Lemon Eyes

[Nero]

Watching Dane's eyes flit between him and a point behind him, Nero stared the vampire down. There seemed to be some small amount of trepidation within the vampire king. Even when he settled his focus on the hybrid, he seemed to be considering action. Raven's son stood firm as Dane appeared to resolve himself to letting the lycan queen and her pack leave without further hindrance.

As the last pups made their escape, Nero took his leave, taking a step back from Dane before disappearing in a blur. In a matter of moments, he'd caught up to the lycan aiding Alena as they neared a vehicle. As the boy shifted down, passing the queen of werewolves off to him, Nero nodded quietly, offering respect. Perrin's son gave the hybrid a cold stare in return; but compared to some of Nero's interactions with the late Perrin Goldeneyes, himself, Damien came off as almost friendly.

The deceased lycan lord was forgotten altogether as the hybrid got his first look of his mother since being summoned to help her. Anger flared in his chest, and he was about to hand Alena back to Damien to confront Dane a final time, when the wolf mother cupped his cheek, shaking her head, "Stay." Gritting his teeth, Nero acquiesced, helping Alena into the car, getting in after her. It'd been centuries since he'd seen his mother in such a horrid condition.

While she stretched out in the backseat, resting her head on his lap as Damien got into the driver's seat, tearing down the street, Nero rested a hand on Alena's shoulder. Brushing aside her hair, the hybrid frowned; she looked so pale and her skin so raw where silver had kept her weak. Why was she still wearing the collar? Reaching for the hand his mother held clenched, Nero pulled free the key to remove the silver around Alena's neck. Gathering the collar and chain, he let it fall to the floor by his feet. The lycan queen seemed to relax easily into sleep; and with the amount of blood it appeared she'd been drained of, it was no surprise.

His brow furrowed, Nero's attention turned to the jagged tear in the werewolf's shirt, pulling the fabric aside to reveal a slow-healing stab wound. While much of her skin appeared unbroken, for the most part, she was covered in the scars of her abuse that hadn't yet fully healed. Closing his eyes, the hybrid turned his head away, trying to calm the seething rage he felt.

One of his oldest, most vivid, memories was finding his mother, broken on the ground. The war was still so very young; he hadn't even counted a century of life, but he feared Alena wouldn't make it through the night. Had it been the first incident of Raven imprisoning the lycan queen? Of that, he wasn't certain; but Nero hadn't lived very long with his father at that point. He'd seen the vampire king leave an area of the mansion where he suspected Alena was being held and waited for his father to go before looking for himself. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but coming upon the unconscious form of his mother bleeding out was not it. Did Alena even remember that night? He suspected not.

Opening his eyes, Nero looked up in time to meet Damien's hard gaze through the rear view mirror before the boy returned his focus to the road. The hybrid spared a glance down at his mother before turning to look through the window as Oslo quickly passed them by. Hell knew Nero had tried forgetting that night. Panic had filled him, all he could do was remove the silver and hold her. The moment he felt her breathing become more consistent, he left with her, delivering her to Mettius to return to the pack. Nero did not return to the pack with his older brother and their mother; he knew there was animosity toward him for going to stay with Raven in the first place. Yet he hadn't been able to return to his father after helping Alena, either.

Despite freeing Alena early in the war, and his brother's unwavering loyalty to the pack, the lycan king had still hunted Mettius down and killed him. Nero had never been able to redeem himself in Mikael's eyes. In a way, it didn't surprise him that his younger brother and sister had found more comfort living among the vampires, even after Mikael had been killed. Living with their father hadn't seemed to help Lucia much, though; but that wasn't solely Raven's fault.

The drive went by without consequence. No words were exchanged between Damien and Nero, and no lingering threat appeared to thwart their retreat at the last moment. As they neared Stockholm, the sun shown bright over the city. Nero squeezed his mother's shoulder gently to rouse her from sleep; he knew she would want to be filled in on what had occurred at her den in her absence.

