The Conquest -Sultry Sombry-

[Josef Ibn-Abad]

Peter Kassis.

The name rolled around Josef's head ever since the man had arrived at their hotel room. His body hurt and his head ached but what pissed him off the most was the emergency shift he had to perform. Josef did not like surprises; even Sombra knew that. When things suddenly shifted on him, the man was not the best at thinking on his feet. He went by gut instinct. Still, when Peter arrived and Sombra so close, if Josef had not shifted, the Wolf would have ripped the unexpected guest to shreds. Perhaps he should have; given the news that Josef had been given.

When the shift occured, he felt more damage done to his shoulder, Sombra herself had forced a shift, both quickly dressed and Peter was let into the room by Sombras pack. He reminded Ibn-Abad of Casimir Goetschl. A slick tongues, suit wearing, government man with a pistol in one hand and a gold badge in the other. Peter had made quick work in addressing Josef specifically. Enda had died; passing away from a blood clot in her knee that traveled into her heart. She had been found dead on Josef's lawn by Agents doing a routine sweep from the investigation. The Bank of Luzons Board of Directors had voted him out, meaning Josef was now jobless.

The bathroom door had been left open. Josef did not want to be alone though he only wanted Sombra near. He had fallen silent after Peters arrival and for nearly an hour, stood in the shower with the hot water rolling over his head. Losing his job sucked, it truly did but the Alpha mourned for something more precious, something more important. He lost Enda. She may have been nothing more than an Omega in his pack, the lowest of the low but she had remained by his side. She followed his laws precisely. In his absence, she did as instructed which was to follow Sombra. She was what a wolf should have been. She understood her own place and respected others.

Was an Alpha still an Alpha with no pack?

Was an Alpha still an Alpha when their entire pack had been killed off?

Was an Alpha still an Alpha when he failed to protect his pack?

His head was lowered. One arm pressed against the wall while the other simply dangled to his side. His eyes were swollen, though not from bruising. Tears were ferociously being fought back. He grieved but Josef did it in the Josef way. The man buried his emotions. He could not express them, could not let them control him. Ripping the towel of the shower curtain rod, the man shut the shower off and made quick work in drying off. Neatly folding his clothes, which had littered the bathroom floor, the man set them upon the toilet seat, put the towel upon the shower curtain rod and exited the bathroom.

This proved he changed.

He was not concerned with modesty. His belief structure had been thrown out the door when his family attacked him. He was simply Josef Abad now. He seriously put consideration to dropping Ibn. Who's son was he truly anymore? Coming to his knees before Sombra, the man simply glanced into her eyes. This had been the closest he had ever been before and all the man could do was let out a sigh that seemed to show the held back emotions, the anxiety and most importantly the tension that swelled in him.

Instead of saying anything to the woman, he remained on his knees before, his eyes locked on her own; expecting nothing but also expecting everything; if that even made the slightest bit of sense. Through the past year, Sombra had been the only person he could have relied on. She had been in the trenches with him, she bled with him, for him, because of him. She knew what his life was like. He knew what hers was. Yet, unlike Hollywood Hilton, this man said nothing to ruin the mood. He let his Almond Colored eyes do the talking.

[*sombra delgadillo]

Peter, as he was called…was unwelcome. She had heard his footsteps moments before he entered and Josef had abruptly shifted, striding naked into the bathroom - a tense look on his face. It must have hurt..The she-wolf's stare powerfully slid to the interloper, the fur aloft her spine having ascended and her incisors bared. In just a second her wolves had strode in, summed up the situation and took care of Kassis while Sombra went to shift. Peter came with bad news - the Alpha could have seen that coming, no one was bringing good news at this point. It was all bad…all of it. And Josef was internalizing it. From someone who did the exact same thing, she wasn't particularly surprised about this either. Frankly she was too exhausted to pretend to be shocked when Peter told Josef of his job, and about Enda. Sombra mourned the Omega's passing as well…though most definitely not as much as Josef was. The look on his face, however neutral it might have seemed was a telltale sign. He stood in the shower for what seemed an eternity and was silent. The redhead herself had dressed in a pair of light cotton shorts and a large tshirt. Her features were caustic, blank for the most part as she stared at her hands.

