Lucile stumbled, her knees threatened to buckle under her and each step was like she was dragging a heavy slab of lead behind her. Still she pushed on back towards where Lash was standing gobsmacked by the outer line of trees surrounding the bewitched meadow. The edges of her vision began to darken, she clutched the fabric tighter. Her legs gave way just as she reached him, her vision going black. All she heard as she fell was Lash whispering her name.

Sebastian had felt everything that had occurred during Lucile's battle with the sadness and smiled to himself as he continued to gaze in her direction. That wretched woman would die of her own stubbornness one day, however he was relieved that she'd managed to break through it.
"Sebastian," Ciel called, Sebastian looked down at his little master waiting for him to continue, "Gather information from the people of this camp, I will question the woman Lucile was talking about."
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian said with an elegant bow and left his master to his own devices. As he walked around the gypsy camp, eyes followed him. The adults were wary of him, something that would be suspicious if these people weren't superstitious. However each would answer the questions he would ask - his investigation would turn up nothing. Letting out a soft sigh, his gaze shifted in the direction of Lucile and he wondered whether she was having any more luck than he was. Ciel was sitting comfortably in the gypsy woman's caravan sipping tea when Sebastian returned half an hour later.
"Well?" Ciel asked. Sebastian eyed the woman suspiciously, he didn't trust her. There was something sinister hidden in her ancient eyes that only he could see. Lucile was completely under her spell, although Sebastian believed that the woman's grandson, Lash, had more to do with it than his grandmother. Sebastian's blood boiled at the thought of that man.
"Keep it short." Ciel said as Sebastian opened his mouth to give a full report. Ciel didn't trust the old woman either.
"Nothing to report." Sebastian replied. Ciel nodded once and continued to sip his tea.
"Where were we?" he asked the old woman, "Oh yes, you were telling me about your grandson." The old woman smiled kindly, although to Sebastian it was as fake as his own.
"I assume you are aware of Lucile's nature?" she asked shooting Sebastian a certain look. Ciel nodded, "I am."
"My grandson also inherited the gene from his parents." she said, "The other night he told me something strange. As he was out, he came across a scent that was unfamiliar to him. Lash said it smelt like a kind of spice and fruit. Though when I asked him, he couldn't name the spice." Sebastian frowned, Lucile had mentioned something about a strange spice she'd never smelt before. However it was only brought up in conversation while Ciel was asleep. Ciel stood, "Thank you for your cooperation." he said but as he was turning to leave, the old woman clutched his hand.
"I see now why she chose to stay with you and not with us. Such sadness is held your eyes." she said. Ciel blinked at the woman and pulled his hand free. Sebastian glowered at the woman menacingly, convinced she knew more about what was going on then she let on.

Lucile slowly blinked open her eyes. The morning sun was now high in the sky. Birds sang cheerily making Lucile's headache and mood worse. Groaning, she sat up. Her head pounded furiously.
"You're finally awake." he said playfully. Lucile glared at the half naked man dozing in the shade next to her.
"What happened?" she asked curiously. Lash opened his eyes and looked at her,
"You broke through. Whatever you thought of was enough to completely destroy the spell over this place." he told her, "What was it?" Lucile stared at the fabric in her hand remembering the last thing she'd thought of, "The most beautiful thing in the world." she told him. Lash's dark eyebrows scrunched together in an attempt to figure out what she was talking about. Lucile stood and held the cloth to her nose. Thankfully it still smelt of the boy who was wearing it, however because of the rain the previous day the trail of his scent was barely detectable. Muttering a curse under her breath, Lucile began walking in the direction the scent was strongest, Lash followed behind her. They walked in silence for an hour until they reached a point where several other scents enveloped the one they were following.
