@Vicier@BeautifulSnow@Caits@Lord Zee@Nallore@Zhaliora (and anyone I may have missed)

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Aron watched the dingo become a woman and couldn't help but chuckle when she angrily replied to him while checking out and sizing up his brother. Gage however, couldn't get one word in as one after another tried to step in. It made it worse...he felt his anger building up..anger he didn't even know why he had it. Aron watched and slowly moved next to Riley. Within second, he lofted and moved her before Gage could lunge. His fist meeting Aron's hand. Aron shook his head and they seemed to have a full conversation with just eye contact.

Aron let go of Gage who then watched the woman known as Kaylee walk away. His focus went to Patricia. "A gun with silver...seriously." Gage made his way over to her and seemed still angry. "Do you have no trust? Think one of us is going to try to kill you?" he shook his head before making his way back to Aron. "The only reason I'm part of this is you." Aron sighed and watched his brother storm off.

"I think the turn made him way more aggressive..." before he could continue his phone rang and he answered. His blood seemed to drain from his body as he paled. He slowly closed the phone with a shaking hand and looked at those there. "We have to go...uh...something came up.

His voice was quiet as he left with his brother. They got home to be greeted by their 'parents' who began to scold them. What happened next left large wounds that look like scratches on both of their backs. The first time they were both physically abused. They managed to leave through the window with loose shirts on and wandered. The hitting and yelling had been 2 hours.

The slight scolding brought something in Connor he had never quite experienced before. Anger. It rose in him, like a snake about to strike, twisting and turning, to it seemed every cell in his body vibrated with the ferocity of the emotion. In his isolation from the outside world, since his fathers death, he hadn't had much to do with other humans. Perhaps that was why he had been so calm, up until that point.

The words tumbled out his mouth without conscious thought, "perhaps if you had thought to come to me sooner, I might know which teens had been bitten and which hadn't. That night, i didn't exactly get a good look at who was there and who wasn't, it was all I could do not to go in there and tear them all apart even more.

I don't know who turned me, and frankly I wouldn't follow them in any case, but at the moment Vanessa, you aren't making a good leader. You haven't thought about each of them individual, but rather how you can bring them together to make sure none goes rogue. Which is good, but you merely have to look at them all to know they are all struggling."

his voice remained quite calm, as he looked to Riley, never once did he raise it, but there was a slight angered undertone to it. Which pershaps made it all the worse. "reading people was my bread and butter as I grew up. Riley, was it? Guilt is a horrible thing. This, all this, is not your fault. It's the fault of some bitch-" the curse seemed odd on his tongue, and probably sounded odder still, and one would have to wonder if that was the first time Connor had ever swore, "hadn't become consumed with hate and revenge. You didn't tie them all up and drag them along. Each knew that there might be a chance, yet in the way of the young, they all came. Normal wolves, while they would have been attracted to the camp, wouldn't have attacked if they were out numbered. Guilt is horrible, a hard thing to bare, and if you allow it, it will tear you up inside. For weeks, I felt guilty that I survived. Now I know why. It doesn't make it easier, but now I know it isn't my fault no more then it is yours" he gave her, what he hoped, was a reassuring smile, before looking at the twins retreating backs. "there's something behind that boys anger, and it isn't just the attack. Pain can be a fickle thing, and it can change you for the worst. Find what is behind it. Help them. Before it's too late" he looked to the older woman now, and tilted his head as if studying her. "Ah. Envy. Jealously. The two often go hand in hand, you have Riley's scent around you, it's faint but it's there. You weren't bitten. You're afraid that Riley will find something in Vanessa that you can't give her, correct?"

The tone of Connors Voice has changed, slowly going towards that over excited, eureka voice that was often found spoken by professors and scientists. "that signifys trust issues. Do you not trust her, or is it yourself you don't trust? Are you afraid that if you lose her, you'll go back to what you were before her? Well, this hate will be what pushes her away. Vanessa is not the problem. You want to hate her because it's easier to do that then admit you are scared that you will lose something good. Maybe that's something you should talk with Riley about"

Finally he looked back to Vanessa and said "if you don't address those issues, the pack is finished before it starts. ive probably stepped out of bounds, but it's clear I've seen things you haven't yet opened your eyes to." he looked about them, and said, softly "go back to town. And tomorrow, come back, all of you that were bitten, and
All who are now apart of it, and reclaim these woods. They were yours before. Let them be yours again. i'll keep on eye on Kaylee"

With that, Connor followed Kaylee to the lake, leaving Vanessa to decide what to do. She would either take his advice, or she wouldn't, and the others would either listen to what he had said, or they wouldn't. Connor would be around to see which. And then he'd be around. It seemed his nomadic days were over. Red lake was his home now.

"I think I just challenged my alpha, but I also think that's a minor problem compared to your own, Kaylee. What happened to your pack? You're too well adjusted, and familiar with packs to not have had one." he said, seeming to have calmed the anger within him now with his rant, analyzing. "you look to be running away. Did someone hurt you?" he asked, horrified at the thought.

Connor fully expected Vanessa to come at him, but he hoped she would see her friends home first. He hoped they would stay and clean up today, he thought it needed to be something they all did together, and not seperate. If Vanessa had any sense, she would see that too. She would see that clearing this stain off the woods should be a pack thing, and that included those that weren't bitten, for now they were apart of it to. If Vanessa saw that, then perhaps she wouldn't be a bad leader at all. Connor had faith in Vanessa.

