Hey, all! Sapphire Midnight here! I want to give a big Birthday shout-out to ella1234! I know it's late, but I hope your special day was one to always remember. I'll be working on a romantic one-shot after this for her birthday gift, so I hope you'll all look forward to it and read it. ^^

Enjoy the chapter, Ella, and thank you so much for being such a great fan.

I, Sapphire Midnight, do not own these Sailor Moon characters.

Wolf Wind

Ch. 8

The overcast sky was too bright for the turmoil raging in Serenity's heart. After eating Kunzite's kill her stomach had been an unpleasant, tumultuous sensation that was a constant reminder of how slippery her thoughts were, weaving together and around one another, not one of them clear. Nerves were on edge, but it wasn't an aggravating realization. Serenity was thankful for the small bouts of numbness that traveled through her limbs and out to her fingertips. If her mind could numb some of the pain, she was only too happy for it.

Sammy. Dead. Gone. After having saved her.

He did it to protect her.

The realization that he was no longer a little pup was almost too much to bear. She remembered the haunted look in his eyes day after day. The dark circles that would grow into larger bruises that stood out starkly in his pale face. His gaunt features. The protruding of his bloated, rounded belly—his little pup belly that belied just how starved his small frame truly was.

She rarely second-guessed Sammy's word. She never knew what went on while she had been on the Hunt. When he swore he had eaten while she was out, it confused her. Diamond was always trying to weasel his way into getting her to become his Mate, however. The idea that the disgusting Alpha of her own pack would use her brother's health against her hadn't entered her mind until Sammy claimed he had eaten. If Diamond had truly supported her little brother—saved Sammy—Serenity may have eventually given in to his pursuit. Diamond never acted as though he had something he held over her, however. He never demanded recompense for providing for her younger brother.

Serenity should have realized what little Sammy was doing early on. He had been providing for her when no one else would. He ate little so her portions might give her just a little more strength. It enraged her that Sammy would do such a thing. Frustrated her, and tore at her heart because she should have been able to see the signs and prevented it. She should have been able to save him. The anguish his deed caused was no little matter. After the primal urge to tear something apart eased, Serenity was left once again with Endymion's words settling over her body like a second fur. She knew she couldn't wallow in sadness and regret. She acknowledged the fact that her new Alpha was right.

She needed to live, and let go of the demons of her past. For Sammy.

Some small, aching part of her knew with a complete sense of truth that if Sammy hadn't done what he had to save her, they would both be dead right now. He provided her with just enough nutrition and energy to get away from Diamond and come here.

Sammy had been her salvation. She needed to thank him for the gift of her life every day. She couldn't do that while depressed and miserable because she had lived and he died.

I love you, Sammy. I'll never forget what you've done. I can never thank you enough.

The tears had long since ceased, though Serenity's bones felt as though they were hundreds of years old. Lifting her nose to the gray sky above, her human eyes slit slightly closed at the brightness she still found there. Her soul was finally finding peace. She could do this: talk to her brother every day, and find reasons to be happy, or at peace.

I'm proud of the Wolf you turned out to be, baby brother. I hope you're happy, and free, wherever you are.

A soft noise sounded behind Serenity, but she didn't turn. Suddenly a body with a brown, fur-clad hip entered the peripheral of her vision, and Makoto settled onto the ground on her right. Then another presence made itself known, and Serenity turned to see Ami, pale eyes filled with empathy, as she took a seat on Serenity's left. Neither female uttered a word, but both settled lightly against Serenity in a silent show of comfort and support.

"Sammy died trying to save me."

She didn't know where to start, so she started at the heart of the matter. Ami gasped softly on her left, and Makoto stirred, giving Serenity all of her attention.

"He succeeded. I'm here because he gave me the strength to live for just a few more days. Long enough to get away. Long enough to come here."

Arms enveloped her from both sides, and Serenity's eyes closed in thanks as she allowed her mind to burrow within the sensation.