They were clasped in front of her, between her knees as she sat on the edge of the bed. The scent of his tears reached her nostrils even coupled with the moisture of the shower. Even without them pouring down his cheeks, salt was a potent smell - especially amid the purity of water. It took a lot out of you…losing the weak you swore to protect. Sombra understood that more than most. A small frown creased her features, listening to him begin to move around in there. It was abrupt - as if he'd made a decision, she suspected so anyway. The next time she looked up he was coming out of the bathroom…in the buff. Now, Sombra had seen naked men before. Naked women too for that matter - for different reasons of course but the human body wasn't exactly foreign. Neither was she so comfortable that she could stare openly. Still she did not flinch away, was simply careful to direct her gaze to his face, which was soon beneath her line of sight. He was kneeling in front of her. The woman's brow gave a small twitch.

It was an odd spectacle - him sitting there completely naked. The woman breathed a slow sigh, staring back at him for several minutes. A soft pair of knuckles reached out, brushing the curve of his cheek with the back of her hand. She watched silently for a moment, stroking his face absently. She didn't speak, didn't ask if he was okay…Frankly she knew that look. Vulnerability…weakness. She remembered it, even if it had been some time since she'd look that way. His eyes were almost a mirror, that look of failure…fresh in her memoirs despite the years that had passed. It was heart breaking. That look on his face…It seemed to ask her…What now… She was well aware that he expected something. She just didn't know what to say. Was there anything to say? Her face was like his…only just so blank…but her eyes were not. How could they be? They were quiet, peaceful…exhausted beyond all of her capacity to describe or fathom, and yet content. True, things had not gotten better per say…they had not grown worse.

But she and Josef persevered this far…A little further wouldn't be such a bother now would it? How could it be? The she-wolf's stare mirrored his, back down into his eyes. Unceremoniously she slid down onto the floor, carefully sitting on her legs and cradling his bristled face. There was a myriad of things she could say in an attempt to reassure him that despite the inconsolable grief all would be well…but only in time would he be able to believe that. Best not make foolish suggestions at this point. Her voice would not come to tell him the lies of reassurance. She would not know if things were okay, or if they ever would be. But like him there was a reticent communication in her gaze. A mimicking of sorts, quiet and tender and yet not without the resilient, flighty brilliance of her feral self. It was the quiet regard of a wild thing…quite prepared to flee but not in flight just yet.

[Josef Ibn-Abad]

The blur of the next few moments seemed to all blend together more than the colors on a painters pallet. Josef was not untainted. He was not pure. In his life, he had broken every commandment of his former faith, had broken every spiritual and moral law of his people. He was by all accounts, a rogue, a disowned monster. Josef would have been classified as an Infidel and for the remainder of his days that would be his label amongst his people. Quietly though, the moments blurred as Josef brought himself to near level with Sombra.

His finger tips slid up Delgadillos arms, rising to her shoulders, to her neck and slowly back down. Wolves had tremendous gifts, especially with the senses but at this moment, Josef's senses became a rather large liability. Wolves whom were aroused gave off unique scents, a pheromone of sorts that told all other wolves around that they were hormonally heightened. What did this mean? It meant that they were either turned on or ready for a fight.

His pheromone trail gave off the scent of a wolf aroused, but fighting it. He did not want to scare Sombra off but Josef knew if he was not forward now, he never would be. They had shed blood, sweat and tears together. They protected one another. They were mates without actually being mates, chasing each other literally around the world. Josef ran his fingers through Sombras hair, taking these moments to simply feel her. Her hair was soft and flowed easily through his fingertips.

That multi-colored wolf within him stirred in arousal. This was dangerous. These physical urges that often overtook a wolf in heat. Younger wolves would not be able to control it, often times shifting through foreplay and causing a lot of damage to both the person they were with and themselves. It was hard, nearly impossible to keep under control. People whom thought dominates were able to handle themselves with greater ease were often mistaken. It took a lot of energy to control it; the arousal. It was no more true than when they were with their mate.

Rising up, the man places his hands on each side of Sombra's face. His almond eyes locked onto hers while his body slowly pushed forward. Sombra's body fell back on the bed, Josef holding himself up above her, only momentarily, before lowering. Resting to her right, his left hand slid down her neck while his lips feathered against her own. Her breath was warm, inviting. Her scent dominating, intoxicating and in this moment, the bare arabs skin flushed.

