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Post by kyla on Jul 8, 2008 16:33:44 GMT -5
Kyla stalked angrily through the woods near Paris, her dark orchid colored clothing billowing out behind her. She wasn't necessarily angry about anything, that was simply the image she liked to portray. She even managed to pull it off despite the fact that she was leaning heavily on the wooden staff she carried with her, dragging what appeared to be a limp foot behind her. This was another illusion. Kyla was in perfect health, she just pretended to have a lame foot in order to draw any attackers into a false sense of security. She could use that staff as much more than a simple walking stick, and she would do just that should she be attacked. That was her life now, as it had been before Micah had come...and gone. Her's was a life of illusions and walls. Neither had been broken through before or since Micah. And she planned to keep it that way.
She continued through the woods, though she was beginning to feel fatigue. She had traveled here on foot, from Egypt, using her wolf powers to speed the journey. She was considerably tired, but she still had to find a safe place to stay and she couldn't do that in the woods, she had to get to Paris.
She had heard rumors of a treaty between vampires and werewolves, and she couldn't have that. Any treaty would make it harder for her to find and kill the only vampire she cared about, so she intended to fight to prevent it. She had also heard rumors of werewolves joining forces to prevent the treaty, all those rumors had led to Paris. So here she was, she had finally reached the outskirts of Paris, now all she had to do was find the pack leader and her fight to end the vampire race might be able to end.
She stopped to rest for a moment, the breeze still rustling her clothing and sending her black hair whipping around her face. Her eyelids slid shut, covering her deep azure eyes, as she strained her ears. She stood still as a statue, listening, searching the night for any possible threat.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 8, 2008 23:58:06 GMT -5
Patrick moved silently through the trees, his eyes flicking over every branch and shadow. The pack had brought him odd news; a stranger from a distant land, come searching for something. He wasn't sure what she was looking for, but with the rising tensions and the swirling rumors, he decided to come and investigate personally. Leaving his pack behind, he walked fearlessly through the darkness-he could handle himself if attacked, and it had been a long time since he'd had reason to fear the dark.
He stopped suddenly, his senses alert. A lone female; he narrowed his eyes, sniffing the air curiously. Not of his pack; her scent was both unknown and unusual. Dropping most of his cautious movements, he stepped slowly from the darkness below the trees into a patch of moonlight, letting it clearly illuminate his face and body. She'd most likely have caught his scent by now; his alpha-male status would be clearly felt. So he would wait for her response, his eyes studying the woman and watching warily for signs of danger. He could-and would-handle himself in a fight, but he preferred not to waste his time fighting random werewolves when there were much bigger problems to deal with.
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 0:24:09 GMT -5
Kyla stiffened as Patrick's scent reached her. She didn't think she could deal with an alpha male. She was far too independent for that, but her wolf instincts had her surrendering to it anyway. She bent down, placing her hand on the ground and pulling her hair to one side to expose her neck. She stood back up, still favoring her "lame" leg. She sized him up and quirked an eyebrow. She couldn't stand alpha males...or any male for that matter.
"Who are you?" She asked, her voice hard as nails. She knew he was an alpha, she just didn't know if he was the alpha she was looking for. She rearranged her hair so it fell back over her shoulders, feeling incredibly put out at having to treat him this way. Technically he wasn't her alpha but she had come across others who would attack if you didn't show them the proper respect. "I'm Kyla." She said, her speech still stinted.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 0:31:36 GMT -5
Patrick watched her show with interest. As an Alpha he was used to such things; in practice, he rarely enforced it with his pack. Some of his ladies would resent it rather badly. Besides, close contact lessened any natural instinct they might have felt, and he didn't mind that at all.
When she'd stood back up, he stepped forward, his hands crossing over his chest. Her voice and body language spoke volumes to him; worried, anti-social, defensive...he wondered what had caused her to be this way.
When she introduced herself, he noted with further interest the lack of a last name. "Patrick Smith." he said quietly. "What brings you to Paris?"
He kept his voice low and even; not bothering to attempt to flirt or coax her. She'd talk if she was really looking for something-or someone-and not if she wasn't. Other than making sure she wasn't causing trouble-or in some kind of trouble-he didn't care if she wandered around.
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 0:54:09 GMT -5
Patrick Smith, so he was the alpha she was looking for. "You." She answered. "I hate vampires." That much was made even more obvious by the loathing in her voice. She appreciated that he was speaking to her as one person spoke to another, not as one man spoke to a woman. That would have instantly run her off. "I want to...join,"(she had so much trouble saying that word) "your pack." For someone who had lived independently for so long it would be hard to adjust to pack life. She probably wouldn't even be able to do it. "That is assuming you are the Patrick Smith that is attempting to forstall all attempts at a treaty between were's and vampires." Every time she said that word she practically choked with anger.
