw on other than it was unlike any mammal I've ever come across. He had the same look in his eyes we do from all the torture we've been through, and I could tell he was used to killing like I am . . . just thinking about it is kind of unsettling though I also got the sense from him that he was deep down a good mammal not like the kinds of wanton murderers we've had to put in the dirt. Now that I try to remember it he said something about a rabbit kit in danger, and I pledged him my sword should he need it."

"I wonder if your subconscious was trying to tell you something?" Layla asked before stretching with a yawn.

"Or he, and I shared a dreamscape. Maybe it was a prophetic dream though . . ." Will answered trailing off.

"Though what?" Layla inquired her interest now piqued.

"If it was that'd be quite the curveball for me. The last prophetic dream I had . . . " Will gave her a look mixed with sadness before finishing his statement "was a vision of how this body will fall, and I will fly. You, and Sierra were with me when I was climbing Mount Sequoia, but when we were almost at the peak I ran ahead . . ."

"I don't want to hear any more." Layla told him shaking her head for emphasis.

"I don't know when it will happen, my love. Some things there simply is no knowing, and that is as it should be thus the rule of the Time Lords 'No Spoilers'. I can't say anymore that dying is the day I live for; not when we will have a kit, and I will be a father . . ." Will told her before the fact that there was a cub that was his that he could never be a father for struck him again, and he broke down in tears.

Layla just held his head to her chest doing her best to comfort him, and her just being there meant more to him than he could ever tell her. Sometimes when mammals are alone in their particular hurts just the warmth of another next to them helps, and this was why he'd come to cherish his mate before he left her; now that he had her back he wasn't going to let her go.

After Will had gotten the fresh tears out, and gone the two of them dressed in their usual fashion of black fatigue trousers since for years that's what they'd worn. As for shirts Will went with a simply black tank top since he wasn't inclined to really go anywhere outside the Grimm property just yet, and Layla chose a Lindsey Stirling concert shirt she'd gotten during her year in europe. While they walked down the hallway towards the living room of Will's den he couldn't help sniffing the air, and grinning knowingly.

"They did it last night" Will said pointing to Lola's room where she was with her David.

"They did it too, and probably will do it again when they wake up" He added when they got to the room Maria, and her David claimed.

"And they're already having their morning fuck." Will nodded as they reached the room wherein Nick, and Judy were.

"You know I can smell the same things right?" Layla said to him with a grin of her own.

"I do." Will responded "I don't know if I mentioned to everyone that all the rooms are soundproofed, but hehe they're definitely not smell proof; I wonder how Judy'll react if I tell her that."

"Don't, or rather I'm sure you'll forget." Layla told him.

"Well you're no fun, but yeah there's no sense teasing them about it." Will said adding "If only they knew how the smells of sex are catalogued in my brain under the 'Smells of Home category' hehehe."

"So should we wake everyone up at some point for breakfast?" Layla asked as they continued on their way.

"Yeah, ya know I don't even know what time it is. I'll give my mom a call when we get to the living room." Will answered.

Entering the top floor common room of his den Will, and Layla were greeted by the first three mammals to awaken Sierra, Naomi, and Sophie. Sierra in her olive drab fatigue trousers, and black tank top was in the kitchen brewing some espresso the smell of which had Will's fur bristling at the tips, and drew his focus on her tail where he noted she had hooked to a belt loop his very first collar made of simple black faux leather which showed it's age. Naomi, and Sophie occupying the same cushion on the couch facing the foyer was no less noteworthy to Will, but caffeine at that moment was more important. Layla on the other paw made herself comfortable with the Hokkaidoan she-wolf, and Arctic vixen who were as their muzzles showed already halfway back asleep.

"Ohayo Imouto-chan, and sweet Sophie" Will waved to the two of them as he made his way to his cousin earning a whine from Sophie in response.

"Coffee . . ." Will whined back to her.

"I want some too." Sophie called after him into the kitchen.

"Then I will bring you some honey-fluff." Will answered her then asked Layla "You, or Naomi-chan want anything, babe?".

"Make us tea." was what he got from his mate, and he could picture the look on her muzzle the last time he'd given her coffee; the night shift were in for brew to rouse daemons when the Chief decided to give him night patrol.

"Wakatta." Will called back to her as he sidled up to Sierra asking her "Is that my good coffee you got into sister?"

"It is, in the espresso pot, and the french press." Sierra answered turning into his muzzle as he rested it on her left shoulder.

"Good decision; my nose is happy" Will told her with a grin before nuzzling into her wanting to know "So, is there a reason you've got that old collar?"

"You'll see when we spar after breakfast." Sierra responded deflecting with "Sophie already called mom; breakfast will be ready in an hour."

"Sweetness, then I have time for tea too." Will replied stepping back from her then over to the cofee pot full of hot water.

While Sierra stared at the espresso pot while she timed the french press like doing so would speed their readiness Will pulled down three mugs he filled with hot water then got out matcha powder he whisked into them. He also got down three coffee mugs for Sierra when the coffee was done before carrying the teas into the living room. After setting their tea down on the nearby coffee table then doing the same with his own once he'd taken a sip Will made himself comfortable on the sofa sitting cross legged leaning back into the middle of the even large for him couch. Layla did her best to nestle herself into him the top of her head just putting enough pressure on his jaw causing him to rest his head on her's while first Sophie then Naomi moved to curl up against one of his sides.

When Will made to move to grab his tea Layla, and Naomi of the three who'd subsumed his personal space for a little positive contact moved in advance of him with Layla retrieving his mug, and hers while Naomi wrapped her paws around her own mug. While they were quietly enjoying their tea save for their slurping as they did so Sierra brought in the three mugs of coffee that had Sophie uncurled from her position next to her older brother, and sitting upright in seconds with smell alone. Will wasn't much better as he panted lightly his tongue lolling on to his mate's muzzle much to her indifference.

Will swiftly downed what was left of his tea just so he could bury his nose in the aroma of his coffee. The notes the espresso left were the kind of bitter that caused his nose to flare as he drank in the scent. Sophie likewise stuck her muzzle in her coffee albeit for a different reason as evidenced by the whipped cream that stuck to her pink nose. Sierra just sipped at her own mug looking at the other two 'caffiends' as if they were idiots. Will laughed when he saw Sophie's muzzle, calling her kawaii while he tried to lick her nose though she managed to use her tongue for the task before he ever got close enough. When Naomi yawned at their antics she drew his attention.

"Okay, time to wake everyone up" Will said with a grin then asked Layla "Babe, would you mind fetching me the nearest control tablet?"

Will thanked Layla when she gave him the tablet that had been on the coffee table identified by it's white mil-spec case with a playful lick to her muzzle.

"First things first, though; turning on the vents" Will said pulling out his half empty pack of cigarettes drawing one out with his lips then holding it out to Layla who took one along with Sophie. With a button press to illuminate the screen then a couple swipes, and a tap Will had the top floor air exchange system running. That done he dug in his pocket for his flip lighter only to find it in his vixen's deft paws as she lit first Sophie's cigarette then hers before holding out the flame for him.

"Well aren't you cheeky?" Will commented to Layla.

"You know you love me" Layla shot back.

"That I do." Will nodded in response.

While Layla lowered in her position in his lap so she was reclining with the back of her head in his chest instead of his throat enjoying her morning smoke Will kept is lit cig between his fingers as he manipulated the touch screen of the remote for his den. Writing the programs that ran everything he'd set up had been a bit of a pet project of his during what down time he could spare back when he was in the ZIA. The user interface had actually been the fun part to create. Navigating through the controls Will switched the first floor speakers on to the same input, then adjusted the volume to what would be loud enough to rouse a mammal without being blaringly so. A final tap had the tablet's built in mic on once the music player had been queued.

"You're listening to Ulfhaven Pirate Radio. I'm your DJ Cpt. Purpleheart. Gonna get you mammals warmed up for another morning here in the Bay of Fallen Wolves. The mist through the woods from here is quite the sight for these dead eyes. First up is 'The Wild Healer' by Gojira." Will said doing his best disc jockey impression as he started the song. Once the short instrumental piece was done 'From Mars' followed by 'Torii' which were also by Gojira played.

"Lt. Firetail reporting for duty keeping your ships sailing with 'Time' by Pink Floyd." Sierra chimed in as his 'co-host' when the next track began.

"Now to our special guest for our morning show with the question: are we going too easy on rousing the crew below decks?" Will asked Layla when 'Time' was over.

"Ich tu dir Weh, Caramelldansen. To eleven." Layla answered her voice echoing through the speakers in the hallway as well as the speakers in all of the quarters.

"Ooh, the vexing vixen plays hard. You heard the lady folks; we're not pulling out all the stops, but we're kicking it up a notch." Will responded getting Layla's song suggestions going at a higher volume with a swipe, and tap of his paw.

If the rest of Will's pack were trying to ignore the impromptu radio show hiding their heads under their pillows the Rammstein track defeated their efforts. Slowly everyone came out of their rooms as the song played though most were still in their pajamas such that they were. Katarina, and Sage were the first to come out of the hallway into the living room with the both of them as unclothed as they were when they were born with Sage flopping on the nearest sofa, and Kat heading into the kitchen seeking coffee which fortunately for her there was enough left for her to have a mug.

Holly came in with a yawn in her star field pj's, and looking just awake enough sat on the sofa with Sage. Maria, and her David entered shortly after followed by Nick, and Judy; Maria was wearing just simple grey pajama bottoms, and a RWBY t-shirt while her David had on a pair of black sweatpants, and a Machinae Supremacy band shirt. Nick, and Judy on the other paw were actually fully dressed with Judy a country bunny by roots in jeans, and an indigo flannel shirt looking like a local while Nick was similarly attired though his flannel shirt was a forest green; he actually looked good in jeans, but it was obvious he wasn't used to wearing them.

Last, but not least out of her room came Lola in loose black pajama bottoms, and a worn, but comfortable grey t-shirt radiating an attitude of 'I don't give a shit', and looking like she wanted to bite someone followed by her David who though shirtless was wearing his tan uniform trousers. The aural contrast of 'Caramelldansen' by Caramell following the Rammstein track was echoed in the visual contrast of how Judy responded to the upbeat swedish pop track compared to Lola who was about as much a morning mammal as her brother, and showing it.

Seeing Judy's enjoyment of the song Will had started doing the dance from the animated music video, and continued with his antics despite Lola's pointed glare making it evident he was tops on her 'Bite-List'. Judy had actually started mimicking Will until she noticed first Sage's nudity with a small 'meep' then Kat's nudity as she walked in quaffing coffee with relish eliciting a louder 'eek' from the lapine doe.

With his eyes closed as he swayed his hips with his paws above his ears, and somehow working slight headbanging into the effort Will was quite oblivious to the scene before him though he heard Judy, yet ignored her. Layla couldn't help her grin at the happy look on his muzzle though she knew it was only half real, and in his stead took the situation in paw picking up the control tablet he'd set down using it to retract the projector screen revealing an array of wooden signs drawing the attention of those new to Will's den. The top most read 'Rules of the Den' followed by 'Rule #1 - Clothing Optional', 'Rule #2 - Drug use optional; needles prohibited', 'Rule #3 - Keep the bathhouse tub clean. That means no fucking, please.', and finally 'Rule #4 - If you hunger be Viking, raid the fridge.' As the song ended Layla paused the music bringing Will back to the present.

"Give me one damn good reason you woke me up at fucking seven in the morning on a day I don't have to work." Lola demanded of Will.

"Mom fixing us breakfast, ready by the time we get over there." Will answered his hope of dodging her ire evident in his voice.

"Hmm, fine" Lola growled in his general direction.

"I guess that means we need clothes." Sage commented grinning at how Judy nodded furiously in response.

"Da, we must dress." Kat added taking a deep drink of her coffee before asking Will "Tell me brat volk did you make this coffee?"

"Actually that would be me." Sierra answered her.

Kat simply raised her mug towards Sierra in response as thanks then made her way to her room to get clothed followed shortly after by Sage.

"Ugh, I want a beer, and a cigarette, and I can have neither . . . " Lola grumbled making her way into the kitchen for a bottle of water she walked back into the living room drinking.

"David, I'm sorry." Will said turning to the deputy.

"What for?" he asked in response.

"I woke her up, and one of us is going to have to deal with her . . . if she goes after you run, and I'll take one for the team; it's the least I can do since I get to go back to Zootopia." Will replied eliciting a gulp, and a nod from him.

"Don't worry David. I'm not going to hurt you" Lola said to her wolf reassuringly with her tone pleasant before she turned to her brother saying "He on the other paw can take the abuse."

"Anyway, foxes are starving over here" Layla chimed in "Sage, and Kat know where we're heading so can we go?"

At Judy's stomach audibly gurgling Layla added "Bunnies are starving too."

"I am with your vixen on this" Sierra put in her two cents.

"Well it's not like we won't leave a scent trail, or they don't have noses. They won't be that far behind us so okay. Let's go." Will relented though as they passed the hallway leading to the living quarters he let loose a summoning howl to encourage Sage, and Kat to hurry.

His howl was responded to with Kat shouting 'I don't speak Wolf!' though there was a degree of laughter in her voice, and Will chuckled at her comment.

"It never ceases to amaze me how you do that" Holly said as they walked up the entrance tunnel to the outer doors.

"That's cause you're the city-wolf out of all of us cousin." Sierra responded with a grin.

"We country wolves may still use howls for some signals, but even we don't howl like that except for you, and Will." Lola's David said.

"Some signals? It's always the same messages; 'help', or 'I'm here, where are you?'." Lola commented.

"It's actually fortunate for us no one, but us remembers what we know." Will said solemnly.

"I didn't think howling was so complex." Judy spoke curious.

"It usually isn't." Layla told her face pawing because she knew what was coming.

"Nowadays most wolves howl because it's a wolf thing we do. They hear another wolf howl their nature compels them to join in, or as you saw in Bunnyburrow Judy it's used as a pack building exercise. Only living relics like Sierra, and I, or wolves versed in the old stories like Elder Frost, or that Professor Ulfden know that howls used to be used a lot differently. Mostly the specific directed howls were for alphas alone as a sign of leadership though everyone knew, and learned them since any wolf can be an alpha. What saddens me most about this knowledge that wolves as a species have lost is that howling used to be the way a wolf opened their hearts calling out to the Wolf Mother. As my sister pointed out most country wolves that know to howl with any meaning in it only do so because the knowledge of that much at least cubs are born with, and it's from cubs using those howls that the adults adopted the practice." Will explained as he walked, and continued talking as he opened the outer door of his den.

"Now it's only you who sing for her your love of her, and only when it rains." Layla commented as she followed Will outside finding the skies overcast, but not threatening rain.

"He's not the only one who sings to her" Sierra corrected her "But he is the only one who does so with love like he does."

"That, I do." Will admitted with a shrug.

"You know Will for not blatantly saying anything the canine community sure is talking a lot about you." Nick mentioned to Will asking "How are you planning on dealing with it?"

"If I have to tell one canid at a time that I'm no different than they are then so be it. I really am not here to lord my true place over anyone. I am not that kind of alpha." Will answered exasperatedly at the mere thought of that kind of hassle.

"So, um, Will . . . what's with those rules?" Maria's David asked nervously.

"I think they're pretty self explanatory" Will answered succinctly adding with a slight grin as he continued "my den is as safe a place for my pack as I can make it. We're all freaks of one flag, or another; it's good to let them fly."

'The Sento rule is the most important.' Naomi added.

"Yes, yes it is Naomi-san." Sierra agreed.

"So, clothing optional? Sounds fun eh, Carrots?" Nick felt the need to tease Judy.

"Nick!" Judy responded throwing an elbow in his direction scoring contact with his ribs.

"To put it differently, states of undress permitted. If you're more comfortable in just your undies don't hesitate to get comfy; those who ignore shame will walk around naked without care." Holly explained shaking her head.

"You've been warned." Will quipped with a laugh.

