Family Life

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Tris finished cooking in the kitchen. The pups were running around her feet nipping at her ankles and drawing blood ever so often before she'd growl and they'd lay down and whimper some. She shook her head sighing before smiling at the twins. They were impossible to deal with but she'd gotten more protective since the new snake and vampire had arrived. She disliked so many threats so close to home even if Lark had put up several wards around her home. She wasn't exactly on friendly terms with the gypsy but Kael had assured her he was only helping and West was there verify he wasn't cursing the home as she'd insited he could be doing for all she knew. It made her uneasy but she'd fucked up letting David so close to home. Greyson's loss still seemed to weigh heavily on her. She'd visibly lost a bit of weight and hadn't come around the others packs as much. More often then not if Luke or Phrix didn't come to see her she stayed shut in the home. She felt a bit like an alpha without a pack. She flirted with the idea of finding some more humans to bite to add to her pack but dismissed it. They had enough problems. Now she was waiting for Luke to return from work with the groceries. She turned off the stove letting the stew simmer before he sighed grabbing the bottle of scotch she'd been nursing and moved sitting down on the couch. The twins were on the carpet play fighting as she watched them but her mind was a million miles away. She wanted to run free suddenly, to leave them at home, and just take off and not stop till she got to fucking Alaska. Anything to run from the emptiness in her heart ... -

-The moment Luke would pull up the wolves were running towards the door and scratching and howling loudly. They always sensed when he got close and were their to greet him as father ... -

[Synistergrrl]

Hey... Hey...

~Luke leaned down, scooping up both pups and nuzzling into them. He was working construction, though recently Sam had offered him a place at the garage. It would be better pay and he could gain a trade. It sounded good. So he'd put in his two weeks. He entered the kitchen to find Tris there. He set the pups down took the whiskey and put it on the table. He tugged her up from the table and hugged her close.~

hey....

~His voice was soft, he knew that Gray's death was eating at her, destroying her a little. He watched the pups skitter off, leaving just him and her. For a moment he just nuzzled into her, hugged her tight, scenting her, before he pulled back.~

Hey, what's that face for?

~He smiled, but he knew, deep down, he knew that she was just mourning the lose of Gray and that she was slipping into a dark depression. He was trying to work that out, trying to pull her from it, but he wasn't sure he could help her. And all the shit with the snake and the vampires, it wasn't helping. He knew that the pups would be shifting soon, he could feel it, see the way their fur rippled. He brushed a hand through her hair.~

You know what? We should go to dinner, somewhere nice... yeah? leave the kids with Maddy and Kael. Let me take you out?

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Tris buried into Luke. She wound her arms around his neck holding on tightly as if he was all that was keeping her tethered to the world. She smiled when he began to scent her snorting a little bit ... -

You're all sweaty ... you should take a shower before you rub all over me ...

-She shook her head unable to put it into words closing her eyes as she stayed close. She pulled back a little bit tugging back the bottle sighing a bit-

Why ... I have whiskey right here ...

-She pressed against him from behind kissing along his neck-

But letting Maddy and Kael have them for tonight might not be a bad idea ... [.b]

-She scrunched up his shirt in her hands keeping him close before she spoke quieter, pressing her forehead to his shoulder-

I just want to shift down to wolf some nights and stay that way. I don't feel like an alpha any more Luke ... I got that ... boy killed ... and now I'm just here all the time with them ... cause I can't go back to doing anythings else ... cause the thought of losing them ... or you .. I'd lose it for good

[Synistergrrl]

~The wolf sighed, taking the bottle from her again, setting it down on the counter and pulling her close. He nuzzled into her.~

You like when I'm all sweaty...

~He growled, ignoring the comment about the whiskey. And then she was talking and Luke frowned. He pulled her closer and then he forced her to sit on the counter, slipping between her legs and lifted her chin.~

Stop... stop it... YOU didn't get Gray killed. And you are still an alpha. Tris, you don't have to be tuff all the time. We've been through alot. Now, I have a request for my alpha. I really want to take you out to dinner. And then we come back home and we can do whatever you want, shift, run, or stay in, whatever you want. But the kids go to Kael and Maddy tonight. I want you... alone... tonight.

~His head cocked and waited for her to answer. When she agreed, he smiled, kissed her again, put pulled back.~

Okay, go, take a shower, get dressed. I'm gonna drop the pups off. I'll be right back.

