Chapter Nine

Elizabeth awoke sometime in the afternoon to an empty bed. Patting the empty blankets she called for Shaw. Fearing he'd done something stupid like go after the gang of cats alone. She leaped from the bed. Putting her discarded pajamas on quickly she rushed out the door to smack into the rock hard body that should have been in bed with her. "What fasses you lass," asked Shaw pulling her into his arms.

"I was worried. You weren't in bed," said Elizabeth softly looking up at him.

Kissing the end of her nose her picked her up in a bear hug. "I would'na a left ye to fight a battle I would'na a won without help."

Putting her back on her feet he kissed her softly on the lips. "I am not always smart in da way of the times, but I ain't a foolish man, or so reckless. I do wish ye'd reconsider you're decision though."

Rapping her arms around him, she snuggled herself against his warm bare chest. "I wish I could, but by the fates... At least they see fit to send me in on an armored horse."

"By the fates is right," said Shaw kissing her on the head before stepping out of her embrace. "I've got wha Jolene be call'n brunch done. I was jus about to wake ye up before ye saw fit to run into me arms. Come eat."

Walking her to the kitchen he sat her down at the table before setting a plate mounded with sausage, bacon, seasoned potatoes, and what she knew to be Jolene's famous omelet. Looking about the empty kitchen she asked, "Where's Jolene and Mathew?"

"He shed his skin for a romp in the woods, and I guess she's following him on her broom," teased Shaw placing his own plate on the table.

"Jolene doesn't fly on a bloom," said Elizabeth shoving a fork full of omelet in her mouth. "At least I've never seen her. Do witches fly on brooms?"

Laughing Shaw shook his head, "Ney, I ought not seen a witch who could fly."

Shrugging her shoulders she went back to the food. Cleaning the table off. Elizabeth moved all the dishes from the sink to the dishwasher. Looking out the window over the sink, she saw Jolene chasing a good sized tan wolf through the back yard with a pink sock cap in its mouth. Watching the two play she knew the wolf had to be Mathew. Rapping his arms around his mate, Shaw sat his chin on her shoulder. "There's somethin'n I wish ye to be know'in before ye walk so willingly into harm's way."

Rubbing her cheek agents his arms she said flatly, "If you tell me. I'm pregnant I'm cutting your nuts off."

"Ouch woman," laughed Shaw lifting his head up. "After last night I did'na think ye'd want them to be leaven so soon. But no ye are not with bran, but I would love to see ya swell with them," said Shaw sliding his hand up her shirt to rub her slightly rounded stomach.

"Well that's all nice and good, but not right now," blushed Elizabeth for no man had ever said in so few words, I want to get you pregnant so you can have my babies.

"With-in time love, but that's not what I wan'a tell you," burred Shaw in her ear.

Waiting for what he was going to say next she finally grow impatient, "And that is?"

Leaning closer, Elizabeth could feel his warm breath against her ear. " Sèitheach St. Clair"

Turning in his arms she looked at him puzzled. "What is sha ouch sinclare?"

"Ney not sha ouch sinclare. It's Sèitheach, you pronounce it SHAY uch, and it's St. Clair not Sinclare. Tis me real name Elizabeth Lyne Marshall. My gift from God."

That's what the unicorn meant, thought Elizabeth, I am Shaw's gift and he's the dyeing breed. "So I take it Shaw is short for Sèitheach?"

"Tis right. Say me name again. I love the way it roles from your lips," rumbled Shaw as he eyes filled with lust.

"So what does Sèitheach mean," said Elizabeth making sure to say his name as lusty as she could.

"It means wolf," growled Shaw taking her lips.

"Oh come on, not in the kitchen," said Jolene walking through the back door. "We put food on that counter. Take it into the living room or move to the floor."

Capturing Shaw's lip she pulled on it with her teeth before letting go. "Floor," said Shaw dragging her down with him.

Laughing like any friend in sister statues would, she stepped over the tangled mess and left the two lovers on the floor.

Thirty minutes later. Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen red-faced and looked at her friends who were curled up on the couch watching a movie. "I'm so sorry um.. Man, I'm embarrassed. I don't know what I was thinking."

Smiling like nothing had happened on the kitchen floor Jolene said, "Honey I've been in the shifter world for two years now. If you think that bothers me you're sadly mistaken. At least you were nice enough to keep it quiet so we could watch the movie. Most are not."

"Um, okay," said Beth still throughly embarrassed.

