Fit to be Tied [Moonie] [M]

[Zane]

Altira drained the last of her now second cup. She was feeling much more like herself now. She didn't doubt anything he had said. She wondered what would happen now, she was supposed to be meeting her fiancee in a few days. Not that she wanted to. "It is more than a bit odd, hearing you say that you love me. But strangely, I don't doubt it. And here is where things become interesting, The armed force I was traveling with was escorting me to meet a man who I would have been wed to. I had no say in that. And here you come along and change my fate" Her voice was steadily raising in volume, like she was about to yell at him, "And I thank you."

She set aside the empty mug. "I was greatly dreading meeting Lord Rannik. Being so tied to a stranger is a pretty harrowing situation. But for some reason, your presence drives a lot of worry from my mind. I don't know why, but since I laid eyes on you this morning, I knew you wouldn't hurt me, emotionally or physically."

She pulled the blanket on her shoulders closer around herself, "And that in of itself confuses me, I've never met you before last night, and what a first impression that was, not all of it bad, but I have no idea what comes after this. This is new territory for me, and I am at a loss." She took a deep breath, realizing she was on the verge of hysterical rambling. "I'm sorry, I.. I don't think I am making much sense. So I am your mate. As in we were destined by Luna to be together." She ran a hand through her hair, her shoulder was starting to hurt more, whatever medicine he applied must be wearing off.

She pulled the blanket down off her bandaged shoulder and looked at him, "And how long before I first turn? What will that be like?

[Zero]

Raff felt a small pulse of pleasure when Altira said she believed him about loving her, but that was quickly replaced by agitation when she confessed she had been on her way to meet a man she was supposed to marry. His mate had intended to marry another. She had been on her way to mate to another male. It was very difficult for him to suppress the beast's desire to emerge and roar his rage.

She didn't want to mate to that man, and now she was his. He had claimed her; there was nothing and no one that would take her from him now.

Hearing her thank him for "changing her fate" was the only reason he was able to push his anger back and maintain his focus on her as she continued. Knowing that he had made her feel better further soothed his beast and he actually felt a small twinge of pleasure hearing her confess that she knew he wouldn't hurt her. Although at the same time he felt another pang of guilt having her describe being tied to someone a harrowing experience.

"I could never hurt you. It would kill me to think you were afraid of me." Raff said softly, earnestly, as his eyes moved to the bandaging on her shoulder now exposed.

His brow furrowed slightly as he moved to her side and gently peeled the bandage away so he could examine the bite. "Does it hurt? I can put more cream on it and change the bandage. Altira, I don't want you to worry, I haven't turned you. It was only a mating bite. If you ever decide that you want me to turn you, I will, but that's a big decision and I think we should probably hold off on talking about that. This is already a lot to take in. What comes next is I'm going to take care of you, if you'll let me."

Raff looked at her very seriously. "Altira, I know this is all very sudden and not what you had planned, but if you could only give me a chance, I swear I will do whatever it takes to make you happy and prove to you that I am your true mate."

[Zane]

She was quiet for a long moment after that, thinking, contemplating, considering all her options. "As far as I am concerned, I have done what I set into Adela to do. Tying the knot with someone I had not met, it was just a little more literal in your case." She gave him a smile, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it, I'll give you a chance."

She slid to the edge of the bed and draped her legs over the side, "Is there a place that I could bathe nearby? Probably time that I got out of bed." As she stepped out of the bed, the blanket she was using to cover herself was snagged and fell away. At the same time, her legs trembled and she held on to the bed to steady herself. She held up a hand before Raff could intervene. "I'm fine, my legs just forgot they had a job to do and they are a bit wobbly from.. yeah."

[Zero]

Raff swelled with both happiness and a smug pride. His mate had enjoyed being claimed, and she was willing to stay with him. Of course there was an implied "chance", but he knew that Luna didn't make mistakes. Altira was his, and she would come to realize that.

When Altira got out of bed  and actually had to use the bedpost to hold herself up on trembling legs Raff almost gave in to the desire to gather her up in his arms, but her held up hand halted him. Instead his eyes began raking up and down her naked body, not at all shy or subtle.

Raff pulled a light quilt off the bed and wrapped it around her, using the opportunity to lightly pull her against his chest and lean his head down to breathe in her scent deeply. "You can look forward to that for the rest of your life. I will never get tired of loving and pleasuring you. I'm afraid your clothes were ruined; everything else is in the corner. Take some clean clothes from my dresser if you like and I'll draw you a hot bath." His voice had dropped to an almost husky purr as blue eyes gave her a smoldering look and nuzzled her ear gently before reluctantly letting her go.

