Kierra

Once I reach it though, I accelerate and bolt forward. Xavier seems to have been expecting it while the younger wolf yelp’s and jumps to the side. Dogdeer keeps to my side where Dirk has to stretch out to reach me. Being a Werewolf, he can keep pace with me, no problem, so he must be really young. Wolf wise.

I smile and slow, coming to a stop in front of the shed. Dismounting and pushing it in by hand, I close it up then look to the males when I turn.

Inquiring minds wanting to know, I look at Dirk.

"Gabriel said there are six females in his pack, are any of them the Alpha?"

He shakes his head and gives me a grin once more, tongue lolling.

"Nope. Looking for the job?"

I choke, giving him a cross look. Lips pursing, I look over to Xavier, who's eyes also show merriment. Making a sound of disgust, I head to the porch. Both trail after me.

The cold breeze has me looking up. Too cold for snow, yet that appears to be what it's gearing for. The temperature is all natural, my ice manipulation had bled off a while ago. Well, as natural as it seems to be lately.

I look back down just in time to brace myself, the flying ball of fur colliding with my chest.

"Wolfy!"

The clinging claws are soon followed by the yelling from inside. The high pitched yell in my head was a wee painful, but a smile crosses my face all the same.

"Girl, your mother is going to tan both our hides."

Small chirps and meows are the responses I get, reminding me of my dummy at home. With everything else going on, I keep forgetting about him. I know Bastion or Maii have been keeping up with feeding, watering, and the catpan, so I should probably thank them.

He's not gonna be too happy with moving again, going to be fun finding him most of the time with all the rooms and new space. With some of the plans I have in mind though, should make all the felines happy. The one climbing to my shoulder at the moment takes hold of my attention, the front door opening to reveal a scowling mother.

We all look up at her in innocence, but I can't hold it, walking up with a big smile. I tug on the kitten attached to my shoulder. Mother’s orders sound as she holds open the door.

"You were told to do something young lady, now go do it."

Back talking grumbles sound and I have to bite the inside of my cheek. Ava does not look happy, and my laughing is not going to help matters. Instead of handing the eighty-pound kitten over, I set her down so she can go in on her own, the whole walk of shame thing.

She makes her way in, tail tip twitching irritably. Probably told to clean something. I smile and chuckle outwardly once she's inside, Ava gives me a look but I just cheese at her.

"I'm guessing it went well, right? Xavier bolted out of here earlier, stripping as he went. Your clothes are in the wash, by the way, you threw your pants into some mud."

Brown eyes look from one to the other of us, glancing over at Dirk and giving him a warm smile.

"Hey D, what're you doing with these troublemakers?"

I snag a chair and plop down in it heavily, grumbling under my own breath now.

"Troublemakers. Ha! I don't look for it, it finds me. Seeks me out. I'm innocent."

She motions the young wolf up as the maned wolf sits next to me. Sitting down, he's taller than I am. Those damn ears don't help. Measured 'em once, they're about nine and a half inches tall. Those are some damn bunny ears.

Reaching out, I snag hold of one. His light brown eyes flick to me from watching Dirk, a low whine coming from him. I ignore it, rubbing the fur between my fingers. Before too long, he's lowering his head to my lap so I'm not reaching up.

"So, tell me how it went."

Looking at Ava, she's taken the seat across from me, Dirk laying down next to her, head laying on his paws and looking content. Young indeed. I give her a smile, my own excitement growing once more.

"Nothing is signed yet, but we agreed on a price. The inside is amazing, already have so many plans that my head is spinning."

She makes that high pitched, caterwauling type noise and practically bounces in her seat. Her reaction has me laughing, hand moving to Xavier's head where I bury my fingers. His reddish fur is thinner than a wolfs until you get to his mane, then it thickens.

Not much space between his ears atop his head, so I move my touch to the thicker black fur. The movement is absent while I talk with my best friend about the new house, when we'll be moving in and who all is going where. Xavier's black chin tuft is caught under his head, but it's still amusing that even in animal form he has a goatee.