~He reigned her in for a deep kiss and then pushed her off. He could see how frustrated and depressed she was getting. And it sucked. They were both still raw from Gray's death still, both dealing with it in their own ways. But it felt there was never a moment of rest for them. And Tris, well, Luke knew she would never forgive herself for Gray without some help. And she was terrible at asking for help.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

Maybe I do a little ...

-She smiled but it never reached her eyes. She closed them as he nuzzled into her neck winding her arms around him until he lifted her up on the counter. She wound her legs around him a bit and tried to nuzzle into him but he forced her to look right at him ... her eyes darkened when he spoke of Grey's name but softened slowly as he continued-

Alright Alright. I need out of this house anyway ... but you tell Kaelan he needs to stay with the pups ... all fucking night. They can escape from anywhere ... he NEEDS to stay close to them in that house ...

-She chewed on her bottom lip looking worried. She trusted Kaelan. Hell she even trusted Maddox. But she was nervous that the alpha would focus on the little fox and her kids would wander down into the basement and become snack for two vampires. Luke would almost have to laugh at her words cause how well would it go for him to tell Kael to keep an eye on his kids but he'd have to nod and agree if she was gonna agree to let them out of her sight for a moment. She did though mostly because she needed to be alone with Luke, needed to be out of the house, badly enough to let Kael have the kids. She slipped off the counter and went upstairs tugging off her clothes and slipping into the shower. She was half tempted to wait for him there naked but she knew if got into the shower together they'd never leave so she dressed and he'd find her sitting on the bed brushing out her hair. She'd been lost in her own thoughts until he walked in and then she got up off the bed and came in closer tugging him in and claiming his lips full of want and need before burying into him nuzzling against his neck. She didn't say thank you ... didn't need to ... it was there ... course it just wasn't her way to express those kind of feelings-

Well hurry up and shower ... if you're forcing me to go out and eat don't keep me waiting ...

-She snorted a bit pulling back from him afraid she might shed a tear or something and show some weakness-

[Synistergrrl]

~Luke took the pups to Kael's, explaining that he was taking Tris out and that she'd really appreciate if they weren't close to the snake or the vampire. Course he said all of that in a way that didn't sound so harsh. Kael just flashed a smirk, shaking his head.~

Yeah, that's not how she worded that. I understand though, tell her they'll be with me or Maddy, both most likely.

~And then Luke returned and found her brushing out her hair. He leaned down and kissed her. Finally he pulled back and went to take a shower. Coming into the bedroom, she'd see he'd taken his clothes in with him and he looked good. Leaning against the door jam, he was watching her with hooded eyes. His shirt was a soft looking grey button down and the dark washed distressed jeans fit in all the right places. He was watching her like a wolf watches prey. A smile played over his lips and he pushed up and moved towards her. He leaned in and kissed her neck, right under her ear.~

Gonna go downstairs and wait. take your time...

~His eyes followed his hand as it dragged down her arm. She could practically smell the lust rolling off him. And she had to know she was responsible for that. He pulled back and left, going downstairs, to wait. When she appeared, a smile played over his lips as he stood up. He didn't say a word, he was just staring and smiling.~

Beautiful...

~That was all he got out. He lead her out to the car, opening the door for her, everything. They'd never really had this kind of moment. This like date night, dressed up together. They'd always been for so long on different levels. Before Tris became alpha, he'd been her companion, but never anything more. And then after, well he was still her companion, but she'd never allowed him to think they could every do anything this intimate. And that's what it was, this was way more intimate than them just chasing each other in the woods and pinning each other down.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Tris arched a brow slowly seeing him dressed up a little bit. She smiled as she got up slowly leaning back against his touch easily-

I'll be ready soon ...

-She felt a thrill at being prey to the stunning wolf. She realized how long it had been since they'd been alonem just the two of them, but more important she realized they'd never really had a moment like this. They'd either run together as wolves for as long as she could remember or slowly their relationship had turned sexual but it was never really intimate. There was no courting. Not really. She rolled her eys a bit at being called beautiful, not really believing it, but instead she stopped him and caressed his cheek claiming his lips slowly. ... pressing her forehead to his own-

You're always going to be here aren't you? You've always been there and I kept thinking you'd just leave me. You'd get tired of my temper and stubborness and well ... I wasn't raised to be much of a companion.... a friend ... much of anything but an alpha.

-She nuzzled into him before letting him go following him into the car. She let him have control, have the reigns, dictate where they ate and it felt kinda good. Course once they had become mates he had gained much more control, and she respected him and asked for his opinion but this was different. Tonight she wasn't alpha and didn't wish to be ... she wanted the time with him ... -

[Synistergrrl]

I'd never leave you, thought you knew that, thought you understood that after all this time, nothing could make me leave you.

