Lemon Eyes

[Adele Holst]

Her smile widened as Okello replied; he did look considerably better than before she'd left for Oslo. Was that what a full night's rest could do? It was good to see her friend looking better; his intervention, Adele believed, had likely saved her life. "I-I'll be ok." She was tired, the long drive back to Stockholm hadn't helped that; and she hurt so much. But she would be ok, she thought.

Maintaining eye contact with her packmate until he mentioned the vampiress they'd encountered biting her, Adele cast her golden gaze self-consciously to the floor. "I, uh." She'd almost forgotten that's how Okello had found her. Color rose to her face, embarrassed. "Yeah. I was bitten." Looking back up to her friend, the young woman tried bringing a small smile back to her face. "You saved my skin, Okello." Resting a knee on the bed and leaning forward, Adele threw her arms around the man's shoulders for a moment, in an awkward, but sincere hug. She didn't linger long, not wanting to make her friend uncomfortable; and tried withholding the soft grunt of pain as she felt the wounds in her shoulders flare up.

Stepping back, she bumped into the chair she'd brought over, and sat down resolutely. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Adele nodded to Okello. "Pablo and Alena have both been brought back. And Alena has forgiven Pablo of any wrongdoing." She wished her smile could have been bigger, that her worries for Pablo would have disappeared with his return; but that was not the case. Where should she even start to try and explain? "He is not well, Okello. He isn't... Himself." Running a hand nervously through her hair, she continued, "I thought Lucia was a vampire. In the cave, he mentioned her like she was, but she isn't a whole one." She laughed quietly, a small smile on her face, "Lucia is the living proof of all Pablo's musings about Alena's relationship with the former vampire king. And she, Lucia... Her bite did something to Pablo."

[Okello]

There was a nervous air to Adele, but at least she smiled as she assured her well being. Still despite the woman’s anxiety, Okello felt strangely comforted. If something had happened to his sire Adele would be in a far worse state. The bond she shared with Pablo ran deep. Okello kept his gaze on the lycan’s golden eyes. The topic of the thing that had attacked them appeared to be unwanted. Adele awkwardly gazed away, blushing. It wasn’t loss upon him, there was so much that made his friend uncomfortable, but why would this? She’d been attacked on a battlefield. Certainly she’d loss the fight, but she was still alive. And that vampire… the way it moved. “Adele, I must return the sentiment. If not for you…” He’d be a bloody pulp. He let out a soft grunt as she embraced him. His chest and shoulder aching, there’d been a number of bruised and broken ribs. When was the last she had embraced him? Adele was acting strange. “You must know, there is no shame in what occurred. That thing Adele, I couldn’t lay a claw on it, but you nearly slew her.” At the least she’d forced it to flee. “We still live to fight another day thanks to you. We will be ready for it, next time.”



The lycan sat up slightly, as Adele mentioned the names of the two captive lycans. They had to be back. Considering the commotion. Adele was not at an entirely loss of words. The small break after their names felt like an eternity, it was only a fraction of a second. They were back. His shoulders slumped with relief, even when he had known. Pablo was even relieved of any wrong doing. After everything that happened to them. Renn could burn in hell the sadistic bastard. However, Adele continued. Okello eyed her with some level of concern. There were always complications. Of course he was not well he had spent time as a captive to vampires, yet he let her continue. Lucia? The name had a vague familiarity to it. Yes, Alena’s daughter, he had heard the name before. She was both vampire and lycan? Pablo had spoken of Alena’s intimacy with Viktor. He claimed the elder lycans knew if you confronted one they’d- He shook his head. That was not the important part. “I do not doubt you, but how do you know. He’s been under stress Adele, certainly it must have taken a toll.” He said, but the nervousness in which she spoke, the anxiety was not hidden by her smile. The lycan reached a hand out to rest on her leg. “What has Alena said of the matter?”

[Adele Holst]

"You must know, there is no shame in what occurred."