When the grandfather clock in the library struck five. Elizabeth readied herself for the fight to come. With Shaw's help, she hooked the truck to the horse trailer. Calling for Jurisdiction she heard him nicker somewhere in the far left of the field. Leaving the gate open to the back section of the barn she fixed him a small bucket of sweet feed. Hanging it on the hook where she tied him before riding. She started digging out the cleaning supplies. By the time she left the tack room Jurisdiction had already berried his face in the bucket and was munching away. Taking up a brush she paused as he flattened his ears and yanked his head out of the bucket. "What's up buddy," asked Elizabeth taking another step toward him. Pausing again as he backed up. Shaw stood in the safety of the tack room door. "You're scent has changed. He doesn't believe it's you."

Holding her hand out toward him. Beth said with full confidence, "I still look the same. I still sound the same, and I've got cookies in my pocket all the same. Just because I smell different shouldn't make him act any different."

"Ah but there you're wrong. They're prey animals. They rely on their noses more than their eyes. So to him, you're a new person."

Turning Elizabeth crossed her arms. "So you're telling me. My best friend isn't my best friend anymore all because I stink. An this just blew option B?"

Panic was on the edge of setting in when Jurisdiction shoved her out of the way to get back to his sweet feed. "Nope I wouldn't be so lucky," grumbled Shaw as Elizabeth turned to groom her horse.

Clipping his halter to the lead rope that hung beside the bucket. Beth began her normal ritual of grooming. Picking up an extra brush Shaw walked to the other side of the horse. "Well he doesn't seem to mind you," said Elizabeth as Shaw began helping her. "Well my scent hasn't changed since the first time I met him. Plus I hung out with him on all four feet," said Shaw grinning from ear to ear.

"Well good since ya'll are such good bud's now. The next time his stall needs to be cleaned you can do it."

Knowing she wasn't serious. Shaw laughed before leaning over Jurisdictions back and drug her in for a kiss. Turning back to her work. Her mind replayed the day before and reran her plan for the night threw her head. Swapping out for a finer haired brush, a question struck her. "So why where you and Daniel dressed oddly yesterday. I thought those types of pants didn't let your nuts breathe."

"Ney they don't," said Shaw from somewhere bent down on the other side of the horse. "But the nice pants dunna work so well to work in."

Sticking her head under Jurisdiction's belly she looked at him as he brushed his back leg. "So what were you working on?"

"Nosey a bit," asked Shaw taking the finer brush from her hand and handed her the one he had.

"Nope, not at all. Just curious," said Elizabeth tossing the brush into the crate and pulling out her spare fine bristled brush. "Just curious because I went looking for my underwear this morning, and I see you rearranged all my drawers. On top of that, I found several of those work pants and there are several flannel shirts in the closet that wasn't there yesterday."

"Well-woman where else am I going to put me clothes?"

Raising an eye brow she looked at the grinning Shaw. "So you're just moving in uninvited and taking over my room?"

Going back to brushing Shaw changed the subject. "Me and Daniel were fixing the fences around his house. He's going to be getting some foals in the next couple of months and we have to get the fence back up."

Grabbing his hand so that he had to look at her she asked, "You didn't answer my question."

"Yes love I did. You asked about why we were dressed the way we were, and I answered it," said Shaw playing dumb.

"That was not the question I meant and you know it."

Pulling the brush out of his hand with the other he went back to work. Huffing Elizabeth knew he wasn't going to answer her question even though the answer was yes. She couldn't believe she was allowing it in the first place. He stumbles into her life, and no sooner then he's there she can't think of any world without him. If you would have asked her not long ago would you let a man move in that you only knew for a couple of weeks, her answer would have been, hell no! Are you crazy! So instead of beating a dead horse, she went along with the change in subject. "So how is he going to get horses when they're afraid of him?"

Walking around Jurisdiction he tossed the brush into the crate with the others before sitting down in the chair beside the door. "If he gets them when they're just weened, by the time they're old enough to breed they're more apt to accept his difference. Then he'll breed them and their foals born and raised in his hands, don't know the difference between human and non."

Grabbing the hoof pick Elizabeth began to clean Jurisdiction feet while her brain processed the information. Once the librarian stopped putting things away. She grabbed the mane comb and the rubber-bands from the box. "So where do you fit in?"

"The same place I always do when he starts his horse farm. I'm his farm hand, and when needed the dad, buyer, and signer of entry forms for the horse shows that Daniel so loves to do. Makes good money at it too, since he participates in the junior level classes were all younger kids go."

