Lemon Eyes

[Adele Holst]

From the corner of her eye, Adele saw something white close the distance to her. Looking directly at it revealed Lucia, skipping happily toward her. The hybrid wasn't exactly the person she wanted to see a the moment, but she smiled softly at the girl, tired. To her surprise, Lucia bent to speak with the young girl. Adele watched with interest. When the hybrid stood, her first words were not what she'd expected, and the werewolf shifted uncomfortably. The subject of the raid on the den was not one Adele thought Lucia would bring up so nonchalantly. Perrin's heir could not forget that Lucia had been one of 'the monsters'. Her shoulders, although healed, ached at the mere thought of that night.

"Seraphina..." Adele remembered the girl now. Okello had taken her to the safety of the great hall, but not before a vampire had killed the adult lycan in the room with the girl. "I'm sorry..." That had probably been one of Seraphina's parents. She hadn't gotten there in time; she could still hear the sound of that body hitting the floor. She hadn't gotten there in time to save the werewolf Catherine had used to contact her either. She was lucky to have survived the night, herself; she was no hero.

Watching as the girl ran back to the woman by the den, Adele raised one hand in a small wave. If she had to guess, the woman was not related to Seraphina, but had stepped up to the role of guardian for the girl. The den was full of mismatched families; but in the pack everyone had a family; a place to belong.

Returning her attention to Lucia, Adele shoved her hands in the pockets of her hoodie, clenching them. She felt agitated toward the hybrid and part of her wanted to yell at the hybrid; the attack was her fault. But she could hear Pablo's voice in her head: Dane had manipulated Lucia. Despite that, the thought still left a sour taste in her mouth. Closing her eyes, Adele exhaled slowly to try and calm herself. When she met Lucia's gaze, she felt a little better. "Hey Lucia. What are you up to tonight?"

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

(Co-starring Adele)

Watching Adele, Lucia smiled softly. The young woman's golden eyes gave a wild look about her and Lucia was surprised by just how mesmerizing they were.

When Adele asked her question, Lucia's smile grew. She brought an arm up to loop with the werewolf's arm, but stopped herself, remembering that Adele didn't like to be touched. Instead, she folded her hands in front of her body, "Actually, I wanted to spend some time with you and perhaps Okello." The prospect of hanging out with and getting to know people her own age excited her more than she thought it would. "It'd be lovely to meet some of the others of Pablo's pack. I'm excited to get to know the people he deems important. Anything to be closer to him. I - I must admit, Addy," she lowered her voice, stepping a little closer to the werewolf, "I'm extremely envious of you right now." Lucia looked down briefly, but soon resumed eye contact. "You can go be with him anytime you want. I miss the way he feels, and how he enjoys being pushed down and taken. But you know that. I would like to share him with you when he's free." The hybrid looked hopefully at Adele, licking her lips.


Adele stood silently as Lucia revealed her intentions for the night. The girl truly seemed eager to be around Pablo's friends, and she remembered Pablo saying that Lucia had never had friends her own age before. Looking down at her feet, Adele sighed inaudibly. She was tired, but she understood that having no one her own age must have been incredibly lonely. Meeting the hybrid's crimson gaze, Adele nodded slightly, "Ok."

When Lucia began her confession, the lycaness watched her shift her stance, curious as to what the girl might say. Adele was not expecting any of Lucia's following words, and she felt herself blush, "Lucia!" She whispered. What the hell was she going on about? That is not how she pictured Pablo's preference; although, she supposed it didn't really matter what she thought about that. Adele found herself struggling not to stammer, "Lucia, I don't -- I've never slept with Pablo." Why would she think that? She knew Pablo wouldn't have suggested the idea. Speaking low, the young woman looked up at Lucia, starting to get a bit frustrated. "You're his first girlfriend." Did she not realize that? Pablo hadn't shown or otherwise expressed romantic interest in anyone before, despite having a few admirers. The fact that he came home with a girlfriend, after having been kidnapped no less, was kind of a big deal within their circle of friends. Yet Lucia was almost acting like it was in consequential.

Slight confusion colored the hybrid's features, and Adele sighed, realizing she was going to have to spell it out: "You're the first person he's slept with."

Lucia laughed quietly, shaking her head, unwilling to believe Adele. It didn't seem like the blonde was lying to her, but it couldn't be true. "Catherine said you love him, though." To be friends as long as they apparently had, and to be in love with Pablo; of course they'd slept together. Still, the thought of Pablo having been a virgin before her tickled.

[Adele Holst]

"I.." She felt color rise in her cheeks again. Pablo was one of the most important people in her life. He'd been one of the first people she met upon joining lycanthropy, and was her oldest friend. So what if she loved him; she was happy to keep the love platonic if it meant he continued to be in her life. She was under no delusions; she knew Pablo had never thought of her as anything more than a friend. And that was alright with her; Adele had made peace with that.

