Kierra

His laughter sounds in my head as he goes over, meanwhile I crouch there and nurse my poor nose. Think I snorted part of my brain. Running a hand through my hair to get it out of my way, I see the other two coming up slowly.

Hopefully Xavier won't trigger their fear, but I warn them just in case, whispering to them both.

“He looks enough like a wolf while in Were form, will you guys be alright? I swear he won't hurt you in any way."

My brows draw together as I think of something.

"Unless I end up pushing him over and he lands on you, but I think that would be more my fault, not his."

I smile at them, trying to engage and lessen any growing dread. Rika is calmer than Diego, but that's to be expected, I guess. Being raped by a wolf in Were form while in such a small body, that's something he will probably never get over.

Holding my hand out, the young spotted hyena rubs up against it. The short fur prickles while the bear-like face pops around the corner to look out. Dark brown eyes take in everything, watching for a couple minutes before she slowly walks out.

Watching her, I whisper in Xavier’s head not to make any quick or sudden movements. While she moves out, Diego needs a little more coaxing. Feeling dumb for not thinking of it sooner, I hold out both arms. Sure enough, he comes in close, so I pick him up.

Held firmly, I can feel his heart thunder against me. Dipping down, I whisper calming nonsense into his ears, walking closer to Xavier. Have to stop before I reach four feet, the small animal shivering so hard has me stopping and even backing up.

He looks up at me with sad green eyes, so I give him a soft smile, whispering into his head so his fear isn't so obviously advertised.

"It's okay Diego. You don't have to go anywhere near him or the others if you don't wish. Take as much time as you need to feel safe. I don't see any of us being in Were form too often around here, so that won't be much of a problem."

The small fox calms a little at a time. I don't move any closer, but I do hunker down to let him go. He stays near my feet till I move, my phone going off. Then he follows me.

"Hello?"

"Kie? It's Benjamin. The club opens in an hour, be ready for me to pick you up in a couple of hours. If you have any leather, latex, or PVC, wear it. Makeup would be good too. See you then."

Blinking dumbfounded at my buzzing phone as I draw it away, I'm at a loss for words. Alrighty then... Talk about quick and sweet? Granted I don't like talking on the phone, but damn.

Setting it down, I look out over the room. Child and assorted animals are lounging around, tall Were crouched down near the door, bracing himself with his hands on the floor. Brows drawing together, I look back through the kids.

"Not that I'm complaining, but why is everyone in animal form?"

Could have sworn a few of them had been human earlier. Kani looks to the others then answers for them, broadcasting to all of us.

"You pulled them from us."

At my confused look, Xavier pitches in.

"The energy expended between us worked much like your ability to force someone to shift. Their animals were called forth and they had to change."

I frown as they nod. Dammit.

"I didn't mean to."

My voice is low, guilt pinging in my brain.

"The clothes given to me were shredded, so I have nothing to put on to go back to human form."

Rika's voice jogs me from my staring at Maii. Oops. Hopefully, Ava won't miss those items, especially since I don't recall what they were. Motioning for her to follow me, I lead her into my sister's room and dig around for something suitable.

"We'll get to the store here soon so you can get some clothes and other needs. Since we'll be moving soon we'll have the room for everything. More than likely have extra space since I don't own much."

While she shifts and dresses, I go to my room and flip through what all I have. Latex and PVC definitely not, but I do have some leather. Had it for a while now since I'd gotten to the point I was too...round for them. Ava had somehow talked me into buying them, so it wasn't my idea.

Still round, but it's a smaller round. Pants are getting loose and that's going to become a problem. Stashed in the back of my closet is a tub of clothes I'd hoped to be able to wear again someday. Guess today will be one of those days. Maybe.

Getting so used to the sound of nails clicking on my wood floors, the sound of Xavier's isn't surprising, nor is his head popping in to annoy me.

"I'm grabbing the shower, need to get in there first?"

Pulling the plastic box out, I toss it onto the bed, ignoring the ruined blanket.

"No, just don't use all the hot water. I'm sure you heard the conversation. Well, the ‘order’ anyway, not much conversing went on."

Drawing brows together, I shut up. The unneeded elaboration making me bite my tongue. This is what lack of sleep does to you. The large fuzzy head pops back out, so I get into the box.

Xavier's Tripp pants would work perfectly, I think, but he won't be going. Taking a male like him to a fetish club just has bad idea written all over it. Bad enough Benji will be along.

Hard to be a wallflower when you have a tall appealing male near you. Pretty sure the Vamp in anything for the fetish scene will be eye candy to anyone.

Shit... I'm so screwed.

Groaning, I head out, going out back once more to get the paintings situated. Kani, Maii, and Diego all go out on four paws and scatter. Bastion and Rika also follow, he in a light coat while she crosses her arms.