Luna but she was so gorgeous and she smelled heavenly. Raff wanted so badly to just grab her again and push her back down onto the bed. He hadn't even gotten to kiss her yet.

He hurried off to the bathing room before he got carried away. His mother had partially filled the large copper tub with clean water while large pots of boiling water were hanging over a fire. Raff emptied them one by one into the bath, testing the temperature after emptying each pot to make sure it was not scalding. The water was almost too hot when he finished. The pots were refilled and placed back over the fire so more hot water could be added if she wished to soak for an extended time.

Raff returned to his room feeling more relaxed than he had since he'd first picked up his mate's scent the previous evening. "It's ready."

[Zane]

She left safe in his arms, happy there. Damnit, why did he let go? Altira sighed, maybe she was the lovesick puppy. Maybe he was too cute for his own good. Jerk. She slowly walked over the dresser, her legs increasingly becoming more steady. After a few minutes searching, she finally found a pair that was only slightly too large instead of so large it would be a struggle to keep them from falling off. Her face reddened about what she had agreed to. Living with a werewolf. Or werewolves, he had mentioned his mother, hadn't he? What was she like?

She didn't have too long to think about things as Raff returned, the bath already drawn. "That was quick." She stood and walked over to him, the quilt still hugging her form. "Lead the way."

[Zero]

Raff couldn't help but smile as Altira came towards him. She looked quite scrumptious with nothing but a quilt wrapped around her. He couldn't help but think she'd look so much better without that much. Who needed clothes anyway?

Luna help him, but he was going to be in so much trouble. How was he supposed to continue living when he could hardly think without circling back to being consumed by thoughts of her?

"It only needed the hot water added. " Raff blushed a little sheepishly as he held out his hand to her, "My mother again. I'm not sure if she's trying to help me make an impression or save you from my bumbling, honestly. Probably save you. After you've had a chance to clean up and dress I know she will want to meet you. I hope you like her; she's going to love you."

As they left the room together they would enter directly into a rather spacious living area, with a kitchen and dining table taking up half of the space while the rest looked like a lounge focused around a large stone fireplace.  Above them was a loft with another lounge area and along the wall were more doors that lead to more bedrooms.  Past the kitchen was a short hallway that leads to the bathing room where the large copper tub was filled with lightly steaming water. There was another large stone fireplace here with the large pots heating more water.

"I'll lay out a few towels for you. We don't have any fancy bath oils, just regular soap. I actually don't like the oils, they smell too strong and I like the way you smell already. If you want some I'll get them for you later, though." Raff let go of her hand and moved to a small closet filled with towels and wash cloths, pulling out a couple of fluffy towels and one of the clean cloths.

He turned towards her and inched towards the door. Raff really didn't want to go, but she probably wanted to relax and have some privacy. "Do you need anything else?"

[Zane]

She took his arm, more out of reflex than anything. Being a member of nobility meant she was escorted everywhere, if not by lords or lordlings, then by a manservant who's job it was to make sure she didn't trip and break something. The hated those menservants. Even so, she didn't mind being next to Raff. He smelled nice, like a forest.

By the gods they had a nice house. She didn't know what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. This was open but not so open that it felt empty, spacious but still close. It was comfortable, she could definitely enjoy it here. What she could see of it, at least. Altira was unable to spot his mother, oh well. She made note of where the towel closet was. When he asked her if she needed anything else, a smile flashed across her lips, "Actually, there is."

Her good arm snaked out from under the blanket and snagged him by the front of the shirt. With surprising force, she pulled him into a kiss. Lips mashed together for one second, two seconds, before she pushed him away and proceeded to usher him out the door. "Out with you. Out. Eat something and take a nap. I've heard your stomach growl twice and you look about ready to drop. I will find you and wake you up when I have finished bathing." She closed the door and slip the bolt home before turning and letting the quilt fall free of her shoulders. "I have always wanted to do that." She said to herself through a smug smile.

[Zero]

There was no time to react; Raff was shoved out of the bathroom while his mind was still reeling from the rushed, unsatisfying kiss. He heard the bolt slide into place and stood stunned for several moments. Honestly, with the way things had happened, he hadn't been sure how long it might take him to coax his mate into kissing him. This was not what he had expected!

Part of him wanted to be disgruntled and annoyed that such a hasty mashing of lips had been the first kiss he had shared with his mate, but the rest of him felt giddy and light that Altira had kissed him. She had not allowed him to kiss her. She had simply grabbed him and took it.

