Of all the situations Nekoda had expected to be in when she left Azevrin... well this certainly was not one of them. Nekoda supposed she should have seen it coming considering her employer had been a vampiro.

They walked through the dense moonlit forest. Nekoda followed the current holder of her new leash, in silence. Her eyes shifted around the dark surroundings as she made a mental note of their route. Her footsteps were as light as the hulking man-wolf in front of her. Only the barest of noise resounded between the two of them. Nekoda had been mildly bewildered and heavily amused that the large Quileute before her was just as silent as she as they trudged through the trees. Judging by the repeated puzzling glances he took back at her, the spirit warrior was just as bewildered-if not more so-at her capability of silence as he was.

Whom Nekoda had assumed as the leader of this pack, or 'alpha' if one were to be technical with wolfy terms, stripped her of her belongings-mainly weapons and tools. Belongings of which she readily gave, unwilling to further aggravate her new... 'masters' as it was.

The thought churned her insides, released from one set of chains only to be clasped in another set. Her only comfort was it was no longer the Widow's chains. She could only hope her new holders were unlike her previous. It was not a hope she held highly.

They arrived in a fairly decent plot of land with a small cabin in the center. A little ways off to the distance on the opposite side of the clearing Nekoda could depict what appeared to be the road. Otherwise the area was isolated from other forms of human contact, trees lining the edges. Nekoda simply tilted her head to the side in a curious fashion as the continued her silent, steady pace behind the spirit warrior-Paul.

Paul opened the door to the small cabin gesturing her inside with a indistinguishable gruff sound. She stepped inside, her eyes once more scanning the area around her. It was a single room cabin. She took note that the only means of escape was the front door and the small window above the kitchen sink, que es un pensamiento preocupante.

Besides the front, the only other door was the one in the far left corner of the space behind the designated kitchen area that Nekoda assumed to be the bathroom. A large bed placed in the far right corner parallel to the bathroom and kitchen area. The bed itself seemed to take up a sizable amount of the cabin's space. A dresser was propped against the front wall facing the foot of the bed, a television sitting on top. It was a simple living area, quite neat. Nekoda harbored a guess that this Paul was a bachelor and was hardly ever present in this... home.

She refocused her attention on the spirit warrior before her. Paul, she thought, if she recalled correctly 'Paul' was a name of Latin origin meaning 'small'. She smirked inwardly; there was nothing small about the dios del sexo before her. He, like the rest of spirit warriors she had seen, was muy guapos boca ojo. More so than the vampiro. While the undead bloodsucker had the chiseled beauty of the Greek gods, the spirit warriors possessed a rough, rugged liveliness and a alluringly dangerous quality that sent fire burning into the depths of her core. What was more, his deep brown eyes that peered into the depths of her soul stirred unknown feelings within her. It was... a concerning thought.

Paul cleared his throat, breaking her thoughts. His voice gruff, "take the bed."

Nekoda smiled making her way to the large bed as Paul rummaged through the dresser. Sex, sex she could do. She started discarding her clothes, rather unsure whether the spirit warrior preferred to do it himself. She shrugged the thought aside, perhaps another time.

She was down to her undergarments by the time Paul turned around, dropping the white sheet in his hands. A growing bulge formed on the spirit warrior's low riding cutoffs. His widened eyes darkened considerably as he fixed a heated gaze on her and took in the sight of her hungrily. She licked her lips in anticipation, her eyes trailing down his hard chest to his chiseled abs then to his dangerously low cutoffs that showed off his prominent v-shaped line. She gave him a sultry smile. Nekoda took a slow step towards him, closing some of the distance between them. Her honey colored orbs locking on his deep brown eyes.

His breath came out in uneven rhythms. She took another slow step, a flash of heat flaming within her core in sweet anticipation. Before she could take the final step to close the distance between them, she was suddenly assaulted by a soft, white mass. The white mass turned out to be the sheet that was previously on the ground. Paul had his head turned away. An end of the sheet clutched in his hand, shielding part of her body from his view as he held her back at an arm's length away. He made an odd, strangled sort of sound, "where are your clothes?"

Nekoda raised an eyebrow, "sex in America is clothless as well, yes?"

Paul's head snapped towards her, his eyes glancing down at her barely covered form before landing determinately on her face, a confused expression on his face, "of cour-" understanding dawned on his face as he cleared his throat, "no... No sex. Just sleep."

Nekoda let out an amused smile, was he trying to convince himself or me? Her eyes flickered down to his shorts, "that cannot be comfortable, mi rey. Allow me to assist you, as your humble servant." She gave a graceful bow.

He coughed shoving the sheets at her, "I'm fine," he replied forcibly. She smirked and took the sheet inspecting it before raising an eyebrow. "It's a bed sheet. I don't have any blankets," he scratched the back of his head uncomfortably, "but you'd probably be cold so... it'll do. Now please put on more clothes," his voice strained.

She sent him teasing smile, "it would be impossible to cold next to you, guapo. And I usually sleep in much less."