"You know, you'd be able to pick it up as a wolf." Lash said as he leaned against a tree. Lucile folded her arms over her chest stubbornly,
"It's fine." she muttered. Lash just sighed, "Don't you want to find out the truth?" He had a point, if she continued to be stubborn there was no way they could find out what happened to the boy. Groaning to herself, Lucile began taking her clothes off. She left them on the ground beside a tree and began the Change. The smells around her became instantly intensified; she froze. There was that smell again - fruit and a spice she didn't know. It mixed in with the lost boy's scent through the forest, like a silver thread. Her nose to the ground, Lucile followed the thread as it weaved through the trees, with Lash still following behind.
"You know, you really are a beautiful wolf, Lucy. I have never seen a coat as dark as yours, it's like the night sky. Small and slender, dainty even. To be honest, I wanted you as my mate the moment I saw you in the window with that demon." he was saying. Lucile tried to her best to block him out, but at the mention of 'mate' she stopped mid-step, her front paw still raised. She had never thought of having a mate before. Wolves mated for life, that she knew, and as a human she had always thought of devoting herself to one person until the day she died since she had never met any others like her before. But now Lash had come into the picture and he was like her, both human and wolf. She gazed up at him with her golden eyes. Lash was tall, fit and wild - handsome as a man and even more so as a wolf. He was born an Alpha. And though she would easily admit those things, she didn't feel that connection with him. It would be a good match, him and her, but there would be no love.
The wind blew gently over them, ruffling her thick coat and covering her in that mysterious scent. Lucile quickly forgot about Lash and her romantic propositions and focused solely on her mission. The creature was close and the boy was with it. Up ahead of them there was short drop off, the creature was just a little further from it. Lucile dropped low and crept along the ground, ears pricked and eyes sharp for any sign of movement. Lash crept up beside her, she hadn't even noticed he'd changed in those few seconds but he must have caught on. The two wolves stopped at the edge of the drop off. Down below gaping at them was the mouth of a large cave. The creature was in there, the boy as well or he had been at least. The only way down to the cave was a path off to the side that twisted through thick bushes, boulders and tangled trees, impossible to pass through unless you were a nimble, four-legged animal. Just as the two wolves were about to double back, movement from the cave mouth made them both freeze. Ears flicked back at forth as they tried to sense what was going on. A low rumbling growl echoed from within the cave - the monster knew they were there. Lucile looked back at Lash who was still crouched low, the fur on the back of his neck stood on end and his lip curled up in a soundless snarl. Time seemed to stop as the three unnatural creatures waited for the first move to be made. Lucile's heart pounded in her chest, praying that the beast would sink back into it's cave if they stayed still long enough. Her muscles tensed, ready to react in a blink of an eye. Above them, birds were singing while they nibbled from seed pods. Smaller animals furrowed through the fallen leaves and twigs. But the wolves stayed frozen, waiting. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife and then, just as it became almost too heavy to bare, a twig snapped. The chase was on! Lucile sprung forward and sprinted, weaving and ducking through the twisted and tangled trunks and branches of the trees. They seemed more sinister now as she ran for her life. The beast crashed and pounded the ground behind her, she could feel it's savage snarls on heels but she was smaller and swifter. She caught sight of a hollowed log just small enough for her to hide in and skidded as she turned turning up leaves and loose dirt. She sprinted for the log and dove for it, something hard smacked into her side mid-air and she flew sideways away from the log. Lucile landed heavily on her side. She thought it was the beast that had hit her but as she pushed herself up onto her paws she saw Lash standing before her, crouched low and snarling. A huge dark shadow loomed over him and took the form of a black wolf twice his size. Three ugly scars covered the black wolf's white left eye and his left ear was ripped and torn so much there was hardly any ear left. He was stronger than Lash, Lucile could see that, yet Lash was much younger. Suddenly Lash leaped for the black wolf's throat. Just as his fangs touched the black fur, the wolf rose onto his powerful hind legs and knocked Lash down. Lash rolled backwards and out of the path of the massive front paws. He was back on his feet in a second and the two started circling, each looking for the chance to strike. The black wolf's left side was his weakness, Lucile could see that and she was sure Lash knew it too but it would