Pulling Jurisdiction bangs back, Elizabeth began plaiting his main from ears to his shoulders where his main stopped. "Poor kids'll never have a chance. So what does he do with the first lot he gets? You said they'll more excepting so does that mean he can ride them? Are they that excepting or just excepting enough not to run away?"

Watching Elizabeth end the braid at Jurisdiction shoulder and tie it off at the end. Shaw thought about his answer. "He can ride them, but they are always on edge. So typically the first lot are just used for foals if they're good. You know if you have a bad mare you'll have a bad foal. If they're too bad he'll sell them."

Moving to his tail Elizabeth started brushing it. "So what does he do with the younger lot?"

"If they're show quality he'll show them. Most he'll train for whatever they're breed is used for. He typically gets several different breeds for the diversity you know. So if they're draft he'll teach them to pull. If they're stock he'll teach them to cut, and so on and so forth. People use to come from all over to get one of his horses. He's really good. His biggest buyers though have always been the supernatural community."

"Why is that," asked Elizabeth. "And hand me that spool of black yarn, and that hook looking thing out of the box."

Pulling the objects out of the crate with the brushes, he handed it to her. "Well, people of the supernatural races, except witches of course, don't get the luxury of having pets. Now a wolf shifter can own a dog, but he'll never be able to own a cat or anything else furry. The same for the rest, they can own what they are because their just like them, but nothing else. Just like most people who live in the country, shifters like horses and have the land to own them but can't. With Daniel's horses though they get that enjoyment because they are super raised," said Shaw watching Elizabeth plait Jurisdictions tail. "You know we always paid people to do that. How is it you know how? You said your family was pour, and you never got nice things. So I doubt you learned that at home?"

Not pausing in her plaiting she smiled. None of her previous ex's ever listened or if they did, they never cared to store anything she told them about her family. "Jolene's family was well to do and own a lot of show horses. Since she was my closest friend I practically lived at her house. So it was part of the being her friend I had to help with the horses."

Tying off the pinwheel at the bottom she dropped the stuff back into the box before packing it into the tack room. Dragging the tarp off a pile of crates in the back corner she began unstacking them. "An since it seems you're going to be riding in the distant future I've got a present for you?"

"Present," exclaimed Shaw looking around the tack room as if he'd see it laying around.

Pulling a gleaming silver plate out of the box with a horn. She handed it to him before grabbing a bridle off the peg. "Yep, you know that box in the living room?"

"The big one by the fire place," asked Shaw fallowing her from the tack room.

Removing Jurisdictions halter she placed it around his neck before sliding his bridle on. "The same one. When this is over," said Elizabeth pausing to take the champron and buckling it to the bridle. "That's for you," added Elizabeth pulling the protective foam from the rondel (the spike on the middle of the champron).

"What is it," asked Shaw watching her go back into the tack room to dig in one of the other crates.

"Ah now, thats something you'll have to find out later," stated Elizabeth packing out the criniere.

Placing it on Jurisdiction neck she waited for him to stop tossing his head with his dislike of the weight before doing the buckles under his neck. Next came the saddle and pad. Once that was on she asked Shaw to help her with the cuirass. Which consisted of the armored chest peace and the skirt that covered his rear and flanks. Flicking his fingernail over one of upturned spikes at the end of the armored skirt, Shaw grimaced. "It'll hurt should one of those bloody bastards get hooked on this. Hopefully, he'll give them a good kick too. Killing the dumb bastards."

"Such langue," laughed Elizabeth fastening the buckles to the small d-rings along the saddle to attach traveling or other riding gear.

"I doona like ye going in. I doona like them cretans coming into town, and causen trouble lass. A course, today would bring the most colorful words to even a saints lips."

Finishing her tying she rubbed Jurisdiction's nose, the only pet-able part not covered by leather and armor. Grabbing Shaw's belt she pulled him to her until she was pressed against him. "Such yummy lips shouldn't say such dirty things. Leave it to the sailor," smiled Elizabeth against his lips.

"Ye think my lips are yummy," breathed Shaw as the fires of lust lit in his eyes.

Kissing him passionately she pulled back as her lungs burned for oxygen. "Yum."

"Okay, you guys. We don't have time for that," called Jolene walking from the house. "Wow does he just look cool! To bad you're about to scratch it up. It's time to go."

The ride was filled with Jolene's chatter as they made their way down the winding highway. No matter how she tried niether her or Jolene could get Shaw to come out of his stupor.

Arriving to the designated unload sight, Elizabeth parked the truck and got out. "Are you sure you still want to do this," asked Brom as Elizabeth made her way to the back of the trailer.

