Word Count :: 000 Here we go xD Not as good as I had it all in my head. We had dinner, and afterward it just poofed ( Hope the PP is okay! If not I'll be happy to change it!

It had been a couple weeks since the gentle and gracious Alyssum had accepted the

Callow knight's vow, and things were finally beginning to settle down. He'd been staying in

one of the guest rooms as he grew accostumed to the change of scenery. His belongings

were only half assorted around the room, the rest still residing within his pack. The room was

only temporary after all, soon he'd have to pick through the rooms on the lower level,

which he'd already explored some. It was all so strange and new. Having a room, itself was

a big deal, and a site better than the cramped space beneath Eirick's house. Already Casa was more a home to him than his clan had ever been. Once he'd set foot in the armory he couldn't imagine himself staying anywhere else. There was only one problem...

Sidra Phoenix.

The dusky minx's scent had been hard to decipher at first, lacking the potency it held while

she was in heat. But he found himself vexed by the familiarity of it, the faint traces along the

halls. It wasn't until he'd passed her room when the realization struck him like a blow to the

chest. He'd paused at her door, but there was no sound to indicate that anyone was behind it, and he'd quickly left. That heirloom was all that remained of his mother, the woman who'd died giving him life...and she'd stolen it. Probably pawned it, too. Oh, no... God no. She wouldn't do that...would she? He could only hope.

Well, she'd gotten what she wanted. Now it was time he got it back. He hadn't the opportunity to meet many of the Cavaliers yet, maybe she didn't know he was here? All the better. At least today he'd laced his pants properly. He pulled on his sword belt, but left his shield resting on the bed post and took the staircase down to the lower levels. He hoped to look through the available rooms today, see if any in particular caught his eye. But his plans were thrown aside and soon enough he found himself at her door. Was his pendant inside?

His russet ears twitched when he caught the sound of muffled footsteps. She was inside and was coming out! This was what he had been waiting for, and he quickly steeled himself, leaning against the wall next to the door frame, his arms folded against his chest. He smirked, imaging her shock when she saw him. The door soon opened. "The thing about that pendant...it looked better on me." Came his accented voice as he straightened.

Was that...singing? Well, someone was in a good mood today, but of course she would be, she had her trophy- the clever little minx. And he'd been an all too willing participant in her manipulative game. To think he'd almost...Ugh, no. Nothing happened, right? Nothing. Well, obviously something had happened...not that kind of something, but, damnit. His ears perked to listen, it was a pleasant sound, not something he would have expected to come from the leopard woman. But then again he didn't know her very well, not truly. The last time they'd met they hadn't really spoken. The man was conflicted. However much he wanted to confront her, berate her for what she'd done to him he couldn't bring himself to be angry with her. He was a little cross, sure, who wouldn't be? The hollow sun wasn't just for decoration, after all. It had been hers.

The singing stopped abruptly and a tremor of anxiety ran through him. He inhaled a deep breath to compose himself and tried to appear casual. Though as always when he was nervous a cream hued hand darted to his mane, the fingers combing through. What would he say to her? He couldn't imagine she'd just hand it over without a second thought. She didn't even know he was joining. His mind was a whirlwind, but he pushed his racing thoughts aside, focusing on the footsteps near the door.

Out she stepped, her shapely body masked in a cloak as red as blood. His voice had been confident when he spoke, but now that he saw her he wasn't so sure of himself. It helped that she was mostly clothed, the fabric draped over her frame, revealing little. The icy glare she shot him soon twisted his stomach into knots...So she hadn't forgotten him. His ears folded back, temporarily cowed, but he forced himself to take a breath and willed them to stand straight. She was the thief, here. She didn't have the right to angry with him, he hadn't wronged her. Not like what she did to him.