mean the wolf would defend his left. The black wolf lunged at Lash, the younger danced to the side out of the path of the strong jaws, and moved to nip at the wolf's hind leg. Again the wolf lunged and Lash darted out of the way, and again. On the forth attack, Lash made a fatal mistake. The wolf had been aiming for Lash's throat for the first three attacks, now he feigned a throat attack but as Lash dodged, the wolf turned his head to the side and managed to grasp one of Lash's back legs between his jaws. Lash let out a yelp and crashed onto the ground. The next few seconds were like slow-motion to Lucile. The black wolf towered over Lash, pinning him to the ground as powerful jaws bit into his belly and chest, spilling blood from everywhere they touched. Lash's green eyes rolled back and stared at Lucile, who hadn't moved from where she'd landed, as big, black jaws closed around his neck. Lash kicked feebly at the wolf's underbelly, trying to push him off he choked for air. Lash... He was going to die if she didn't do anything! Realizing that, Lucile's body moved on it's own, the wolf completely took over her. She sprung into the air and crashed into the black wolf's shoulder blade, successfully pushing him off Lash. She bit and scratched at the coarse, mattered black fur hoping to cause some damage, until her jaws locked onto his front paw. She tightened her jaw, her teeth sinking deep into his flesh until she heard a satisfying crunch and the wolf let out a deep and painful howl and shoved her off. She rolled and quickly got to her feet, growling as she stood protectively in front of Lash. She had expected the black wolf to attack her again, but as his one golden eye stared into her own, he turned and limped back into the dense woods. Lash had changed back into his human form when she turned around, and was bleeding from his abdomen, right leg and neck. Lucile quickly changed back and looked him over. He was breathing but only just. She pressed her hands onto his stomach where the deepest wound was in an attempt to slow the bleeding, but it would be no use if she couldn't get him back to the village for help. Lash was going to die here in the middle of the woods and there was nothing she could do about it.
"Don't die...please...don't die." she whispered over and over like prayer as she stared into the blood pooling around her small hands. It seemed like hours had passed as she knelt, naked and scratched, with her hands pressed to his body, praying that he would survive somehow. And then, just as she thought all hope for Lash was lost, her prayers were answered...in a manner of speaking.
"Lucile." he called gently making her jump. She hadn't even noticed him approach but looked up at the sound her name, silent tears streaming down her face. He was just a blur of black and white as he towered over her.
"Save him." she pleaded the butler. Crimson eyes shifted from her face to the man dying below her. He closed his eyes and sighed, but knelt and scooped the man up all the same.
"I brought your clothes. Change here and fix yourself up, then return to the Inn with our Master. Leave Lash to me." he replied, his back to her as he took long strides toward the way he'd just come.
"Sebastian..." she whispered as he walked swiftly away, but he'd made no indication that he'd heard her.

Lucile was standing by the window, gazing out towards the gypsy camp nervously, and Ciel was sitting on the day bed reading a newspaper by the time Sebastian returned. Lucile whirled around at the sound of the door creaking open,
"How is he?" she demanded before the door had even thudded closed. Sebastian's expression was gloomy, his white gloves were dyed a deep, sickening red and he looked exhausted.
"His wounds were deep and plenty. His right tibia is shattered and most of his ribs are broken, two punctured his lung..." Sebastian said softly and trailed off. Lucile took as step towards him, her face pale but strong.
"How. Is. He?" she repeated emphasizing each word. Sebastian took a deep breath and stared into her golden eyes, "Alive." Lucile let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding and sat on the chest at the end of the bed. Ciel folded the newspaper in half and placed it next to him, paying full attention to the situation.
"He'll be unconscious for a few days while he heals, though I'm afraid he may have a permanent limp from now on. Whatever did that to him made sure of that. Although," Sebastian frowned as he spoke, "the wounds he received, though deep, wouldn't be enough to kill him."
"It was a Lycan." Lucile informed them, "A monstrous Alpha male." She felt Ciel's gaze on her, waiting for her to continue with her findings. "We found the scent of one of the lost boys and followed it to a cave some ways in, near the heart of the forest. We were about to investigate when he caught our scent. We ran at first but he caught up. He was huge, twice the size of Lash and as black as ebony. He was blind in his left eye." Lucile told them, she left out the part where she was stupid enough to think that he would leave her alone should she hide causing Lash to save her life.
