#hesitant alein

[saturnplaza]

✩•̩̩͙˚𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍˚•̩̩͙✩

(updated)

Hiya :p My name is-- Saturn//Jayde They/Them I'm non-binary =] ALSO I'M QUITE GAY 🩷💛💙

I YAP ALOT, I LOVE TALKING AND I'M A SUPER HUGE NERD -- I love Ryan Ross, The entirety of My Chem, Resident Evil Two, SO SO SO MUCH MORE I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF IT. IF YOU WANNA KNOW WHAT I'M INTO JUST STALK MY BLOG XD PLEASE SEND ASKS AND INTERACT WITH ME, I LOVE INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE SAME THINGS AS ME AND WHO ARE COOL!! I LOVE INTERACTING AND MAKING FRIENDS IN THE FANDOMS I'M IN --- On that note...

I AM IN ALOT OF FANDOMS TOO MANY TO RECALL

SOME THOUGH, ARE:

(TOP FIVE ONLY CAUSE WE'LL BE HERE FOREVER)

BANDS: ✩ My Chemical Romance ✩ Panic! At The Disco ✩ Fall Out Boy ✩ Peirce The Veil ✩ Periphery

VIDEO GAMES ✩ Resident Evil (all) ✩ Silent Hill (2 & 3) ✩ Life is Strange (BTS & 1) ✩ Red Dead Redemtion (1 & 2) ✩ Detroit Become Human

MISC. (Mostly shows//Movies) ✩ Creepypasta ✩ I am Not Okay With This ✩ The Goldfinch ✩ Shameless ✩ Quackity (On the VERY rare ocasion)

I do alot of things -- I'm all over the internet.

LINKTREE!!!

-- I Write --- I Edit --- I Do Art --

WRITING

Writing is a big thing for me, it always has been-- I've always had the urge to be creative or get my thoughts out and well that's what I do.

I write alot of things I write:

FANFICTION -- (Yikes...)

FANDOMS I WRITE FOR:

 (This list will be updated as I go)

--------------------------------------------

Resident Evil:

Leon Kennedy

Carlos Olivera 

Ada Wong 

Claire Redfield 

Jill Valentine

Detroit Become Human:

Connor RK800

Gavin Reed

Life is Strange:

Chloe Price 

Nathan Prescott

Max Caulfield 

Bands (More to come)

Ryan Ross (P!ATD and The Young Veins)

Vic Fuentes (Peirce The Veil)

Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens)

Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance)

Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance)

Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)

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!!NOTES!!

I Mainly write X reader but I can dabble into pairings as long as they’re legal, not creepy, make sense, etc. 

MASTERLIST AT THE BOTTOM

!!ALSO I AM A MINOR I DO NOT WRITE SMUT!! (I will write very close, it can  get spicy but I stop it at a certain point)

ALL OF MY FANFICTION GETS PREMOTED ON THIS BLOG AND POSTED ON MY:

A03

https://archiveofourown.org/users/SATURNPLAZA/pseuds/SATURNPLAZA

I ALSO WRITE ON LIVEJOURNAL !!!

If you are more intrested in more intamite writing, or blogging this is where you'd want to be--

https://saturnplaza.livejournal.com/

SOCIAL MEDIAS

TikTok -- https://www.tiktok.com/@saturnplaza : 

I EDIT WOOO WHOOO. I have always loved editing and I am pretty good at it (I may just be biased cause its myself) --- I edit alot of random things I'm into --- Fair warning my upload times do very --- But I am very active with moots and fandoms ---

Tumblr -- You don't need a link we're on my blog: AH YES, my infamous blog where I yap about the most random shit cause I am the queen of yapper town. I am very active and intarct alot with people.

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!!ALSO I'M LITTERALLY RED ROOT GERARD WAY!! ------------------------------------------------- MASTER LIST UNDER CUT

MCR:

ALL: TRAUMA BRINGS LOVE AMONG OTHER THING CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO

P!ATD:

RYAN ROSS: MY KIND OF SABOTAGE IT MAY BE WRONG BUT IT FEELS RIGHT

[merenascl0ud]

·★· TOG

FOOTNOTES: (*) smut & (!) fluff,

── characters !

alein

fenrys

rowan

dorian

manon

gavriel

adeion

lysandra

elide

lorcan

── ships !

rowaelin

manorian

lysaedion

elorcan

── original characters !

FOOTNOTES: i do have many ideas and storylines for original characters but i am hesitant to post them.. so please give grace if this is still empty!

[rowanaelinn]

Fire on Fire - Chapter Three

Chapter two // Chapter four

“My head’s gonna explode,” Elide Lochan sighed before she drank two big gulps of water as if she had been thirsty for days. Aelin knew the feeling. She’d been working for two hours now but it felt like ten. The bar was so hot and the music so loud, she couldn’t wait to go home and come back to the silence of her room.

Today was her first day and of course, it was a Saturday night, the busiest night of the week. The uniform, which was basically only a tight white shirt and a pair of black booty shorts, was one of the other reasons Aelin decided she hated this job but only stayed for the money. Aelin had been lucky today if you can call it that, but unfortunately, that luck didn’t extend to Elide.

Some douche-bags slapped her ass when she served him his drink, and of course, all his friends howled with laughter. As if sexual harassment was some kind of joke. The moment Elide mentioned this incident, Aelin had wanted to slam the guy's head on the table but Elide stopped her. The customer was always right and both Aelin and Elide needed this job too much.

They had decided not to tell their co-worker Manon about that, Aelin and Elide had already worked with her before and Aelin knew where Manon was, violence usually followed. It was something Aelin loved about that woman, and she also found it hot as hell. Okay, maybe she had a bit of a crush on the white-haired woman. But in Aelin’s defense, Elide did have a crush on her too. It was like a general experience.

“Do you think we’ll be fired if we don’t go back?” Aelin put her cold bottle of water against the back of her neck, in an attempt to cool her down.

“Definitely, Rofle is a dick. I mean have you seen this outfit?” The brunette turned on herself and gestured to the more than revealing clothes. Aelin agreed, if her cousin saw her in this outfit he would have a heart attack. She was suddenly glad this bar opened last week, at least Aedion didn’t know this place. Yet.

“Girls,” Nesryn interrupted them. “Break’s over. Go back to work.”

Aelin undid her ponytail, a forbidden hairstyle in this bar apparently, and went back behind the counter. She wore her best fake smile and ignored the lingering looks on her breast or her backside, winked and flirted back when clients thought they had a chance of taking her home with them. Aelin hid her disgust of these men pretty good, she was proud of herself for it.