As Will's laugh faded away two sets of running paws could be heard; one with slower, and lighter footfalls while the other was faster, and heavier. The rest of the mammals following them turned at the sound of approach, but Will, and Layla both already knew who was going to reach them first. Kat attired similarly to Will, and Sierra with her fatigue trousers being the russian woodland camouflage was running on all fours strait for Will's tail. Will seemed to give his tail an extra wag tauntingly right as Kat made her leap for him; when he heard her paws cease hitting the road he sidestepped forcing Kat to end her failed pounce in a roll allowing her to redirect her momentum so she was back on her hind paws.

"I almost had you" Kat said to Will as she turned to face him.

"I haven't lost my edge, yet Katarina." Will responded.

"We'll see about that after breakfast." She replied.

"Alright. You're on kirei neko-chan" Will said rising to her challenge.

"I want first match against him." Naomi spoke up.

"I call last." Sophie added.

"Second." Layla said raising a paw.

"Third" Sierra called quickly.

"That makes me fourth." Kat asserted.

"Okay then, half my pack wants a piece? Well, I guess I better deliver." Will chuckled enthusiastically actually looking forward to a good spar adding to Nick "Brother, you should totally get it on camera."

"You should at least get Layla, and Sierra kicking his tail on tape for me at least." Lola said "Okay handsome fox?"

"Sounds fun, I bet the Chief will get a kick out of it." Nick agreed.

"Wow, real vote of confidence you two" Will said sarcastically, feigning injury at their words.

"You know it's no contest. I have your tail, babe." Layla said grinning at him as she wrapped her right arm around his left.

"Hah. There's never any contest of that, sexy." Will replied grinning back at her causing her to snap her teeth at him playfully.

The rest of their walk down the road to the main house continued full of idle chatter, and mild banter. Reaching the main house Will gave Layla's ass a quick grab then darted up the porch steps so he could hold the door for everyone as they filed in Sierra leading them to the table while Lola took one smell of the air then darted out onto the back deck. Will managed to give his mom a good morning hug lifting her off the ground despite her protests, and steal a pawful of roasted beet pieces before he too followed after Lola. Layla likewise gave Marie a hug much to her delight before excusing herself to talk with Will.

"So what smell has you out here?" Will asked Lola while he lit his day's first cigarette downwind of her as Layla stepped through the back door.

"Turkey bacon . . . morning sickness . . . bite your face off . . ." Lola answered breathing slowly to quell her nausea.

"I can't stand it either." Will told her.

"You lie . . ." Lola asserted.

"Nope, once you know what the real thing smells like . . . there's no unknowing." Will replied tossing his pawful of vegetables in his maw.

"But you used to love the stuff . . ." Lola said as her urge to vomit subsided before his words really registered, and she asked him slightly taken aback "Wait, how do you know what the real thing smells like?"

"Right now that's still classified between me, and three foxes." Will answered her then seeming to remember something pulled out his phone while Layla fished in his side pockets for his cigarettes.

"Speaking of which my sister that reminds me." Will said pulling up his contacts list, and dialing a number with a single paw then with the other which still held his flip lighter lit Layla's cigarette.

Lola just raised her eyebrow at him in curiosity while he waited for whoever he was calling to pick up the line.

"Is this Subtler Fudge chocolate company? I'd like to order the darkest chocolate you've got. Two in fact, one the weight of a rabbit buck, and the other the weight of a vixen. If possible delivered to The Grimm Sepulchre in Ulfhaven by thursday morning." Will spoke into his phone.

"Oh, I have the wrong number do I?" Will responded to whoever was on the other line "Really, I'm gonna be in danger if I call this number again? Well, bring it on Jack!"

With Layla, and Lola both looking at him quizzically as he put his phone back in his pocket Will told them "Jack, and Sky will be here tonight."

"Really, that soon?" Layla inquired.

"They have the vacation time, and ostensibly they're spying on me." Will answered

"Wait, they're going to spy on you, and you invited them here? Just what are you thinking?" Lola asked in disbelief.

"Will we need to pick them up from the airport?" Layla added earning an incredulous look from Lola.

"Unofficially sis, they're just guests here for their friend's wedding, and Sky was already ordering a rental." Will answered them.

"Ah, okay." Lola replied.

"William . . . you didn't tell me you had chickens . . ." Layla said to Will her focus on the group of pudgy avians strutting about the back yard.

"You want one?" Will asked her in response.

"Can I have one?" Layla inquired.

"Take one I've already ordered a dozen more. I made three disappear two days ago." Lola told her.

"I love you both" Layla half shouted in response as she leapt off the back porch.

Lola had her phone up, and recording the scene just as Layla landed on all fours, and Will cheered her on by warning the chickens.

"Run for your lives! Make her work for her meal!" Will hollered at the hapless avians who sure enough got the message, but scattered futilely.

Layla closed the distance between herself, and the nearest chicken, but it managed to flap away. The next one to catch her attention she attempted to pounce on, but overshot her target. Her second pounce though she landed closing her jaws around the head of her target avian which was swiftly spat out. Taking the rest of the body Layla took a couple bounds away from where the still living chickens were regrouping before using her jaws to pluck out enough feathers so she could tear into the carcass.

Will laughed seeing her spit out the feathers because her muzzle expression was too adorable, and called out to her asking "You need a paw with that?"

The only response from her that he got was her bared fangs, and a growl which only made him laugh further. With enough of the feathers gone Layla made quick work of using her fangs to eviscerate the fowl, and go for the edible organs like the heart, and liver. From there she moved on the the meat of the legs then the breasts.

Will's cheering on of his mate didn't fail to attract attention in the form of Sierra who was checking for Marie what was going on that they couldn't join everyone for breakfast. Hearing the back door open Lola turned to see her cousin stick her head out the door to say something before her gaze fell on Layla finishing up her morsel while Will hopped off the porch offering to help his mate bury the remains.

"Well she's definitely his mate. She eats chicken like we do." Lola commented to Sierra with a laugh.

"And there he goes to help her bury it. How dutiful." Sierra joked back with a grin.

"So it still smell like turkey bacon in there?" Lola asked.

"Sophie, and I opened some windows so I think it's cleared out by now. I think I'm the only one not that surprised you've been craving raw meat, and grown averse to cooked meat considering your growing cub." Sierra answered.

"My little sister mentioned that did she?" Lola inquired raising an eyebrow.

"As she put it you insist she runs the kitchen air-exchange system in Will's den whenever she cooks, and have been eating whole salmon like a bear." Sierra told her adding "Your mom was wondering how some of her chickens went missing."

"I can't help it." Lola defended herself.

"As I told them there's nothing wrong with your instincts causing you to adopt the traditional diet of an expecting Ulfhaven she-wolf." Sierra assured her before lowering her voice so only Lola would hear her add "It's the most telling sign of who the real father is not to mention how you've been snappy at him. You know that secret is safe with me, sis."

Lola was saved by her mom hollering out to Sierra "Well, what's the hold up?"

"I got this." Lola said to Sierra heading for the back door into the house with Sierra moving to allow her entrance.

"Hey, mom. Good morning" Lola greeted Marie when she got to the dining room with a smile.

"Good morning. So, Sophie explained why you rushed out the back door. You know I'd have been just fine if you asked for those chickens." Marie told her with the kind of look only a mother can give.

"I already ordered a dozen more from Pete." Lola said apologetically.

"It's fine sweetie." Marie reassured her daughter then asked "So what's up with your brother?"

"Well since I'd already ordered more chickens when Layla asked for one we figured it was okay to let her have one, and he was cheering her on; they're burying it now." Lola answered.

"Good to know, but I meant why did he run out the back door faster than you did?" Marie clarified.

"Something about no longer being able to stand the smell of turkey bacon" Lola told her mom heading for a seat at the table.

"What?" Marie asked shocked "He always loved turkey bacon as a cub."

"The reason why I fucking hate the smell now is the kind of classified that if I told you would get me killed so don't ask." Will said for himself as he entered the dining area.

He, and Layla were quite a sight with his paws covered in dirt, and her muzzle bearing clear evidence he'd licked her clean. Sierra couldn't help her snickering at Layla's muzzle in particular, and she wasn't the only one. Lola where she'd sat next to Judy, and Nick was grinning in amusement while even Judy couldn't help chuckling a little at seeing how the fur of Layla's muzzle looked.

"What's so funny?" Layla asked though it was obvious from her tone she knew she looked pretty funny.

"Your face!" Sierra exclaimed with a laugh adding "Who knew Will would make such a dutiful husband cleaning you after your kill, and burying it for you?"

"Hey, I only dug the hole. She buried it." Will commented walking over to the kitchen sink to wash his paws.

Layla's response to Sierra was simply to stick her tongue out at her, and give her the finger before going after Will to the sink where once he'd cleaned his paws he grabbed a towel, and getting part of it wet washed his saliva off her muzzle for her. Layla held still her eyes closed, and muzzle upturned to allow him easier access. When he was done he used the dry side of the towel in his paws to dry her muzzle a bit. Satisfied with his task Will looked up from his mate, and saw that everyone had been watching him.

"What?" Will asked them.

"Oh my goodness that was so adorable!" Will's mom exclaimed letting out an excited whine.

"He's always like that with her." Katarina commented indifferently.

"Am I?" Will asked his eyebrows scrunched quizzically with his head tilted to the side.

"Babe, you gave me a full body bath friday morning after you'd groomed all of me with your tongue the night before. I could've showered myself after I woke up, but no you carried me into our shower, and held me upright while you scrubbed my fur until I was awake enough to stand on my own." Layla responded grinning at him.

"So?" Will responded.

"This is why you're my Big Idiot; do I look like a kit to you?" Layla asked him raising an eyebrow.

"Hah! You're no kit, babe; I made you look funny it was the least I could do." Will answered her honestly.

"How did you do it, Layla? How did you win his heart?" Sierra asked incredulously.

"It's technically classified since events happened during a sensitive operation. Suffice it to say she saw me at my worst, and kept me from falling into the abyss. Katarina, Sierra you catch my drift on that." Will answered her.

"There is a coldness to desert nights in the eye of a sandstorm . . ." Layla reminisced with a shudder.

"We all must face that Abyss. If you don't eat your food brat volk, I will." Katarina told Will.

"I can feel you from here my brother, and your love for her; I don't believe you." Sierra responded to Will adding "For her to keep you from really falling your heart was already in her paws."

"You may be right." Will replied before saying to Kat "If you touch my food sestra I will bite you."

With that Will took a seat at the table along with Layla who used him for her chair, yet insisted on having her own plate. As they both piled eggs, and decent sized portions relative to their size of the pan fried roasted vegetable medley including potato, beet, and carrot Will's mind turned back on the phone call he'd made.

"I invited Jack, and Sky to the wedding. They'll be here tonight." Will told everyone present after taking a couple bites of his food.

"Hehe, haven't seen le lapin sauvage in a while." Sage was first to respond with a grin.

"I do miss his soft paws . . . " Layla added dreamily.

"They really are . . . " Will agreed with a chuckle.

"How do you know?" Layla turned on him narrowing her eyes.

"He's my favorite drinking buddy." Will responded with a shrug as if it should be obvious to her.

"So the rumors were true about the wolf, and rabbit at the Lindhaust Hotel?" Kat said jovially with a grin.

"That was you two?" Layla asked her eyes wide with shock.

"I admit nothing." Will replied swiftly his muzzle expression stoic.

"Oh, come on; what'd you two do?" Sage inquired encouragingly.

"I am unaware of any such activity, or operation." Will told her flatly.

"They started out in the bar trading insults before leaving like old friends, and somehow on their way up the elevator disabled the entire building's listening devices, and cameras." Katarina explained.

"Nor would I be disposed to discuss any if they did in fact exist." Will continued almost monotone.

"How did you two manage it?" Layla asked.

"You know full well how I can fuck with electronics." Will answered her.

"I know how you manage that, I meant the other thing." Layla clarified trying to get him to slip up.

"Your evidence is hearsay." Will told her his tone just barely defensive as he lowered his muzzle, and looked her in the eyes.

"Next time I want to watch." Layla responded locking her gaze with his.

"I know not of what you speak, but whatever . . ." Will replied exasperatedly resting his chin on her shoulder folding his ears back as he closed his eyes.

"Check this out Sierra, something he can't deny." Sage said to her holding out her phone.

"Wow, that is one pretty . . . wait a minute, ah I see the bar sign now it makes sense." Sierra said scrutinizing the photo on the screen of Will carrying Eris.

"Damn, that is one bishounen wolf. Put him in a dress, and he'd pass for a female; there's definitely no question of your intent carrying him like that." Lola commented when Sierra passed her the phone so she could see then turning it showed Naomi, and Sophie.

Sage's phone made the rounds of the table going from paw to paw as the evidence was shared. Will shrugged in indifference having no qualms admitting he'd spent the night with Eris. Will's mom was a little shocked to find out her son went there with males, but more so because he'd hidden that aspect of himself than anything. Will joked with his mom that she could ask most of his pack, and they'd confirm he had quite the oral fixation which caused her to put her paws over ears half shouting 'La-la-la-la, Oversharing! I don't want to know.'

Will's response was to lick his muzzle then open his mouth, and waggle his tongue suggestively getting an 'Ah!' out of his mom as she moved her paws to cover her eyes. Everyone especially Will had a good laugh at that even Marie who couldn't help her own smile at seeing just how happy Will was. Marie would never forget how it broke her heart to hear her son's howling in the night after he'd come home, or how even after Lola with her sheriff training camp he'd gotten back some of his usual jovial self, but still wasn't the same; after finding out just why he'd been so as if he was missing part of himself, and now seeing him with Layla it did her heart good to see him truly smiling again. It was still a lot for her to process that the little cub she'd given birth to was truly the Father incarnate; she felt beyond blessed, but couldn't help thinking of him as her cub even though he'd long since grown into a fine wolf she couldn't be more proud of.

Will was just about done with his food when his phone rang with "The Imperial March" by John Williams letting Will know that it was his dad calling.

"Hey, dad what's up?" Will asked as he answered his phone.

"The rest of the town council is wondering when you'll show up since you technically now have a place on the council despite both my, and Elder Frost's assurances that you want nothing to do with the position." Layla who was close enough heard Will's father James tell him.

"You're shitting me?" Will asked rubbing the bridge of his muzzle with his free paw.

"I wish I was, we have things to take care of, and they won't start the meeting." Will's dad answered.

"Put me on speaker." Will asked.

"Okay, Will they can hear you." Will's dad said as he set his phone on the conference table in front of him.

"Now you lot listen here, and you listen damn well." Will began his tirade his voice firm, and brokering no argument "I don't give a goddamn fuck about by rights being able to claim a two-bit chair on the town council, or if I wanted to my dad's job. Hell I'd only sit in on the Council of Elders if Grandfather Frost asked me, or if there truly were a matter at paw that required my personal input as the Father. No sense denying I am who I am at this point, but you fuckers remember this well I am not the kind of alpha to lord my status over anyone, and whoever wants to see me be their leader for whatever reason is sorely mistaken. It's for a fucking reason I wear swords, and not a crown; if you don't get it ask Grandfather Frost since he's the loremaster. Now this is the end of this nonsense, and I will hear none more of it from any of you."

With that Will hung up then shook his head with a growl in irritation. Layla stroked his ears as they were pressed back against his head comforting him, and he closed his eyes pressing into her touch as it calmed him. After breakfast was done, or at least round one of it since the rest of Will's family was still asleep since their talking amongst themselves after dinner had kept nearly everyone up until well after midnight, Will, Layla, Sierra, and Sophie led the task of clearing off the table then doing the dishes. Once that was done Naomi with a stretch, and a yawn reminded Will about their agreed upon morning exercise, and like clockwork Layla, Sierra, and Katarina chimed in their own enthusiasm to as they put it 'get a piece of his tail'.