In this moment Josef's lips pressed against Sombra's. His flesh pressed against her own while their tongues momentarily clashed against one anothers for dominance. The the mist from a ocean current smashing into a rocky shore, Sombra overtook Josef. The warmth of the suns rays, the mist on the breeze, the scents, smells, aromas. The ecstasy, Sombra cleared Josefs thoughts with the kiss. For the first time in the day, his mind cleared. His hand gently pressed against the side of her neck, while he broke the kiss, nipped at her lip and gently began to kiss along her jawline. Aroused, the wolf within wanted more, craved more, demanded more. He wanted Sombra. The Arab, taking one arm of Delgadillos, wrapped it around his neck while his lips reconnected with her own. His lips dominated over her own, nipping against at the lower lip while his tongue teased playfully with her own.

[*sombra delgadillo]

Infidel, huh? Sombra wasn't absolutely sure what she would have been classified as herself. A Christian? A hypocrite? A killer? Probably all of those things…coupled with the obvious - she was a recluse and an Alpha of course. It seemed a rare, tender moment for, dare I say it, the couple. The sensation of his slightly calloused fingertips trailing up her well muscled arms - up her forearms, her biceps, her shoulders and back down. And yeah, he did absolutely smell as if he were up and ready to go. Frankly that threw her for a loop. Thinking of them on a level that was romantic was one thing but sex? She wasn't even certain she remembered the last time she had it. And it had definitely not been with someone quite so intense as Mr. Abad. Another thing? They hadn't even dated, and despite what rumors Josef had been spreading about himself and Ms. Delgadillo - she had not consented to being his mate. She liked to think of herself as a classy woman…and if not that then definitely harder to get than this. Josef stroked her hair, as if in reassurance, though it was quite evident what was on his mind and her distrust stirred, spooked to say the very least.

Even if she hadn't literally been with a male werewolf she knew the mechanics of it and nearly flinched away, her pupils narrowing slightly and her own lupine stirring as well…far more ready for a fight than for what he had in mind. Naturally she'd never kicked his ass…but there was a first for everything. How exactly do you tell the guy who supposedly loves you that you don't want to have sex with them though? Hell he probably even used the term "make love". Nearly snorting, she was under no illusions about it - sex wasn't really about love. Sex was about sex. Josef cradled her face, staring at her as she was lowered onto the bed…Cliche. On the up side, at least he lay beside her, left a little room for some escape. Despite herself, the redhead's lips caressed his - her silent apology for not being "ready" per say for this surrender. Her tongue toyed with his briefly, a persuasive fight as it were and in moments it seemed over. He broke away, much too soon for her liking, only to nip at her lower lip and toying with her tongue. Teasing her it seemed.

Oh…he didn't know what it meant to tease. Then again, he was already naked. Poor guy. She nearly grimaced as she thought of it - the moment she'd have to pull away and he'd have that confused look on his face. He kissed along her jaw, wrapping one of her arms around his neck. Her fingertips automatically found his hair, running through the ebony locks of the Syrian. He kissed her again and she returned it sincerely, taking careful note of where his hands were though in truth…she knew it was better to stop this before she lead him on too much. Sighing against his lips, she rested her forehead against his, dark serious eyes roving his face - seeking refuge…strength almost in the planes to communicate her uncertainty verbally. It was awful to have to say so…but it needed to be said. "I'm not sleeping with you today." It was a calm statement, matter of fact…And probably rather devastating for him. Here he thought they'd made so much leeway. Realistically they had. But not that much…It seemed to be skipping a chapter or two.

Yes, they'd chased each other. Yes, they'd risked their lives for the sake of the other. And that proved interest, maybe even love. But that wasn't enough. Not for her. She had never taken a mate. And it was not something to be handled lightly. The she-wolf's lips brushed his again though it seemed more chaste, somewhat uncertain. To be honest, she was mentally preparing herself for the fight. The one he'd stage once he didn't get his way. Big bad alpha probably would think he'd earned every right to her body. Her inner wolf snorted - amused by the idea. Her body was no one's property. And if she was the least bit reluctant to give of herself then she shouldn't make herself…She refused. Whether this ended well or not. If he'd thought for one moment that he'd forever tamed the beast…He was dead wrong. Dead wrong. Her feelings for him did not suddenly erase her capacity to have her own thoughts or opinions. Only made her annoyed when she thought that he was going to usurp her right to those opinions. Blame it on her perpetual distrust of others. But she had not been beaten. And she would not be domesticated.

