Choose Your Side

[temperance]

OUTFIT

Temperance was happy with the thought of being bound to Casper. She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing the the hood of the cloak off so she could shake her hair out. She smiled at Don as he shook Casper's hand, nodding in agreement with what Casper said about her not smelling of wolf. She blushed a little at the comment about the smell of leopard, glad that she had eaten enough to blush. ”My animal to call is the leopard, Casper. I'm … close with the local Nimir-Raj.” Yeah, he would figure it out. She knew Casper well enough to know that he would see that her subtle tone was her telling him that she shacked up with the local leopard leader on a regular basis.

She nodded with Casper's words about the invitation. ”I did not know that you would be interested, Eliachem, or I would have had you escort me.” And she showed her age with that comment. Oh well. Though she believed that Eliachem was older than her so at least he would understand where she was coming from. She felt a flutter of excitement move through her at the thought that she wasn't the only one who the bond hadn't taken with. ”You are unbound, Eliachem?” It would be great for her if she wasn't the only one. It would also talk about just how weak Sion was that two of his vampires were walking around unbound.

She saw Ruslana coming up the alley and moved away from the wall. She seemed as transfixed as Casper was by the stumbling and weakness written all over Ruslana's face. She had been bound, but it was too weak. She moved behind Casper as he walked over to Ruslana, taking her while Casper spoke to Eliachem about what he wanted for the city, what he wanted the vampires in the city to be all about. She wrapped her arms around Ruslana's waist and took as much of the other woman's weight as possible, speaking in her ear. ”Casper will take care of it, Lana. He always takes care of what he claims as his.” And she knew that was her and Lana, at least. Yet Casper seemed to already feel for Chicago itself as if he already ran it. That was good for the people, vampire, lycanthropes, and humans, who lived here.

[Deleted]

Outfit

Rakasha looked at her phone as she laid there in her bed, taking a breath as she went through the numbers. Part of her wanted to call Samuels old number but decided not too, it not like he would answer her call. Staying down after the visit that Hiero payed to the dojo made her want to scrub his scent out of the place it was just wicked reminder that she was alone again. Wondering if her student picked up the five gallon jugs of pine-sol she asked for, rolling out of bed she dragged herself to the bathroom that was already redone. it coast her a pretty penny but it wasnt enough to make her scoff at.

There was the itch to fight and do what most didn't want as she got dress. She was going to the undercity to play she had to get away from the happy people here as she left the Under city. Shooting Hiero a text telling him where she was going and the fact that there was a fight ring she heard of down there before she slid into the tunnels that called to her. She loved the fact that she didnt have to hide her Lion Amber eyes down here that caught the low light and seemed to glow. Sniffing as she smelt death and decay, great vampires are down here, then the smell of a wolf hit her. A smile touched her face as she walked her eyes cutting this way and that as she looked around, her mind noting the way out.

Stopping as she sniffed the air and moved down an alley following the trail of the wolf smell, it was male but there was a hint of Val in there. Now she had her curiosity was leading her the way and she was a cat so if it killed her she will be fine. Her mother used to tell her, curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will. So when she walked into a wall of terror she kept going stopping as she saw four vampires and a male wolf.

Her eyes flashed two vampires were male and two female, the one with the pale hair seemed sick and weak. She took a deep breath as she moved closer looking to see what was going on the smell of decay was making her stomach ache. Flipping her hair over her shoulder as she looked at the gathering. "Well I am probably going to regret asking thing but what is going on here? Did the lions miss the call of the wild too?" Rakasha said with a smile that never touched her eyes. She scanned them as she place her hand in her pocket gripping her phone.

[Eliachem]

Eliachem thought to catch Ruslana but decided against it. Casper was already possessive. It was a welcome possessiveness judging by the females posture and tone. He already had them fully in his sway. He instead smiled Casper was fast which was a good thing to be. Eliachem knew that he was faster he’d always had to be. He listened to what Casper had to say. All of it beginning to end and back. The decision was as good as made by the others. Eliachem nodded to show that he was in fact hearing Casper out. Not only was he listening he was paying rapt attention not to only Casper but the others as well. It was done. There was nothing to do or say Casper was honest enough to admit it would be his way or no way. Eliachem didn’t like that ultimatum but it was better out in the open than crawling around in the shadow of everything Casper might do.

