Panic! At the Den

[Adele Holst]

Adele didn't have much of a choice but to walked where she was being led. The Werewolf craning her arms behind her back had a firm grip on her, almost lifting her feet off the ground on certain steps. Then there were the other Lycans escorting them through the Den and toward the basement. Everyone they passed watched as Adele was marched down the corridors; though they were silent, the young woman could only imagine the silent communication going on between each member of the pack.
She'd never been to the basement before, however, she felt she would never want to return after this trip. Wide, golden eyes looked around at the plain white halls and at every closed door on the way to her destination. She thought she could almost feel the presence of Pack down here, but the sterile white halls gave her a slight claustrophobic feeling that dominated any other hunch she might have had.
As she was led around a corner, another Werewolf came into view, a woman with dark hair and olive skin. She seemed decent, if not a little preoccupied with other thoughts. Rational. Adele wanted to reach out to this woman, tell her these Lycans had gotten it wrong, that she hadn't done anything. And as the older woman spoke, Adele hoped. She believed things would turn out alright. Until the woman grabbed her and ushered her into the room she appeared to be guarding.
Once in the room, Okello's scent filled her nostrils, along with that of blood. Adele looked to Okello, stumbling slightly as he stood and the woman released her. It was nice to see a familiar face, but something still didn't feel right. Grabbing the sleeves of her hoodie, the blonde curled her fists, biting her lip. At her friend's question, Adele looked at him wide-eyed, shaking her head quickly. Not entirely. It's complicated... Her head snapped suddenly to the other person occupying the room, noticing him for the first time. She knew exactly who it was, and she blanched, sending a message to Okello, I thought he was dead... She froze in her tracks, staring at Renn.

[Renn Frisk]

Nodding slowly to Okello's response, Renn frowned. He felt that this Lycan spoke the truth. Was it possible that Pablo had planned and pulled all this off without telling anyone? He doubted it. One of the boy's friends had to have known what was going on.

A twinge of pain shot through his chest; Renn resisted the urge to touch his wound, but rage spiked in him. It seemed Okello knew no more than the rumors he'd heard. What angered him more than anything were the consistent accounts that Pablo had adored Renn's Sire. The conspiratorial whispers around the Den all spoke of Pablo being a star pupil to the Pack Mother; loving her and loved in return. Nothing in the young man's time here would have indicated he'd be capable of such actions against his Queen; yet here they were: at least 5 Werewolves dead, Alena grievously wounded and turned in to the enemy, and Renn injured, left to pick up the pieces of a lost Pack. Yes, he'd known of Pablo's relation to the Hunter, Xhel; but what would make the Hunter side with the Vampires, if he, indeed, had something to do with the boy's betrayal? Renn wasn't quite convinced the boy's Human relative had put him up to this, but perhaps it would be worth questioning the man.

He was pondering what to do with the rest of Pablo's pack when Evelyn came back into the study with a guest. Her unwarranted intrusion was enough to merit a snarl, though it was cut short as Renn caught Adele's odor and met her golden stare. The girl looked like she'd had the life beaten out of her recently and seemed frightened. It could mean she knew something. Good; he could work with that.

Choosing not to react to Okello's outburst, Renn shared eye contact with Evelyn briefly, one hand in the pocket of his slacks. Returning his gaze to the blonde woman, he stepped closer to her. "Sit." His words were clipped; impatient but excited at the prospect of getting information. "Would you care to share your thoughts with the rest of the room, Adele?" By the way she seemed to be favoring one leg over the other and how she was holding her ribs, it seemed she was still in a great deal of pain. She would account for her absence and divulge what she knew; he would make sure of that.

[Okello]

He found 'it's complicated' was usually code for I don't want to talk about it. That was fine, and Okello expected as much from Adele, but it brought him little comfort. If the pack was not responsible for her injuries then who was? There was very little that could harm Adele. The young woman had power beyond her years. It could not have been easy for. He gritted his teeth. Why were things suddenly going so poor for them? As of late life had been perfect, but now... I'm glad you've rejoined us friend. He said to Adele, ignoring Renn's request for 'radio silence'. At that moment she went pale, like she'd just seen a ghost. Few of us thought he would make it through the night. Okello gritted his teeth. She deserved to know what was happening.Adele, he's claiming Pablo betrayed the pack, that he harmed The Pack Mother and gave her to the vampires. I cannot believe such a thing, but there were witnesses. The thought still seemed so far fetched. What could motivate his sire to commit such an act of treason? Glancing back at Renn, he nodded and followed the lycan's order, taking a seat besides Adele.