Her smile was sickly sweet, though her amethyst eyes were cold now that they weren't narrowed in a sultry stare. Sidra denied her crime, walking right on by him. The open lie struck a nerve and the Callow knight moved to block her path. "My pendant...The one you stole...Remember?" He spoke slowly, his British voice annunciating every little syllable. Another open denial, accompanied by biting words set his muzzle into a frown. "Shall I jog your memory? He didn't wait for her to answer. "Well, let's see...It's about this big." Cream hued digits indicated the approximate size of the hollowed sun. "Steel. Looks like a sun." Hazel eyes watched her carefully, falling to her chest, head tilting when he noticed the scars. They looked somehow fresher now, pink like newly knitted flesh. They weren't like that before, were they? Had something happened to her? Even now his compassionate nature was getting the better of him and he almost felt bad for his accusations. They were true, of course, but something had obviously happened to her.

Soon enough his hazel eyes fell to her...supple breasts, his intention innocent enough at first as he searched for the pendant, unaware that it lie just beneath the cloth. They darted hastily upwards, his manner suddenly sheepish. Bloody hell, Alister. He chided himself inwardly, unsettled by the awful feeling in his gut, the heady guilt that still knotted his insides. Even without the presence of her heat he still felt oddly attracted to her. Was it because she was the first woman he'd ever touched? Either way it shamed him, and he forced himself to look downwards.

He flattened his ears in reaction to her snarl, trying to keep his posture neutral, though refused to budge. He was a living shield wall, barring her escape. He'd never meant to confront her, well he had, but not like this. The woldog quirked a brow at the little hint of motion beneath the red fabric. What was she hiding, did she have it with her? She clutched the cloak in responce to his probing gaze, covering the ugly pink scars that raked her flesh. His eyes softened in their gaze, and he managed to look into her eyes. "Sidra... What happened to you?" Concern shone in those telling multi-colored orbs, and momentarily he forgot about the pendant. He wanted to reach out to her, but suppressed the urge once he caught the look in her eye.

Sidra was quick to correct him when his gaze wandered over her full chest. Alister's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson under his fur. "I er...uh.." He stammered, both shamed and embarrassed, eyes fixated on the ground. Had he really been so obvious? He'd been looking for the necklace...and maybe his eyes had gone a bit lower. Maybe. Oh, who was he kidding? He was guilty and both of them knew it. Now that the heady perfume of her heat was lifted, he was able to see her clearly, without constantly battling back his primal desires. Cautiously his eyes roamed over her lithe frame, less invasive an inspection than before. He was careful not to linger on any specific area too long, neither did he appear to be sizing her up. He was just taking her in.

Her heat, though it forced upon them a carnal attraction, was not as bewitching as he had thought. Her pelt was the same as he remembered, only now her saw her more clearly. She truly was an exotic beauty- golden tones serving to accent her pelt of raven black. Odd spots dappled her arms in the most intriguing pattern, like nothing he'd even seen before. She spoke to him then, a seductive grin curving the edges of her muzzle. Now where had he seen that look before?

"You obviously liked it well enough." He returned, firm in his accusations. She had been with him the night just before he'd woke to find his necklace gone. Her blatant dishonesty was like an affront to the chivalrous male. It vexed him, a true upset to the moral code he held so dear. But she was unrelenting, continuing to persue her claims of innocence. "That necklace belonged to my mother, it's all I have of her." He quickly corrected himself, "...er. Had."

He'd ran this scenario and all its various outcomes through his head again and again, but never did he think she'd openly lie to him and all with a smirk...Wait. She was smirking at him-- actually smirking? That bloody...Did she take him for a fool? ...the question seemed to answer itself with a blatant obviously ringing in his head. His eyes narrowed on her. Alister was many things, but he was no fool, or he'd never considered himself one, at least. She was playing him. When she advanced again, trying to shoulder past him he moved once more into her path. "Oh I think you have time, yet." He folded his muscular arms across his chest, refusing to yield.