On the way over to Will's dojo the smokers of the group of them hung back as they enjoyed post meal cigarettes. Sophie brought up to Will that in his den they were nearly out of food with only a couple whole salmon, and some pre-cooked fried shrimp in the one deep freezer, and enough stuff in the food fridge for a lunch of nachos. Will in response suggested she, and Lola handle the resupply with Nick, and Judy that way Judy could get on the menu foods that were more to her taste since later that afternoon he was taking Layla with him to the Frost's den. Lola easily agreed to Will's suggestion adding that she'd drive them in her car. When Nick asked her what kind of car she drove since Will was famous for his trademark Shelby Lola responded that with his signing bonus from joining special forces Will had bought both his sixty-nine Shelby, and her sixty-nine Mach One mustang though they'd both been in need of some serious work, but had been thankfully rust free; she was particularly fond of the fact that with her Mach One's rebuilt 428 Super Cobra Jet engine she could break even with Will in his Shelby over a quarter mile. Will added that Sophie drove what had been his first car before he gave it to her when he left for boot camp; a sixty-five model hardtop Mustang he'd had repainted from it's original black with red racing stripes like his Shelby to it's current white with pink racing stripes.

Stepping into the dojo Will, and Lola opened all of the shoji at each corner of the building allowing plenty of light, and air into the space. That done everyone except for Will, and Naomi sat themselves comfortably along the free wall of the dojo on the side towards the Grimm home since the side towards Will's den held all the weapon racks. Will gave Naomi choice of weapon, and she chose a pair of bokken one of which she tossed to Will which he deftly caught by the tsuka. When Will asked her why she hadn't chosen one of the actual katana for their spar she responded that as his servant she could never draw a blade against him only alongside him which he almost argued with her over. He normally would have since he held all his pack mates as equal to himself, but in this case relented since his spar with her would be more of a warm up than anything else.

After they stood in the center of the room, and bowed to each other Naomi wasted no time rushing forward wielding her bokken with both paws in a horizontal slash Will blocked wielding his bokken with only one paw. After Will stepped forward as he deflected Naomi's initial strike he left himself wide open for her to come back with a series of thrusts he dodged by turning side to side as he backed up until she aimed on for his head, and Will dropped using a leg sweep to bring her feet from under her. Will only gave her time to get back on her feet before with the tables flipped he pressed his own attack though since he was only using one paw his strikes she would be able to handle.

His first move was a downward diagonal slash Naomi managed to dodge before she parried his follow up horizontal slash. With a jump backwards to gain some distance Naomi then charged trying to reclaim the attack with a downward vertical strike Will stopped by stepping into her attack, and catching her paws with his free one effectively halting her. Naomi freed herself from his grasp with quick thinking by pivoting, and landing a kick to his ribs.

From there they continued trading blows successfully preventing the other from landing any 'cuts' though they each landed kicks, and while Naomi didn't hesitate to punch him when she could Will used paw pad strikes. While for the most part Naomi maintained the position of attacker, and Will fought against her defensively when the opportunity presented itself he would counter her blows then press his own attack. As they got into it Naomi picked up the pace of her attacks coming at Will from as many directions as she could actually forcing him to grip his bokken with both paws just to keep up his defence though it was clear he wasn't tiring. The end of their match came when at the end of a combo Naomi went for another thrust towards his head that Will dodged with a sidestep, and switching his bokken to his left paw he wrapped his right arm around hers then pulling her into him got his jaws around her throat though he only applied enough pressure for her to know she'd been had.

After they separated they bowed to each other then replaced their bokken on the rack they came from. Will was actually bouncing on his feet excited to face his next opponent Layla. As Layla got up Lola with a grin encouraged her to wipe the floor with Will which Layla responded to by giving Lola a grin in return, and a wink. With easy movements Layla approached Will who simply stood waiting for her. When she got to him she reached up grabbing a pawful of his scruff, and pulling him down to her level whispered in his ear 'Play with me' before giving his neck a firm nip.

As soon as she let him go Will turned sideways raising his paws as he bent his knees lowering his center of gravity while Layla matched his movements. With a toothy grin Will's first strike towards her was a straight punch thrown with his left paw that Layla dodged grabbing his wrist which as she twisted she threw her torso into the motion using her momentum to wrap her legs around his neck following through with using her weight to throw him off balance flipping him forward causing him to land hard on his back. Layla maintained her grip on both his wrist with her one paw, and his neck with her thighs, but he broke free from the pin by rolling to his right, and as he slammed her to the ground turned his head biting her tail.

They came apart, and both used rolls to get themselves back on their feet with Layla wasting little time running at him launching her left foot towards his chest. Will caught her foot, and with a pull lifted her off the ground, but she'd anticipated his counter. As he turned to throw her across the room she rotated, and used her free foot to land a back kick to his head causing him to drop her. She landed roughly on the tatami floor as Will took a couple steps backwards shaking his head dazedly since she wasn't holding back. Seeing him open as she got back to her feet Layla rushed him again this time landing a knee to his chest before dropping low, and getting behind him grabbed his shoulders allowing her to throw her legs in a spinning motion up, and around his neck where from her vantage she rained blows on top of his head.

Of their spectators only Maria watched without her jaw hanging open since she'd seen them go at it like this when they were teaching her how to fight. Sierra commented to no one in particular 'No wonder he fell for her; she's fucking turning me on' though her gaze never left the two in the middle of the dojo.

Will grew tired of the abuse Layla rained on him, and grabbed both her paws stilling them. In lieu of a wall to throw her into, and thus break her leg hold around his neck Will simply fell forward to use the floor. For a split second Layla's eyes widened in response to the sensation of gravity, but using Will's forward momentum she released him, and landing on her paws did a backflip while Will barely caught his fall with his paws. Expecting her to press another attack Will simply brought his legs under him, and thus on all fours charged at her his eyes gone feral as he lost himself to their melee. Layla's eyes held their own feral gleam, which was proof enough of how close to him she really was, as she used a cartwheel to evade his charge then a couple backflips to gain some distance.

As his forepaws landed where Layla had been Will pivoted to face her new position then with a push against the floor got himself back on his hindpaws. Will made no pretense about using his forepaws to guard his head as he closed the distance between them, and Layla held her ground anticipating a wild swing, or thrown foot. What Will did however was at the last moment before she was within his reach leap into a forward roll that put him behind her, and left her open to the leg sweep he almost caught her with. Layla dodged the sweep by throwing herself forward onto her paws, and as Will rose from his missed strike she threw herself backwards landing a double kick to his chest bending her knees as she did so allowing her to push off of him into a forward roll.

Will stumbled backwards her pushing off of him having done more to unbalance him than her kick. He prevented himself from falling backwards by shifting a leg farther out behind him, and throwing himself forward onto all fours where his feral countenance locked on the sight of his mate. Layla had come out of her forward roll likewise on all fours, and faced him with her chin against her paws on the floor baring her fangs at him while her rear was in the air her tail twitching back, and forth.

They both gave each other a snarling yap before rushing each other. They met rearing back on their hindpaws, and while their paws struggled against the other's they snapped, and bit at each other's muzzles, and necks. From there they descended into a rolling mass of fur on the floor all snarls, and fangs though even in their apparent ferocity neither drew blood against the other. They broke apart when Layla managed to tuck in her hind legs then pushed him off of her just as he was managing to wrap himself around her. Both were panting as they faced each other on all fours Layla's body language conveying that she was done while Will seemed indifferent. When Will began moving towards her Layla tensed, and slightly bared her fangs defensively though Will kept his movements calm. The growl Layla had been about to level at him telling him to leave her be died in her throat when he got close enough, and started licking her muzzle showing her he too was done. Layla's response to his licking her was to move forward, and push her neck into his a gesture he returned with his tail wagging happily.

"I can't believe I just witnessed that . . ." Holly said shocked.

"That actually wasn't as bad as his match with Lola she staged for the whole precinct." Judy responded.

"Well, yeah. We got more vicious with each other because we were both on Wild Card." Lola said plainly.

"Please tell me someone got that on camera." Sierra added.

"Oh, I got it alright. She was kicking his tail; the Chief is gonna love it." Nick told her with a laugh.

"Haha, that wasn't me kicking his tail." Layla corrected him "I just put up a good fight."

"I'd say you did better than that, babe. You pack a punch." Will told her rubbing his head.

"You ready for me?" Sierra asked Will with an upwards nod of her muzzle.

"Let's go." Will answered her taking off his tank top then stretching out his arms.

Sierra likewise removed her tank top as she approached the sword racks zeroing in on her personal katana identifiable by it's red sageo around the black saya, and red ito around the tsuka. Seeing her go for that particular blade which served for her a similar purpose to his nodachi Will went for his own older katana that after so long without maintenance of it's metaphysical use probably held no more than a mouthful worth of chi that was identifiable by it's lack of a tsuba, and on the koiguchi of the black saya the kanji for 'void' which in romaji was read as 'kuu' painted in white.

It had been seeing Sierra in her gi as a cub that inspired Will to join her under the tutelage of their Sensei Minamoto-san in both Aikido, and Iaijutsu. They both had been trained well, and obeyed the forms as they bowed to each other. Sierra made the first move by throwing at Will his old collar in a distraction he responded to by cutting it in half as he drew his blade in an upwards diagonal. Only Lola of those watching knew the true meaning in their actions, and it was not lost on her what it meant for Will to so easily cleave in half the symbol of his former restraint in regards to his vampiric nature.

Sierra's eyes widened in response to seeing Will so unhesitatingly bisect the collar, and she charged aiming her first cut as she drew her blade at his abdomen. Will jumped back dodging the strike then came down with his own blade using both paws which Sierra blocked holding her blade horizontally with her left paw on the back of the blade. Their eyes locked in a moment of wordless communication before they each took a step back, and circled each other.

With both paws they each wielded their katana against the other mirroring each other's strikes. Though neither was truly aiming to wound the other those strikes they couldn't block, or dodge landed shallow cuts to the other. When their blades did clash such was the force each was using that a few sparks could be seen. When Sierra went for a flurry of slashes starting with an upward diagonal slash towards Will's left then his right he easily parried away her blade then at the end of her combo used the same moves against her. Though his speed seemed to increase with each cut he aimed at her Sierra matched him successfully.

There was almost a dancing quality to the way they moved against each other clashing, retreating, and circling. Their final confrontation of blades was a flurry of movement only Lola, Layla, and Katarina were able to follow before they each took a final swing at the other that if they'd followed through on would've left the both of them decapitated, but they both stopped short mere inches from the neck of the other. Lowering their blades Will, and Sierra bowed to each other with matching grins then went to retrieve their respective saya, and replace their katana on the racks they rested on.

No sooner did Will have his old katana back on it's resting place then Katarina was on her feet while Sierra made her way to sit next to Layla. The stance Katarina took in the middle of the dojo was classic of tiger style kung fu something she'd taught herself from watching chinese martial arts films which she was a fan of since where she grew up there were no martial arts schools. Will matched her stance since he'd learned a bit of the same style from Agent Ling, and like Katarina of all the styles of kung fu that existed it was his favorite since with his size, and power the style was a perfect fit. Of course neither were masters of the style, and often mixed in what else of martial arts they knew with Will leaning on his training in aikido while Kat leaned on her spetsnaz training.

Will was first to strike feinting with his left paw in a circular strike at Kat's head which as she dodged he followed with his true attack a downward swat with his right paw she blocked with her left arm. Kat went for a low kick with her right leg Will blocked by matching her movement then moved forward to hook his right leg behind her left throwing her off balance. Kat went into the fall pulling Will with her raising her legs as he fell on her to kick him over her.

They both lifted then spun their legs using the momentum to regain their feet then squared off again. Kat pressed her own attack launching first a right roundhouse at Will's ribs then a left backwards roundhouse at his head. The blow to his ribs Will dodged with a backstep before ducking under Kat's follow up strike. As her rotation ended with her facing him again Will didn't give her time to recover as he came at her with a flurry of swipes she blocked then launched a paw at his chest that caused him to skid back a good foot when it connected since she was a good foot taller than he was, and easily three times his weight.

As they continued to strike at each other with powerful swipes, and kicks typical of the style they were fighting with they both put their chi into their movements both increasing the speed of their movements, and the power with which those blows they managed to land against each other struck. The tension between them as their chi clashed like their bodies were could be felt by their spectators, and it made those who were aware of what they were doing nervous especially Sierra, and Layla.

When that tension shifted first with Kat as she depleted her excess chi which she'd been using then with Will as Kat started taking chi from him which he responded to by baring his fangs, and pulling back what she took Sierra, and Layla both rose in defensive postures. Layla was quick to warn everyone that should she tell them to run that they should do so either to Will's den, or the Grimm house without stopping though Lola was already out of the dojo, and a good thirty feet away her arm wrapped protectively around her abdomen. Sierra added that if they felt the temperature drop any more than it already had they should run anyway since only the two of them had any chance of deescalating the situation if the two vampires didn't do it on their own. Though her focus was solely on Will, and Kat it was obvious on Sierra's muzzle she was scared because though she was like them both angel, and psychic vampire they were both stronger than she was.

Though his focus was on the Siberian tigress in front of him Will was peripherally aware of his mate, and his cousin the fear he felt from the later being what prompted him to do what he needed to in order to bring the match to an end. He slipped within Kat's reach, and with his paws on her shoulders managed to get his fangs into the side of her neck where he focused his full ability to do so on draining her of chi. Katarina responded in kind, and with her fangs in his neck took directly from him in return. As they took from each other they were essentially cycling chi between them, and once the levels of chi between them reached a sort of equilibrium they'd both calmed down from their combat focus releasing their hold on each other in unison.

"You crossed the same line I have." Will said to Kat knowingly.

"I didn't have a choice though I did not go as far as you have. It's why I was at a safehouse when Layla found me, and why when she left I burned it, and ended up in Zootopia." Kat responded.

"You're not being hunted are you?" Will asked her with concern.

"Nyette, thankfully. Though I am never going to set foot in the motherland again." Katarina answered.

Will simply hugged her in response unable to fathom what it would be like for him if he could never again walk the woods of Ulfhaven.

"Is it over?" Lola's shout carried inside.

"Yeah!" Sierra shouted in response before adding more quietly "I need a fucking smoke."

As she pulled out her own pack of cigarettes, and silver flip lighter on her way out of the dojo Sierra's paws were shaking as the adrenaline worked it's way out of her system.

"Okay, what was that all about?" Holly asked.

Will simply looked over everyone still in the dojo appraising them as he decided how to answer. The only ones who really didn't understand the potential danger of the situation were Holly, Nick, Judy, and the two David's. Since he'd already decided beforepaw that his time in Ulfhaven with his pack would be one for as much disclosure as possible he figured 'why not just show them then explain since words fail to truly convey this.'

"Layla my love will you help me demonstrate?" Will asked his mate though the look in his eyes told her she was free to decline.

Layla just gave him a nod in response. Will simply motioned for her to head to the far end of the dojo while he walked to the other with a deep sigh through his nose. Katarina knowing what he was about to do left following after Sierra. Once Layla was in position almost against the far wall, and he was likewise near the wall opposite her Will closed his eyes so he could focus. It took him a moment to start reaching out with a single tendril of chi, and another moment for that tendril to reach it's target. Once he'd made contact with her, and he could feel her he inhaled through his nose slowly focusing on pulling chi from her though not too much since there was a slight delay due to her being at the maximum of his range. Because his eyes were closed he didn't see her legs give out from under her, but her heard her thump against the wall since everyone else was quiet as they watched. As soon as he heard that thump he stopped his drain of her, and rushed to Layla's side on all fours to cross the distance faster. When he reached her he placed a paw on her chest, and through the contact shunted chi back into her until she grabbed his arm in signal to stop lest he start draining himself in giving to her.

The look in his amber eyes as he gazed into his mate's brown ones could only be described as tortured though only she saw it. Even though she'd agreed to it, it still hurt him to do what he'd done; the biggest reason she had been able to bring him back from the edge when he was in the grip of his nature during combat was his love for her, and his fear of ever hurting her with what he was. Will lowered his head apologetically with his ears against his skull, but Layla just stroked his head, and ears with her paw reassuringly. He lowered himself onto his stomach next to her, and in understanding of his action Layla rolled herself over onto him. Feeling the weight of her along the length of his back Will got back to his feet then paused while Layla pushed against his shoulders getting herself into riding position before walking back to the rest of his gathered pack.

