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She swallowed thickly and sat up slowly. He backed away and stared at her a moment longer before a grin broke out on his face. It was a handsome face, she supposed. She backed away enough that she could get her feet beneath her, cursing the dress. She was so used to her shorts that she felt hindered by its folds. "I thought I already established that I wouldn't hurt you?" came a soft rumble. It was closer than she might have liked and she tensed as she looked up at him. At least he wasn't feral she thought. The animalistic look in his eyes told her otherwise though. His eyes followed her as she stood slowly. "Try not to blame me for not taking a strangers word at face value." She hedged. He tipped his head to the side and flicked his eyes to Jason, whom she was inching towards. His eyes narrowed and she froze. He had the only weapon strapped to his back and she needed him awake to use it. She repressed a whimper at her own lack of a weapon and her stupidity for trusting him to protect her alone.

"I would not wake your male. He will only get violent where violence is unnecessary." He chastised softly. His voice was deeper than Jason's, almost a growl that erupted from somewhere in his chest. His muscles were more defined than that of her companions and she feared he might not even be able to fight this wolf. The wolf smelled older, and had weight over the lean teen. Jason was strong, but the wolf was clearly stronger. "Then it might be best advised that you don't sneak into the camps of sleeping travelers and stare at them." She quipped. He laughed softly and she quickly realized he was keeping quite so not to wake her companion. He didn't seem concerned about a fight, but seemed satisfied to avoid one as well. "You say that but these are my woods. It isn't often that any come through without permission and very very seldom do humans." He intoned, shooting Jason a withering look. "And why is that?" she asked.

She wanted to be on all fours, where she knew she could outrun him, but knew it would belie any plans she might have to dart away. If he could pick up speed faster than she could - doubtful due to his size - then she was screwed. "Because I rarely allow them safe passage out." He said. She looked around yet again before looking back up into his eyes. "What do you want?" she finally asked. He sat down cross legged on the ground and she adverted her eyes as he readjusted his loin cloth.

"I think it is time for me to ask the questions now. What are you doing here?" he said. She crept closer and crouched in front of him. His pleasure at the small measure of trust shone in his eyes.

"We are merely passing through. We're...running away I suppose. The war met my village. Razed my temple to the ground. He found me and promised to protect me. We are going overseas where it is safe." She said. Her green eyes never left citrine orbs as she explained their tale. He dressed as a Native, but he was clearly important and she gave him his due respect and caution. He inclined his head and glanced at the man again, ridiculous and still asleep before sighing.

"You I would welcome to my home and tribe, but not your human Alpha. Humans are no longer allowed near my people." He said. His tone was hard and her ears fell back. "He acts as my alpha only by title. He doesn't know what it means." she defended. She didn't know why she felt the need to defend Jason against what felt like an accusation, but her mental hackles were up. Lila's interest came and went like a wave behind her eyes and she pushed her back in annoyance. The wolf was handsome and well-built but she knew nothing of him. Lila - naturally - didn't care in the least.

"And yet you still allow him to claim the title?" the wolf scoffed.

"And who else might take it? At my shrine I needed no alpha." She replied hotly.

"Ah. Yes. Women of the veil need none but their God yes?" he sneered.

"I am a priestess. I worship none but the Vixen above and below me." She snarled.

It hadn't been the religion of the temple, but Mother had been fair and allowed her to practice the religion of her people. Her mother was native to Tufan and had been alive when her mother and grandmother were slaughtered for their beliefs. It had become that much more important that to her mother that she learn their beliefs and worship their Gods. Taken aback the wolf pressed two fingers to his throat and stomach - the two most vulnerable points in the body - and pressed his palms together in greeting. She returned the blessing with a short bow.

"I apologize. So many have been converted..." he began. She waved it away with a flick of her small paw and sighed.

"I apologize for my anger. It becomes old very quickly when I am always under scrutiny that I follow a religion I see no love or logic in." she admitted.

"Under which Vixen were you born?" he asked.

"Solaria. My mother often called me the heart of spring for it." She said softly. He nodded and reached a large paw out to touch her. She tensed but allowed the small touch.

"I can see her in your fur. Your day of birth is soon at hand priestess." He said. She nodded and sighed.

"And who might you be wolf? I know nothing of these lands." She asked.

"I am the clansleader of the tribe of Priderain. They call me Lise Lightfoot." He said, once again inclining his head.

"I go by many names but I'm currently Micha." She said. She bowed halfway to show respect and was startled when he tensed and growled.

"It would appear your human has awakened." He said stiffly. His distaste for - conscious - humans was apparent as he stood smoothly. She joined him much less gracefully and turned to look at her companion. Jason glared at the mostly naked wolf man in front of him. He immediately disliked him. And it certainly wasn't jealously. Oh no. He could hold his own if he had to. He rolled over onto his side and stood before shaking leaves out of his hair.

"Yeah. Now you want to explain what's going on here wolf man?" he demanded. His gaze shot to Micha as their growls synchronized.

"Jason. We are on his land. Show more respect." She snarled. Lise chuckled and looked her over again. He hadn't been paying attention before, but she was a pretty fox. Bright eyed, sleek furred and very well endowed, both top and bottom. And sassy to boot. He felt his blood warm at the thought of her. The fact that she stuck to her native roots was more than enough to make him want to lay claim to her. The flicker of hurt and irritation at her rebuke was enough to make him wonder if he hadn't done so already, and if he was willing to kill the human boy for her favor.

"Be grateful I am taken with your priestess. Most would not get away with such an insult. Nevertheless a...human." He said. He decided that yes, she was worth dirtying his paws with human blood. But he would not start the fight. If he wanted her badly enough, the boy would do it.

