Lemon Eyes

[Okello]

The last few days had not been easy. Okello’s sire was still in recovery, Pablo’s behavior; erratic at best, the young man was not himself. It was difficult spending much time with him, when all he asked for was Lucia, the one responsible – at least in part – for his current state. It was irrational, and though he knew love could make one act that way, Okello did not think that was the sole cause. The way his moods fluctuated, from amicable to angry, to pleasant once again, it was off, Alena was almost certainly correct. The hybrid had ‘enthralled’ his sire, it was a gut wrenching thought, but time sever the bond, Alena had said, and so it have been as so, she was the pack queen after all. Time to himself was what Pablo needed, and so despite the insistence of the others, he had denied them visiting. It was another difficult matter, but the thought of sparing his sister the sight of him made it worthwhile. How could he ruin the pristine image of him in Amara’s mind? He smiled as he walked. Of course knowing her, maybe that was impossible, she held the young man to incredibly high standards. Most surprising they had all adhered to his wishes, not a single one, save for Adele, had made the attempt, and he was not quite in position to deny them. That respect was oddly comforting, but it came with a responsibility he did not want. What if his sire never improved? Would that make Okello the leader of their little pack? It was not what he wanted.

Okello needed to think, a quite place and space, but the mansion was bustling with activity. However, he knew a spot, guaranteed to be empty, one he had increasingly used recently as a place to meditate, dwell alone with his thoughts. It was of course Pablo’s room. He had first done so the day of Pablo’s disappearance. While he was gone, despite the rooms austere nature, it comforted him, reminding him of his sire’s presence, steadfast, the only solid foundation in his life, outside of Amara, since the death of his family. Now, it reminded him of who Pablo had been, or rather who he would be again, once he was healed. And that was also very comforting.

Rounding the corner, Okello’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Pablo’s door ajar. Had he recovered so quickly, over night? It was wishful thinking, the lycan was well aware. Still he dashed the last few steps to the door, deep down knowing if his sire was within, the scent would be stronger. He pushed it open, the small smile forming quickly vanishing at the sight of the stranger within, Lucia. He knew her at the sight, she was beautiful, slender, with a silky long hair the shade of auburn, perhaps a touch or too pale for his liking, but it was undeniable that she was lovely. Then there was her scent, unlike any lycan he had encountered, though not far off, like smelling Quinn, and then one of his cousins. And of course there was the fact she was here. He believed to know any lycan who would snoop about Pablo’s room. It was a strange feeling. Okello was here simply because Pablo’s presence was comforting, he loved his sire as a friend and family. Pablo had insisted he had Lucia’s love.

“You must be Lucia.” Okello said, as the girl turned to face him. He left the door open, extending a hand. A matter of caution couldn’t hurt. She was dangerous, between Alena and Pablo, he had gathered that much. Whether she was a victim in this too, as Pabo had insisted, or not was not so relevant. She enjoyed the taste of lycan, she was part vampire, and he did not want to end up like his sire. “I’ve heard quite a bit of you. I am Okello, perhaps you know of me?” He said. This was as good as any opportunity to get a read on the girl. Pablo wanted her to join their little pack. His judgment though was not the best. He sighed internally, remembering that Pablo had too wanted Adele to meet her. Two impressions were better than one, and truth be told, he did not want to be alone with the pale girl.
Addy, I've found Lucia. She's in his - Pablo's room, please join us as soon as you can. 

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Placing the knife back within the drawer, the hybrid licked her lips, running her lithe fingers across the fabric of the clothes within. It smelled so much like Pablo she wanted to fold herself into the drawer and sleep until it was he, who'd awaken her.... Just as he had in Oslo, before Marcus had come to gather them up and take them to Alena. Her pet had already been drained of so much, and had still borne evidence of her flail's punishment; yet he'd offered himself so easily to her. And he'd sounded so heart-breakingly sincere.

The memory stung, guilt and grief stirring in her chest. She had to get to him, no matter the cost. Her mother was wrong; yet she seemed to insist on punishing Pablo for her own wrong-doings. Lucia had seen it in Pablo's eyes, the love and devotion, and she could hear it in his words, and feel it in his actions. Pablo truly had chosen her over Alena. And no amount of influence her mother said a hybrid bite could contain, could make such devotion sound so true. Pablo loved her; and she loved him.

Taking a pair of boxers into her hands, the hybrid contemplated how she could smuggle them out with her. Should she just put them on? Lucia was about to do just that when she heard the door creak softly, and felt someone else's presence behind her. She turned quickly, hiding Pablo's underwear behind her back. A strange heat rose in the girl; who was this intruder and how dare he enter her love's room? She was about to demand as much until the man spoke, extending a hand out to her. Quickly, her frustration faded; the hybrid glanced toward this stranger's hand before meeting his eyes again. "Good evening."