"Sierra, Katarina, and I we aren't just angels incarnate of our respective species. We like many other mammals across this planet are psychic vampires. For those of you who don't know what this means in a nutshell we must consume chi to even function at a normal level like the rest of you who think nothing of the chi that naturally flows around, into, and through you; most of us can make do by taking the chi we need from our surroundings though some, and the three of us in particular have an easier time assimilating the chi we take from other mammals. Our angelic nature makes us stronger than other psychic vampires though Sierra is a better example of what we're usually like compared to other vampires, and the rest of mammal kind in general; every week, or two she needs to feed usually on whichever mammal she gets in her bed, and what she takes from them is nowhere near enough to be any threat to them at all, or even enough to do to them what I just did to Layla. For the record in this regard sex is just a means to an end for us, and a very effective one at that though not every psychic vampire relies as heavily as we do on that one method. Part of why mate-bonded to his lovely vixen though I am we maintain the open relationship we do is because my need has become greater than it was when I was at Sierra's level, and feeding too often from just one mammal can endanger that mammal. Katarina, and especially me are now apart from the rest for reasons I'd rather not get into. To answer your question Holly, my cousin, what that was all about was Katarina, and I fighting as we were had we lost control would've started pulling in chi from our surroundings heavily with all of you in the danger zone." Will explained while Layla got off of him, but kept a paw on him stroking his fur.

"That's a lot to take in." Holly responded her muzzle showing that she found it a lot to process.

"It's a lot to live with" Sierra said as she came back in followed by Katarina, and Lola.

"No wonder you're so fond of vampire bats . . . " Maria's David commented.

"So just how much danger were we really in?" Lola's David asked the pertinent question.

"Considering that thanks to Will crisis was averted, you weren't. Though it is telling that he who is the stronger, or more dangerous if you want to see it like that, of the two of us was the one who knew what to do to bring us both back away from that edge." Katarina answered.

"Had they started crossing that edge my cub was in the most danger." Lola added.

No sooner were the words out of her mouth than they registered with Will. His eyes widened with the realization, before he crumpled to the floor curling into himself with his arms wrapped around his head. He visibly shook as he soundlessly sobbed filled with despair at the thought of being the cause of death of their cub.

"Why the fuck did you have to say that!" Layla yelled at Lola before due to her empathic link with Will, and the strength of it she felt his pain screaming as she fell to the floor curling in on herself.

Lola's words were likewise not without effect on Katarina who sank to the floor crying. Not only could she feel Will's pain she knew she had been the one to begin taking their fight too far, and would've been the real reason for the endangerment of Lola's unborn cub. For her, and Will both as the Mother, and Father to their species that they were to harm, or kill an innocent especially a cub was a crime more heinous than normal mammals considered cannibalism, and vampires considered killing with their nature; to have their vampiric nature be cause of the death of an unborn cub . . . their only recourse in bearing that kind of guilt while incarnate would be to commit suicide, and even then for them there would be no absolvement.

Sierra knew full well how the hidden weight of Lola's words weighed on both Will, and Katarina nor was it lost on her how Layla shared in Will's pain.

"You had no right to say that!" Sierra growled at Lola slapping her with all the strength she could muster. "At the first hint they'd even come close to losing it, the first hint of danger to your cub, you were fucking yards away."

Lola for her part was stunned speechless already at how her words had brought low her brother, his mate, and Kat; Sierra's rebuke only drove that farther home, and on her muzzle she wore her remorse.

"White Wolf of Shadow, hear me!" Sierra said with all the firmness she could muster "Never would you allow yourself to commit such an atrocity. You were no threat to the unborn. Now get on your feet."

"You too White Tiger of Shadow!" Sierra added to Katarina.

Sierra's using of their titles alone was enough to get Will, and Kat's attention. Katarina turned to face Sierra wiping with her paws at her tear stained muzzle while Will managed to get his forepaws under him lifting himself into a sitting position on his haunches though as he looked at Sierra his eyes were vacant.

"Did you not hear me? I said on your feet the both of you." Sierra told them sternly.

"Easy Sierra." Sophie said to her before addressing Will "Remember Brother you promised me a spar too. Come on, just like old times."

"That I did my sweet Sophie." Will responded some of the life returning to his eyes as he got himself up on all fours.

"Don't worry, I've got her." Sierra said to Will when he turned towards Layla who was uncurling herself "Go have fun with Sophie."

Sophie for her part was already on all fours like Will, and with a yap at him lowered her front end while her rump was in the air tail wagging in the canid body language for 'let's play.' Will turned towards her, and mirrored her body language before rising back up with a yap back at her. From there they began their old play with Sophie charging at Will growling viciously as she trying to bite his feet, and legs while he in response simply used a paw in a swatting push sending her flying a good three feet away only for the process to repeat. Every now, and again she'd run around to try to confuse him, or come after his hindpaws, but he'd just turn to send her in a different direction with one of his forepaws.

While Will, and Sophie were engaged in their play which was too comical for Nick not to record as everyone else seemed to recover from what it was they'd witnessed Sierra sat next to Layla having pulled the vixen into a one armed embrace.

"You know when we were younger I thought it'd be me." Sierra said to Layla.

"What do you mean?" Layla asked resting her head against Sierra's shoulder as they watched Will, and Sophie.

"I may be his cousin by family ties, but I'm more his sister than Lola since we are soul-family. I didn't think there'd ever be anyone as close to him as I am so I figured I'd be the one he was with until the end. Maybe not married, but at least with a cub, or two; we've done it before when we've walked this earth together, and actually come across each other." Sierra answered before adding "I'm actually kind of glad though to see him with you, and the bond you share; he hurts, and you feel his pain with that going both ways."

"Okay . . ." Layla replied unsure of how to really respond to that.

"Come on, tell me you're not excited to find out what your kit with him will look like. I'm sure she's gonna be absolutely adorable." Sierra said to her with a grin.

"I'm not even ovulating yet." Layla responded before saying "Sure I want to know how our kit will look; if they'll take more after me, or him. What makes you so sure they'll be a girl?"

"That my dear sister-in-law . . . I don't know. Just a feeling I guess." Sierra replied.

When Will, and Sophie were ending their play having both simply laid down panting facing each other it was decided after all the excitement, and brouhaha they all could use a good rest in Will's den. As they were all leaving the dojo with Will, and Layla in the lead while Lola, and her David brought up the rear however the distinct sound of a motorcycle could be heard which had Will's ears perked, and twitching as if he were doing his best bunny impression. At his comment that he knew the sound of that engine they all followed as he strided in the direction of the Grimm family home.

Arriving shortly thereafter back at the main house Will noted the black dirt bike that confirmed the arrival of who he'd heard approaching. Sierra's little sister Chelsea was on the front porch embracing a snow leopardess who was also being greeted by Will's mom. When the newcomer heard the approach of Will, and his pack she turned around to see who it was. Her eyes locked on Will just as he made it to the front of the house, and she leapt off the porch wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Will!" the snow leopardess exclaimed. "It's so good to see you, and you're not sad any more."

Then she noticed Layla standing slightly behind Will, and swiftly let him go to wrap her in a hug.

"No wonder he isn't sad anymore. It's even better to see you Layla; it's been too long." the snow leopardess said giddily.

"It's good to see you too Senna. You've grown so much." Layla responded just as happy to see her.

Sierra was the first to voice the question on the minds of nearly every mammal present at seeing the way the seventeen year old snow leopardess who was her little sister's friend seemed to know the vixen they'd barely been introduced to yesterday.

"Senna how do you know Layla?" Sierra asked.

The adolescent feline in question simply looked to Will in response as if looking for permission to answer which he gave with a nod.

"It's your story to tell okay, or at least your side of it isn't classified." Will said to her.

"What you are really asking Sierra is how I know Will" Senna answered Sierra's question before she began explaining "When I was ten my parents died in a car accident that I somehow survived. I didn't have any other family who could take me in so I ended up in an orphanage. When I was twelve I was kidnapped, and after being transported to an island that was a haven of such things, and worse I was acquired by a brothel."

While Senna was sharing this part of her story Chelsea who had not heard her friend ever speak of this wrapped a paw around one of Senna's with tears in her eyes, and Maria who had only escaped a similar situation thanks to Will held Senna's other paw with an understanding in her eyes that gave the snow leopardess strength to continue.

"It was a place where if someone paid enough money they could kill you, and no one would care. Always there was the threat of 'Bloody Bucky'; if they wanted you to obey they threatened to send you to be put on his table, and even if you survived everything else there was still a chance he'd notice you, and you'd never be seen again. You get used to that kind of fear because you convince yourself it'll happen to someone else; it helped knowing he had a taste more for prey especially rabbits like him. I was luckier than some of the other cubs my age; it wasn't until I was thirteen that I was put in a room with only a mattress, and told to wait for my first customer." At this point Senna had to pause because Marie with a cry of 'Oh, honey!' embraced her in tears for the girl expressing the sentiment every mother present felt.

"It's okay Mrs. Grimm just listen" Senna assured the arctic she-wolf who refused to let her go before continuing "I had heard stories from the other girls some of whom had been there since they were my age, and younger. I was so scared not only of the pain that I knew was coming, but also that I would not survive it. The uncertainty was frightening enough, but when that customer finally entered the room I was terrified. I didn't know a wolf could be so large, and just seeing him I nearly wet myself as I cowered in the corner convinced I really was going to die. I will never forget what happened next; after he closed the door he sat across from me, and started talking to me. That there was so much kindness in his voice shocked me, and for a while he simply kept speaking before I managed to find my voice. He explained that he wasn't going to do the kinds of things with me I was thinking he was, and that he was there to save his friends. He told me that he was only in the same room with me because he needed to blend in with the kind of mammals that ran the island. I found out the next day that he had already paid the mammals who ran the brothel so that no one else, but him could even touch me. Some of the other girls also told me how a tiger who'd had his eye on me came in that morning wanting to have his turn with me, but Will had told him I was off limits; they told me how he'd fought with the tiger, and killed him by ripping out his throat with his fangs. Two days after that he had killed that rabbit that was in charge of everything, rescued his friends, and his muzzle covered in blood he came back for me."

"Now why exactly my muzzle was covered in blood, and what else I did on that island to play the part of the kind of mammal who would frequent such a place, and to save those friends is classified" Will said drawing the attention of everyone adding "After I got Senna out of that place, and the Agency having secured the island left it to the kinds of organizations who would help the rest I had a paw in rescuing I couldn't take care of her myself, but I wasn't going to leave her with a mammal I couldn't trust so I begged Minamoto-san to take her in."

"Sometimes To-san still talks about that. There you were performing a dogeza actually crying as you explained the situation. Such was your sincerity, and humility he felt honor bound to acquiesce, and every now, and again when he doesn't think I can hear him, and Oka-san talking he thanks our Mother she had you bring to them the daughter they could never have." Senna said smiling warmly.

Will couldn't help his tears as he wrapped his arms around Senna in response remembering the shame he'd felt facing his Sensei as he told him how he'd used what he'd been taught by him even though his purpose had been noble, and knowing the depth of emotion his Sensei felt to say such a thing. As Senna simply stroked his head as he buried his muzzle in her shoulder Marie couldn't help feeling more proud of her son for being the good wolf she knew him to be, and as it fully dawned on her that even after all the bad things he'd spoken of going through, and doing that he would always be the good wolf she'd reared him to be her eyes weren't without her own share of tears as she wrapped them both in a hug of her own.

Once they'd gotten their emotions out Marie invited them all in for lunch though she'd been in the middle of preparing it. While everyone else took seats at the table talking amongst themselves Will along with Layla, Maria, and Sophie helped with fixing the food. The rest of Will's family having heard what of his time in the ZIA he'd disclosed, and found that quite the information to digest upon hearing Senna repeat a shortened version of her story were all left somewhat in awe that there existed places on the planet where such horrible things were commonplace, and that it was thanks to Will that arguably the worst of such places had ceased to exist. Conny in particular who like most at the table knew Senna cried much as Marie had hearing what she'd gone through while Katarina had gained a new appreciation for Will, and the kind of mammal he was in this lifetime; it was not without reason his soul bore her mark as a blessing of her fondness for him, and she felt reaffirmed in having bestowed it upon him those eons ago.

Lunch was arguably a simple affair, but for Will, and his pack after their morning it was just what the medicine mammal ordered. The only thing that seemed out of place was how Lola while still sitting with everyone else in their pack did so with as much distance between herself, and her brother. On her part this was due more to her regret of how her words had hurt him than anything else having never seen him in such anguish even when he was howling himself to sleep out in the woods. Will was not oblivious to the distance she put between them, but ignored it much as he tried to ignore the glaring fact her words had exposed to his conscious; the reason he'd so far managed to not impregnate any she-wolf he'd been with was because he with relative ease sucked the chi from what sperm he released into said she-wolves rendering them impotent. If it weren't for engaging in conversation with the mammals around him his entire thought process would've been consumed by the fact that while he was not directly a threat to their unborn cub, or eventually his future kit with Layla when he did finally impregnate his mate he would have to take extra care to keep his fangs to himself around her, and rely more on Sage, and Jade than he had before Layla came back into his life.

After lunch was done Sophie reminded Lola of her agreeing to take her, Nick, and Judy on that grocery run which reminded Will that he was taking Layla with him to pay a long overdue visit to the Frost's den, and in particular Elder Frost's mate who though not by blood related to him he would always think of, and refer to as Grandmother both out of respect, and fondness much as he called Elder Frost Grandfather. When Will asked Layla to wait at the main house while he fetched his Shelby Lola knew that as she likewise got her Mach One she had no choice, but to talk with her brother though she was nervous about it which only showed in her eyes. Sierra wise to the two sibling needing their walk alone encouraged the rest of Will's pack who would be staying on the property to wait until Lola, and Will had taken off on their respective missions to make their way back to his den where they could truly relax to which Naomi voted they do so in the bathtub of the sento which Katarina seconded.

As they walked along the long drive Will's pace was leisurely though Lola was even slower hanging back, and to Will's right with one of their body lengths between them. When they reached the dojo Lola couldn't hold her peace any longer.

"I am so sorry, Will." Lola apologized her voice full of remorse.

"For what you said earlier?" Will asked in clarification as he stopped turning to face her.

When she only nodded in response having likewise stopped in her tracks Will frowned.

"You weren't wrong though Lola." Will told her swiftly adding "Now before you start Sierra's rebuke, and that it took her calling Kat, and I by our titles to snap us out of it were enough for you to understand your error in voicing that particular truth. It however, doesn't change the truth that vampire that I am with my need such as it is I am more a threat to the unborn should I sink my fangs into their mothers than I . . . care to fathom . . . though never in a thousand lifetimes could I ever bear to do such a thing, let alone come close. I'd sooner let myself be killed by anything other than my blade the Mother keeps for just that purpose."

"I'm still sorry. I wasn't thinking, and it was stupid of me." Lola said her voice echoing the tears that welled in her eyes.

"If you apologize to me a third time I will truly be cross with you Lola. I forgive you as I always have, and always will; you could cut off my sword arm, and I would still forgive you. You remind me too much of the Mother herself for me to feel otherwise; she too is my fraternal twin you know." Will told her with a nod indicating the subject was closed.

Lola simply closed the distance between them in response, and side by side they continued on their way to his den.

"So that is how she's going to free you from your body?" Lola asked while she chewed on what else he'd said gaining a new insight into just why he was as attracted to her sexually as he was.

"With my blade Eien, yes. Be glad that in all probable of probabilities it will be in her paw when that time comes, and not yours." Will answered casually.

The shocked gasp that he heard escape his sister almost brought a grin tugging at the corners of his muzzle.

"Now, we're even." Will told her, and that grin did curl the edges of his lips.

"You fucking jerk!" Lola exclaimed punching him solidly in the right shoulder with her left paw.