Casting her gaze away when her friend spoke, Adele brought a hand up to rub the back of her neck, self-consciously. Her initial discomfort was primarily at the thought of her friend, or anyone, really, seeing her so exposed. Despite the comfort most of her packmates had (or at least grew into a bit after a few years as a lycan) strutting around nude; Adele was still less than fond of being seen in such a state. And the way that vampire had held her, touched her; that had made her feel more vulnerable and exposed than she could recall feeling in almost a decade.

Additional discomfort, and guilt, filled Adele as she remembered that night. The lycan who'd reached out to her for help, right before she'd encountered Catherine... He'd needed her to be there, her help; but she hadn't gotten upstairs quick enough. That lycan's mindlink was still open, pleading for help, when he was killed; and the abrupt silence in her mind before his presence fully left was haunting.

Adele shivered, biting her lip; but tried to smile as Okello continued. She wasn't sure what fight he'd witnessed. It'd felt far more like Catherine had almost slain her; but she appreciated his sentiment. Still, she wasn't confident they'd be ready for Catherine the next time they met. It felt like she'd stolen someone else's luck to get away from her in Oslo. If Marcus hadn't let them leave...

Nodding absently as Okello explained the stress Pablo had been under, Adele looked down at her lap, "I- I know." Her fists clenched tight, and she held her breath for a moment when her friend reached out to touch her. She knew he meant it to be comforting; but the young woman was silent for a moment before speaking into her friend's mind. "Alena was how I heard... And. She told Pablo as much: that, umm, a hybrid's bite can... Enthrall? A person." The word was still a little strange to her. She met Okello's eyes, "But he does not agree." She could still see how Pablo had looked at the girl when they'd reached the getaway car. Was she simply overreacting? Maybe, but... "He thinks Alena is lying. I've never seen him so angry..."

[Okello]

Okello noticed Adele’s downcast eyes. He mentally swore at himself. There should have never been a question of Adele’s understanding. His friend was familiar with stress, just as much as Okello. Her eyes had always been sad eyes. She’d endured suffering, and just recently not too dissimilar to what Pablo had endured; captivity. Though they’d both had a taste of that. A subtle shiver ran across his head, Adele was reaching into his mind, he was familiar enough with her presence. He met her rare golden gaze. There was a mysticism to them, it made her stand out among their kin, a sign she was special. And she was despite her belief. It was beyond her strength, the way she’d fought a night ago, but her cares, they were of similarity to his. Even in her battered state their concern was for Pablo; his sire. She was a true friend. Unfortunately, her words brought him little comfort. Pablo was enthralled, as he understood that meant Lucia had made him obsessed with her, through her bite? He felt a pit in his gut. There were stranger things, they were after all lycan. He glanced away from Adele. Did this mean his mind wasn’t his own? Pablo had never been obsessed with anyone, except maybe Alena? He always had time to talk about the packmother. Maybe it was a byproduct of that?



His gaze returned to Adele. No, she seemed to certain, if Alena had said, and if Pablo was truly angry at the pack mother. Adele was nearly correct, he had never seen Pablo angry, at an another lycan, or nearly ever. He still remembered the day they’d met. Amara and him hiding under a burning shed, surrounded by pain the loss of life. He’d been so angry at the sight of wanton cruelty, injustice. But wasn’t this far from it. From what he knew the vampires had committed injustices, and if Lucia was with them… he should have hated her. The den in Rome it was close to what had happened to his town. Adele, can we go to him? He spoke into her, sitting a little upright, attempting to display his wellness. Though the concern was written in his eyes. Alena meant everything to Pablo. The admiration his sire felt for the packmother was palpable at times. He clenched his first. Is there something Alena can do? There must be a way to fix him. His message reached her quickly, his words quick in succession a hint of panic. The thought of Pablo losing his mind, it was too much.

