Kierra

He laughs and shakes his head as if exasperated.

"Being around you is definitely not boring."

"I almost wish it were, then I wouldn't have so many issues."

I loop my arm with his after I put my coat and hat back on, heading back towards my car. This late in the season, it gets dark fast. Hadn't realized it with everything that was happening, but the sun had actually set at some point.

Establishments are either closing down for the night or lighting up for their busiest times. I catch several people watching me nervously.

Watch out, psycho lady coming through!

I end up staring down a woman who's glaring at me, yet all eyes for Xavier. I sigh, exasperated.

"I need to get a bag for your face, maybe cut out some holes so you can see. Not sure yet."

Following my gaze, he catches the woman looking at him with a flirty smile. A cocky grin lights up his face as he plays for his audience. Rising from his slight slouch and going to his full height of ridiculousness, his tongue slips out to lave his lip.

"Your mother was a damn deer, wasn't she? Some kind of moose maybe?"

Deep chuckles come from his chest as he starts petting my hand. I scowl as the girl once again glares daggers at me.

Keep pushing me chickie, I dare you.

Pinching his side, I narrow my eyes at him.

"If you're wanting a piece of tail, I'm not going to stop you."

I make a shooing motion towards the woman as I pull my arm from his.

"She wants you so much I can smell it from here. Guess since the Red Alpha bitch is off limits you gotta go somewhere, hm?"

I'm getting snarky, but I can't help it. Beginning to wonder if I'm going to start menstruating soon or some shit. How does that work now with the whole full moon thing? Inquiring minds need to know, but I am so not asking Xavier or Asher.

Ava might know, but I kinda doubt it. Need to give her a call when I get home, see if she can take Bastion, at least for a day or two. I have to do something about all these damn people hounding me. Only takes one little slip and I could lose him.

That thought brings an actual pain to the vicinity of my heart. Really quite strange when I really get to thinking about it. I really dislike kids. Aside from Lily. Bastion just wormed his way right in there, not even trying.

A hand waves in front of my face, so I blink and look up. Didn't even realize I'd lowered my head. Xavier is looking at me funny.

"What?"

All nice and calm-like, kudos to me.

"Where did you go? One moment you're being all...yeah, then you were just gone."

Lifting an eyebrow, I look around. We had kept moving, his possible lady friend a couple yards behind. I stop abruptly and look to the Were next to me.

"I'm serious, if you want to go get your jollies kicked, I'm not going to stop you. Already got one cranky male at home, I don't need another. Speaking of which, think Asher would get upset if I started pimping him out? I know a few people who are wanting to mate off their...well, their bitches."

He just blinks at me with a blank face, not knowing how to take what I just said. I can't keep it. My straight face crumbles hard at the edges before I start laughing. His face is priceless.

That dangerous Brad Pitt jaw of his starts tweaking as he tries to stifle his laugh. Unable to keep it in, he finally laughs aloud, tugging on my arm for us to keep walking. I tilt my head before I look back at the woman watching after us. Shrugging at her, I turn back around and keep going.

"Really though, where'd you go? Something really had your attention."

Nodding, I sidestep through the crowds, hands deep in my jeans pockets, holding my arms hard against my body as I keep from touching people. Once we're not surrounded by happy-go-lucky idiots, I answer his question.

"Was thinking I need to get a hold of Ava tonight, see if she can take Bastion tomorrow. Hate leaving him home with no way to get a hold of me, or me him. And that very thing too; I dislike kids. They irk me. Ava's daughter I don't count, but Bastion just kinda snuck up into my heart. I don't do kids, I have no clue what to do with them. When I'd watch Lily, I could always return her home. That's what I'm supposed to do as an aunt; spoil the kid, get 'em all hyped up, then send 'em home. But with Bastion..."

My head shakes as I try to find the right words.

"It's not that I've gotten the feeling to get rid of him, I just find it weird and I'm afraid I'll fail him. I seem to have people coming at me from every which way..."

I look up at him, seeing as how he was one at one point.

"...and with this Frank person, I really don't want to screw things up. Since I'm known to them, he's not safe with me. But they don't know Ava."

"Maybe not, but you could lead them right to her if you aren't careful."

My eyes close at that. I'm being selfish, yes. I have no right to bring this to her doorstep. She may offer her help, but not with this. Not with Lily being just as young as Bastion is.

They may not be human, but she's still a child and needs her mother. It's my job to protect them both. Looking out over the area, I shake my head.