Raff couldn't wipe the goofy, dreamy grin off his face as he ambled into the kitchen almost zombie-like.

His mother had reappeared and she chuckled softly at the look on her son's face. A plate had been set out for him and Raff fell into his chair and dug into his breakfast. It wasn't hot and fresh like it had been for Altira, but he could hardly care. He ate mechanically. His mate had told him to eat, and if she hadn't, his mother would have. Not to mention he was famished. Dinner had been skipped over the night before. Another stupid grin as he recalled happily why he had missed dinner.

It was the same reason he had gotten virtually no sleep either. As soon as he finished eating he stretched and yawned before rising from his chair and attempting to head back down the hallway towards the bathing room.

"Oh no you don't." His mother said softly, intercepting him, standing at the entrance of the hallway with her arms crossed. Raff growled lowly at his mother, annoyed that she was standing between him and his mate. "Don't you growl at me, young man. You haven't slept all night, don't think I don't know. Now you go to your room and stop fussing. Nothing is going to hurt your mate in this house. You don't have to guard her."

When Raff didn't move she thrust her arm out, pointing at his bedroom. "Go to bed. Now."

It was a battle he wasn't about to win. Raff threw his hands up with a huff before turning and stalking to his room. Or sulking. Once he was in there, his mate's scent surrounded him and he found himself completely messing up the bed. All but the bottom blanket, his blanket, was thrown onto the floor, along with the extra pillows. He curled himself around that blanket, the one that had laid against Altira's skin as she slept.

With his face nuzzling against a section of it, breathing deeply of her scent, Raff managed to pass out semi-content.

[Zane]

It was about thirty minutes later when Altira emerged from the bathroom. Her hair was clean, her skin grime free, and she looked remarkable more comfortable. The clothes she had borrowed from Raff hung loosely around her, but she didn't seem to mind. Balled up in her arms was the quilt. She gazed around the room, not seeing Raff sleeping in any of the lounging areas. Very quietly, she crept over to the bedroom she has slept in and sighed in relief when she saw him passed out on the bed.

Ever so quietly, the crept into the bedroom, stepping on discarded blankets in order to muffle her footfalls. When she was close enough, she cast the quilt over him like a fisher would cast a net. She then stalked out of the room, same way she had come in. She had been so focused on finding Raff and making sure he was sleeping that she hadn't noticed the woman standing in the kitchen watching her with a bemused grin.

She walked over and blushed slightly, "I figured he might be cold, sleeping curled around a blanket like that." Altira curtsied to the woman, the long shirt making an excellent hem to curtsy with. "Hi, I'm Altira."

[Zero]

Talia Wayland was a petite woman with the same bright blue eyes as her son; they even held the same sparkle of mischief if you looked closely. Her hair was a light strawberry blonde, with a few strands of grey beginning to sneak in but her face was that of a woman not really old enough to have a son Raff's age.

Her smile was warm and more than a little amused as Altira curtsied, her new daughter was quite the sight engulfed in her baby boy's too large clothing. She was certainly a pretty little thing. Actually, Altira was a bit taller than Raff's tiny mother. "There's no need to stand on formality in this house, child. You're among family here."

Talia had obviously been looking Altira over before she stepped forward and hugged her gently, embracing the young woman that Luna had chosen for her only boy.

"Aren't you just the prettiest young lady? Raff dragged you in here a bedraggled mess and has been hoarding you selfishly." The words were accompanied by a good-natured chuckle. She knew her son couldn't help his overprotectiveness with his new mate. Her Reuben had been much the same way when he'd made his claim on her. It always reminded her how much she missed him when each of her children found their mate.

"I am so happy for you both. My boy better take good care of you, if he doesn't you come tell me. He won't ever get too big or old for his old momma to set him straight, you hear?" Talia laughed again and stepped back, keeping Altira at arm's length and looking her over again with obvious approval.

[Zane]

Hugging. That was new one. Growing up in a Noble Family meant things were always pretty distant. In regards the physical contact, most physical contact was limited to the arms and shoulders, even when dancing! The only exception was if she got hurt. Nan, her wet nurse, would always spend time hugging and coddling the crying youth until the pain stopped. Altira was blinking back tears as she returned the hug. This woman made her feel safe, for entirely different reasons than Raff did. Gods, she even spoke like Nan.