[Alena Wulf]

Sleep came easily to the mother of lycanthropy; too easily, perhaps. She'd meant to stay up and keep alert for longer; at least until they crossed into Sweden. But the events of the last couple weeks were quickly catching up to the werewolf, and it didn't help that Dane had taken a considerable amount of blood from her so recently. At least Nero was here; with him, she trusted that any interference in their journey would be handled quickly enough. She was safe. A short laugh escaped at the thought. How long had it been since her safety had truly been a concern for her? Alena fell into a deep slumber, unaware even as her son took the key from her and removed the silver around her neck.

As she attempted to open her eyes, sunlight shown through the tinted windows of the car; even dulled, the light was brighter than what had illuminated the cellar she'd been kept in. Bringing a hand to her forehead, Alena sat up slowly, smiling quietly as her eyes met Nero's. Reaching for him, she grabbed him by the back of the head, pressing her forehead to his, "I've missed you."

Casting her gaze out the window, she could see the city passing by; Stockholm, they were almost home. Shifting to sit on the edge of the seat, the lycan queen frowned, feeling the clothes she'd been put in rubbing against her skin. How was it cotton felt more restricting and annoying than silver? Pulling the tattered shirt over her head, Alena reached over to place a hand on Damien's shoulder as he drove, gazing at his profile, "How far did they push?”

Perrin's son glanced briefly at his queen before returning his focus to the road, “There were two attacks on the den, and a few smaller incidents outside the city, m'lady. But the vampires haven't been able to maintain a larger, more permanent presence in Sweden yet.”

The mother of lycanthropy watched the boy's features as he spoke, contemplating the information. There were definite periods of time Alena could account for Dane being in Oslo for sure; but there were also too many stretches of time where she'd been out. At this point, she wouldn't have put it passed the leech to send smaller squads to occupy locations around her den. In the coming day or so, she would personally smoke out any vampire presence in the country and eliminate the problem.

“M'lady,” Damien spoke again as Alena had begun to pull her pants off. He almost sounded hesitant to say anything further, but eventually did as the lycan queen's pale blue eyes met his in the rear view mirror. “The second hit on the den.... There were significant losses. And your daughter played no small role in the attack.”

Alena simply nodded quietly, examining the wound in her chest; she figured Lucia had been involved with at least one of the raids, despite hoping her daughter might have had sense enough not to participate.

Passing through the wrought iron gates of the den's property, the damage of the last attack was evident even on their way up the winding drive. Running a hand through dark hair, Alena stared out the window, a heavy pit forming in her chest as they neared the mansion. Reaching for one of her son's hands, the lycan queen grit her teeth as Damien pulled up to the front doors, turning the car off. It looked like multiple holes had been blown through the gate surrounding the property, as well as the building, itself. More than a couple trees looked to have been scorched, and as her door was opened, Alena could smell residual traces of death; too many lycans and not enough vampires. Anger grew in her chest, hot, but quiet.

The double doors opened, and a handful of werewolves stepped out from inside the den; foremost among them, Evelyn. Her daughter-in-law lowered her eyes as Alena looked to her, but stepped forward to meet her queen.

Carefully getting out of the car, the mother of lycanthropy took the time to appear steady as she stepped closer to her home. Damien was by her side in an instant, and down the driveway, she could hear more vehicles approaching.

“My queen,” Evelyn fell to a knee before Alena, bowing her head; the werewolves who'd come to the door seemed to follow the example of their steward. “Your safe return brings me joy.”

“How many were lost?” Alena spoke bluntly, cutting the young lycan off before she'd finished her pandering.

“I,” Evelyn stammered momentarily, motioning for a nearby pup holding a folder to come closer, “I've gathered the names of those confirmed dead.” Handing the folder up for Alena to see, the woman continued, “However, there are a few who... are missing in action. A search of the nearby vicinity is still being conducted to--”

“Call it off.” Alena waved aside the folder; there would be time to mourn soon enough, “Bring everyone home.” She didn't want any packs out on their own yet. Now that she was home, despite not yet at full strength, everyone would be safer here.