Paul's eyes closed as he pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "You take the bed. I'll be on the floor. Sleep."

Nekoda raised her eyebrow. Her current situation proved to be more and more unusual. Being that she was, in all technicalities, a slave, it should have been her on the floor. Surely the Americans were not so backwards? She supposed it made sense; him being on the floor would allow him to be between her and any possible means of escape. She did think it would have been more... advantageous had he been placed on the bed next to her to make sure she stayed on the bed. Perhaps have a little fun. Nekoda had been surprised he had turned her offer, not many do. But she let it go. She clearly needed to reevaluate the Quileute spirit warriors and switch her tactics in order to get in their good graces. So instead, she gave him a graceful bow and climbed into bed, sheet in hand, "como desees... as you wish."

Nekoda awoke with the sun and watched it shine through the only window. The spirit warrior was still asleep on the floor. She was unsure what to do, so she silently slipped her clothes back on and sat patiently on the bed, watching the sleeping Quileute. With as heavy as he was sleeping, Nekoda could have easily broken out of the little cabin. As it were, her chances of actually escaping past that seemed rather slim. There was a pack of wolfmen after all and she was sure she was much slower than a wolf.

Nekoda was willing to bet they would not take a attempt at escape in kind and will not be extending another offer of survival. She deemed it wisest to try to be on their good graces, at least long enough to insure her freedom from the Widows. If she survived long enough, she would decide her next course of action then.

Two hours passed when Paul had finally groused awake, looking at Nekoda almost alarmingly. When he still did not say anything, she sent him an apologetic look, "I apologize... I do not know your usual morning ritual."

Her voice seemed to snap him out of whatever thoughts plagued his mind, as he shook his head getting up off the floor, "we're going to Emily's." With that he was out the door, leaving Nekoda to hurriedly scramble after him.

There walk proceeded much like the previous one, silent. Nekoda took in her surroundings. This had been the route they had taken the night before if she was not mistaken. The soft rays of sunlight peeked through the forest ceiling above. The air had a chilling bite to it, but significantly more pleasant than the night before. The forests of La Push, Washington was quite beautiful. Though Nekoda was more of a city person, forests had often seemed so very... filthy.

Nekoda trailed behind Paul studying him. His shoulders were hunched in a tense manner, his strides purposeful. He seemed much more composed than he had been, the night before. Or perhaps he was not a morning person?

It was not long before they reached the all too familiar patch of land. Paul bounded up the porch and simply barged right in, grunting at her to follow. And follow she did.

Paul went directly into the kitchen, greeting the current company of the household with a brief 'hey' before plopping himself down on the large dining table and shoveling food into his mouth. Nekoda stopped short and stood at the entrance of the dining and kitchen area momentarily intrigued and disgusted by the spirit warriors' eating habits.

Speaking of spirit warriors, the table was filled with familiar faces. Four of the five spirit warriors she had met last night crowded around the table, Paul, 'Sam', the leader and the younger one that seemed to advise the leader. What appeared to be youngest of the five was missing. Emily Young stood by the stove cooking more food, adding to the already massive amount currently on the table. Oh dios, eso es un montón de comida.

Eyeing the spirit warriors warily, Nekoda stood obediently by the entrance and remained silent. The alpha glanced over at her, swallowing the food stuffed in his mouth, "good morning."

It was that moment that the rest of the company noticed her. 'Sam' was at the side of Emily Young immediately. Had Nekoda blinked she would have thought he teleported. Instead, he appeared as an unusually graceful large blur of russet flesh. Así, mierda. There was no way she had a chance of escaping alive.

She recollected her thoughts, her face set in a neutral mask as she bowed at the alpha, "good morning, señor."

The alpha gave her a lopsided smile, "you don't have to be so formal, Nekoda."

Her lips twitched at the corner, "I apologize, I do not know your names."

The alpha tapped his head in a 'duh' sort of fashion and chuckled, "oh yeah. Sorry. I'm-"

"Do you really think that's a good idea, telling her out names?" 'Sam' snapped, interrupting the alpha.

Paul growled. The younger wolf beside him placed a hand on his shoulder. The alpha sent 'Sam' a pointed look, making 'Sam' shrinks back submissively. Ah, to have such power... Nekoda thought appreciatively.

The alpha looked back at her, "as I was saying. I'm Jacob. You already know Paul; the one beside him is Seth. And you've already... err... met Sam and Emily."

Sam stood in front of Emily and just glared at the alpha-Jacob. Nekoda nodded at the alpha committing the names to memory. She was probably as surprised as Sam that the alpha had entrusted her with their names. Though it realistically would not matter, seeing as they were wolves-as it were-and could easily dispose of her if they wish; however, Nekoda has come to learn that knowing one's name gave one a kind of power over the other. It created familiarity and a sort of vulnerability. In fact, she was surprised the alpha-Jacob was so... cómodo.

"Come on, Nekoda," Jacob gestured at her, "eat."

"What?" Sam snarled.

She smiled politely, "that is not necessary, but thank you."

