Wolves and Men

Nicholas smiled as he slowly turned to take in the view around them. “Wow, this is really nice. You know, for a weak ass bitch, like yourself, Setford, you do know how to pick a nice spot to get your ass kicked.”

William cocked his head to the side, “You know, somehow, I just can’t hear you, Nicholas.”

The Scout turned toward William and without warning he charged. He had almost no time to react and just barely dove out the way in time. Nicholas skidded to a halt and threw out a wild back kick that somehow managed to catch William’s leg and left a nice stinging feeling as it impacted.

William pulled his foot away and changed his lead foot stance. He dive rolled at Nicholas’ feet then popped up on his heels and head butted him right on his open chin. Nicholas’ head flew back and blood spattered from his nose.

Nicholas backed up a step and wiped the blood from his face. “Not bad, Setford. I’m glad you’re not holding back. But I am going to kick your ass this time. I’m going to enjoy this.” He charged him again, and William mirrored him and broke into a dead sprint himself. The two met in the center of the roof colliding with enough force to make a concussive grenade envious.

* * *

William and Nicholas met with Aceso, and the rest of the pack, at the base of the Tower. William was bloodied and battered. Nicholas was holding his arm protectively, it may have been broken. Blood caked his pant leg and shirt. William could barely see out of one eye that had been nearly swollen shut and was a very nasty purple and black color. Both men were in pain and yet they both seemed a lot happier.

“What happened to you two?” Aceso asked in shock.

“Well, funny you should ask that,” William said. “See, I wasn’t paying any attention to where I was going and I slipped down the ramp that led to my room. I don’t think anything’s broken but I did get banged up pretty good.” He smiled sheepishly.

Aceso parted her lips in a half snarl. “You expect me to believe that?”

William held up in hands in surrender. “Aceso you are my Alpha. God’s honest truth, I fell down the ramp outside my room.” William glanced over at Katherine and Charles. They both shook their heads. They knew something had happened between the two of them, and they had probably already guessed what, but thankfully, they weren’t saying anything. He would have to remember to thank them later.

Aceso looked over at Nicholas. “And what happened to you.” She leaned in close and sniffed at his held arm. “I thought so. I don’t suppose you broke your arm falling down a ramp too?”

Nicholas shook his head and glanced toward William, who met his eyes briefly before he returned his gaze toward Aceso. “No, I was running and I slipped. I tried to catch myself and I crashed right into the corner of that building over there.” He pointed to a building off to the right of Tower. “I must have been going faster than I thought because my head had a run in collision at the same time. Will found me and woke me up.” He hefted his hurt arm gently. “I don’t suppose you could help me out with this?”

Aceso snorted loudly as she shifted her gaze between the two of them. “I don’t believe either of you.” She sniffed at Nicholas again. “This has got to be the dumbest thing…” She quickly bit at Nicholas’ arm. She held his arm in her jaws for a moment as she applied steady pressure there, then let go.

Nicholas lifted his arm and rotated his wrist. He smiled as the pain he was feeling obviously subsided. He flexed his arm and tested a full range of motions with it. “Thanks, Aceso. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He said with a childish grin.

Aceso did not share his joy. “Maybe you wouldn’t break your bones over something really stupid, knowing you two.”

William protested, “Hey I didn’t…”

“DON”T!!!” Aceso warned loudly, instantly silencing any protests before it could leave their lips. She backed away and between him and Nicholas. “I don’t even want to know what happened between you two. But I will know if whatever it was, it is over between you?”

William glanced over at Nicholas. The two men didn’t smile but there was respect in Nicholas’ eyes and William returned the man’s glance with equal respect. They didn’t shake hands either. They turned to Aceso.

Nicholas said, “Yeah… yeah we’re finished.”

Aceso glanced at William who nodded once. The pack Alpha took a step back. She said, “I’m going to leave the rest of your wounds to heal on their own. Maybe,” She said looking directly at William’s ugly black eye, “You’ll learn from these little wounds you gave each other and the pain will serve to remind you of your stupidity.” William and Nicholas gave their Alpha a wide-eyed innocent look as she turned away in frustration. Lithe smiles played on their lips.

She turned back toward Nicholas. “Well Scout? Have you ‘thought about’ what I want you to do?”

Nicholas rubbed at his shoulder and he said, “Yes, and the only thing about that is, when I did it that first time I was working with a couple other Scouts. We seemed to be helping each other out. I don’t think I could do it again without at least one other Scout.” He looked out toward the city. “Actually, the more I think about it the better it sounds to have as many Scouts helping each other out as possible.”

Aceso looked down, her tail dipping a fraction, in thought. She crossed her black furred arms over the white spot on her chest. She looked over to Katherine and Charles. “Go find Lethe and Billy they might be able to help Nicholas. I’ll go find Ares or Mr. Davis and see if Hermes is available.” She turned back toward Nicholas and William, “Go get yourselves cleaned up and put on some clean clothes. You don’t need to be seen walking around the city like you just took down a moose by yourselves.” Without another word she shifted into her natural wolf form and ran off, disappearing in between some buildings.