With that all was back to being right between them, and they continued on their way at a more steady pace. When they got to Will's den since neither had the remote for the garage door they both had to go all the way in, and through the door to the garage in the kitchen. Lola who left her keys in the lockbox along the garage wall for that purpose was the first to get her car started, and out of the garage having pressed the switch to open the garage door that was next to the lockbox. Will on the other paw had to go to his room to retrieve his keys before making his way to his Shelby, and as usual took the time to plug his phone into the aux, and charging cables once he'd fired up the engine before shifting it into drive, and heading out using the garage door remote to close it once he'd passed it.

The rumble of Lola's Mach One's 428 SCJ engine which for her was the only driving music she needed was enough to summon the rest of Will's pack from inside the main house. When Nick who had an appreciation for classic muscle cars saw it with it's fighter jet matte grey paint job, black tinted windows save for the windshield, and black rear window louvers along with matching rear deck spoiler his jaw dropped. Despite Judy's closing of his jaw for him it fell back down as soon as she removed her paw, and he wasn't the only one his expression mirrored on the muzzle of Maria's David. Will drove up not too long after stopping behind his sister.

"You gonna get in, or just gawk at my ride?" Lola asked jokingly after she rolled her window down a pair of aviators resting on her muzzle.

"I feel betrayed brother. My ride's more a head turner than her's." Will likewise joked out his already down driver side window his own aviators firmly in place.

"I'm already used to seeing your Shelby" Nick managed to fire back as Judy following after Sophie led him to the passenger side of Lola's Mach One.

While Sophie got in the back of Lola's Mach One so Nick, and Judy could ride shotgun, and take in the sights Layla got herself in the shotgun seat of Will's Shelby. Will was ready to take off before Lola, but had to wait a minute since the long drive was like most mountain roads barely just wide enough for two cars to pass so he fired up the sounds starting with 'Yes We Die' by Dagoba which poured out of his Shelby since he had the volume fairly high, and Layla had rolled down her window.

Once Lola had gotten under way Will followed her along the long drive out towards the main road watching in the rearview mirror as Sierra led everyone else back towards his den. By the time they made it on to the main road the song had changed to "Unicorn" by Gojira while Will continued to tail his sister since they were both heading the same way though Lola would continue on into town while Will would turn off heading east.

The next song to play while he drove was "The World in Between" by Dagoba, and it was still playing when the time came for him to turn off onto the road that would lead towards the Frost's den. Will knew the way like he knew the back of his paw since in many ways the den of the Elder Frost's who were sort of surrogate grandparents to both him, and Lola after the death of their mother's dad was a secondary home to Will as often as he'd spent there.

Travelling along the road that took them east skirting the town of Ulfhaven "The Great Wonder" by Dagoba began playing, and Will couldn't help cruising along at sixty miles per hour eating up the road. Eventually he reached the point where he had to turn left, and head north again with 'Wolf Down the Earth' by Gojira playing while he got back up to speed. Where the Grimm family property took up a section of the southern part of the Ulfhaven township area including part of the forest that grew at the base of Mount Sequoia the Frost tribe's den was located on the east side of the Ulfhaven township. Historically the southern half of Ulfhaven county where the forests of the area thinned, and land was good for farming had been the territory of the predominantly grey-wolf Frost Tribe while the northern half was the territory of the Grimm clan though at one point it had all belonged to the packs that made up the Frost Tribe.

It was actual local history as much as it was legend that the first alpha of the Grimm clan whose pack like Will's held members of not only arctic wolf heritage, but grey, and red wolf as well had brought his clan from farther north for reasons lost to time, and that the alpha arctic wolf who bore the name Grimm had first claimed what was known as the Bay of Fallen Wolves founding the fishing village that would become the town of Ulfhaven. It had been a time when the prey, and predator communities of the area kept to themselves more out of isolationist habit than anything, but as the legend went that alpha remembered only as the first Grimm had first made peace with the vast Frost Tribe since his wolves got their meals from fishing while the Frost Tribe raised chickens, and from there the first Grimm not only made peace with the surrounding prey communities, but welcomed them into the village his clan built, and under his wise leadership not only did predator, and prey begin to coexist in ways they hadn't before they flourished for it. That even the bear population of the area small though it was at the time let alone the arctic hares, and other prey of the region obeyed his governance of his land that therein all mammals were welcome, and all were equal lent credence to the speculation that the first Grimm was in fact the Wolf Father himself come down from the heavens to foster peace, and prosperity. Of particular note in the actual history of Ulfhaven was the role the arctic, and red fox communities played in how the village of Ulfhaven grew; having been ostracized for generations by the mammals around them that the first Grimm welcomed them all with open arms as brothers, and sisters caused them all to flock to him, and not only did they bolster his numbers, having been given the chance they proved themselves no less hard working, or noble than any wolf that submitted to the first Grimm as their alpha forever changing the perception of foxes held by those who called what in modern times was Ulfhaven county home.

As Will finally reached his destination the instrumental piece "Jarnbord" by Grand Magus played before he silenced the radio. There was a vibrancy to the trees of the area as if the whole section of forest breathed life which both Will, and Layla felt in the wind through their open windows. At the end of a driveway not quite as long as his he came to a stop in front of what could only be described as a sort of keep with the outer wall made of hempcrete, and the main structure a tiered two story cabin with black tile roof. After Will stopped his Shelby he rolled up his window, and Layla followed suit before they in near unison opened their doors to get out. They both moved with precision in evidence of their having fought beside each other shutting the doors of the Shelby within a second of each other before Will went around his car as he locked it to his mate, and took her paw. No sooner did he approach the entrance to the Elder Frost's den than they were greeted by an elderly grey she-wolf her muzzle nearly white dressed in black jeans, and forest green flannel shirt.

"Grandmother, It is good to see you after so many years." Will greeted the she-wolf matron bowing with his ears perked upwards.

"Damn right you lend me your ear" She told him as she grabbed one of his ears, and drew him to her muzzle "I can understand not being able to come by after you joined the service, but when you do come home I have to hear about you from Sarah instead of see you with my own eyes! You had better tell me the truth in as few words as possible; why could you not show your muzzle before me?"

"I am finally coming here to introduce you to my mate, and wife as soon as Sarah marries us." Will answered barely managing not to whine from how she gripped his ear.

"I heard this last night, and then some, but that doesn't answer my question." She said pointedly.

"I felt I had to leave her in order to protect her after my giving her my blood saved her life so I did. It was the most foolish decision I've ever made in this life, but she came back to me, and we are building a new future together." Will answered his voice heavy with first regret then hope.

"That still doesn't answer my question, but I will accept that answer." She replied letting his ear go before turning to Layla asking Will inquisitively "Now, who is this most special of vixens that you of all mammals mate bonded with? I can only imagine how happy your mother is for you to have found such a one let alone that you can have a kit with her."

"Grandmother this is my mate Layla Eidolon. My vixen this is the wife of Elder Frost who is herself Elder Frost." Will introduced them to each other.

"Please, call me June." She said to Layla outstretching a paw that Layla respondingly shook while June added "This silly cub refuses to call me, and my husband anything, but Grandmother, and Grandfather despite my insistence that he doesn't need to."

"Well June, he's definitely a big idiot in my book, but I would kill the first female who thinks she can take him from me; he is my wolf until the Mother calls him home, and only she who has the greater claim to him may take him from me." Layla replied with a grin as their pawshake ended.

"Oh, I like you already." June said to Layla before addressing them both "I have some tending to do in the garden; if you would both join me I'd love to hear how you met."

As they followed June around the side of the building to the back Will asked her "So, what all did Sarah tell you of what she heard last night?"

"Not a damn word, but Father Logan needed to spend the night. He said plenty about You arranging for My Sarah to marry you to a vixen the size of a skinny she-wolf you were set on having a kit with, and plenty about how proud of you He Was for going farther than he ever did, and coming out the other side the same noble mammal that went in." June answered adding "Now that I've met her I see she's not so skinny; you did learn your way around the kitchen well."

"If it weren't for him, and our little sister Maria I'd have never relearned how to cook." Layla said.

"You still remembered the basics. You were just out of practice, babe." Will responded giving Layla a grin.

"I wouldn't have taken the time to practice if it weren't for you insisting all paws be on deck in the kitchen." Layla countered.

"We were like our own splinter-pack, the three of us . . ." Will reminisced.

"We'll need to kit-proof our apartment." Layla said to him as if his words had reminded her of something.

"It would be better to prepare now before paw because our kit will happen, my love." Will said in agreement with her.

"You two really are ready for this aren't you?" June asked them both.

"It is a complete one-eighty from how we spent the nearly three years we were together; I feel like I'm just along for the ride on a wave." Layla answered honestly.

"I'm just taking it one day at a time, but I am ready." Will asserted casually.

"So just how did you two meet? I bet that's quite the story." June encouraged them as they reached one of the three green houses behind her home to which only she held the key.

"I wouldn't know where to begin." Will said following her inside then asked Layla "where would you start, babe?"

"I'd start with finding out that more than just the rumors about the 'Cat Fetish Wolf' was true. I'd never seen two mammals so openly flirt, and I'm a flirt. You asked that vixen if she was free for dinner, and she'd just offered us both a job." Layla told him plainly as she followed him holding the tip of his tail in her paws.

"I wanted the day to think over the offer she made, and talk to her about it over dinner, or maybe drinks. Remember we went to that absinthe bar later that night." Will interjected defensively his tail going rigid.

"I only remember what happened in the cafe, and that I woke up the next morning in a bed with her while you were on the couch." Layla responded.

"Once I got Sky talking about Jack I knew our night was going to end like that because she wasn't going to sleep with me, and you were out of my league." Will explained adding "I still don't know why you thought sitting on me would be a way to wake me up."

"Part of me was watching you sleep; part of me was wondering why you tried so hard getting nowhere with Sky when I was right there." Layla said feeling the need to add "You really thought I was out of your league?"

"Why wouldn't I think that?" Will answered her "The only she wolves I got lucky with up to that point were like Sierra, or Mihoshi. That didn't change until after we became more than just partners on the job. Then somehow every she-wolf seemed to 'know', and get jealous."

"Or Who?" June asked raising an eyebrow daring Will not to dig himself a deeper hole.

"Whoah, whoah Grandmother just take it easy; I'm just using her as an example, and didn't meet her until I moved back to Zootopia." Will told her holding his paws open in front of him in surrender his ears folded back, and his tail if not for Layla's grasp on it would've fallen between his legs.

"Hmph . . ." June let out a snort through her nose before going back to tending the cannabis plants that were the last of the season "Just how long did it take before you two mate bonded? If I didn't know better I'd swear you were already married."

"Our bond simply grew." Will responded with a shrug unsure of how to better answer that particular question.

"We really were already like that before we realized it. After I saw his wings I knew that I loved him more than I'd ever felt before." Layla replied.

"After she saw in me all the darkness that exists within, and kept me from truly becoming lost to it my heart has since, and will remain in her paws." Will added.

"Who knew the desert where so much of your ancient history, that mammals call myth, happened would for us hold it's own significance?" Layla pointed out with a grin.

"Who indeed? Certainly not me." Will agreed with her.

As June finished up her tending to her plants which she'd get around to harvesting later she motioned Will, and Layla over to a space at the far end of the greenhouse. There she had a hemp rug that had a traditional wolf tribal design across the floor with pillows made of hemp cloth, and bamboo fiber for sitting around a small table that held a one foot bong. Also on the table was a pot leaf shaped ashtray nearly full of joint 'roaches', an old cigar box, a candle, and a spool of beeswax coated hemp twine. Out of her pocket June took a metal pipe, and tweezers before sitting, and gesturing for Will, and Layla to do the same. Once she was comfortable having given her hips a wiggle settling into her chosen pillow she bade Will to light the candle which he did with his black flip-lighter. While Will had the candle lit within seconds June began unscrewing the mouthpiece of the pipe which had a multichambered stem then used the tweezers to pull out what had been a spear of weed thin enough to fit within it without obstructing airflow that was black on the outside due to being coated in resin.

June passed Will the pipe simply telling him to scrape it while she packed the bong, and he wasted no time setting to work with watchmaker like focus first completely disassembling the pipe arraying the pieces on the table. Then out of the old cigar box which held the kit for his purpose Will retrieved a small flathead screwdriver just the right size for the task along with a couple paper clips to be bent into necessary tools, and a fold out pocket knife the blade of which was already quite black along the edge from it's use.

Layla couldn't help watching him as fascinated as ever seeing him almost 'tweaking' on his task at paw. He started by gently using the head of the screwdriver which was his main tool to push out the screen from the bowl without breaking it then began using the screwdriver head to scrape clean the inside of the bowl collecting the resin on the edge of the ashtray. Once the inside of the bowl was clean he got the other side where it screwed into the L-piece that connected the bowl, and stem before moving on to the L-piece which was where the majority of the resin collected besides the bowl itself. After getting the majority of the resin out of the L-piece he unbent part of a paperclip to have a sort of 'poker' to make sure he got it as clean as possible then moved on to the stem itself which the screwdriver head made cleaning a breeze. With a simple insert then twist the edge of the flathead had the inside of the mouthpiece clean, and a once over with the paperclip 'poker' got the rest of the resin out. After using the edge of the knife to make sure he'd gotten what resin he could off the screwdriver head, and the 'poker' Will put the pipe back together along with the screen back in place. All in all Will had gotten the metal weed pipe field stripped, and cleaned within six minutes. The resin he used the knife blade to gather into a solid mass though once it held together on it's own he left it alone knowing if he did anymore with it he'd start losing some to either the knife blade, or his paw pads.

While he'd been engrossed in his task June had gotten the bowl of the bong packed with part of the resinated weed spear which she topped with kief from the grinder she'd pulled out of the cigar box. After using the candle flame to light the end of the hemp wick June took the first hit from the bong pulling out the bowl piece to clear it then passed it to Layla who in sitting across from her was to her left more so than Will who was directly on her right. Layla, and June had both shared quite a few hits from the first bowl while Will ignored them other than the twitching of his ears since his focus was on scraping the pipe. Once he was done though June put a good pinch of kief on top of the bowl so that he could catch up which he effected by ripping the bong as deep as he could before pulling out the bowl to clear it. As his muzzle showed it took a great deal of effort, and a bit of luck for him not to cough out his hit as soon as he'd taken it which he successfully managed to hold in for close to half a minute before the coughing got the better of him.

They continued to smoke bowl after bowl until the resinated spear was nothing, but the tip which June gave to Will along with the resin ball, and all her 'roaches'. He was happy enough to get her scraps, but June insisted on also giving him a small mason jar of traditional-style hashish she'd made as well as a rather large mason jar full of blue, and purple nugs she'd been saving to give to him for nearly a year. The 'roaches' Will stuffed into his now empty cigarette pack the last two cigarettes from which both he, and Layla had resting unlit between their lips while the resinated nug, and resin ball went in the jar with the hashish. As soon as they were all three back on their feet equally looking thoroughly zonked with their heavy eyes, and subtle grins Will got his pack of 'roaches', and hash jar stowed in a side pocket of his fatigues while carrying the large jar of vibrantly pretty nugs tucked under his left arm as if it were a treasure to be hoarded though his tail wagging lazily as it was broadcasted he was happy as a cub on their birthday.

Once back outside Will remembering it was sticking out of his muzzle lit his cigarette then held out his lit flip lighter for Layla to do the same. June walked with them back towards Will's Shelby where he crushed the butt of his cigarette underneath a calloused toe pad then got his jar of nugs stashed in the trunk where the case containing his Gauss rifle reminded him he hadn't moved it, and needed to ask Sage if she'd brought the box of ammo for it when he got back to his den. June gave first Will a hug goodbye admonishing him to not be a stranger to which he promised he wouldn't before if anything she gave Layla a bigger hug telling her that it did her heart good to see her son from another mother so happy.