"Kunzite didn't leave because he wanted to. I don't know whether I am allowed to share this information, but you two are my Sisters. I want you to know."

A deep breath.

"Daddy made a deal with the Nijuushin. I never knew they existed until I was attacked here. The Nijuushin almost wiped our pack out, and I hadn't been any the wiser. Kunzite left to save the pack. The save Sammy. He wasn't given a choice. I had always thought he was given a choice."

Hushed, soothing whispers enveloped Serenity as her two sisters lightly nuzzled into her. The arms embracing her tightened, and Serenity lightly returned the gesture.

"There's so much I didn't know. I feel like I've barely been here a day, and already I have learned so much. Everything has changed."

"Things are different here, Serenity," Ami murmured quietly. Fiercely.

"We'll protect you," Makoto added with no small amount of determination.

A small laugh bubbled up from Serenity's chest. "Why is it everyone seems to think I need protection?" She was rewarded when both her sisters laughed with her.

"We can sense your heartache, Sister. We know some wounds take longer to heal." Coming from Ami, who was gifted with the ability to heal, her words had far more meaning.

"You almost starved, Serenity. At least let us take care of you until you have regained your strength. While your fierce determination is all a strength on its own, it will not save you from someone who may overpower you simply because they have more energy and muscle."

A snort. Then Serenity lifted a slender, pale brow. "Makoto, are you offering to help me train to get my energy and muscle back?" The Brown beside her was definitely formidable. Of the entire pack, Makoto's impressive frame held the most muscle out of all the female Wolves.

Her Sister smirked. "I will. You need to gain back a bit more than just muscle, Serenity. I think training is just what you need. It'll give you focus, and something to strive for again." Makoto turned her considering emerald gaze upon Ami's petite form. "You are welcome to join us, Sister."

Ami blushed, eyes widening in horror. When her lips parted, Serenity knew there would only be words of denial in her tone, so she quickly intercepted.

"Yes. Ami,you must come with us. You are our Sister, and I think training together will be good for all three of us."

When Ami slowly shook her head in quiet denial, lips parting once more, Serenity pursed her lips and bit back an aggravated growl.

With a deep and calming breath, Serenity finally asked, "What do you have to lose?"

Hesitantly, Ami finally relented. A soft sigh escaped her, and her shoulders lightly slumped. Serenity waited for her Sister's response even while knowing her answer.

"Nothing." Another halfhearted sigh escaped her lips, and Ami tilted her head as her brows knit together in confusion. "Nothing."

It was later that day Serenity found herself actively seeking out Endymion for a change. She may not know how this new Pack of hers operated entirely, but she was pretty sure leaving the territory with two fellow Wolves for training purposes consisted of needing Alpha permission first. Serenity didn't exactly know how to go about getting said permission, however. If she had wanted to leave the territory of her old pack for a while, Serenity never would have considered asking Diamond first. She'd tell Sammy in confidence, so he wouldn't worry, but Diamond had never once earned her respect.

She also didn't know what she would do if that permission wasn't granted. While Endymion seemed fair and wise where Diamond was not, Serenity couldn't push away the knowledge that her Alpha seemed somewhat possessive when it came to her whereabouts. Most likely this stemmed from his verbal claim, but still. Maybe if she was away for a few days Endymion would lose interest and find someone else to be his perspective Mate.

She wouldn't lie to herself concerning how badly she wanted his approval in response to Makoto's training idea. She refused to beg if Endymion found some way to deny their outing, but she hoped he was able to acknowledge how important this would be for them. Serenity couldn't afford to allow her other Pack mates to see how weak and vulnerable she truly was at this point in time—not if she was supposed to be some form of example. Thanks to Endymion's verbal claim, he was making everything that much harder. Eyes constantly watched her every move. It was enough to drive Serenity mad. She needed to earn her place in this pack if the others were to ever truly accept her. She couldn't do that while training here. Accessing Wolves would be looking for any hint of weakness.

Serenity was truthful enough with herself to admit she was riddled with weaknesses.