"I owe Vanessa for helping me, and she is really a nice person. I imagine it's been hard on her, with the bringing back of old memories, that were probably better left where they were, and now she has new pups to watch over. I guess that includes me as well, but I've already had my first run. Give her time. She's really a good person"

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The whole thing just seemed to go from bad to worse, In Cassie's opinion. She listened to it all, taking it all in. There were several dynamics here, and it seemed essential to understand them all. Her glance continued to flick to Patrica, weary of the older woman. It hasn't escaped her notice that rather then calming down, Patrica seemed to be getting more and more angry.

Kaylee didn't seem much of a problem, except being a bit heated but maybe that was her accent. The only issue that Cassie could see was if there was a pack with her. But Cassie didn't think so. Kaylee had been sneaking about, something she was sure the dingo wouldn't be doing if she had back up.

At Gage's outburst, Cassie watched him with concern. Already quick to anger, Gage seemed like a bomb to go off these days. When they left, Cassie was sure it had something to do with their parents. She didn't wait long, interrupting whatever was being said to say "I'm going after them" she retreated back to her car, which after a moment started with a new coughing sound that made her worried it was on its last legs.

Driving back down seemed to take forever, the car chugging along, occasionally making a sound that set Cassie's nerves on edge. Once back in town it was easy enough to track the twins back to their home, leaving her car just down the road, and away from it as well. She was getting better at tracking, and Cassandra found she actually enjoyed it. She found herself running, the quicker to follow their trail, worried that They-or Gage-might do something.

The smell of blood both frightened her and angered her. "Gage, Aron, wait up!"

The bag fell off... again. Her heavy punching bag was secured to the top rafter of her basement by a thick metal hook, and it was weighted in such a way that that was never supposed to happen. It hit the concrete floor of her small workout room with a thud. She just stared at it for a moment, dread creeping into her limbs.

Alyssa let out a snarl of frustration, turning to snatch her water bottle. Maybe Vanessa had been right, maybe the damn woman wasn't just fucking with them. Ever since the accident she'd been stronger, faster, even the small bruises she normal gathered training had vanished. She'd been angrier too, but most of that she blamed on the fact that Kimberly still hadn't woken up.

Her chest twisted as she thought about her girlfriend. She was still at the hospital, in a coma. All because Alyssa wasn't strong enough, or fast enough, to have stopped that damn wolf. Her friends and family had all been quick with 'it's not your fault' and 'there's nothing you could have done', but ultimately it had been just her between Kimmy and that beast. She just wasn't enough.

She looked down at her phone, sighing heavily. She flipped through it until she found Vanessa's name.

'Vanessa, It's Alyssa. Can we talk? I'm starting to believe you.'

She fired off a quick text. It was better to face these kinds of things with a measure of boldness and reality. Something had changed, and Alyssa wasn't going to sit around and wait to find out.

Sophie slowly opened her eyes upon hear a gentle knocking on the door and a female voice call to her. " Ah... uh... Yeah... I'm awake... Come in..." She mumbled as she slowly, carefully sat up then rubbed her eyes. She then looked over at the young woman in the door way and grinned weakly. She had never seen this woman but judging by the circumstances, she assumed that she must be a volunteer of some sort. "You must be a volunteer... I've never seen you before... come on in." Sophie weakly gestured to the woman to enter then winced and pulled up the collar of her shirt slightly in a lame attempt to cover up her injury.

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Riley looked over her shoulder at Vanessa as she introduced her as Vanessa's second and smiled softly towards her friend for a moment, before turning her attention back towards Kaylee after acknowledging her. She bit her lower lip for a moment, she still wasn't really ready for her first transformation, and she didn't know what would happen after listening to Vanessa the first transformation you wouldn't have any control on your actions until you actually mastered it.

"Yes its true, we aren't joking about it." Riley finally said as she felt Aron gently nudging her out of the way that's when Gage finally snapped and punched his brother's hand. She couldn't blame him though she had been experiencing bouts of rage as well, but she always found ways to vent Riley watched Gage as he took out his phone as something had come up she wasn't sure what exactly.

The Cassandra ran after then shortly after she sighed softly as she lost more and more help with cleaning up the campsite, Riley looked over at Connor and smiled softly at him. He was right though she had been regretting everything that has happened since the attack and knew it wasn't her fault and it was something that she would have to accept. "Thank you Connor." Riley said with a slight smile as she watched Kaylee for a moment, she liked her personality though she was very honest, Kaylee headed over towards the lake. Riley turned around she was still going to clean up the campsite still as she walked up towards Billy, he had been out of the loop for the whole week and felt bad for him. "Heya, sorry Billy for not telling any of this sooner, what would you like to know?" Riley asked her friend.

@Caits

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The twins had gotten quite a ways away from their home into a wooded area. Both seemed quiet and unsure. Aron had some ointment for their backs, but other then that they did not seem like themselves. Gage slipped off his shirt as he made his way to a tree. Aron stripped off his as well and waited for gage to grip the tree before putting on the ointment. The wounds were rather deep..and hurt. The belts that had been used were silver on the buckle. Which meant healing would be slower.