[Alena Wulf]

Gazing up at her son, the queen of werewolves placed a hand on the hybrid's chest; her brows furrowing as she felt her balance falter momentarily. She'd slept damn near the entire drive home, yet Alena still felt like living hell. Her muscles felt weak and her body hurt; hunger gripped her, but it felt like she could sleep for ages if given half a chance. But despite all that, her pack was vulnerable, their home a wreck. She didn't think the vampires would strike so quickly; at least not Dane. But what if there were other covens nearby? How far had her enemy actually gotten in her absence? She couldn't trust that there would be any sort of grace period, no matter how short; not to ensure the safety of her pack; of the pack she had left. No, Alena couldn't let them find an opening.

"Mother." Nero's voice brought the lycan queen's attention back, and she smiled for her son.

Whatever the hybrid had wanted to say, however, was left unspoken as Alena turned toward the stairway at the sound of the basement door opening, and footsteps descending. When Reece came into view, the mother of lycanthropy extended her other hand to him, beckoning him closer. Her heart ached at his presence, but it felt good to see him again after so long. "Reece, are you well enough?" Her pup looked far from whole after his encounter with Dane and the vampires in Oslo, but he was in better shape than many of the other werewolves who'd made it home after that ordeal, and he was the most senior wolf under this roof. Alena knew she could trust him to keep the den safe while she hunted down any nearby threats.

Reece inclined his head toward Alena, "I am, my queen," before offering a nod to Nero. "Regulus, you have my deepest gratitude."

The hybrid offered a slight nod in return before Alena spoke again, addressing Reece, "I need you to stay and keep the den safe while I take...." The mother of lycanthropy stopped, stifling a pained groan as lightning shot through her abdomen.

Frowning, Nero reached for Alena, keeping her steady. Gritting his teeth, he studied his mother for a moment before speaking, "You should rest."

"There will be time for that later." Looking up at her son, the mother of lycanthropy smiled, "Thank you, Nero, for getting me out of that hole." He looked so much like Raven, it hurt. Alena reached up to touch his cheek.

"I will stay." Nero met his mother's pale blue eyes; it had been millennia since he'd seen her like this. "I will remain until the den has seen some repairs. Rest. Please."

Cocking an eyebrow, Alena watched her son speak, listening to his words and the things he didn't say. She hadn't expected him to stay; over the last few centuries, his visits, while frequent enough, were always short. Yet with Nero here, she could afford the luxury to relax. At least, for a little. Emotion tried crawling up her throat; the wolf queen pulled her son's face close to hers to nuzzle before turning back to Reece.

"My queen," Reece spoke low once he had Alena's attention, "She is not well."

Nodding slightly, Alena cast a glance to Nero before moving passed Reece to climb the stairs to the main floor. Yes, she suspected Lucia would not be well; it was her intention, after all. But the lycan queen had not forgotten the silver bullet Dane had given her daughter before their departure; and that injury was what worried Alena most.

[Adele Holst]

Adele nodded at her friend's initial question; Alena had said they could see Pablo. Reaching out slightly when Okello attempted to sit upright, the young lycaness shifted uncomfortably. "O-Okello..." He still looked rough, and as his thoughts raced through her mind, his concern evident, the blonde tucked a strand of hair behind an ear.

Standing carefully as her friend shifted his weight to get out of bed, Adele waited until she was sure he was steady on his feet; holding out an arm for Okello should he need it to keep his balance. The thought of Adele's small frame offering support for Okello might have brought some laughter to the young woman in the past. But she knew what he'd endured at that vampire's hands; there was nothing from that encounter that Perrin's heir found amusing.

Her golden gaze darted down the halls as she led her friend to the basement Pablo had been taken to, looking at each passing lycan without actually making eye contact. "Alena said 'time'." Odin, that answer was unsatisfying.

Just as Adele was about to grab the handle, the door opened from the other side, surprising her. She stepped back, startled, as Reece and Nero began to step onto the main floor. Clenching her fists, Adele stepped back further, away from Nero as he started to move by, her eyes locked on the hybrid.