Sidra dismissed his concerns, but his brows remained furrowed empathetically. The scars seemed to have healed up only recently, and he quicky pieced it together. Whatever had happened to her it must have occurred no more than a day or two after they'd met. That only made him feel worse, and he caught the pain in her eyes as it rose to the surface. "I'm so sorry...If you ever need to talk about it..." His voice trailed off, hazel eyes faling to the ground. What was he doing? This woman stole from him and he was trying to what...? Comfort her? She didn't want his sympathy, from her stand point she'd already gotten what she wanted from him, regardless, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Her manner changed quickly, the look in her eyes swiftly becoming cold, before widening in astonishment. The wolfdog's tail twitched, confused, the furrow in his brow deepening. That was until she spoke. His own eyes grew wide. "Oh, no I wasn't saying...I didn't mean...I was..." Cream hued digits darted to rake themselves through his mane, flexing the muscles in his abdomen. "...talking about the pendant...I was saying that you must have liked it...to steal it...Not...about...about that." The Callow man was truly flustered now, an unbearable searing heat flooding his face and neck. He was avoiding her gaze entirely and nodded in whole-hearted agreement that they not talk about what had happened. "Believe me, I'm trying to forget..." Hastily he added, "not that it was entirely bad...or...I mean..." He sighed and stopped himself before he could say anything truly embarrassing.

His ears were slicked back and his voice was quieter when he spoke next, the sigh serving to calm his nerves, relax some of the tension. "How about we just pretend that it...that never happened?" Somehow he knew that he'd never truly be able to forget that night. It had all been too recent. Even now he was hard-pressed to forget the feel of her, the sensation of her lips on his, what it was like when he held her, the sulty look in her amethyst eyes. The same eyes that glared at him now with an aggressive intensity.

He had to remind himself of his objection- the pendant that she no doubt had hidden somewhere. He knew little of it's origin, other than it had belonged to his mother, Rowan Callow. The brother's, Eirick and Thomas had told him of her end, how she'd passed away just hours after he'd come into the world, but it wasn't the birthing process that had killed her. She'd already been dying of a broken heart. Aedan, Alister's father was as handsome as he was charming, with a platinum pelt, regal flowing mane, and eyes colored a clear crystalline blue. Bold and charismatic, his speeches could stir the hardest of hearts, inspiring the loyalty of his soldiers. His aptitude for tactical strategy and the art of battle ensured him success and he'd quickly risen through the ranks. It was only fate that the gentle Callow become ensnared by his many charms. After her death Eirick and Thomas passed on the pendant to her only surviving son, Alister, and he'd had it ever since. It was a piece of who he was, a reminder. And now that, too, was gone.

His ears twitched at the sound of her growl but he stood his ground. "No." He said firmly. "Not until you give back what you stole." A tremor ran down his spine at her aggressive behavior, eyes catching the tension in her body. He returned her stare. There was determination in those multi-colored orbs, and his jaw set firmly. Alister's posture remained somehow non-threatening, he would not harm her, but neither would he step aside, though the hairs on the back of his neck were beginning to rise. Suddenly he was beginning to lament the absence of his shield.

Word Count :: 000 And she hits below the belt...ouch -- lol Poor guy

He didn't expect her to take him up on his offer, his concern obviously causing her some discomfort. Don't be such a soft touch, Alister. She's a thief. He had to remind himself, but he couldn't be mad at her. Even now his posture was lax, his tail held low and still, ears fallen back. At the same time his arms were folded tightly to his chest, shoulders square. The shorter woman would have a hell of a time trying to bull her way past him. He wasn't quite Aro's height, but he was close enough, and long hours spent drilling with sword and shield had given him a powerful physique. His muscles were taut and defined, without being too bulky, making him a force both on the battlefield or off.

What she said next shocked him. Hazel eyes were thrown open wide and for a moment he gaped at her, no words coming out. Alister looked absolutely ridiculous, standing there. His arms fell to his sides and it wasn't until the shock died away that he was able to snap his jaws back together. How did she know? The memories quickly flooded back to him. He'd been vague, but something about the way he behaved only seemed to make it clearer and she'd seen right through him. He never had been one for subtlety. The grin on her muzzle was openly mocking, mirth filling her amethyst eyes.