When they hear Cassandra both straightened and turned their backs away from her. "Oh hey Cassandra...what's up?" Aron sounded a bit cautious...and a bit in pain. Both had a look that seemed to come with physical abuse.

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The gentle rippling of the water… it was so calming. Standing tall at its edge, though her body now exceedingly more relaxed than it had been before, Kaylee lifted her arms up from where they had been resting down by her sides so that they were instead folded over her chest, her expression comfortable and her gaze softening with each and every moment that passed with the now sizable space between her and the pack she had accidentally run into- she should have listened to her brother… not that she would ever actually admit that to him.

Turning her head ever so slightly to the side as she heard the voice of the man she now knew to belong to the man named Connor- he was right… he might have just gone and challenged his Alpha; but she had done much worse by threatening, and standing up to her in the way she had. Oh, smart move Kaylee… such a great way to give a first impression…

“Huh..? Oh, no… nothing like that.”

Unable to help the soft chuckle that fell from her lips, she shook her head lightly from side to side, doing what she could to quash those thoughts from his mind before they really had any time to settle- her pack had always been good to her… and to her family… there was no way they would ever lay a hand against her, “..they would never hurt me, or anyone else unless they had no other choice. They’re family.”

Breaking her arms apart from over her chest, Kaylee let them once more fall back down to her sides, her hands both coming together in front of her body, her fingers playing with the hem of the top he had given her as she turned her body slightly, her eyes slowly lifting until she was looking up at the man who had been so genuinely kind to her throughout this whole situation, “..I’m not running away from anything; more getting a feel for the area… We had to leave our pack behind; my father got a job here, so we had to move… it’s only our first day in the town, so I thought I’d have a look around the place- I see that was a mistake.”

Pausing for a moment, she dropped her head back down, her eyes focusing on her hands as she once more let her body turn back to the lake, a soft sigh slipping out before she continued, “..I could smell blood- how could I not be curious..? So I came to have a look, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by your pack. I’ve-… I’ve never come across werewolves before; not that I haven’t heard of them- and what do I do..? Threaten your Alpha… and piss off your pups… great first impression, huh..?”

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Pat smirked under the helmet at the comment about hiring the girl to bite her. Amusing really in her head. From Vanessa's ways of acting she knew it was just a joke and sarcasm. However the next comment took her by surprise. She could scent it? Interesting...

"my lands?" Pat grimaced at that comment. Even if Vanessa was the oldest wolf around here, probably, it was by no means her lands. She had not earned it. Not proven herself worthy of any land. Pat wanted to speak up but held her tongue. It was no use in starting an argument right now. Even the comment about her hating Vanessa and wanted her dead did not prompt her to speak.

She was trying her best to stay calm. For Riley's sake she had to. That's what she kept telling herself at least. What did prompt her to speak though was when she was confronted about the gun. "Yes...I got a piece, at home. I don't think that any of you will attack me. However I don't trust her," she inclined her head towards Vanessa, "and if any of her old...friends..decides to show up. To me, a pack of just three seems quite odd, and she has killed two from the pack. What about the rest? I'm not a wolf. I can't fight, but with a gun at least I have the chance to protect the ones I care about."

Pat managed to stay calm as Connor started assuming things about her. Things that were much off. "No..I don't worry about that. Neither am I jealous of her. I dislike her for what she put everyone through and then is unable to back it up. Neither am I afraid of losing anything. I love Riley. If she stops, then that's what happens. I don't want it to happen, but I have no right to control her or anyone else for that matter. The one I don't trust is Vanessa. I even trust the Australian girl more."

Pat turned around and turned off the bike and got the keys before walking up to where she had stayed the night. Shivers ran through her spine as she looked at the tent before taking a deep breath and entered and started packing up her things.

Tasha had slowly driven her camper towards the town of Red Lake. She was the one closest to the area and had gotten the news about the attack not as fast as she should have, but the hunter network wasn’t perfect. They just couldn’t be at all places with their limited numbers. Now she was headed over to Red Lake to assert the dangers and evaluate if it indeed was a werewolf attack. In case it proved to be such, she was going to have to purge the beasts from this place.

Now that the town was in range of her sight, she smiled at herself with anticipation. Tasha couldn’t wait to get the hunt started. She needed to feel the rush of adrenaline, to hear the panicked sounds of her pray as they feel the fear of their victims approach them as the Reaper.

A few minutes later she had reached the edge of the town and slowly started to search for a parking lot, where she could park her camper. It wasn’t the best of vehicle, especially since she preferred muscle cars and off road suited jeeps, but a camper was a must for almost all hunters. It provided mobile shelter and what’s more enough space to store all the needed tools for her trade.

Slowly and surely she found a BnB where she could park her camper. Quickly doing so, before she went to the reception to pay the rent to one of the rooms for a few days. Tasha planned to mostly use her camper to stay, but it was nice to have the comfort of a room for a little while also. With that done, she returned to her camper and checked her equipment. Making sure her knife was secured in her sleeve, where she kept it in a special sheath. She also carried a few other trinkets in addition to a small gun hidden in her right boot.

With everything prepared, she exited her vehicle, activated the alarm and locked it up. She was now walking towards the clinic. Tasha planned to pose as a reporter from out of town, working for a news site. She was going to go, ask a few things and gleam as much information as she can. Names and any other details were going to be of great help. Also with the full moon approaching, she was going to have a great time tomorrow. Another benefit of walking was getting a feel for the positioning of buildings and directions.

