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Carlos and Zephyrine
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Carlos
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Aug 15, 2015 10:44PM

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When Nick was ushering Evangeline into his truck, she paused too long when she heard the motorcycle speeding past, catching the scent that she now knew as Alex's. "Get up," Nick ordered, impatient as he just picked up his fiancé and set her in the seat, slamming the door behind her. She took a deep breath as Nick climbed in on the driver's side and sped off, coming to a halt on his street in front of his large house. Even though she really lived with Loyka, Evangeline was sometimes forced to stay with Nick, so he had some of her clothes there. He ordered her to stay in the truck as he jumped out and jogged inside, emerging seconds later with something in each hand. He through a pair of shorts and a tank top into Evangeline's lap, obviously displeased with her sweater and jeans for some reason. "Put them on," he told her when she paused. Evangeline peeled off her sweater and put the tank top on, ignoring Nick's eyes on her before he drove back off to the forest again. When he noticed she hadn't finished changing, he growled, "Now, Evangeline."
"Nick, no, it's cold already," she informed him, her voice squeaking uncomfortable as her voice rose. He pulled over again and faced her, his hand reaching out to hold her face. She flinched and he barely softened, but grabbed the sweater out of her hands. "Do it or I'll do it for you," he threatened, grabbing the pair of shorts as well. She didn't understand, but would have rather been cold than have him touch her again. She stripped out of her jeans and tried not to think about him watching her, worried he wouldn't even give back the denim. He did, though, and a moment later he was speeding to the campgrounds for the purging party, and Evangeline was hugging herself to conserve body heat while she could, knowing that at least there would be a bonfire.
"Nick, no, it's cold already," she informed him, her voice squeaking uncomfortable as her voice rose. He pulled over again and faced her, his hand reaching out to hold her face. She flinched and he barely softened, but grabbed the sweater out of her hands. "Do it or I'll do it for you," he threatened, grabbing the pair of shorts as well. She didn't understand, but would have rather been cold than have him touch her again. She stripped out of her jeans and tried not to think about him watching her, worried he wouldn't even give back the denim. He did, though, and a moment later he was speeding to the campgrounds for the purging party, and Evangeline was hugging herself to conserve body heat while she could, knowing that at least there would be a bonfire.

When Nick pulled closer to the party, just cut the engine in between a couple of trees and opened his door. "Well?" he demanded, looking back at Evangeline. She was about to beg for her sweater back -it was so, so cold- but opted against angering him or owing him something. Without a word she opened her own door and hopped out, meeting Nick at the front of the truck. He wrapped his arm around her possessively, even though every town native already knew that she 'belonged' to him, and tugged her closer and closer to the fire. He started barking orders and his friends slapped him on the back, giving each of them a beer. He hushed the crowd and stood on a log, leaving Evangeline to stand beside him on the ground as he yelled loud enough for the entire party to hear, "We are making progress! The town's human population continues to dwindle, and I am proud to report we need less than a hundred changes before we are a full pack!" The crowd roared, but his closer men shut them up so he could continue to speak. "And then, once this is done, I can finally marry my Evangeline." He stopped to pull her up on the log as well, grabbing her hand to raise his and hers together before nodding, and everyone began hooting and howling and screaming at what most of them considered good news. Evangeline's face was betrayed by the firelight, and it showed her discontent underneath her silence. The party got into full swing, and Nick whispered in his fiancé's ear, "Shift, now." She began to protest but he growled into her neck, and she pulled away as her head made a weird jerking motion before she made a half-shift, knowing that if she made a full one she wouldn't have her clothes.

Evangeline could have swore she caught a whiff of Alex's scent -in close quarters, but he couldn't have been so stupid as to actually near her when she had told him not to, could he? She felt multiple sets of gazes on her as she made the split-second decision to distract Nick, only hoping Loyka could move Alex. She didn't want him getting hurt, or even just busy himself into the middle of things. She set down her cup and lightly dragged her nails into Nick's still-human flesh. He grinned and half-shifted as well, following her a bit farther into the shadows.
Loyka had, in fact, seen Alex, and the look of urgency on her younger sister's face. She stepped in Alex's way before he even got to the log, pressing her hands to his chest authoritatively. "Who told you to come? Never mind, it was Evangeline, right? You're going to get yourself killed if you stay." And the look on her face would tell him that she wasn't lying.
Loyka had, in fact, seen Alex, and the look of urgency on her younger sister's face. She stepped in Alex's way before he even got to the log, pressing her hands to his chest authoritatively. "Who told you to come? Never mind, it was Evangeline, right? You're going to get yourself killed if you stay." And the look on her face would tell him that she wasn't lying.