“Yes, my queen.” Evelyn nodded her understanding, keeping her head down. “If I may---”

“Evie,” Alena spoke, “Enough.”

More and more residents of the den began gathering by the door, some leaking outside to see as more cars came up the drive, and members of the rescue effort climbed out. When the car carrying her daughter and Pablo arrived, Alena looked to her son before motioning for everyone to go back inside the mansion.

Rage lay in wait behind the wolf mother's icy stare; the den would expect retribution. Hell, Alena would demand retribution; but her heart hurt with the recent events. Nothing she did, now, would undo the hurt, the loss her race had suffered. Nothing could fill the loss she, herself, felt. It was going to eat at her; but somehow the anger helped. For now, at least.

The queen of lycanthropy took the stairs to the main doors patiently, waiting for Nero to bring her daughter inside, before the pack.

[Nero]

As his mother's pack moved into the foyer of the mansion, Nero stood out front to meet the approaching car. The sun beating down on him was unpleasant; but far more bearable for him than it would be his sister. Approaching the vehicle as the blonde girl drove up, parking, he held a hand up for her to wait to open her door.

Adjusting his shoulders, Nero forced his change. Large, black leather wings shot out from behind his shoulder blades. Opening the passenger door for Lucia, he spread his wings wide, blocking the sun from hitting the sleeping girl. His eyes moved casually to the werewolf resting beside his sister; the two looked comfortable. Bringing a hand up, Nero brushed aside one strap of his sister's dress to take a look at the gunshot wound Dane had left her with. Luckily for her, the bullet had gone straight through. There didn't appear to be any residual silver in the injury; it looked angry, but it was slowly healing. Once she fed, she should be able to heal faster; though he knew she wouldn't be able to feed right away. Gently taking Lucia up, into his arms, the hybrid looked over to the golden-eyed girl in the driver's seat, "Grab your friend."

He could feel the girl stir in his arms as he held her close, wrapping his wings around her to protect her from the hateful burn of the sun until they'd entered the den. Nero waited until Reece, Adele and Pablo had joined everyone in the foyer and the doors were closed before unfolding his wings to set his sister on her feet before Alena. After assuring Lucia could stand on her own, Nero fell to a knee before the lycan queen, bringing a hand to his left breast, "My queen."

[Adele Holst]

Other than Reece giving her the occasional direction, the drive was quiet. Adele didn't mind. She'd never been good at small talk anyway, and with her best friend falling into a slumber, there wasn't much she wanted to say to the remaining two passengers.

Tucking a strand of blonde hair behind an ear, Adele chewed on her thoughts. Was Lucia's bite the reason Pablo had attacked Alena? It seemed as likely a reason as any; Alena must know. Pablo's loyalty to the pack was one of those things that were just fact. His cousin might be a hunter, but in all the years Adele had known Pablo, his love for Alena was apparent. The pack mother had taken him in upon his first arrival at the den. Adele only prayed Alena would see that; she'd do everything she could to see her friend redeemed.

Finally arriving at the den, pulling up to the building, Adele slowed as the winged man she'd met earlier hailed her. There was something about him, and Lucia, that set off warnings throughout her skin. She felt uneasy in their presence, for more reasons than she could reasonably articulate. But she heeded his silent command, waiting for him to approach before attempting to get out of the car.

Tensing as he opened the door, Adele looked back, watching to see he made no move against her friend. After getting another look at him, there were definitely some similarities between him and the lycan queen; yet that did little to quell her apprehension.

"He didn't do anyth-- It-it wasn't his fault!" When Nero spoke, dread filled the young woman. She'd planned on helping her friend out anyway, but hearing this stranger tell her to made her feel as if Pablo were a damned man. It was no use. Nero took Lucia from the car and departed toward the mansion; Reece was quick to follow.

Opening Pablo's door, Adele offered a hand to her friend, unsure of how steady on his feet he'd be. Worry covered her features, but she tried to bring a smile for her pack-mate to see; she wasn't going to let him face this alone. Pulling him close, Adele inhaled sharply as the wounds behind her shoulders twinged angrily, but did not hesitate in her actions.

