Sullivan smiled, a dumb look on his face as she spoke. "What, what's in your head, hmm? I understand humans being distrusting, and our kind being distrusting of humans knowing our secrets, but... Well, no... Nevermind." He chuckled. "Your mind is a mystery to me, Sally. I think that's one of the things I love about you. You're accepting and caring, and absolutely an anomaly." He kissed the top of her head, but he could tell something was on her mind. Looking at Elyan, he hoped for some kind of answer.

No, I didn't hear it... The question is, how did you?

Ely's eyes met with Sullivan's and he smiled, shrugging softly before drinking from his own mug and looking into the fire.

Are you related to Taka-Ee somehow? That might explain it... But no, you're not. I can't smell any sort of semblance of relation between the two of you, and that would not be missed by any of us here and now. Can you hear when I speak to my pack? Did you hear my command to them?

Dimitri stood and stretched, twisting his body as his bones cracked and muscles stretched. "Ahhhh, that feels good." Smiling at Elyan, he then looked at Tarmarand. "Bring more of the cougar if there is any? We need to discuss the berserkirs anyway..."

Taka-Ee turned and looked at Dimitri, then Elyan. "Berserkirs are here?"

Both nodded, and Dimitri added, "I escorted one off our lands just this night. It's when we learned of their encroachment. Which means they've taken some time to try and mask their scent."

"You'll need to be careful as you cross through to the northern borders. I'd very much dislike them to catch you unawares," Elyan tacked on to the end of Dimitri's statement.

Nodding, Taka-Ee smiled. "Thank you for the warning."

Sighing, he continued, "Forgive me, but I must ask, why do you freely speak of such things in front of a human? The Upyr, I understand. The human, I do not."

"The human is with the Upyr, with my nephew. She has been shown their world and has accepted it, knowing the risks. She's been an outcast from the human world because of her..." He looked at Salena with an apologetic smile. "Because of her appearance. Many of her kind consider her a sort of monster. Her heart and one eye belonged to another before herself and the scars she carries are a reminder that she is not like everyone else. Remember, to humans, to be different is to be a monster. So she is one of us more than one of them, and we gladly accept her as such."

At those words, the youngest from the other pack leaned closer and looked into her eyes.

It's true!

"It's true!"

He said it both in his head and out loud...

"Her eyes, they are different." He pulled himself up to sit near her, opposite of Sullivan. "Do they really consider you to be a monster? Humans are so cruel." He smiled, softly, and apologetically.

Sullivan chuckled and nodded to the young wolf, then to Elyan. With that, the other wolves gathered closer around the fire and closed in the circle.

Sally nodded, taking another sip of her wine. Yes. I hear you clearly. I thought... 

She paused and looked at Sully for a moment, affectionately reading the lines of his expressions. He can't hear it, can he?  

She giggled softly as the youngling leaned forward. She supposed it was storytime, after all. 

"I was fifteen," she nodded gently, scanning the reflective eyes that watched her. "My father sent me to pick up some medicine from a community clinic in a few neighbourhoods over from my home. As a surgeon he... 'helped' the community be providing certain services and ingredients in exchange for the director's compounding services. Not always above the table, you understand," she shot them all a knowing look, receiving nods and grunts in reply. "Apparently some of these dealings attracted... attention... of the wrong sorts. My Upyr and his wife - the herbalist - were gunned down for their hand in it and I... being at the wrong place at the wrong time... was caught in the crossfire." 

She sighed heavily, feeling waves of revulsion rolling off the other Alpha. Continuing she softly admitted, "I died that day. On a cold sidewalk in Seatle. And it was only through the miracle of science... science Sullivan here pioneered... that I was revived." Standing, she unbuttoned her blouse, for the very first time unflinching as she displayed her scar. "MY heart was removed. Another put in it's place... strong enough to contain the life being drawn back into my body," she waited patiently as a round of soft gasps and murmurs buzzed around the circle... nodding with an agreeing as the youngling next to her reached up to touch the scar. Rebuttongin her blouse as the whispers died down, she continued, "My eye is the same." 

"So, you see," she blushed sheepishly as she settled back into her seat, "When you get to the heart of it, no pun intended, I am probably the most unnatural creature on this porch." She smiled sweetly, patting the youngling who stared at her in awe, "And yes. They very much do treat me as such." 