She would quit if she wasn’t low on money lately. For hell’s sake, Aedion was paying half of her rent. It had been a very long discussion between them, Aelin would rather live on the street than depend on someone. Aelin got convinced when Aedion made it clear if she didn’t accept he would call her parents. So Aelin put her pride aside and accepted, at the only condition Aedion let her pay him back whenever she could. He had argued but accepted. The Ashryver family wasn’t very good at compromise, but at least they tried.

“Aelin, go take the order of table nine,” Manon yelled at her over the background noise. Aelin gave her a thumb up as she kept pouring alcohol in the shaker.

When Aelin was done making this cocktail she wiped her hands and walked toward table nine. She looked down to grab her little booklet and pen she left in one of the pockets of her apron as she said, “Hi, welcome to the sea dragon, what can I-” She stopped as she took in who was sitting in front of her. Lorcan Salvaterre, Fenrys, Connall Moonbeam, and of fucking course, gods-damned Rowan Whitethorn. She took a deep breath and smiled, but she knew her fake smile wasn’t as convincing as it was minutes before.

She focused on Fenrys and Connall, the only ones she could stand at that table. “What can I get you?”

Fenrys had an amused look on his face, accentuated by his smirk full of wickedness. “So this is your new job?” He asked, and if she didn’t know him the look could be considered genuine.

“You knew it, Fen. I told you hours ago.” Rowan’s head whipped to Fenrys, and Aelin’s face suddenly mirrored Fenrys’s. She didn’t know what the blonde had in mind, but if it annoyed Whitethorn, Aelin was on board. Rowan’s head turned back toward her and he narrowed his eyes. “Got something on my face, Whitethorn?” She couldn’t help it, she had to always argue with him.

“Yeah, all that make-up,” his eyes roamed over her body, it took everything in her not to move under the weight of his gaze. “What’s that outfit anyway?” His disdain was quite obvious.

“My uniform, dumbass.” She tightened her grip around her pen and notebook so much that her knuckles turned white. “Be careful, it almost sounds like you care.” It was one of the most sarcastic things she had ever said in her life, the look in his eyes was enough proof.

“Why would I care about you when you’re dressed like a stripper?” He crossed his arms and Aelin had to force herself not to stare at his muscles and at the tattoo on his arms. He was a handsome bastard and it made him quite hard to hate.

“So, no respect for sex workers, Whitethorn? Why am I not surprised?”

“No, actually I respect them a lot. You’re the only person I don’t respect.” It took everything in her not to punch him in the face right now, but that’s what he was waiting for. It was like he loved to see her lose control.

“I’m going to enjoy spitting in your drink.”

“Do that and I’ll have a nice chat with your boss, good luck to find another job, princess.” He was getting angry, Aelin loved that, it meant she was winning their little game.

“Feel free to do it, it just means you’ll have to share that splendid bathroom with me longer.” She winked at him and wiggled her brows. Rowan clenched his jaw, another sign of his anger.

“Can you two stop for a minute? I’m thirsty.” Lorcan Salvaterre interrupted them and Aelin rolled her eyes. She wasn’t exactly on friendly terms with Lorcan either, but instead of always arguing as she did with Rowan, they just ignored each other.

“Who are they?” Elide asked as Aelin prepared her roommates’ order. The four of them wanted a beer, classic.

“Two of them are the bane of my existence and the two others annoying but very pretty.”

“I want him in my bed,” Elide said as she bit her lip. Aelin whipped her head toward the guys, trying to know which one she was talking about.

“I have no idea which one you’re already planning to get naked but one of them is gay and the other three aren’t good options.”

“Great, I don’t want good and I don’t want to be good. And It’s the tall one.” Elide winked and left before Aelin could say anything. Of course, Elide would be attracted to Lorcan. Alein went back to their table, accidentally spilling a little bit of Rowan’s beer on him when she accidentally tripped. He swore at her but she decided to ignore it, instead, she pushed him so she could sit next to him to be right in front of Lorcan.

“You,” She pointed at Lorcan, with her smile full of mischief.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She shook his head and she heard the twins laugh.

“What’s your type of woman?”

“Everything you aren’t.”

“I’m gonna look past that insult because I am an amazing woman,” she was cut off by Rowan’s snort. “You shut up, you’re thirty and still single.” She looked back at Lorcan but heard Rowan correct her on his age. His highness was still twenty-nine for three months. “What about 5”2, brunette, very very scary. She’s also one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen, but unfortunately, she doesn’t have good taste. I’m not her type but you are.” She winked at him. Rowan muttered something that sounded a lot like “We aren’t teenagers anymore” but she ignored him.

Lorcan furrowed his brow, Aelin could see him hesitate. “Where?”

“Want to see her dance?” Aelin didn’t wait for the answer and walked back to the bar.

-

Rowan was mesmerized.

The moment Aelin Ashryver Galathynius started dancing was the moment he lost his mind.

He hated her for it, hated her for being the first thing anyone looked at when they entered a room. Hated her for being the most attractive woman he had seen in a while.

She had been raised to become this. Well, not to become a barmaid in a piss-poor bar in Doranelle. But to become the type of woman everyone looked at, everyone wanted.

With Evalin Ashryver as her mother, how could Aelin become something else? Her mother was an incredible actress, and one of the most famous ones. She was also known for being cunning, ambitious, and beautiful as a sin.

And with Rhoe Galathynius as her father, Aelin knew how to captivate an audience. Rhoe was a legend of football. Whenever he played, all eyes were on him. He was smart and as cunning as his wife, a perfect match if you listened to the papers. That’s probably why he was a coach now, and that’s also why his team almost always won.

So Aelin was born with amazing genes, a talent to bewitch everyone who looked at her, and a bank account bigger than anyone should have. That’s why he didn’t understand why she would be working here and living with five guys instead of just having a big apartment in the richest part of town. But Aedion had told everyone to never mention her parents, so they all listened. Everyone was careful to do just that, maybe because Lysandra had threatened to cut their favorite body part and to make them eat it if they ever mentioned Rhoe’s or Evalin’s name. All that the day they met her when she was one month away from turning eighteen.

Now this she-devil had him under her spell. He couldn’t stop looking at the way her hips moved perfectly on beat with the music, at the way her hands wandered over her stomach, the side of her breast, and then lifted her hair in the air. Or even at how close she was to her friend, the one who is apparently interested in Lorcan. Both of them were giving a show, and when Rowan finally looked away from the blonde it was to find almost every man with their eyes on her. She knew what she was doing, he knew she did. It made him want to yell at her, even at work she couldn’t help but want attention.

