They drove through the city, Audolf silent as he allowed Sullivan and Sally to talk; even if they weren't doing so. Sally was watching the lights of the city fade away as the car climbed into the hillside. Soon enough buildings gave way to trees and finally, just as Elyan had explained it, the car came upon Lake Hollywood, the city's reservoir.

"Elyan said it was secluded, but I never expected the seclusion smack dab in the center of the city. This is utterly genious!" Audolf nodded and chuckled. "Aye, it was built when your brother first asked Elyan to keep an eye on the west coast. We went through hell and near high-water when they built the reservoir." He laughed with a smile. "But, Elyan used his pull within the city to make sure they knew our home was there and would not flood it... Too much." Shaking his head, he seemed a bit sore on that thought. "Had to rebuild a bit of the lower segments, and the basement flooded out, but aside from that, nice and dry. Once the kinks of the reservoir worked out though, everything's been great! You'll love it. At least I think you will. You even have your own guest house within the grounds so you're not stuck smelling us all the time."

Sullivan laughed and looked at Sally. "I'm rather excited to see this place. You?"

As she nodded, Audolf pointed out over the water toward a bit of firelight. "It would seem the wolves have lit the beacon and are awaiting your arrival."

"Beacon?" Sully questioned, then looked at Sally again wondering if she had any idea. Her shrug told him enough.

"Yes, just as a literal warm welcome. It's not every day we have family come and visit, you know."

Off in the distance there was howling, the moon was high already, and nearly full. Audolf rolled his window down to let the voices and wolves songs fill the vehicle.

"It's somewhat beautiful, isn't it?" Sullivan whispered softly to Salena, causing Audolf to smile. His arm wrapped around her shoulders as he looked outside, enjoying what he could see of the scenery from the bright light and listening to the sounds of a true moonlight sonata.

Shortly, the lights of the car shone on the home, and they would see it in the bright of day soon enough. For now, however, they were content with what they could see. It was magnificent, sat directly into the pine trees and the rising landscape, the water's edge just a short walk from the lake-side view of the entrance to the home.

"Wow..." Sullivan whispered out as they stepped out of the car.

"Go around front, I'm certain Ely is waiting," Audolf encouraged before pulling away into the underground garage and unloaded their bags.

Sully took Sally's hand and walked the path that led around where they were met with a pair of yellow glowing eyes staring back at them from within the most beautiful of white furs.

"Dimitri, let them pass!" a female's voice called from around the remaining bend of the path. "You know we're expecting them."

The white wolf seemed to huff before stepping to the side and escorting them the rest of the way. Elyan smiled and nodded to his family, walking over and hugging them both.

"Welcome, welcome, to my humble abode!" Elyan exclaimed happily.

"Humble?" Sully asked, as if he was one to talk. "At least call it what it is, Elyan, it's extravagant and amazing. Absolutely beautiful!"

"Isn't it though? We host many meetings for the packs here. They know you're here, and your brothers will be as well. Do not be surprised of some come to pay their respects to my blood, even if we are different."

Sullivan nodded and hugged Sally a little closer. Now, now things were a little different and odd for him. He'd never been this far into the other side of his family. He'd always minded his own on the west coast. This was awkward, and Sullivan, for once, had no idea what to do. Social anxiety gripped him tightly like Death's grasp on life. His eyes scanned around them as they, in response to the energy around him, glowed blue in the dark. He could see the heartbeats of the wolves. Quicker than normal humans, and larger than a human's heart. Shaking his head, he tried to make the feeling vanish, but no matter what he did, his abilities were active.

Looking at Sally, he smiled weakly. "I think we should like to see to our rooms and get some sleep for the night... We can take a tour in the morning? Allow all of you to do what it is you'd truly like to in these woods with the moon high?" He turned back to Elyan.

"Yes. Tarmarind!" Ely called, looking to the oldest looking one of the whole group, even though Sully knew she wasn't. "Please show our guests to their home."

Tarmarind nodded and waved a hand to Sullivan and Sally, "This way." The white wolf called Dimitri continued to walk beside them as an escort. Both because no one would dare challenge him to attack their guests, and because he could stop their guests if something went horribly, terribly wrong.

'OH. MY. GOD.' 

Sally mouthed the words breathlessly, pressing herself to the window with a childlike unabashed awe as they approached the house. The land was beautiful, the lush vegetation veritably singing to her as loudly as the wind and wolves. Her eyes sparkled with mismatched wonder at the orchestral nightsong; a glowing smile gracing her lips with silent amazement. 

She was quiet as they parked, her head on a swivel as she stretched to take in everything at once... inquisitive reverence and wonderment rolling off her in sweetly scented waves. The house was a DREAM. Literally. Where other young women fantasized of castles and cliffsides, Sally had always pictured THIS. It was exactly the kind of dream-home she'd only ever imagined. And it was perfect. Even more so given what she knew about the echoing melody of howling calls that reverberated off the verdant hills. 