Blindly putting Pablo's boxers back in the drawer, the girl stepped toward this lycan. He didn't sound upset with her; in fact, it was safe to say this was the most pleasant greeting she'd received since returning to the den. The most pleasant greeting by a long shot. Gliding closer, Lucia offered her hand to Okello, palm down, for him to take; her eyes, a deep red, did not stray from his. "It's lovely to meet you, Okello." The slightest of smiles formed upon her face; he smelled similar to Pablo. "Yes, Pablo has mentioned you." Something light turned in her chest; Pablo had said this Okello was a good friend. Perhaps he would take her to him. Or at least relay a message to Pablo for her. "Is he- How has he been? I miss him terribly..."

[Okello]

Okello shifted uncomfortably as Lucia turned to face him, and her crimson gaze met his eyes. They were as equally captivating as they were disturbing, part of him wanted to break eye contact, the other wished to stare. Facing her, he could see now, Lucia was not simply attractive, she was a rare and unique beauty. He could see how his sire could fall for such a thing. It was a mild curiosity at times, what would catch Pablo’s eye, now Okello thought he knew. Now he did not see his sire as one to fall in love over one’s physical beauty, on top of it all she was Alena’s daughter, knowing how the pack mother and Pablo got along, and if the daughter did not fall to far from the mother, perhaps there was love, both ways, and Lucia’s bite enthralling him was an unforeseen circumstance. She was here, alone in his room, that meant at the very least she cared, unless it was an elaborate ploy to fool them.



“It is my pleasure.” The lycan said, his eyes momentarily falling to Lucia’s extended hand. What was she doing? His eyes glanced between her gaze, and her fingers. Reaching out with both hands, she took hers in his. A subtle pause as he felt the touch of her skin. Unnaturally soft, like velvet. He shook her hand quickly before withdrawing his to his side. The lycan crossed his arms, gazing down at Lucia. It warmed him that she was concerned for his Pablo, but it was impossible to ignore, he was kept separate because of her, his state was no matter what, to some extent her fault. She had been lied, and cheated to, he would have to remember. “He is slowly recovering. Confinement does not suit him well, he is often irritated.” His mood was still far from amicable. Physically the wounds were close to healing, if they had not already, it was from her bite that he still needed recovery. How did he explain that? “Though he speaks much of you, and that seems to brighten his day.” He sighed, eying her carefully. “I long for the day he can walk among us again… Lucia, he is concerned for you… ” It was as good as a time as any, Pablo wanted her to join their pack. While she was dangerous, that much was evident, she did not seem like an immediate threat. If she loved Pablo, she would not hurt anyone he cared for her, and he would make it clear, under no circumstances was she to bite one of them. “very much so. He fears you are lonely.” There was no other way to put it. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on her arm and shoulder. “And has asked I extend this offer to you. We, that is, our friends gather every night. There is an empty study we meet in, most nights there is at least a pair of us out hunting. When you are finished with your chores, it would be an honor for you to join us, that is if that is to your liking, Lucia?”

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

Lucia kept the small smile on her face even as Okello seemed to hesitate with how to take her hand. She shouldn't have been surprised at his informality; elegance was not among the first traits to spring to mind when she considered werewolves. Still, she took an end of her dress with her free hand and offered a graceful curtsy as the man did grab her hand with his.

For a moment, as Okello mentioned that Pablo was recovering, the hybrid's smile grew. Yet it fell before the end of this lycan's sentence. Her crimson eyes fell to the floor by this man's feet, and she clasped her hands in front of her lap, trying not to clench them noticeably. "He has had to endure far too much confinement recently. Mother is only being cruel by keeping him locked away, now." Lucia met Okello's eyes once more, "I, too, wish to see him free." Perhaps with Okello's help, she could break Pablo out...

When the man expressed Pablo's concerns, Lucia brought her left hand to her chest. The warmth of Okello's touch was comforting, almost too much; she could feel her fangs ache. Yet the sentiment proved to be more profound for the moment. The girl's gaze faltered as she felt a slight sting at the corners of her eyes. "I have been very lonely." The words came out as a whisper.

Okello's invitation touched her in a way she wasn't quite expecting. Pablo had insisted that she would be welcome among his friends; yet that wasn't something the girl had truly considered. The thought of returning to her mother's home had not been appealing at all; but the odds of Pablo's friends accepting her had seemed even more unlikely. Something light filled her chest for a moment; joy. "I would love to join you and your friends!" Jumping happily toward the werewolf, Lucia wrapped her arms around the back of his neck in an embrace, letting herself dangle for a moment in glee.