Eventually after a enjoyable walk around town, Natasha finally reached the clinic of this town. It was… not the smallest one Tasha had seen ever, she was at least going to give it that. With a confident pace, she walked inside, making a quick check of the surrounding, locating any possible sources of information.

Right away she noticed a nurse that was going to do nicely.” Excuse me, miss. Can I have a moment of your time, if possible?” She asked with a refreshing smile on her face and happy voice.” I’m a reporter for ‘Actualities’, we are a small news site. I’ve been wondering if you could point me to someone whom I can talk about the recent wolf attack?” She asked, pulling a small notepad and a pen to write things down.

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Anastasia would look over at Sophie with a soft smile as she walked into the room and closed the door behind her, she then would pull up a chair right next to Sophie's bed. "I just moved here yesterday." She said as she noticed the girl's injuries and then would look at her seeing the girl in a lot of pain and felt bad for her. "What happened if I may ask?" Sophia asked softly as she would reach over and gently patted the young girl's hand. Anastasia bit her lower lip for a moment as she thought of a way to help her out with her recovery in some way, but she wasn't sure what her injuries were exactly.

"Don't try and act like nothings happened. I smelt the blood way off." Cassadra said, her voice full of anger and horror, but it wasn't directed at the twins. "I followed it from your house. I know they are horrible people, but I'd never thought they'd hit you" She moved towards them, wanted to pulled them both into a hug, and tell them everything would be okay. "are you both okay?" it was a stupid question, but she couldn't think what else to say.

"You're not going back there tonight. You can stay at my place" She said, after a moment, "Let me have a look"



Connor rolled his eyes at Patrica's comments. "Interesting. Maybe she thinks it was her fault Riley was attacked, but doesn't want to think that it was, so Vanessa is someone easy to blame" he muttered that to himself, before looking to Kaylee and smiling.

She seemed at peace, for a little bit. He listened as she spoke. He supposed that blood did have a lure, but the almost coppery scent to it made him feel a little sick. "It wasn't a mistake. They-we haven't been this long. Most of them were attacked last week, on a camping trip. Vanessa fought the one responsible, and they haven't had much time to adjust. Not that I have, either, if truth be told, but i prefer to focus on the analytical side. emotions aren't something I am good with, overall. I might be the same age as some of them, but...I was never really a kid. They are toddlers, trying to find their feet and run, when they should walk." He said wearily

"You're alone, they have each other." If they were pups, what was he? Vanessa had seemed surpriseed when he had managed to turn away from the campsite, that night. From that Connor could figure out that that was usual. Was he simple strong willed? "They are bound to be wary of anything unfamiliar for a while."

He looked back, seeing that the group was getting smaller as some of them left, before looking back "My camp site is just a little ways a way, if you want to come round" he realised how forward that might be, and he blushed, rubbing the back of his neck, "uh, I meant if you wanted to warm up, and, well, I can't walk around all day without a shirt, and I have a truck if you want a lift to your house"

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A week... It explained a lot- the agression, the slight fear of the unknown, the instict to protect that which was theirs; she had gone through it all herself when she had first been initiated into the pack, though there seemed to be one major difference between then and now... she had chosen this life, these guys hadn't.

"..it will be hard... trust me; and it takes a lot of time to adjust to the new way of life, but its not all bad."

Turning her head back around, Kaylee let her soft greyish-green eyes lift up until she met with his gaze, holding it for the longest of times as she nodded lightly as if to push her point, though she was sure he understood what she meant already, "I get that you none of you had the choice of this life like we did; and that's a shame... but you seem strong. All of you do. I'm sure you'll thrive and be a strong pack to contend with."

Smiling softly, though not without encouragement, she lifted her hand up, her fingers running back through her long dark brown locks, once again doing what she could to push them back and off of her face without much success, "And besides... you seem to be doing pretty well for someone who hasn't long been bitten- I've seen a few people go through the process, you seem different... stronger... you have a good head on your shoulders, it gives me faith; you're a good role model for the others."

Letting her gaze wander away from him for a moment as he spoke again, she blushed, her cheeks taking on a soft red tinge to them as she turned back to him, her soft pink lips parting ever so slightly as she thought on his words- he was inviting her back to his camp..? He didn't seem like the type of guy to be so forward...

And once again she had been right.

Lifting her hand up so that she could cover her lips with the side of her pointer finger, she couldn't help but chuckle at the way he grew embarrassed in front of her- okay, so the twin had been filed into the hottie category; Connor... well he was just down right gorgeous. A gentleman, and a cutie..? Who could ask for more.

"I'd like that... a lot. Thank you, Connor."

Gently using her fingertips to brush back some of her hair off her face, Kaylee neatly tucked it back behind her ear, seeming to debate something before she moved forward and reached out, her touch light as she ran the backs of her fingers over his warm cheek, "..by the way; you're really cute when you blush..."

Continuing the action for just that littlw bit longer, finally she pulled herself away from him, her smile growing as she instead motioned for him to take the lead, "Well... after you."