"How could you tell he was a Lycan?" Ciel asked crossing his legs and resting his cheek on his hand. Lucile looked over at him,
"He didn't fight like a wolf." she told him with an edge to her voice. Ciel sighed, "Well this case just got more complicated."
Lucile ate dinner alone downstairs later that night. Ciel could no longer stomach the food the Innkeeper made him, so he'd sent Lucile out to hunt. She'd brought back two pheasants for Sebastian to prepare and serve with wild vegetables. Lucile, however, didn't mind the Innkeepers cooking so she'd left her young Master to dine with his butler while she picked at her food down below. Instead she found herself getting lost in the amber fire and thinking of the large black wolf that had attacked them. He could have killed her easily, he'd had more than one chance to do so. Yet he didn't. He'd just stared at her with that golden eye of his. He didn't even growl at her, just stared and walked away.
She jumped as she felt a gloved hand rest on her shoulder. Sebastian pulled out the seat across from her and sat down, "Apologies. How are you feeling?" Lucile laughed humorlessly and rested her chin on her interlocked fingers,
"I almost died three times today and twice was due to my own stupidity." she told him, "How do you think I'm feeling?" Sebastian smiled gently but there was a smug twist to his lips,
"I did tell you you would die of your own stubbornness one day." he told her. This time Lucile's laugh had a touch of humor to it, although it sounded like half a sob. The butler took her small hands in his and gazed deeply into her eyes, trying to be as comforting as it was possible for a demon, "Tell me everything, from the beginning." Lucile looked away from him but after swallowing a mouthful of sweet wine recounted her day from the old man and his wooden seat to the cursed meadow and finally the fight with the wolf. Sebastian remained silently impassive for the duration of her story until she was finished.
"You broke the spell?" he asked referring back to the meadow, Lucile nodded but Sebastian's frown only deepened, "Don't you think that's a bit odd?"
"Not really. Lash said that the only way to get through the sadness was to counter it with happy memories."
"You don't have happy memories." Sebastian argued. Lucile scowled at him and pulled her hands out of his reach, "I do, thank you very much." Her scowl softened, "Just not many...But they were powerful enough to break the spell." The butler shook his head slowly, soft strands of dark hair fell into his eyes as he spoke,
"I'm still not convinced it was purely coincidence. Especially concerning the fabric you mentioned. You said you hadn't noticed it before, and surely with the rain the scent wouldn't be there." The same thought had been gnawing at Lucile's mind since she'd discovered the fabric but she had been more focused on finding the boy more than anything else so she'd left it alone. Sebastian fell against the back of the chair and held a gloved finger to his lips, thinking and humming tunelessly. Suddenly Lucile groaned and dropped her head to the table, "I just want to go home." she complained. They had been away far too long, she was missing Bard's tea, Finny's giggle and Mey-Rin's flustered shrieks. She was even missing Pluto. But the thing she missed most was the large oak desk in the room that was never used by anyone except her. This case was getting more complicated by the second and Lucile wanted nothing more to do with it. She'd almost gotten someone killed, she'd had enough of this case.
"Ciel does too, and I am rather anxious to know whether or not the others have burned out the mansion." Sebastian replied. His admission startled Lucile - a demon feeling anxious? More to the point, Sebastian feeling anxious. That was a new surprise to add to the book. Lucile sat back up and gazed down at the dying candle, "Well then, I think we should put this mystery to rest. I'll lead you and Ciel to the cave tomorrow and we'll deal with that man, see what he has to say. The boy was there. I could smell him. The black wolf will have the answer we're looking for."

The next morning seemed to bid them ill news as the three set off towards the cave. The dark grey clouds had returned and as if it were a bad omen, no other creature could be seen or heard in the woods. Lucile led them to where the spell had been broken in the meadow and after a brief rest, continued on into the depths of the wood. When they reached the log where Lash had fought the black wolf and almost died, Lucile stopped them.