"Miss Adele." Reece stopped, though Nero continued to walk away. "And Mister Okello."

Biting her lip, Adele pulled her gaze away from Nero, turning to meet Reece as he greeted them. "W-we wanted to see Pablo."

Regarding the pups silently for a moment, Reece held the basement door open for Okello and Adele, before following them down to unlock the door to Pablo's room. "You will need to reach me to leave." Without another word or further explanation, Reece closed the pups within the room, and left.

Reaching for the handle almost as soon as the door closed, Adele tried pulling on it to open the door; yet a strong lock seemed to have already been activated. Biting her lip anxiously, the blonde turned to her friends.

[Okello]

It was a difficulty refraining from frowning, Okello failed in the endeavor. Time healed all wounds as it was said, but that required patience. His sire was not always the most patient individual. The thought of Pablo held up in a cell for weeks. That would be literal torture for him. Caged like a beast, like they were. He shook his head. Pablo’s arrangements would be more adequate. He was for one allowed to see his friends. Wordless he nodded at Adele as together they began to make their way.



Okello moved away as the door to the basement open, stepping back from Adele, no longer using his friend as support. It wasn’t needed, she was in worse state than he, and considering who was walking through the door, a show of weakness could be folly. “My Queen.” Okello said stoically, falling to a knee and bowing his head. He glanced at the two others, slowly rising. Reece he knew, Okello nodded towards the elder lycan. But the third individual was unfamiliar. Perhaps even unsettling. The lycan glanced between the hybrid and Adele. Who is he? He is strange. Subconsciously Okello’s noise wrinkled, there was something off about his scent, unlike any lycan he had known.



He followed Adele and Reece, into the basement and into Pablo’s room. Okello glanced about as he stepped within, yes it was a more pleasant arrangement, but it was still a windowless dark room. His gaze fell upon Pablo’s unmoving body. His heart skipped a beat. He looked worse for wear, wounds across his body, but he was in one piece. After everything they’d heard, the rumors and from Renn, Okello had tried to ignore them, place faith in his sire, he’d even believed he had, yet looking at Pablo now. The relief was insurmountable, perhaps he had been worrying. “Pablo!” The lycan let out a surprising amount of emotion as he practically jumped towards his sires side.



Pablo’s eyes slowly opened at the sound of his name. They were red with exhaustion, his entire body felt heavy and his head ached. Glowering he looked up at a familiar face. Why was Okello waking him? It took a moment of realization. He hadn’t seen Okello in weeks. “Okello.” He smiled weakly, glancing then at Adele. “I’m glad to see you again.”



“Likewise, my friend. I should have never let you leave. You’d been through much then and now…” He placed a hand on Pablo’s shoulders, slightly smiling. “There’s much you need to explain to Adele and I.”



Pablo shook his head. If he hadn’t gone with Alena that night, he would have never met Lucia, well truly meet her, knowing her on a variety of basis. Personally, there was no regret, and he wanted Okello to know. Yet as his friend continued it gave Pablo pause. They were here just to talk? He felt tired, and weak, he needed rest. “So you’re not here to break me out?” He said to a half-hearted laugh from Okello. Why was that funny? Pablo wouldn’t allow them to spend a single night behind a cell, yet apparently his friends thought he needed or perhaps even deserved this. He grit his teeth. “I’m tired, can’t this wait till morning?” He said coldly.

[Adele Holst]

Adele's ears perked slightly as Okello's voice entered her mind, but she kept her golden gaze locked on the hybrid as he walked by. She still couldn't place what it was about him, and even Lucia; but danger seemed to radiate off them; silent threats. She found herself almost glaring at the man as he walked by, but she reluctantly pulled her attention away from the hybrid, speaking to Okello. "I don't know his name, but I think he is Lucia's brother. Born from Alena and the vampire king." What was the old king's name? "Raven."