Helping him up the stairs to the den, Adele remained by his side as the doors closed. She looked around only to make sure Damien was among those present, offering him a small smile, before turning her attention to Alena and her children.

Disrobed, the torment the werewolf queen had endured was apparent. Adele would normally have averted her gaze; the nudity present within the den had always caused her discomfort, but some of the injuries and scars visible on Alena struck a little too close to home for Perrin's heir.

[Pablo]

Pablo stirred awake, rubbing his eyes as Lucia’s presence was removed from besides her. The lycan watched as she was moved out of the car. It seemed bright out, why where they moving? Regardless, he wanted to go with Lucia, wherever that man was bringing her. He struggled to gather his strength, when the car door opened, Adele extended a hand. Willingly he grabbed hold of his friend, allowing her to pull him out, he sighed. “Why did you wake us? We should be sleeping.” He said with a yawn, he felt so lethargic, and tired. Pablo shielded his eyes from the sun. “It’s too bright.” He said, leaning against Adele for support. As he turned his head, the den coming into view something in his belly fluttered. He was finally home again. His friends were here, and Lucia. All seemed right in the world. Though Adele appeared less than pleased.

Stepping up the stairs was an ordeal. He relied heavily on Adele. The past few days had not been kind to him. The lashings and regularly loss of blood left him feeling weak and lightheaded. Once they stepped into the foyer his eyes darted to Lucia, it was relieving seeing her stand on her own two feet. He looked at Alena, she was unhappy, but after what she’d been through, why wouldn’t she be? It was the rest of the pack that caught him by surprise. It felt like those who weren’t staring at Alena were looking at him, their eyes bore a level of hatred. This should have been a happy moment. Grabbing onto Adele’s arm, he met Alena’s gaze.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Pablo's embrace, his hands through her hair, the sincerity of his words; it all melted Lucia. His presence beside her was comforting, even with the angry, throbbing wound in her chest. "I'm so glad you're safe." As he relaxed against her, the girl rested her head on his, succumbing to the exhaustion the night's events had filled her with.

The hybrid woke some time later when she felt herself being pulled away from her beloved; yet it was a moment longer before she registered what exactly was happening. As she was picked up into someone's arms, darkness filling her vision as something was wrapped around her, Lucia tried reaching up to pull away whatever shroud covered her. She recoiled her hand as she felt the shroud move, pushing her hand back down. Lucia looked up, confused; whatever it was, it felt almost leathery. The realization hit her that she was enfolded by appendages; wings. There was a twinge of pain in her chest as her pulse quickened; there weren't many others that could don wings. Alena had mentioned a brother being present in Oslo. Was this him?

Resting a hand on his chest, the hybrid closed her eyes; he smelled... kind of like home. Tears began to well up, just waiting to fall by the time the wings opened up, and the arms holding her set her gently on the floor, making sure she could stand before pulling away completely. Lucia looked back to see who'd carried her inside, in time to see the hybrid retract his wings completely as he fell to a knee. The girl had to look twice, wiping the tears from her eyes to see better. This man carried such a strong resemblance to the late vampire king, her father, Raven.

Part of her wanted to bend to embrace him, but as he bowed, addressing his 'queen', the girl gave pause. For a moment, she thought he was speaking to her; but the sound of the soft murmuring all around them suddenly going quiet, brought the hybrid's attention up. Her lip quivered as she looked around the foyer of the den, noticing, for the first time, all of the lycans gathered around; all the hateful gazes resting on her.

Reaching up to feel that the chain and skeleton key to Pablo's cell in London still hung around her neck, Lucia turned slowly to the direction she knew her mother would be waiting. Quiet tears fell down her cheeks as she tried meeting the lycan queen's eyes, but the girl glanced away almost immediately. She didn't think she'd ever seen her mother so angry before, and without meaning to, Lucia took a small step back, away from Alena.

The hybrid froze; she wasn't sure what to do. This very moment was what had scared her most about agreeing to help Pablo free her mother; how she wished she'd taken Catherine's offer to just leave with the vampire, and not return to Stockholm. It was way too late for that now.