Aelin turned her head, and their eyes met. Rowan sat straighter, swallowing. Her sinful mouth turned into a smirk and she accentuated her hips’ movements, aware of Rowan’s eyes on her. It was also something they did, along with arguing. They caught the other checking the other out, but wouldn’t call them on it. They would never bring it up, it was like a secret between them. He shouldn’t find the idea of sharing something with her so exciting.

She never stopped looking at him as she danced, sometimes she would bit her lip, sometimes her hands would wander on her breasts. He had to stop himself from growling as his cock hardened. Aelin was a sin.

Who did she think she was? He hated her, he made that clear. She hated him, and she had also made that clear. Why did she feel the need to tease him? She was trying to mess with him, and it was working.

The bubble broke when one of Aelin’s coworkers interrupted her, telling her and her friend she was dancing with to go back to work. Rowan couldn’t help but stare at her ass as she walked back behind the counter. He would have felt bad for it, wasn’t it for the slight sway of her hips and the look she threw at him when she started serving people again.

“I want her.” Lorcan almost grunted, and against his best wishes and even if they weren’t talking about the same girl, Rowan agreed.

-

Aelin wasn’t tired, no, tired wasn’t a strong enough word to describe what she was feeling. It was almost three in the morning and her shift ended in one hour, thank god she wasn’t supposed to close the bar today.

A customer asked for another sex on the beach, his fourth of the night. Aelin smiled as she prepared it but decided it would be his last of the night. Rofle didn’t want his barmaids to stop clients from drinking because more drinking means more money. But all the money in the world wasn’t worth the customers’ life. She would never forgive herself if someone had a car accident or became an alcoholic because of the drink she served. She gave the drink and took the man’s car keys, saying she would call a cab when he wanted to leave.

Aelin’s phone started ringing and when she saw who was calling her she sighed. If she was tired now it would be worse by the end of the night.

“Hello,” She answered as she got into a cupboard to find some quiet.

“Hi, you’re Aelin Galathynius?” A deep male voice asked. From the tone of his voice, the man must be as exhausted as Aelin was.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Aelin already regretted picking up this gods damned phone.

“I’m sorry to bother you but a guy’s at my bar. He’s tall-”

“Yeah, I know exactly who it is. Let me guess, he is drunk and absolutely refuses to call a taxi because taxis are disgusting. He also told you to call me, didn’t he?”

“You got it all right.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “Where’s your bar?” She nodded when he told her the address and told him she would be here in half an hour.

Aelin went to Elide, apologized, and asked her to cover the rest of her shift. Elide understood, it wasn’t the first time Aelin had to leave for the same reason. Elide was pissed but not because she had more work, but because she didn’t want Aelin to go.

Aelin took her car and drove, maybe a little slower than she should but it was night. Roads were dangerous, especially on a Saturday night. Aelin parked right in front of the sidewalk. She took her phone and wanted to text Aedion to tell him she would be late but her phone was dead. Amazing.

Aelin walked into the bar and realized she didn’t take time to change clothes, she was still in her uniform. She crossed her arms, trying to cover her chest as best as she could. Even if she had liked to have Rowan Whitethorn watching her tonight, she didn’t want anyone else to look at her this way.

It didn’t take long to see who had called Aelin, she walked toward him, the bartender looked relieved someone would come to pick him up. “I’m gonna take that.” She told him, and he gave her the car keys. Aelin turned her head to grey eyes watching her body, of course, he would notice her lack of clothing. “Let’s get you home,” Aelin said, trying her best not to let her anger out, it’s not going to help tonight.

“Hello, darling,” Arobynn purred.

tag list:

@sheharahu // @morganofthewildfire // @thestoriesyoutell // @fromthelibraryofemilyj // @swankii-art-teacher // @itsforeverinnocent-blog // @becarefuloflove // @imnotsogoodatthis // @rowaelinismyotp // @a-court-of-milkandhoney // @feysand-loml // @surielandiareendgame // @live-the-fangirl-life // @story-scribbler // @mx—spelled //

[julemmaes]

Could you pleeeeeeease write a fic where Aelin is sick and Rowan and Fenrys are both being overprotective?!

Menace - October 1st

Rowan Whitethorn x Aelin Galathynius x Fenrys Moonbeam

A/N: This wasn’t sent for the Multifandom October Fest, but I used it anyway cause I needed to answer it lmao. I couldn’t write more cause today I have classes from 8:30 to 5:30 and I’m kinda dying over here, so, sorry if it doesn’t meet expectations, I tried.

I think some of the ones you’ve sent will be just as short while others I’ll try to write longer stuff cause I’m more inspired by some of the prompts (you guys really went wild).

Asks are always open tho, for more requests, so again “don’t be shy” - if I don’t consider your ask for the MOF it’s because it’d take too much time to write and it’s not something I can do in just a day, but I’ll definitely answer them all after it’s finished.

Word count: 1,269

Aelin hadn't been feeling well for a couple of days. Her head had hurt since Rowan had left to do some bureaucratic work in Adarlan - something that required the presence of the Prince Consort - and the day before the pain had worsened so much that she hadn't been able to reach her rooms without Fenrys' help.

The wolf had stayed with her, in his animal form, curled up around her body to comfort her as she twisted and cried during the night. Without Rowan at the castle there was no other way to make her feel safe at such a delicate moment and where she felt exposed.

She had woken up several times, screaming the name of her mate, crying the name of friends lost during the war. There had been a moment when she had opened her eyes and looked Fenrys in the face, caressing his snout. She had screamed shortly afterwards, moving frantically to get away from him. She had fallen out of bed and the bloodsworn had been forced to turn back into his human form. To talk some sense into her, to make her realize she was safe.

As soon as Aelin had seen him she had burst into tears, clutching her head in her hands and looking into his eyes. She had screamed Sam's name and Fenrys' heart broke in his chest when he heard the despair in his queen's voice.

In the morning, it took Aedion and Lysandra forcing the man to leave the still feverish girl. Fenrys had refused to walk away from her and the cousin had had to remind him that if he didn't eat anything, he would not be able to protect her in case of real danger.

Fenrys had frowned and replied that he would have no problem in case a real threat came to the palace, but he had listened to them anyway and got out of bed, leaving a whining Aelin.

He crossed paths with Elide and Lorcan on his way to the kitchens and warned them of the queen's physical condition. They were just visiting and were only supposed to stay a few days, to update Aelin about the situation in Perranth, but Fenrys saw the concern in both their eyes and knew immediately that there would be no way to get them to leave until their friend was back to health.

He had just taken his seat at one of the tables used by the servants when he heard it.

Aelin's agonizing scream.