"You're right. I'm ashamed I didn't think of that earlier. Ava had offered her help and I was going to take her up on it, but I can't, not with this."

Pulling my hands from my pockets, I start waving them in front of me as if trying to dry them of water. Inhaling deeply to fill my lungs with cold air, we're not far from my jeep. Turning to Xavier, I give a small smile before I take off.

Have I mentioned I hate having a big bust? Puberty really screwed me over. Before it, I used to run all the time, was my favorite thing to do. Then, boobs.

Good thing I hadn't planned on going far, because it feels awkward to try and run the way I'm wanting while on two legs and top-heavy. Definitely not winning any races this way. I have noticed though that my body has been slimming a little bit, getting leaner.

I go past my jeep and further down the walk path behind the library, where it goes down and around to the bridge. I don't go that far though, just to the edge of the small park area where the river is a foot away. Small fence-like posts that are set up more for decoration than to keep anyone from the water, sit in front of me, I more or less skid into them.

Xavier stayed at my side the whole way. Wasn't too hard even without his long-ass legs. My body starts aching to go down to four paws. Lifting my arms high above my head, my face tilts back and eyes close as I breathe deep.

The river stinks, but it's the wind itself I'm wanting. The sharp bite of frost starting to form in the air. It's always colder by the water, windier.

Being at the perfect angle and direction, my hair flies out behind me. Might be the girliest thing about me, but there is nothing like the wind going through your hair to the point it streams around you. I pull my arms back in, taking off my borrowed hat before it flies off. That would be just my luck.

The maned wolf at my side is looking out over the water with longing on his face. Reaching out, I touch his coat sleeve, drawing his attention.

"What's wrong?"

He smiles, watching the choppy splashes on the rocks below. Didn't think he was going to answer, but he finally does.

"I grew up near the water. Salt Lake City area in Utah. Your river was reminding me of things from long ago."

I look him over, making it obvious as he turns towards me. Giving him a critical eye.

"How old are you exactly?"

He ponders a moment, not sure if he's doing it on purpose or if he really has to think on it.

"Ninety-three."

I raise an eyebrow, roaming my eyes over him again.

"You are remarkably well preserved for an old man."

He smirks, running his thumb down his jawline. His eyes flicker out over the water once more before turning back to me.

"When we get back to your place, would it be alright if I ran around for a while? Not used to having to ask, but it is your territory."

Putting my hat back on and turning, I pass him a smile.

"Not used to being asked. You're more than welcome to. Right now all I've for sure claimed is around the house, Asher has been marking up the rest of the place. Well, him and an elusive fox. I haven't gone out myself lately to see how much he's gotten. Been too busy trying to stay under the radar; which by the way, I really suck at."

Pulling the fedora low on my forehead, I look up and smirk at him, then we walk back for the jeep. Originally I thought someone was leaning against the vehicle, but now I see otherwise.

They don't even hear me as I sneak up on them, the long slim piece of metal making quite the racket. Noob. Only a couple inches taller than me, so I tap right on his shoulder and clear my throat.

"Can I help you?"

"Yeah, locked my keys in the car, pretty stupid, huh?"

I nod my head as if I completely understand, the smell of his sweat becoming stronger when I tapped at him. His supposed quick thinking not even guessing at the fact that it's my car.

"Oh, yes. Really stupid. Especially since the jeep you are trying to get into so noisily, is mine."

He doesn't even notice Xavier behind him. Poor kid's eyes widen as I tip my hat back, yellow eyes looking over him. Looks like he's about to piss himself, and then does so when Xavier grabs the metal from his hand as if a snake striking out.

I shake my head, wrinkling my nose. The attempted thief is only maybe in his mid-teens. Hard to tell with boys nowadays, they get so tall so fast. Tears fill his baby blues as he starts freaking out.

"Relax kid. Get out of here. Go home."

Bobbing head takes off, running back up the street away from where we just came from. Xavier bends the metal over a few times before tossing it towards the boy, it goes up and over then lands perfectly in front of him. The loud tang makes the kid jump straight up a couple feet with a scream before he double times it.

I smile and chuckle.

"That was mean."

His face is smug as he gets in after my unlocking it, while I check over my window to see the damage. Both the window glass and door frame are all scratched up. I scowl in annoyance. My poor jeep is taking just about as much shit as I have been lately.

I toss the hat onto Xavier's lap as I get in. Making a U-turn that no one sees to even call it illegal, I get back onto the highway that leads into Loves Park and home. Making small talk with a Were-Maned Wolf all the way there.