*Jonas* My ankle is luckily much improved the following day, although I still require a cane to walk properly. Finishing my work in his office, however, is out of the question; I am clumsy enough without trying to move huge stacks of books while balancing on one foot. There is no telling what sort of mess I might make while still handicapped by a swollen ankle. At dinner two nights ago, Fire Moon had mentioned that I might draw a plan of the Coral lake packs grounds and houses and write a list of the pack, to give them an overview. Typhon, who had been most uncommunicative throughout the meal, had grunted in the affirmative when I had asked him if he thought that was a good idea. Yesterday he had been the opposite. After he saved me he carried me to my room, and tucked me into bed. He had kept apologising and telling me it would be okay and that he would make sure no one even thought of touching me again. He gently held me as I cried. Part of me was screaming that I should be sc
*Jonas* I drop my cane, snake my arms around his neck, and completely give up trying to think. When his lips are on mine, and I am warm in his embrace, there doesn’t seem much sense in trying to figure out whether kissing him is such a good idea. My brain, which had just seconds ago been trying to deduce whether he is likely to break my heart, is now thoroughly occupied with devising ways to keep this kiss going on and on and on … ‘What a kiss,’ Cana sighs in my head. I move closer, standing on my tiptoes, and then ... “Owww!” I would have fallen if Typhon weren't already holding me up. “Jonas?” He asks, his expression dazed. “My stupid stupid ankle,” I mutter, “I forgot, and I tried to ...” He puts a gentle finger to my lips, “It's better this way.” “I don't think so,” I blurt out. ‘The dumb ankle ruined it,’ My wolf complains. Typhon carefully disentangles my arms from around his neck and steps away. With one graceful swoop of his arm, he reaches down and retrieves my forg
*Jonas* By mid-afternoon I have come to two realizations. One, Fire Moon has once again disappeared, presumably off somewhere to investigate my Old pack. And two, I am in love with Typhon Bloodclaw. Well, that isn't exactly true. To be more precise, I think I might be in love with Typhon Bloodclaw. I have a little trouble believing it myself, but there doesn’t seem to be any other explanation for the recent changes in my personality and demeanor. I am well used to my flaw of often speaking without first thinking about my words, but today I seem to be blurting out utter nonsense. Furthermore, I have completely lost my usually hearty appetite. Not to mention the fact that I keep catching myself grinning like the biggest fool. And if that isn’t enough proof, I catch myself whispering, "Jonas Bloodclaw. Jonas Bloodclaw. Jonas Bloodclaw, mate of … Oh, stop!” Even I can lose patience with myself. I am kinda happy that Cana is staying weirdly quiet. But if Typhon returns any of my feel
*Jonas* “I thought you weren't going to proceed in here until your ankle was better,” Typhon says, rather accusingly in my opinion. “I'm not putting the books back on the shelf yet,” I reply, “I'm just grouping them by subject. I'm not using my ankle at all, which, by the way, is nearly healed. I haven't used my cane even once today, and it hasn't hurt me at all”. I turn to Fire Moon and beam. “Oh, and it's lovely to see you again.” ‘I do like her,’ Cana says approvingly. She smiles and bows in my direction, “Always a pleasure, my dear Jonas.” Typhon scowls, “We are here for a purpose, Mr. Whitepaw.” “It never occurred to me that you weren't,” I shift my gaze back to Fire Moon, “Have you noticed he likes to call me Mr. Whitepaw or little Alpha when he is irritated with me?” “Jonas,” Typhon says, his voice clearly laced with warning. “Of course,” I add blithely, “When he is really angry he reverts to Jonas. He probably finds it too difficult to growl my full name.” My Wolf ma
*Jonas* By the time I reach the edge of my packs property I change into my human form cursing myself for running off so fast that I didn’t even bring a change of clothes. ‘I am sure Typhon … and Cerberus won’t mind,’ Cana grins. I huff, ‘Well I mind, it is so hard to be taken seriously when you are naked.’ ‘Not much you can do about it now,’ My Wolf says. He is right of course, but it still annoys me, so I can’t stop myself from mumbling, ‘You could have warned me.’ ‘You were off before I got a word in,’ He points out, and as he is wrong I chose to ignore him. I creep toward the pack house, keeping myself hidden behind the tall hedges that run alongside the drive. When I reach the main house, I make a large arch around it. And as I near the storage barn I drop to all fours. I doubt that anyone is still awake, save for Fairpaws in his hut, but it seems prudent to keep my silhouette from passing by any windows, just in case. “Typhon has better appreciate this”. I whisper to my
*Jonas* One moment I am crawling on all fours, and the next I am as flat as a crepe, with a large, heavy, and oddly warm weight on my back. That, however, isn't nearly so disconcerting as the cold knife pressed up against my ribs. “Don't move,” A voice growls in my ear. A familiar voice. “Typhon?” I croak. ‘Damn he is heavy,’ Cana mumbles. “Jonas?” Then he utters a word so foul I have never heard of it before, and I thought I had heard them all from my friends in my own pack. “The very one,” I reply with a gulp, “And I really couldn't move, anyway. You're rather heavy.” My wolf half purr. ‘Is it bad that I rather like the feel of him? It is like ….’ ‘Shut it,’ I cut him off, ‘I do not like it.’ He rolls off me and pierces me with a stare that is one part disbelief and minty-nine parts unadulterated fury. I find myself wishing it was the other way around. Typhon Bloodclaw is definitely not a man to cross. "I am going to kill you,” He hisses. I gulp, “Don't you want to lect
*Jonas* I take them to a side door that is partially concealed by a tall English maple. Then I crouch down and put my finger to my lips, indicating that they should remain still. They both look at me with puzzlement and interest as I heave upward, slamming my shoulder into the door. They hear a latch come undone, and I swing the door open. ‘Well done,’ Cana says approvingly. ‘That will show them we are usable here.’ “Won't the grounds keeper have heard that?" Fire moon asks, looking around nervously. I shake my head. “His cottage is too far away, and as I said, he is quite deaf. I have sneaked past his cottage many times. No one has ever caught on … It was only while he went out he was a danger”. "You might have told us this before,” Typhon says. “You'd never have gotten it right. You have to hit the door just so. It took me weeks to learn,” I explain. “The pack door of the main house has the same latch, that is how I know how to work it, from sneaking back in.” Cana huffs. ‘
*Jonas* An hour or so later I follow Typhon through the front entrance to the caves. I am tired and sore and want nothing more than to crawl into bed, but before I can dash down the hallway he takes me by the elbow and steers me into his office. Or perhaps propels would be a more accurate term. ‘Hey.’ My Wolf huffs. “Can't this wait until morning?” I ask, yawning. "No.” “I'm terribly sleepy.” No response. We had spent the better of an hour releasing the creatures. Making sure they fled into the forest safely. I still have no idea why they were kept there and I am not sure I want to know. I decide to try a different tactic. “What do you suppose happened to fire moon?” She had not come back with us. “I don't particularly care.” I blink. How odd. Then I yawn again, unable to help myself. “Is it your intention to scold me?” I ask. “Because if it is, I might as well warn you that I'm really not up to it, and ...” ‘I will be happy to bite him,’ Cana mumbles. ‘Maybe in the ass