And I daresay their Alpha would as well, by the looks of it. She spoke silently to Ely, giving the other male an acknowledging nod.

"A riveting story, yes? Full of heartache, love, life, and death?" Ely chuckled as he said so while flailing his arms about dramatically. A cacophony of laughter erupted, slowly at first, as the wolves howled in delight at the tale. All save for one. Taka-Ee still didn't like it, and disliked more how quickly they'd won the other wolves over. Regardless and reluctant, he finally stepped forward into the fire's light and stared.

"An abomination..." he said out loud. "Creatures should not be created through science." He directed his gaze at Sullivan. "This is not natural, it is not balanced."

Ely stepped between them, his head cocked sideways, "And it is balanced for a young girl to die in a war that wasn't her own? I think that life has a funny way of teaching us older beings that change is necessary. Things will not remain as they once were, as they are now, or as they will come to be in the near future. Look around us, the cities grow, humans continue to grow and discover new things. Why shouldn't we discover new things as well? If their discoveries lead to us living better lives, then ours can lead to them living better, and prolonged lives as well. One day, we will all see each other as equals. As one of the oldest of our kind, natural born, this is my wish. It is my hopes that others will agree and see this future utopia where we all co-exist as well."

Elyan's pack cheered, as did a few of the other pack, but most remained silent and reclusive, even pulling away from the group as they understood the challenge that had just happened as Elyan stood up for not only a Human, but an Upyr as well, against one of his own brethren. It was unprecedented. However, knowing that even with the numbers on his side he could not beat Elyan, Taka-Ee bowed his head.

"It is a good dream, brother. Far-fetched, I believe, but a good dream."

I am not going to stay any longer and listen to this. We leave. The council will hear of it and Elyan will be made to face his actions and defend them to the other elders.

"Thank you for the food, but we must be on our way."

Taka-Ee turned and shifted, howling out to his wolves he each offered their thanks for the food before shifting and joining their Alpha. The youngest lingered for a moment longer than he probably should have, but finally nuzzled into Salena's side and licked her face before leaving.

Ely sighed as the others made their way off, and Dimitri's voice echoed in the pack's mind...

Audolf and I will watch them and escort them... Is this advisable, Elyan?

Ely nodded to the two and they stripped quickly, shifting and joining the others to walk them on.

Sighing, Elyan sat back down beside Shomecosse and looked at Salena. "So you can hear our pack mind, hmm? That's interesting. What were his thoughts as he left?"

Sullivan raised a brow and looked at Sally. "You could hear both? I mean, one is interesting in and of itself, but half explainable if it's Ely's since he's been in your head at least once... But the other pack as well? I'd love to get my hands on your brain. I swear when Christian gets here we're going to need to dive inside and see what makes you tick! It's exciting! I may need Harvey as well..." he chuckled, then looked at Elyan, who's face wasn't as smiley and nice as normal.

"Is everything going to be safe, Elyan?"

The old wolf shrugged and sighed again, lifting his mug and draining it.

"He's going to the Council," Sally said flatly, "He intends to force you to publicly defend your acceptance of me. ... among other things." 

There was a sadness to her as she looked back up at the moon. Tears glistening in her mismatched eyes. Giving Sullivan a weak smile, she shrugged away his concern. It was no use explaining that his clinical excitement made her feel just as alienated as Taka-Ee's reactions.  

Standing, she sighed heavily, pausing before stepping off the edge of the porch. "I'm terribly sorry If I've caused you any problems," she whispered softly, "Will it be safe for me to... go talk to the trees?" She smiled weakly at her quotation of Christian's frequent pastime... looking deflated, worried, and deeply sad. 

"It's funny," she admitted, letting her words drift along on the wind, "I never expected a monster to consider ME an abomination."  Staring out at the moonlight on the trees she sniffed, "I should have known better."

"Sally..." Sully called softly, his heart aching understanding that she so desperately needed to feel that she belonged. "Sally, you're not what he thinks."

"I'll agree with Sullivan." Elyan stood and looked at Sally, a smile re-gracing his features.

"As do I," came the old she-wolf's voice from the kitchen before she peeked over the counter with a smile.

"And I," Shomecosse echoed.

"You're not an abomination, Sally..." Elyan continued, before being interrupted by Sullivan.