He didn't bother picking up his chair when, getting up too quickly, he threw it against the wall, also dropping his plate filled with food.

He started running towards the stairs and a shock of terror went through his whole body. He turned into the air, jumping, so he could go faster.

Aelin screamed again.

The sound made Fenrys growl so loud that the few people in the hallways moved even before they saw him coming, frightened by the fierce animal.

He entered the room, slamming the door against the wall.

He took one look at Aelin, checking her figure and making sure she was not hurt, and when he saw her he almost tripped over his feet. She was clutching her body with her arms and seemed so small, so helpless between the sheets of the large bed.

Where the hell was Aedion? Why wasn't he here with her?

He turned to the other side of the room, finding only Lorcan and Elide. The latter with a wounded and confused expression on her face. Fenrys growled once more, showing his fangs, standing at attention.

Lorcan kept his hands forward and when he made to move, Aelin screamed again.

"Please don't! I am begging you." She was crying so hard that Fenrys was hesitant between tearing Lorcan's throat to bits and rushing over to her, holding her in his embrace, plunging his snout into the hollow of her neck.

"Aelin, your majesty. My queen..."

"I am not your queen!" she cried, gripping the blanket between her fingers, looking even smaller, "You obey her! You serve that monster."

All of them gasped. What was she talking about?

Aelin closed her eyes, begging the gods to leave her alone. Mumbling of blood and sand.

"Aelin, you are in Terrasen. You're home." Elide tried to get closer to the girl, but Fenrys snarled and jumped towards Lorcan, who, moving sideways, dodged the wolf's open jaws. He heard Elide screaming his name and saw his friend draw a dagger, ready to defend himself if necessary.

Fenrys felt Alein's distress even through the room. He felt that she didn't want Lorcan to stay there, he perceived him as a threat. He was about to attack again, the fur on his back upright, a sign of anger, and the claws scratched on the stone floor threateningly.

Lorcan looked at him attentively, shifting his gaze from Elide to the door. He was as tense as Fenrys, probably concerned for his wife. He raised his hand to the wolf, "Fen, you need to calm down."

Fenrys growled louder and Aelin called out his name from the bed, making the wolf's attention turn in her direction. That small gesture cost him the advantage he seemed to have had up to that moment.

Lorcan jumped on him, holding an arm around the animal's neck. Fenrys began to fight against his friend's grip, while Elide moved to get near the bed, to reach Alein and try to understand what was wrong, what she was seeing that others couldn't.

Fenrys had just managed to turn the positions upside down, pushing his front paws over Lorcan's chest, his mouth open above the other's face, when the window of the room exploded into a thousand pieces, shooting glass splinters everywhere.

Elide walked away from the bed immediately when Rowan turned and she saw the delirium in his eyes.

Their king was breathing frantically, both hands clasped around the hilt of his sword, ready to kill anyone who had caused his wife so much pain that he had been able to feel it through the bond.

He looked at Aelin and seemed to bleach, his hands snapped open, dropping the weapon and when he put one knee on the mattress, pushing himself towards Alein, she whimpered.

Fenrys instantly jumped on the bed, growling in his face. Rowan replied with an equally beastly, equally dangerous sound.

Lorcan took advantage of the moment of distraction to grab Elide and run out of the room, closing the door behind them.

"I am not the threat here, Fenrys." whispered his king. Aelin groaned and Fenrys trembled, growling and stepping on the mattress. Rowan's knee slipped down.

"Rowan?" Aelin's voice was so small, so feeble. When she opened her eyes and turned to her mate, relief took over her expression and she burst into tears. "Rowan."

Fenrys quickly backed away. Leaving room to let the male move, who without hesitation lay down next to his wife and held her close to his chest.

"I'm here Fireheart, I'm here." he kissed her on the head, clutching her fragile body, while Aelin curled up against him. Fenrys lay down on the covers, nudging her ankle with his snout.

Rowan kept his eyes closed while he whispered sweet nothings to her, but when she moved and stretched out towards the wolf, he looked at them, watching as Fenrys blinked four times. Observing how Aelin mirrored that movement.

They remained lying on that one bed, the three of them, growling at everyone and sending away all those who tried to enter the room.

tog tag lists (if you wanna be added/removed just send me an ask or dm me)

@tottenhamboys20 @sjm-things @kris10maas @awesomelena555 @sannelovesreading @queenamydien29 @ireallyshouldsleeprn @messyhairday-me @ncssian @observationanxioustheorist @my-fan-side @booksstorm @maastrash @sayosdreams @thedarkdemigod @courtofjurdan @thewayshedreamed @ladywitchling @nahthanks

[blissfulalchemist]

Fic Time Capsule

I was tagged by the wonderful @consumedkings to look back at my fanfic history and post about it. Tagging in return: @tomexraider @faithchel @risenlucifer @strafethesesinners @ohfaiths @shallow-gravy @vasiktomis and anyone else that wants too!

The rules say preferably a year old but I’ve talked about Salvation’s so much already and I stopped writing fic in high school, so we have to go back 10 years exactly (or similar I don’t remember how often I posted). 

So to no one’s surprise I was obsessed with vampires and was a teen during the Twilight craze, and due to that I was introduced to Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and wrote fanfiction for it. It is still posted up on Wattpad and surprisingly it had 17 chapters. Here’s a chapter from it and most I have to say about it is I am amazed at the progress ten years made and funny how I came back full circle with Bloodlines. 

~3k words

            It wasn't far from the cafiteria. i once agian hesitated at the doors. This was different from breakfeast. I was going to be in a class where everyone would know that I was new and didn't know any of this stuff. I took three deep breaths and walked in hoping I didn't draw any attention to myself. There was a few kids there already and some more where coming in. I placed my bag on the bleachers and sat down watching. the teacher looked like another gaurdian. He had a list in his hands and was looking at it intently. I tried to keep myself calm. I looked at the kids. Most hung out together and where joking around with one another. some stayed away talking about things that where privet.

            The dhampirs seemed to be less clique oriented when together. When you get Moroi mixed in with them and they have cliques. They seemed as if they where a big family. The teacher barked something and everyone got quiet and listened. Strange it was as if they where in the millatary. Which they where I guess. At any other school it would be another few minutes till everyone shut-uped. He was taking roll and those that where called said something that showed him that they where here. He got to the bottom of the list and had a look of surprise then confusion then back to his serious face.

            "Evera Cortez," He looked at the students. The students started to look at one another and whispered. I didn't say anything. "Evera Cortez," He said agian.

            I swallowed and stood up, "I'm right here, sir." I raised my hand and put my head down.