Evangeline turned as she heard a deep, roaring growl coming from the bonfire and she instantly knew it was Alex. She could smell him as he shifted, and was grateful that either Nick didn't notice or didn't care as she clenched her jaw. She still looked human, for the most part, other than her pointed ears, buttoned nose, claws, and elongated teeth. Well, that and the pitch black fur that covered every inch of her skin. She let out one sob that was apparently misinterpreted by Nick -that, or the usual, he didn't care- because he grabbed both of her arms and backed her up into a tree. What would deter Alex if he got past Loyka? Evangeline yanked her arms free and dug both clawed hands into Nick's sides as a growl ripped from his throat and his own nails dug into her shoulder. If she moved, her flesh would likely be ripped. Nick continued, pressing his lips into hers and pushing kisses from her lips to her neck before biting down, unfortunately so hard that he drew blood and she yelped.
Loyka growled herself, bringing herself to stand at full height even though she was still much shorter than Alex. She made the stupid decision to shift as well before pushing Alex as hard as she could back in the direction he had come from, away from Evangeline and Nick. "Don't be an idiot, newblood," she warned low, the party seemingly less distracted by their actions as she took charge of him.
Loyka growled herself, bringing herself to stand at full height even though she was still much shorter than Alex. She made the stupid decision to shift as well before pushing Alex as hard as she could back in the direction he had come from, away from Evangeline and Nick. "Don't be an idiot, newblood," she warned low, the party seemingly less distracted by their actions as she took charge of him.

So much for trying to keep Nick away from Alex, was Evangeline's first thought as her vision blurred in pain. All but a couple from the crowd had turned silent, and Nick stood up from his crumpled position in the dirt. The girl held her neck, about to speak to Alex when Nick charged and went from half-shift to full werewolf in under the blink of an eye, ramming his shoulder into the younger werewolf's chest and backing him up into the tree next to Evangeline. "That-" he pointed at the girl, who slipped to the side and started backing up, "is mine." He growled in a warning at Evangeline and she froze, her breathing heavy through her nostrils. Nick's brother came behind her to either block her from running or hold her back from attacking.

Alex fell down to the ground but he immediately leaped up to his feet and growled "No she isn't." when he saw Evangeline trapped and an angry snarl came from him as he launched himself at nick, appearing as an pitch black streak as Alex collided with nick snapping, biting and clawing at nick quickly before launching himself at Evangeline though instead of colliding her he picked her up in his arms without accidently hurting or clawing her as he appeared again next to Loyka, the rest of his fur on his body that was spikey slightly raised up which made him look bigger then he already was as he growled and flashed his fangs at everyone close to them as he still held Evangeline in his arms protectively.
((Like someone comes to Loyka or Evangeline to find him and tell him? or they go to Nick? Do you want his parents to have been the previous alphas, before Nick?))
Evangeline curled into Alex's body, knowing that although she didn't want to be grabbed, it was a safer choice than with Nick or Liam, his brother, as they were already enraged enough that their skin looked like it would erupt in flamed. Loyka took one glance at Nick and the swelling crowd before growling at Alex, "Run," and she took off, tearing through the woods, deeper and deeper still as she only hoped the newblood would follow her. Evangeline shuddered as she heard Nick's enraged roar ripple through the trees. She knew his violent tendencies well enough, but didn't know if he would wait to calm down and shift into human form before trying to hunt them down, or whether he would just take off with his goons to hunt them down. Either way, Alex nor Evangeline would probably make it. Alex because he was young an inexperienced; Evangeline because she was harmed, and had a bad habit of submitting to whatever Nick wanted. She knew that wasn't even how alpha mates should treat each other, but she couldn't help it. Evangeline didn't care what happened to herself, but if she didn't keep in line, Nick could full well harm or even kill Loyka.
Evangeline curled into Alex's body, knowing that although she didn't want to be grabbed, it was a safer choice than with Nick or Liam, his brother, as they were already enraged enough that their skin looked like it would erupt in flamed. Loyka took one glance at Nick and the swelling crowd before growling at Alex, "Run," and she took off, tearing through the woods, deeper and deeper still as she only hoped the newblood would follow her. Evangeline shuddered as she heard Nick's enraged roar ripple through the trees. She knew his violent tendencies well enough, but didn't know if he would wait to calm down and shift into human form before trying to hunt them down, or whether he would just take off with his goons to hunt them down. Either way, Alex nor Evangeline would probably make it. Alex because he was young an inexperienced; Evangeline because she was harmed, and had a bad habit of submitting to whatever Nick wanted. She knew that wasn't even how alpha mates should treat each other, but she couldn't help it. Evangeline didn't care what happened to herself, but if she didn't keep in line, Nick could full well harm or even kill Loyka.