"He's my best friend. That's it." Pablo loved Lucia, she knew that. She could hear it in his voice even when he was talking to Alena the previous night. And she could see it in the way he'd looked at Lucia in the getaway car during their flight from Oslo.

Adele felt like she perhaps should have felt more welcoming to the hybrid; and perhaps at any other time she would have been. But she was having trouble separating the chaos and destruction the den had been thrown into due to events that Lucia had participated in. It didn't help that the girl mentioned Catherine with an unmistakable fondness in her voice. Heat began to rise in the blonde's chest. She couldn't forget or forgive the pain that vampire had caused, especially after Pablo's admission last night. Adele found herself tensing and clenching her fists again. "Catherine doesn't know shit about me or Pablo."

Lucia smiled sweetly, "Catherine actually knows Pablo pretty well. And I'd say she knows of you as well, Perrin's Heir."

At Lucia's initial remark, Adele felt an overwhelming need to punch the girl in the mouth. "You -- Do you know what that monster did to him?" Something about the hybrid's expression told Adele that she'd been aware. "You were part of it, weren't you?" The werewolf found it increasingly difficult to control the volume of her voice, but she managed to keep it low. "How could you do that to him? How could you let it happen? You have to know how he feels about vampires." Harder to control was the itching of her wolf. She wanted to rage at the hybrid and scream. Her friend had been violated and Lucia seemed complicit. Taking more than a few deeps breaths, Adele tried to calm herself. She didn't want to lose her self-control; it had been so difficult keeping it recently. Trying to clear her mind, she reached out mentally to Damian; she needed help.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

"He's my best friend. That's it."

Pablo had said something similar about Adele; but still, Lucia would have sworn they'd been intimate with each other. She'd figured Pablo had at least slept with her mother before. With how highly Alena spoke of the young man, and his unwavering devotion to the lycan queen, there had been no doubt in Lucia's mind that they were lovers. Lucia wanted to ask the blonde about it, but she seemed very certain that Pablo had been a virgin. The hybrid supposed it made sense to an extent. She could recall how many times Pablo seemed to have become flustered around her and his admittance that he hadn't been trained to handle her. It was incredibly endearing. Lucia could feel a pleasant warmth rise in her chest thinking of Pablo, knowing she'd been his first.

Adele did not react well to her comment, and Lucia's smile fell as the young woman seemed to tense, speaking again. "Addy..." She did know how Pablo felt about vampires. He'd made it abundantly clear to her throughout their time in Oslo. Still, that hadn't stopped him from expressing his desire to join her and Catherine during their first tryst. "Pablo was a willing and eager participant." The hybrid could still picture her lover taking Catherine from behind as the vampire went down on her. The thought tickled and Lucia felt a deep longing to be reunited with the woman. Pablo would come with her, she just knew it. "He told me he wanted to join Catherine and I. I could hardly say no to that." Adele didn't seem to understand what a pleasure it had been taking the vampire with Pablo.

[Pablo]

“Amara, get your shoes on. I think that’s her out there, talking to Adele.” Quinn said, looking out of the windows in the foyer. It was almost certainly her. There was a strange scent in the air, like a lycan’s just off.
“Don’t rush me.” The girl said quickly tying her laces and standing. She sidled beside the young man. Smiling mischievously. “Why are you so eager, anyway?”
“Me? You’re the one who said you wanted to meet her. Come on.” He brushed beside her, opening the door for them both. Amara hesitantly followed.
“So did you! And I don’t mind waiting. Okello can introduce me.”
Quinn turned to her, rolling his eyes. “You’ve got a good look at the competition, and now you want to run off and hide. Come on Amara. Don’t be a creep. We should make a good impression.” He elbowed her gently.
“Quinn, competition?” She tugged on his arm, glaring at him. “What do you mean by competition?”
Was she really going to play dumb? It wasn’t lost upon any member of the group, Amara’s crush on their sire. It was actually pretty cute, most of the time. Even last night, trying to hide her disappointment after Okello’s revelation that Pablo had a significant other.
They were a bit away, he couldn’t quite make out the conversation, but Adele seemed agitated. Jealousy? What had his sire done to get the affection of the two woman before him. Unfair, Quinn was certain he was better looking.
(Hey, Adele, you have incoming.) Quinn said to her mentally as they neared. His eyes fell to Lucia, running over her body. It hadn’t been the booze, the girl was downright gorgeous. A perfect smile on a pretty face. Her dress complementing her slender figure, and that ass- damn. A sharp elbow found his gut.
(Don’t stare.) Amara’ voice. He nudged her away. There was nothing wrong with a quick look. Neither Adele nor Lucia had noticed, had they? Where was the problem? “Hey, Addy.” He flashed the two women a smile. "this is Lucia, right? Care to introduce us?”
Beside him, Amara stuck out her hand. Meeting Lucia’s gaze for a moment. Lovely eyes, like the rest of her. Quinn wasn’t so certain if he believed the pack mother. A girl like this could make a man do some things against their better judgment. “I’m Amara. It’s nice to meet you.”

