Lemon Eyes

[Pablo]

Teary eyed Pablo watched as Lucia was carried away. Breathing was difficult at the moment, he nearly choked at the sight of a battered Lucia. It felt like he had damned her coming back her. His only comfort, if that was the proper word, was that Lucia still clung to life, if barely. Though faint he could still feel her mind. Lucia I love you. He knew not what else to say, or even if she could still hear him. When this was all said and done, he would find her once again.

Pablo flinched, as the hybrid grabbed by the arm and helped him onto his feet. He clutched Adele’s hand tightly into his. If Alena had forgiven him why the sense of foreboding. The lycan watched as his Queen led the way. Angry heat flared in his chest. Hate was the only emotion he felt Alena now. She’d nearly killed the one thing he cared most for, the only thing that mattered really. Despite his experiences Lucia had brought him such joy and emotion in a dire time. He only hope he could do the same for her.

Each step downward was taken with hesitation. Where were they going? He’d been in the basements below before, but access was largely restricted even to him. Though as they continued he felt his heart sink at the sight before him. They were going to lock him up, again. “A- A- Alena.” He stammered. “ I thought I was forgiven, please.” Pablo tried pulling away, but with the hybrids strong grip on him, it was a hopeless endeavor.

It was at the least better furnished than his previous cell, and likely they weren’t going to toss a collar around his throat. But the fact alone that he wouldn’t have his nightly visits from Lucia made his chest ache. He met Alena’s gaze rather easily. Where there was once admiration in his eyes now there was only anger. “Alena.” He said, her words barely registered in his mind. In truth he didn’t care what she had to say. As long as Lucia was fine, even if it meant being locked away. “You need to forgive Lucia. Ever since Raven’s death she’s been so alone. She’s needed something or someone, a friend, family, whatever, but you weren’t there for her.” He said teary eyed. “But Dane was. You left her easy to manipulate. This is as much your fault.” He said, squeezing Adele’s hand tight.

[Alena Wulf]

Adele tensed as Nero approached, stepping forward slightly. She opened her mouth to protest, or insist that Pablo didn't need his help; but no words came out. Instead, she let her friend grab her hand as the hybrid began taking them to wherever it was Alena was going. Casting a glance over her shoulder as they left the lobby, Adele's golden eyes darted toward the main doors.

For a moment, she considered reaching out to Okello, she could feel his presence within the den, but if he hadn't been among those in the lobby to witness their queen's return, it was likely he was still resting. Their encounter with Catherine had not left either of the pups in good condition; but Adele was certain that if it hadn't been for Okello, she would have ended in a far worse state than what she'd gotten. -Odin help us.-

As they neared the back of the mansion and approached the door Alena help open for them, the color drained from Adele's face, and she almost stopped completely. The wolf mother was taking them downstairs? She didn't think this was the door they'd gone through when Reece had released them; but there was no part of the young woman that wanted to go back to the basement again. The hybrid pulling Pablo along, however, showed no signs of stopping, and Adele wasn't going to leave her friend now.

Following quietly as Alena led them to another door and ushered them within, Adele squeezed her friend's hand, looking nervously around the room before glancing at Nero as he let go of Pablo and stood by the door.

*************

"I'm aware, thank you." Alena's voice was hard; expressing irritation, but not anger. "It's the only reason I didn't kill her." Lucia was the last thing Raven had given her, and though it seemed they had both left their daughter ill-prepared for the 'politics' those leeches practiced, Alena wasn't about to part with her king's daughter.

Looking upon Pablo now, the queen of lycanthropy furrowed her brows, before pushing herself onto her feet. "You are forgiven, Pablo." Stepping closer to the pup, Alena gazed at him with ice blue eyes, "However, I've been led to believe you had an encounter with some... Distant relatives of mine. And I don't relish the thought of you returning me to that leech once more." Looking hard upon the young pup, her eyes stopped along the man's neck "I simply want to assure that the, hmm, orders you were given, have been fulfilled."

Multiple bite marks still marred Pablo's neck; the but freshest set, the most notable set, where the marks of a hybrid's fangs across his throat. Alena lifted a hand to rest affectionately along the side of her pup's neck, covering the vampire's teeth, and placing her thumb gently across the marks Lucia had left. "My family hasn't always shared my enthusiasm for certain pastimes." Meeting Pablo's eyes, Alena smiled, "I'm uncertain of the extent my relatives got into your head. Or precisely to what end Dane had in mind."