As Alex and Loyka ran, Evangeline felt her body slip back into it's slightly-smaller human form and she dared a glance back at the bonfire, which seemed to be getting bigger even though they were running farther away, so she knew it was an illusion. Evangeline closed her eyes against the rushing air, lacing one hand's fingers through Alex's fur and the other holding tightly to her still-bleeding neck. She wasn't sure why it continued to trickle red, but she leaned forward and into Alex's body, inhaling his scent deeply. She didn't know whether to be immensely grateful or incredibly angry that he had disobeyed her one request to him, but she chose to dwell on it later. She felt safer near him.

After he had about eleven miles and was close to the edge of the forest Alex slowly went from running to an slow jog which turned into an walk until he was sure that they were far enough then he stopped, his sides rising up and down as he breathed heavy then after his breathing slowed and his heart beat turned back to normal he crouched down a bit to the forest floor so that Evangeline could get off if she wanted to but he didn't really want her to as he could smell the blood coming from her and knew she wasn't healing which worried him a lot. He didn't understand why she wasn't healing yet as he could heal quickly in a few seconds which he had found out multiple times before and thought that Evangeline would have healed already.
((Sounds good.))
Evangeline was grateful when she felt Alex slowing and the wind on her face wasn't so harsh. When Alex came to a full stop, she rose from her position on his back and slid off of his side, landing on her feet. She absently ran a hand through his fur before pulling back as she realized it was a bit inappropriate and blushed. Loyka came to stand at their sides, her breathing already regulated as she pointed. "The cabin," was all she said before she headed off into the dark. Evangeline couldn't see as well as she was in her human form, but what she could visualize was a dark blob near the edge of the forest, next to the huge lake that separated one side of the forest from the rest of the town. "Um..." Evangeline looked at Alex in his wolf form before heading off after her sister, motioning for him to follow. "There should be some clothing in there for you to use. It used to be our grandparent's home." Though the young girl remembered little of it. It was a fair-sized cabin, two stories with a cellar. Safe enough for at least Alex to hide out in for a while.
Evangeline was grateful when she felt Alex slowing and the wind on her face wasn't so harsh. When Alex came to a full stop, she rose from her position on his back and slid off of his side, landing on her feet. She absently ran a hand through his fur before pulling back as she realized it was a bit inappropriate and blushed. Loyka came to stand at their sides, her breathing already regulated as she pointed. "The cabin," was all she said before she headed off into the dark. Evangeline couldn't see as well as she was in her human form, but what she could visualize was a dark blob near the edge of the forest, next to the huge lake that separated one side of the forest from the rest of the town. "Um..." Evangeline looked at Alex in his wolf form before heading off after her sister, motioning for him to follow. "There should be some clothing in there for you to use. It used to be our grandparent's home." Though the young girl remembered little of it. It was a fair-sized cabin, two stories with a cellar. Safe enough for at least Alex to hide out in for a while.