Will had his keys in his paw, and was about to unlock the doors so he, and Layla could get in when there was what could only be described as the most adorable howl ever. The sound of it arrested Will in his movements, and brought a knowing grin, and laugh to June while Layla just raised an eyebrow curiously until motion caught her peripheral vision, and she had her own laugh at seeing who'd howled out surreptitiously pulling out her phone to record what was going to happen next. Will having heard her start running turned dropping to one knee with arms wide open much as he had the evening before to intercept the grey blur that was the cub-missile heading toward him known as Dakota Frost. If anything compared to her previous flying hug-tackle the day before this time Dakota had a longer running start, and therefore more force when she leapt at Will landing securely in his arms.

"You were going to leave without saying hi!" Dakota accused him chidingly.

"Like there was any chance you'd ever let me do that." Will responded giving her his best disarming grin.

His grin had no effect however, and Dakota promptly nipped his nose before hugging him saying "You aren't allowed to not at least give me a hug hello, and a hug goodbye even if I am asleep."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I got to talking with Grandma June since I owed her a visit, and didn't think to ask if you were around. Can you forgive me?" Will asked hugging her back, and nuzzling into her.

"Dakota! I don't care who it is, or why. You can't just go biting people like that. Now you apologize. How would you feel if he nipped your nose back?" Sarah scolded her daughter.

"Sarah." Will said firmly getting her attention "I made a promise to your daughter, and almost broke it because I was too caught up talking to your mom."

"Now, sweetheart" Will pressed his muzzle against Dakota's head as he spoke his arms still wrapped around her "Your mom is right you can't just go nipping someone even if they deserve it, but I am telling you that I am an exception to that rule so don't you dare apologize to me because I deserved it."

"Of course I forgive you Uncle Will." Dakota said before asking him sounding like she might cry "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"Oh, honey now don't you start crying, or I'll cry." Will said adding "No, you didn't hurt me."

After that they both let each other go the both of them sharing a sniffle, and Layla couldn't help a sniffle of her own. Dakota went to her grandmother who picked her up, and together with Sarah the three of them said goodbye to Layla, and Will who promised he'd stop by again before he headed back to Zootopia.

Once in his Shelby Will got his pack of 'roaches', and jar of hash stashed in the center console then started up the engine. He rolled down his window so he could wave goodbye after he'd shifted his Shelby into drive, and did so before switching his foot from the brake to the gas getting on the way back to the road. While he was driving he pulled out his phone, and asked Layla to plug it in requesting she get some good metal going.

"So she seems quite taken with you. What was all that about?" Layla asked while she scrolled through the artists on his phone.

"Sarah, and I have a bit of history between us." Will answered his eyes, and focus on the road as he turned to head North then West into town "What is currently going on between me, Lola, and her David sort of happened between me, Sarah, and my friend Matt except I was not Dakota's father; her coming out pure grey wolf kinda proved that though only Sarah, and I, and now you know that little fact. Dakota was born just before I left for the service a little over six years ago now; that makes me feel old. Anyway last year when I came back home Matt had recently died in a fishing accident; he went overboard during a storm. When I found out I couldn't not pay my respects, and Dakota who was still taking it pretty hard kinda latched on to me a little; she'd heard all these stories from her dad about her Uncle Will, and to finally meet me . . . "

Will sort of trailed off with a sniffle before he managed to finish his telling "I made that little cub a promise that whenever I was around if she wanted a hug she'd get one, and that I would always greet her, and say goodbye with one."

Layla simply reached her left paw over to his right giving it a reassuring squeeze then with a tap from her right thumb got music going playing "Black Magic" by Slayer. Will was grateful to her for playing what she did since it helped him focus on driving while Layla lost in her thoughts felt she finally understood why Sage was so adamant about Will in particular being the father of her pups though she had a feeling Sage didn't fully understand how Will couldn't just be some idle sperm donor, and she was if anything more grateful than ever that she would have a kit with him.

When "Seasons in the Abyss" started up Will's speed shot up to sixty where he cruised before he soon enough had to turn left on to the road just before the coast that would take them into the north side of Ulfhaven. The drive into town didn't take them all that long, and soon enough Will was pulling to a stop in front of the restaurant that was in the choice spot closest to the docks that was run by Minamoto-san the sign above the door bearing the logo of a fish skeleton, and the name The Naked Fish. After shutting off his Shelby Will got out followed by Layla, and once he'd locked it after they shut their doors she followed him into the restaurant.

"Irasshai." came the greeting from an aging snow leopard who looked up from the knife he was sharpening.

"Shiro-kun I haven't seen you in a while; it's good to see you." the snow leopard said in a japanese accent as recognition of Will was written on his muzzle.

"It's good to see you too Minamoto-sensei, but it's only been what? a month, and a half, or so?" Will responded with a grin before bowing with his paws at his side out of respect for his teacher.

"A month, and a half without seeing my best customer. Though now your sister has that title." Minamoto-san joked adding "One order of tempura satsuma-imo to unagi-nigirizushi coming up."

"You know me too well Sensei, and I will not say no to your sushi, but I'm here not just to say hello to family of mine. Sensei I'd like to introduce you to my mate who I will be marrying this Thursday, and eventually have a kit with." Will said while Minamoto-san went about preparing the unagi he always kept on paw thanks to Will's love of it.

"You were not yourself when you came home last year. Though you wouldn't speak of it to me my daughter told me it was because you didn't have you're Layla with you" Minamoto-san said though his eyes showed how much it meant to him hearing Will call him family before turning to Layla "It is my honor to meet you kitsune-chan. What can I make for you? On the house for the bride to be."

"Hajimemashite Minamoto-sensei." Layla said with a bow much as Will had "Arigato gozaimasu for your offer, but I am sure watashi no okami will still insist on paying you. I'll have some Inari-zushi to maguro sashimi, onegai-shimasu."

"Very good." Minamoto-san responded quite pleased "I can already tell you've found quite the vixen Shiro-kun."

"I'd wolf down the earth for her if I had to." Will agreed with a nod.

---

As Lola drove them towards the town of Ulfhaven Nick couldn't help sticking his head out the window, and panting as the smells of the woods shifted into smells of the ocean. Growing up in Zootopia the city of all climates he wasn't unfamiliar with the scent of water having spent his share of time by the docks throughout the years, but the fresh briny smell of pure ocean air was worlds apart from the familiar stench of dock water, and he would not soon forget it. The carefree laugh of the rabbit whom he loved next to him caught his attention, and he turned back towards her unable to not grin ear to ear seeing the happy expression on her muzzle.

"What's so funny, carrots?" Nick asked her.

"Nothing it just makes me happy seeing you so happy" Judy told him.

"I think he looks pretty funny all windblown, and grinning like an idiot." Lola joked with a smirk.

"That's why I wanted to sit in the back. I get all the smells, without looking so ruffled." Sophie added with a chuckle.

"I know you don't have as good a nose as I do fluff, but you can't tell me this air doesn't smell great." Nick said his grin seemingly permanently set.

"It is kind of invigorating isn't it?" Judy agreed unable to not smile back at him.

"You'll get used to it." Lola said.

The road into town from where the Grimm family home was situated was a straight shot so it didn't take them long to reach the town proper. Both Judy, and Nick marveled a bit at the sight of all the wooden homes with their black tile roofs, and how they contrasted with more modern buildings made of hempcrete many of which were painted with pastel colors, or had full murals along entire walls. Since Lola was taking them to the main grocery store in town they both got better views of some of those murals which were in varying styles, and Nick noticed in particular how foxes were as prominent as the wolves depicted with both in an equally positive light. Once Lola had parked them in the lot next to the local market that wasn't nearly as big as some of the super markets one would find in a city, but certainly was large enough for the needs of Ulfhaven she heaved a sigh as she turned off her Mach One.

"Okay" Lola said almost nervous "Here we go. Prepare yourselves."

"For what?" Nick asked curiously.

"Is everything okay?" Judy asked with a tinge of worry.

"Are you about to fart, and we need to run?" Sophie jokingly asked with a chuckle.

"Fuck you Sophie." Lola responded, but her little sister's words had the intended effect of bringing a smile to her muzzle "This may be a simple grocery run, but I can guarantee you nearly everyone we pass on the street is going to stop us to chat."

"That's not so bad" Judy replied "We get that a lot when we're on foot patrols."

"Yeah, just give 'em a smile, a kind word, a wave, and repeat." Nick nodded in agreement as he donned his aviators.

"Maybe I was saying it more for myself, but don't say I didn't warn you." Lola grinned at him likewise putting on her aviators.

With that they got out of her car which she locked once the doors were shut. She, and her brother were so almost neurotic about it because while they could've left their cars unlocked around locals who knew them some tourists had tried to steal both of their cars in the past which for the perpetrators had not ended well. The grey wolf who tried to take Will's Shelby ended up with both arms, and right let in a cast for over a month with pins being used to help set the bones they were broken so badly. The arctic wolf who tried to steal Lola's Mach One wound up tased by a passing local who made a citizen's arrest only for Lola to break his tail in three places. Both incidents were sort of black spots on the records of the 'Guardians of Ulfhaven', but no local would ever think of them as such since the wannabe thieves got what was coming to them, and neither thief dared press charges since it was made abundantly clear by their doctors that they were let off with a slap on the wrist. Said doctors of course may have taken the liberty of embellishing some of the stories about how Will, and Lola both earned their status as local heroes particularly in regards to how they dealt with more violent troublemakers.

They barely made it to the doors of the grocery store before they were stopped by the mammal exiting said store an arctic fox tod in a sheriff's uniform holding a glass bottle of cola in his paw.

"Well, Lola good to see you round these parts again." the tod greeted her before his eyes widened "That's why you've been gone this past week? You're pregnant?"

"Hey, Kevin. Yeah just passed the first trimester; gonna be on maternity leave for a while yet. Funny story that; I didn't tell David until yesterday after I'd had a chance to talk to Will." Lola responded scratching the back of her neck idly.

"So are we down a deputy?" Kevin joked before he lowered his gaze, and asked "Is it really true what they're saying about your brother?"

"My David is just fine, Kevin." Lola answered before she matched his lowered gaze looking at him over the edge of her aviators "What're they saying about Will?"

"Well the local inters have been going on about some article where he gave an interview, something about having a mate who's a vixen, but what really is the talk of the town is if he's really . . ." Kevin paused to look around to see who might overhear him, and finally noticed Nick, and Judy which brought him up short "Holy shit. You two're Zootopia's first fox, and bunny cops. It did me good to hear that city is coming around to what us Ulfhavener's have known all along."

"That's right I'm Nick, and this is Judy." Nick introduced them offering Kevin his paw for a shake "For the record if you see Layla you'll do a double take, and to answer your question about Will being who he is, I've seen his wings."

"We both have seen them." Judy added sticking out her own paw "It's a pleasure to meet you Deputy?"

"Just Kevin is fine." Kevin responded as he shook her paw adding "It's an honor enough to meet the bunny who saved all those preds from that psycho sheep."

"I couldn't have done it without my fox" Judy replied causing Nick to grin hearing her refer to him as such.

"I don't know, fluff. I think I was just along for the ride, and now you're stuck with me." Nick told her with a chuckle.

"You two are together? Cool, well then you'll be right at home up here. We've had interspecies mingling since the first Grimm; winter's too cold not to have someone to share warmth with." Kevin responded with a friendly grin before taking another sip of his cola.

"Alright Kev. I know you; as soon as you get out of my hearing you're gonna get on that radio to spread the news." Lola leveled at him causing Kevin to look at her sheepishly "Don't worry, I get it. I'm pregnant, Deputy Forrest is the father, Will's mate-bonded with a vixen Sierra's size, Sarah's going to marry them on Thursday, and he's going to have a kit with her; it's all a lot to take in. Trust me that isn't even the half of it."

With his jaw as far open as it could go to say Kevin was floored by the ease with which Lola bombed him with that information would be an understatement; if his paw hadn't tightened around his bottle of cola he probably would've dropped it. Lola just grinned at her deputy then with a look to Sophie who grabbed Judy, and Nick by the paw they made their way into the grocery store leaving Kevin awestruck. They were already in the store, and at Lola's insistence had all grabbed size appropriate shopping carts before Kevin's brain rebooted, and the still stunned looking deputy made it to the corner of the street before his paw reached for the radio at his hip.

While Lola went off with the express purpose of getting food for her, Will, and Kat since they were the largest preds currently staying in Will's den Sophie led Judy, and Nick first towards the produce section encouraging Judy to grab whatever looked good. Nick couldn't help his grin seeing Judy nervous at first before Sophie's own pell mell tossing of sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and other veggies canids found appetizing spurred her to go for what was in stock that was bunny friendly which thanks to the arctic hare population of Ulfhaven was actually pretty decent.

Of course Nick felt the need to after grabbing a bundle of carrots tease Judy by dangling them over her head. Judy's response however, caught him off guard. She simply hopped up kissing him then thanked him for grabbing the carrots before plucking them from him, and putting them in her cart. Once they had in Judy's estimation more than enough vegetables to last her breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next couple days they followed Sophie around the store.

"I didn't know breasts had nuggets. Did you know that Judy?" Nick asked as they were in the frozen food section his attention being caught by the labeling on a package of chicken nuggets.

Judy couldn't do anything, but laugh in response, and Nick found himself grinning happily his mission accomplished.

"Oh, gods above. You're just like my brother grocery shopping. No wonder he wanted you to be his pack brother, and you agreed." came Lola's voice from the isle over.

"Hey, at least he didn't suggest he had boobs with the cantaloupes." Sophie fired back.

"Will did that? What is he an overgrown cub?" Nick asked.

"Says the fox . . . hahaha . . . who just pointed out 'breast nuggets'" Judy retorted trying to stifle her laughter.

"Did that? He does that. Like all the time." Lola said in response.

"He'll make jokes out of anything that catches his eye; shopping with him is never boring unless he just wants to go." Sophie added.

"Gods, then he's just like 'No, we don't need that' for everything. When he's like that you could ask him if he needed more mayo knowing full well that he'd used the last of it, and he'd still say no." Lola called out exasperatedly.

They all shared a laugh at that though their conversation had attracted some attention mostly in the form of locals congratulating Lola on her future cub though some recognized Nick, and Judy greeting them excitedly. Of particular note was an arctic hare who had black fur dye accents in her fur making her appear quite goth which seemed at odds with her upbeat personality.

"How's it going Sophie?" Kate asked as she hugged the arctic vixen.

"Pretty good Kate. I can't tell you how happy I am to see my big brother not only happy again, but to know why he was so depressed when he came home, and to meet his mate." Sophie responded to her coworker at a local diner.

"I will never forget how that howling of his carried halfway into town; it's good to hear he's doing better, and he has a mate? What?" Kate responded incredulously.

"You can ask Nick, and Judy they know her better than I do since they work with Will. She's got to be the world's tallest vixen like seriously she stares Sierra in the eye, and she's fucking sexy." Sophie answered gushing a little.

This caused Kate to notice them behind Sophie, and she rushed them both in a hug saying "It's the ZPD's first bunny, and fox! Way to go you two showing the rest of the world us small mammals are just as capable as the larger ones."

"Say, I couldn't help overhearing. Are you really his pack brother, Nick?" Kate asked him after she'd released them from a stronger embrace than they were expecting.

"I am though it's only been a week." Nick responded.

"Wow, the wolf whose pack might as well have been a harem except for his sisters, and Holly accepted another male into his pack; you must be quite the fox worth your fur." Kate said to him her compliment rendering him speechless.

"I certainly think he is." Judy said with a smile holding his paw.

"Wait you two are together? Awesome! I thought I smelled as much, but my nose isn't the most reliable anymore." Kate responded with a grin adding "Say can I get a photo with you two, no one else is gonna believe me when I say I actually got to meet you two."

"Well, sure I don't see why not." Nick managed to say.

"Of course, that's no problem." Judy added warmly.

Kate in response passed Sophie her phone, and posed in between the two grinning ear to ear. Sophie didn't take long getting a couple shots before giving Kate a nod, and a grin indicating she was done.

"Say is that?" Sophie asked pointing at something on Kate's shirt as she gave her back her phone.

"Yep, my five year pin; clean, and sober." Kate responded happily.

"Awesome!" Sophie said as she hugged her.