"How were the boys? Rika and Diego?"

She smiles and shrugs.

"Boys were angels, like always. Which reminds me, they should be starting up soon. With you moving in it should work out perfectly for when Lily's driver comes to get her, they can be picked up too. I talked to Chandrika, I have her thinking about joining them when she feels up to it. She and Diego need to get back to a normal life routine."

I agree, glad she talked to the girl.

"What's normal for Diego though? For now he wants to stay in animal form, which is fine, but other than that I don't know what to do for him."

She gives me a pitying look, clearly unsure herself.

"My mother had told me of the Shifters who take more after their animals, didn't think they'd be in a town though, always figured they'd be the ones who live out in the country."

I give her a look, then direct my gaze out and around, amused.

"Not what I meant and you know it."

A toothy grin is my response before looking back out and noticing just how dark it's getting. Need to get back soon and give Benji a call.

"I gave Rika some of my clothes, figure she would fit those better than what Faline has. Good thing you and Gabriel finally came to an agreement, your house is fast getting way too small for all of you."

I snort at the understatement while she stands and goes inside, talking to Dirk as he follows after her. Relatively alone with a semblance of privacy, I look at Xavier, whose head is still in my lap. My hand is buried in his scruff and his eyes are closed, so I tap his nose.

"Okay, sir. Time for you to tell me why you stripped and ran after me. I hope to God you didn't flash Kani, kid has enough issues, let alone the others."

The image of the gay kid’s face is amusing as all hell, but I really don't want him lusting over anyone around me, makes things weird. Well, weirder. Pretty sure most of the others could probably care less, but who knows. Light brown eyes open lazily and look at me, the look of sleep heavy in their depths.

He blinks at me a few times before raising his head to yawn, ears going back as long, sharp teeth are bared. Unable to help it, I snag his ear once more when he lowers his head back down. The backs of animal ears are super soft, and his are no exception.

"Well?"

His low, deep voice unfurls in my brain, the feeling raising gooseflesh along my arms.

"Your mark."

Perplexed, I still my fingers movements and look at him in confusion.

"Your mark started pulsing. I could feel your distress and thought you in trouble."

My brows furrow, hand sliding down his neck, nudging him to shift over so I can touch fingertips to it. He lifts his head off my knee while I close my eyes, seeking with a different sense and ignoring sight; it only gets in the way. Touching on the raised ridges, he shivers, causing my eyes to open.

"You could feel my emotions?"

His ears flick at the sounds of all the kids inside, would think it a daycare in there just by the noises made.

"Just for a moment, but it was enough."

More magic hoodoo. I frown and apologize once more for it being there, even if he is fine with it. Much like my pulling Benjamin's tiger out and causing a bond, my mark on Xavier seems to have done something similar. Don't think Benji feels anything from me...I hope. Talk about awkward.

With my empathy, I'm unsure if I've felt anything through the mark from him or not. Things are getting confusing to keep track of it all. Where's a handbook when you need one?

"We need to be getting home, I have to get a hold of Benjamin and get some work done. New house isn't cheap with my not wanting to be in debt to that man."

Pretty sure Gabriel wasn't done with me when Xavier showed up, so I won't be surprised when he comes around again. I was so done though, so I'm glad he came.

"I don't like him."

Amusement crosses my face as I tap on the end of his nose.

"Nor do I, but it is what it is."

Tall ears go back as he stands, growl rumbling low.

"He did not need to be touching you like that."

My head shakes while I tug on his side.

"It was my fault, he was just protecting himself. I lashed out when I had no just cause to do so, I was upset and not thinking."

It's clear Xavier still isn't happy, but he says nothing more. I stand and stretch. Don't know what Shade and his brother’s hours are, but the house isn't locked. They should be there when we get back.

"You going to go home like that or are you going to shift back?"

Actually don't think he'd fit in his animal shape, not in the front seat anyway. When he paws at the door, I know his answer. A new, bigger vehicle, yes, but it isn't a bus. Keep going the way I am and I'll need one though.