Loyka moved her attention from the door of the cabin to Alex and Evangeline, staying by her sister while Alex tried to communicate to them. It was harder to understand him with the block that Nick had put up on strangers a couple of months ago, but Evangeline seemed to understand him fine, so when she gave a look to her sister, Loyka arched her eyebrows and prodded, "What?"
Evangeline looked back at Alex and said, "He wants to know what we're going to do, especially since my neck isn't healing." And Loyka nodded and said, "We'll stay here tonight as well, but we have to leave early or Nick will come and find her, and probably try to kill you. I'll come up with an excuse as why we are back. As for your neck, Evan," the older sister, still in wolf form, peered at the dark red. "It'll be fine. That's a longer story," she assured Alex before coming back to the door and flashing one of her nails to unlock it. The door was cracked open and Evangeline was about to move forward when she realized Alex probably couldn't fit and said, "I'll find some clothes for you."
Loyka shook her head. "No, go see if you can find some food and the medical kit they used to keep. I'll find clothes for you two," as Evangeline's clothing was blood soaked and impractical for the cold. The two disappeared into the house and a moment later Loyka cursed, another moment after that she brought out some dark jeans and a flannel shirt, both miraculously close to Alex's size, along with underclothing, which she really didn't care for.. "The power's out," she said before leaving to let him shift and dress.
Evangeline looked back at Alex and said, "He wants to know what we're going to do, especially since my neck isn't healing." And Loyka nodded and said, "We'll stay here tonight as well, but we have to leave early or Nick will come and find her, and probably try to kill you. I'll come up with an excuse as why we are back. As for your neck, Evan," the older sister, still in wolf form, peered at the dark red. "It'll be fine. That's a longer story," she assured Alex before coming back to the door and flashing one of her nails to unlock it. The door was cracked open and Evangeline was about to move forward when she realized Alex probably couldn't fit and said, "I'll find some clothes for you."
Loyka shook her head. "No, go see if you can find some food and the medical kit they used to keep. I'll find clothes for you two," as Evangeline's clothing was blood soaked and impractical for the cold. The two disappeared into the house and a moment later Loyka cursed, another moment after that she brought out some dark jeans and a flannel shirt, both miraculously close to Alex's size, along with underclothing, which she really didn't care for.. "The power's out," she said before leaving to let him shift and dress.

Evangeline stood on her tiptoes to reach for the upper cabinet that she remembered held the medical kit. She dropped the bag onto the counter and turned around when she heard Alex enter with a jump. "Oh, hey... Sorry, I thought you might have been..." She trailed off, closing her eyes for a moment before forcing a smile. "I should thank you. It's the second time you've helped me today. Or... Yesterday." She didn't have a watch and the clock on the wall had long since run out of battery. Evangeline turned back around and tried the faucet, knowing the house ran on an underground well rather than using the city's sources. To her surprise, it ran. "So, the power isn't out. It's just the lightbulbs..." she called out so Loyka could hear. Her sister appeared a second later and nodded at the two, setting a shirt much like Alex's on the counter for her sister. "Sorry, I couldn't find anything to fit you." Evangeline shrugged, moving to stir the soup she had already started heating on the gas stove. "I'll go change," she said quietly, glancing at Alex before she grabbed the clothing and left down the hallway. Loyka moved to the stove and looked at the man. "Would you mind getting a fire going?" she asked, pointing into the other half of the room that looked like a living room. "I'm Loyka," she said formally, realizing they hadn't introduced themselves yet:

Loyka watched Alex warily out of the corner of her eye as he lit the fire. She noticed when he looked out the window, about to say something about it being fine if he would rather hunt than eat from the cans of soup when Evangeline reentered, picking up the medical bag from the counter and walking to a mirror in the living room. She set down the bag and unbuttoned the top button from her flannel to slide it to the side, viewing her neck. When she had changed in the bathroom, she'd washed off the dried blood, but without any light it was hard to see the five holes in her neck. She shot a glance at Alex before returning to the mirror, opening med bag and sifting through it for rubbing alcohol or bandages or something. Her nostrils flared at both the scents of the food warming and what she could tell was two deer running around somewhat near the cabin, but pushed both smells aside and focused on her neck.