She was positively beaming. And nothing... not even Dimitri's sour growl could wrest the joy from her steady heart. 

"Well, hello there," she chirped happily, shooting him a keen smile as she skipped past. With a cheerful chuckle, she tossed herself around Ely's shoulders, enveloping him in a warm hug that drew scoffing huffs from Dimitri and Tarmarind alike. Ely, however, simply chuckled heartily, scooping the girl up into a swirl before setting her feet back on the ground. 

Sully, visibly tense and awkward, pulled her close as soon as her feet were firmly planted. His eyes were doing that thing again. And as she rested against him, she could feel nervous lilt of his pulse as it strained against his ribcage. He was nervous. Squeezing his hand gently, she pet his face affectionately as he and Ely talked... her eyes still wide and observant as she stared over his shoulder at their surroundings, wondering what he could see that made him so anxious. 

But their friendly banter gave her precious little time to soak in the beauty and magic of their surroundings. And despite her concern for Sully's obvious discomfort, she was nowhere near ready to turn in. The night here was etheric. Almost contagious. It thrummed and buzzed in her blood like an enticing serenade that stirred her to full wakefulness. And she was loathe to relinquish its hold just yet.  

She lingered as the others moved away, her feet rooted in shy trepidation, halting Sully in his motion. Dimitri huffed lowly, circling back around her as her gaze flickered between Sullivan and Elyan. Squeezing his hand gently, she shot him a shy apologetic smile as she turned deferentially to Ely. 

"Do I have to?" 

It was soft and respectful. Genuinely curious rather than challenging. The longing in her eyes clear as she unconsciously strained toward the blooming forest that bordered the lake surrounding the house. The night called to her. But would it be safe?

Sullivan sighed... He desperately wanted to be away from the tense feelings of the rest of the pack. He felt safe at their home, his brothers were there. Here, something made him sick to his stomach. They would all have to get much more used to each other. Ely, on the other hand, wheeled around and held his hand out to Sally.

"Why of course not, my darling child. Sullivan, it is fine if you wish to turn in. I can understand your predicament, and I give you my word as Alpha, that your lovely Sally will be safe here with us. Shomecosse and myself will see to it that she is guarded well."

Sullivan nodded to Elyan, then tugged Salena close, kissing her forehead. "Please, my dear. Enjoy yourself." He smiled, it was uneasy, but it was sincere. "I will prepare our lodging. Perhaps I will meet you once I've eased my nerves some."

Dimitri huffed before circling a tree and stepping out beside a bush at the perfect height to hide view of human parts. "Ugh, Elyan. How are we supposed to hunt tonight with human scent wafting across the island?"

Ely, Sully, Sally, and Tarmarind all turned to Dimitri as he spoke. Audolf, who walked up from behind, smacked Dimitri's bare ass as he joined the rest around the bush, causing a growl from Dimitri that sent the younger one shuffling away quickly with a soft whimper.

"Same way we always do, Dimitri..." a harsh, feminine voice spoke up as the beautiful Shomecosse stepped out from around the shadows of Elyan. "Silently, and efficiently... Is that going to be a problem for you with the human girl? Because you could always just stay behind and let the big wolves hunt." She grinned in a way that told everyone there was a challenge issued for the night. Shome versus Dimitri...

Elyan chuckled and waved his hands, "Children, my dearest mate, please... Let's not cause our guests more trepidation, or confusion... And let's certainly not place the HUMAN guest in danger..." Looking at Sullivan, he bowed his head, "No offense, but I imagine you can handle yourself with your new found abilities."

Sullivan nodded, then hugged Sally and left her with the wolves. Why did that seem stupid? It did, but he allowed it anyway. Following Tarmarind off to their housing, he lowered his head.

"Will she really be okay?" he thought out loud as he looked off toward the moon reflecting from the smooth lake's surface.

"Did Elyan promise it?" was the thought that entered his mind... Shaking his head, he looked at the woman in front of him. She smiled. Of course it was Tarmarind who'd said it. Why wouldn't she say it? She believed them. Maybe he should too... They'd lived this long. Reservation lifted as he exhaled, shoving the thoughts away.

Entering their room he thanked Tarmarind, and began to set it up for them. Elyan had even been kind enough to move a piano in and had a cello set up next to it. Smiling, he released any more tension he held; his eyes relaxing before he even noticed their unnatural glow in the mirror.

Dimitri hung his head and stepped out from behind the bush, fully nude, and walked by the party. Shomecosse was the next stripped, then Ely, and Audolf. Turning to face Sally, Elyan smiled. "You said you wished to see..."

Shome chuckled and shook her head. "Strange girl. I might like her." She was the first. It was fast, missed in the blink of an eye. Dimitri was next. Then Audolf. All of them quickly, but Audolf slower than the other two. Ely, however, turned and faced Sally.

"It's a simple process, really..." His feet and hands started to lengthen as bone and tendon popped in the slow transformation. She'd heard none of the agonizing sounds from the others because it was quicker than the sound could travel with more of a *WOOSH* sound. Elyan's sounded painful with each little shift as his chest cavity popped out while he continued, and fell on all fours.