Her bottom lip pushed out in a pout as she looked back up at the wolf queen. Of course her mother had taken her clothes off... Yet her embarrassment about that was dwarfed by the horror she felt upon seeing the marks she could only assume Dane had left the lycan queen with. Bringing a hand up to her own gunshot wound, Lucia lowered her gaze, speaking softly, "I never wanted this to happen, Mum. I-I'm ss-sorry."

[Alena Wulf]

"So am I." Though initially quiet, the mother of lycanthropy's voice was hard as she stared upon her daughter.

Without another word, Alena stepped closer, reaching a hand out to grab Lucia by the back of her head, gripping her hair tight as she spun the girl to face the lycans present. Pulling her daughter against her body, the wolf queen looped her free arm under the girl's armpit, and up, holding her in place by the back of the hybrid's neck, forcing her to keep her gaze up so she could take in the damage she'd wrought upon their home and its inhabitants. And so the pack could look upon their assailant.

Cold, blue eyes stared hard at the young girl's profile, before moving to look upon the pack gathered before them. It would be so easy to let the wolf take over, to let all the rage and pain just carry out the hybrid's punishment. The werewolf queen's chest ached for all she'd lost, personally; and looking out, into her den, seeing the destruction her home, and her pack had taken, that she couldn't have protected them, she felt a dark anger rising. That anger, was likely the only thing keeping her on her feet, at the moment.

Clearing her throat quietly, Alena addressed her pups, reaffirming a tighter grip on her daughter, only to hear the girl whimper, “The recent atrocities our pack has suffered, were carried out in no small part, due to the actions of Lucia Drusa Severa.” Resting her eyes briefly upon the girl once more, the wolf mother continued, “It was her willingly ignorant eagerness that allowed my lieutenant, Pablo, to be taken into the enemy's hands. The vampire's king, Dane, then tampered with my pup's mind and motivations.” Pausing for a moment, Alena turned her gaze to where Pablo was standing in the crowd, with the support of Adele. A quick moment of light-headedness passed over her, and the queen of lycanthropy widened her stance a bit to reaffirm her balance. “There may have been talk, that on our way to Oslo to confront Dane and his horde, I was attacked. Though it was by Pablo's hand, it was not by his will; and I absolve Pablo of any wrong-doing.”

Removing the hand from behind her daughter's neck and under her arm, Alena spoke again, “Lucia, however,” still gripping tight to the girl's hair at the base of her skull, pushed the girl out the length of her arm, “Though she may have been manipulated, she knew what she was doing, and her actions were of her own will. She is not absolved.”

Releasing her grip on her daughter, completely, Alena waited for the girl to turn and face her before slipping seamlessly into her wolf skin. Lucia shrieked, bringing her arms up to cover her face as Alena brought a heavy paw with sharp claws down on the girl. The hybrid screamed, crying out in protest as the queen of werewolves tore into her repeatedly, clamping her teeth into the child's flesh. Alena was relentless, using all her strength until Lucia grew quiet and still. Her beast reveled in finally being free after over a week of having to remain dormant; it was almost painful having to reign it back in.

Making sure she was steady on her feet, first, the lycan queen shifted back into her human form, glaring down at her daughter. “Lucia,” Alena growled, “As your first, small act toward making amends for the death you have caused, you will help rebuild our home.”

“Reece.” Alena felt her knees start to give way, despite her best efforts, but Nero rose quickly to her side, offering an arm for support. “Take her.” Moving her eyes to her lover as he approached, she gazed solemnly as he took her daughter away, before turning her attention back to Pablo, “Pablo, to me. Everyone, my pack, rest.”