@Caits

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The twins looked at each other and deflated. They knew they were caught, they would never admit what actually happened to anyone else...but they had no choice here. Aron looked pitiful as he spoke. "Please don't tell anyone." Gage looked down at his feet. When Cassandra asked if they were okay they both looked at each other again. They looked back at her and shrugged.

"I don't know if that's..." Gage trailed off when Aron shook his head. They weren't getting out of this and they knew it. They slowly turned when asked to show. The 'scratches' look like they fell into a rose bush. They were red and angry and had a slight trace of silver. Gage's wounds had the thin layer of ointment on some while Aron's simply looks fresh.

It bemused Connor that Kaylee's words seemed to follow his thoughts. "from a young age, I've been taught that my mind is my weapon. I was taught to hone it, and use it like the edge of a sword. Perhaps that is why" he said, before she ran her fingers over his cheek. He did not think his face could become any redder then it was, but it seemed his faced warmed even more then it had previously.

This girl was, potentially, dangerous. She seemed to use flirting second naturedly, and was very aware of the effect she had on people. Connor realized for the first time that he could fall for someone. His life had already taken one sharp turn from what he thought it would be, was he ready for another one? He didn't know.

He had already offered, and was obligated to follow through. Besides, he found Kaylee curious and wanted to find out more about her. "oh, uh, um" for a brief moment he seemed incapable of speech, and he cleared his throat once, twice, three times before trying again, "this way" he managed, pushing the glasses he wore more out of habit then necessity these days up his nose as he turned to lead the way back to his camp.

It didn't take long, but Connor was very aware that, even if the offer had been platonic, he was leading a girl to what was his home, even if it was just a bed, a truck and a fair, for the first time in his life. What followed was an intense, inner monologue with himself as he tried to process this. It did not result in anything but left him confused.

"it's not much, but I haven't been able to make myself go into town yet and find something a bit more permanent" he said, seeming to have regained his composure as he grabbed another shirt, exactly like the one he had offered Kaylee but red instead of green, pulling it over his head, before crouching and lighting his fire. Over the last few weeks he had become efficient making them, his first few attempts were dreadful but now it was almost second nature.

He quickly located water, and taking out a box that was perhaps Connor's only vice, only connection to a normal teenager his age, which was filled with various snacks, chips, biscuits and chocolates. Anything else would take too long to cook, as the fire needed to warm for a time. He looked to Kaylee and said "feel free to sit anywhere, and help yourself to what's around"

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She knew that they had had worse, had seen it, had experienced it herself, but she still flinched. Hissing out a breath, she approached, knowing that if the wounds would heal, they needed to be cleaned first. "do you have any water? they should be washed" she said, digging her hands into her pockets, and coming out with a rag she used with her guitar, which was fairly clean. "we'll wash them clean, and I'd say bandage it, but once it's clean I imagine they will heal quickly so why waste the bandages?" she said, keeping her voice calm, despite the fact she wanted to hunt their parents down and destroy them.

She gave a soft sigh, "I won't tell anyone, but I'm taking you home with me, even if I have to push you both there"

There was no point going to the police, she knew that-what would they say when the wounds healed within a day? But she would damn well make sure it didn't happen again.

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“I know what you mean… If I was on my own, I’m pretty sure I’d prefer the woods to a house as well, but after a while I’m also pretty damn sure I’d miss my shower and bed.”

Bringing her arms up from where they had been resting at her sides, Kaylee crossed them lightly over her chest, a thoughtful expression crossing over her features as she slowed to a stop by the remnants of what she assumed was the firepit, her body now completely relaxed as she let her gaze flick about the area, lingering here and there on different trees and such before finally, she once more brought her attention back to Connor, watching on as he pulled his shirt on over his body before getting started on lighting the fire- damn… such a shame to keep that body covered up, really…

“Thanks-... Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have any Tim Tams round would ya..?” Pausing as the sight of his confused expression caught her eye, she smiled, her head shaking lightly from side to side as she brushed it off by taking a seat on his bed, her arms wrapping around her knees as she made herself comfortable upon the mattress, “Heh… nevermind; I keep forgetting that you guys don’t actually have them here in America… oh well; maybe I can get Amelia to send me some…”

Connor couldn't help but feel nervous. His bed might be an air mattress, but it was still a bed, and no matter if it was just platonic, he had never had a girl on his bed. Kaylee seemed relaxed, while he himself wasn't. He couldn't help but wonder why Kaylee had agreed to come to his camp site, she was gorgeous, funny, and seemed quite smart. He lost his train of thought for a moment, as despite his best efforts, he recalled what he'd seen, before handing her his shirt. He couldn't help but blush, and hoped it wasn't obvious.

“Ah, no I don't have any Tim Tams. There’s a shop that sells Australian goods, but I haven't been there for a while, not since my mother died. She enjoyed Tim Tams” why did he consistently bring up such information, or share too much, with this girl, someone he had just met? “It would probably be easier to get your friend to send them over, rather then hoping to another state” he said, setting the box of snacks down by the bed. It was obvious that Connor lived on the things he could cook over the fire, or the small portable stove he had. Tinned food, heavy on spaghetti and soups, two minute noodles, and yes, s’mores, as evident by empty packets he had yet to throw out in a bin placed neatly in a small basket nearby. From this it wouldn't be hard to realize that Connor didn't truly know how to cook. “Anyway, help yourself” he said, sitting down on the bed as well.

