Litus opened his mouth several times and then closed it without any sound coming out when he was finally able to speak.
-Being by Layan's side for so long has made you crazy, hasn't it?
Priscilla raised an eyebrow.
-I look like I'm crazy or like I'm playing games. I'm serious. I need you to release my emotions. If you don't, I'll find a way to do it. I don't mind hurting myself in the process.
Litus couldn't believe it. First, he felt like he was listening to Hades himself talking. Secondly this she-wolf was talking to him as if he wasn't an alpha who had authority. Being next to Layan was definitely hurting him.
-I refuse,- he said crossing his arms in front of his chest, -You're too much of a pup and too unstable. The reason why your emotions were sealed was so that your powers would be controlled. Do you have any idea of the disaster that can happen now without that constraint?
-I am aware of it. I have thought about it, but I need to remove that very constraint to use my powers.
Litus' face darkened.
-Ask me for anything but that. I don't care that Layan bit you. I don't think he'll be able to deal with all your power if you lose control.
-I'm not going to ask you for anything else because that's what I want.
-Don't be stubborn Priscilla. Nothing justifies that I can take away something that was an agreement of the Council. I would also be punished for it.
-I'll talk to Layan and the reason will be well justified so he won't punish you.
-Then tell me the reason,- Litus pressed.
She denied.
-I see, so you don't even trust me- the wolf looked annoyed- Don't insist, I won't remove the barrier, so try by your means but I can assure you that you won't be able to do it- he passed by her side and started to walk away.
Priscilla bit her lip to the point that it bled. She thought Litus would cooperate but no, he was reluctant to help her and she couldn't tell him about Liam. IF he had knowledge about him it was very likely he would take over her body and she didn't want Layan and him fighting to the death.
She dropped to the ground feeling exhausted. Her head hurt from thinking about everything so much without having an answer. It was then that she realized that the tranquility of that pond wasn't so bad after all.
Little by little he let his body transform until his skin was completely covered with thick black fur. He stretched his paws and heard his muscles creak. It had been days since he had gone for a run. She had been concentrating on her training but her wild side needed to have freedom and a relationship with her surroundings. She knew Layan didn't want her to run alone but she needed a few minutes to herself.
So without looking back she started running leaving all her worries behind.
Layan came down the stairs expecting to see Priscilla behind Litus but that was not the case.
-Where is she?- he demanded.
-I don't know, ask her yourself when you talk some sense into her,- said the alpha in annoyance walking up Layan's side to the room he had been assigned.
Layan blinked in confusion. It was strange to see Litus upset. He was calm and fairly neutral, what could have happened between him and Priscilla to make him like this?
He walked out into the garden looking for the she-wolf and couldn't find her, she wasn't around for all that. He frowned and turned to one of the guards.
-Have you seen Priscilla?
One of the guards denied while the other touched his chin.
-After we went into the forest with alpha Litus we didn't see her return.
Layan grunted making the two guards flinch and closed his eyes. He searched for her through the bond. It had strengthened after the last bite and yes, he found her, but he didn't like at all that she was running around the pack without his permission and most of all... walking away.
Cursing he ripped off his clothes and transformed into his animal form and began to run. The handle made of Priscilla's hair was the only thing that remained on his body that fit his muscular paw.
She ran fast, she had to. She was agile and moved quickly though not as fluidly as usual. There was something strange. He felt her stop suddenly and he took the opportunity to close the distance between them as quickly as possible.
Priscilla was running with her mind blank. That was definitely what she needed. Freedom, not to be on guard. No...
-Hello beautiful-
She came to a sudden stop by the lake that bordered the herd, she hadn't realized she had run there. The voice in his head brought out all his fangs.
-Liam,- she growled inwardly.
-What's wrong, love? You didn't miss me. Ever since our last encounter where you tried to trap me you've been so cold. Maybe I should put more fun in your life,- Liam's voice boomed laughing at her.
-Die,- her muscles were tense.
-I'm already dead, my dear, but very much alive and very close to you.
-PRISCILA,- another voice came from the distance.
-Oh, interruptions. Perhaps I should finish off that wolf first. He's getting too much of a nuisance,- Liam laughed menacingly, -I think I'll do that first. Without Layan in the way you'll just be vulnerable and mine alone.
-Stop,- he growled so loud his throat hurt, tiny red strands of madness began to dance in his eyes.
-You can't stop me. Anything you do will be useless. I could not get your mother, but you will be mine. I'll only swear with you a little longer.
-Priscila- Layan's voice was getting closer and closer but she paid no attention to him.
PANIC.
Yes, panic, or so Priscila thought that was what was overtaking her. Layan dead. Everything but that. She was pushing him away from her not because she wanted to but for his own good but then....
Liam was now coming for him.
What was she doing?
She wasn't strong enough to face him yet. His powers were only a small percentage of fluid. If he let Liam's case be known he would leave his minds even more vulnerable to be invaded.
She shook her head in a daze of worry as her paw slipped on the muddy surface of the river. Her body plunged into the cold water that soon drenched her.
She knew that feeling. That coldness, being submerged until the water covered her head. That loneliness. It was so comfortable. Thinking of nothing, feeling nothing, but at the same time it was so painful.
An arm grabbed her and pulled her. In the process she didn't know when it was but it transformed allowing her waist to be encircled and pressed against a solid, warm surface.
-Are you okay?- Layan's voice was soft.
His strong fingers buried themselves in her head and pressed her against his neck so that she smelled his scent coming from his male gland. Soon her body relaxed into his arms that held her.
Priscilla did not speak. She lay still for a long time with her eyes closed. Calm, warm, almost sleepy. Forgetting that Liam had recently invaded her head again.
-Layan stroked the mark on the back of her neck, stimulating her sensitive area.
She made a simple sound with her throat.
Layan had intentions of scolding her at first but the closer he got the more he felt something inside her that was upsetting her. Priscilla being emotionless was not so easily disturbed, but now it was as if something was forcing her into madness.
Madness.
She remembered the scene with her sister and how she had had to lock her up. The rawest and blackest time of her life. She would thank Nebraska in her soul that she had brought her back. Maybe that was why he had become so infatuated with her. After living all this time with Priscilla he realized that it wasn't the same feelings he felt for both of them. With the she-wolf in his arms they were more intense. He just hadn't wanted to admit them.
He pulled her tighter to him.
-What is troubling you? Do you know what you just went through? What would have happened to you if I hadn't gotten there in time-
No, she didn't know. She didn't want to think. She just wanted to forget everything for a moment and after clearing her head maybe she could find some answer to all that big problem. So she straightened up, grabbed Layan's cheeks and....
Kissed him.