Training with Makoto and Ami away from prying eyes was important in one other way, as well. Serenity knew without a doubt that Ami was stronger than she let on. The fierceness and protective determination in her eyes had not gone unnoticed when Serenity had been weak with fever. If Ami's probation period was almost up, Serenity owed it to Ami to do everything within her power to help her Sister find her place within this pack.

Whatever it would take, Serenity's determination was firmly set. Ami would train with her and Makoto, and somehow Serenity would get her Sister to be comfortable in her own fur. Ami would find her place at Makoto and Serenity's side. She couldn't allow her new Sister to walk away, cast out from this precious pack.

Therefore she also couldn't allow Endymion to say no.

When she found him he was just within the line of trees along the perimeter of the clearing. Zoicite was with him, his back toward Serenity as she hesitantly stepped closer to her Alpha. As she neared, Endymion shifted his wide stance to show her he sensed her arrival, even as his eyes and ears remained tuned to the Wolf in skin beside him. Noting the change, Zoicite turned to acknowledge her presence as well.

"Am I interrupting?"

Zoicite was the one to answer. "Not at all. I was just concluding my report."

He sent a curious gaze her way, and Serenity hesitated for a moment. If she didn't know any better, she would think he was silently asking if she wanted him to leave. A flush rose up over her cheeks, and Serenity made herself hold Zoicite's eyes. Her muscles tensed at her blood's reaction, and it took her a moment to regain the power of speech.

This was ridiculous. She shouldn't be having these moments with those of such high rank in this pack. She wasn't about to send Zoicite away. Besides, it might work out to her advantage to have him here. That way she and Endymion wouldn't be left alone.

Not that she was afraid of what might happen if they were ever alone. She simply didn't want to embarrass herself. Or say or do something that would land her in more trouble than she could get out of. She wasn't about to consider the fact that whenever she was alone with her Alpha she learned something new about him that she actually liked. And it had absolutely nothing at all to do with the deep blue of his eyes and the way his irises contrasted so stunningly with the dark shade of his hair and fur.

None what-so-ever.

"I would like to make a request," Serenity stated with a firm tone of voice, chin jutting upwards slightly as she forced her rapid heartbeat to slow. She needed conversation to distract her from the thoughts plaguing her. Any conversation would do, but she finally remembered why she had been seeking her Alpha out in the first place.

Dark, thick brows lifted on her Alpha's brow. Endymion turned more fully toward her, arms crossing over the broad expanse of his bared chest.

Shifting nervously from one foot to the other, Serenity cursed the effect this Alpha's stare could do to her. She'd never felt so weak or vulnerable in her life until she had arrived here.

"Makoto, Ami and I ask to journey past the edges of the territory so we might have some privacy in training." Noticing the raised brows on her Alpha's forehead slowly lower into a displeased scowl, Serenity barreled on ahead. "It's necessary, Endymion. We wouldn't ask if it wasn't."

Seeing a deep frown tug at the edges of his lips, Serenity tensed as Endymion slowly stalked toward her, his every movement intimidating. He didn't cease his progress until they were nearly nose to nose. His eyes darted over her form before resting once again on hers.

"And why, little wolf, must such a request be deemed 'necessary' when the enemy is constantly nipping at us from every direction?"

Pressing her lips together, Serenity tried to think up a proper response. Something that would actually get through to him. Yes, at first her Alpha had seemed put-out by her request, but his tone was soft and even. His eyes seemed a little confused as he expectantly awaited her reply. His towering posture and the slant of his body in relation to hers seemed to say that he thought her self-destructive and slow in the head, but he was giving her a chance to explain herself and that was more than Serenity could ever have anticipated.

"I am in no shape to take on our enemies, Endymion." Heat flared into his blue gaze at the mention of 'our enemies,' his nostrils flaring as he leaned closer to her still. Serenity tamped down on her amusement. Of course she would pronounce the Nijuushin as both of their enemies. For it was truth.