“That’s a good platform and the height of the tower is all about the base. Lets be honest however I will be yours provided I get something out of it. I need something to do with my time. All this muck is bad for my complexion. I’m thinking a position as your enforcer. I work pretty well with my hands…” Eliachem smiled as he felt another party joining the gathering. This one smelling to all the world like the savannah’s. Lion. Definitely lioness and a sexy minx at that. Turning towards the coming lioness Eliachem pushed a wave of power towards Casper. Energy was an ever present thing it was also his bread and butter. Perhaps a small taste of what Eliachem could do might be incentive enough.

Moving forward towards the lioness Eliachem smiled. “We are the planning committee. We were hoping you’d help us decorate we’re working on a surprise party.”

Looking to Casper Eliachem kept his smile in place. Either the man would see his usage or he wouldn’t as potential Master he would need to begin perfecting his public image. The lack of one was what would be Sion’s undoing moreso than all of the power being allied against him. If Sion could have been bothered to put on a face that the public at large along with the preternatural community
could stand behind he might have stood a chance of holding the throne longer than the length of a sitcom.

[darkmoon]

Scenting the air, Donavonn knew the group was getting company before each showed themselves. More vampires, and a... lion? Curious. Listening to Eliachem's explanation caused a toothy smile to grace Don's features, complete with both top and bottom fangs showing. "Well, kitty-cat, looks like you just stumbled in on the big dogs having a party." Scenting the air near the lioness, Donavonn felt a little more at ease. "Well, at least I know you've been keeping good company. I can smell my mate on you, which means you've been to the club. Any friend of Val's, and all that." Dropping the playfulness from his voice, Don figured that the easiest way to explain what was happening was the direct approach, his preferred method in almost every matter. "Here's the lowdown, kitty-cat; The city's vampires are led by a man who can't tell his elbow from his asshole, and that makes the city a dangerous place for everyone. If we want Chicago to thrive and have a power base that makes people think twice about getting on our bad side, he needs to get gone, and get gone permanently. So, you're looking at some of the most powerful people in this town right now, and we're offering you a chance to get in on the ground floor of this little coup d'état. So what do you say? Ready to heed the call of the wild, as you put it, and play with the monsters?"

Hell, might as well just come out with it. Donavonn doubted highly that the lioness had any contact with Sion, much less any want of keeping a man around that she had no ties to. Again, the direct approach was more of Donavonn's forte rather than the sneaking around in the shadows that vampires were more fond of. Give him a head on, balls-to-the-wall brawl any day of the week, and Don was a happy puppy. Laying the cards on the table, Don figured that the best that could happen is the lioness would join their little crusade, hopefully bringing the rest of the lions with her. The worst that could happen was she did something stupid, and the assembled parties would get to play Which-Piece-of-the-Lion-Goes-Where? While he was hoping on the latter, Don wasn't holding his breath either way, and extended his right hand into claws. While his limbs didn't make the interesting plopping sounds that Casper's did, he knew they were frightening in their own right.

As Don was contemplating which way the lioness would react to their little plan of subterfuge, his sensitive nose picked up a scent that was all-too welcoming, and it immediately put him at ease. The air around him suddenly changed, and the scent of wolf grew stronger. In the course of half a second, all of Don's senses were tuned in to the figure walking into the mouth of the alley, wearing WAY too much pink to be inconspicuous, yet still managing to look sexy as hell and set his every nerve ending on fire. "Well, boys and girls, looks like we have more company. Do not attack, or threaten her. She is my mate, and my Lupa. Every decision made that affects my pack affects her as well, so please, treat her with the same respect I've shown to you." Holding out his hand towards his mate, Donavonn waited patiently for her to get close enough to take it, until she got within about five feet of him. All of a sudden, Donavonn, the big, bad, Ulfric of the Finsternis De Lichts Pack, was scared shitless. His mate was PISSED. And Don had a nagging suspicion, that her anger was directed at him. Gulping audibly, Don spoke to his mate, his words for her and her alone. "Il mio amore? Cosa c'è di sbagliato? Che cosa è successo a causa di questo livello di rabbia? Qualcuno ha fatto del male? Se questo è il caso, giuro su Dio che io li strappare a pezzi, a partire da ogni nocca su ogni dito fino a quando non c'è più nulla, ma pezzi!"

**My love? What's wrong? What's happened to cause this level of anger? Has someone hurt you? If that is the case I swear to God that I will rip them limb from limb, starting with each knuckle on each finger until there is nothing left but pieces!