Evangeline turned around to see that Alex had left the room, but she hadn't felt a cold burst of air so she knew he hadn't taken off. She sighed and soaked some cotton with rubbing alcohol, pressing it to her neck and hissing in pain. A moment later she grabbed some small bandages to cover the holes up, tidying the space and heading back into the kitchen with Loyka, who had already turned off the stove and put the soup into three bowls. Loyka sighed after glancing at her sister's neck and pointed at the bowls. "Would you find Alex?" Evangeline nodded and grabbed two of the bowls, but Loyka grabbed her arm and said in low warning, "Be careful."
Evangeline shrugged her off and went off deeper into the cabin, deciding to start from the basement on up, quietly stepping down the stairwell. The gaping, dark room was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing, so Evangeline stayed silent at first as she found Alex and set the bowl and spoon in front of him before retreating and lifting herself to sit with her own food on a workbench table. "Are you okay?" she murmured after a second.
Evangeline shrugged her off and went off deeper into the cabin, deciding to start from the basement on up, quietly stepping down the stairwell. The gaping, dark room was filled with the sounds of heavy breathing, so Evangeline stayed silent at first as she found Alex and set the bowl and spoon in front of him before retreating and lifting herself to sit with her own food on a workbench table. "Are you okay?" she murmured after a second.

Evangeline ate her soup more slowly, bur set down her half-eaten bowl when Alex asked about her healing and sighed through her nose. "I don't know exactly. It's some sort of witchcraft that Nick came across. I'm still not sure if he wants to test it on me for future punishment of rogues, or if he just doesn't want me to have control over myself." She shrugged and leaned her head back against the wall, studying Alex carefully. "It should be healed by morning, which is still faster, but not as it should be." She sat up a little straighter and drummed her fingers on the table she sat on, hesitating with what she was about to ask but just going with it. "How come you seem so..." She didn't want to come off as rude and bit her lip. "Are you always so protective towards strangers?" That had coms out way worse than she had meant it, and a blush crept across her cheeks.

Evangeline's hands shook, and she wanted to unhear what Alex had said. She wanted to take back her question, take back staying in the basement with him for longer than to just give him the food. "I can't..." She trailed off, taking a wobbly hop off of the table and landing with bare feet on the cold floor. She took a deep, deep breath and said, "That isn't true. You're making that up." Though she knew he wasn't lying, as she had wanted him to protect her each time he had; she wanted to stay with him. She grabbed her uneaten food, suddenly too anxious to eat, and grabbed Alex's bowl as well. "I can't be near you. It's too dangerous," she whispered, not waiting for an answer before bounding up the steps, dropping the bowls at the kitchen and heading upstairs to find a blanket. It wasn't dangerous like Nick was; she was more worried that he would get hurt. She didn't want to have that responsibility for someone she had just met, barely knew; someone who was compulsive and could probably get the both of them killed if he challenged Nick again.

Loyka grunted, thinking, As if I need to be told to, as Alex ran out, hoping the kid wouldn't get himself killed. She watched a wolf -Alex- run past the sink window and sighed before taking care of the dishes. Upstairs, Evangeline heard noises of a wolf that she knew was Alex, thankful that it wasn't anyone else. She found some blankets in a closet upstairs, carrying a large armful of them down and setting them on the counter next to Loyka before moving to look out the window and sighing lightly. After a minute she moved to the fire and sat down on the couch, curling up and leaning her head on the armrest.

Evangeline laid still, the fire mesmerizing her for a long while as she thought about Alex. About whether or not he would do more harm than good if he stayed; about if she -or he, for that matter- was willing to risk knowing him better if it meant being in further danger involving Nick. If it was safe to even be staying in the cabin with Loyka and him that night. Maybe it would be better for her to sneak off and apologize to Nick, making something up about psycho Alex, though she hated herself for thinking that. Evangeline got up ever few minutes to stoke the fire and add more wood, and after an hour of watching her younger sister, Loyka headed upstairs to go to bed, knowing Evangeline knew how to take care of herself. She would lock the door if she didn't know Nick could get through it, plus it would also block Alex from getting back in. She laid there for a long while before she drifted to sleep.