[Adele Holst]

Gritting her teeth, Adele looked up at the hybrid. Her final memories the night of the raid were a bit fuzzy. She'd passed out due to blood loss, but it must have been close to dawn by the end of the attack. If she understood correctly, Lucia couldn't go out in the sunlight; she slept during the day. The girl was talking about a different incident than the one Pablo mentioned. The thought made her gut clench. Her friend had probably been trying to make the best out of a horrible situation. Catherine could have killed him on a whim, and stuck in a warehouse of vampires, he'd have had no place to run. Lucia claimed to care for the young man; she should have been protecting him from the leeches. Another realization struck. Catherine probably could have killed the hybrid easily as well. Maybe that's why she went along with it all. The blonde doubted that was part of Lucia's motivation, though. The girl sounded way too enamored with the vampire.

She wanted to scream and lash out at Lucia; it was difficult to process all of this at the moment. It took a concentrated effort to calm the anger she felt. Truly, the hybrid had done a number on her friend. Adele couldn't wait for the day Pablo's judgement was sound again.

Quinn's voice in her head was a welcome distraction and brought good news. She wouldn't have to deal with Lucia alone. When her two friends came into sight, she took a small step away from the hybrid. Nodding at Quinn's greeting, Adele sighed quietly, "Lucia. This is Quinn and Amara. Friends of Pablo's." She wasn't surprised to see Quinn, but Amara's presence was a little unexpected. Still, she smiled quietly to her friend, glad for their presence.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

An eyebrow slightly raised, she watched the lycan work her jaw. This was not how she'd wanted the conversation to go; she needed Adele to like her. Addy was her love's closest friend; they had to get along. Bringing up Catherine had been a horrible idea. She really should have known better; vampires and werewolves didn't get along. That fact eluded her far more often than it had any right to.

Lucia was about to apologize and attempt to change the subject when two other werewolves approached. Her crimson gaze fell to the young man when he spoke, and she returned his smile, her fangs poking out from under her lip. The hybrid's attention turned to the girl as she introduced herself, offering her hand. Remembering Okello's reaction to how she met his offered hand, Lucia changed her tactic with this lycan. She extended her own hand, holding Amara with a soft grip that belied her strength, "Lovely meeting you, Amara." Turning to the man, the hybrid offered her hand to him, palm down, "And you, Quinn. I'm so happy to meet more of Pablo's friends. I was just telling Addy that I envy her being able to visit him. The distance has been difficult for me. However, the prospect of spending time with his pack is helping me feel closer to him." Smiling, Lucia looked to the two recently arrived werewolves, "What are your plans for the evening?" She hoped whatever they might be, that they would invite her to join along.

[Pablo]

Quinn felt something turn in his gut as Lucia’s lips curled into a captivating smile. Heart melting. His sire was a lucky man. Every passing moment and he was more convinced in his theory. Though he supposed it was possible that Pablo was not only in love, but also a thrall. A thought worthy of discussion with the others. His smile brightened as he watched Amara timidly shake Lucia’s hand.
“It’s nice meeting you too, Lucia.” The girl said shyly. Quinn fighting back a chuckle. Amara wasn’t usually the timid short. Was she frustrated meeting Pablo’s partner? There was at least a week’s worth of teasing ammunition there. She wouldn’t hear the end of it from him.
His eyebrow quirked as Lucia held her palm out towards him. What was she expecting. “Umm, the pleasure’s all mine.” Quinn gently held her fingers in his hand as he dropped to a knee. All too aware of how soft Lucia’s fingers were. Adamant that he wouldn’t let that thought stray any further as Lucia’s smile seem to beam.
(Don’t flirt with her! She’s not-)
(Amara, I wasn’t flirting. She’s a princess! We kneel for Alena right.) That shut her up real quick. Amara’s brows furrowed. Quinn felt a bit of satisfaction. Certainly she wondered if she should have knelt as well. Though Lucia hadn’t held her hand out to Amara the same, way. Why not?
“You’re not the only one.” Amara held her arms behind her back. “We’ve haven’t seem him either.” Quinn felt something else turn in his gut, the other way. Pablo’s isolation had been difficult on all them. There was no mistaking the hint of sadness in Amara’s voice.
“But,” He cut in. “According to Okello. He should be good to visit soon.” The lycan said smiling between them. Though now that he thought of it, he didn’t think that extended to Lucia. No, he was almost certain it didn’t include Lucia. “Actually, yes. Everyone’s meeting later in the study. You’re more than welcome to join us. Midnight, right Amara?”