"It can be painful, but after all of my years, it's a welcomed pain. It a feeling of power." His eye twitched as he paced his shift, the torment of the feelings written in plain sight as he allowed her to see the rawness of everything... For science.

Shomecosse paced slowly back and forth behind him, the sounds drawing whimpers from all of his pack, knowing he was hurting.

"In the end, it's not slow like this. Only those of us with the sheer willpower to fight the change, can force it's stillness. I'm the only one in my pack that can halt the process entirely if I wanted. But tonight... Tonight, we hunt! Come, you can walk with me once I...Argh, ahhhhh..." His face started to elongate as jaws and snout shifted, his canine maw taking shape with it's sharp teeth.

"...finish the change..." the thought form finished in her head as she stared at a noble and elegant Grey wolf; Elyan. Behind him was the dignified and resolute White wolf that was Dimitri, accompanied by the rust-colored, spirited Red wolf of Audolf, and joined lastly by the smaller, but no less elegant and noble Coy-wolf that was Shomecosse.

All of the wolves slowly padded themselves up to Sally who'd bore witness to their change. Ely, of course, was the first to step up to her though. Head held high, he looked her dead in the eyes and she could have sworn he smiled...

"Walk with us... Shomecosse and I will make sure you are safe on this hunt. We will never leave you by yourself. You will at all times have an escort. The nights are not always safe in these woods."

No one spoke, not a word, but she heard the Grey wolf's thoughts as clear as day.

Completely humbled, Sally pressed her forehead to his; tender fingers running through the fur behind his ears. 

Thank you. She smiled at them, a glossy glimmer floating in her eyes above unmoving lips... the unfiltered force of her gratitude washing over them collectively. 

Meko's head tilted, sharp eyes searching the reactions of the others as Ely's husky voice softly chuckled in their minds. They'd all heard it. All felt it. And yet, she seemed entirely unaware of the peculiarity of such a thing coming from a human. Strange girl, indeed. She was a remarkably fast learner. 

Smiling, Sally kicked her shoes off, tying her skirt securely above the knee before nodding resolutely.

Turning, Elyan lead the group out to the water's edge and then along the banks of the reservoir for a while, allowing Sally that chance to really see as much as she could at night. Eventually, when they'd lost sight of the dam around the bend of the shoreline, they cut inward into the woods.

The sounds of the night were all around them. She heard insects, fish in the reservoir, the wind blowing listlessly through the trees. The sounds of deer calling, and larger prey... Though none were larger than the four wolves protecting her.

Then it happened. Audolf raised his head as the others followed suit. The three turned and looked at Ely, and as he seemed to nod, Audolf and Dimitri rushed away from the pack, ripping through the trees and brush. Within seconds, it was silent around Shome, Ely, and Sally again. The next sounds they heard were screaming. It sounded like a woman in tons of pain. Natural instinct had Sally wanting to run to help, but Ely stepped in front of her, his head low, and the hair on the back of his neck standing.

"No..."

Elyan's thought was clear and reverberated in her head.

"It is danger to you. Let the other two handle this," the softer, feminine thoughts of Shomecosse followed. Watching her relax into an uneasy stance, Ely turned and faced the direction of the noise. The three stood still for some time, the screams and growls of a fight to the death echoing loudly in the near distance. Then silence befell the woods.

What seemed like nearly an hour to an amped up Sally, was merely a few minutes that they stood silently. A twig snap had Ely's guttural growl roiling in his gut, setting Sally and Shome on edge. His head lowered as his teeth bared back. Meko quickly joined his side, almost in the same protective stance...

A small black-bear made it's way out of the brush and looked at the wolves and Sally before growling and roaring as it stood. Ely's growl back made the bear lower itself to all fours, but it stared at Elyan. They were deadlocked for a bit, until more growling from behind the bear echoed...

As the bear turned it saw the other two wolves and slowly started to slip away to the side of the group. Dimitri stepped up beside Elyan, who then stepped near the bear who finally lowered its head as the wolves closed in. Audolf, however, drug a cougar over to Shomecosse and dropped it, sitting and looking at the two other males. The strongest (physically) in their pack. The bear didn't stand a chance...

However, surprising to Sally they were certain, Ely turned his back on the bear after some time, then looked back and stood tall as the bear lowered itself to the ground before standing. Dimitri then lead the bear away, escorting it from the group. Returning, Elyan looked at the cougar and nodded.

"This will do. We should return to the circle and offer our thanks to the cat's spirit, then we shall have Tarmarind cook and we wait for Dimitri to return from his hike."

Stepping up beside Sally, Elyan basically forced himself under her hand then began to walk. Audolf gripped the cougar in his maw and lifted, and Shomecosse brought up the rear. It had been a much quicker hunt than Elyan had anticipated... Then again, he'd not accounted for running into a berserkir. Why were they here? What business did they have on úlfheðnar lands? He moved slow, purposely being vigilant and more alert than previously...