[Adele Holst]

Raising a hand, as if to assure Okello everything was alright, Adele slowly moved her gaze from Renn to her friend. I know, Okello. I saw Pablo last night. She stopped, looking again at Renn. Did he know they were communicating through mindspeak?
Reluctantly, Adele moved around the chair beside Okello. She felt better knowing he was there with her, but the young woman couldn't shake this ill-omened feeling. Her skin itched, beyond the wounds she was still recovering from; her nerves were on edge, anticipating that she would have to fight or fly soon. Sitting in the black, leather chair, Adele brushed aside a strand of golden hair, revealing a fresh scrape on her cheek from being tackled to the ground. Looking down at her hands resting in her lap, she rubbed her wrists, as if that would get rid of the slowly fading bruises.
Renn seemed to loom over her, and she looked to Okello, thinking of Pablo. She told him she'd rally the Werewolves and help clear his name. She wouldn't give up so easily. She just had to go about this the right way without further incriminating Pablo. "Alena, um, Queen Alena is still alive." Looking up at Renn, the young woman added quickly, "I saw her. But the Vampires might not let her live long. She needs help, soon. We need to go to her. Bring everyone we can."

[Renn Frisk]

The corner of his mouth twitched and Renn looked gravely from Okello to Evelyn, who still stood by the door. He caught a glimpse as Okello's expression turned to one of disbelief directed toward the blonde girl beside him. He could feel the communication between the two friends, the subtle electricity in the air between them. Oh, what he wouldn't have done to know just what Adele had told her packmate just then. All would be revealed to him soon enough, he told himself. There was little that escaped him when he wanted to know something.

Evelyn, tell your Pack to remain by the door. Organize a second group outside the room the rest of Pablo's mates are waiting in. Simply to take precautionary steps if needed.

As Adele began to speak out loud, the first words she'd uttered aloud since entering the room, Renn kept his cold gaze on her. Something light fluttered up from his chest to his throat; was it hope? Yet something, too, felt off here. There was more going on than simply what the blonde was saying. She know something; but not what she was talking about, he felt.

A flash of red anger jolted across Renn's vision, and he had to take a moment to try and calm himself. When his sight cleared, Adele sat before him, looking beaten and demure. Her golden eyes looked weary. Yet here she was, lying to his face about the only thing that mattered to him: his Sire. His upper lip twitched subtly as he approached the girl sitting in the leather chair. Gripping the arms of the chair, he leaned in close. She smelled of the damp outdoors and faintly of blood. "Is that where you were then? Looking after our Queen?" His eyes bore through the girl hatefully. "Funny. Before leaving for Oslo, my Mistress had no knowledge of your whereabouts, nor did any other Lycan here at the Den. Tell me, how is it you came upon Queen Alena?" If the girl was smart, she'd realize she'd been caught in her lie.

[Okello]

Okello glanced at Adele, his eyes going wide for only a moment. She'd spoken with his sire? Only hours ago? He had questions, hundreds, and was desperate for answers. While it was comforting knowing that Pablo was at least still alive, the way she spoke... she seemed to imply Pablo confessed his betrayal to her? It took all the restraint he could muster to not flood Adele's mind with questions. The matter at hand was too important. In front of him was a man looking for someone to hate and to blame for the loss of their Queen. An angry man, dangerous, it was easy to see in Renn's eyes. He would not treat them fairly.



Adele's next words were nearly just as much as a surprise as her mental message to her. She knew where Alena was too? At the moment Adele was a godsend, if they could find both Pablo and the Pack Mother then the dilemma at hand could be put to rest. His optimism though quickly vanished at the spark of anger in Renn's gaze. He tensed as Renn approached Adele, ready to act if the lycan lashed out at his friend. That did not happen, instead he watched as Renn leaned in close to the young woman, uncomfortably close. It was enough to make Okello fidget. He knew Adele well enough, she was not touchy to begin with and this was a clear violation of her personal space. "Enough!" He barked standing while he grabbed Renn by the shoulder and shoving him back a good measure. "Show her at least some measure of respect." He crossed his arms, glancing down at Adele who sat by his side side. At a few inches above six feet, and well muscled, Okello made for an imposing figure. Renn did not scare him.