[Pablo]

The moment felt too familiar. A thousand eyes bearing down on Pablo, judging him. Like the vampires had the day he’d brought them Alena. His gut wrenched; no it wasn’t quite right. While he could feel their stares, most of their gazes were locked on Lucia. Angry hateful eyes, no more so than Alena’s. This was wrong, Alena… what was she about to do. Pablo tensed as the pack mother grabbed Lucia by the neck presenting her to the rest like a sacrificial lamb. Alena don’t hurt her. She was so alone, easy to manipulate. All Lucia had really needed was some company, a friend. Dane had given her much. Please. He pleaded unsure if his message fell upon deaf ears. Standing was a strain, he relieved heavily on Adele’s support. Without her she’d likely collapse. Trying to breach Alena’s mind was more of a struggle than it’d ever been.

He tensed when Alena spoke, addressing the crowd. Pablo glanced back at Adele, pleading with his eyes. Alena wouldn’t, kill Lucia would she? But the way she spoke, listing her crimes, the way they looked at her, they wanted blood, and it felt like an execution. “Addy,” He began to whisper as Alena spoke his name. He froze, now he could feel their eyes. Alena was absolving him of everything. Then she knew the truth, they’d done something to him. The relief he felt was short lived. All the blame that could have been placed on him was shifted to Lucia. His gut twisted once again, he nearly gagged. Pablo held his breath, he wanted to reach out to her, tell her to run, but it happened too quickly. One moment Lucia was placed down on the ground, the next she was facing Alena in her true form. “NO!” Pablo shouted desperately as Alena’s claws first struck Lucia. The sight of her blood made his heart race. Lucia I’m coming for you. He tried, with what little strength he had to pry Adele’s arms free from around him. “She’s killing her.” He said, struggling against Adele, using whatever means possible to free himself. Pushing back against his friend, trying to nudge her away with his elbows. After the blood he’d loss, after everything he was so weak. Alena’s teeth clamped down on Lucia’s flesh, and pain flared across his arm. He screamed in pain. He was too weak, but then again in this form he had always been. As another claw struck Lucia, tearing at her skin he flinched. There was only one thing left to do.

Pablo’s teeth snapped as he snarled in Alena’s direction. The beast within him, begged to be released, Lucia needed them, it was the only way. Pablo grit his teeth, shaking angrily, his muscles began to bulge. His teeth expanding. Adele wouldn’t be able to hold onto him long. Every inch of his body began to protest with pain. Every bone refusing to extend, his muscles retracting just as they began to grow. No! They’re killing her! He reminded himself. Trying to push his body, trying to force a transformation, just when the moment felt so close black faded his vision. He slumped completely still and quiet in Adele’s arms. Stirring just as the moment passed, he gazed upon Lucia’s body. Pablo to wanted to cry out once more, a lump in his throat silencing him. Lucia appeared to be dead, but the way Alena spoke to her obviously implied else wise. The hybrid was after all harder to kill than most. She would need his blood to recover. Lucia find me when you can. I’m so sorry for all of this. It was not something he’d wanted to consider. This was his fault, Lucia’s state. If they hadn’t come back, they could have gone anywhere. As the crowd dispersed his gaze was locked on his love as she was carried away. He didn’t dare look or address Alena even as she called out his name.

[Adele Holst]

Adele flinched slightly as Pablo adjusted his stance before clinging tighter to her, but did not try to push her friend away. Though her body still ached from her fight with Catherine the night prior, and from the events even before that, it was clear Pablo required her assistance in standing. Throwing one of his arms over her shoulders, she wrapped one of hers around his waist to hold him upright and close.

Biting her lip nervously, Adele set her gaze upon the werewolf queen and her hybrid children. She could feel her heart beating in her ears; it was all the young woman could do not to fidget anxiously when Alena started speaking. She hadn't had time to speak with the pack mother, to tell her that the vampires had messed with Pablo's head somehow. Alena had to know her friend would never truly want to hurt her... Feeling Pablo tense in her arms, however, did little to quell her concern, and Perrin's heir looked over to her friend as he spoke her name. Forcing a small smile to her face in an attempt to reassure her packmate, Adele squeezed his hand softly; she wouldn't let him face this alone.