Sally tilted her head to one side as she watched the bear disappear into the trees. She gave no protest as Ely slipped beneath her hand. She honestly didn't mind the shifter leading her so. It was comforting, and in a way... almost natural. 

It's like you, isn't it? The bear. You didn't know they were here? Is that bad? Aren't there rules? 

"Too many questions," her voice finally whispered aloud, "I'm sorry." 

She fell purposely silent for a long moment, her feet whispering softly over the mossy forest floor. She smiled as she went, silently identifying the local flora and fauna... making careful note of where to harvest. 

After a while, she glanced over at Ely, a familiar curious glint in her eye. Craning her neck, her gaze sought out Shomecosse, making sure to catch the she-wolf's gaze before softly asking, "Can... can we run?" 

It was silly, she knew. But there was a dreadful longing clawing up from the soles of her feet that begged to feel the wind against her skin, the air rushing into her lungs, her heartbeat spike for something more natural than perpetual death. She'd never be able to keep up, she knew. But... it couldn't hurt to ask. Right? Hell, maybe Ely would even have something creative up his sleeve for that particular itch.

"You can try..." the thought form called out as Elyan twisted his head to look up at her. His body was large next to hers. Much larger than a normal wolf would have been. Shomecosse trotted up beside them before darting off in front of them, sand kicking up behind the fastest of the three wolves. Audolf, easily excited and wanting to play, gripped the cougar and took off after Meko.

"But you'd never keep up with them. Even I have trouble sometimes..." The old wolf alluded to his age with a soft chuckle in her head. "Go ahead, chase after them. I'll keep you in my sights..."

He stepped aside and stopped, giving her a wide berth to get her footing and sprint away...

Ely chuckled as Salena darted away, needing little encouragement to embrace her wilder instincts. She was surprisingly fast for a human, especially given her delicate frame and 'condition'. The brothers treated her so gingerly... as if she were some fragile porcelain thing that would shatter with the softest puff of wind. But the determined, agile creature he watched dart through the forest on the heels of his kin was anything but frail. 

She was graceful, nimble, and more swift than he ever would have imagined. She was a natural; her movements like a beautifully choreographed tango with the forest itself. And while her human constraints, indeed, kept her from outright catching the pack, she never lost sight of their blurred forms in the distance for more than a split second as she dashed through the woods; bounding easily over fallen logs, making every single aspect of the forest her companion, friend, and partner in a wild waltz unlike anything he'd seen in ages. 

For a moment, she actually reminded him of ages-old memories... flashes of dark curls gliding effortlessly between the trees, pale skin glimmering in the moonlight dewy and fresh, invigorated... ALIVE. 

In the darkness of the woods, she literally glowed with life. Her ever closely-monitored heart beat strong and steady in Ely's ears as it raced along with her. It felt like magic. She felt real. For once in her life, she felt fully alive, fully herself, and fully IN herself... like this body was wholly hers, just for once. The air filling her lungs like the most blissful ecstasy as she pushed the limits of her nature, and it brought a gleeful giggle to her lips. 

Her melodic laughter danced out over the woods, and she cackled with glee as it was answered by a cavalcade of echoing howls that cascaded through the Hollywood hills. Ely smiled as the raucous of laughter, questions, and cheers reverberated through the forest. There would undoubtedly be visitors when they finally made it home... a cadre of voices howling to meet the human girl that runs with wolves.

Elyan enjoyed watching her, pacing himself to not loose her but to also not leave her behind. However, he knew she would enjoy what he had planned next as well. With that slight extra push, he nosed up beside her and slowly pressed in on her legs until he was nearly colliding with her... A soft nudge...

She looked at him strange as the wolf looked up at her. Another soft nudge, then he looked over his own shoulder. He rushed out in front of her then lowered himself as he slid along the ground... Soon as she went to bolt over him he raised, matching her speed immediately and running with her on his back.

"HANG ON!" the excited thought came... And she did.

Elyan lowered his head and darted off faster than she'd seen the others run... Which meant Shomecosse was even faster than he was going at that moment. Trees were blurred, the grass and fallen logs were blurred... In fact, nothing but the path directly in front of her vision was clear. She had literally tunneled in their path. She felt like she could see further because the focus she had on the path directly before them.

Ely turned, rushing deeper into the woods and slowed his speed tremendously as they approached a large rock. Hopping and climbing up it, he approached it's edge; the rock actually being the edge of a lower cliff. The view of the moon was clear as they stood above the lower tree-line, staring out into the abyss of the night. He shook himself and Salena slid from his back.

Stepping up to the edge, he looked back, then gazed forward again. He stood there for a moment, sound working its way slowly through his gut and up, until he threw his head back with an earth silencing howl... Salena could hear NOTHING but the low rumble that was Ely's call... Felt it in her chest even.