[Adele Holst]

She tried to move back as Renn neared, tensing; she wanted nothing of this. The look in his eyes did not go unnoticed, but there was little she could do to get away without resorting to a physical altercation. Adele's eyes moved to his chest, observing the bandages covering the Elder Lycan's torso. A place underneath his collarbone that appeared to be bandaged more heavily looked damp with blood, still fresh. The thought struck her that she could dig her thumbs into his wound to get him to back off and give her space. Okello would have her back. The only uncertain factor in the room was the woman standing by the door... Then there were the Lycans who brought Adele here in the first place, possibly still waiting in the hall...
Okello's voice startled her away from her thoughts and she jumped slightly in her seat as her friend stood. A wave of relief washed over her as Renn was removed from her personal space, but was quickly replaced with a dire sense of urgency. Sweat lined her palms. She stood as fast as she could, which was still shaky, taking a place next to Okello. If their fate hadn't already been sealed, Adele knew she would have to take care with her next words to try and diffuse what might happen.
Biting her lip, she looked to Renn, "I ran into someone I knew in Rome. That's what delayed me. D-Damien was there." She prayed she had not just damned her Sire's son with that statement. Setting her jaw briefly, she continued, "I heard of Szandor's death on my way back to Scandinavia and I knew..." Her lip trembled though she tried to keep it steady as she thought of Szandor. "I knew where Alena would be. But I got there too late..."

[Renn Frisk]

Keeping his eyes locked on the girl sitting before him, Renn almost smiled as she visibly squirmed in her discomfort. His gaze was cold, and he waited, seemingly patient, for the girl to speak. As she looked away from his eyes to the wound in his chest, he could no longer conceal the smirk waiting behind his stern face. -Do it.- He found himself almost audibly uttering those words, willing her to make even the slightest move against him. -Give me a reason...- The girl clearly had nothing but lies she was willing to impart right now, which meant she was hiding something. The longer she kept her silence, the more desperate she would become to try and think of something clever to say to appease him. Given the chance, he would get the truth from her.

As Okello stood, Renn turned his stare upon the other man in the room, a twisted smile curling his mouth. He stepped back as Pablo's second in command pushed him, but kept his balance. The younger Lycan now encompassed his vision, and Renn snickered to himself, "Good enough."

In less time than it took the golden-eyed girl to spout her half-truths and misdirections, the Den's Warden had already moved. While Okello did cast an impressive figure in his Human form, it could not be said that Renn had ever been anything less than intimidating. As the younger Lycan looked down to his packmate, Renn took the opportunity to step closer, kicking one of Okello's legs out from under him, and reaching one hand behind the Werewolf's neck, pulling his face forward into the corner of the desk.

A calm smile still present on his face, he looked casually over to where Evelyn stood by the door, running a hand through his dark hair before turning his back to both women in the room. Resting his hands loosely in the pockets of his slacks, Renn looked down at Okello, watching to see if he would attempt to fight.

[Okello]

One moment he was standing, while he looked down at Adele, the next he was falling, Renn's hand around his neck guiding him into the desk. He slammed his head hard against the corner, and fell onto the floor. Immediately he could feel it within his chest. A heat flaring, his entire body seemed to ache. The beast inside him was asking to be unleashed, or rather demanding, he would not comply. He would not partake in Renn's little game, he would not give him the satisfaction. There was too much on the line. His family, his sister, they were all his responsibility now. (Adele!) He pulled himself up, and glanced back at his friend. (Frisky Renn isn't worth our anger. Think about the others.) He was not just referring to their squad, but also Renn's goons. The seconds things went south for Renn, they'd be upon the two of them in a second. That was not to mention Eveylnn, present in the back of the room. He turned to look at her, disgust written across his face, as blood trailed down the gash from his forehead. She had nothing to say, was she spineless or did she approve of his actions?"