            "Please come and join the rest of the class please." I walked to the others and I was met with stares. I stayed off to the side and hoped that at some piont I would dissaper. "Now you will work in pairs on what we've been working on since last week. Go and start." Everyone went to their friends and paired off. I was left out since there was an odd number of kids. Never mind even number. A kid came in late. He talked to the teacher and the teacher looked up and scanned the other students. "Ashford! Hathaway! Seperate. Come here both of you." The teacher looked at me and waved me over.

            "What is this all about? We weren't goofing off." The girl who I guessed was Hathaway because of this morning.

            "Miss Hathaway I want you to work with our late student here, today." He told her.

            "Why?" I could tell that she was getting a little angry.

            "Because I want Mr.Ashford to work with Miss Cortez."

            She looked at me as if she just noticed that I was there, "I can teach her."

            "I know you can but I want to start her off with someone who can control their strength." She rolled her eyes and went to work with the late student. "You can take it from here Mr.Ashford." the teacher then went to look at the other students and critic them. I looked at my partner and he had a smile on his face. He led me to a blue mat and stood there.

            "So what have you learned at your old school?" I didn't say anything. He continued to look at me with his gray eyes. He seemed really nice. He had curly red hair and some freckles on his face. For one thing he didn't look like a nerd. "Hello? Are you deaf?" I turned my attention to him. "What have you learned?"

            I shrugged, "Take downs." Damnit why did I say that? He didn't know that all I knew was Tae Kwon Do.

            "Okay let's see how you do at those." I opened my mouth to say that i didn't know anything when he attacked me. I quickly tried to get him off. i got his arms off me and stepped behind him and rolled him to the ground. It was a move that i had used many times at practice. I let go of his arm and took a few steps back. He got up and looked at me. "Okay not to bad. That wouldn't work agianst a Strogoi but it's good for humans. Let's work on-"

            "I don't know anything." I told him glancing at the mat.

            "What are you talking about? You know some stuff it just needs work."

            "All I know is human self defense." I hated saying human all the time. It made me feel like I was an alein-which I kind of was- but it was the only way to get pionts across.

            "Human? Didn't you go to a school like this?"

            I shook my head, "I went to a normal school and learned normal things." I looked at him regretting what I said, "Can you please not tell anyone? I want to say it when I feel comfortable."

            "Yeah sure. I won't tell anyone. I give you my word as a gentleman. Okay so lets start at the basics."

            "Thanks." I smiled at him and relaxed. "My name is Evera."

            "Mason. Nice to meet you Evera." You know for being totaly out of my element I was kind of fitting in. I would never find anyone like my old friends but I could come close. I worked with Mason for the class and found that I was picking up on the things he was teaching quickly. They also came easily to me like when i was learning forms at practice. The class ended sooner then I liked. But i was in a much better mood then when class started.

            "Um what class do you have next, Mason?" I asked hoping he had the same class as me.

            "Body Guard theory. Why you need someone to show you?" I nodded. "Yeah I'll show you where it's at." He left to go and talk to some other friends. He came back in less then a minute but this time he wasn't alone. "Evera this is Rose. Rose, Evera. If you want to learn how to become the best just work with her."

            "Nice to meet you Rose." I put my hand out and she took it nodded and started to talk to Mason agian. I followed them to my next class. I picked a seat in the middle of the class only not dead center and looked at the blackboard. The class once agian quieted when the teacher started talk. I had no clue what he was talking about until a question sparked my attention.

            "Now anyone know why we become over protective when we are out in public at night.?"

            A student raised his hand and spoke when he was called on. "because there are Strogoi everywhere and they come out of no where."

            "Good, good." I raised my hand, "Uh yes Miss...?"

            "Evera Cortez."

            "Miss Cortez. Question?"

            "Yeah. Why do you say that?"

            "That there are Strogoi are everywhere? Simply because it's true."

            "Um well I have to dissagree."

            "And what makes you think that?"

            "Well I've lived in the real world and there aren't vampires at every corner. I would actually call it safer then any place with a bunch of Moroi together."

            "Actually a bunch of Moroi together is better because there are more gaurdians."

            "Yeah i see that piont but why don't we think like the enemy. Now if you where a Strogoi what would you rather do: Wait for weeks to catch a Moroi that's clubbing or go and attack a place that is full of Moroi and dhampirs?"

            "Please tell me what you know about Strogoi."

            Was he serious? "I know that they are cold, strong, fast, evil, kill for food, and will ban together every now and then to take families out. They also get stronger as the years go by, they are total doushe bags slash creepy stalkers and they are a bitch to kill especially if they where really good gaurdians. Oh and they are cut off from magic if they where once a Moroi." Take that.

            "Well, well for someone who lived with humans all their lives you sure know a lot about us and what we swear our lives to protect and fight agianst." I saw in his mind that he thought that he won with telling the class that I was once living with humans. he thinks he has me at checkmate but think agian.

            "Yes I lived with humans but I know so much because I do a little thing called reading." I glared at him.

            "Miss Cortez i must say that you are out of line. Please go outside until class is over." Checkmate his mind said. Damn I shouldn't have agured the first day and to think the day-sorry night-had only just begun.

            I sat out of the class and looked at the wall. I thought about typing but I didn't want to get into even more trouble. I heard the bell ring and classes started stream out and flow to the next classes. I got up and looked at my schedule. The room number was on it for my next class. I could always ask if I got lost. I sighed and started to make my way to my next class when someone grabbed my shoulder. I grabbed their hand and turned around. I made pionted my index finger at the person who grabbed me. I glared at them. It took me a minute to relize it was Mason.

            "Ow. Okay can you let go please?" I dropped his hand and looked at him. "That was pretty fast defense."

            "Thanks. Are you going to L.A. next?"

            "No, I just wanted to tell you how cool it was that you stood up to Stan. No one's ever done that since Rose came back."

            "Really? Glad I fit into her catagory."

            "You could you know. I think you're on the borderline of becoming another Rose."

            I laughed, "I think I would want to be an Evera. A new species." We laughed, "Hey do you think you could piont me in the direction of the L.A. classroom."

            "Oh yeah. Just go down this hall make a left and it should be one of the first classrooms. Got it?"

            "Yeah. Thanks." I waved bye to him and left to L.A. This was a class that I was with. I knew what the teacher was teaching. I felt smart in that class and it ended all too soon. Now it was time for me to go and practice with Dimitri. I grabbed my stuff and rushed to the gym not wanting to run into anyone. It was filled with sophmores sparring with each other. I watched them seeing if I could learn some of their moves by watching. I looked at the door and saw Dimitri standing there. I got up and walked to him.