((I'll post for real in just a moment, but do you mind if I just skip to morning? And then, would you like the people who recognized him to find them at the cabin, or visit the bar?))
((I just realized my first question didn't make sense, just because they're already asleep, so I'll write my post and.. Yeah. Sorry.))
Evangeline awoke a little when she felt a presence that she knew was Alex settling onto the floor beside her and smiled a little, standing on the couch to hop over its' back and grab one of the bigger blankets from the counter as she felt cold. She hopped back over onto the couch and laid back down. She pulled the blanket comfortably around her, the rest of the gigantic thing resting on Alex's back as if they were sharing it, which she didn't notice before curling her knees up to her chest and falling into a heavy sleep.
The following morning, or, a few hours later, the young werewolf was awakened by the feeling of paper brushing her nose. Her eyes opened and she jumped a little bit, her hand flying up to catch the paper that had just then decided to announce itself. She turned it over to read; it was a short note from Loyka saying she was leaving early to prepare the bar for the day and try to start with damage control on Nick and his gang, and that the two should stay out of sight for a bit, but it wasn't safe for Evangeline to stay with Alex for long. No duh, the girl thought, holding the note but closing her eyes again for a few minutes.
Evangeline awoke a little when she felt a presence that she knew was Alex settling onto the floor beside her and smiled a little, standing on the couch to hop over its' back and grab one of the bigger blankets from the counter as she felt cold. She hopped back over onto the couch and laid back down. She pulled the blanket comfortably around her, the rest of the gigantic thing resting on Alex's back as if they were sharing it, which she didn't notice before curling her knees up to her chest and falling into a heavy sleep.
The following morning, or, a few hours later, the young werewolf was awakened by the feeling of paper brushing her nose. Her eyes opened and she jumped a little bit, her hand flying up to catch the paper that had just then decided to announce itself. She turned it over to read; it was a short note from Loyka saying she was leaving early to prepare the bar for the day and try to start with damage control on Nick and his gang, and that the two should stay out of sight for a bit, but it wasn't safe for Evangeline to stay with Alex for long. No duh, the girl thought, holding the note but closing her eyes again for a few minutes.

Alex was still asleep unawaken by any noise's that might have happened, laying on his side facing towards the open part of the couch with his sides falling and rising as he slept still with his breathing heavy like any large animals breathing would be. He seemed to twitch slightly as his fur or rather the parts that weren't spikey already spiked up as an soft growl came from him and his muzzle wrinkled a bit while his legs moved some just slightly as if he was moving in his dream before they became still again and his muzzle unwrinkled as he became calm again. Things like that tended to happen to Alex whenever he slept as an wolf. He remained asleep as he turned to on his side so that his back was facing towards Evangeline, his sides moving slowly as his breathing became slow and calm as well as not making any noises besides his breathing.
Evangeline opened her eyes again, finally feeling awake after resting for another minute, and watched Alex with amusement as his paws twitched and muzzle furrowed until he had turned around. She sat up and hopped over the back of the couch as she had the previous night and brought the blanket with her, still burrito-wrapped in it. She clenched her toes against the cold wood floor, setting the paper Loyka had left on the kitchen table with a sigh before wandering to the window. Her nose flared as she caught the faint scent of an unwelcome werewolf; someone who wasn't Loyka or Alex, otherwise she wouldn't have noticed it. She pulled the blanket tighter around her body and brought a sleeve-buried fist to swipe the frost off of the window to peer out. She couldn't see anybody, or any tracks in the night's frost on the ground other than Loyka's, so she huffed but stayed there to watch carefully.

((Do you have a particular name you want the person/people to have? Also, with that question, one or more? I figured it would be an older werewolf/couple.))
((Okie dokie.))
Evangeline jumped as soon as Alex's wolf form suddenly jumped up and ran out, splintering the door a little bit. She backed up at first but dropped the blanket and at last remembering to take off the bandages as she watched Alex stand at guard outside. She threw them away and joined him, about to half shift at least but sniffing again and relaxing. "It's Peljo and Laelee," she said quietly but realizing Alex didn't know the couple. Out of the bleak snow appeared two dark figures approaching, freezing when they saw the wolf and the girl and half-shifting before more cautiously approaching. Evangeline set her hand on Alex's pelt reassuringly before stepping forward into the cold and waiting for the two. They approached her and she embraced them before gesturing to the cabin to invite them in, but they glanced at Alex warily, not shifting back yet.
Evangeline jumped as soon as Alex's wolf form suddenly jumped up and ran out, splintering the door a little bit. She backed up at first but dropped the blanket and at last remembering to take off the bandages as she watched Alex stand at guard outside. She threw them away and joined him, about to half shift at least but sniffing again and relaxing. "It's Peljo and Laelee," she said quietly but realizing Alex didn't know the couple. Out of the bleak snow appeared two dark figures approaching, freezing when they saw the wolf and the girl and half-shifting before more cautiously approaching. Evangeline set her hand on Alex's pelt reassuringly before stepping forward into the cold and waiting for the two. They approached her and she embraced them before gesturing to the cabin to invite them in, but they glanced at Alex warily, not shifting back yet.