Altira's face was just a bit puffy when she pulled away, but a smile plastered across her face, "Thank you, ma'am." She run a hand along the side of her head and settled her hair on that side behind her ear. "I just hope he wasn't literally dragging me." She chuckled in the way that one does when trying not to let the inexplicable tears fall before mock scowling in the direction of the bedroom.

"I hope I am not transgressing by asking this, but are you a werewolf too?" She asked, while turning back to face the woman, "and please tell me if I am crossing any social lines, I am afraid I am in over my head in all matters werewolf."

[Zero]

"What's this "ma'am" business? I'm Talia, or mom, momma, mammy, nana, or any other term used for mother or grandmother you like." She was still smiling warmly at Altira, already knowing that she liked the young woman for more reason than simply her being Raff's mate.

Goodness, but the poor girl liked almost ready to cry! Talia shot a real glare in the direction of her son's bedroom. By now she had guessed that things hadn't exactly been what would be called smooth in her son's claiming. "Oh don't you worry, dear. He carried you in here like you were the most precious, fragile little babe that he was afraid would break if he breathed wrong. Try not to take too much offense if he tries to treat you like glass. They can't help it. It's a male wolf thing."

Talia moved over to the table, pulling out one of the chairs and settling down before gesturing for Altira to join her. "I've been a werewolf for over thirty years, dear, and don't worry about causing offense. You can ask anything you like. I hope my son explained at least some of what has happened, but I guess he must have if you're still here and mostly calm. I was human when Reuben, that's Raff's dear daddy, Luna rest his soul, claimed me so I know how crazy it can feel trying to figure it all out."

[Zane]

"Yes, Ma- Talia." Yes, Altira liked this woman, just she couldn't bring herself to call her mom, yet. Sliding into the chair across from the werewolfress, "I guess part of the reason I am so calm is how I was raised. Ever since I was twelve, I was told that I would being wed to a stranger. Sure, this isn't at all what was planned for me by my parents, but who is to say it is better or worse? I've always dreaded the idea of marrying some man, but for some reason, I don't feel the same way about being bound to Raff. I guess that's what confuses me the most, what makes him different?" She paused to rub lightly at her temple.

"All things considered, I should hate him. In the form of a beast that I thought would kill me, he proceeded to, from my perspective, rape me." Even as she said it, she didn't sound convinced as to that was what happened. "Yet I don't feel taken advantage of, or soiled. If anything it's quite the opposite."

[Zero]

Talia listened patiently, nodding her head sympathetically. She had gone through much the same experience as Altira had, in regards to being claimed by a beast without prior consent. The older woman also knew what it was like to feel confused about the conflicting emotions in connection to their new mate.

"When Reuben claimed me I resented him at first. He spent the first week groveling, begging for my forgiveness. Logic tells you that what happened was rape, but something else questions that. I don't think the mate bond only goes one way, even with a human mate. I know that I couldn't stay angry at Reuben for long. Some deep, instinctual, maybe even primal part of myself told me that as wrong as it seemed on the surface, things were actually exactly as they should be." She sighed wistfully and absently touched an old scar on her shoulder, in exactly the same spot that Altira now had her wound. What caused it was obvious.

"You have to understand that he really couldn't help himself. I'll still give him an earful for not explaining everything to you first, but even Reuben couldn't help himself. None of my daughter's mates could either, but then my daughters were all werewolves already and knew what was happening." Talia sighed again while giving Altira a rueful smile. "It is hard to grasp just how much they love you at first. Humans don't know. They really don't. I didn't. Werewolves feel so much more deeply."

"Raff loves you with everything he has, and maybe that is why you don't feel violated by what he did. You feel safe and protected whenever he is near, don't you? It is probably part of the mate bond. I never stopped feeling that way, as long as Reuben lived and was near. My son truly is wholly devoted to you. He would do anything to make you happy. It is part of the mate bond."

She leaned forward slightly, looking at Altira very seriously now. "If you tried to leave him it could very well drive him mad, because he can never stop loving you. He would die for you this instant if it meant protecting you.  I don't want to overwhelm you, but you do need to understand how serious this is for him."

[Zane]

Try as Altira might, she couldn't maintain eye contact with the woman when she leaned it. It was like a automated reaction, as soon as their eyes touched, hers faltered. There was just so much intensity there, so much undeniable emotion. She couldn't do it. That was until she said those few words that truly struck to her. She looked up into Talia's eyes with shock and concern. Her voice was barely above a whisper, she didn't trust herself to talk any louder, "He would die for me?"

Memories came flooding to the surface, A cougar, a startled horse, her brother, long hours spent by a bedside waiting for something, anything. By the time she had pushed the memories back under the surface, she was walking towards the bedroom. Walking into the bedroom.

