A/N: Trigger warning for blood and violence.

Zebedee snarled as Zorran slunk closer to him. Zebedee's fangs were bared as he backed into a corner. Someone had found out about the child he had grown so close to, his future Rider. Zorran growled in response. Zebedee knew Zorran well. Zorran wouldn't dare to raise a claw against him, yet he felt threatened. He couldn't risk losing his Rider. Zebedee's primal instincts were screaming at him to lash out, to rip apart anyone who would get between him and his future Rider.

"Come on, Zeb. We know about the girl. Just give her to me and I'll turn her in to the authorities. We can't risk having a kidnapping charge put on us. You know Captain Zero can't risk being investigated. He has too much dirt on him." Zorran said with a sneer. Zebedee narrowed his eyes, growling deep in his chest. His golden eyes scanned Zorran. No. He couldn't let go of his future Rider. That was when Zebedee got an idea. He knew the perfect comeback.

"So, you're willing to protect that bastard of a Rider! He forced you to bond with him! Yet you protect him! You didn't have a choice. He never gave you one.. You protect the very human that neglects us.. You're a pathetic excuse of a leader. You suck up to him and put up with it! You only protect him because you're afraid of him. You don't care about him, and he never cares about you or the rest of us. You know it.." Zebedee snapped with a sly grin. Zorran slunk back, stunned. Shock turned to rage as Zorran delivered a blow to the side of Zebedee's cheek. It was on.

Zebedee screeched in pain but quickly retaliated with a quick slice of his claws, slashing the side of Zorran's hull, prompting a yelp as the scent of blood filled the air. The two exchanged blows for several minutes. With each second passing, Zebedee could feel himself lose his grip on any civility he had. Only the beast remained. Zebedee slashed Zorran across the cheek before delivering a punch directly to the nose. The scent of blood fueling him. Zorran realized he didn't stand a chance and began to back away, only for Zebedee to start closing in. Zebedee raised a claw to finish his leader once and for all, before wincing as he felt something tug at his hair. It was Wildmask. She heard the ruckus and snapped him out of it.

Zebedee blinked, and the animal faded as if it were a fog dissipating in the morning sun. His golden gaze fell upon Zorran, who was bloody and beaten. He looked down at his own claws. They were stained with the blood of his leader. He hissed in pain as he felt the burning pain of his own wounds on his body. He touched his cheek and winced. He was unsure of what to say or do. There was only one thing screaming in his mind. Flee. He did, disappearing into the shadows like a chameleon. There was one place he deemed safe for him and Wildmask. Somewhere far from the city.

Zorran only watched, not bothering to follow you. He hissed in pain as he gritted his teeth. He hadn't seen Zebedee act like this before, unless.. no. He hadn't chosen a Rider in years, not since Shadowpelt. He wiped the blood from his nose before rinsing off his claws. Deep down, he knew Zebedee was right.

…

Wildmask was shaking, having heard the fight from outside. Had she not decided to distract Zebedee with a tug of his hair, the tug he was fighting with likely wouldn't have been able to live another day. She wasn't sure what to do. She knew Zebedee was protecting her, but he didn't have to fight in such a savage manner. This was the first glimpse of the monster dwelling just under the surface. The curse had raised its head into view, showing the bloodthirsty nature of the tugs. She shook it off. She had to accept it. This was a part of them. Wildmask refused to move a muscle for hours until finally, Zebedee lifted his hat and reached to gently grasp her. She instinctively flinched and he stopped. His claws were still stained with the blood of the other tug.

"It's alright, little one. It's safe. I will never hurt you, I promise." Zebedee reassured with a soft and gentle tone in his voice. She relaxed, letting him gently wrap his claws around her tiny fragile body before he carefully lifted her. She looked up and saw the dark sky of the night. The quarter moon was high in the sky as the stars twinkled in the sky like tiny gems on the black dress of a noble. He gingerly placed her down onto his deck. She could feel the deck flex beneath her as he breathed. She looked up at him and gasped. She saw the gashes along his cheek he had sustained in the fight. Zebedee gave her a gentle and reassuring smile.

"Don't worry about me. It'll heal, along with the other wounds. Are you alright?" Zebedee asked as he looked her up and down as he sniffed the air, searching for any signs of blood or injuries. Wildmask gave him a slight nod. Zebedee sighed in relief and relaxed. Wildmask allowed her eyes to adjust before she looked around. This place.. it was the same place he had taken earlier. She looked up at him.

"What is this place? You've taken me here earlier today? What's so special about it?" Wildmask asked. She felt a pang of guilt as Zebedee's expression grew solemn. He gazed off into the distance towards the forest surrounding the great lake before them. It felt like an eternity before Zebedee finally broke the silence between them.

"This place.. was where I met my previous Rider, Shadowpelt. This happened before you were born. We continued to meet here while she was scouting the area for a local clan of werecats. They're not too far from the treeline, just beyond the lake." Zebedee said as he pointed a claw towards the tree line. Wildmask squinted and made the warm light of a fire in the distance. It was small, but enough to notice. Zebedee sighed as if deep in thought. "Shadowpelt and I were close, closer than most. I finally asked her if she was willing to be my Rider and she agreed. We were bonded for years until she insisted on going on that dreaded ship. They needed extra security and she fit for the job. There was a storm.." Zebedee trailed off.

Wildmask looked up at him. Zebedee was on the brink of tears, but his voice remained unwavering. He took a deep breath and blinked. It was obvious he was holding them back for her sake. She sat down crossed legged on his deck, her soft and empathetic gaze never left his pained face. "What happened to her?" She asked.

Zebedee was silent once again, struggling not to lose it in front of her. She knew he was trying to be strong for her, but this was something he couldn't handle alone. She reluctantly raised a hand and gently pressed it against his chest. That was when Zebedee finally broke. Tears streaked down his gaze and he hissed in pain as the salty tears made the wounds on his cheek burn. He pressed a claw against the wound as he struggled to bring his emotions back under wraps.

"It's okay. It's best to let it out than to keep it in. It hurts more to hide it than to show it." Wildmask said as she smiled softly. Zebedee's eyes met hers and for a moment, she felt a brief connection, like something clicked between them. Zebedee blinked and the connection was lost. He took a few moments to pull himself together before speaking.

"The ship was destroyed in the storm. No one knows how. All the authorities knew that there were no survivors.. They were able to recover her belongings, but not her body. The authorities searched, but couldn't find anything, so she had to be declared dead.. I wasn't able to say goodbye to her. If I said no, she'd still be here. It's my fault she's dead.." Zebedee replied. His voice was starting to waver as he sobbed softly. Wildmask stood up, gently petting his side.

"It's not your fault. How were you supposed to know what was going to happen? It never was your fault to begin with. Sometimes.. things end in a way you don't expect it to. Sure, it hurts, but there's a reason for it." Wildmask said. She was taken by surprise when Zebedee wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. She relaxed in his arms. She was safe with him.

"There's something I need to ask, Wildmask." Zebedee said as he looked down at her. She looked up at him curiously and tilted her head to the side.

"What is it?" Wildmask asked. Zebedee looked down at her with a warm smile, then it clicked. A smile pulled at her lips as she realized why he had been so protective of her.

"Will you be my Rider?" Zebedee asked with a chuckle as he watched the smile creep across her face. Wildmask's emerald eyes grew wide with excitement as she bounced on the spot.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Wildmask exclaimed. Zebedee chuckled softly. This was the beginning of an unbreakable bond.