"Got no choice do I? I guess we're as ready as we'll ever be."

Helping Elizabeth back Jurisdiction out of the trailer. Shaw still refused to meet her eyes. He'd been quite the whole ride and the closer they got the more he seemed to drift away.

Leading Jurisdiction back to the front of the truck where Brom and at least twenty people stood. Brom's eyes grew twice their normal size as his jaw dropped. "Holy smokes you weren't kidding when you said you bought armor!"

Shrugging her shoulders she held her hand out to the sniffling Nicole. Who's face was already tear streaked. "Come on Kid'o. I'll help you on."

Shoving Nicole into the saddle she climbed on behind her and took up the reins. "Hold on tight to the horn okay," said Elizabeth placing Nicole's hands on the saddle horn.

"Okay, Elizabeth keep to the plan. Ride slowly there so that you get their attention. When you get there don't let Nicole get off his back and stall as long as you can until we come charging in. At that point shift so that you don't get torn up like last time you got into a fight with those cats."

Nodding Elizabeth looked at Shaw who was chatting with Mathew and Daniel ignoring her. "Edward," said Brom bringing her attention back to the group. "Thank you for coming, but you didn't have to friend Alpha. This is not your battle."

Laughing Edward patted Brom on the shoulder, "Are you kidding? I haven't seen this much action in two years almost three. More than two hundred since I went up against cats. You honestly think I'm going to pass up a scrap with some flea-ridden cats?"

Laying his hand on Edwards shoulder Brom nodded. "Your claws and fangs are much welcome."

"You're joking right," exclaimed Elizabeth as a quiet fell over the group.

"You wish me to sit out," asked Edward with an expression between hurt and bewildered.

"No, I don't care if you want to fight or not. You're over 200 years old!"

"Of course this isn't bottle grey," said Edward pointing at his hair.

"I guess we didn't explain that shifters only age one year for every 10 years yet have we," said Daniel joining the group.

"Well no," exclaimed Elizabeth twisting to look at him.

"Well, now you now know, so off with you. The bad guys aren't going to wait forever," stated Brom shoeing her off.

Pulling Jurisdiction around she started down the driveway when he sidestepped quickly, as Shaw appeared at their side. Pulling her down he kissed her softly on the lips and whispered, "If ye dunna come back ta me whole at the end of dis night. Doona think I will'na go chasen ye ta hell ta reem yer arse."

"Love you too," whispered Elizabeth before kissing him again and clicking Jurisdiction into a jingling trot.

The night air was filled with the sound of Jurisdictions armor and the clop of his hooves on the chip-n-seal road. The world seemed to stand still with their passing. No crickets chirped, and no night birds sang their songs. The silence put all of their nerves on edge. Even Jurisdiction was feeling the unease. He'd toss his head at anything that moved, and change his gait to a prancing hop. Which Elizabeth could have done without, considering she was sitting on very ornate metal that didn't give an inch under her rear.

It seemed like a year had passed by the time Nicole whimpered, "I think that's the driveway there."

Looking over her shoulder at the approaching gap in the trees she watched as a mountain lion stepped into the middle of the road just down from the drive blocking their way, Elizabeth replied. "Yep, I think you're right."

Snorting at the sight of the cat Jurisdiction reared slightly slamming both hooves down in quick succession. Unable to kick him due to where she was sitting on the metal skirt Elizabeth tried to soothe him. "I know big guy, but you've got to keep moving."

The valley echoed with this trumpeting blow as he pranced on. Turning him up the driveway. Jurisdiction's gait grew more bouncy as cats melted from the woods to travel along the side of them licking their chops. They couldn't have come sooner to the dilapidated house, as Elizabeth swore to herself that her ass would be bruised tomorrow.

Watching even more cougars strolling from the house and into the small clearing in front, Beth knew the man standing in his human flesh on the porch had to be the Felix. Pulling Jurisdiction to a stop a good distance from the man, Elizabeth slid off the side. Tying the leather reins in a knot she lifted Nicole's hand. Sliding the knot under her hands Elizabeth placed them back on the saddle horn and squeezed them gently. Silently telling her to hang on. "Well Miss Marshall I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to show up," said the man descending the lopsided steps of the house. "I see you even brought your ridiculously dressed horse as well. It seems you didn't get the memo. It's 2011 now and that useless crap faded out centuries ago."