"You're a miracle. Not because of what you've become on the outside, or because of science... But because of who you are on the inside. Who you've become because of the hardships. The woman that accepts monsters, even before they can all accept her. Don't you see? You're better than all of us." He smiled, hopping up and joining her side.

"I'm certain the trees are a safe place for you. I'll make sure of it." There was a certainty in his voice that not even Elyan could deny. Sullivan was probably the only thing on the island that could actually kill him... If he wanted to.

Chuckling, Elyan nodded. "These lands are safe for you. Let me worry about the council. They can't do anything to me even if they wanted. Worst case? I'm removed as the ambassador. But then the new one has to deal with Christian." He grinned, "And they won't like that. Nor will Christian."

Ely shrugged, "I've pretty much made myself an impenetrable pact. It's going to take someone killing me to remove this wolf from power, and I don't see that happening any time soon."

Sullivan stopped Sally and looked into her eyes. "Heeeey, hey dear, please don't cry. I love you just the way you are. I don't think you're anything aside from spectacular in absolutely every way."

He kissed the top of her head and smiled. "Take me to a tree. Let's commune."

Sally rounded on Sully, a lifetime of frustration and pain dissolving any compassionate filter that might otherwise have softened her words. "Yes. Such a spectacular little science experiment that you're salivating at the thought of cracking me open to see what makes me tick." 

There was a tired pain in her eyes as she looked at him. It wasn't his fault. He didn't mean it like that. And yet he meant every word. She understood, but it didn't lessen the sting of his eager curiosity. Sighing heavily, she pulled away from him. She didn't want his apologies. She didn't have her usual emotional capacity to field his pain and regret. As much as she loathed herself for it, at the moment, she wanted nothing more than to turn away and bury herself in the scent of pine and cedar... in the warmth of something truly living. 

Instead, she simply took his hand and stepped down into the yard... not looking back at any of them as she picked her way to a large fir on the edge of the property. With a deep sigh, she rested her forehead against its woody bark, inhaling deeply as she struggled to calm herself. 

But no sooner had the needles tickled her skin, did her head snap up at alert attention. 

Challenge. The word rang out bright and crystal clear in a familiar young voice. Sally's face whipped around, her eyes searching the porch for Ely's reaction. There was none. Could he not HEAR? Or was his apparent non-reaction a calculated move? She couldn't tell. 

Taka intends to challenge. She heard the voice again, her eyes inexplicably scanning the treeline in a frantic bid to locate the origin of the voice. Sully, immediately on edge as he watched the panicked change in her demeanour. 

Elyan...  her voice whispered out, pushing her boundaries in an unprecedented attempt to reach all of his pack with her words. I hear the young one. He says Taka plans to challenge. 

Before her words had even finished, the young brindle wolf burst through the tree line...panting as if he'd run all night. Sally was quick, meeting the youngling on the spot... much to Sully's obvious concern. 

Sharp howls could be heard as the sound of heavy paws snapped and tore through the thick underbrush. "Get inside," Sally ordered the breathless wolf with all the confidence and command of an alpha. Which brought both a smirk and an arched brow to Elyan's face. But there was no time to move, as Taka and his pack... tensely escorted by a snarling, guarded Demitri and Audolf... burst through the treeline. 

A cacophony of voices screamed through her head all at once as Taka lunged for the youngling. It seemed that everyone at once moved to intervene. But Sally - faster than anyone would have imagined - thrust herself between the pack leader and his subordinate. 

"DON'T YOU DARE!"

DON'T YOU DARE!

Her voice sliced through the racket like a white-hot scalpel, and all fell silent... unsure if what they'd heard had truly been what they'd heard. An army of yellow eyes glared at her from all sides as she stood face to face with the hulking, dark wolf... unblinking. 

Was she really that stupid? Was she really that bold? 

Move. The male commanded with a guttural growl. 

"I will NOT," Sally insisted aloud... trying her best to cover up her earlier mistake. The others heard it. Sully, poor dear, was stuck with only one end of the conversation... like listening into an untapped phonecall. 

Move or I will MOVE YOU. The other growled trying to press forward or step around her. Sally, never breaking eye contact matched him step for step, refusing to give ground. 

"Touch me and you will break a century of treaties. Touch me and you will start a war that your people will not survive. Touch me and your lineages will be wiped from this earth from now until forever," she glared back. 