Her hand was clenched tightly on the staff by her side and she glared at the forest floor. Vampires...how she hated them. She had a brief flashback to the night Micah died. She shook herself out of it and rolled her eyes. It had been so long since she'd thought about that night, and she'd liked it that way. Perhaps this had been a bad idea. Kyla was not meant to be around people. She had learned that early on. Her personality just did not comply with others. She just had to accept it, and if she joined the pack she was sure something would go wrong.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 1:02:52 GMT -5
Patrick blinked; he hadn't been aware his 'fame' had spread so far. Still...he eyed her, a touch uncertainly. She didn't seem the kind to take well to pack life; her tenseness told him a great deal of the inner struggle that was taking place.
"I am. ANd I hate vampires too." he said quietly. Then, making up his mind, he shrugged. "You're welcome in the pack...if you can fit in, of course."
He moved toward her, his eyes fixed on hers, and now he was deliberately exuding the full force of his alpha-ness. Moving around behind her, he spoke quietly, but with firmness. "Can you submit to the rules and rankings of a pack?" he asked, his voice low and a bit growly. "Can you operate as one of many, and not as a single unit?"
He stepped closer to her, watching her every movement and twitch. "Can you submit?" he asked again, more forcefully. This was important; if she could not bring herself to submit to him, she'd never fit into the pack. A lot could be dismissed and forgiven, but to remain independant in a pack was to be outcast. The leader was the leader, and all others were followers.
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 1:26:30 GMT -5
Kyla struggled not to turn as he moved around her, she felt his power and she couldn't help raising her hackles a little. This really was the moment of truth. She didn't really know if she could submit. Life had always been hard for her and most of the time it was easier to just be alone. But on a mission like the one she had given herself, she couldn't be alone. She needed help. She listened to his questions, not moving a muscle until he was presumably done.
After his last, she stepped forward, meeting his eyes straight on. "I do not lie. It will be hard for me. But I need this pack." She lowered her eyes, aware she was not doing very well at submitting already. "I will do my best. You have my word. I will submit to you and any co-leader in the pack, but no others. Do not expect that of me. For I can not give it." She stood straight, no longer pretending to have a lame foot. If she was going to submit to this were, she should let him know he wouldn't be dealing with a crippled fighter. "Is what I can give enough?" She asked quietly. Despite herself, she found the idea of a pack somewhat appealing, and in the depths of her lead covered heart she really did long for a family and friends.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 1:32:39 GMT -5
Patrick studied her, his eyes thoughtful. She wasn't doing very well, but he thought she could do it, if pushed. So he was going to have to push her; he had to know, for certain, if she was going to be able to do this. If he brought her in and then she balked, he'd be forced to punish her...perhaps kill her. For the good of the pack.
He snaked his hand behind her and fisted it in her hair before she could pull away. "You submit to me." he said, his voice even and still very low. "And my pack-second. No others." He pulled her head back, not hard, but enough to let her know what he wanted. Her throat, bared to his gaze, his teeth...dangerous, and the ultimate trust. The ultimate submission. "If you can do this, you're going to be fine." Now his voice took on a soft coaxing note, encouraging her to loosen up. "No matter what, once you become one of us, you're never alone." He said quietly, sensing her struggle once again. "Submit to me..."
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 12:13:51 GMT -5
Kyla fought his pull for just a second, only because it was instinct. She sighed and closed her eyes, letting her head fall back completely once again exposing her neck fully to his whim. Her hand slid down on the staff and her breathing slowed as she forced her body to relax. No matter how much it pained her, she had to do this.
When she heard his voice, telling her she would never be alone, her body betrayed her by whimpering longingly. This was what she wanted, she just had to keep telling herself that. "Submit to me..." Oh, but she was trying. She relaxed further, practically one step away from simply melting to the ground. "I have." She whispered softly. She opened her eyes and stared at the night sky. Never before had she submitted to anyone this quickly. She'd never before submitted to anyone period.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 13:37:38 GMT -5
Patrick smiled in a mixture of tenderness, triumph and pride. Then he stepped forward, slowly rubbing his nose against her bared throat. To humans, it would have been sexual, but in this moment, between them, it was simply an acknowledgement, a sealing of the trust between them.
Releasing her, he stepped back, once again shoving his hands into his pockets. Back to normal; his nature once again hidden behind the bland, cheerful face he always wore, and allowing her to retreat behind her own masks. But the thread was there, and he was content.
"So." He said, smiling again. "Welcome to my pack, Kyla." He said softly, tilting his head to the side. "You have a place to stay yet?"