The clearing went quite as the man bellowed with laughter. The high grass was filled with more cats then she'd seen yesterday and she wondered if he'd brought his entire pride into town just for one girl. Counting the heads as the man wiped a tear from his eye, she knew they were not evenly matched. Not one bit did she care for the two on one ratio. "Did you think if you dressed him up that we wouldn't kill him," asked the man raising his hands causing the cougars to growl and hiss. "Well it's too late, me and that freak of a horse of yours have unfinished business. I'm glad you brought him. Now I don't have to make a special trip to your place after we make quick work of you."

Laughing herself she grabbed Jurisdiction reins as he tried to shy away. "You know you really shouldn't mess with fire."

"Ow are you going to burn me little girl," laughed the man with malice.

"Nope sure ain't. You see dynamite comes in small packages. But when you light it on fire, it'll move mountains."

"I'm so scared, do you see me shaking," asked the man as he gave her a fake tremble.

"You better be, because your ass is grass. If you haven't noticed I've got John Deere written across my ass. An I'm going to mow your sorry sack of shit down," boasted Elizabeth with as much gusto as she could fake.

Even if her voice and body portrayed her like a rock. Beth felt like she was a leaf in a tornado on the inside. "You're rambling bores me girl," snapped the man. "Do you wish to beg for your life now? By all rights, you should be dead, but I guess you have a fairy in town that is taken with you. To bad they brought you back only for you do die again. Now if you're willing to beg. I might consider making you one of my pride. You're firry enough you might give my second a good brat or two. If you live long enough that is."

Laughing again Elizabeth smacked her leg as she snorted. "Do you find my offer amusing?"

Holding her side she snorted several more times before catching her breath and wiping away invisible tears. "No, what I find funny is that you'd even think I'd even want to lay under your second. I mean hell. I wouldn't touch you with his dick," said Elizabeth gesturing with her thumb to the nearest cat. "And he looks like he's got something Ajax won't take off!"

Roaring in laughter again, Elizabeth leaned against Jurisdiction pounding his plated neck. Standing in silent fury at her audacity the man balled his fists. "No one insults me and lives to tell about it," shouted the man as his echo caused birds in the distance to take flight.

Tossing her head back Elizabeth chuckled deviously before cutting it off short, and her face went serious. "You're wrong there. I did live and I told the entire town how you were outdone by me and my horse."

Shaking now with his rage, Elizabeth knew her time was running short and she didn't know how much longer she could keep up the word battle. "I will tear you limb from limb, and feast on you're insides. While I do this. I'll make sure I don't take anything vital. So you will watch me as I revenge your body, and you'll feel ever chunk of flesh I rip from you."

"Yeah well I hope I give you heartburn from hell, and you're constipated for a week," joked Elizabeth caused Nicole to snort when she tried to suppress a laugh.

That was the straw that broke the camels back. Taring his clothes off with a roar, the Felix shifted and charged toward them. Throwing her hand up into the air purposely spooking Jurisdiction. The Felix barely missed getting stomped into the ground as Jurisdiction rearing feet came crashing to the ground.

Giving the Felix a quick kick to the face, Elizabeth was flung into Jurisdiction shoulder as one of the closer cats leaped on her. Bouncing off she rolled on the ground trying to dislodge the cat as it bit and clawed at her back. Out of nowhere, the cat was wrenched from her. The gut-churning should of crunching, and a gurgling meow came from behind her. Looking over her shoulder she found Shaw standing over her with half the cats crushed skull and neck firmly planted in his mouth. Giving the dead cat a shake for good measure. He released the body sending it sailing into a group of scrapping mountain lions.

Pushing herself off the ground something hard bit into her hand. Upon inspection she could see it was the sword from last night, but minus the sheath. Rapping her hand around the hilt she jumped to her feet. Swinging just in time at another cat that headed toward her. She managed to chop it's ear off before it changed its course. Whoever the cat was in front of her was good at duck and weave, but it lost it's head soon enough. Turning back toward the action after dispatching the last cat, Elizabeth screamed as one came out of nowhere and latched onto her sword arm causing her to drop the blade. My turn to play came the voice of her wolf who until that moment sat just below the surface quietly.

Releasing control Elizabeth could feel the detachment from her body as her wolf took the wheel. Hissing as flames raced along her arm the cat tossed its head and flicked it's tongue in and out of his burnt mouth. Elizabeth gagged as her wolf tore into the pour creature unmercifully. Blood filled her mouth churning her stomach even more. You're making this really hard up here. I can't keep us alive if you're making me want to puke, growled her wolf.

Spinning around her wolf jerked as a pair of black hooves stomped down on a cat that was about to attack her. Yowling the cat skittered away as Jurisdiction snorted inches from her head. Don't think about hurting him, shouted Elizabeth from the back seat.