"Priestess? She just lived at the temple. She didn't do anything." Jason scoffed. Her ears fell back at his accusation and she grit her teeth.

"So you assume kit. I do not follow your God. I did nothing for the Christian followers for there was nothing I could do." She said. Lise cut his golden eyes to her and took an interest in their relationship. The boy was fairly passive to her, although angry.

"Are you certain he is your Alpha? He defers to you as Omega." He said offhandedly. Sensing an insult but not knowing what it might be, Jason bristled and stalked forward.

"Look we're just passing through. We'll be out of your wood in no time." He snapped. He didn't like the big male. He didn't like how small Micha looked next to him, or how relaxed she was as she did.

"So your priestess explained." Lise commented lightly. Jason crossed his arms and looked up slightly to meet the wolf's eyes. He wasn't very much taller than Jason, but it was enough to bruise the younger man's pride.

"She is not my priestess. She's her own person and she can do as she pleases. Stop referring to her as 'my priestess'." He said. His voice seemed calm even as Micha's ears fell in uncharacteristic sorrow. Even Lise seemed surprised at the admission.

"You would reject her from the pack?" he asked, shell-shocked. It was unheard of to eject an innocent, unmated female from the pack. His canine mind refused to wrap around the idea.

"We aren't a pack. We're traveling companions." Jason scoffed. He didn't know what the wolf was talking about and his ego was so focused on the larger male that he hardly even noticed the soft keening in the back of Micha's throat. She had never before been rejected from her pack. He had accepted her as pack, even admitted to it in their den.

"You release your claim on her?" the wolf demanded. Lise was livid. Although it freed the woman to be claimed and wooed towards a mating, seeing her distressed over the boys rejection pulled at instincts he couldn't indulge in with a human. It would end only in a brutal death by his paws.

"I never laid any claim on her. She's free as a bird." Jason said in confusion. He knew he was missing something but had no idea what. He couldn't figure it out but he heard soft noises coming from his companion before she rushed away, collecting their things.

"We are sorry for the trespassing Leader Lise. We'll be gone within the week." She said softly. And once they were gone, they would head to the shore, climb aboard a boat and sail to safer lands. Once there, Jason would be free of her. Then he might start his own pack.

"Priestess Micha." The wolf's voice rang out.

She paused before looking back to him. With a short bow she managed to choke out a soft yes. "A vixen so young and beautiful as you should not be without pack. I extend my claim to you. Do you accept?" he asked. Her bright green eyes widened before flickering between the two males, one enraged and confused, and the other angry and determined. "Do not hesitate in your response because of him. He cannot begin to take care of you." He added more softly.

With a soft keen she nodded.

"Yes. I accept your claim." She whimpered.

He was right. She was much too young to do anything without an Alpha. A protector. Jason could only watch in horror as he beckoned her forward. She looked at him again and swallowed. He wouldn't understand what was to come next. He would be livid. He might leave her.

"You can't claim her. She's not an object. She has her own will." He spat at the wolf. His hand itched to reach for his blade, strapped carefully to his back. "To claim her is an honor in itself you foolish pup. She is strong and healthy and beautiful. I would be blind and dumb to not want her in my pack. And as you saw human, she accepted of her own free will." He growled lowly. Micha took several short steps forward, wanting to complete the bond, but sorely afraid Jason would hurt someone, or himself. Insulted and once more not knowing why, he huffed and grit his teeth. "Because you've said she is too young to be without you." He found himself struggling to hold the gaze of the larger, more powerful wolf and he failed. His gaze went to the uncertain and hurt Micha and he found he couldn't look at her either. Her ears were pressed flat to her skull, and her eyes were wide and confused. He knew he'd done something wrong, but not how to fix it.

"And that - human pup - is why you are unfit to care for her."

Confused and shaken he watched Micha walk to the wolf and lay her small paw on his chest. The large wolf leaned down and rubbed his face against hers, before rubbing his ears down her neck. She was much too short for him to do so comfortably and he chuckled and drew her down to the ground. Jason remained quiet and did his best to stay calm. To just watch instead of running the wolf through with his sword. How did this stranger bond with Micha when he hardly could? How could he have claim over her when he supposedly didn't have the right? Soon Micha was running her face along his as well, and his gaze snapped to her as a series of small chirping and purring noises escaped her mouth. He had never heard her make them and it alternately fascinated him and made him jealous as all get out of the wolf across from her. Because a sound that relaxed didn't come out of an angry vixen. He rumbled at her in response and he clenched his teeth as they continued. She ended up in the wolf's lap and was rubbing herself dutifully underneath his chin when he broke in.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

He kept his voice even and low. He wanted an answer, not to get yelled at. Surprisingly it was the wolf who responded, "We are scent marking each other. She will learn my scent and know when I am near. And vice versa. I will know if she's in danger should she be nearby, and I can care for her." Jason nodded and stepped back to continue packing their supplies. The wolf had made no demands that she stay with him, but now he feared she might stay voluntarily. Leaving him to travel on his own and live in the small house on his own and have no one to bring him tea as he tilled their field. He brushed the image away and stood with their pack. He stood to find the wolf holding a dozing Micha in his arms.

"Come. She will need to meet and scent mark with the rest. You may stay in our sick hut outside of the village. I will guide you through once she is ready." He intoned.

"You won't be making her stay?" he asked in surprise. The wolf raised one eyebrow at the boys' incredulity.

"Not if she does not want to. As her alpha I would surely prefer her to stay but the choice is hers. A claiming protects her, not hinders her. Although, if forced to, I can and will protect her from herself." He said.

Jason nodded but felt the veiled threat that lie underneath.

He had lost something with Micha, and he didn't realize the magnitude of what it was yet.