Then, as he quieted, she heard the answers. More howls in the night... He called again, setting off the chain reaction. Then he turned to her, then gestured with his head toward the edge. Moving behind her, he bumped her and nudged her nearer to it. Once he'd gotten her to the edge, he stepped back and sat, tail swishing from side to side slowly as he watched. Sally could swear there was almost a grin on his face...

Sally squealed with glee as Ely scooped her up. Sinking her fingers into his fur, she hid her face in his coat for a long moment as her body adjusted to the sheer FEEL of the speed. Giggling merrily, she nuzzled him with affectionate abandon before lifting her head and revelling in the watercolour wash of the world passing her by. 

As they crested the cliffside, Sally gasped. It was breathtakingly beautiful, the crisp night air mixing with the cold rock beneath her feet to lift her skin in a trail of adrenaline-fueled goosebumps... which only deepened as Ely's howl shook the dust from her bones. She could feel the earth beneath her respond to his call, shaking the very heart in her chest with the most blissful, straining ache. The cacophony of response, no less awe-inspiring. 

As he nudged her to the edge, she could swear he was grinning. Did wolves grin? She thought they must, given his self-satisfied smirk. 

Standing at the cliff's edge, she looked out over the moon-kissed trees. And for a moment she wished NOTHING more than to be able to howl herself. Well... that and to have Sully with her, of course. The others missed so much by their staunch separation. For a moment, she actually considered it... chewing her lip as she huffed softly. 

Would it be stupid? It would be stupid. Wouldn't it? 

She glanced shyly over her shoulder as Ely wagged his tail. Strange girl, indeed. Shome's words echoed with a smile as Ely watched her marvel at the moonsongs dancing through the hills.

"Do it..."

It was a simple thought, but echoed loudly in her mind...

Sally only hesitated for the briefest of moments... the awkward extent of her human limitations causing the sound to catch in her throat at first. But, with a soft, blushing chuckle, Sally took the deepest breath she could and threw her head heavenward. 

The noise was hesitant at first... but erupted with force as her voice broke over into a surprisingly enticing mimicry, calling the creatures of the night to a startled stirring. 

The strange girl was howling. 

... sort of...

The chuckling sound that she heard wasn't in her head. She whirled around and saw Elyan rolling on his back, literally chuckling, in his lupine form. The sound was odd for a wolf, but sounded like a series of huffs and mini-yips. Stopping and looking at her from his back, he quickly rolled back to his feet and sat. Tail swinging again.

"Very good... Come, we should go now. It's exciting that they called back, but they will want to meet the new wolf."

Elyan stood and nodded his head, inviting her to climb on his back again and hang on.

As soon as she was situated he leapt from the edge and landed on the ground beneath, paws digging into the earth's surface and launching them toward home. Again the watercolor of imagery whipped by her and before she knew it, they were breaking away from the shrubbery of the woodlands and running along the shore, feet kicking up dirt and sand behind them as he sprinted.

Dimitri, Audolf, and Shomecosse met him along the shore, all bursting forth from the shrubbery and joining him in a pack formation. Dimitri took lead, Meko behind and just off centered of him, Audolf directly lined behind Dimitri but in step behind Meko, and Elyan bringing up the rear to keep eyes on his pack.

They rushed, Meko dipping into the most shallow of the water's edge and spraying the boys behind her with lake water. Barking and yipping resounded between the wolves as they ran with glee, until Dimitri slowed and they all followed... Near enough to home, Elyan padded to the front and walked the rest of the way to the front of the compound. Stopping, he allowed Salena the chance to get off his back before taking his clothes he'd left earlier in his mouth and disappearing into the shrubs, to come back out buttoning his shirt a few moments later.

The others followed suit and made themselves presentable as well.

"Did you deliver the cougar, Audolf?" Ely questioned, Audolf nodding in return. "She'll probably have it fried up already. You know how quick she is!"

"Good, good." Elyan turned to Salena. "You should go find Sullivan, make sure he's doing fine."

"I'm surprised you didn't notice me, Uncle..." Sully's voice cut through the night as he sat up from one of the wooden tables near the waterside, blue eyes glowing again... This time, though, he wasn't nervous. It was merely a side effect of the howls... At least that's what he assumed.

"I needed to be outside once I heard you all howling. Looked in the mirror, had my father's eyes... I came outside to stare at the moon and contemplate things."

Sliding off the table, he stuck his hands in his pockets. His sleeves were rolled up and his suspenders had been pulled away, hanging from his pants. His shirt was unbuttoned and untucked, fairly relaxed in the L.A. night.

Approaching Sally, he smiled. "I heard you." He chuckled, and the wolves joined him in the laugh. "You all sounded beautiful. Makes me wish I'd have been born into this side of the family. Unfortunately, well, I caught Carlisle's genes..." He smirked again.

"Elyan, your home is beautiful. Thank you for allowing us this comfort. Thank you all..." he added as he looked over the rest of them, bowing his head... A son of Carlisle, higher on the food chain than all of them as far as blood of Elyan went, bowed in respect.