"It's going to be much harder to get to the cave." she said, "Up ahead there's a drop that's too high to jump from. There's a path but it's inaccessible to humans. Wait here while I go and see if I can find another way down." she informed them. Ciel crossed his arms and inspected the log with distaste while Sebastian caught her arm as she turned to leave, "Be careful." he warned her. She nodded once and headed off toward the cave alone. This time she was thankful for the rain as it kept her shielded from the enemy while she searched for an easier way down. Having no luck she returned quickly to her master. Ciel had succumbed and was sitting precariously on the log, Sebastian held his coat above the young boy to keep him dry.
"Well?" Ciel asked once Lucile had returned. She shook her head, wet strands clinging to her forehead and chin,
"No luck." she replied, "I didn't want to resort to this because it would definitely draw him out and there would be no chance of a sneak attack, but Sebastian will have to...escort you down." Ciel's jaw tightened, he hated being carried. There was no dignity in it, however dignity counted for nothing where they were. And so with a stiff upper lip Ciel descended the ledge in Sebastian's arms, Lucile following behind. Lightning lit up the sky and was followed by the deep, menacing roar of thunder. A storm was fast setting in and it was too late for them to turn back. Their only choice was to go into the dark cave where the monster would surely be waiting for them.
"This is ridiculous." Ciel complained softly as they walked further into the depths. Lucile could feel Sebastian's smile as he spoke,
"Young Master, I would much prefer you to stay closer to me in case something should occur..."
Ciel just scoffed, "Please, a meter or two between us is not going to make a difference. Besides, if I die you won't be able to consume my soul so it would be in your best interest to keep me alive."
"Young Master, I think it would be wise to keep your voice lowered." Sebastian whispered. Lucile stopped abruptly causing Ciel to run into her back. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and her skin prickled; someone was watching them.
"What is it, Lucile?" Ciel asked, she felt his hand clutch the back of her tunic tightly.
"Whispering won't help us." she said softly, "He knows we're here." Lucile kept her eyes straight ahead as she held a protective arm out to shield Ciel from any kind of attack. She could sense the other Lycan close by. If they made the wrong movement, they would die. Thick silence filled the air as they waited, enclosed in shadows, for the Lycan to make the first move. Lucile didn't care whether she died or not, she wasn't going to let this monster anywhere near her Ciel. This time she would protect him at all costs.
"Michaelis," she called, her voice barely a breath, "keep Ciel safe. Make sure he gets out of here alive."
"Obviously." the butler replied from beside her. A smile tugged at her lips,
"He's coming." Lucile could feel him coming closer and after a few tense seconds of suffocating silence, soft boot steps echoed off the stone walls. Up ahead an orange light began to glow warmly and a large, hulking shadow of a man rounded the corner. Lucile pushed Ciel back gently and crouched low, ready to attack the man. Sebastian stayed where he was, still as a stone, and wouldn't move until he was given an order. Lucile's body shook with anticipation, her heart beat wildly and her breathing became short and shallow. The shadow loomed closer and with each step it took, the wolf in Lucile began to stir. A low snarl escaped her lips and the shadow stopped.
"I knew you would come back here." the voice, gruff and booming, called out, "I wasn't expecting you to bring guests though, Lucile Conte." Lucile froze, her breath caught in her throat - he knew who she was.
"H-How do you..."
"Know your name?" the voice laughed as if enjoying a private joke, "It's not a name I'd easily forget, girl."
"Who are you?!" Ciel called out angrily. Again the voice laughed, "Little one's got a feisty temper on 'im, eh?"
"Little? Judging by your stature I would think everyone seemed little to you." Ciel replied icily. The voice guffawed and continued walking around the corner. Lucile was stunned still; how was it this Lycan knew who she was? Her memory jumped back to yesterday when she'd attacked him. He could have easily overpowered her and killed her, yet he didn't. Just who in the Queen's name was he?!