After they separated Kate bid them goodbye, and went about the rest of her shopping while Sophie, Judy, and Nick met back up with Lola who had piled her cart quite full.

"Did I hear right that Kate got her five year pin?" Lola asked Sophie.

"Yep, you did." Sophie answered.

"Kick ass." Lola said with a firm nod.

"So just who was that?" Judy asked.

"Yeah. I don't think I'm ever going to forget her . . . I've never had any stranger let alone prey ever tell me I'm worth my fur . . . " Nick couldn't help, but add doing his best to keep his emotions from showing on his muzzle.

"Kate, and I work together at the local diner though back when she used to date Will" Sophie explained.

"Probably the most mutual of all his break ups." Lola added nodding.

After Lola had looked over everyone else's full carts though they weren't quite as stuffed as hers she pronounced they had enough food to feed everyone, and they made their way to the checkout. For Nick that was another experience as if Kate's kind words opened a door, and the universe decided to jam it open. He was used to going into a store back home, and depending on who was working there even at some of the stores he frequented being at least looked at as if in with his purchases was something he was stealing, but standing in line as he chatted with Judy, Sophie, and Lola no one gave him a second glance.

He kept wondering when some mammal would say something, but no one did other than the cashier telling Judy not to argue with the nicer of the Grimm siblings when Judy insisted on helping pay for everything, and Lola wouldn't hear it since her brother would pay her back. They had gotten more food than they could reasonably fit in the trunk of Lola's Mach One which they found out when Lola tried to make it all fit which prompted her to call Sierra to have her come with her work truck. While they waited for Sierra to show Nick couldn't help paying extra attention to the mammals that passed them, and the mammals that recognizing Lola stopped to offer her their congratulations, but none of them gave him an unfriendly glance let alone a second one unless they recognized him, and Judy at which point they would want to at least shake paws though a few wanted photos. What really got to Nick was when an arctic hare kit actually wanted his autograph alongside Judy's telling them both that it just made sense for them to be partners as cops. Nick couldn't have been more grateful for Judy's paw in his own as they watched the kit walk away.

"Okay, what's with this place? Does no one here hate foxes, or see us as liars, and thieves?" Nick finally had to ask once he was sure that kit was out of earshot.

"That's actually how we tell most tourists, are tourists Nick. The foxes of Ulfhaven have been pillars of the community since my ancestor the first Grimm founded the fishing village, and made peace with the Frost Tribe." Lola answered.

"It's true, we all get taught in school that because of the first Grimm not only did the different species of Ulfhaven start working together, and flourishing for it, but that the first species to join his wolves, and help make Ulfhaven what it would become were the foxes. It's why the town motto is 'All are welcome, All are equal'." Sophie added.

"Surely there are a few foxes that cause trouble?" Nick asked them his inner cynic having trouble really believing them.

"Not any more than any other mammal. In the wise words of my brother 'Call even an angel a devil enough times, and that angel will show you what a demon really is'. Of course he didn't quite mean it how i'm using it right now, but the fundamental principle is the same. If all you're ever shown is negativity just for being what you are, it's only natural to live up to that negativity even if it's not who you really are. While on the flip side when you're treated as equal to any other you're free to be what goodness is inside you." Lola told him as if she were saying that the clouds were grey which with the overcast sky they were.

At her words Nick couldn't help the dam in him that broke, and while Lola was surprised when he hugged her as he cried she didn't hesitate to hug him back giving him what comfort she could. As moved as Nick was it moved Lola to catch a glimpse of what foxes outside of Ulfhaven must really go through. It was at this point that in her Forest Ranger pickup truck Sierra pulled up, and Nick let Lola go wiping at his eyes. It didn't take them long to get the truck loaded with the goods, and Lola told Sierra that she'd be back a little bit later since she was feeling peckish for some sushi inviting Nick, and Judy to come along with her, and Sophie. Judy was hesitant at first since she knew that sushi meant raw fish, but Nick along with Sophie, and Lola assured her not all sushi was fish, and that plenty was made using just rice, and veggies. Sophie particularly gushed about the tempura sweet potato knowing full well where Lola had in mind to go. So it was that a short ways down the road Lola drove them in her Mach One to The Naked Fish parking behind her brother's Shelby.

---

When they heard the door to the restaurant open Will, Minamoto-san, and his wife who was an arctic she-wolf greeted the newcomers with a small chorus of 'Irasshai'. Will who'd had his back to the door turned, and seeing his sisters along with Nick, and Judy waved them over with a paw in the way the japanese do telling them 'Kochi, kochi.' Will was definitely surprised when Nick made a beeline towards him, and he could tell from the look on his muzzle that a hug was in order so he set down the sakazuki cup he'd been drinking from so he could get on one knee holding his arms open. When Nick hugged him Will could feel the tumult of emotions within him, and it moved him to embrace his pack brother more firmly without squeezing the air from him.

"Thank you, Will." Nick said fresh tears falling from his eyes.

"For what my brother?" Will asked rubbing a paw along Nick's back.

"Wanting me in your pack. Bringing me here. Showing me this place where no one hates foxes." Nick answered.

"My brother even if you were not in my pack I still would've brought you here." Will couldn't help, but tell him.

At that which Will had told him in absolute honesty, and truth Will could feel the walls in Nick truly crumble as years, and years worth of pain finally found catharsis his vulpine brother crying into him. Will felt Nick's deep seated hurt as a father feels the hurt of their child, and though he knew his wings would be visible to those who could see them since he felt them his focus was on comforting Nick the only way he knew how by nuzzling against him, and marking him. Will's actions were no different than what a father, or older brother would've done, and they spoke volumes to the mammals that were around them most of all to Minamoto-san, and his wife who cupped her paws around her muzzle with her eyes wide as she witnessed Will's wings leaving no doubt in her mind that he truly was the Father incarnate. Minamoto-san himself was no less in shock though only his eyes showed it, and not nearly as obviously as his wife's; though not a canid since his marriage to his wife her family had welcomed him as one of their own, and shared with him the stories of the Wolf Mother, and what few there were of the Wolf Father so the feeling he got seeing Will comfort the tod who was his pack brother as he too witnessed Will's wings was not lost on him.

For Judy it had been surprising enough when her fox famous for the saying 'Don't let them see that they get to you' showed just how much it got to him being in a place where he was truly accepted when he'd broke down as he embraced Lola; to see how that earlier breakdown was just the opening of the flood gates before the whole dam truly came down left her unable to not shed tears for her fox. It was like she saw that same hurt kit that was so cruelly muzzled finally begin to truly heal, and from that moment on she would remember Will as she saw him then his wings as plain as day while he comforted the mammal she loved in a way that only he could.

Once Nick managed to recover himself Minamoto-san offered all of them whatever they wanted on the house as he pulled from under the counter the choicest bottle of nigori genshu sake he had. Lola knowing how much she intended to eat which was enough for her, and her growing cub wouldn't hear it, and pulled out a hundred dollar bill putting it on the counter. Will not to be out done pulled out two placing them next to the one Lola had laid down.

"Father, we cannot take your money. Our hospitality is free to you. The same goes for all you call pack mates which includes you Lola." Minamoto-san's wife insisted.

"You can take my money because I am giving it to you. You know me as I truly am now, but it changes nothing. I am no greater than any other wolf." Will countered.

"Will, you brought to us our daughter blessing us with happiness we had given up on knowing. This once will you allow me to offer you thanks though it is a small gesture, and not nearly enough." Minamoto-san said.

"Knowing you have given Senna a better life than the one I saved her from is thanks enough, Sensei. You have already honored me by raising her as your own for which it is I who owe you so much more than thanks." Will responded his voice heavy with heartfelt emotion.

"Minamoto-san you are family to us, and I am about to eat as much maguro as I can; just accept our money so that you can at least replace what we devour, or my cub will grow hungry while you, and my brother engage in a contest of wills." Lola added, and her mentioning of her eating for two settled the matter.

It went without saying that Lola really did eat more than even Will did though given her pregnancy that much was a given. Lola was somewhat grumpy that she couldn't have any sake, and though she did grumble about it she put the welfare of her unborn cub above all else, and thus dealt with her inability to imbibe any intoxicants. Will, and Layla who'd already eaten as it was shared a platter of mussels that were baked with a spicy sauce making a sort of game out of who could slurp the meat down, and leave the shells cleaner. When Minamoto-san joked that with how they ate the shellfish which were like oysters considered good for the libido it was guaranteed that Will would get Layla with a kit Will in response offered Nick a mussel which the tod slurped down happily before waggling his eyebrows suggestively at Judy causing her to blush in response while everyone else shared a friendly laugh seeing her ears flush. Judy in response to Nick's teasing used the chopsticks he'd shown her how to properly use to steal a morsel from his plate that she swiftly chewed, and swallowed before he could really react.

"You do know that was a deep fried shrimp, Judy?" Nick asked looking at her incredulously.

"Really, well that was pretty good. Want to give me another?" Judy asked teasingly using her chopsticks to grab in his general direction.

"I called it. I so called it; she's got the heart of a predator in her." Will said triumphantly at their banter.

"I have seen dozens of hares over the years try eating fish as a test of courage, and even the few who managed to swallow what they decided to try swear never again to do it with the exception of Kate that is." Minamoto-san said quite surprised with the bunny before him.

"Here you go, Judy." Sophie who was sitting to Judy's right said holding out another tempura shrimp to her with her chopsticks.

"Thank you, Sophie." Judy responded as she gladly accepted the morsel eating it directly from Sophie's chopsticks.

Nick's jaw fell, and rose a couple times making a clicking sound as his teeth came together such was he rendered stunned before he managed to say "I am strangely turned on by that; just what was in those mussels?"

"Other than the mussel itself? Just the house dynamite sauce which is Kyubi brand mayo, Sriracha, and the secret ingredient is the roasted sesame oil though some other places will add in sake, or shichimi togarashi." Will answered him with a grin before his mentioning of the arctic hare he'd dated his senior year of high-school prompted him to tell Minamoto-san "You know Kate only did that because she was stoned as hell, and I dared her to do it" before asking Sophie "How is she doing by the way? Still good I hope."

"We actually ran into her at the store; she got her five year sobriety pin." Sophie answered him.

"Awesome, that is good to hear." Will responded.

"An arctic hare named Kate . . . why is that familiar to me?" Layla asked Will.

"It's been awhile since I told you about her, babe. We dated in high-school, but it didn't really work out; we both were better as just friends." Will answered her.

"Ah, now I remember." Layla nodded.

"You really dated a hare?" Judy asked curiously.

"For a couple months our senior year, yes I did." Will answered.

"I still say that was the most amicable break up you ever had." Lola contributed to the conversation.

"Well, yeah because she doesn't have claws capable of tearing into me, and we both at the time wanted a physical component neither could quite give the other." Will responded.

"Yeah, you're lucky it was Liz who broke up with you, and she's such a pacifist." Sophie laughed.

"Hehe, at the time I could've handled it if she actually wanted to hurt me. It's called a tactical fucking retreat" Will replied with a laugh of his own.

"Let me guess Liz was the polar bear you dated?" Layla asked.

"Yep, and if you meet her you'll agree she's too sweet to hurt a fly." Lola answered.

"Seriously though it's why she hired Kiera to handle the whole fish whenever someone orders one, and the fish head soup." Sophie added.

All in all they didn't spend more than an hour, and a half at Minamoto-san's restaurant with what they'd eaten being more of a midafternoon snack than anything. After bidding Minamoto-san, and his wife both a sayonara before they bowed Will, and Layla led the way out followed by Lola, Sophie, Nick, and Judy who likewise had said sayonara before bowing with Judy who was the one most unfamiliar with japanese customs doing a good job of imitating the way they had bowed.

As Nick, and Judy were getting into Lola's Mach One, and Will was about to get into his Shelby alongside Layla a black SUV flipped a u-turn, and pulled up alongside Will setting off red flags for nearly everyone present. At least until the passenger side window rolled down revealing the occupants as Sky who was driving, and Jack who was riding shotgun.

"Well hey you two. How was your flight?" Will asked glad to see them.

"Surprisingly short, and ahead of schedule." Jack responded with his trademark grin.

"So this is where you grew up Will? We've only driven around a bit, but it seems really nice." Sky commented.

"Well you haven't had the full Ulfhaven experience until you've walked around town seeing the sights, been down to the beach for a roll in the sand, and heard Elder Frost tell stories around the fire." Will told her with a grin.

"I like the sound of a roll on the beach. What do you say Sky?" Jack asked turning towards her.

"You even think about it I'll throw you in the ocean; a tropical location this is not, and even still sandy fur is a bitch." Sky responded.

"Maybe I just want the excuse to help you groom your fur." Jack told her with a wink.

"Sounds like you two really needed a vacation, though save the foreplay for when we're back at my den." Will said to them with a laugh before adding "At least it's not summer, and you'd have to worry about sand fleas."

Will took one glance at the horrified look on their muzzles before getting into his Shelby, and after shutting the door firing up the engine. That done he just plugged his phone into the aux cable before passing it to Layla for her to fire up the tunes.

"I thought you told me it was too cold here even in summer for sand fleas, or mosquitos." Layla said as she accepted his phone.

"Usually it is, but there've been summers warm enough that yes Flea-Be-Gone is a must. Shit, my back itches all over just thinking about it." Will told her with an involuntary quiver.

"My poor wolfie. No wonder you'd always pack a polar bear sized can of the stuff whenever a mission took us to a coastal region." Layla responded scrolling through the music on his phone.

"You don't know the half of it. Once summer when they were particularly bad, it was a beautiful overcast day, Lola, and I thought we'd applied enough of the stuff to each other, but we both had gone for a dip in the water then rolled in the dirt. We had to bathe for a week with super strength flea shampoo, and it would've been cool missing a week of school if we weren't both going nuts from scratching ourselves. Mom even has a video of us both as a reminder of what not to do, and because we really were pretty funny growling, and grunting on the floor scratching our backs." Will told her as he shifted his Shelby into drive then rolled his window down enough to stick his left paw out, and with a circular gesture signaled everyone to round up, and follow him.

The drive back through town was relatively mellow since the speed limit through town was a constant thirty five miles per hour though Will couldn't help pushing forty with Lola behind him, and Sky bringing up the rear of their convoy. Once they passed the last stoplight though Will sped up to sixty where he cruised comfortably, and had them all back at his den in less time than it'd taken them to get into town. Sierra's work truck was parked back in front of the main house, and empty which as Will noted it since Lola had mentioned having needing her to come cart all the groceries back to his den indicated to him that what all had been gotten had been at least brought in to his den. Once they reached his den's entrance he used the garage remote to lower the door, and waved with his paw out the window indicating for Sky to park off to the side.

While Sky got their rental parked roughly out of the way Will, and Lola got their vehicles turned around since while the garage tunnel was wide enough for them to turn around in if they used the full turn radius of their cars it was easier to just back all the way in. Once in position Will motioned for Lola to go into the garage first while he waved Jack, and Sky over to hop in his Shelby with Layla getting out to move the passenger seat to facilitate.

By the time Jack, and Sky were in the back seat Lola had made it far enough down the garage tunnel the headlights of her Mach One wouldn't totally kill Will's eyes as he used the rearview mirror to guide his own Shelby down the tunnel to the garage which was lit along the corners with extensive rope lights that offered plenty of illumination for Will's eyes that for a wolf were particularly light sensitive even compared to those blue eyed wolves like Maria's David for whom sunglasses were generally a vital piece of kit to have on paw. Once they were about halfway towards the blast doors that were the true garage doors to Will's den he used the outer door remote to close it leaving the tunnel only illuminated by the rope lights, and the lights of his Shelby. Within a few short minutes Will had them in the garage proper which was well lit with it's hempcrete walls, and ceiling quite clean though the matte of the surface didn't reflect the fluorescent light that lit the room.

"Really Will did you have to make the garage so huge? You could practically drive a tank down here. Are you compensating for something?" Jack asked as he noted the garage really did have enough space for all three of the cars currently parked, and at least a bear sized APC.