Like I'd hurt our baby, snapped her wolf. Doesn't he look all handsome in that armor? It'll take you forever to clean the blood off though.

Standing perfectly still waiting for Jurisdiction decision on if she was friend or foe. Beth heaved a sigh of relief when he mouthed her ear coating it in horse slobber.

Shaking her head Beth gave him a loving lick across the nose before bounding off after another cat. Deciding she'd had enough. Elizabeth sank farther into herself. Surrounding herself in the dark abyss of nothingness she waited for it all to be over. When her wolf gave her the all-clear, only then did she raise back to the surface. Her lungs heaved, her heart pounded, and adrenaline hummed through her veins. She could still taste the blood from the kill at her feet, but luckily she wasn't looking down at it. Looking around at her surroundings she found herself deep in the woods. Where are we?

Well if you didn't decide to hide under the covers, you'd know we're somewhere west of the house. This idiot tried to get away after biting me, growled her wolf looking down at the mangled body.

Gagging Elizabeth forced her view somewhere else. We really need to work on that weak stomach of yours, scolded her wolf as she made her way through the woods.

It seemed to take forever before the house came back into view. It would have taken half the time if her wolf would stop, stopping every so many yards to pee. Saying, that's mine. I have peed on it an it is mine. Yep that's mine too.

For the wolf it was almost like a game, but the game came to a screeching stop during her and this log is mine peeing episode. Cutting herself off mid steam at the sound of a snapping twig. She turned to see the glowing red eyes of Shaw. Ow, purred her wolf, look who's filled out so nicely and in such a short amount of time to!

Standing up straight she could feel her tail raise up straight behind her declaring her dominance. Circling around him she kept a watchful eye on him as he sniffed the log her wolf had claimed as hers. Now that's just weird, said Elizabeth as Shaw hiked his leg on the same exact spot.

Nope, that's his wolf saying that's ours and mine. Get use to it toots.

Scratching the ground with his back feet he pranced up to them with his tail straight up behind him like a flag pole. Bumping heads with her, Shaw licked at her muzzle.

Bearing her teeth she lifted her head trying to get it out of tongue distance, but unfortunately for her. He was taller then she was. Shaking her head the trimmer followed down the length of her body and ended at the tip of her tail. Making her way back to the house she managed to make it two steps before Shaw nipped at her hindquarters. Growling her wolf snapped at him, but he ignored the aggression as he ran his head under hers and drug her chin across his back. Watching him as he circled around her Elizabeth scolded at her wolf, Really, you're going to move your tail and let him sniff our rear?

Well yeah it's natural.

More like disgusting.

Whatever I found it very disgusting when you let him stick his finger in your pooper. If he would have tried to sticking something else in there. I would have had to jump in.

Hey, growled Elizabeth snapping at Shaw as he tried to mount her. What in the world are you doing Shaw?

When he didn't answer her she tilted her head to look at him. Lights are on, but no one's home, said her wolf watching Shaw circle her.

He's got to be in there somewhere.

Yep, but he's berried deep. Like you were earlier. From what I'm getting when he saw that cougar attack you, his human half snapped and his wolf forced him into a locked room. Kind of like we do, well more like you, because you're more dominant. You shove me out of the way quite often.

Lowering her head with a growl, Elizabeth eyed him ready to move should he decide to mount her again. Settling for nipping her ear, and scratching at her side with his claws, Shaw constantly rubbed himself against her. So you're saying his wolf if more dominate since he locked the trouble maker away?

You know when Daniel was telling us the story about how he met Shaw and about the Hell Hound breed, asked her wolf as she pounced on Shaw as he rolled onto his back presenting her with his belly.

Yes, but what does that have to do with who's dominant?

A lot, said her wolf sparing with Shaw as they chewed on each other's muzzles and ears. I think you're the top dog, because you were born human and then changed to a wolf. Now Sèitheach was born a wolf and then he turned right? So his wolf would be dominant if my theory proves true.

Hearing his name, Shaw paused in his wrestling with a whine. What is it Shaw, asked Elizabeth turning her head to the side again.

Again he didn't answer her and she mentally growled, Hang on let's try an experiment.

Be my guest, huffed Elizabeth almost ready to sink back into her hole so she could rid herself of Shaw's mute irritation.

Sèitheach, said her wolf lowering her upper half, and lifted her head to lick his muzzle.

Going from ram-rod straight, Shaw's tail began to wag so quickly that it shook his entire rear as he yipped at her. Make mental note call Shaw's wolf Sèitheach check, laughed Elizabeth at his playful antics.