~His head cocked, hand cupping her cheek.~

You couldn't chase me off if you tried.

~He smiled, but then shaking his head, he scoffed at her before he lead her out of the house and to the car. He drove towards downtown, but turned onto Victory Drive. He pulled up infront of a brick building that looked older and a little run down. There were loads of cars in the lot though. Leading her inside, she'd find that the place was nothing like he looked from the outside. The waiters were all in white button downs and long black aprons. The hostess seated them in a private booth and the waiter offered them wine and made suggestions off the extensive menu that all looked pretty amazing. After ordering steak and lobster, they settled in for a pleasant night of it just being the two of them. They made small talk, first talking about Luke's new job at Sam's shop with Lucky and then the pups and how they were growing up. But eventually after eating a delicious steak and a perfect lobster, they settled, coffee and dessert infront of them as a comfortable silence rippled over them both. Finally Luke looked up at her.~

Do you miss being on the road? On the bikes, the sun at our backs? Things were different then.

~Before she could answer, he leaned in and took her hand.~

I like it here, Tris, I feel safer here then I have in a long time, but I sometimes miss seeing that wild look you used to get when we were riding next to one another. You seemed freer then, now, you seem... tied down and not in a good way. Are you happy here? And I don't... I'm not asking about what's happened here, with... everything. I just mean in general....

~He didn't want to bring up Gray's name. It was still saw raw for both of them. And even though Phrix still came around, it seemed that when he did, he and Tris both grew darker, sadder, as if their world would never be light again cause this little young wolf was dead. And they both blamed themselves for his death.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

I did try and chase you off ... but you never got the hint ...

-She teased him a bit but smiled and relaxed as he spoke about never leaving her, and she knew he meant it, knew he wouldn't say it just to appease her and that felt safe. The restaurant was amazing but she arched a brow leaning in and teasing him about how this place was nicer then the places then they used to rob much less eat at and it felt good to laugh and eat and just talk about the usual. She looked taken a back by his question but then he went on quickly and she reached out intertwining their fingers together easily-

Yeah I miss it. I miss us going where we wanted ... when we wanted ... I miss running for miles and miles but that kind of life isn't possible with two kids and I wanted them. I wanted this place too .... and you ... and having a place to call home. It's new ... it's not so much I'm tied down ... I'm just scared. So much more to lose ...

-She didn't say so much lost already ... but it was in her face ... she kissed his palm slowly-

You make me happy ... and seeing you happy makes me happy. Before ... all of this shit went down I wanted to see if Kael would take the cubs for a few weeks and so me and you could get back on the road and just run or ride for a while. Now I just ... I can't even leave the house without feeling this anxiety. This panic attack. I mean fuck Luke I haven't done the shopping or gone back to work done anything ... Taylor gets the groceries for us.

-She frowned a bit softly ... -

I'll get over it ... I just need time to heal and see them safe. I'd keep you at home with me too but I'm pretty sure you would end up leaving me then so the sake of us staying mated I'm letting you get out of the house ...

-She smiled a bit teasing as she let his hand drop back down again-

[Synistergrrl]

~Luke smiled as she opened up to him. The one thing both could count on was the others brutal honesty. It was a foundation corner stone for their relationship. Luke had never held back with her, never lied to her. And even when it pissed her off, he told her the truth, what she couldn't hear herself. So to have her be open in return, had the wolf smiling, but the smile faded as he listened. He took her hands, his brow knit.~

Whoa... go back. Did you say you don't ever leave the house? Tris.... I thought.

~His lips pursed and he pushed up to slip into the booth next to her. His head cocked.~

you should have said something. We should have been running as a pack. It'd help you feel less stressed.

~His hand lifted to brush back her dark hair, his knuckles dusting her cheek.~

I'd stay with you if you'd ask. I just told you that you can't push me away. I won't let you. I'd follow you like a shadow, I always have.

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-She frowned looking a bit annoyed to show her weakness-

Since ... Grey ..no ... I feel like ... panic attacks. Not for myself .. I'm not scared ... I'd taken on anyone ... a fycking wolf pack. Just for them ... I couldn't protect a grown wolf Luke ... how can I protect them?

-She frowned until he close and she nuzzled into him a little bit ... -

Said what Luke? I feel lost ... it'd just worry you and I hate that stupid look on your face when you're worried about me ...

-She smiled a bit though ... it was how they talked ... but he knew she loved him-

I know but I don't want to make you my crutch.