Slowly, he felt a twinge of anger burn through him. His eyes narrowed on her frame, no longer avoiding her, and slowly a single pearly dagger peeked out from his lips. She'd struck a cord, a chink in his armor. Alister's growl was so soft it was nearly inaudible, but he couldn't stop it from sounding. That was a little too far. His fingers tensed, and he was tempted to advance towards her. He was a patient man, but being mocked like this, it angered and frustrated him to no end. Was she so insensitive? To live with honor, was that so unsual? Before he could say anything, retort a reply she changed the subject, and set it aside. He exhaled, teeth clenched, and refused to look at her, nodding only once in her regard.

The woman was unrelenting and her features spoke of her irritation. He could see it in how tense she was. This wasn't looking good for him. Sidra could have saved herself some time and trouble and just handed it over. He knew she had it...or did she? No. He couldn't be doubting himself, not now. There was no one else who could have stolen it. No one. She was the last person he was with before it went missing. It had to be her. Alister tilted his head as he caught further traces of movement beneath her cloak. His eyes narrowed again, and fixed on the spot, then up to her face. Each moment that passed made her guilt that much more obvious.

She lunged at him, but he didn't so much as flinch. A defensive snarl wrinkled his muzzle, but he didn't make any move to reciprocate. He just wasn't going to give her that satisfaction. The tawny man hadn't wronged her before, and he certainly wasn't going to start now. It was an affront to him that she'd held up for so long, but now her vaneer was crumbling. "Oh, so it's your hallway now, is it? What about everyone else who lives here? Hmm...What about them? He watched as she turned towards the wall, crossing her arms against her chest. She was a little more subdued now, but the anger was still there, burning behind pools that, despite the hatred they bore him, still appeared dazzling somehow. The bastard hybrid had still yet to see their like.

"You know what I want, Sidra. And I suggest you give it to me...Now." His voice was strangely commanding, proving that he was more complex than she realized, and certainly no fool. His lips were set in a hard frown, brows knitting harsh lines on his face. Just how long was she going to keep this up?

He quirked a brow at her self-righteous display, "It belongs to the pack, doesn't it? ...well, I'm part of the pack, and if you have a problem with that I suggest you take it up with Lady Alyssum." The coyote woman had been rather impressed with the tawny knight when he'd shown up at the borders. His chivalrous display delighted and intrigued her, and she'd responded in equal measure, honoring his vow. He intended to keep it as Casa already seemed more a home to him than he'd ever had. Really, he didn't think much of his humble den anymore. Here he could claim a room for himself complete with a bed, something he'd never had before. This had been his goal when he'd journeyed to the lower level, but Sidra's presence sidetracked him. That pendant, however it looked, was far more valuable to him than even his sword. Hard to think- as he was loathe to part with either.

Russet ears flicked backwards with the sound of heavy footfalls, accompanied by a vicious growl. His brows furrowed as he watched Sidra's expression change entirely. She gave him a glare which then morphed a cocky grin, eyes glimmering with admiration? This couldn't be good... A booming voice confirmed his supicions, as a black and white pelted man came between them, thrusting a hand against his chest, causing him to falter a step backwards. A reflexive growl bubbled in his throat, but he quickly regained his composure, ears twitched forwards as more harsh words were thrown at him. He understood all of a couple words --bastard, and my love. The foremost did little to faze him. Ahh, now how long had it been since he'd been called that? What was strange was who it came from. He'd never seen this man before in his life.

The second word caused him to gaze from Sidra to the new male in surprise. Wait, she...and him? Sidra hadn't said anything about this...Oh, god...if he found out. But...nothing happened, right? They'd both agreed on that point. He shook his head roughly, hoping male didn't catch the shift in his visage. The Italian, was he Italian? -was enraged, but Alister hadn't done anything. She was the one who'd been yelling. Wait, what had he heard? He didn't think...Alister was quick to put his hands up before him, "Woah, wait...This- this isn't what you think..." His posture was neutral, tail low, ears laid back. The bi-colored male was blowing this way out of proportion, and the Callow knight was doing everything possible to appear non-threatening. How could he think that Alister would...No, he wasn't that kind of man, he'd never.