"Oh come on, Emily is an amazing cook," Jacob smiled at her then shot a pointed look at Sam, "Sam."

Sam let out a snarl and shoved a plate with some food across the counter near Nekoda. She took it tentatively. She took a small bite of the scrambled eggs on the plate. The food was not so much amazing, perhaps it was. American food was quite bland compared to the rich spices in Azevrin. But she was just so damn hambriento. Nekoda ate the small amount of food faster than she had intended. Where is your self control, Koda?

The younger wolf, Seth, looked at Nekoda with wide eyes, "wow, you eat like a starved man for days- ha! You eat like us!" Jacob elbowed the younger wolf, causing him to send a sheepish smile back.

"Four days," Nekoda responded before she could catch herself. She cursed herself internally.

All eyes snapped toward her, "what?" Jacob asked incredulously.

She kept a noncommittal wave and a joking laugh, "I have not eaten in four days." Suddenly a large muffin found plopped down onto her plate. She looked up in surprise to see Paul standing over her. Jaws seemed dropped all around the room.

"You need to eat more," he grunted.

She smiled, "gracias, guapo. You are too kind."

He gave a noncommittal nod and headed out the door waving lazily at the group. Nekoda jumped off her stool, muffin in hand and went to follow Paul when Jacob stopped her.

Catching her questioning look, he scratched the back of his head, "Paul has ah... work. So you'll be with me today."

She simply shrugged and nodded in compliance, nibbling on the muffin while waiting for her orders. Jacob thanked Emily for breakfast and headed out the door, Nekoda shadowing his footsteps. The alpha seemed just as shocked as her apparent ability of silence as Paul was the night before. Nekoda thought perhaps she should start making noise.

Nekoda trailed behind the alpha subtly noting their surroundings. It was not long before they arrived at an auto shop of sorts. Nekoda raised an eyebrow but did not comment when Jacob unlocked the door and walked inside. Once inside, he directed her toward a stool and began tinkering underneath a car.

Once finished with her muffin, Nekoda eyed the alpha under the car. Had he been any other human, it would be too easy to rid of him and escape. Perhaps being a wolf had them more cocky and at ease? It was a luxury she had never been able to afford despite all the riches contracts have provided her with.

Nekoda found Jacob's character to be quite an enigma. The large hulking man-wolf turned out to be quite easy going, which was quite the opposite of what his sturdy, intimidating exterior seemed to suggest. This alpha seemed rather... aloof. He also appeared to be overbearingly trusting of a strange woman who nearly assassinated a seemingly close friend. Until she failed, Nekoda thought bitterly. Nekoda could have finished her contract or escaped ten times over by now with how unguarded the man seemed. However, Nekoda had learned firsthand that appearances can be quite deceiving.

After a considerable amount of silence she spoke up, "a question if I may?"

"Sure," his reply came from under the car.

"This is your work, yes?"

He seemed to hesitate, his form shifted under the car. For a moment, she thought he would not reply when he spoke out in a wary fashion, "uh... yeah."

Her previous watcher must be on some sort of wolfish duty then? She had a thoughtful look on her face, "why am I unable to follow Master Paul to his work, only to follow you to yours; I wonder?"

The alpha jerked up under the car, his head hitting the under exterior of the car. The car nearly dislodged from the prop and fell on top of him. With a curse, the alpha held the car still settling it back onto its original position. Nekoda watched fascinated by the scene as she confirmed that wolves are indeed much stronger than the average man. When Jacob crawled out from under the car with a speechless and troubled expression on his face, Nekoda decided to let him off easy and gave him a sly smile, "perhaps the master hoped to keep a close, personal eye on me instead?"

She ogled him up and down and smirked when he tripped over the nearby toolbox and cursed once again.

Translations:

vampiro – vampire

que es un pensamiento preocupante - which is a worrying thought

dios del sexo - sex god

muy guapos boca ojo - very mouth wateringly handsome

mi rey - my king

guapo – handsome

como desees - as you wish

Oh dios, eso es un montón de comida - oh god, that is a lot of food.

Así, mierda - Well, shit.

señor – sir

cómodo - at ease

hambriento – hungry

gracias, guapo - thank you, handsome

I apologize it took so long to update, life has caught up to me and I had a bit of a writer's block for this chapter. I'm not particularly good at transitions. I am probably cursing and kicking myself for this chapter as we speak. I also apologize if it was a bit dull and... sloppy, it was more of a transition for me and the characters as well. I hope to upload future chapters faster but... we'll see.

I try to keep my author's comments to a minimum, but I would like to thank Stjarna15 for favs. psh002, Rising Phoenix416, kalbe, blaahblaahblaah, aliciaheredia5, and Phantomstallionfanatic for following. kctbehling, XXBlackfireXX, and Raina-Rain-ySunshine for faving and following. Jewels47, RougeReaper, emocookieloverz for following and reviewing, much appreciated! Also many thanks to my reviewer, funny. I hope I didn't miss anyone!

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