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia's eyes lit up, thrilled, as Quinn held her hand, kneeling briefly. She offered an elegant curtsy in return, smiling happily at the man. Here was a werewolf with some amount of decency; the hybrid was impressed.

When Amara spoke, she turned her attention toward the young woman, watching her with interest. They hadn't been able to visit Pablo either? Why not? The hybrid was about to ask why they'd been prohibited from seeing Pablo, but stopped when Quinn mentioned their plans for the evening. Hope filled her chest, and her smile grew when the man invited her to join them. He mentioned "everyone" was meeting in the study. She'd get to meet Pablo's entire pack. That excited her far more than she anticipated. It wouldn't fill the void she felt being kept from Pablo, but she'd be able to make friends her own age. "Midnight; perfect. I'd love to join everyone tonight. For now, I shall take my leave." Offering another curtsy to the three werewolves, Lucia met the eyes of each, "Until we meet again." The girl then made her way back to the mansion, toward her bedroom to prepare.

[Okello]

It was difficult not to brighten at Lucia’s beaming smile as she gracefully curtsied. Despite Amara’s voice in his head, and the flat look on Adele’s face. Of course, Addy wasn’t happy meeting Pablo’s significant other. Even though she was with Damien now. He hadn’t expected Adele to be that kind of woman. Couldn’t she be happy for their sire?

“Right then, see you later lass.” Quinn said as Lucia curtsied once more. It was a little much, particularly with how elegantly she dressed. But it was amusing. For some reason he’d expected Alena’s daughter to be far more crass. Lucia was as lady like as they came.


“You gave her the wrong hour.” Amara said quietly as she watched Lucia leave. Quinn glanced over his shoulder, watching as well.

“Of course I did. We’ll want have to a nice chat with the others beforehand. Discuss matters of importance. Have a little time among ourselves. One day you’ll understand.”

“I think I do.” Amara glanced at Quinn, frowning momentarily. Glancing between him and Lucia as she climbed the few steps up into the mansion. “Hey, you’re staring again!”

“No, I’m not.” Okay, maybe this time he was staring. But, where was the harm? A little looking never hurt anyone. He’d never pursue one of his pack’s women, or anyone’s for that matter. Besides, he couldn’t quite help himself in the moment. The sway in Lucia’s hips, what her dress did to her backside, well no man in their right mind could help themselves. Amara elbowed him in the gut, and he hunched slight over. Lucia disappeared into the mansion.

“I’ll see you later Quinn. Bye Addy.” Amara said before departing in the same direction. Why did she care so much.

“Hey Adele, you’ll be joining us right?” He glanced at his friend. It was hard to tell with her, sometimes. But she seemed rather unhappy. “Hey, what’s wrong lass?”



“Our unexpected, but not unwelcome guest should be arriving soon. I expect all of us to behave properly. Do not pry too much. Try not to overwhelm her, there’s quite a few of us. And I know you’re curious to meet her.” Okello said to the group, eying them one by one. His gaze settled on Amara. “And no, regardless of how she greets you, we do not need to kneel for her. That honor is saved for the Packmother alone.

“Avoid to the best of your abilities the subject of our sire. From what little I know of the hybrid, she is quite friendly, and handsy.” The lycan couldn’t forget how uncomfortable he felt upon being embraced by Lucia. They had known each other for a matter of minutes, and she had held him with alarming strength. “I think it’s best we don’t encourage her.” Okello’s eyes fell upon Quinn. His friend looked back incredulously.

“What if she tries to bite one of us?”

Shamir. “She won’t.” He hoped. “Not if you’re with others.” That was the only guarantee he had. If Adele hadn’t shown up, he was uncertain if Lucia would have restrained herself. “In any case, our Queen has assured me she will not tolerate such behavior from Lucia.” He settled his eyes on the twin. “Either way, we are not to discuss our sire’s enthrallment. We do not know enough to speak on the matter with certainty.” His eyes narrowed, Shamir seemed to shrink beneath his gaze. “That’s how rumors spread.”

“Besides, it’s hear beauty you really have to worry about.” Quinn said throwing an arm around Shamir, hand on his shoulder. “Lass like that can drive a lad mad. Make you do something you normally won’t.”

“She’s not that pretty, is she?” Rachel chimed in. “You just like anybody.”

Quinn shrugged. “Okello, you got a good look at her, what do you think?”

“What I think, isn’t relevant.” He found several gazes turned upon him. “She’s not my type. Too pale.”

Quinn rolled his eyes, turning to Adele. “Well Addy, what do you think? You like girls, right?”