[Okello]

The girl curtsy as Okello took Lucia’s hand was unexpected. She was certainly eccentric. His eyebrow cocked as he watched her, feeling some amount of amusement. Was she being playful or perceive this as a proper greeting? He remembered; Pablo had said she had spent years living in near isolation. It had left her naïve, and easy to manipulate. He wasn’t sure what to expect, Okello knew she allegedly led the attack on the den not a week past, and had announced their retreat. Looks could be deceiving, but she hardly seemed like a bloodthirsty killer, and more of a figurehead. A teenage girl wrought with emotion. One moment she smiled pleasantly, the next tears formed in the corner of her eyes. Most importantly it seemed she genuinely cared for his sire. The hurt was evident in her voice when she spoke of him. There was regret that it came to this. “Lucia, it causes me to hurt too, it seems unnecessary, but I would not doubt your mother’s wisdom.” The woman had lived for damn near an eternity. And Pablo’s behavior was concerning. The pack mother had little reason to lie to them, save to hurt her daughter. It seemed to him there were simpler ways of doing so. “It may make matter easier for him, if there was a message you would like for me to pass on. Or if you wished to write a letter?”



Okello’s chest felt tight at the sight of her tears. The anguish seemed real, reminded him of his sister the time’s he would comfort her. “If you-“ He began before she suddenly exclaimed her intention to join them, and lunge into his arms. “Oof” Okello grunt, instinctively catching the girl within his arms, he suddenly felt very tense. This was not how one greeted a stranger, she was pressed intimately close, and seemed intent to continue the embrace. He could feel her bare arms against his, her skin again, soft, pleasantly making contact with his. He shifted uncomfortable. The bites along Pablo’s neck, if she so lunged at his throat. Addy, please hurry. He was no stranger to embraces. His towering structure, and role of the older brother among his pack had made him a preferred target. This however, felt off. It was the proximity, the duration, the fact he couldn’t deny that holding her was quite pleasant, or the way she leaned against him. He felt a tad warmer than usual, letting his arms drop to the side. “They will be happy to meet you.” He said, shifting once again. “There is a small matter to discuss. I am unsure of how to say this, but Lucia, you know we are not to be bit?” Okello spoke slowly, carefully, like his words might suddenly trigger the girl. His hands rose ready to shove her off if need be.

[Adele Holst]

Shivering as she returned to her human skin, Adele slipped on her underwear and pants in one swift motion. Reaching for the shirt she'd thrown among the leaves some time earlier, her ears perked at the sound of Damien stepping closer.

"You've healed up really well."

The young woman straightened her back, slipping her arms into the shirt but refraining from pulling it over her head just yet. She could feel the warmth of her Sire's son behind her. Smiling softly, Adele nodded, "You were right. About healing faster as the wolf."

Damien was silent for a moment before placing his fingertips on a spot between Adele's shoulder blades. "What's this from?"

The lycaness tensed slightly, before glancing back as if she could see where he was touching. But she already knew, "It's ah..." Turning her head forward again as she realized the boy had yet to don any clothes, the golden-eyed girl continued, "I was struck there from silver bullet. Rickter... A vampire named Rickter came to Athens the day after Perrin died. I eh, kinda got my ass kicked."

Shivering again, Adele pulled the shirt over her head and was about to reach for the hoodie nearby when she felt Damien's arms wrap around her waist, pulling her back into his chest. How was he so warm wearing nothing and she was still freezing? She'd been so cold since Rome.

"But you're still alive." He rested his chin lightly on the young woman's head, holding her firm.

She didn't resist the contact. The slightest hint of question in her pack mate's voice was enough that Adele thought she understood what he meant. "Ja, I... Don't really know why. There were other vampires with him; they didn't know Perrin had died, I think. I don't really remember a lot except the fire of silver; but they took me somewhere."

Pausing as she felt Okello reach out to her, Adele turned her gaze toward the mansion. Lucia was in Pablo's room. They'd agreed that the hybrid should be handled in pairs at least, especially while Pablo was being isolated. "I'll be right there, Okello."

Damien seemed to feel the girl stiffen, so he pulled away from the embrace, turning toward his discarded clothes. "What happened then?"

Pulling the nearest hoodie over her head, Adele found herself smiling as Damien's scent seemed to still surround her. His hoodies were so comfy. The boy's question brought her back to what she was saying though. She had to forcefully keep back the tears that seemed so ready to fall, "Szandor." Clearing her throat quietly, she turned toward Damien, "He'd gotten to the villa just after the attack. Alex sent him after me, and... And he saved me." Frowning, the young lycaness cast her golden eyes to the forest floor; she seemed to need to be saved an awful lot...