Turning to finish the journey back to the house. Elizabeth staggered to the left as Shaw jumped on her shoulders and bit down gently on her neck. Trying to nip him. She found she couldn't turn far enough as Shaw sidestepped with her staying just out of range. Finally sliding off her shoulders, shivers racked her body when his nails raked down her spine. That was nice, purred her wolf suppressing another shiver.

Repeating the clawing. Elizabeth was surprised that the sharp nails didn't hurt. It felt like when Shaw would run his fingers down her back when he worked the knots out. Arching into the next scratch, Elizabeth realized her mistake to late. Getting just enough time to spread her feet to hold their combined weight. Shaw had already clamped down on her neck, and forcefully gained entrance into her wolven channel.

Surprisingly Shaw as right. Her body trembled with pleasure, and she had to strain to keep her footing. A warm sensation ran through her body coating every fiber of her being with his radiating heat. Her wolf recognized it as the power that was bottled up within her. It raced from it's hidden chambers out into the world. The fabric of magic that she could always since below her feet, vibrated from the intensity of the humming magic. Lost within her pleaser. She barely noticed the emotions that flooded her, were not of her creation. Anger, lust, pride, and an overwhelming sense of love bathed her. On top of that was a feeling that could only be described as mine.

Opening her mind to the foreign emotions, Beth could see them flowing toward her from the body that covered hers, and knew they were Shaw's. She watched as the flowing light embedded itself within the fabric that surrounds her, fuzing them together. Riding the waves of feelings that washed over her like the ocean upon the shore. She gasped as her pleasure doubled when Shaw added his to the mix.

It puzzled Beth how she could feel what he felt as he slipped in and out of her, but was satisfied at knowing the age-old question. What it felt like for the other person. Rushing headlong for the edge. Her climax slammed into her like a freight train sending her flying higher then she'd ever been. She could feel the contractions of her womb and the sensation of Shaw wolven knot race up his erection to tie them together. Groaning with his release Elizabeth crashed to the ground at his sudden dead weight. Panting she lay in the damp leaves as the world around them seemed to rush back to her senses.

During their brief interlude, she saw that someone had brought her truck up to the shanty, and Nicole was currently leading Jurisdiction into the trailer. Hearing crunching leaves, Elizabeth brought her head up quickly to find Jolene tromping her way through the woods toward them. Knowing Shaw was locked within her she groaned with embarrassment for again her friend would stumble into a very intimate moment. Will my sex life ever go back to a private matter, thought Elizabeth when Jolene stopped wide-eyed.

Turning on her hills quickly she headed back the way she came calling, "Yep found them, but they're a little stuck at the moment. It might be a while."

Closing her eyes wishing she could curl up in a hole and hide, Beth heard Donna hooping and hollering about some kind of party. When she felt a whoosh of air and the sound of leaves crunching under the weight of something big, did she open her eyes again. Snorting at the sight of Daniel's back she hated the fact that he didn't make a sound when he moved and the fact that he didn't have a sent. "Just in case we missed any. I don't want you caught with your pants down," said Daniel over his shoulder.

Silently thanking him for his consideration and sitting with his back to her, Elizabeth grunted as another climax crashed into her out of nowhere. Growling Shaw bite down on the back of her neck again while he forced himself deeper as he spilled his seed once more.

This happened several more times before she could fill the knot begin to dissipate. Pulling himself free Elizabeth shuttered as he licked her clean. Laying there for several more moments before she found her legs. Shaky and wobbly she fought to steady them as she made her way out of the woods. Brom and the others had already cleared the land of the littered bodies. From the trails of blood, she could tell they had drug them into the dilapidated house. Locating her clothes Elizabeth shifted and quickly got dressed. Searching the grass for the sword she'd used earlier she found it had mysteriously disappeared just as strangely as it had appeared.

Jumping as the clearing light up like the start of day, Elizabeth found Jolene standing in front of the flaming house with her arms up. Dusting her hands off. Jolene smiled at her now dressed friend who looked exhausted and well on her way to crashing. Beating Beth to the truck, Jolene held the back door open for her. "I'm driving. I'd rather not die in a car wreck, because you fell asleep at the wheel."

Nodding Elizabeth crawled into the back of the truck without complaint. Grumbling as a ball of black fur scrambled in on top of her. She shoved him to the floor so that she could sit up and do her seatbelt.