He tipped his head back and looked up at the sky, taking a deep breath of the clean crisp air. "You should come and meet the rest of the pack, but you can get settled in first. Are you hungry?" His stomach gave a quiet growl, making him chuckle. "It seems that I am..."
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 13:56:54 GMT -5
Kyla shivered, unused to physical contact of any kind, but she accepted his gesture for what it was. She sighed in relief when he stepped away, it did not matter if she trusted him or not, it would still take her a long time to be okay with being close to another person. She straightened up again, pulling what was left of her pride back around her as a sheild.
"No." She said simply. "I left Egypt the moment I heard. Do you know of any available apartments?" She asked, her voice back to the same monotone 'I care not' voice she always used. She looked up, taking a moment to actually study her alpha. Strange how quickly she allowed herself to think of him as her alpha. She nodded to his next words, she knew she would have to face the pack eventually, she might as well get it over with as soon as possible. Her ears easily picked up his growling stomach and she shrugged. "I could eat." She responded.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 15:46:00 GMT -5
Patrick studied her a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. We've got a few; I think the one at the edge of town would suit you. Let's go find something to eat, and we'll discuss it." Along with some other things; he was curious about her past and what had brought her here dispite her obvious anti-socialism.
Then again...he'd heard the longing in her voice when she'd spoken of the pack; perhaps it had been something like simple lonliness that had driven her here, even if she wouldn't admit it. He turned and walked through the trees, knowing she would follow him, and pondered that.
He'd never been alone, not really. Even when his pack had been attacked, there had been werewolves around and following him. He'd taken the pack leader position simply by dint of being the strongest and the one who was willing to step in. He couldn't imagine being alone, forever...
He glanced over his shoulder and smiled. "What do you eat?" he asked suddenly. He himself was partial to steak and potato dinners, for obvious reasons, but lately he'd found a curious taste for sushi. A werewolf eating sushi...he wasn't sure if that was something he was willing to admit any time soon. It just didn't seem...right.
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 16:49:14 GMT -5
Kyla nodded. "Yes, it probably would. Thank you." She really did appreciate that he wasn't going to try to change her by forcefully pushing her into the midst of the pack. Changing was coming easier than she'd thought but she was still going to have to work hard and being forced into it would not help her at all, she found herself giving Patrick a grudging respect. She could tell that he was curious however, and she knew that eating was probably not going to be pleasant for her. She was prepared for the third degree but if he asked, she would be truthful and not hide her past from him. She just hoped he wouldn't start treating her like she was some pathetic little woman who needed to be pitied.
She watched him walk off into the woods and followed behind, walking regularly she was able to keep up with him, but she still stayed far enough away to suit her personal bubble.
She looked up when she felt his eyes on her but did not return his smile. Hm, what did she eat? Lately, she hadn't been eating much of anything. Mostly she would just pick up anything she could in order to satisfy her hunger. She spent most of her time ignoring the rest of the world which sometimes meant she forgot to take care of some of her needs. "Anything you want." She said, deciding that that answer would work fine, she wasn't picky.
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Post by rowanashke on Jul 9, 2008 23:22:04 GMT -5
Patrick nodded. Leading her through the streets, he avoided large groups and sought out his favorite little pub, run by a werewolf and his family. He was known here; waving, he slid into a booth, then waited for the girl to take her place.
He leaned on his hand, studying her again for a long moment in silence. Then he sighed. Just as he was about to say something, one of the boys appeared, carrying Patrick's favorite drink-a whiskey coke, light on the whiskey-and waited to take Kyla's drink order.
Patrick closed his mouth; what he wanted to talk about was best done between them two. While the tavern owner and his family were friends of his, they weren't officially 'pack' and he felt the need, especially at this time, to keep pack secrets within a carefully confined circle of information. So he'd wait to question her. "Order anything you want." He said softly, smiling and sipping his drink.
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Post by kyla on Jul 9, 2008 23:34:06 GMT -5
Kyla once again was grudgingly appreciative as he led her through the streets without getting her too close to any large groups. She felt certain now that this submission thing wasn't going to be so hard, as long as he continued to respect her personality this way. She noticed that he waved at the owner's and was not in the least bit surprised that he was known places. She sat down across from him in the booth, sliding deftly and gracefully into the booth.
She did nothing more than cock an eyebrow at his studying and returned the favor, sizing him up properly. She was almost grateful for the boy that came with the drink. She caught herself glaring and rearranged her features into something slightly less frightening. "Soda. Any kind." She said gruffly, even managing what passed as a smile in her book (which was really just a lift in the corners of her mouth, ever so slight). "Thank you."
She returned her gaze to Patrick and sighed deeply, she mimicked his position from earlier, propping her head up on her hand. "Go ahead. I know you want to give me the third degree. Ask away."
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