[val]

OUTFIT

Val had gotten the note from the vampire the day before at her club. She had been the only Alpha in town for so long, she had thought that was the only reason she had gotten it. She didn't know what it was all about, but she knew that she was going to go to the meeting. She just had to get rid of Don first. Or figure out how to get away from him. However, that was taken care of on its own as he had things to attend to. Good. It gave her time to get things with the club settled and to change her clothes before she headed to Under City to see what the deal was with getting the current Master of the City out of power. She had been in town long enough to see that it was different than the others, that things were worse off than any other city she had looked at before she had ended up here. She didn't like it, hated it in fact, so she was willing to do whatever she could to get this city to a state where vampires and lycanthropes alike would flock here just to visit. They couldn't do that with the current Master.

Pulling her jacket on, she pulled her hair out of it and let it hand loose around her, falling past her waist. The fresh dye job was looking better than she had thought it would. She kind of hated that Don had that much of an effect on her that her wolf had changed her hair color. She had even gone blonde for a few hours after that. It was horrible. Or at least, it had been for her. Don had seemed to like it, but then again, he seemed to like a lot about her that she hated about herself. Guess it was one of those things about being mated. She stepped out of the front door of the club and began to move down the street toward the area she was supposed to meet the others.

She turned a corner heading into the Under city, breathing in heavy the scents around her. And she growled. Catching a scent she hadn't thought she would find here. Don. She was going to kill him! What was he doing in the undercity? And if he was here for the meeting, why didn't he tell her where he was going? Or better yet, why didn't he ask her to go with him? So many good questions she was going to have to ask him after she put her fist through his face. She threw her aura out, letting the anger ride ahead of her as she moved toward the group she could now see in the darkness of the alley, but it was the tall werewolf that held her attention. She aimed right for him, seeing the four vampires and Kasha standing there, but it was definitely the werewolf she was focused on.

She heard his words, in Italian, and let a wicked smile, controlled by her wolf, move across her face. She felt her hand ball into a fist and, before she could think about what she was doing, her fist connected with his jaw with all the strength her petite form carried. ”L'unica persona che mi ha fatto male adesso è lei, stronzo! Mi hai detto che hai avuto cose da fare, ma tu non mi ha detto che è stato questo. Questo...” She gestured to the group around them. ”È qualcosa che facciamo insieme.*” She turned to the others in the group around them, giving a small nod and a smile. ”I'm Val Giovanni, Lupa of the Finsternis De Licht Pack. Mated to this inconsiderate asshole.” She smiled at Kasha. ”How are you, Kasha?” Turning her eyes to the most powerful vampire in the circle, she gave a nod, letting him know that, though she was pissed at her mate right then, she was in.

*The only person to hurt me right now is you, asshole! You told me you had stuff to do, but you did not tell me it was this. This ... Is something we do together.

[casper]

OUTFIT

Casper laughed, shaking his head at Temperance's words. Close. She was 'close' to the local Nimir-Raj, which meant that he could handle her fear aura and that were sleeping together. That was good to know for later. Listening to Eliachem speak, Casper leaned against the wall behind him, pushing the hood off his face to show his boyish looks, thinking about what the other vampire had said. Casper was pretty much his own enforcer at times, enjoying causing others pain, but it would be nice, for once, to have someone else do that job for him. Not to mention, when the city became as he wanted it, as he envisioned it, he would need others to do what he would need done. People who would willingly kill for him without a problem or a second thought.

As the lioness came to join their group, he felt the power coming off Eliachem and gave a nod of his head. Yes, he could definitely be useful, it would be bad not to use him. ”I expect a great deal of loyalty from all the vampires who serve me, Eliachem, but if you swear that, once the seat is mine, you will bind yourself to me as a true Master is meant to have his people bound to him, I would be pleased to call you Enforcer.” He was glad that Don explained the whole situation to the little lioness, though he waved his hand to clear the air between them before adding his own words. ”We're trying to bring the Master down so that we can provide a better future for our city. I plan on speaking with your Rex here in the next few days, but if you wish to join us, you are more than welcome to. I could use someone to speak for me to the Rex.”

The smell of wolf filled his nostrils again, this time female, and he turned his eyes to see a vision in pink coming toward them. He heard Don's words, knew that it was his mate, but he couldn't help let his thoughts wander over what he could do to the young female werewolf, though he was almost positive that she wouldn't enjoy any of them. He raised an eyebrow at the Italian from the Don's lips before he was laughing out loud at the hit that the beautiful pink haired werewolf gave him. Shaking his head, he walked over to the young werewolf, taking her hand and laying a kiss on her knuckles. ”If he hits half as good as you do, love, I will be more than happy to have you both as my allies.” He released her hand, moving back over to Ruslana and Temperance, leaning against the wall beside them. ”It is a pleasure to meet you, Val. I am Casper, the two beauties at my side are Ruslana and Temperance. The vampire over there is Eliachem, and you seem to know our lycan companions.” He let the wicked smile move across his lips as he turned his gaze around the group. If he could get the leaders for the lions, leopards, snakes, and jaguars on his side, they might just be able to follow through with his plans.