"You should see the rest of my den, and it's all sized for polar bears so if I invite one in they'll be comfortable. If you really want to go there Jack then fine we can disclose the 'Icelandic Incident' to my whole pack. It's no fur off of my tail." Will responded giving him his best evil grin.

"I am unaware of any such activity, or operation." Jack said reflexively.

"Nor would you be disposed to discuss it if it did in fact exist. Let's just say it got brought up this morning over breakfast, and I managed to dodge that bullet myself." Will replied.

"You two did it didn't you?" Layla asked bluntly.

"Jack, no way!" Sky added feigning shock.

"You know Sky there's only so many ways that could've worked; just picture it Jack on top." Layla suggested grinning evilly.

"Hahahaha, or Jack with his paws full of that wolf meat Hahahaha" Sky bent over double she was laughing so hard.

"Okay, that's enough!" Will told them both sternly adding in a more mellow tone "That isn't what happened. You two had your girls night, and we didn't pry; so don't pry into our guy's night."

"I don't know. If we tell you what we did would you tell us what you did?" Sky offered still chuckling, and holding her stomach.

"Better idea, why don't we show them then they can show us." Layla suggested.

"Jack, that ball is in your court; if I hadn't promised you it'd stay between us I'd have already told Layla. It's probably the one thing I've kept from her." Will said turning to the lapine buck who stood stock still hiding his ears behind his head with his muzzle expression stony.

Jack just looked back at him, and his eyes widened before he shook his head.

"I get it, but you might want to try words little brother." Will said to Jack.

"Whatever you devious vixens are thinking we did; we didn't do it." Jack finally spoke adamantly.

"Oh, come on what's wrong with a little full disclosure between old friends?" Layla asked him.

"You know Jack denial isn't just a river in Egypt. It's bad for the soul." Sky added.

"Damnit . . . I . . ." Jack trailed off before whispering something only Will with his larger ears barely managed to catch.

"Look, Jack we were drunk as fuck, and it really was a one time only thing. There's nothing wrong with admitting it; do you really think Sky's going to judge you for it?" Will told him.

"Easy for you to fucking say!" Jack half shouted back at him before lowering his head, and slumping his shoulders "You're the one that remembers more of it than I do so just tell them, but it doesn't leave this room."

"Alright, Jack; just the bullet points then. As you heard from Kat this morning my lovely Layla Jack, and I started out in the bar drinking trading insults like you know we do. Back up in the hotel room I'd reserved since I think of such things, and expected something to happen in the bar well it was just me, and our stalwart Jack. It started after we'd smoked the cannabis cigar I'd procured, and Jack had the bright idea to watch some porn. We went from pawing off on our own to well, helping each other out; so yes I know how soft his paws are, and he knows just how I can bend my tongue. After we were done let's just say Jack was a mess, and I was inclined to help him wash; so I carried him to the tub, and bathed him before the heat from the water hit the booze in his system, and it was all I could do to hold him over the toilet. Then the smell got to me, and well it behooved me to leave the cleaning mammal quite the tip." Will told them before having reminded himself of what he'd gotten from June retrieved his jar of hash, and jar of nugs.

With his spoils in paw Will led the way from the garage into his den proper, and took a measure of delight at how both Jack, and Sky's eyes widened seeing just how large it was. Sierra, and Holly were in the kitchen to their left, and informed Will that everyone else that had stayed had eaten dinner adding that there was still some for him if he wanted some though Lola had told them about their stop at Minamoto-san's restaurant. Will took one sniff in their direction smelling the scents that came from the oven, and told them that while he wasn't hungry he would probably be up for dessert later adding that their two newest guests on the other paw could probably use some food. Jack, and Sky who Will introduced as former colleagues, and old friends weren't actually that hungry since they'd eaten on their flight, but likewise were up for some desert when it was ready.

Dessert which was soon enough ready to come out of the oven was creme brulee courtesy of Sierra which she even gave the customary crust of caramelized sugar after pulling out a culinary blowtorch, and courtesy of Holly was her famous rice pudding. It didn't take long for the rest of Will's pack along with Chelsea, and Senna who'd been hanging out together at the table with everyone managing to fit since Judy, and Jack shared seats with their respective foxes, and Layla sat on Will's lap. After everyone had their portions of desert in front of them they didn't stand on ceremony as they tucked in.

"I'm surprised Will. You normally eat enough desert to put me in a coma, and right now you have less than I do" Sky commented seeing him splitting what he had with Layla.

"Sushi has this effect on me. I'm simply full enough as it is, but hey my sister is eating what I normally would for me." Will responded with a grin giving Lola a wink as she got a healthy forkful of custard in her mouth practically drooling as she savored it.

"I'm just glad this cub agrees with me that this is delicious." Lola remarked.

"Say Sky, you're the one my brother mentioned last night recruited him into the ZIA, and told them they'd been burned by the Agency." Sierra said to the vixen leaving it unspoken that she wanted to know her side of that story.

"For all we went through together, and how if it weren't for him I wouldn't have my Jack with me right now I'm glad I chose both him, and Layla to join the Agency. As for that fucking shit show the Director went over my head in canceling their extraction, and it was the least I could do to at least warn them about what he'd done. I will never forgive that conniving bastard for what he did; John, and Jack were good mammals, and their blood is on his head." Sky responded morosely causing her Jack to give her paw a reassuring squeeze.

"Worse that son of a whore sent more mammals to their deaths just because he made sure they'd see the kind of classified information that would send them after Will. It's too bad Will you can't just do to him what you did to those leopards." Jack added.

"If he tries anything again, trust me Jack I will devour his soul if I don't obliterate him with my new rifle from the Aurora Institute. We'll get some recoil therapy in tomorrow, and I'll show you." Will commented.

"Judy I'm so sorry you got dragged into their plan; if I hadn't made their final test infiltrating the Director's office none of that would've happened. I was a fool for not thinking he was wise to my underpawed play." Sky said to her nearly crying.

"It's not your fault Sky. It's his. If sending agents to their deaths achieves a goal even partially, and in a way he can write them off he doesn't care; hell how many missions you think he had us CLAWS go on just to see if we really would never make it back?" Will told her his tone serious.

"Dozens Will, and if it weren't for what you're capable of you all would've probably died within that first year. You should never have had to go that far in the first place." Sky responded.

"Maybe, but at the end of the day for all the blood on my paws how many do you think we saved?" Will replied.

"Thousands, paws down. And that's just from all the mammal trafficking rings, let alone the other things." Sky answered with a heavy sigh.

"That's what matters Sky. In our own sort of fucked up way we've helped make the world a better place, and all we can do with the life left in us is keep fucking trying. Now cheer up, yeah? Wait till you see the rooms in the living quarters; you're gonna need to be part cheetah just to catch Jack on the bed." Will said with a chuckle.

"Or at least comfortable running on all fours; it worked for me." Nick added helping lighten the mood though his comment earned him a light elbow to the ribs from Judy.

"So, Will why are all the beds so large anyway?" Judy couldn't help, but ask her question causing everyone who knew the answer to start laughing.

"In a word, or rather two. Pack. Orgy." Will answered her unable to suppress a grin seeing how Nick, and her both reacted to that bit of information.

"Don't worry participation is voluntary." Lola clarified likewise grinning.

After that everyone finished their dessert chatting idly. When they were done, and most were ready to lounge about letting their stomachs settle before heading to bed Senna let Will know that she'd already gotten the okay from her parents to spend the night to which he told her, and Chelsea both that they were welcome to whichever free rooms they wanted. Will helped Sierra clear the table, but told her once they were done that they could leave the dishes for tomorrow before asking her, Jack, Sky, Nick, Layla, Lola, and Kat to join him down in the vault. Since the rest of his pack simply took it in stride that they weren't invited Judy let her curiosity go.

Will led them down to the second level then along the hall, and past the bar which Jack peeked in nodding approvingly to the second rampway which led to the third level. Once they were in front of the sizable vault door Will placed a paw on a biometric scanner after inserting the RFID keycard that Lola returned to him into it's slot opening it before leading them into the spacious room which was divided into sections based on what was stored with shelves of various drugs being first, followed by the well stocked armory then shelves of books, and then a sort of trophy room the centerpiece of which was a sizeable tome in a display case.

"Door close." Will spoke, and a female computerized voice responded before sealing them in "Voice print verified. As you wish Master Grimm."

"Alright, Layla, Sky you both already know what I'm about to disclose. Everyone else what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room, and after I'm done if you feel so inclined you are free to avail yourself of the armory, and end me. No complaints Layla I have faith in my pack that it won't come to that, but the option is on the table." Will told them seriously.

"Will, I thought we were taking this to our graves." Sky said.

"My pack deserve to know Sky not only the depths of evil that exists on this planet, but how I rose to the occasion in seeing that evil come to an end, and the lengths I will go to should I face the same evil, or worse." Will responded before beginning his tale "As the rest of you heard earlier from Senna there existed an island of true scum, and villainy run by a lapine buck whose name was Bucky Bouncer though through his particular appetite he earned the nickname "Bloody Bucktooth"."

"The beginning of this fateful solo mission I undertook starts with Jack being sent in first to assassinate the fuck by any means necessary." Will said taking a deep breath "Jack however was sent in mostly blind, and wound up captured prompting Sky to attempt a solo rescue of him only to herself be captured. Then I volunteered to try, and succeed where they failed hoping to recover them alive. Once I was there I had to make it seem like I belonged there which is how both Jack, and Sky failed in the first place. That is why my first night there I spent at that brothel with Senna; I don't think any other agent would've been so inclined to stoop to that level, and for the record I did not take her virginity, but I had to make it real at least to other noses so I did pleasure her with my tongue. That morning after as she said I did kill that tiger who would've raped her to death with my own fangs, and he was the first mammal I killed in that way. From what I was able to gather the easiest way to Bucky was to be invited to his table, and in order to do that I fought to the death in his fighting pit. Having already killed once with my fangs I wasted no pleasantries doing the same to every mammal I faced, and when it came time to face the reigning champion it came out that I'd already tore out his throat that morning. From there I was named champion, and earned that seat at Buck's table. The fact that I wore the blood of those I'd slain on my muzzle without care earned me a measure of his respect, and that night for dinner he had his porcine chef serve for me that tiger stir-fry style while Bucky enjoyed lamb chops. At the time his inner circle who shared his enjoyment of other mammal's flesh was small consisting of himself, his chef, and a hyena besides myself having taken the seat occupied by that tiger. When dessert was served which was a blood gelato I with my culinary inclination hit it off with his chef which gave me the opportunity later that night to kill him, and prepare him for the next day's breakfast. I won't lie to you I took a measure of satisfaction gutting that pig, and draining him of blood before I butchered him, and set his bacon to curing. I spent that whole night up on coke preparing every part of that pig I could in no small part thanks to his cookbook which you see in this case before you my trophy from that mission. That morning Bucky having taken a liking to Sky had her join him, and though he was surprised when I entered to serve him what had been his chef he was nonetheless delighted since he hadn't tried pig yet. I played my part as his new chef rather well, and bided my time."

"I'm not going to lie I was overjoyed at first to see Will until he happily started eating bacon with Bucky, and they struck up a conversation on how to best fatten up Jack who'd been refusing to eat." Sky said shaking her head at the memory.

"Yes, well where was I? Oh, yes that hyena made one lewd comment too many in regards to Sky that morning so when Bucky asked I bit off his head. From there I had my opening to interact with Jack, who as he can tell you couldn't have been more grateful for a salad that wasn't covered in blood vinaigrette. Lunch was ham panini, and if it weren't for me convincing him that Sky would warm up to him, and his culinary tastes with a more gentle paw he would've had me at that point force her to eat some panini as well. While I made sure Sky at least had some nice salmon so she wouldn't starve in that place I availed myself on that pig's stash of beef jerky; i'm not gonna lie that was delicious though after a while my jaw hurt from chewing. Most cow meat is like that apparently according to the notes in this cookbook when not prepared properly which is one of the reasons Bucky requested burgers for dinner that night the others being the pig couldn't cook a steak for shit according to Bucky, and I wasn't inclined to try. Up to then my plan such as it was to lure Bucky into a false sense of security around me was going well, or I'd have killed him sooner. The next day as per Bucky's wishes breakfast was corned beef hash which uses a brisket cut that's been slow cooked; Bucky rather enjoyed my remark about it being the breakfast of champions I made in my Irish accent after I'd slathered my portion with mayo, and sriracha. Lunch however did not go as Bucky expected since I put him on the menu. Of all the mammals I've killed slowly I still remember his screams fondly as I ripped open his stomach with my fangs, and pulled out his intestines while he watched. Once he was dead though I wasn't done with him; not after having gone so far past the line every other decent mammal draws in the sand, and sets in stone. I skinned him, and turned him into rabbit ragout that once done as a final insult I poured out all over that kitchen floor. From there it was freeing Sky, and Jack then ripping apart Bucky's henchmammals that were in our way. While Sky, and Jack called in the reinforcements I went to rescue Senna since I'd made her a promise, and that is why when I reached her my muzzle was covered in blood." Will finished his tale appraising Nick's muzzle most of all though he noted the horror on Lola, and Kat's muzzles.

"I'd certainly call that poetic justice; the cannibal got turned into food then wasted." Jack was the first to say something in the aftermath of Will recounting his actions.

"And so the angel showed what the true muzzle of a devil looks like . . . " Sierra commented.

"Well Nick, as my first, and only pack brother what judgement do you pass?" Will asked the tod whose muzzle was a mask.

"How many mammals did he have killed just to put on his table?" Nick asked evenly in response.

"Easily dozens if how well that kitchen was stocked was any indication." Will answered.

"What Judy, and I don't really talk about is how to get Bellweather to confess I pretended to go feral, and attack her even going so far to wrap my fangs albeit gently around her neck. We both know it was only an act, and I would rather have killed myself than actually hurt her. You had to put on an even more convincing act to take down a mammal worlds worse than that fucked up ewe; I can't judge you for that Will because you probably are the only mammal strong enough to do that, and not become the very sort of monster that buck was." Nick spoke seriously.

"Thank you brother, but I should add that the reason I so ardently consume vegetables since that fateful mission, and the reason I tried so many times to kill myself after is because I did enjoy those tastes of other mammals; having to go that far to get what needed doing done isn't what sickens me, it's that part of me enjoyed going that far. I now have a taste for blood that I will never live down, or escape." Will told him hanging his head.

"Will . . . my brother . . . " Lola started to say before she shook her head, and tried again more firmly "I will keep this secret of yours, how could I not? But I need some time to process this."

"Brat volk . . . you came muzzle to muzzle with the kind of evil we walk in flesh to guard against, and seeing a seed of it having sprouted did everything in your power to see it uprooted." Kat said as she wept openly adding as her voice broke "Now you bear the scars of it again . . . "

"Our vigil will never end sestra. I pray only that this burden stays on my shoulders, and no one else's." Will responded before saying "Door open."

"Voice print recognized. As you wish Master Grimm." the computerized voice answered him mechanically before the door to the vault swung open.

As Will led the way back out he stopped where he'd set his jar of nugs down, and pulled out a pawful he pocketed before grabbing a fresh bottle of Green Fairy from the rack where he kept his supply. He was the last to exit his vault, and after pressing his paw to the biometric scanner the vault door closed then the RFID keycard was spit out from his slot which he then pocketed. While he walked back up to the top floor of his den heading for his room he uncorked the bottle of absinthe he carried, and freely drank from it passing it to Jack when the buck held out his paw for it. When they made it back up he, and Layla walked towards the door of his room only pausing to offer Sky, and Jack one of the free rooms which they happily availed themselves of. Sierra went into the living room only to tell everyone still up that they should get some rest before it got too much later then made her way to her room. Nick found Judy in their room waiting for him, and hugged her before he marked her telling her he loved her as he did so adding that all he could tell her was that there were mammals worse than Bellweather, and that Will had done what only he could to see them brought to the justice of law greater than what mammals made for themselves. Will as the alcohol took effect recorked the bottle after sharing with Layla then held her close as they drifted off to sleep.