Falling asleep before they even pulled out of the driveway, The next thing Beth knew she was waking up to Shaw growling. Rolling her head toward the open door she looked at Mathew's bright smile. "Wakey, wakey. We're home. Would you like me and Jolene to put Jurisdiction up for you?"

Yawning, Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, before unbuckling her seatbelt and sliding from the truck. "Nope I got it. You two go on inside. I know you've got to be tired too."

"Are you sure we can't help," asked Jolene walking around the front of the truck.

Staggering to the back of the trailer, Elizabeth opened the door for Jurisdiction to back out. "No, I'm okay enough to take care of Jur."

Without further ado she watched the overly happy couple prance into the house. Reminding herself to ask them later why they were so gay. She walked Jurisdiction to the barn.

Pulling his armor and tack off. Beth brushed the sweat from his body before covering him with a blanket, all the while Shaw remained underfoot. Leading Jurisdiction into a stall she feed and watered him before closing and latching the stall door. Sighing with relief that her chores where done Beth yawned. Turning to see Shaw and his sun-kissed skin standing in front of her in all his glory, Beth smiled.

His wolf was still at the helm as his anger and furry washed over her. Clawed hands clenched and unclenched as he narrowed his glowing red eyes at her. Swallowing hard she looked at the muscles in his jaw jumped from where he was gritting his teeth. Even his black bushy tail was still present proclaiming Sèitheach was in charge. Trying to find her voice she almost choked as she squeaked, "What is it Sèitheach?"

Elizabeth flenched as Shaw roared at her in a language she couldn't understand but knew instinctually that it wasn't good. Crossing the alley between the tack room and the stall in two awesome strides, she flenched again when he grabbed her shirt collar and ripped it all the way down the front. Before she could protest he had shredded her pants and forced her bodily against the stall door. Furry still emanated off of him as he lifted her off the ground, and forced himself into her with bruising strength. His grasp was so tight on her hips she wouldn't be surprised if there would be bruises there as well.

Taking his anger and furry, Beth returned only love as he worked his way through his aggression. Ankles locked behind his back she held him close as he climaxed and dropped his head to her shoulder. She could feel as Sèitheach sunk into his abyss leaving only the heaving man in her arms. "I swear to Odin lass if ye ev'a scare me the likes of that again. I'll tan that pretty arse of your's so bad ye'll not sit for a fortnight."

Not knowing what to say. Beth sat silently and still, waiting for the anger to burn it's way out. When his shoulders started to heave and his breath became choppy she cradled his head to her neck. "It's okay Shaw. We're okay. Where safe at home and the bad guy's are gone," comforted Elizabeth stroking his disheveled hair.

"Ouch lass, ye dunna know how I've suffered this night," sniffed Shaw. "When that cat attacked ye. I'd thought I'd lost ye again. I couldn't handle the thought of loosing ye again. I lost it and I'm sorry," cried Shaw holding her so tightly it made it hard to breathe. "I wanted to die. I prayed to all the Gods I knew, to take me from this world when you lay dying in the hospital. I could'na bare to live in a world without ye lass. I coud'na."

Holding him until the trimmers stop. Beth slid her feet to the ground. Pushing Shaw back enough to look into his eyes. She placed a hand on each tear-streaked cheek. Finding the binding magic that connected them she sent him strength and love as the same emotions filled her eyes. "I love you Sèitheach St. Clair, and I can't always guaranty that I won't get myself in trouble or in another dangerous situation. But I can tell you that I have this very sexy mate who is as nasty and voracious as a hound from hell. So no matter how much shit I get into. He'll always be there to save me and chew my ass off later. On top of that, I don't mine if he wants to spank my ass as long as he pulls my hair."

Laughing, Shaw pick Elizabeth up into his arms and kissed his tears away.

Carrying her into the house. Shaw deposited her onto the couch as he made for the box by the fireplace. Tearing at the cardboard he tossed the paper used for stuffing into the floor. Holding up two plastic bags full of what looked like material. He raised his eyebrows. Pushing herself off the couch, Elizabeth took the package out of his hands and opened it. Unfolding the material he saw they were a pair of funny looking pants. "They're riding pants. They're made just for riding? I know you're not going to care for them, but they'll be better then you're business pants." Opening the other bag she held up an elegant white shirt. "It's a matching outfit, and there's more."

Pulling out more paper she lifted up a large box. "When you talked about riding. I didn't know if you rode english or western. The boots I got for you would work for western, but not made for it." Laying the box in his lap she took the lid off to exposes glossy black English riding boots. "So I got you-" before she could finish Shaw had tossed the box aside and flung himself on top of her smothering her with kisses.