Her attention returned to Alena when the mother of lycanthropy began addressing Pablo's involvement. Holding her breath momentarily, the young woman looked on with concern. When the werewolf queen cleared Pablo of any wrongdoing, Adele almost laughed, her fear and anxiety suddenly lifting with the relief Alena's words had given her. Pablo was a free man.

Pablo's shout and the hybrid's simultaneous scream, shook Adele's relief, making her jump slightly in surprise as Alena's paw came down on the girl. Reaching out desperately to hold onto her friend as he attempted, weakly, to break free, Adele grunted quietly in pain as one of Pablo's elbows found the spot along her ribs where Renn had stabbed her. "Scheiße... Pablo, stop." Pulling him in close Adele wrapped her arms tight around her friend, praying Alena wouldn't notice this protest after she'd forgiven Pablo. "No..!" Fear choked through her voice as she felt her friend's weakened body attempt to shift up. -Odin, please...- As if in response to her silent wish, he went limp, his body refusing to shift. Adele stumbled slightly, not expecting to be carrying the entirety of Pablo's weight so suddenly; but she managed to ease their fall to the floor, setting her packmate down carefully on his knees, her arms around his chest holding him up until he stirred once more.

Her ears perked as she heard the lycan queen speak Pablo's name, and she swallowed hard, looking to her friend before gazing up at the pack leader with her bright, golden eyes. "Pablo," Adele whispered, nudging her friend as he refused to move or acknowledge Alena. What the hell was he doing? Carefully standing, the young woman offered her friend a hand up, before stepping slightly in front of him, picking at the hem of her jacket sleeve. Casting a paranoid glance toward Nero before meeting Alena's gaze once more, Adele self-consciously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

[Alena Wulf]

Smiling as she watched Pablo's eyes follow Lucia out, purposely avoiding her gaze, Alena exposed pointed teeth. Her bones and muscles ached; she wanted to bite into something sinewy and warm, to breathe in fresh air and just be outside.

The queen of lycanthropy cast a short, silent glance to Nero, and the hybrid left his mother's side, approaching the young lycan lord and the girl who carried Perrin's strength within her. "Come." Alena commanded, meeting Adele's eyes as she moved to stand between Pablo and the hybrid, "You as well, Adele."

Nero reached out to grab the young man at an elbow, holding him firm to escort him to Alena Wulf.

As the trio drew closer, the wolf mother turned without another word, leading them through the Den, toward the back of the building. Every step felt like its own challenge, though the werewolf queen managed to keep her gait steady, she didn't feel right. Seeing the damage her home had taken and catching the gazes of some of her pups as they passed did nothing to quell her anger. Her skin seemed to itch, her muscles begging to grow; to let the wolf out again. It'd been caged far too long. Alena was tempted to shift again, simply to feel that freedom once more. Yet a sharp jolt of pain shot through her abdomen, racing through her body. The queen of werewolves stumbled slightly, coming to a short stop as she brought a tightly clenched hand up to catch herself by the closest wall. A wave of goosebumps covered her skin briefly and she shivered, before bringing a hand up to run through her black hair. She could hear Dane's voice in her head, taunting her when she'd revealed she was carrying his child, "One to replace the other. How appropriate." That damn grin of his.

Pushing those thoughts away, Alena set her jaw, leading her son and two pups to the end of the hallway in the back of the mansion. Opening a thick, wooden door, the wolf mother motioned with a hand for Nero, Pablo and Adele to enter and descend the stairs therein. Closing the door behind them, Alena followed her pups down, into a wing of the first basement level. Reaching the bottom, Alena pointed to the second door on the left, labelled III, and stepped in front to approach the door. Gripping the handle with her left hand, she paused; there was a soft click, and then the door was open.

Motioning for Nero to lead Pablo and Adele within, Alena followed right behind, closing this door as well. The room within was modest, yet comfortable. A twin sized bed was positioned along one wall, with a television and desk directly across from it. A bathroom occupied one corner, complete with a shower and linen closet; but other than that, the amenities were basic.

Leaning against the desk, Alena looked upon her pup, her features hard. "There are some things you should know." Her voice was rough, almost quiet at first.