“It’s hard not to love them… biscuits smothered in chocolate- did you know they started making not only salted caramel, but also choc-brownie and raspberry white-choc now..?”

Unable to help the gentle blush that crept up over her cheeks as he took the space next to her on the bed, Kaylee shifted ever so slightly, her arms breaking away from around her legs and her soft smile growing as she nodded quickly, her body leaning forward and her head tilting away slightly as she glanced down into the box, shuffling things around inside with her fingertips, her smile soon beginning to fade as she took note of just what she could see- was this..? Was this seriously all he ate..?

Sitting up just a bit, she turned her head back around, her long dark brown locks falling across and over her shoulder as she met with his gaze, her own showing slightly worry but mostly curiosity as she brought her hand back to her lap, “..is this really what you eat..? ‘Cause if so, there’s no way in all hell I’m letting you have two minute noodles for dinner again.”

Shaking her head as though pushing the point that she wasn’t going to take no for an answer, or let him argue with her on the matter, she sat up straight once more, her body twisting slightly over the mattress so that she was facing him, her hands resting lightly in her lap, “Listen; you’ve been so sweet to me- come to my place for dinner. My dad and Hunter set up the barbeque this mornin’ and mum went shopping earlier on; we’re gunna break in our new house by firing her up.”

Seeming to get just that little more excited by the idea of having him come over, she leant herself forward and into him, her hands both coming forward to rest lightly on his thigh as she nodded her head, her gaze unwavering as she tried to coax him into agreeing, “Come on; it’s the least I can do to thank you… and besides, I’m making scalloped potato and pavlova- how can you say no to that..?”

Connor found it sweet that she seemed so excited over chocolate smothered biscuits, and smiled as she talked, noting the blush and wondering why she was blushing. He was puzzled by her smile disappearing as she searched through the box. What was wrong with it? He was a terrible cook, and if he didn't have such food he would probably starve.

He seemed perplexed at her offer for dinner, but it was clear it wasn't something he could refuse. She didn't seem to be one to say no to. Wondering what he was getting himself into, wondering if, as it seemed obvious, the rest of her family were were-dingo’s too what would happen, he nevertheless nodded “alright, you certainly know how to convince someone” he smiled, but was still wondering what was wrong with his box of food.

“Great..! I hope you like steak; mum came home with a heap of it earlier on today.” Letting herself trail off into silence, Kaylee continued to just stare at him, her soft greyish-green eyes taking in as much as she possibly could before the expression he wore finally managed to catch hold of her attention, forcing her to once more pull back to reality. Later… later there would be plenty of time to think about just how perfect he seemed to be… and God he was perfect…

“..is-... is something wrong, Connor..? You seem like you have something on your mind…”

As Kaylee stared at him, in what seemed like an intense way, Connor found himself looking back at her, and for a brief moment, his thoughts seemed to go in a direction he had never allowed them to before. How easy it would be to just lean in slightly...he blinked and glanced away as she asked if something was wrong. It was clear that it wasn't about the food.

He rubbed the back of his neck, and cleared his throat, nervous, “well, you saw how the pack reacted to your presence. How will your family react to you bringing a werewolf home?” He asked, wondering if that was the weirdest question, and sentence that he had ever spoken.

He was so close… she couldn’t help the way her eyes flicked down slightly, lingering upon his lips for only a fraction of a second before she looked back up, meeting his gaze once more. They were just so… inviting; looked so warm… what would it be like to just close what little gap there was left between them, and to just kiss him like she seemed to want to..?

“..my family..?”

For a moment she seemed confused, her brows furrowing ever so slightly before she shook it off, her mind catching up with the rest of his question, “..well my parents are human… neither of them chose to live this life, but they know everything about it and were as much a part of the pack as I was. They’ll be happy to know I’ve at least made one friend in this place; supernatural being or not, you’ll be one of the family in their eyes in no time, trust me.”

Smiling softly, she shifted over the mattress, her fingers curling ever so slightly over his thigh, seeming to match the natural curve of the muscles, “As for the rest of my family; my older brother, Hunter, he’s a dingo like I am… he was actually the Beta in our old pack until we had to leave and move here. And my little sister hasn’t told us if she wants to stay human or if she wants to become one of the pack yet; she’s only just hit the right age when the offer is extended so… But I wouldn’t worry about either of them. If they say anything, I’ll deal with it.”

There was something else going on here, like an undercurrent that seemed to be washing them along. Connor wasn't sure what he was even feeling, right then it all seemed like a mixture of things he couldn't quite unravel. What he could understand, even if it was strange, was the dynamics that seemed to come with being a weredingo. They got to chose whether to live as one or not? That was quite intriguing. Was that how they continued the species or could they transfer it through a bite as well?

Oddly enough that seemed to settle Connor. Thinking always did. Yet when she curled her fingers around his thigh, he seemed to become flustered once more, and for a moment he wondered if a person could never stop blushing.

Gathering himself so he wouldn't sound nervous and, well, flustered he said “okay, then. From what I've seen, you are quite capable, so I'll trust that you will!” He smiled, that slightly crooked smile. He didn't truly know what to expect, from such a dinner. It wasn't like he had had many such dinners himself, and no matter what Kaylee said, it would be strange. Of course everything had been strange lately so what was one more thing?