            "Are you ready?"

            "Yeah." I followed him out to a a small classroom. "Um Dimitri what are we doing today?"

            "We are catching you up on school."

            "Is this what we're doing every day during this time?"

            "Yep. Unless you want to do something else." he gave me a skeptical look.

            "No this is fine I need it anyway."  I took a seat at the desk and sifted through my backpack for a pencil and notebook. All I found was books, laptop, a pen(that didn't work), and music. Damn it that's right I put that stuff in my suitcases. "Um Dimitri?"

            "Yes?" He looked at me and my raised hand, "Put your hand down. Let me guess you need a notebook and pencil?" I nodded. "No problem here. Keep this one seperate from other things." He told me handing me a black notebook and a pencil. He also gave me a stack of text books that where for other classes. I hoped.

            "Dimitri are these other books for my other classes?"

            "Yep we'll start with this one." he handed me a book with the words Gaurdian Trianing Basics. Well I did have to catch up on years of learniging. "Okay lets start with what I learned." He continued to teach the class. he was a good teacher. he waited until I had written notes down to continue. He answered all of my questions and laughed at some of the jokes that i made. i was actually having fun in a class that wasn't an easy class or had all my friends in it. I heard the bell ring for lunch and I started to put my things in my backpack. It was getting heavier after every class. I put on my shoulder and Dimitri handed me a piece of paper.

            "What's this?" I asked taking it and placeing it in my pocket.

            "Your first homework assigment."

            "Oh, okay. Thanks i guess."

            "It's due by Thursday. Okay?"

            "Yeah I got you. I'll see you after school. Laters." i went out the door to go to my first lunch in this new place. I got there and people where getting food or going to a room that i guessed, from reading, was the feeding room. i found Christan reading a book at the table that we sat at this morning. i placed my stuff down and looked at him. he looked up and saw that he had the book that i was reading that morning. "Is that mine?"

            "Yeah. You think I can borrow it. I really like it."

            "Yeah whatever just give it back when you're done."

            "Cool. Hey aren't you going to get food?"

            "No, I'll wait till the line gets shorter."

            "Okay." He had a glum look to his face and he was making it difficult to read his thoughts. "You know it's rude to read other people's minds."

            "Urgh. How did you know?"

            "When you made the piont that I had no friends and didn't really press the issue."

            "So that could just mean that I'm a nice person." He stared at me like Are you really going to try that on me. "Okay then yes I can read minds. NOw tell me what's wrong."

            "It's nothing. I'm just worried that you'll leave me to join the other dhampirs."

            "that is a stupid worry because it will never come true."

            "Yeah I guess you're right. Hey can you come with me to do something?"

            "Yeah will we be back here?"

            "Of corse. Come on vampire fanatic." I punched him as lightly as I could on the arm. "What was that for?"

            "Just cause you made a joke about me and that really proves that you are my friend."

            "Are you abusive to all your friends?"

            "Just the ones I really like."

            "Okay then. Well I guess we will be friends." We laughed and walked into a white room that was filled with Moroi kids. Two where walking out while Christan went to a lady working the front desk.He came back and waited with me. Two girls came out. One was a dhampir that I had seen in my class. The other was a blonde haired Moroi. She was pale like the others that I had seen. I looked over and saw that Christan was looking at her. I elbowed him.

            “You like her.” I said in a teasing voice.

            “No I don’t. She is nothing but a stuck popular who has a bodyguard.” He tried to act furious but it wasn’t really going to work with me.

            “Okay you keep telling yourself that.” I sighed and patted his shoulder. “So who’s her bodyguard?”

            “Rose Hathaway. The person who’s side you want to be on is the good one.”

            “Oh yeah I have her in some classes.” I looked out the door. “She doesn’t seem that mean.”

            He shrugged, “Well she can be.” Just then the lady called his name and I followed him to a room that looked like an office that my mom worked at. We stopped a woman’s cubical. Shehad tons of brusing on her neck from the day so far. I read about them and the bute that vampires had. The bite made them feel good. I was always curious to see what it felt like but I also didn’t want to get addicted. Christan went to the stool next to her and she willingly moved her head so Christan had a better view of her neck. He leaned over said something in her ear and bit down on her neck. I didn’t look away. I was intrigued by it. It didn’t last long. Christan got up and lead me out. We went back to the table and I took out the fruit that I hadn’t eaten from this morning and handed him an apple.

            “So that was intresting.” I said trrying to make conversation.

            “Yeah bet you never would have seen that in the human world?”

            “Yeah I would have only read about it.” I looked over hearing someone’s mind go to me. I saw the two girls get up and walk to where me and Christan were sitting. "Oh, look here comes the girl you like." He looked up and grimced and tried to hide himself in the shadows even more. The blonde one came up first with Rose right behind her. I kept my teasing smile on as she got closer.

            "Hi. i'm Lissa and this is Rose." She told me smiling. I put my hand out.

            "Evera, nice to meet you. I know I've seen you before Rose." She didn't galre but she nodded. I looked over at the shadows where Christan was trying to be invisable. He noticed me looking at him. No don't even dare. "Have either of you meet Christan?" He glared at me.

            "No and we have no biusness meeting him." Rose said. "Even you shouldn't be hanging out with him, Evera."

            "Why not? He's a nice guy." I read into what she was trying to tell me. But like Christan she wasn't letting me in.

            "Havn't you heard? His parents turned Strogoi. On purpose."

            "And?"

            "He's close to turning at anytime." She glared at him and he glared back.

            "Any other reason why you stopped by?"

            "Um we just wanted to introduce ourselves. We know how hard it is to come to this school and try to fit in." Lissa told me. I read her thoughts and saw that it was true. "If you need any help with anything let us know."

            "No problem." I waved, "Bye."

            "Bye." Lissa turned away heading back to her table.

            "See you later, Evera." Rose said never taking her eyes off Christan.

            "See ya." I watched them leave. The bell rang and kids got up to go to their next class. "What class do you have next?" i asked Christan.

            "Animal behavior."

            "Go ahead yell at me." i told him knowing he wanted to.

            "What the hell?! I told you not to. No one likes me. That's why no one sits with me." He looked at me. I waited until he was finished.

            "I just thought that maybe they could be your friends too." I looked at him," Well if I become frineds with other people they will have to like you a bit just like how you will have to like other people."

            "Okay makes sense. But no one will."

            "Well you leave that up to me. Are you mad?"

            "Yeah I am but I'll get over it by the end of the day."

            "Good lets get to class." With that we headed off to our next class. The rest of the day was fast. I was hit with it when I had to go to my first real practice with Dimitri.