Huffing, Taka-Ee growled, You know nothing. You mean nothing. You ARE nothing. Now MOVE or you will be the cause of all that you threaten me with. The dark-furred wolf took several steps back, seeming to prepare for a running lunge. Sally, sensing an advantage, pressed forward... both forcing him to give ground and ruining his plan. 

Heterochromatic gaze burning into his yellow eyes she growled back, "I am Salena Damiana Antoinette Vargas. I am lifemate to the twice-born Upyr and accepted of your ambassador. I am the living and the dead. I am she who courts death and runs with wolves... who even YOU have accepted in chorus. I am the bridge between worlds. I am the dawn of a new era and the promise of unprecedented peace.  I do not answer to you. I do not fear you. And I will NOT back down." 

From the porch, Shome's brow perked, her curious gaze seeking out her lover's eyes. Did she just lay claim?  The question echoed in Elyan's mind with a familiar lilt of mischief and mirth. 

Pressing forward, Sally pushed herself into Taka's face with poignant force, "If it is war you seek, then have at it. But know that you will bring the whole of your dark little world down on your own head... from BOTH sides. I have stared death in the face so long that she is a familiar friend. What horror do you think you hold in comparison? If you think you can survive, strike me now and be done with it. But know that the council will never forgive the transgression of harming an unarmed, protected human on clan lands. NOR the abuse of your laws of hospitality.  NOR the breach of your tenuous treaties for the simple sake of personal pride. For these are NOT the mark of a competent leader. Much less an Alpha. If you wish to survive with ANY semblance of rapport or honour, leave. Now. Peaceably... with whatever members of your pack still accept you. But remember that NO WOLF will support a challenge issued by an Alpha forced to publicly defer to a human. So be grateful for what you have... what I am ALLOWING you to keep. And never again think or imagine to aspire beyond your status. You could never carry the weight of this position. Your fragile ego would be crushed beneath the burden. Your actions tonight prove that beyond question." 

For a few long moments, the two squared off, silently staring each other down as the whole of both sides awaited their Alpha's command. Behind her, Ely and his pack stood ready. Before her, Taka and his pack waited patiently... Demitri and Audolf silently guarding their retreat. 

A dangerous silence gripped the forest as the challenger took his time with his decision, Sally unblinking and unflinching throughout. Finally, after what felt like tense hours, Taka begrudgingly tore his eyes from Sally's mismatched gaze, turning to his subordinate who cowered behind her. 

Come. We leave. He commanded, the pup whimpering in deferential protest. 

"Stay," Sally commanded aloud. Again, the young one whimpered. His tail swishing ever so slightly. 

COME. Taka called again, making the young one jump and flinch. 

"Let it be his choice," Sally hissed. Glaring as a low imitation of a growl emanated from low in her throat... inciting a soft chuckle from Ely. 

"I agree, Taka-Ee. Let the young one choose. You wouldn't want the tensions of a traitor in your pack anyway. If he wishes to leave with you, then let both of you be absolved and leave. If not, I will watch over him as a member of my pack... as a personal favour and service to the council... until such a time as he finds a fitting home or is exiled. And we will all forget this evening as an unfortunate side effect of moon-raw emotions," Ely grinned as he spoke, knowing it was nearly impossible to denounce such a favour without insulting the Alpha on his own lands and drawing sceptical ire from the council. The girl was smart, he'd give her that. She'd make a damn fine ambassador... if she weren't human. Perhaps it was time the humans had an ambassador? But would Sally even stand for them, given her history? Doubtful. 

Softly, the young wolf whimpered again, slipping his snout beneath Ely's hand as he shivered with submissive fear. 

So the choice was made...

After witnessing Taka-Ee turn and walk away from Salena, Sullivan smiled. She was absolutely amazing. And yes, still, she was upset at him for his comments. He'd not meant them in the way she'd taken them, but he understood it. It wasn't the first time he'd upset someone because of the way his mind worked and what excited him. Not to mention the lack of filter on his mouth.

He slowly backed away, watching the rest of the pack come to accept the little one. It made him smile. Especially with her being accepted by the rest of them as well. Dimitri had turned with the other pack to escort them, Audolf following.