He realized he was staring at Kaylee again, and was sure he had been caught doing so. Oddly, it didn't cause him to be embarrassed, perhaps because she had been staring at him for a time as well, before. Was it his imagination or had the space between them slowly been getting smaller?

As he realized that, he saw that he was indeed leaning in, and in the few seconds of him realizing that, a brief flickering thought flowed through his mind. What was coming over him? There was no logic to this. And maybe that was the point. Before she could realize what he was doing, before he lost his nerve, Connor kissed her. It seemed that things had been building up to that, ever so slowly until it bubbled over and he just had to act, since first laying eyes on Kaylee. He had never kissed a girl before, and hoped that didn't show. He hoped he hadn't misread things, and hoped he wasn't making a fool of himself.

The very moment she realized what was happening, it was too late. His lips were on hers, and she couldn’t have cared any less about everything else going on around them. They were just so soft… so warm… and after a few brief seconds, she felt her heart begin to race within the very confines of her chest, her eyes fluttering to a close and her body shuffling just that little bit closer to his over the mattress as she leant into the kiss.

So she hadn’t been the only one thinking along these lines- he had to have been to have made the first move… her brother was definitely going to kill her later, but he wasn’t anything that she couldn’t handle.

Lifting one of her hands up from where it had been resting over his thigh, she slid it around the back of his neck, her fingers curling lightly to match the shape and to help keep him close as she added just that little bit more pressure, her lips pressing harder against his as she tilted her head ever so slightly to the side- so she had been right… he was perfect…

Kaylee’s response pleased Connor more than he could say. Not that he was saying anything at that moment. As if in response to her placing her hand on his neck, Connor slid an arm around her, as if to bring her closer, finding the mingling of their scents on his shirt she wore enticing, it did serve to remind him that she was half naked. Perhaps any other guy would have continued, thinking it a bonus, but Connor reluctantly pulled back. “Ah” that seemed all he was capable of saying, as he wanted nothing more than to kiss her again. After a moment he found his voice again.

“Not that I don't like the fact you're wearing nothing but my shirt, perhaps we should get you some more clothes”

She couldn’t help the way her lips pouted slightly, or the soft whimper that slipped out through them as she felt him pulling away from her; she didn’t want to move… she wanted to stay right where she was in his arms, and with her lips back against his, but he was right… as much as she loved sitting around in nothing but his shirt, she really should start to think about putting on clothes that would help to cover her up more than she already was.

Slowly opening her eyes so that she was once more able to look at the guy she was now pressed up against, she let a soft sigh fall from her lips, a small smile playing over them as she shook her head lightly from side to side in a teasing manner, “Of all the guys I could have ended up kissing… I chose the one who’s ever the gentleman.”

Chuckling softly and unable to help herself, she leant in, her lips once more pressing against his own for but a few seconds before she pulled away again, the hand that had been cupping the back of his neck slowly slipping until finally, it came to a rest upon his chest between them.

“..for what it’s worth… I’ve been wanting to do that since you gave me your shirt…”

Natasha found her time in the clinic quite productive. At first the nurse didn’t really want to discuss the people in question who were attacked by the wolf, but after a while she caved in. From the brief exchange, Tasha learned that they were practically lightly harmed and quickly left the clinic to finish recuperating in their homes. This only rose yet another flag in her mind that those were indeed infected by the beast’s plague. She also had the names of those present… for the most part. The intelligence network of the hunters wasn’t to be underestimated. Stuff like those were nearly impossible to keep quiet about and especially in social media it surfaced right up.

Now that she had confirmed her suspicions, it was time to check out the scene of the ‘crime’. With her trusty camera in hands and her notepad in the pocket she quickly headed towards the forest, pulling a map of the area on her phone. It was a decent trek to the place, but it wasn’t too much for someone in great physical condition such as herself. Her weapons were treated with a mix of herbs to mask their metallic scents and make it impossible to tell she had anything on herself beside the camera.

It was turning around noon when she finally began nearing the scene of the attack. She had a rather uncomfortable feeling about it even from this distance. What’s more she could vaguely hear voices from the distance. It seemed the mutts were around their merry camp. Her face didn’t change expressions though. She knew better than that, so with a friendly smile she continued to walk forward, though her body language changed a little than before. Moments ago she didn’t even look phased by the long walk through the forest, now she appeared tired as she was taking deep breaths and moving somewhat slower than moment’s ago.

“Excuse me!” She called from distance.” Anyone around here!?” She asked out loud, as if unsure, now almost tripping on a tree root.” DAMNED FOREST!!! I will kill the boss once I get back home!” She called in annoyance, placing a hand on the tree for support.” Anyone? Can you help me, I’m a reporter, I was told the wolf attack was in this area… *pant* *pant* can you point me in the direction? *pant* *pant* Who said that forest walks were easy anyway...”

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Charlotte was sitting in her office when the reporter came in. She looked up and watched the encounter before standing up and casually cracking her door open. After sitting down, she tucked a few locks of her long black hair behind her ear and listened carefully, picking out the pair of voices across the room. She quickly clicked her pen and began scribbling down the conversation before looking up to see her leave. What the hell was a reporter doing here so early after the attack? It wasn’t a face she recognised either, certainly an out of towner. Charlotte narrowed her eyes and put her pen back down, glancing over her notes quickly.