Evangeline, Laelee and Peljo watched as Alex sniffed the couple and then turned around and headed back inside. Evangeline shrugged and shook off the cold as she gestured to the cabin again and the three headed inside, closing the door behind them. The couple shifted slowly and painfully back into their human form. "This wolf isn't as young as it once was. You must be freezing, child," Peljo spoke for the first time, his voice old and raspy, taking off his coat and wrapping it around Evangeline's shoulders and she savored the warmth, nodding a thank you. "I am sorry about Alex's defensiveness; he is on edge. And with good reason."
Laelee smiled warmly, bringing the girl into her embrace again and whispering into her ear, "Something tells me you have a large part in that defensiveness." Evangeline shook her head uncertainly and brought the two to sit down at the kitchen table, moving a few feet away to find a pot and fill it with water to heat on the stove for coffee.
Laelee smiled warmly, bringing the girl into her embrace again and whispering into her ear, "Something tells me you have a large part in that defensiveness." Evangeline shook her head uncertainly and brought the two to sit down at the kitchen table, moving a few feet away to find a pot and fill it with water to heat on the stove for coffee.

Evangeline felt a stirring at the table and looked to find her friends staring to Alex expectantly. She nodded at him and Peljo did the same, gesturing to one of two more unoccupied chairs, both in between the couple and Evangeline as they knew he had no reason to trust them and would probably like a barrier between the girl and her elder friends. "Come sit, Alex," he invited. "That is your name, correct?" His eyes were warm and knowledgable, and something about the look in them showed amusement and the fact that he did know that was the young man's name. Evangeline watched before smiling a little between Alex and the couple. "This is Peljo and Laelee. They are good," she said, in meaning that they hadn't sided with Nick. She turned back to the counter to prepare four mugs, pulling herself to perch on the counter while she waited for the kettle's whistle.

Pursing her lips, Evangeline watched the three with curiosity as Alex sat down. She had found it weird that they knew his name, and wanted to hear the explanation. Peljo took a deep breath and nodded at the question, as if he had expected it. "Right. You probably do not remember, but you actually know us, Alex, from when you were much younger. We're actually supposedly your godparents." He gestured between him and Laelee, but the woman set her hand on her husband's knee in a small scold, "Don't get ahead of yourself, Peljo." She turned to Alex, a smile lighting her wrinkled face with amusement and joy in her eyes. "We recognized you at the purging party last night. Your face, your wolf form; everything reminded us of your parents. We weren't too sure until now, but we decided we had to find you and confirm who you were." She gave a small laugh and Evangeline smiled as well before the woman continued, "I'm so glad we were right!"

"It's not a curse," Evangeline muttered, sounding a bit wounded. But still, she hopped off the counter when she saw Alex's shoulders shake a little, coming to stand behind him to wipe the tears from his face before setting her hands on his shoulders, nodding at Peljo to continue with a bit of sadness in her own eyes. The man cleared his throat and stated, "Of course you have no reason to believe me, Alex, but I wish you would." His voice caught and his wife took his hand in both of hers. "I am very, very sorry to hear that your parents are dead. We were very close to them." The two elders shared a glance. "When you were a baby, well, you too, Evangeline, your parents were forced out of our town, out of our pack when a new family came in. At the time, the man Nick was barely more than a child himself. His parents, who had come in and claimed this pack, died a few years later and he stepped up as alpha, taking his father's place, and before him... Your father, Alex." A gasp was sucked from Evangeline's lips. She well enough remembered when Nick's parents died, but before... She always assumed they were purebred alphas, and yet she had been wrong. A sharp whistle pierced the air she she jumped before rushing to turn off the kettle.