"I'm glad." Pulling a shirt over his head, Damien stepped closer.

"I need to go." Adele met the boy's eyes. "You- you said you were helping Alena later tonight?" She began slipping her socks and shoes on.

Perrin's son nodded, "Early morning. I'll be around. You gonna be ok?"

The blonde girl nodded, "See ya later." And turned toward the mansion.

"You need to eat!" She could hear Damien's voice in her head as she made her way quickly through the trees back to the den.

Taking the stairs to the third floor two at a time, Adele had just gotten to the second floor landing when she felt Okello reach out to her again, asking her to hurry. Anxiety rose in the blonde; her friend sounded alright, but the fact he was asking her to hurry made her nervous. What was Lucia doing?

Breaking into the third floor hall where her best friend's room was, she could see his door open from here. Breaking into a run, Adele slowed as she neared the room and heard Okello speaking calmly. Although, what she saw as she stepped into the doorway was not what she'd been expecting.

The hybrid girl was pressed close to Okello, holding him snuggly, while her friend had his arms raised in a manner that seemed to suggest he was ready to throw her off at a moment's notice. His last words drew some concern from Adele as well; the girl hadn't tried to bite Okello, had she?

"Hey, Okello." Her voice was soft, but more than audible as she stepped into the room beside her friend. The young woman kept her golden gaze on Lucia. Reaching for her necklace, Adele had a moment of panic before remembering that she'd placed it around Pablo's neck for protection.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

There was a frown upon the girl's face when Okello cautioned not to doubt her mother's wisdom. It was foolish of her to forget where she was; these beings where here under Alena's protection, they would defend her in return. Even Pablo's closest friends, it seemed. Seeking this man's aid in freeing her love was perhaps not the best idea afterall.

Still, her crimson eyes lit up when the werewolf offered to deliver a message to Pablo for her, "What an excellent idea! I shall write something for tomorrow evening. For now: please, just let him know how much I miss him."

Okello's arms around her waist, returning the embrace, however brief, seemed to help fill a void within the hybrid. She pressed closer, happy, when he stated that the rest of Pablo's friends would be glad to meet her. Yet his arms fell quickly away from her, and as he began to speak again, Lucia stepped back to meet his gaze. Her brow furrowed, and she gazed up at the man, her bottom lip pushing out slightly, looking hurt. He didn't want her to bite him; he truly did believe the lies Alena had been spreading. Red eyes fell to the floor by her feet. "Pablo offered his blood to me willingly." Her voice was quiet, soft. He had also seemed pretty adamant that she not bite from others since she had him... But she couldn't have him right now. She'd already had to go so long without him. Sighing, the girl looked back up to Okello, "Yes, I know." Lifting the corners of her lips into soft smile, Lucia conceeded.

Her gaze turned quickly toward the door as she heard someone else draw near, and her smile grew wider. The young woman who'd inherited the late Perrin Goldeneyes' strength stepped into the room, joining Okello's side. "Addy. How nice to see you again!" The girl stepped forward to throw her arms around the blonde in a hug. "I'm still so incredibly happy you were able to find my dear Pablo. I feared something horrible had happened and I'd never see him again."

[Okello]

“A letter… yes.” That had not been his implication, but Lucia she seemed quite pleased with the idea. She was eccentric to say the least. It did not seem like the best form of communications, he would have served as a medium. Then there were private matters that may not concern him, maybe a letter was better.


Okello tensed further, as Lucia took his surprise to her embrace as further invitation, pressing closer to him. This had surpassed the level of chaste, the length, the closeness. He was too aware of the presence of her chest pressed against his. He did not want to be. The moment she stepped back, he let out a subtle sigh of relief. Though as he pouted he felt a tinge of guild. Don’t cry. He nearly said to her, patting her arm once again. Pablo had said the same, he had always volunteered, and would again when he was free. His sire’s word was not the most trustworthy at the moment. Could thrallhood alter his memory so to forget, or believe in a false reality. The though was a scary one, the tall lycan shuddered, wary of the girl. He would not suffer such a fate, or any of his friends. And she stood quite close. It would not take much effort, was she quicker than her?