[Deleted]

outfit

Ruslana looked up in a dazed at Casper, a soft smile touched her lips and moved to her eyes as they flicked out of focus then back in quickly. His arm wrapped around her made her feel safe for some reason even though it had the opposite effect normally or made her quiver. He wasnt going to punish her...He wasn’t mad at her! He even said he would figure it out, something in that didnt sit right but she didnt care at the moment he wasnt upset at her. Letting out a weak chuckle as she let her body rest in his arm slightly, he acted like he cared and today she would let herself feel that he did.

Ruslana will think of this later and it would scare her in a way that was unsettling to her but now she was too out of it. When he cupped her face she started to nuzzle his hand, then his lips touched hers as she brought her hand to the side of his face, she was warmer so it did speak that she had fed tonight. “I am sorry Casper” She said to him as he handed her to Temperance, she looked at her friend with a smile. The other vampire reminded her of her sister, maybe that is why she warmed up to her quicker than most. Nodding to her as she took a breath and closed her eyes for a second then open them up with a smile sitting in them.

"I just I got the short end of it this time didn’t I? You know Temperance you remind me so much of twin at times, I miss here and I hope so. I am not one for this loopy feeling I am getting lately, Thank you thought but when I am better and you ask me about this I will denied everything.” Ruslana joked as she tried to calm the other vampire down even though she knew her fear of not waking flaring along with the need. She hoped that they understood that she was not scared of the Night Hag. ”Temperance Promise me if I don’t wake up you will help him win this city.”

Looking towards The younger female lioness as she shook her head that wasn’t the Rex, shes not the one she sent the letter too. Knowing the Rex would not send a embassy he would show up him ”That is not the Rex or Regina in fact if I am seeing her right she is just a Beta that came back after three years training under another lion. Her last few months was with a vampire learning how to not be rolled…That’s what I have on her but no name other than the White Lioness. Casper she is from New Yok too plus she runs a place on the loop.” Ruslana rattled off what was in the file on the lioness before Casper could speak to her. Her eyes landed on the young lioness with a smile in them letting her know that it was not in harm that she knew all this but out of the need to live in the city.

Yawning as she nuzzled her head in the shoulder of the woman holding her, closing her eyes slightly as she nodded. “We will not let others become like this…Casper make the city strong against the wave of attacks that come here. He will protect those who are under him like a real master of the city should. Yes there will be violent but when is there not in the world but it will be better than this. I implore all of you to look at the crumbling city and think do we want to live in a place that cannot be safe? This is the place where we lay our heads this is home too we want to save it from those who want to destroy it too. I learned who everyone was so that we could live in Harmony not in war as we do now. All we want to do in the long run is save us all from the war of hate.” She let her statement ring through the air while she cracked open her eyes showing the fire and belief that every word she said was true. She smiled even though it was a little Gondi of her to speak like this but hey she could get away with this and blame it on her weakness. Maybe it was for the best that she was this weakened.

[Eliachem]

This was a fine mess and then some. Eliachem held his smile despite the fact he knew there needed some decorum. True they weren’t inside somewhere that security could be maintained. They weren’t anywhere that those who came and went could be overseen. They were in a dirty muck strewn entryway to the hidden tunnels and passages of the city. Yet there still needed t be some form to this function as it stood if this was a sign as to what Casper would offer it was not a good start. He was especially disappointed that everyone who came about was thoroughly threatened. They were treated as if they had stormed the castle. That was no way to accord one another. In fact he was growing truly angry at the idea. If they were going to greet each other with claws, fangs and the promise of combat it wouldn’t be long before they would have to keep those promises. Battling amongst themselves they might as well just swear a true oath to Sion and try to build the city underneath him. At least he wasn’t directly rude.