[overdramatics]

thinking abt hesitant alein too much and its too late good night good bye sleep time

[ofbooksandcleverness]

30 Days of You and Me: Day 17

AO3

The next day, Rina found herself sitting at the kitchen table, unable to concentrate. She’d brought her laptop and a couple of data pads she’d borrowed from the university library down here, so that she could take advantage of the bright afternoon sun pouring in through the open windows. Perhaps she’d be better able to concentrate if she went out to the porch. Or maybe if she made a cup of tea.

Rina groaned, and flopped her forehead to the table, the timber sun-warmed under her skin. What was the point? Apparently, Felix had her under some sort of spell, because she couldn’t get him out of her head. Mind control was more likely, since magic wasn’t real, and Psy were. She’d have to ask Sascha when she next saw her. It was true that changeling mental shields were nigh on impossible to breach, but who knew if Felix had a touch of Psy blood in him that allowed him to squirrel his way into her thoughts? Perhaps she should talk with Ashaya about this theory. If anyone would know about latent genetics, it would be the brilliant Ashaya Aleine.

She banged her head gently against the table. Of course it wasn’t mind control, either. No, it was simply good, old-fashioned lust. She’d gone to him yesterday, unable to resist the beautiful thing that was growing between them. Being so close to him had been wonderful. Breathing in his scent, seeing that beautiful smile, the rumble of his wolf wrapping around her; it had been familiar and brand new all at once. The skin privileges had been a happy bonus. A very happy bonus. Aside from being delightful in and of themselves, they’d been enough to quiet the sexual hunger of her beast… for now. But that hunger wasn’t gone. She had a feeling that the inferno between Felix and herself wouldn’t simply disappear after they’d had sex. No, things weren’t as simple as that anymore.

She glanced over at her cactus, sitting proudly in its jaunty red pot, in the centre of the table. The peace lilies she’d moved over to a side table near the giant floor cushions they had in lieu of couches.

She knew Felix was playing for keeps. No matter his position in the hierarchy, Felix had made it clear from day one that he was serious, that he wanted a long-term relationship. And for the first time in her life, Rina was… okay with that. She’d come back from her roaming several months ago, the mind of the leopard, if not calmer, at least clearer. It was the leopard’s clarity she used now to focus herself – in both her training as a soldier, and her studies in actuarial science.

But a forever kind of relationship? It hadn’t been something she’d seriously ever considered. Until Felix.

Glancing over at the cactus again, the petals from its pretty pink flowers creating a carpet over the soil, she sighed. She should be taking advantage of this uncommonly quiet afternoon, not mooning over a stupid boy. She opened the lid of her laptop, and got to work.

… And was interrupted by a knock on her door ten minutes later.

Scenting the packmate on the other side, she called out, “It’s open!”

Mercy walked in a moment later, a smile on her face, her smooth movements speaking of the confidence of her leopard.

Rina smiled in welcome, a little confused as to why Mercy was here, but always glad for the company of Pack. Because Pack was family, and family was always welcome.

“I was just about to put the kettle on,” Rina said. Her ten minutes of work could kindly be labelled as unproductive. An afternoon pick-me-up would not go amiss. She got up from the table, and gave the sentinel a hug. Despite Mercy being only a few years older than her, the leopard that was Rina’s other half instantly calmed in her presence. It recognised Mercy’s own dominance, gave her the respect she deserved because of her position in the hierarchy. And as one of the pack’s highest-ranked members, that was a lot of respect. But it was more than that. Mercy was one of the most stable people in the pack, had been that way as long as Rina could remember. Her mating with SnowDancer’s most senior lieutenant had only enhanced that quality. The way Mercy’s animal was so comfortable in its own skin soothed her own beast.

“Tea would be perfect,” Mercy replied, following Rina into the kitchen. She grabbed two mugs from a cupboard as Rina filled an old-fashioned kettle with water, and placed it on the stove. It had been an odd quirk of her mother’s, the use of the antiquated utensil. The small act of using it still made Rina feel a little closer to her, to this day.

“How are the pupcubs?” Rina asked, grinning. All of DarkRiver and SnowDancer couldn’t wait for the birth Mercy and Riley’s babies.

Mercy beamed. “Wonderful.”

Mercy was one of the strongest women Rina knew, and it was fascinating to see such open joy at her impending motherhood. Rina was nowhere near ready to have cubs of her own, but seeing Mercy this way gave her food for thought. Maybe you could be both a hard ass, and a mother… because even though she was carrying multiple tiny lives inside her, Mercy Smith was no less dangerous, no less deadly.

“Keenan and Ashaya baked me an entire batch of cookies,” Rina said. She grabbed the container off a bench, and put several on a plate, taking it to the table.

Mercy dropped two teabags into the mugs as Rina shut her laptop, and placed it and the data pads to the side, out of the way.

“And Dorian didn’t steal any?” Mercy asked.

The kettle whistled, and Rina poured the steaming water into the mugs. “Milk?” she asked.

Mercy shook her head, no. They both walked to the dining table, and sat down, the steam dancing in between them.

“I got to them before he came back from his shift,” Rina replied.

“Smart,” Mercy nodded. “Cute cactus.” She took a sip of her tea.

Rina took a sip of her own scalding tea, to avoid replying. She looked over at the cactus, and internally sighed.

“Thanks,” she said. If Mercy thought that she was going to bring up her wolf all by herself…

“Your wolf has a rather eccentric idea of courtship.”

Rina almost choked on her next sip. Mercy’s eyes danced over the edge of her cup, the cat’s amusement clear.

“Does the entire pack have nothing better to do than gossip?” Rina snarled. She’d never thought of herself as a particularly private person, quite comfortable with the way the pack found out practically everything. Hell, she enjoyed hearing the latest gossip travelling on the pack grapevine as much as the next leopard.

Mercy laughed, unrepentant. “Tell me about him.”

Rina looked up from her teacup. “Are you asking as a sentinel, or as a nosy packmate?”

Mercy reached over and placed a warm hand over one of Rina’s, where they cradled her mug on the table. “I’m asking as someone who understands what it’s like to fall head over heels for a wolf.” She gave Rina’s hand a small squeeze.

“Head over heels is a bit of an overstatement,” Rina muttered.

“Can I touch your cactus?”

“No!”

Mercy gave a knowing grin.

Rina sighed. Okay, so she obviously cared for Felix more than she was willing to let on.

“He’s… wonderful,” she mumbled.

Mercy nodded. “What’s holding you back? You’ve never been shy about men before.”