Her smile and conceding brought his own smile out. Though it was more one of relief than happiness. What exactly was he inviting into their family. It was a fine line to draw. Sating his sire’s wish to see Lucia accompanied or protecting his pack. Maybe she wasn’t a threat. Her tears and smile seemed so sincere, but her behavior volatile. The rumors claimed she committed atrocities, ones that would make what he saw no irrelevant, his sire claimed she was manipulated. He was compromised, but also present for all of it. Okello inwardly swore, more responsibility dumped on his shoulders. He would for now give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Addy.” Okello smiled once more, this time truly glad. There was an enormous comfort not being alone with Lucia. As much as he wanted to trust her. Okello turned to Addy, just as Lucia let go of him, and decided to make the blonde the target of her embrace. “Lucia,” He stammered, reaching out to grab her by the shoulder. “Hah, she’s quite friendly, isn’t she?” He said towards Adele, as the hybrid embraced the lycan. Lucia, Addy values her privacy. Let her be. Years of isolation he hadn’t expected Lucia to be so touchy.

[Xhel]

Xhel hated this place, quite nearly everything about it. From the long winding road his motorbike raced down, the mansion looming at its end with foreboding anticipation, to the way it crawled with hundreds of tainted souls cursed with savagery. He hated that his cousin chose to live here as one of them instead of serving the cause they had sworn to so many years ago. Pulling to the front of the building he hopped off his vehicle, dropping his helmet in the attached empty side cart he hoped Pablo would be excited to ride in. Maybe soften the pain of leaving, maybe. Taking the first step up to the patio, the wood croaked underneath his feet. He hated the age of this place, it should have died long ago with its master. Who was likely aware of his presence, no, almost certainly one of her pack had detected him and sent a warning. The hunter glared at the brawny lycan standing guard by the door He hated that too, he could never approach without their knowing. But most of all he hated Alena. For taking the last piece of Xhel’s life that brought him joy, the last sliver of family that he had left, robbing him away, and getting him killed, or at least desperately trying to. Xhel crossed his arms, leaning against a wooden beam, casually taking in his surroundings. How could she let him end up as a prisoner not two days after his rescue? And now that they’d escaped, it was Alena’s turn to throw him into a cage. Xhel was seething with anger, but one could never tell on the surface. He calmly drew the pistol that hung from the holster on his chest polishing it with a piece of cloth. Occasionally he glanced towards the lycan and smiled. Despite everything he felt a strange piece. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make, carrying it out may not be so simple, but he wished he had decided this long ago. He was leaving with Pablo, or Alena would die.

[Alena Wulf]

Racing around the perimeter of the den, Alena took mental notes on which areas still needed repairs. The wrought iron fence had suffered significant damages in a few spots, and chunks of metal and tree had been sent everywhere. The damages could have easily been much worse; but repairing and replacing certain parts of the property fence would be time consuming. Even some of the damages to the building, itself, were problematic. It would take longer than a simple repair, but now was as good a time as any to make some of the upgrades to the den she and Szandor had been drawing up.

Her heart ached for her late lover, and with it spiked anger: anger toward the leech who'd taken Szandor's life. But also anger that even just thinking about Dane seemed to stir something between her legs. The queen of lycanthropy had not felt such intense passion and bliss since Raven. The way Dane had taken her, how thoroughly he'd pleased her; she'd been too long without such satisfaction. Dane would pay. There was nothing Alena looked forward to more than making that bastard pay for everything he'd done to her and her pack. She would be paying him a visit soon enough to sate her desires.

In the distance, the sound of a motorcycle speeding ever closer came into the pack mother's awareness. Standing tall and gazing off in the direction the bike was coming from, Alena inhaled deep, searching for a scent. She couldn't pick up any particular scent just yet, but it was clear at this point that the motorist was coming to the den. Even before the lengthy stretch of road after entering the property fence, the road into the forest was the last and only turnoff for a good distance. No one who'd made it this far, and was traveling at such a speed, could claim to have gotten lost.

Finishing her patrol of the parameter, Alena made her way toward the building. And, there it was: a faint scent in the wind. Human, and one she knew. Xhel.

Reaching out to the pups on patrol and those wandering the grounds, the queen of werewolves instructed her pack to give the hunter a wide berth, and allow him access.

She could hear the gate to the property begin to close after allowing the man entry, and Alena shifted back to her human skin, waiting in the shadows of a few trees off to the side of the den. Watching the human pull up to the front of her home and hop off his bike, the wolf queen observed him for a moment. He appeared somewhat fidgety.

Approaching Xhel silently, Alena spoke to the mind of the pup standing by the doorway, instructing him to meet her gaze, thereby suggesting to Xhel that she was coming. As the hunter turned to see the wolf mother, the pup standing guard slipped inside the den.

Under the light of the stars, Alena's blue eyes seemed to hold a certain fire within, and she stepped patiently toward the hunter. He'd picked perhaps the worst night to come and visit his cousin. "What brings you to my home, Xhel?"