Retracting her hand, the wolf queen looked over to her son, "I suspect I have Lucia to thank for Dane not killing me outright; despite that being the most probable of that leech's intentions." She shrugged slightly, returning her gaze to Pablo. "Then again, I wouldn't take a vampire's words at face value."

[Pablo]

Pablo grit his teeth; Alena was not the only irritated. Maybe that was true, Alena had spared her daughter because of the role she played in Lucia’s corruption. But how did beating her nearly to death help? Would it improve her disposition, make Lucia see how or what she’d done wrong? It was not a bet he was willing to make. She would only hate Alena more.

Goosebumps ran up along his arms as Alena stood and moved towards him. She spoke, but brought him little comfort. Despite what she said, Pablo didn’t feel forgiven. “ I know.” He said, averting his gaze. Realizing what he’d done was the most shameful moment of his life. Learning Lucia had made him wasn’t easy, but it hadn’t been here had it? Dane was just using Lucia. It was always his. “Lucia told me. I don’t know the extent, I wish I did.” He said nervously. Gazing up Alena at this moment was less than easy. Instead he glanced down at his hand clasped with Adele’s. “Maybe, Lucia knows? We can go talk to her.” He said, finally looking back at Alena hopefully.

The packmother was standing much closer than he realized. Pablo nearly flinched when Alena reached out and touched his throat. Once upon a time he would have cherished any contact or attention from Alena, but now it felt wrong. That was the hand, or one of the hands at least that had left Lucia bloodied and nearly dead. Her hand and fingers seemed to rest on the marks Catherine and Lucia had left him not hours ago. She spoke, like she knew what’d they’d done, her pastimes. His cheeks turned a slight shade of red. He hadn’t wanted to, though that was untrue with Lucia. Every bite had been exhilarating, no matter how much they’d taken from him. His body intertwined with theirs it… was not the time to think about that.

Despite the momentary distraction, Pablo thought he understood. Alena was keeping him here until she knew his mind was no longer being tampered with. There was only one, well two questions he had. “Alena, how long do I have to stay here? When can I see Lucia again?”

[Alena Wulf]

Watching Pablo as he cast his gaze away when he mentioned being unsure of the extent of what happened to him, Alena studied his features. The hopeful expression he bore on meeting the wolf queen's eyes again almost brought a smile to her face; yet Alena's expression remained somber. "You don't need to explain or worry. I will see it taken care of."

Noting the slight color rising in her pup's cheeks, the mother of lycanthropy offered him a sad smile. His questions were ones she planned on addressing, though she didn't imagine he'd take the answers too well. "Pablo." Alena sighed softly, "My children-- Raven's children. Hybrids. Their bite has an affect on their prey that is unique from a vampires'. A surviving victim may find themselves inexplicably, and increasingly sympathetic or devoted to the hybrid who's claimed them. And every bite deepens a thrall's bond to that hybrid."

Adele gasped audibly, before casting her gaze to the ground, biting her lip.

"This isolation is for your own good." Alena kept her gaze on Pablo. "I know I can't stop you from reaching out to my daughter; but it is in your own best interests to avoid speaking to her mind. I need your head clear and your judgement sound. Pablo." She wanted him to look her in the eyes, "Time will take Lucia's influence from you; and once your mind is your own again, you can decide when you will see Lucia again."

"A-Alena." Adele's voice was soft, but insistent. "You can't just leave him all alone here. Please. H-he.. you said yourself it wasn't his fault. But this--"

Holding up a hand, Alena met the girl's golden eyes, "Adele, enough. You and your... Friends? Will be allowed to visit." The werewolf queen looked back at her lieutenant, "I know this won't be easy for you. And I'm sorry."

[Pablo]

Pablo’s eyes narrowed as Alena spoke. Naturally he was inclined to believe what the pack mother spoke, but something felt off about what she said. Yes his feelings for Lucia hadn’t always been reasonable, but wasn’t that the point? He was in love, and love makes you do some dumb stuff. Everybody knew that, and Alena had told him you don’t get to choose the one you love. Pablo clenched his fist as Alena continued to speak. Adele gasped, but Pablo couldn’t help but wonder why. Did his friend believe Alena? “You’re lying.” He said confidently. The feelings he had were genuine. He knew because he wasn’t the only one Lucia had bit on multiple occasions. “What about Geir? There was another lycan with us, and he hated Lucia, more than anything. She bit him too.”