Still, she opted to not remark about the intimate expression in her Alpha's eyes and pressed further.

"Thanks to your 'verbal claim,' every member of the pack is watching me for any sign of weakness." She sent a glare his way. It was his fault, after all. She even felt a little better seeing his somewhat shocked expression and wondered if the small amount of sheepish guilt she saw was imagined. "I cannot regain my strength properly with everyone looking over my shoulder. Makoto offered to help me gain back any lost muscle, but we have to train away from the pack."

Leaning back on his heels, Endymion put some much-needed space between them as he considered her words. His expression did not give any of his thoughts away, but the firm press of his lips betrayed how tense he was as he considered her.

"And what does Ami have to do with this request?"

Heaving a small sigh—wishing this was easier than it really was—Serenity tried to string the words together delicately before voicing them. She didn't want to ruin this chance. She couldn't afford to let her Sisters down.

"Ami's probation is almost up." She had been looking at his tanned shoulder when she said the words. Now her eyes lifted to his and she resignedly allowed a little bit of her vulnerability to show in her gaze. "I don't know if you see it, but she is tougher than she lets on, Endymion. She deserves to be here." With a one-shouldered shrug, Serenity finally darted her gaze away. "I'm planning on giving her a way to prove it."

Tensing, hoping he didn't take her words as a slight, Serenity sucked the edge of her lip into her mouth and chewed it in agitation.

Then Endymion was directly before her, his chest brushing lightly against hers as his large, warm hand rose up to cup along the side of her face. Serenity gasped, body swaying backward slightly at the heat his larger frame emitted. An arm wrapped itself around her back and kept her close. He effectively trapped her to him.

Wide gaze swinging up to his face, Serenity waited in trepidation to see what Endymion would do. The pad of his thumb gently brushed over her lower lip. In a daze, Serenity released the abused appendage and inhaled a shaky breath of air. Her Alpha's gaze drifted over every part of her face, leaving a searing trail in their wake. Heart thundering dangerously, Serenity couldn't relax her posture after finding herself once again in her Alpha's arms.

At least this time she wasn't crying.

A low rumble reverberated in Endymion's chest. Then he leaned forward and lightly—carefully—nuzzled into the side of her hair. A large sigh released near her ear, and Serenity angled her head away from the heat of it. Serenity decided the only reason she wasn't demanding to be released right away was because she was waiting for her Alpha's reply. The rigid intensity of his form enabled her to assume quite the debate was going on within the recesses of his mind. She wasn't about to move or flinch and give him some reason to deny her.

She needed this.

They all did.

Suddenly a mix of sharp and blunted teeth nipped none-too-gently along the soft flesh of Serenity's ear lobe. With a yelp, Serenity was now arching away from her Alpha's hold, pushing on his chest as she growled up at him. He chuckled and she stilled, confused and chagrined eyes narrowing up at him.

"Granted."

With a gasp, Serenity forgot about his transgression, the teeth scraping along her ear. Her struggles paused and she looked up at him with wariness tinged with hope. Endymion sent her a toothy grin at the the cutely befuddled tilt of her head, and Serenity's gaze narrowed further.

"There are stipulations, of course."

A snort. "Of course," She ground out, expression turning bland. Endymion finally released her and she took quite a few steps away so he couldn't try his stunt again. Arms crossed defensively over her chest, her sharp chin jutted out once again in challenge. "Such as?"

He smirked, but made no other move in her direction.

"You must stay in an area I present to you. You must not wander from this area for any reason, unless it is to return here. Our enemy is out there, Serenity. I know how important this is to you and yours, but the protection of pack is my utmost priority."

He leveled a dark stare at her, as if daring her to place herself in danger. She shivered, suddenly feeling cold as goosebumps raked her flesh. This was a protective Alpha. He would not welcome any thoughtless mistakes. Serenity hoped the virulent expression in his gaze was not solely meant for her. Then again, if he was that unsound in his need to protect his pack mates, she didn't think he'd have lasted as Alpha for this long.