Alister kept his eyes away from the male, he didn't want him to take it for a challenge. "Ser, you're mistaken...I haven't done anything here...You have my word. She's- she's the one who's wronged me." Hazel eyes fell to the man's hand which rested ominously on his sword hilt. His eyes widened just slightly, but he made no move to reach for the sword on his left. He'd defend himself if he had to, but he preferred to not have to fight at all, not as long as a peaceful resolution could be found. And he was determined that one would be found. He hadn't done anything wrong here.
He shouldn't have to defend himself.

He backed another couple steps compliantly, posture still neutral, if a little tense. He was prepared, if the man attacked, he'd be ready, but he prayed it wouldn't come to that. His eyes followed the cigarette as the blue eyed man threw it to the ground, stomping it lifeless, before they returned to his face. He nodded shortly. "I'd love to 'go about my merry way', as you put it. Really, I would, but, as it happens, she has something of mine. A pendant...You...haven't seen it- have you?" If she really was his amore, and she did in fact have it, perhaps the mohawked man had seen it? Maybe Alister was pushing his luck, but he had to try...For his mother, for Rowan.

He completely ignored Sidra, and focused on the man. "It's about this size." Once again he demonstrated the pendant's circumfrance, but this time for the male. "...made of steel, shaped like a hollow sun." He paused, his British voice quiet. It means a great deal to me." A vain attempt to appeal to his better nature. But faced with his love and a complete stranger who would the man trust? He'd tried to sound as convincing as possible, for it wasn't a lie. She had to have it, she had to.

Sidra stepped forward, glaring in challenge at Alister, but he had little interest anymore in what she had to say. He did nothing but glance at her for a brief moment, before shifting his attention back to Aro. Hazel eyes narrowed as he watched her trying to pull him away. Uh-oh, oh what she didn't have it? It really didn't look that way. To think he'd almost begun to believe her like a bleeding idiot.

The larger man was confused for a while, but soon enough his words registered and he began to calm down. He asked Sidra where the pendant that she'd been wearing had gotten to. Wait. She'd been wearing it? His eyes widened. So she did have it? I knew it! He declared, "I knew you were lying!" Alister tried to keep his voice controlled, he didn't want to cause insult to injury, not with the man's hand still rested on his sword hilt. Alister didn't want to draw on a pack mate. He was frustrated however, the tension revealing itself in the firm set of his jaw and sharp frown. He glared at the woman, but kept his distance. She was probably wearing it right now. He was relieved when the man's hand left his blade, and he turned to Sidra, ordering her to take off her cloak. His gaze returned to her, intensifying as he was eager to see for himself.

She didn't right away, so his attention remained fixed on her blue-eyed lover. Was he really her lover? Alister noted the mohawk, the earring, his nakedness. Huh, maybe he wasn't so tall after all? He'd always considered himself to be, but this man towered over the both of them. Like a father scolding his children, but he couldn't really say, all he had of his father was a name and a legacy, neither of which were the bastard's to claim. The hair style was new to him, though his mane was a little different than most, not short enough to stick up, but shorter than most, the front puffing up just a little bit. Were women into that sort of thing? Sidra certainly seemed enamored, the look she had when he approached would be enough to make anyone sick to their stomach's. But Alister, he was a little jealous. Not that he really knew her, but no one had ever cared for him like that.