The lycan pulled his hand away from Adele, crossing his arms defiantly. He still felt weak, standing was more than an ordeal, but he managed. “You still want to hurt Lucia, but I won’t let you use me to do it.” He glanced away. “I love her Alena.” Pablo met her eyes once again. “Keep us apart as long as you want. Times not going to change that.” His tone was bitter. The thought of not seeing Lucia for days on end, it wrenched his gut, but worse was Alena and her words. The thought of his feelings being manufactured. Such a blatant lie, he was not that gullible. Pablo turned to Addy as she voiced his displeasure. “Addy it’s okay.” If Alena was true to her word, his confinement was temporary, and no matter the arrangement, if he got to see Adele and the others, it was likely better than his previous experiences spent in a cell. It meant Lucia, but the thought of her waiting for him on the other side, it nearly brought a smile to his lips. Maybe physically they could be kept apart, but mentally she was never far. He took a seat on the edge of the bed. Avoiding looking at Alena as she addressed him.

[Alena Wulf]

Lifting an eyebrow at Pablo's query, it took Alena a moment to recall the other lycan who'd had the privilege of an extended stay at Oslo coven residing in the gutted corpse of that den. "There are exceptions; though I'd wager she may not have taken as much from him as she did from you. Or Catherine."

Keeping an even gaze on Pablo as he pulled away from his friend to cross his arms and further deny the lycan queen's words, Alena sighed quietly. Casting a sidelong glance toward her son, the wolf mother turned back to her lieutenant as he sat on the bed. "Lucia already is, and will continue to be in more than enough pain." Did he really think that's what she cared about? She smiled, almost amused, "Pablo, I don't care who you fuck, or who you love. Honestly, I doubt my daughter knows her bite is capable of such." The queen of werewolves paused, bringing a hand up to run through her hair. "You'll feel better after your mind has cleared from the hybrid's kiss." She grimaced momentarily as her fingers brushed a tender spot along the back of her head.

Licking her lips, Alena looked to Adele, then back at Pablo. Pablo had heard her exchange with Marcus and Catherine; hell, he might have spent more time in their presence in Oslo than she might have initially thought. So he knew that Catherine intended on finding a 'replacement' for what she lost the previous night. "You're both so young. And though I hope you will not find yourselves in such a predicament so soon... There is something I plan to show you; something I hope to teach you, that may end up saving your skin."

A sharp pain in her abdomen, followed by a deep aching in her bones and muscles stopped Alena's words, and she winced slightly. "That will have to be another night, however." Taking a step closer to Nero, Alena paused, "Pablo, let me know if there's anything from your room I can bring you to help make your stay here more tolerable."

[Pablo]

Pablo grit his teeth as Alena continued. That seemed mighty convenient that he be affected and not Geir. He wouldn’t buy the bullshit Alena was selling him. His feelings for Lucia were genuine. That way his stomach fluttered when he thought of her, or how her toothy smile made him feel warm. The fun they had together it couldn’t have been faked. Once again, he clenched his fist angrily. Hadn’t Lucia suffered enough? Alena wanted to hurt her more as he thought. Oh, how he’d love to shift and show Alena some pain, but the very prospect hurt. He felt so weak, and lethargic, his bones and muscles ached. After he been burdened with silver, had his blood sampled, and was beaten unconscious it should not have come as a surprise. His shoulders slumped. He’d feel better after he had some rest. Lucia save a few angry exceptions had always made him feel well.

Lucia. Pablo tried to reach out to her. She felt so faint, was she even conscious? Your mother has locked me away in a cage. She wants to keep me away from you. I’m sorry. He grit his teeth. Could Lucia even hear him? After what Alena had done, it wasn’t like. Lucia was left bloodied, she needed him now to recuperate, and there was nothing he could do. The lycan ran his hands through his hair, frustrated. He glanced up at Alena. What the hell was she going on about. His eyes began to turn red, his chest ached. Why was Alena doing this. He hated her, and how he wanted to show the packmother, but he felt so lethargic. Her query only further upset. There was one thing that could make him feel better, and Alena was keeping her away from him. “I want you to leave.” He said angrily as he lay down against the bed, turning away from Alena.

[Alena Wulf]

It was easy to forget that Pablo was still so young; that Lucia was still so young. Time had a funny way of distorting after a certain point. The days spent training and teaching, and the nights spent hunting; somehow the extent of Pablo's progress lent a feeling that more time had passed than was true. Did he even count two decades yet? The recent events had taken their toll on everyone involved.