She pushed her thoughts away from the deadly promise of his gaze.

"I understand."

"Good. You may enlighten your sisters with my decision, and every aspect that goes along with it. Tell them to be ready to leave before moonrise. I will take you to your new training ground myself."

Heart swelling with excitement, Serenity felt her lungs fill to bursting levels as she gave her Alpha a final nod. She turned on her heel to race off and do exactly that, before manners got the better of her and she paused. Turning back to Endymion, Serenity hesitated. Eyes on the forest floor at her feet, her blue gaze quickly glanced up to his and back down again as she attempted to gain the strength to allow such vulnerability to show. Calming her heart and slowing her breath, Serenity stood tall and proud once again as she actively sought his face with her eyes.

"Thank you. Endymion."

He didn't say anything, but his eyes burned her with their intensity.

Quieter, Serenity added, "I won't forget this." Then she turned tail and fled.

Endymion watched her go, his own uneven breathing and tell-tale beating of his heart giving away just how much her words affected him. Releasing a slow, shuddered breath, Endymion turned steely eyes to the being next to him as he silently prayed with everything in himself that he hadn't just made a colossal mistake. Allowing three female wolves to be in an area outside of his territory—only one of them marked and mated—

A deep grumble escaped him.

If anything happened to Serenity after he had only just been gifted with her...

Moonsblood he was smitten. He would never be able to let her go.

"Zoicite."

"Alpha?"

If there were any hidden thoughts in that strong mind of his, Zoicite was not allowing any to come across in his tone.

"You will follow them. Remain by them for however long this training takes. Stay downwind. Do not once allow them to catch sight or scent of you, understood?"

"Endymion?" There was a slight amount of hesitance and confusion in Zoicite's tone.

Heaving a deep and weary sigh, Endymion lifted a hand to rake his fingers through his head of dark hair. If Zoicite was confused or surprised before, those feelings were quadrupled, now. Rarely did his Alpha appear flustered or uncertain.

"No not let any harm come to them, Zoicite."

Comprehension dawning, Zoicite bowed his head in deference.

"As you command it, so it shall be done."

Firming his jaw, Endymion nodded once in acknowledgment at Zoicite's words. He wouldn't be able to shake the unsettled feeling for as long as Serenity was out of his line of sight—away from his protection and territory—but he knew without a doubt he could trust Zoicite to do exactly as he bid. Endymion may not be able to follow and watch over her himself, but he would spare one of his Wolves if only for some piece of mind.

He hoped Serenity regained her strength quickly. He had barely been in her presence and already he was feeling the loss of having her near.

Moon guide you, little wolf, and protect you where I cannot.

Hands clenching into tight fists at his sides, every muscle in Endymion tensed as he pivoted on his heel and snarled out at the surrounding trees before stomping his way deeper into denser foliage. Blood roared in his ears as desperation swamped him. His inner beast demanded he go with her. Stay by her side as she fought to gain her strength. He couldn't shake his unstoppable and foreboding sense of fear. He hated warring with himself on matters of the head, and matters of the heart.

She would be safe. She would return, and she would be safe.

He would have to trust that she would remain safe with her sisters, and Zoicite to watch over them while enemies flanked them from all sides.

"Alpha?"

Endymion didn't hesitate in his race to get away before he did something he might regret.

An image of Serenity swam before his mind's eye. The vulnerability and strength in her expression.

Thank you. Endymion. I won't forget this.

His body was responding to the remembered sound of her voice. The look in her eyes. With a groan, Endymion pressed on.

"I go to hunt," He snarled out, though there was no actual bite to his words.

He would pursue some young doe the way he could not pursue one nearly-broken and yet strongly determined Wolf. He would revel in the feel of blood in his mouth instead of the taste of her on his lips. He would howl the triumph of his kill to the skies instead of his exultation at finally making Serenity his.

He needed to hunt.

Later, when she returned, his hunt would be much different. More productive.

But now, before his patience wore thin, he needed to hunt.

…

…

Please review