Time to go.

She quickly grabbed her change of clothes from her locker before heading out the back door of the clinic. With a quick glance to make sure no one was watching, she stripped down and shifted into the red and gray wolf that she really was. Charlotte picked up the bag containing her clothing in her jaw and then took off into the forest, watching the reporter from a distance. No, stalking her from a distance. She kept low, hiding in the tall grass and following the reporter’s scent. Her steps were silent and thoughtfully placed, the practiced stalk of a veteran werewolf. Invisible to all but the most observant and undetectable to even the most trained ear. The only ones who’d even have a chance of hearing her were at the Lake. Werewolves.

Charlotte laid in the grass, watching the reporter call out and throw a small hissy fit at the forest. It was entertaining, but she had her own suspicions about a reporter suddenly showing up in Red Lake after a wolf attack, and she was going to get the truth.

She quickly changed forms once again, changing into the civilian clothes she had brought with her and paid careful attention to clean off any hair that she may have shed as well. Then, it was a matter of adding a touch of perfume to herself to mask the scent and she’d be no different than any other normal civilian in town.

Charlotte backtracked to the road and then walked a small length of it, coming from the same direction the reporter had been walking. She approached the blonde with a careful step, noting the camera in her hand. “Wolf attack eh? Tell me, how does a reporter who is evidently from out of town know about this, and then on top of that, know to come to the clinic where the victims were treated and interrogate my nurses?”

She examined the lady with a trained eye, glancing in the direction of the other voices “Also...what gives you the right to pry and get the names of the victims? Patient information is confidential unless given out by them.”

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As Riley waited for Billy to say something, she froze for a moment as she could easily hear some rustling in the woods, and slowly started to make her way towards the source of the sound and looked around until she caught a glimpse of blonde hair in the corner of her eye and then. Then there was a loud groan and several pants coming from the woman as she managed to get a better look at the strange woman who Riley didn't recognize at all. And she knew every soul in the town and almost everyone of them is family, so Riley instantly assumed that the woman was actually an out of towner. Then there was a red flag for her as she asked about the wolf attack, even if it was news in the next several towns over it didn't really get that far.

Then Riley could hear the familiar voice of Charlotte coming out from behind the woman and started to interrogate her about how she had gotten the information. "The wolf attack happened on the northern side of the lake from what I've heard, though it was already cleaned and fixed up. I usually ride my dirt bike up and around that area, I could maybe show you or something?" Riley asked, she was of course lying as the attack was in the southern portion of the lake. Riley would look over towards Charlotte and would smile slightly to her hoping that her friend would actually get the hint she was trying to lure the woman away from the real sight of the attack.

@Caits

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The twins nodded at her and had the looks of two boys who got caught. They both turned to face her and Aron wordlessly presented the ointment. They both looked at each other for a moment before Gage made his way back to the tree. "The ointment is supposed to help heal wounds....I had it after Gage cut his hand chopping up carrots...and the belts had silver" Aron looked down as he said it. "It was our own fault."

Gage glanced over his shoulder. "When we finish here we should go back and help out with the clean up." mostly tossed out there for a subject change and also for an alibi. Aron looked at Cassandra then his brother and nodded. "Thank you..." it was a thanks for caring and helping. Gage tilted his head before his attention went back to the tree. He knew this would hurt, so focusing on other things would probably help.

‘There you were…’ Natasha thought when the woman showed up. After entering the forest, the hunter got the feeling she was followed soon enough. Sure she couldn’t exactly pinpoint the location till now, but she was in more than enough hunts… was chased and stalked more than she could count and after a while a person develops instincts about these things. So the doc was a wolf too... that explained some things.

“Where on earth did you show up from!?” Tasha ‘jolted’ in mild surprise.” Know what.. doesn’t matter. First of all… in what time do you think we live in? The eighties? This incident already made news on the internet, though it took some search to find out in which town it happened. Eventually found it from some hunters a few towns over. They were talking about the possible hunt for the wolf that did it. As for the clinic… where on earth else will they take the injured people? The church? Seriously woman, you need to chill out, it’s like you’ve stepped out of a eightie’s TV series or something.” Tasha snapped at the woman and took another few deep breaths as she regained her breath.

“FINE, YES! I asked for confidential information, there… happy? Do you even have any idea how hard is to be a journalist in this age where blogs and twitters and facebooks exist? It’s a nightmare to be competitive to all those sources of information so yes, I will overstep the edges of the law sometimes to ensure my livelihood! Besides it wasn’t your nurses who told me the names I found out, I found them via internet… Some kids had mentioned their friends being attacked in their facebooks pages.”

“Ahhh thank you, miss!” The hunter replied to Riley with a bright thankful smile on her face, though she knew the girl was lying to her. Considering the fact the other people were here too, no way the attack was on the other side of the lake, but she was going to let it slide. She accomplished her goal.” I would be grateful if you could take me there, even if there is nothing left. I just need a few photos for the article and maybe an interview or two! But those are for later… if I find any of the attacked who want to talk about what happened.” She said with a smile, shooting another look at Charlotte.” See… that’s how you should treat new people! You should take a few hints from the girl!... wait… did you follow me here all the way from the clinic?” The hunter then asked and tilted her head.” What are you… a serial killer or something?”