The man was bull; tall and wide with arms like legs and legs the size of tree trunks. He wore simple brown leather pants, a ragged cream rough-spun tunic and no shoes. Thick black and silver hair graced his chin and head down past his shoulders. He looked as though he hadn't seen a town in years. The light from the lamp he was carrying touched Lucile's face and he stopped.
"God's be good..." he said squinting down at her, "Look at you..." He reached a chunky hand out towards her face but Sebastian moved between them both.
"I believe my Master asked you a question." he said smoothly. The man's shoulder's dropped and his expression turned serious.
"Follow me." he commanded and turned on his heel. Lucile let out the breath she was holding and clutched her hands to her chest. "Thank you." she breathed to Sebastian. He nodded to her and followed Ciel as he picked his way carefully through the slick stones and dirt. Lucile followed behind trying to gather herself; she had been intent on risking her life to kill the man until he'd spoken her name. And he'd avoided the questions asked of him. Now they were following him blindly, and why? She was sure he held answers to the disappearance of the missing boys, but she was afraid of what else he knew.
The man led them down several paths until the came to a wooden door made of old, rotting planks and rusted iron embedded into a wall of the cave. The door groaned and creaked as he opened it to reveal a room-sized cavern lit by several candles in holders attached to the stone walls. He had crafted a table and chair out of a log and a stump, and turned a section of rock that jutted out from the wall into a bed with several deer hide and rabbits fur sewn together as blankets.
"'Fraid I don't have much in the way of seating." he said as he sat on the tree stump chair, "Although that should be big enough to seat you three comfortably, I should imagine." He gestured to the stone bed across from him. Ciel arched a delicate eyebrow but nevertheless too the offered seat. Lucile followed suite and perched precariously on the edge, ready to spring into action if need be. Sebastian was the only one to remain standing as he stood near the wall beside Ciel.
"I'd offer you some tea, but I ran out of that quite a while ago." the man said jokingly. Lucile narrowed her eyes at him, she had had enough of jokes and games.
"We followed you here, now I expect my question to be answered." Ciel said sternly and again, the smile fell from the man's lips. He placed the lantern on the table behind him and leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees,
"My name is Barret." he told them, "Although most call...called me Bear."
"I can see why." Ciel said, "How long have you been living here, Mr Bear?" Barret's eyes lingered on the shadows dancing on the floor as he replied, "Too long. I expect you're wondering about the missing boys and whether I was the one who took them." His sharp gold eye narrowed as he looked between Sebastian and Ciel.
"Now that you mention it." Ciel replied airily. Barret scoffed and a look of disgust fell across his face,
"Things are not how they used to be, little one. There was once a time were Lycan's were proud and respected people, honorable and just. We would never even consider stealing a child from his bed. But all that changed when the King was killed..."
"The King?"
"Aye. The Lycan King, Marcus Wolfsblood. Order was lost and the pack tore itself apart, some staying true to the bloodline and others...well...you can guess the rest." The room had seemed to darken while Barret spoke, but it lit up again when he looked at Lucile, his golden eye sparkling, "But you're alive! I prayed and prayed for your safety, even went searching for you for years but that damn woman hid her tracks well. Thank the Gods she did too."
"Woman? What woman?" Lucile asked finding her voice once again. Barret's smile was soft and gentle, "Your mother, child. She and your aunt made sure you got out of there." Lucile's eyes went wide at the mention of her mother and suddenly it was just her and Barret in the room. Everything else seemed to fade away.
"You...you knew my mother?" she asked softly, Barret only nodded slowly, "How?"
"She was my sister-in-law." he replied. Lucile gasped and gripped the edge of the stone, it bit into her fingers but she didn't care.
"That means you're my-"
"Uncle. That's right."

PLOT TWIST #1

I've been considering a sequel to this story and maybe adding in Alois and Claude. I can just see Lucile loving being around them, ha. Perhaps something along the lines of "Alois, say one more word and my fist will be in that pretty face of yours, sending your teeth over to the wall for a friendly chat". But I'm not sure yet. I guess I'll wait and see how you all handle the ending :3