Two of the other wolves abandoned their Alpha and stood beside Elyan. Three stronger for Ely, three weaker for Taka-Ee. That did not bode well for the more tribal of the two Alphas. Regardless, it seemed that Salena was busy with the pack, and that gave Sullivan a chance to slip away.

---

It felt like hours had passed as he stood at the shore's edge, feet playing in the wet, muddy soil underneath the ankle deep water. It was calm, aside from the subtle wake he made as he took a few steps along the shore. The moon was bright and high, and he knew his brothers would be in town soon enough. He needed to establish a cover, and make sure that he had a normal job with Magda's crew here.

That should be easy. She was family, so she said. At least, she was sort of family. Messina blood meant something to Sully, so that mattered at least.

Sighing, he looked down and caught a glimpse of his reflection, the glowing blue eyes staring back up at him.

"At least it's a good look on you, Sullivan," he sighed out, placing a hand on his abdomen. He'd never had abs before, but death had changed that. His body was in perfect condition to be the deadly weapon he was recreated to be. Tracing the lines across his gut, Sullivan shook his head. "So strange."

After a moment, his hands dropped to their side and he looked back up to the sky. "I'm sorry, Sally..." he whispered out before turning to make his way to the room. "I'll let you enjoy your night with the wolves."

"Don't be silly," her soft voice echoed from the treeline behind him. How long had she been there? "You are my life, Sullivan. And I do not wish to celebrate anything without you by my side." She smiled sweetly as she joined him at the water's edge... feet still bare as her toes dipped into the cool lake. She was quiet for a moment as she slipped her hand into his, silently comparing his eyes to the light of the moon. 

"It is a VERY good look on you," she crooned, as she caressed his face with her free hand. 

"I'm sorry I over-reacted. I know you didn't mean anything by it," she assured him gently. "I just... get tired of being under the microscope is all. I'm sorry I let it strike a nerve." 

Kissing his cheek, she gently tugged his hand. "Will you come back with me? They all have so many questions. And I don't know that I want to face them alone. Christian called from New York," she added with a sparkle, "Apparently he's asked Tar to prepare an extra room. I think they're moving up the schedule."

Startled, he looked back as she joined him. He'd been too wrapped up in himself to even notice her. He smiled as she grasped his hand. "I'm sorry I upset you. It was not my intention." He hugged her close. "So they're moving up their schedule, hmm? Interesting. And an extra room? Odd. I wonder who's joining them?" He looked back up to the moon.

"If they have questions, then lets go back and enjoy the party. We can rest soon. You'll need it, I can tell already."

---

As they rejoined the group at the fire circle, Sullivan smiled at the new wolves then looked to Elyan. "Forgive my disappearance, needed to clear my head." He smiled and lifted Salena up onto the log-bench so she stood nearly as tall as him. His hand wrapped tenderly around her waist and he waved to the 'new' members of the pack.

"Welcome! I'm Elyan's nephew if you had not gathered that much already. I hope you all understand the family you've gotten yourself involved with."

"One that doesn't discriminate and believes in the goodness of creatures of all kinds until proven otherwise?" a feminine voice spoke, raising her head from the flames. "A wolf I'll gladly stand behind if he'll have me." She smiled, both Elyan and Sully catching a quick look from Meko to the other new female of the pack.

"Well I'm certain that everyone will find their place, either here, or wherever they choose," Ely added. "But if it's here you wish to stay, then here you are welcome." The little wolf, still in his form, sat directly next to Elyan, leaning against his leg. Ely reached down and gave his side a scratch before sitting tall again.

Sully and Ely nodded before Sullivan spoke up again. "Salena said something about you all having many questions? What's that about?"

"Why a human would stand up to a wolf like that, for another wolf not of their pack... The confuses me," the same new female mentioned.

"How can she hear everyone's pack mind? Is it some kind of sorcery?" came the other new voice.

"Is she going to become a wolf, or like him?" the female asked.

"Okay, okay, one at a time... Don't overwhelm the girl now," Ely chuckled out softly, then turned to Salena. "Any insight to these questions, dear one?"

Sully chuckled and gave Sally's butt a pat, encouraging her. "Say whatever you think, love."

Sally blushed, squeezing Sully close for comfort. Suddenly she was shaking. It made him chuckle. She could stare down an Alpha without flinching and face death without so much as blinking, but THIS made her nervous? She was an anomaly. 