-She pulled back cupping his face slowly-

I've been thinking of adding to our pack. I feel empty ... weak ... without more. It's just me and you ... the cubs don't count. Maybe we can find someone? A few younger kids ... and bite em? It's hard cause this huge blended pack makes it harder to bring just anyone in ... but I'm about as much of alpha right now as Aiden is ... I don't know ...

[Synistergrrl]

Stop... Tris... Listen to me. Nothing is going to happen to them. We will protect them. And you... you can't live in that fear, not only because it's not good for you, but because you have to show them how strong you are and how to be an alpha. Because on of them, they will be alpha of this whole pack, over all of them. That's your legacy, you brought this insane pack together, Tris. YOU did that...

~He sighs and then he leans back and for a moment he just stares at her.~

You... really? Do you... have someone in mind? Wait... wait... you know that the pack is more than just me and you and the cubs? Right? I consider Phrix pack, don't you? He's not Kael's, he's yours. And you need an emissary, Tris. You should ask Lark. He needs a reason to stay, he wants too and we could use him. And then if you want to, we can start looking maybe... I would have suggested Lucky... he would have made a good wolf...

~Luke sighed and then he pulled in closer again. The check arrived and he sighed, taking it, paying and then turning to look back at her. He smiled, pushed up and tugged her up as well.~

Come on...

~He lead her outside and to the car. Driving back home, he was quiet, but watching her. When they got onto the property, he pulled off the main road and turned off the car. Turning to look at her, he flashed her a predatory smile. They were a decent ways away from the actually houses.~

So, since you sit at home all day, watching soap operas and eating chocolate... I think that you've grown slow.

~He was teasing, but the words were meant to sting a little, to rile her up, make her wolf's hackles stand up. It was meant to remind her that she was an alpha and he was still her beta, her second and mate, but still her beta. He already had the door open and scrambled back a bit to keep from getting clawed. He gave a smirking laugh.~

Come on... gotta be quicker than that...

[LittleDeadGrrl]

Phrix doesn't want to be anywhere near me ... us ... we remind him of ... you know ...

-She chewed on her bottom lip and thought a little bit-

I .. you think Aiden would come to us? To my pack?

-She snorted a bit-

LARK?! Really ... that's your idea of an emissary?

-She laughed a bit but she was already considering it. She needed her pack to get bigger. It felt wrong to be this small. It felt vulnerable and she needed to be stronger for the cubs. She needed to talk to Phrix too. The two had largely avoided one another to avoid the pain it brought to think of Greyson but she knew it was time and she needed to know if to fox was going to be bonded to her pack or not. She followed him out the door and dropped down staring out the window quietly thinking about all they had discussed. It was alot to digest but as always Luke put things in perspective for her where no one else could .. not even herself ... When he stopped the car she arched a brow as if it stay ... aren't we a little old to fuck in this car?-

I'm what?

-She growled low and dangerous and her eyes flashed red as she did take a swipe at him and her hands were already claws. She arched a brow and grinned dark and predatory and it felt good to suddenly be a predator and not a mother or a protector. She crawled out of the car and tugged off her shirt slowly. She placed it neatly in the car before shimming out of her pants letting him get a good look as she did a faint striptease for him staying only in her underwear and bra but then slowly she cracked her neck as she walked over and snarled, teeth flashing, having half shifted before she ran after him. She hadn't shifted to human or the big form. She stayed in this just semi half form running after him easily growling and laughing a bit ... trying to get in closer ... swiping at him when she could... trying to draw a little blood and make him pay for that comment-

[Synistergrrl]

~Luke ran, hard and fast, Tris on his trail, snapping jaws at him. And she would catch him, for a second, but he'd roll and run off again. Finally he slowed enough to let her tackle him and there wasn't any more talking after that point. It was rough, but Luke knew she kinda needed it. And finally, they were laying together, his arms wrapped around her, on his back with her against him. He was sighing all content and then he spoke.~

By the way, yes I call Lark a perfect emissary. He's powerful, Tris. And he wants a reason to stay here. So let's give him a reason. And Reyes comes with him. Though I don't think he'd really say he was pack, but he'd do whatever to protect Lark.

~He pushed up a little bit, twisting to crawl over her, laying his head onto her stomach, spreading out against her.~

As for Phrix... he does want to be near you, Tris. I see how he watches you, he misses you, he's just... mourning still. You're gonna have to make the first move in that direction. If you want him to be part of your pack, you're going to have to remind him why he wants that, Tris. You love that fucking fox, I know you do. So go talk to him. And yes... Aiden would follow him.