[Josef Ibn-Abad]

Sombra had a lot to learn about romance. In a single statement, she assumed too much of Josef. He pulled his body from her own. Kissing was a reliever; stress reliever to be specific and this had been most wonderful. Rolling onto his back, yet still beside Sombra, the man stared up at the ceiling. Was it a good thing she stopped it when she did? Yes. Was Josef, himself, ready for such affection? Honestly, no. He was known for being a territorial wolf. Jealousy, over bearing and highly dominating over that which he claimed was his.

New York had known fear. Vampires fled the city. Wolves stayed away from it. Josef Ibn-Abad had been the Syrian people feared. Everyone except Sombra Delgadillo. She had never feared him. She had never cowered to him. She had never submitted to his dominating traits. Every step of the way, she matched up to him. "So," What was Sombra expecting? An angry, sexually frustrated male wolf, who would lash out in rage, hate, anger and contempt? Was Josef like that? He could be. He would be when he got back to New York and re-laid down his law. He would be if Peter Kassis or Casimir Goetschl ever crossed his path. He would be if harm ever came in Sombra's direction. "What would you like to do? Dinner, movie, go for a walk? Why don't we go swimming?"

Swimming? Was the Syrian thinking correctly? After everything they had been through. The hell Sombra and her pack had seen and experienced and the chaos Josef's pack endured, the man was thinking of a typical date? "I want to do something normal. I think our bodies could use a rest from the constant trips across the planet. You're pack can come a long if they wanted. I don't know how bored they've become just sitting on their hands, waiting for us to make up our minds on when we are returning to the states."

A part of the reason was Josef avoiding the high probability Sombra would want that bullet removed from Ibn-Abads back. The majority of the reason was the fact Sombra deserved something normal. She led the series so far. Three times saving Josef's arse, one or two for Josef saving hers. It was lopsided; at least that much was clear. "I'm sure we will be left alone for the most part? If needed, I could go ahead, scare off the locals as a rapid dog then we could have the entire area to ourselves?"

Joking was not his fortee' but there was a hint of seriousness to his voice. Sombra probably did not want to know how far Josef would go for her. He had killed for Sombra. He could and would do a whole lot worse for her. When a man had faith, what did he have left to keep his moral code intact? Hardly anything.

Then an intriguing thought cross his mind, though extremely momentary, perhaps he could attend one of the christian church's Sombra went too... if she attended any sort of religious service.

That could wait.

"What do you want to do besides wait for me to put on some clothes?" again he joked.

[*sombra delgadillo]

Well duh she had a lot to learn about romance. What use had she had for it in the past twenty two years? None what so ever. It had nothing to do with her life or existence. She had thought herself incapable of love, and while that seemed less and less true, she was still painfully aware of her shortcomings. He rolled over to lay on his back, and she breathed a little easier. Safer, she was safer as long as he was…on his side? She wasn't exactly well informed about how Josef generally was when he was in a relationship. Frankly she didn't know how she generally was in a relationship. What was she like? Who knew… And yes, Sombra matched up. Each and every time, and you know why? Because that's what she was good at. That came easily to her. It was everything else that was about them that seemed to quite easily trip her up. Then again she was well versed in falling on her face as well.

So, He breathed. A small sigh was released from the she-wolf's lips as she rubbed her face. There was a pause and then he continued, as expected, What would you like to do? Dinner, movie, go for a walk? Why don't we go swimming? She nearly wrinkled her nose. She didn't like to swim. Not that she wasn't good at it, but she didn't like to…Odd. I want to do something normal. I think our bodies could use a rest from the constant trips across the planet. Your pack can come along if they wanted. I don't know how bored they've become just sitting on their hands, waiting for us to make up our minds on when we are returning to the States. The woman shrugged thoughtfully, mulling over the options that had been presented. I'm sure we will be left alone for the most part? If needed, I could go ahead, scare off the locals as a rabid dog then we could have the entire area to ourselves. She snorted, offering him a side glance. It was an interesting and preposterous idea.

He was serious too, and though that was both entertaining and worrisome she did not flinch from the concept. A church service? She hadn't gone to one in the last fifteen years, couldn't imagine why she'd start now. What do you want to do besides wait for me to put on some clothes? A small smirk crept over her face. "That's the only immediate request. And foreign movies aren't my thing…neither is swimming unfortunately. Maybe just dinner and a walk." And she didn't plan on walking all that long - he was right about one thing in particular, he needed that bullet out of his shoulder before she would know peace.