Sighing Eliachem looked from the Lioness the wolf-mistress and Donavonn. It was a soap opera that while interesting reality television would not win anything for them save a moment of less tedium. Donavonn had a grasp of the situation albeit a naïve grasp. Nothing was as straight forward as it seemed. They were here in direct violation of the Council’s edicts preparing to wage war against a sitting Master of the City. They were going to take the City from him and instill their own form of government. Casper would be their leader Sion would be a thing of the past. The city might have a chance to be something better true enough. Eliachem was not as simple as he presented himself to be. He knew that rebellions always caused more immediate grief than they fixed. There would be bloodshed, there would be violence and there would be loss. The city would be worse during the first few days weeks and months of the new regime. To avoid as much unnecessary hardships as possible it would take them being of an accord now in the planning phase. There would need to be a welcome of every able hand every tooth and claw focused to one goal taking the reins of power and leading the city through an equitable fair hand.

Eliachem looked to Casper then back to Donavonn. “Kasha was it? Donavonn is right though a bit too serious about this. Sion sucks we need something better and Casper thinks he is the man for the job. He has our support provided I get to hurt people who stand against him once he has the title. So its not a with us or against us moment its more of a can you not go running to the Master of the City and tell him what we’re planning.” His voice was calm a bit joking and all too sincere. He knew that if she was to take off running right now to Sin that things would be very dicey. He knew that the Lions had no dealings with the Kiss so the chances of her running off to spill was small but it wasn’t impossible. The lycanthropes were doing pretty well without the intervention of the Kiss. It was a small chance that they would even want the Kiss to mess in their affairs.

“So there is all of that what do you say Kitten?”

[Deleted]

Outfit

Rakasha looked at the vampire that spoke to her about a party and her helping decorate for it, a real smile lighten up her face as she giggle. "Awwwe and here I was thinking you were planning for my birthday party early, I was going to tell you all I wanted was a pony." She joked as she watched them all as if she was complete at easy, in her head she knew she would have to run if they attacked all at once. She would have a chance if they came one by one but that was never her luck.

Rakasha raised an eyebrow at the male wolf when he called her kitty-cat, it was too close to Hiero's old pet name for her. Her eyes narrowed when he turned his hand into a claw as she watched him, this wolf was not thinking things through now was he. If Hiero even found out the threats this wolf man was making towards her in that claw. Her lips drew up in a snarl her nosed wrinkled, her all to lion amber eyes seemed to glow in the dim light.

Her hand in her pocket hit the GPS button on her phone that she learned by heart and now all she had to do was hit send and it was a SOS call to Hiero with her location at all times. Hell all he had to do is look for her on that program and he would find her gps."Let me explain something Puppy-dog, I like Val very much to the point I invited her to my home and place of business for tea and out of respect to her I will not inform my Rex that you have threaten me when you half shifted you hand there. " Moving her hand she touched her nose, it had a slight smell of stronger wolf and a little blood when he did. That was the tell and the fact that she was trained to notices movements like that or the it could be that she was on guard since she didn't trust them.

"I was down here looking for the underground fighting ring to keep myself in shape and some what entertain. Then I caught her scent and thought she was down here. Maybe hurt or in trouble and if she was I as a friend thought I should go help her...Then I ran into you five. I have no problem helping fix my home but then again I am under direct orders not to get involved with the Vampires till my REX tells me other wise. Since you are the Alpha of your pack you understand where I am standing right now NO?" Her eyes never left the wolf as she spoke, how did she get herself into these things? Shaking her head as she smirked, this night was turning out to be a nightmare. She moved closer to the mouth of the Alley when the strongest vampire spoke to her as she flashed a smiled at him and nodded.

"I am not allowed to play with you right now as you heard but my place is a safe house if anyone needs it that is all that I can offer right now. Though you will have to be my student as one says to come in. Until you talk to my Rex my hands our Bound to say the lest. But I will let him know I ran into the group and when I tell him I will pay the price but I will inform him that I think it would be a good thing to help out in some way shape or form. Hopefully He will listen to me before he has me lashed in his own way"Rakasha voice was the deep husky voice of her though it has musical undertones to it as she winked at the lashing joke.

She felt Val as she walked closer oh boy that girl was mad and it was not at her thank the lord for small favors. She glanced at her friend bathed in pink and shot her a smile that warmed her eyes even though anger still sat in them. And Val it is nice to see you again but I do not want to be where my life is threaten anymore. But the offer of tea still stands if you would like it? It seemed that my curiosity will get this cat killed...Oh Val When is the next show I would love to go and maybe I can talk you into teaching me to dance one of these days..." She chuckled as she stood there waiting to see who will make a move, and if she had to hit the send key.