Taking a small step forward as Okello rushed toward their friend, Adele found herself lingering back, closer to the door as she watched their encounter. Bringing a hand up to her shoulder, the young woman rubbed the muscle, trying to work the ache from the healing wound Catherine had left her with, though it didn't seem to help much.

Lowering her gaze to the floor when Okello asked Pablo to explain what had happened to him, the young lycaness started chewing on her lip. Would Pablo blame her; think she was trying to turn Okello against him or Lucia? It wasn't her desire at all, she only wanted Pablo to be safe; to be ok. She could still hear the tone of his voice as he pushed himself off her back in Oslo, asking what was wrong with her because she refused to go back and risk their freedom and their lives for someone she'd believed had been a catalyst for all these horrible things. Something in her chest ached.

Adele looked back up toward Pablo when he spoke; but his words were so cold. She felt like she'd been slapped. Perrin's heir had a strong urge to turn back toward the door and run out, run away; she could feel tears beginning to well up at the corners of her eyes. Okello didn't deserve that kind of response, either. But wasn't this just proof their friend was unwell? Wiping at her eyes quickly, Adele spoke quietly, trying to explain to Okello and hopefully get a little more insight out of Pablo, "Part of why Alena wanted to keep Pablo here, is to make sure what happened, whatever made him attack her, is gone."

[Okello]

Okello reluctantly looked back over his shoulder at Adele. She was not taking this well, neither was he for that matter, but at the end it was Pablo who was suffering, even if he seemed unaware of it. We have to be strong for him. He thought, though not entirely certain if he was capable. They’d been separated for weeks, undergone trying experiences, and Pablo didn’t even seem to care. He didn’t even deign himself to ask how they were doing. How much of the blame did that Lucia deserve? Understandable his experiences had been… stressful at the least, but even then, unless they’d truly broken his sire; something he thought incapable, he should have at least feigned happiness at the sight of them, not insist escape.



“You must understand, we worried for you. Some thought you had died; waiting was not a possibility.” Pablo wouldn’t have waited, not if their circumstances had been swapped. He shook his head. Someone unfamiliar with his sire wouldn’t realize, yes something had been done, and if Adele said this Lucia was to blame. Again, he turned back to Addy as she spoke. Another development. Had Lucia been responsible for that too? He glanced back, just in time to see his sire roll over, facing away.



Pablo sighed out of frustration. Hurting Alena, he’d never wanted to, never thought of it until today, after she’d struck Lucia. That though would have been justified. Learning what he had done to his Queen had nearly broken him, but Lucia had been there to comfort him, explaining it was not his fault, not his choice. “They did something to me; Dane… Lucia said he knew witches, they cast a spell on me?” It was frustrating to recall. “Lucia said it won’t happen again.” He felt his bones ache, his being felt heavy against the mattress, his weary body called for him to rest. “Now, please.” He said pulling a blanket over himself. “I need to sleep.” He said clearly irritated. “We can speak in the morning.”

[Adele Holst]

Frowning as Pablo rolled over, facing away from her as she spoke, Adele's gaze found the floor once more, her fists clenching tight. Something in her stomach felt sour; this wasn't like her friend, but she didn't know what to do or how to help. All she could really do right now was trust that Alena was right and knew how to best go about this. Which was.... Frustrating, to say the least. As much as the young lycan had been loathe to trust such people with greater power when she was still human, she needed her best friend to get better. She couldn't lose him now.

When Pablo began to speak, Adele stepped forward carefully, bringing a hand up to clasp the pendent she wore around her neck. A spell? Dane knew witches? She found herself biting her lip, accidentally drawing blood. What if the vampires employed witches again?

Approaching the bedside as Pablo, again, expressed his need for sleep, pulling a blanket over himself, Adele removed her necklace. Whispering to the World Tree pendent, the young woman leaned forward to loop the chain around her friend's neck, "Möge Odin Sie vor denen beschützen, die Sie gebrauchen würden... Rest well, Pablo."

Looking over to Okello as she pulled away and walked back to the door, Adele reached out to Reece to let them out.