"Well," Sally stammered softly, "I am a human... so I don't really HAVE a pack... in the traditional sense. Although, these are my family... which is different... I think... isn't it?" She shrugged, shooting Ely one of 'those' looks. "Anyway... I don't know. It seemed like the right thing to do in the moment. So I did it." 

Her dark curls reflected the flickering firelight as she shook her head, "I don't like bullies. Especially when the person they're after has risked their hide to do my family a favour. Wolf or not, if you're wrong you're wrong. I'll stand up to anyone and anything that treats people that way... regardless of whether they are 'mine' or not. Would you NOT stand up to an ass hole overstepping their bounds?" she asked pointedly to the female, drawing an approving smirk from Meko. 

Turning her attention to the other voice, she simply shrugged, "I don't know. It's not something I do on purpose or can control. I didn't even know I COULD do it until tonight. So, in that regard, I am as much a mystery to myself as I am to you. And open to ideas, if you have any," she added, glancing around the group as a whole... Sully included. 

"Ummm..." her mind lingered on the last question. That was a delicate matter indeed. Christian would have none of it, she was sure. But, best not to say as much for fear of insulting the others. "I... I don't really plan on being anything other than myself for as long as I can. And... should the day come that I'm forced to be anything other... my mate and I will make that decision as we see fit, to the best of our ability, based on the circumstances at that time. Is... is that acceptable?" She glanced at Sully and at Ely in turn, afraid of being too forthright but also wanting her personal life to remain personal. 

There was silence for a long moment before Meko spoke up, "Do you realize what you did?" she called across the porch. Sally's quizzical and suddenly worried expression drawing laughter from the coywolf. Apparently that answer was a no. "Sullivan... your mate laid claim," the woman stated flatly, assuming of the two he would understand. Slipping her arm around Ely's waist with a poignant glance toward the new female, Meko continued. "One day in our world. No coaching. Pure instinct. Laid claim in the face of a challenging Alpha. I know wolves who would never... COULD never pull off such a ludicrous stunt. Do you have any idea...?" she trailed off softly, shaking her head as she eyed Sally. She was an anomaly. ...a very fidgety anomaly as all eyes - once again - stared at her in wonderment and curiosity like a fine specimen beneath a microscope. 

Leaning down, Sally whispered softly into Sullivan's ear, "What does she mean??"

Sullivan grinned and chuckled, leaning close to her ear.

"You basically claimed the pack and the territory as yours. You laid claim to the little one, and everyone else here, and through sheer force of will made the other back down. Technically..." Sullivan looked at Elyan and Meko, chuckling again.

"Technically, by right of the council, he can be stripped of his pack should you so choose to take over his lands. Granted, since you let him walk away, it would be a fight to the death. One on one..."

Elyan smirked. "You can also choose a champion for your cause if you so wish. I'm interested to see how this plays out though. No matter what, eventually he will come for you to reclaim, or you will need to exile him and take hold."

"If he comes, he will die," the female stated. "We follow Elyan ap Llywelyn and his Alpha Human. Taka-Ee is nothing any longer, to loose to a human girl." She stood and smirked. "Muckquand auntau..." With her words, she bowed her head to Sally.

"Strong words from Taka-Ee's child," Elyan spoke up as she bowed her head. "You know he will not take this betrayal lightly, Hasani. Taki is begrudgingly stubborn when it comes to things such as this. I know you've waited to stab him in the back though, since your mother's death."

Hasani lowered her head to Elyan and spoke, "I'm sorry for this to be the perfect time to walk away from him, but I mean what I said when I say we follow you and the she-devil, that the spirit has spoken."

"Yes, spirit-walker. I do not doubt your words nor your actions. I just know how difficult it must be to listen to the call of the spirit when it is against your father and saying to trust in a human, of all things." Elyan smiled, then looked at Sally. "But the Wolf Spirit speaks it so."

Sullivan chuckled as he felt Sally's energy fluctuate. It was a bit much, he knew, but regardless, here they were.

"Does that answer your question dear?" Sully spoke into her ear before softly kissing her cheek.

Sally choked a bit. "Yes... but umm... what?" 

She glanced between Ely and the new female, "I'm sorry. I mean no offense. But the who said what now? And... what did you just call me?" Sally chuckled. There was no malice and no accusation in her tone. Simply curiosity and confusion. 