She looked at the lower male vampire and nodded to him as she did a mock curtsy towards him. Out of all them here but Val was not included to that list she liked him the most, he was a smart ass but kind to her too." My name is Rakashas but feel free to call me Kasha if you would like ..." She pointed to him with a smile her eyes sly moved to Donavonn then back to the vampire." But you can call me Kitten too if you want, since you are so much kinder then some of the others here. May I ask what I can call you though dear one?" The comment was made as a jab at the way Donavonn acted towards her as she gave the cat that ate the Carney smile. Some times she let her mouth move faster then her mind but she was having fun with this she also set a way out just in case.

As you heard me say I would love to I just can't disobey a direct order from my Rex even if I wanted to it is looked upon as a challenge and not in the mood for that can of worms quite yet...Plus I am trying to get up a new Dojo running and branching off for the people of the night to have a place to work too. So feel free to look me up if any of you need help, I will talk to my Rex and see what he says but that is all I can do" Rakasha winked at Eliachem with a wicked little look in her eyes as if she was playing with him. She knew she was going to get it but hell why not have fun with it all.

[darkmoon]

Donavonn couldn't help the slight amusement he felt at his own stupidity. He hadn't thought to include his Lupa in this little party, simply because he wasn't thinking like the Ulfric of the pack. He was thinking like a man. Because of the fact that his and Val's relationship was still so new, Don hadn't really had the time to be able to incorporate seeing Val as his mate, his love, into also seeing her as his Lupa, the second-in-command of his pack. So while her anger was justified, Don still felt the need to attempt to explain his reasoning behind not inviting her to this little party. Using his tongue to remove the trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, he spoke softly in Italian, making sure she understood why he'd gone about it as he had. "Amore mio, non avevo idea di come questo stava per scendere, così ho voluto venire qui per ottenere un tatto per la situazione. Se fosse andata bene, stavo pensando di chiamarti qui quindi si sentiva proposta di Casper per te ... ma se le cose fossero andate male, volevo essere in grado di combattere il mio modo fuori di qui e di nuovo voi, in modo da poter capire la nostra prossima mossa insieme. Se ti avessi portato, e questo incontro era andato male, non potrei mai perdonarmi se si fosse venuto a male e ho potuto evitarlo in qualche modo. Hai la mia parola che vi coinvolgerà in tutte le cose da questo momento in avanti."

As he'd finished speaking, Donavonn reached over to grasp his mate's left hand, rubbing his cheek against her palm before placing a soft kiss against her flesh. "Ti amo Val, il che significa che la vostra sicurezza è sempre al primo posto, prima di tutto, e non importa quale sia la circostanza." As the Italian rolled from his tongue, Donavonn turned to Casper, regarding the man with a cold and calculating gaze. "Keep your flirting under control, Casper. You have plenty of female companionship standing at your sides right now. Mine... is off limits." Turning back to regard the rest of the assembly, Don realized that his actions towards the lioness had seemed slightly harsh, and he hadn't intended that in the least bit. So, speaking more to anyone (except his mate) than he had in a great many years, he cleared his throat and attempted to clarify his actions.

"Listen, Kitty-cat, there was no threat intended, so please, don't misinterpret my actions as a form of aggression. Me shifting my hand was simply to show just how deadly serious we are about overthrowing Sion. It was a threat to him, not you. I have nothing but the utmost respect for your Rex, and I would sooner protect the life of one of his pride than threaten it. Besides, my mate happens to be an excellent judge of character, and if she considers you a friend, I'd be honored to do the same. I sincerely apologize if you thought, for one second, that you were in any danger amongst us. As long as our plans remain safe, so shall you. Extending his now-human hand towards the young lioness, the formality dropped from his voice, and a toothy,wicked grin graced his angular features. At the mention of her looking for an underground brawling ring, Don began thinking of his days fighting in the cages of the Pits, and he couldn't help but feel a certain kinship with another cage fighter. "Not to even mention the fact that it looks like you and I have a bit more in common than you realize Kitty-Cat. I was a cage fighter myself, once upon a time. We might have to look for this ring and tear a path through it as a team!"

**My love, I had no idea how this was going to go down, so I wanted to come down here to get a feel for the situation. If it had turned out well, I was planning on calling you down here so you could hear Casper's proposal for yourself... but if things had gone badly, I wanted to be able to fight my way out of here and back to you, so we could figure out our next move together. If I had brought you, and this meeting had gone badly, I could never forgive myself if you had come to harm and I could have prevented it in some way. You have my word that I will involve you in all things from this moment forward.

***I love you Val, which means that your safety will always come first, above all else, and no matter what the circumstance.