Okello stood, his gaze falling upon Renn's back. It took ever bit of will he could muster to not shake with rage, but he managed. Self-control was key. His sire could not state it enough. The best lyans, as his sire had put it had complete control over one's emotions, and in turn over the beast that harbors within them, but they also knew when to let go, when to let their animal instincts take over. This was not one of the moments. Renn was a coward, Okello saw it clearly now as the lycan tried to bait him. Would he have his back turned to him if they were alone? If it was just the two of them. The thought of lashing out at him was sweet. If this encounter had occured in the forest, this would be a much different story. He stepped forward, and smiled at Renn. "You lash out with the anger of a child." Okello said wiping a bit of blood from his forehead with his finger , and inspecting it before returning his attention to Renn. Okello's shove was little more than a love tap among lycans. "Though I suppose I understand. You need someone to hate, you've chosen us for our association. A good choice, though if I were you, I would not look further than myself. You failed to protect Alena. It seems to me you're more at fault than either of us."

[Adele Holst]

Adele blurted out her elaboration quickly, hoping to touch upon whatever part of Renn’s mind might be thinking rationally. Her words weren’t exactly lies, but she wasn’t about to throw her best friend under the bus by revealing a more complete picture of the truth.
Watching Renn hatefully as he sent Okello face first into the desk, the golden-eyed girl clenched her fists painfully tight. She could feel anger surge in her chest, that familiar pain whispering its hate in her ear. Renn looked to the woman standing behind Adele, completely ignoring her as he turned his back to them to gaze down at Okello; like she wasn’t worth being concerned about. Her father had treated her the same way, barely acknowledging her unless it was to take something from her. She was tired of standing by, letting these assholes take what they wanted. There were more important things at stake right now than bandaging some poor man’s wounded ego.
Adele! Frisky Renn isn’t worth our anger. Think about the others.
The young woman moved her gaze from staring holes into the back of Renn’s head as Okello spoke to her mind. She looked to her friend as he stood. Adele would have been content to try and curb her anger as her pack brother advised, until she saw that blood covered his face from his forced impact with the desk. I am thinking about the others. She sent back to her friend, turning her golden gaze back to the elder Lycan.
Her body ached from the punishment she’d received from her father’s hands only a night ago; and scars from years past still covered her body. She’d grown up living with bullies like Renn who would take everything they could in some misguided search to justify their own self-worth. Perrin had been the first to show her that there was more to live for; that she could be strong and take a stand; make her own mark on the world. He’d given his life for her, and though it had taken years, with the help of Szandor and Pablo, she’d finally started to redefine what she’d always thought ‘family’ meant. She’d finally found a place to thrive and grow in; a group of friends in the form of Pablo, Okello and Pete; even Geoff. Adele thought she was finally learning what love really was with Damien… All this because Perrin, Szandor and Alena had opened their arms and let her in.
Now, in less than two weeks’ time, Geoff had defected, causing a rift within the Pack. Pablo had been captured by the Vampires and tampered with; Szandor was dead, and Alena had been taken prisoner by the enemy. The Pack was hunting Pablo now, and Adele was perhaps the only one who knew the truth that had any chance of trying to fix everything. The only thing standing in her way was this Lycan who almost seemed to want to believe that saving Alena was a lost cause.
The whispering in her ear became louder, goading her on. She was so hurt and tired; sick of being kicked around, disregarded and seeing her family being torn apart. Okello had literally had nothing to do with Pablo’s actions or the current state of things; and Pablo would have never willingly hurt or betrayed Alena. It was obvious he’d been manipulated somehow. Sure, it probably would have made things a little easier had Adele known how Pablo was manipulated; but the fact remained that neither he, nor Okello and her, deserved this. Precious, valuable time was being wasted here when Pablo and Alena needed their help immediately.
The young woman could feel her bones begin to grow and her skin stretch, sprouting thick white fur as she glared at Renn’s back. It didn’t dawn on her at first that she was shifting until she heard denim ripping and realized the elder Lycan appeared to be getting shorter, and by that time, she’d already committed to the action. Renn needed to be taught a lesson; he wouldn’t get away with treating her pack brother so callously.
Standing tall, the large, white Werewolf growled threateningly down at Renn. The room seemed a little smaller, but the ceiling proved to be higher, almost as if the architects had taken into account who the Den’s inhabitants were. Without another word, the golden-eyed beast swiped at Renn with a heavy paw.