Dimitri, surprising to all, returned the bow and spoke. "We are honored to host you, and the rest of your family when they arrive as well. For now, dinner, stories by the circle, and sleep. If you feel up to it?"

They all looked at Sullivan, awaiting response... Sally included. Looking at her, and the amount of sheer joy etched on her face, he nodded. "Dinner, stories, then finally, sleep..." With a smile, Sullivan wrapped an arm over Sally's shoulders as Elyan led everyone inside...

Sally snuggled in close as Sully led her inside. Pressed to his side, he could feel her elevated heart rate. And for the briefest moments, his skipped a beat in terrified concern. But at he glanced down at her broad smile, mismatched eyes positively glowing in the warm light, he breathed easier. Reassuring himself that she was, indeed, okay. Hell. By the looks of it, she was better than okay. In fact, she looked healthier and more vibrant than he'd ever seen her. Which... the more he thought about it... brought a bit of a frown to his face. 

Her smile, though, chased his gloom away as quickly as it had come. 

She blushed up at him as everyone chuckled. "It was silly, wasn't it," she asked suddenly seeming shy and self-conscious as they were lead inside... too distracted and preoccupied to appreciate its full grandeur just yet. Her nose twitched as she finally raised her eyes from the floor. 

The house smelled phenomenal. The rich scent of rosemary and the tantalizing sizzle of a cast-iron skillet wafted down the long hallway through an open door. Following the pack, Sally bit her lip to keep from squealing as they were led into a large open-air kitchen. Floor to ceiling windows stretched the length of the outer walls, which - to Sally's glee and amazement, were slid open to access a large porch fit a firepit as well as the sprawling unfenced yard. The bar included a falt-top stove, full grill, and pizza oven, with a sink and prep area built into the wall of the house behind. Adjacent to the cooking area, a rustic-style dining table stretched the length of the "inner" dining area, with a round of seating encircling the pit outside. 

Sally, veritably bathing in the rustic boho utopia, laughed out loud as Ely took her hand, snatching her playfully away from Sullivan as he guided her toward the table. With a broad smile, he slid her easily into a seat at the midpoint of the table... motioning for Sully to join beside her if he wished. Tar - just as Audolf had predicted - was hot on their heels, eager to deliver steaming family-style platters to the table as the others fell into the seats with a casual familiarity. 

Plates materialized before them, utensils following shortly, as the group began to pass the trays with warm, friendly ease. 

"Dig in," Dimitri nodded, tossing a large slab of pan-fried cougar onto Salena's plate... grinning as her eyes bulged at the size of it. "You hunt, you eat. House rules," he chuckled warmly, passing the plate off before tearing enthusiastically into his own portion. 

Sally, blinking down at her food, paused for a brief moment... the wheels in her head clearly spinning as an oddly foreign realization settle over her. "Thank you," she said softly, tilting her head to one side as she smiled at Dimitri and Audolf. The others simply nodded as she daintily cut into her meal. But Sullivan smiled with a sudden understanding look as his keen intellect dissected her reaction. She'd never eaten hunted meat before... never needed anyone to literally provide the food. How cute. Ely didn't miss it either, grinning with a coy twinkle as she sampled the blessing of their bounty; a nearly erotic, carnal moan melting the sweetness right off her bones as she sank into the flavour of the meat. 

And just like that, all the 'cute' was gone... obliterated by a carnal, hedonistic animal of a woman who withheld nothing in her wild abandon and reckless enjoyment of a life she knew would be all too short. It was endearing, in its own way. So many humans lived as if they expected forever. Sally lived like she knew she was dying... and it made her life all the more precious. Especially to the eternal immortals who shared her table.

Sullivan allowed the rest of the pack to have food before he finally made his plate.

"You didn't have to wait, Sullivan. You're a guest," Dimitri commented between mouthfuls, even though he nodded to the boy. "I'm aware, but, I am also capable of hunting and did not so, as should be, I waited until the hunters had their choice." Smiling back at Dimitri, Sully bowed his head in respect before turning to face Elyan. "And thank you for being such a good host." Turning his gaze along the table, he chuckled. "All of you."

The pack ate hurriedly and left Tarmarand with the dishes even though she'd cooked. Once they'd all left aside from Sully, Sally, and Tar, Sullivan looked up. "I'm sorry we eat slower, Tarmarand." He chuckled. "I'll help with the dishes though. There's quite a lot since Sally and I are here."

"I'll have nothing of it, young Sullivan. You take yourself over to the circle and join them for stories," Tar winked as she started picking up plates. "Get your fill, then enjoy your night. Besides, I'm certain there are others near that are waiting for our dear Sally already." She snickered before looking toward the fire. "Besides, I won't be too terribly long behind you." Tarmarand, ever being the pack mom, stopped behind Sullivan and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "Now shoo if you're finished!"

"Fine, fine," Sully chuckled and looked at Sally... "You finished?"

She nodded and he stood, helping her out of her chair. "Oh, I don't think it was silly, Sally." Sullivan smiled and kissed her softly. "Come, come, it's story time so I hear."