"There's some coats in the front closet if you want one."

I make the quip while hanging up 'Agony of Transition', feeling the sharp breeze lifting my hair. The weather seems to be going downhill, the skies already dark with storm clouds.

"Shade and the others should be back within a few hours, hopefully before the storm hits."

The girl is looking at the paintings while Bastion steps off the porch and slowly walks around. Watching him, I feel guilty all over again. Here's to hoping he doesn't pick up on the guilt trips like my mother can.

Speaking of which, she should be getting back in town anytime now. Christ, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Closing my eyes, I rub at my temples, feeling dead tired all of a sudden.

"Are you alright?"

Chandrika's voice is soft as she asks. I nod but keep my eyes closed.

"Whatever happened in there may have been a charge for the Annoying One, but it wasn't for me. That combined with only a few hours of sleep and thinking of all that needs to be done is giving my brain a run for its money. No worries."

I smile, opening my eyes a little.

"Have more to do when Benji gets here and then the holiday tomorrow. My mother will be there. She knows nothing of the supernatural or that I and my sister are no longer human. She's sort of met the group before, but she wasn't really paying attention, so tomorrow's going to be all sorts of up in the air."

How does one tell their mother that they, out of the blue, have decided to adopt not one but two boys, one a total mute? That the multitude of males are living with her daughters, yet there's nothing going on between anyone? That I somehow have the stupidly ridiculous amount of money to buy that plantation house?

My brain hurts just thinking of all the things she's going to want to know. Would be easier to just say everyone is friends with visiting kids, but that lie would end up growing. Too much trouble to keep up with.

A howl has my eyes shooting open and head raising, fully on alert. Bastion's head also raises, looking worried as he backs up. Maii and Kani come running up, but Diego is missing.

The sounds of pursuit find my ears and have me stepping off the porch.

"Bastion go inside please, take Maii with you."

He nods, Maii close at his heels as they go in, but stay right at the door. Chandrika stays on the porch, looking out while Kani takes up next to my side. Red shapes form from between the brush and trees, running toward us.

Just by the way they're moving you can tell they're chasing something. Or someone. The scared yip sounds while one wolf darts at something. My eyes blaze yellow as I yell out, teeth bared and growing.

Chandrika rushes forward as a small dark shape shoots through the tree line, heading right for her. I can hear his heart pounding from here, his fear swamping me. Were muscle starts forming along my body as a pair of wolves stalk through.

The wind catches their scent, blowing it right to me as it has my hair flying out around me. A couple of young males. Clearly in need of a lesson.

Tongues loll from their mouths while they watch the young fox, lips raising in a snarl. I snarl myself and take another step forward, sharp claws extending from my hands while bones thicken. One of them finally looks over, having ignored all those on two legs totally. Young indeed, to not have assessed everyone else for danger.

His ears go back, feet moving in steps of anxiety, bumping into his friend. The other Red Wolf looks over and I can see the recognition in his eyes instantly. A low growl coming from me has them both dropping down, even more so when I’m stepping closer to them until just a couple feet away.

"You were warned about coming after one of mine, were you not?"

Both of them roll onto their sides, baring belly as they whine. My voice has thickened, body trying to go into full conversion. Knowing they aren't my wolves, I can't do much, but I can scare them.

Growling once more, teeth bared, my fingers move as if I'm drawing something with my claws. All theatrical, but it works. A thick sheet of ice forms under them, a collar of white and blue shoots over their necks, holding them down and stuck.

Their cries finally sound in my head, apologizing and saying they didn't know he belonged to me. Probably true, since he hasn't been introduced to the Red Pack yet. Stepping up so I'm right at their heads, I crouch down and look at them both in turn.

"Let it be known that he is mine. He and a female hyena are not to be bothered if seen. Young and foolish are not excuses for stupidity, for I know my scent is on him. Use your noses, not just your eyes."

The ice around them disintegrates, but like good little puppies, they don't move. Keeping their eyes on me and waiting for my say. Lucia will be furious when she finds out, but that's not my problem.

"I'm only warning you this once. Next time either of you causes trouble for one of mine, there will be a problem. Go home."

I stand as they get to their feet, eyes nervous till they turn and take off. Filing their scents in my head, I turn back to the others, going to Rika and Diego. His heart is still pounding, head tucked into her arm.

"I'm sorry Diego, this is my fault, I should have given more warning. The Howler's Bane Pack roams around here; the Red Wolves. Once the whole pack has your scent, none of them should bother you."

Reaching out, he flinches away from me. Pulling back I look up to Rika and motion her to the house. I did warn him before, so there's not much more I can do.

The girl's eyes are wide as she hurries in, glancing back at me. None of the kids knew about this ability of mine, none had seen it yet. Well, now they do. So be it.