He was torn from his reverie and looked up in acknowledgement at the black and white male's questioning. What he said caused his stomach to twist into knots once again, and both he and Sidra's eyes darted to one another, both widened in shock and panic. Immediately his hand raced to muss his mane, a tell-tale sign, but hopefully Aro didn't know him well enough to recognize it. He was about to answer when Sidra threw off her cloak and there it was. He glimpsed the familiar steel sun that rested just above her chest, and his heart leapt to see her untie it. When she dangled it in front of him he took it, suspicion glimmering in his hazel eyes, not yet trusting that she was truly going to hand it over. He didn't release the breath he held until he felt it in his hand. "Thank you." Alister said, relieved. But Aro's questions still hung heavy on the air, unanswered. Quickly he thought over what to say. He wasn't one to lie, but telling half-truths, he could do that.

Well, I uh...was napping in a house in Halifax. And, I don't how she got there, but I woke up and she was sleeping in one of the other rooms." He began to explain, looking over to Sidra all the while. Hastily she tried to leave, but he did the best he could to communicate with his gaze that he wasn't about to reveal what had happened. After all the black and white man had nearly drawn on him once before, he didn't want that to happen again. Only he was in danger. "I tried to leave, but I guess I made some noise, because she woke up. So we uh...talked for a little bit...It was evening so it was getting dark, and uh, have you ever been there? To Halifax? It's a big city, so I didn't want to leave her by herself. We fell asleep after a while, and when I woke up...It was gone. He'd been mussing his hair again even as he looked from Sidra to Aro. He exhaled after he finished, hoping that his half-truth hadn't been too obvious.

Alister didn't react to the man's attempt to silence him as he was already finished speaking. The wolfdog was pleased enough to have uncovered the truth of the matter, especially when he'd been beginning to lose hope. The man's demeanor was unsettling, though, and guilt weighed heavily on the knight. He felt bad enough for what had happened, the reminder only serving to shame him further. The giant wolf was doing all he could to keep himself under control, Alister noted and conceded to be far more careful with how he spoke, or this could easily take a turn for the worse. But, he hadn't done anything wrong, right? Sidra hadn't said a word about this man, and they hadn't actually had sex --although they had been very close. He wasn't in his right mind then, Alister reminded himself, but that didn't make it much better.

The man knew more than Alister was aware of, asking Sidra if she'd been in heat at the time. His hazel eyes grew wide as he looked at her, was that defiance? Christ, Sidra, are you trying to get me killed here?! he wanted to stop her, stop her before all hell broke loose, but he stayed rooted to the spot, gaping at her. How did he get caught up in the middle of this? The man soon called him out, and he looked to Sidra, hoping that somehow she would save him, turn it around, but had little hope with her previous declaration. As soon as the word 'no' crossed her lips he knew he was doomed. He kept an eye on the man's hand, ears pricked towards Sidra as she continued to explain. Huh, so she wasn't comfortable lying to her lover, but Alister was another story. Lovely.

His gaze turned from one to the other, watching the man's reaction as the truth finally won out. His only consolation was that she'd said 'we' rather than pinning it all on him, which he had to admit, he was kind of expecting. Her words stung him. Harmless fun, huh? Sure, she could say that, but he wasn't a man to throw himself at every woman he came in contact with. From the way she was behaving he gathered that her lover couldn't quite say the same. His brows furrowed as he watched the pair curiously. He wouldn't ask, however. Their business, was just that, theirs. But wait, had she been using him, not only for his pendant, but as revenge? Had she been trying to get back at the man with him? His curiousity soon morphed into indignation, and he struggled to hide it. "Right, nothing too untoward, I assure you." Alister said swallowing his anger and instead worked to calm the man down. Sidra's gaze did nothing but feed the anger burning inside him. He didn't like being dragged into this nonsense in the first place. His hazel narrowed discreetly at her before his visage relaxed and turned once again to the black and white pelted male. "She never mentioned you...I didn't know. If she had, I swear to you none of this would have ever happened." It was what little consolation he could offer, and he prayed that it would be enough. To prove his good will he kept his posture neutral as always. "On my honour as a knight, I swear." Perhaps it was a little over kill, but he was grasping at straws trying to keep the situation under control.