Leading her to the fire, they sat on one of the logs that had been carved out flat for a bench, scooting close to the flames and just in time to hear one of Dimitri's stories...

"...and Ely, of all things, invited her back with us! Talk about surprised!" Dimitri chuckled. "But honestly, Meko. Shomecosse. The right woman for my sire any day. I'd not have it any other way. I'm still sorry that your welcome to New York proper was not better, but I believe in the end, things turned out nicely."

Looking back to the group, and nodding to Sullivan and Sally, Dimitri smiled.

"Anyway, Elyan invited her back to my dismay at the time. We didn't have a moment to spare with the full moon coming on us. Audolf here was still a pup then! Hell, I'm not even certain Sullivan had left New York or married the Messina girl yet." He chuckled at Sullivan, who shook his head.

"Not accurate! We'd already moved to Vegas when I'd received word of Shomecosse..." Dimitri blinked and looked over to Ely and Meko.

"Has it really been that long?"

The two alpha wolves nodded as Meko slid closer to Ely, resting her head on his shoulder. "Yes my dear Dimitri, it has," she chuckled out with a smile.

Nodding, Dimitri smiled back. "Sorry, I keep getting sidetracked. Got her home to the cabin and Tarmarand had drawn her a bath. We got her cleaned up and patched up just in time for Ely to invite her to make the run with us. That was absolutely unprecedented at the time. We were a pack, she was an outsider... More so than even young Jakoby." Sighing, Dimitri chuckled, "And here's Elyan, dumbstruck by this beautiful outsider. I can't lie, she caught my eye as well, you sly dog!" He winked at Ely, "But no one did that! No one let outsiders in the way Ely did. Jakoby was brought to us. He was an outsider, but welcomed. Meko? Hell. She showed up on our doorstep, killed someone in our territory, and RAN!"

Sullivan laughed and nodded, "I remember getting that call from Christian. He asked if I'd heard anything about a rogue wolf from the area roaming east... Had to tell him no. I got the rundown later."

Dimitri chuckled. "Well I tell you, she was certainly a spit fire. Matched Ely move for move, until she overtook him. She was so much faster than all of us. Still is. To this day, Ely, I don't know what the fuck went through your head... But I'm glad it did. Happy anniversary to the day I tracked you down, Shomecosse. I'm thankful you've become a part of what I consider family and home."

Standing and raising his glass, he hooped and hollered in cheer. Ely and Audolf joined him happily, as did Tarmarand from the kitchen as she waddled out with a mug of her own.

Sully chuckled and shrugged. "Aunt Shome, for what it's worth from one of us... I'm glad you're here for Uncle Ely and the rest of the family." He stood and raised his glass to the coy-wolf as well.

Family... A Black had just openly called the whole pack family. Not even Christian had called the whole pack family, only Elyan and out of respect, Shomecosse for being his mate. It brought a smile to all of the wolves faces.

"Wh-what? Did I say or do something stupid?" Sullivan asked, his brow raising as he looked around. Everyone laughed and chuckled, Salena included. Sully frowned, confused.

Sally caught it, but she didn't say anything... simply smiling at the innocent naivety that set him apart from the rest of his family. "This is why I love you," she smiled, caressing his face affectionately. Turning, she raised her own glass with a pointed smile at Ely, "Here's to our family." 

As she said it, a twig snapped loudly on the edge of the yard... all ears perking as five sets of yellow eyes turned to stare at the property line. From the forest behind the house a soft call of howls rang out. They had company. 

Sally - the only normie of the group - shrank back against Sullivan, ready to bolt in the event of an altercation. 

STAY. 

Sally heard the command, but was unsure where it came from... the voice distant and unfamiliar. Blinking, she glanced around at her 'family' as they waited in tense anticipation. Another soft howl rang out as Ely stood, nodding to nothing in particular as he gestured for the others to relax.

"Brother Ely, Dimitri, Audolf... Sister Shomecosse, Tarmarand," a larger, tan-skinned man spoke out as he approached from the shadows and allowed the light to flood over him.

"We come to honor your new wolf... We heard the howls." The man bowed his head in respect to Elyan on his own property, and as the head of their kind on the western coastal region.

Elyan chuckled, as did the other wolves at the at the fire. "Taka-Ee. There are no new wolves so no need for formalities. Please, invite your kin to join our fire. We've much to discuss anyway."

The confused look on the larger male's face spoke volumes, especially as his eyes landed on Sullivan and Sally. Confusion and, perhaps, distaste. Shaking his head, he apologized. "No, if there are no new ones to welcome and honor, then we must be going. We were passing through the area on our way north and heard your call. I, for one, at least wanted to give you a nod as we passed through your lands... I only brought all of mine because of your call."

Elyan chuckled and nodded. "I understand the need to move. However, we have a few good cuts of cougar left if you're hungry." Pausing for a moment, Taka-Ee hung his head and nodded. "The gesture is appreciated, but, Elyan, there is a human and... and another," he eyed Sullivan warily, "at your table."