“We’re… things are… it’s complicated,” she finished lamely. God, why couldn’t she just come out and say it? Well, she knew why. The difference between their dominance was holding her back in more ways than one. It was a slap to the face to realise that she was petty enough that one of those reasons was because she was worried about what others would think of their relationship.

“If you’re worried about pack stuff, it’s not an issue,” Mercy said. “You’ll be DarkRiver, and your wolf SnowDancer. No one’s going to demand that you change your allegiance – or prove your loyalties.”

Rina gave a small smile in thanks. She had been a little worried about having to prove herself all over again. It seemed as if she’d spent a lot of her life trying to prove herself. First, that she could take care of both herself and Kit after their dad had died, then as a hot-headed novice, and now as a junior soldier, able to balance both her training and her university studies. She knew that she was capable of becoming senior soldier one day. She just had to show everyone else, too.

“… That’s not all of it,” Rina said quietly. She figured that she should take advantage of Mercy’s advice and support. That’s what Pack did, helped each other. “It’s… there’s a huge dominance gap between us.”

Mercy frowned. “You’re the more dominant one?”

Rina nodded. She took a large gulp of her cooling tea.

“And he’s not okay with that?” There was a dangerous edge to Mercy’s voice.

“No!” Rina said, a little alarmed. God, she didn’t want to accidentally set the wrath of Mercy Smith on poor Felix. Especially since he didn’t deserve that at all. “He seems fine with it, actually.” And he had. Not once had Felix indicated that he found her strength a problem, that it undermined his own masculinity and sense of self in any way. Hell, he seemed to like her for it. “He’s a submissive.”

“Ah.” Mercy leaned back in her chair, contemplative. “That explains a lot of your hesitation.”

“It does?” Rina asked, bemused. “You don’t think I’m being snooty and petty?”

“No, I think you’re being practical and mature. We’re not human, Rina. Our animals have to be happy with our choices, too.”

Rina nodded, understanding what Mercy was saying.

“What does your leopard think of him?”

“It wants to pet him all over,” she admitted. “But it’s also worried about the dominance gap.” For perhaps the first time in her life, Rina’s leopard was being confusing. Usually, the animal thought in far more black and white terms, its decisions more clear-cut.

“Hmm.” Mercy tapped her cup in thought. “Who exactly is your wolf, Rina?” Rina hesitated. Up until now, her courtship with her wolf had been a private indulgence, despite it becoming clear that her packmates knew far more than she’d thought. Fucking Kit and his big mouth. Saying his name to someone else somehow made everything seem more real. And maybe that’s just what she needed.

“His name’s Felix,” she said, staring intently at her cup. Mercy was right. It was so unlike her to be so shy about a man. It shouldn’t be different with Felix, but it was.

“SnowDancer’s chief horticulturalist?” Mercy asked, her eyebrows raised. “Where on earth did you find him?”

“He found me, actually,” Rina mumbled.

“He pursued you?” The disbelief in Mercy’s voice even more apparent.

“There’s no need to sound so surprised,” Rina muttered.

Mercy had the decency to smile apologetically. “Sorry, Reen. I guess I never pegged him for the type. He always seemed so quiet.”

“You’ve met him before?”

Mercy nodded. “I bumped into him while helping out during the replanting.” There had only been one instance to date that could be referred to as “the replanting”. Sienna Lauren’s X-fire had saved them all during that battle. Rina had missed out on the project to help regenerate the denuded area however, since she’d gone roaming only a few days after Henry Scott’s attack.

“I can see why he’s got you so interested. He’s a beautiful man.”

Rina frowned, her leopard growling in warning. “Aren’t you happily mated?”

Mercy laughed. “I’m mated, not blind.”

Rina’s frown deepened, the growl threatening to rumble out of her chest.

Mercy just grinned.

“He’s more than a pretty face,” Rina said, feeling the need to defend Felix. God, he must get that all the time, especially given his past modelling career. “He’s smart, and kind, and loyal, and – why are you laughing at me?” She could see Mercy trying to hold in her snickering, but failing miserably.

“I’m not laughing at you. I’m laughing at this entire situation.”

“What’s the difference?” Rina grumbled, grabbing a cookie, and slouching a little in her chair.

“What’s worrying you, Rina? It’s clear as day that you like Felix. And it’s even clearer that he likes you back.”

“But the dominance –”

Mercy held up a hand, halting her words. “Hear me out, okay? Yes, the difference in dominance is an issue. But truth be told, it was an issue for a lot of successful couples. And yes, in most of those cases the female is not more dominant, but who’s to say it can’t work? Every relationship has its challenges. This is just one of yours.”

The heart of the leopard couldn’t help but grab onto this kernel of hope. “Do you really think we could make it work?”

Mercy shrugged. “I think you’re already making it work.”

Rina thought about this. The statement had the ring of truth to it. She’d gone to him yesterday, just because she’d missed him for those days they’d been giving each other space. Hell, Rina had to be honest. They hadn’t seen each other because he’d been respecting her request for some time to think.

“Are skin privileges a problem?” Mercy asked.

Rina shrugged. “We’re taking things slow.”

“I can sense that’s frustrating your leopard to no end.”

Rina shrugged again. “Neither leopard nor human want to share skin privileges with anyone else.”

Mercy grinned. “There’s something to be said about anticipation. Enjoy the chase, Rina.”

Rina smiled in thanks.

“Thanks for the tea,” Mercy said. “I have to get to CTX.” CTX was the communications company in which DarkRiver held a large share. Mercy worked there, too, on top of all her responsibilities as sentinel and SnowDancer liaison. Rina had no idea when she ever had any spare time.

“Thanks for coming by… and for talking,” Rina said as she walked Mercy to the door. “Did Dorian put you up to it?”

Mercy gave Rina a hug, just before stepping out of the door. Automatically, Rina returned the hug, finding comfort in the easy skin privileges of Pack.

“He may have mentioned something,” Mercy said with a sly grin. “But like I said, I know what it’s like to fall for a wolf.”

And you know what it means to look after Pack, Rina thought. Both Dorian and Mercy had realised that Rina had a lot on her mind, and had helped in their own ways.

“I’m looking forward to meeting your sexy wolf,” Mercy said, giving a final wave before heading towards the tree line.

Rina rolled her eyes, but waved as Mercy melted into the trees. God, her packmates could be as nosy as those pesky wolves sometimes. But it all came from a place of love.

Rina headed back to the kitchen table, picked up the two used mugs to put them in the sink. Things were a little clearer for the leopard, thanks to Mercy’s little chat. But now I have to decide if I’m really serious about this, Rina thought grimly. Felix was… amazing. Question was, could they really do this?

Perhaps. Just perhaps…

They could.