Alpha Human... She Devil... How did this happen? Christian was gonna be pissed. Suddenly, she felt very small... like her whole world was just a marionette show being orchestrated by some grand puppeteer... like a fly snatched up in spider's web. 

Stepping down from the perch she had been placed upon, she approached Hasani slowly. "I know what it's like to have a father like that... and what it's like to walk away. I am sorry, but I am happy you are with us," with a warm smile, she wrapped the taller female in a warm embrace... Hasani freezing momentarily like a deer in the headlights before begrudgingly melting into the hug. 

Smiling, she pulled away and turned toward the young one who still perched by Elyan's feet. "Are you just going to wolf-out all night," she teased playfully, "You can come back... if you want. I'd like to at least know your name." 

She smiled as she sat back down next to Sully, addressing the new comer's as a whole, "And... not that I mind being a she-devil. But please feel free to call me Sally, if you want. What may I call you?"

"Sally it is," Hasani said with a smile, then looked at the other two. "I'll allow you to give your names, but," she turned back... "My name is Hasani, if you didn't catch that already. Hasani, daughter of Taka-Ee, Spirit Walker to the... Llywellyn tribe." She hesitated before smiling at Ely.

"My brothers can introduce themselves, of course."

The little one stood and walked nearer his sister, shifting next to her and sitting close, scooting up underneath her arm and looking up to her. He then looked to Salena and smiled.

"Mikasi." He nodded, looking to the last of the three new wolves.

The oldest of the three that had left Taka-Ee, but certainly the least vocal, stepped near the fire. "Keemeone." He lowered his head and nodded to the group before him before stepping back away from the fire.

"Well welcome to all of you," Elyan smiled. "I am, of course, Elyan ap Llywellyn, Alpha of this pack, elder of the council, and ambassador of the western coast." He grinned and pointed out the pack, "This is Shomecosse, my mate and Alpha female. You've met Audolf and Dimitri, the guards with your pack. Tarmarand was the she wolf that fed you."

Smiling, he looked to the sky, "And there's one more who should be here in the next few days. Jakoby. He's imprinted, so he stays with his charge."

Plopping down, he tugged Shomecosse close and leaned his head on her. Sully smiled at Sally and kissed her head.

"This is, as noted, Sally. Alpha human apparently..." He chuckled, "And I'm Sullivan Black, Damphir, Upyr, something not quite the same..." Shrugging, he smiled and hopped up onto the log, towering over Salena and spreading his arms. "My brothers will be here in a few days, and will welcome you into the family with open arms as I do. Let us strengthen our ties by working together to continue to protect the balance between humanity and 'others' while keeping the peace between both sides."

Grinning, he looked to Ely who nodded. "You're going to be a handful for your brother, you know?" Everyone laughed, and Sullivan nodded. "I've always been a handful for Christian. Time for him to get better at handling me." There was a tickle of a wicked smirk playing across Sully's lips as he hopped down from the log. Looking back at Salena, he smiled and held his hand out. "However, you should probably get some rest. We have a very long day ahead of us."

Sally nodded, with a weak smile. "Indeed." Smiling, she turned to Ely and Shomecosse, "With your leave?" 

Nodding, Elyan smiled back, "But of course, Dear One." 

Bowing her head, Sally stood and stretched, lacing herself around Sully as the prepared to leave. "Thank you all," she nodded to each of her new family members in turn, "Rest well, when you get to it. I'm sure there will be much to do and much to discuss in the coming days." 

Silently, Sully led her to the guest house and helped her settle in for the night. Smirking, she eyed him hungrily. "You know," she crooned, pulling him down into the bed, "This is probably the only time we'll have a house alone to ourselves for a very long time." Returning her smirk, he whispered teasingly, "You wicked little she-devil... I love you." 

Grinning from ear to ear she kissed him softly, "I love you too, Sullivan."

The room was electric with moonlight and musk for a few hours until Sally tired herself out. Exhausted, fulfilled, and inexorably content, she drifted to sleep, happily entangled with him; a serene smile on her lips as her head rested on his chest. Her heart beat steadily against him throughout the night as he held her. With the moon high and the events of the evening, he would get no rest himself, but cradled her closely and kept reverent loving vigil over her until morning.