"Yes, and they are family. This is Sullivan Black, of the Black family... of my brother's blood." It was like a light bulb went off in Taka-Ee's head as he grinned. "Ah, that is right. I'd forgotten your brother is... Them." He looked at Sullivan with a glance, then back to Ely. "Fine, we shall join you at your fire, if anything, to honor your request for us too. And to thank you for the food."

"COME!" He turned and yelled at the crowd behind him, a host of seven wolves approaching.

"Tarma-"

"Already on it, Ely," Tarmarand chuckled out, already moving to the kitchen. "Give me just a moment to heat it again, brothers and sisters."

"You feast with an ancient tonight, my family!" Taka-Ee called out. "Honor him and his family!"

The wolves all tilted their heads back and howled to the moon, shifting as they did so and fell prostrate before Elyan and his kin. Taka-Ee followed suit and knelt down.

Chuckling, Ely walked forward and placed a hand on Taka-Ee's cheek. "Stand, and be welcomed. All of you."

Standing, they all approached the fire, each one of them sniffing the two new comers. "So Ely," one of the youngers asked, "I've met each and all of your pack, and heard their howl... What I heard was not theirs. Then who's?"

Ely smirked and looked at Sally. "A human who runs with wolves." He nodded to the strange human all of the wolves seemed to surround in bewilderment.

Sally blushed, chuckling softly. Fingers trailed through her hair, faces leaning in to sniff her here and there. It was a gesture she was quickly learning to accept, but still a bit foreign to the newcomer. The one that Ely called Taka-Ee stared at her in bewildered disdain. Sally, suddenly brazenly comfortable with her position on family lands, smiled and winked. "Woof," she said playfully, raising a glass to him before settling into a seat near Ely and Shome... just for safekeeping.  

As she passed, she offered her hand - either to shake or sniff. She didn't particularly mind which. But the man simply eyed her incredulously as she took her seat near the Alpha. 

Be polite, but eat quickly. We will not linger. I do not trust this one.

She heard it clearly this time. The words in her mind matching his now-familiar accent. Catching Ely's gaze she whispered into his mind: Why doesn't he trust us?

Glancing over the rim of her glass, she smiled at the younger wolf who had asked about her. "Would you like to sit," she asked sweetly, patting the seat next to her, "I imagine it is not often that the tables are turned this way. ... with the human being the oddity. I should think it would be rather refreshing, no?"

Elyan perked a brow as the thought form entered his mind. Turning to Sally, he blinked.

I'd assume because you're human, but better question, what makes you think he doesn't trust us?

Ely looked back at his wolves and commanded: Act as if I do not speak... Make nothing of my words, yet, but keep eyes on our guests. Something may be amiss...

Elyan took a drink from his mug as he watched everyone and smiled.

---

The young pup of the other tribe raised his brow at Salena, not certain he should as he considered his commands. "It is different." He offered a weak smile. "Forgive me if I keep my distance, but humans are often unforgiving to our kind." The younger one slipped back from her and ate his food... However, his eyes never left from Salena's form as he sat in silence.

Sullivan, sitting closer to Salena, placed an arm around her. "Rome wasn't built in a day, my dear. It will take time. Many 'others' are not keen on humans. I believe my kind, or my brothers kind at least, and then Ely's pack, are the only ones that happily interact in a -knowing- capacity. As in, we allow you to see us for what we are. And even my brother's kind keep that hidden unless necessary."

Shrugging, he pulled Salena close. "So is everything okay? You seem a bit tense?" He looked up at Elyan as if asking him as well...

Salena shot the youngling a syrupy smile, "That's interesting... considering I'm the only thing here that DOESN'T bite." Sticking her tongue out playfully, she winked before taking a long sip from her wine. 

He said so. She kept her eyes locked onto the bubbly, pale Moscato as she spoke silently into Ely's mind, 'Be polite, but eat quickly. We will not linger. I do not trust this one.' It was clear as day. Didn't you hear it? 

Leaning into Sullivan's warmth, she gave him a weary smile, wishing it were as easy for her to speak to him. "I'm fine, my love. I just find it sad and unfortunate that my presence would put such a damper on an otherwise utopian evening." She spoke softly enough that it could be considered a personal conversation... but loud enough that the others would hear. To the foreign pack, it would seem a simple and all-to-common human error. But HER pack, her people would know... she knew far better. Her words carried purpose. 

"It hurts me that something so beautiful should feel compelled to hide away or be forced to hide in the shadows... on friendly soil, no less... simply because I have only one form. It... makes me mourn the failings of our human race all the more keenly... knowing the moon will never look the same again. ...never the same as tonight." 

Sighing softly, tilted her head back to stare up at the clear sky; more stars than she'd ever seen in her life looked down upon them, wreathing the moon like a milky shawl as she drank in their light. And for a moment, Sully had to wonder... what the fuck went through her beautiful head sometimes.