When she looked back on this moment, a few days from now, when her logic was yet again around her. She would shake it off as being far to storybook. Nearly in tears over a stranger, how dramatic. But perhaps Talia was right, and in that moment, when so many memories of a time she did not wish to recall came rushing forward, some deep, instinctual, maybe even primal part of herself told her to get up. Go to him.

She pulled the quilt away and ripped the blanket that Raff was snuggling away. With this odd mix of natural grace and emotional forcefulness, she slid under the quilt and wrapped herself around him. Her arms snaked under his and gripped his shoulders from behind while she buried her face in his chest.

Not caring if he was awake enough to understand was she said, her trembling voice told him, "There are men who would die for duty, there are men who would die for love. Then there are men who would die out of duty to who they love. You aren't allowed to do that. You aren't allowed to die." She held herself against him fiercely, going so far as to entangle her legs with his.

[Zero]

Raff was jerked awake by the sudden ripping away of the blanket that held Altira's scent. He'd been pleasantly dreaming about her, but this was much, much better. He had no idea what had made his mate crawl into his bed and entangle herself with him so fiercely, but he wasn't about to argue.

It was a bit bemusing when she informed him that he wasn't allowed to die. He fixed the quilt to make sure that Altira was covered adequately.

"I wasn't exactly planning on dying anytime soon, Altira." Raff soothed, though he was obviously perplexed at the sudden clinging. To show that he definitely didn't mind it regardless of confusion, he wrapped his arms around her, and one hand gently stroked down her back while the other ran through her still slightly wet brown hair.

His lips found their way to her forehead, kissing her tenderly. Raff didn't like that something had upset his mate. Part of him knew that it must have been his mother, but how his mother had upset her was anyone's guess to him. "Don't worry, I'm never leaving you."

[Zane]

And somehow, those few words calmed her. It the back of her mind, Altira hated just out quickly her emotions were going from stoic to confused to nearly raving with anxiety and now to absolute calm. It was like riding a poorly saddled horse at a full sprint. Nothing was consistent. But for the moment, she was calm, and she enjoyed the calm. And she certainly didn't mind the way he held her. Cocooned between him and the quilt, she liked it.

"You had better not..." Without realizing it, her body relaxed further. She was still tired, dreamless or not, her last rest had not been a restful one. So she has no qualms as her mind started to drift off, after all, she was safe. In his arms. She was safe.

[Zero]

"Yes ma'am." Raff chuckled softly, hands still gently stroking her hair and back as she began relaxing against him. Content that his mate was no longer upset, he settled himself again, joining Altira in drifting back to sleep.

Their bodies would remain tangled together as they slept, Raff often nuzzling his face against her hair or neck, even in sleep her scent served to soothe him in the most pleasant of ways. His arms would also occasionally squeeze her just slightly for a few moments, as if reassuring himself that she was still right where he wanted her to be.

Raff's dreams were filled with Altira, and very, very pleasant dreams those were! If his occasionally sleepy groans weren't proof enough, his mate would find another incriminating piece of evidence poking against her lower abdomen damningly.

[Zane]

Naivety is a curse. It really is. It was maybe an hour or so later before Altira started to stir. Pressing herself closer against Raff in an effort to stave off waking up, the Nobless because aware of.. something... poking her in the abdomen, just above the waist line. She slid away from Raff slightly, rubbing at the tender area. Apparently she had been being poked for a while.

Still half asleep, she began to feel around for whatever it was that had been so uncomfortably prodding her. She found it closer to Raff, it was strange. Firm with just a small amount of give, and warm. She squeezed it, trying to figure out what it was while not wanting to move or get up, or disturb the werewolf who was still sleep while loosely embracing her.

Her curiosity starting to wake her, she began to run her hand along the strange warm thing, trying to see if there were any other clues she could uncover without untangling herself from Raff.

[Zero]

At first the slumbering werewolf didn't have much reaction to Altira's innocent exploration, but it did not take long for him to stir. Shifting and groaning softly, she'd feel the object jump slightly in her hand, before his hips unconsciously ground towards her, into the unintentionally teasing hand.

If Raff thought his dreams were good, then waking up was even better.

"Did you find something you liked?" He asked with sleepy amusement, before exhaling sharply. Damn but everything about her turned him on. Raff had no doubt that he'd started it; even in his sleep he wanted her. Since she was having a nice feel, he moved his hand down to firmly grasp her adorable rear end and pull her more tightly against him again.