Watching the boy grow quiet, Alena could feel Reece reaching out to her, her ears perking as if he were just behind the door. It was just as well, she supposed; her words were falling on deaf ears, and there was nothing really to be done about that right now. There were still so many things demanding her attention.

When Pablo expressed his desire for her to leave, the wolf queen was already motioning for Nero to get the door. "Adele." Turning her cold gaze to the girl, Alena waited for the pup to leave before taking the door handle in hand to close and lock the door behind them.

Bringing a hand up to run through her hair, she stopped. Quiet laughter escaped as she noticed the blood under her nails; probably Lucia's. Cursing under her breath, the queen of lycanthropy waved Adele away, before moving to climb the stairs to the main level.

[Adele Holst]

Maybe it was just her tired eyes, but Adele swore she could see the slight movements of a couple of Alena's ribs cracking and popping back into place as she healed. Watching made her own chest hurt, and she looked away.

At the mention of Catherine, and as Pablo pulled away, Adele shifted uncomfortably. Looking at her friend, concern in her eyes, as he defiantly defended his feelings, the young woman bit her lip. She couldn't bare to see him like this. What Alena was saying was about what the vampire Catherine had left her with had said. Though she was loathe to trust that man, Alena repeating it gave it some merit. Except.... Pablo sounded so convinced that Alena was lying; so sure of his feelings. She'd been in his place before; before she'd become a werewolf. Her closest friend as a human had expressed his doubts and concerns about her boyfriend; but she hadn't listened. She was blind and in love, and she knew better. Or, she thought she had... Dropping her head at the thought, the young woman brought a hand up to rub the back of her neck.

The tone of Pablo's voice telling Alena to leave startled her. Perrin's heir looked to her friend in time to watch him turn over on the bed. Had she ever heard him sound so angry before? Certainly never at Alena. Pablo had always been so carefree and calm, even in the most tense of situations.

Her ears perked when the lycan queen called her name, but Adele hesitated. "I... I will come back when I can, Pablo." Biting her lip, she lingered a moment longer; it didn't feel right just leaving him here.

Turning her gaze to Alena, and then Nero, Adele reluctantly left her friend. In the hallway, she turned to the queen of werewolves, chewing on a question; yet she stopped as Alena rose a hand and began laughing. Confused, Adele spoke hesitantly, "Ah-are you ok, Alena?"

Yet the mother of lycanthropy simply waved her away. Taking a few careful steps back, before turning around, Adele ran toward the stairway, climbing them quickly to break through to the main floor. Glancing back as the door closed, the young woman shook her head, pulling her hoodie tighter around her.

She took this opportunity now to reach out to locate Okello, and made her way quickly to the infirmary. Over the years, Adele had made it a point to occupy this area as little as possible; the sterile white hospital walls left her feeling uneasy and vulnerable, and generally gave her the creeps. Walking through the doors to the infirmary, the blonde averted her gaze from any lycan who tried meeting her eyes, passing right by them, and straight to her friend. Tucking a strand of golden hair behind an ear, Adele offered Okello a small smile, pulling a chair over to where he was resting before deciding she didn't much feel like sitting after all. "How're you feeling, Okello?"

[Okello]

Okello smiled as Adele approached him. Seeing her again was good news, it meant her mission hadn’t gone at least terribly wrong, but were they successful? He’d awoken not too long ago, there were few in the infirmary than usual, some sort of commotion had happened. At the least Adele did not look distraught. He wanted to pry her for information, but it would come in time. “I am well Adele. And what of you?” He asked. Well was not the word he wanted to use, humiliated or foolish were more appropriate. There was Adele, having taken the worse of a beating at the hands of a vampire standing on his two feet. He’d suffered less and was bedridden. His injuries were largely internal, at this hour the lycan’s ability to passively heal would see him through, but it was why he could not join the pack on the raid or return to his friends.



The lycan studied Adele’s gaze. She would have been a mess if they’d failed to return to Pablo. He had to be fine, but still he held his query, genuinely concerned for Adele’s state. “I do know if I recall correct.” He spoke in a hushed tone. “But that thing bit you, did it not? You need to rest as much as I.” Okello was already feeling largely better. “Was there success in the mission?” He asked. “I know you have merely returned, but they have told me nothing.” Okello said, something fluttered in his chest. His friend and sire was alive and well, now he was back safe with them. Their pack would be whole again. No thought could be more comforting.