The Morning Ripped You Away

[Thirteen]

Yes, the morning had ripped him away, the man of her dreams. And in it's wake, Thirteen's day was looking rather grim. She was in a terrible mood, for her dream had ended much too soon. With a slight sneer on her face and a growl about to raise from her throat, the ancient beauty strode into Howler's.

Glancing at the owner, a Lycan named Viktor, she grinned but didn't bother to flash a brilliant smile. Viktor was handsome, but paired to a lovely Lycan and definitely not the man from Thirteen's dream. But he was faceless... so she would never really know who her dream guy was.

Slipping into a seat, Thirteen simply ordered a beer and traced the Eye of Ra tattooed on her wrist. "Missing home?" she heard Viktor ask. Glancing up, the snarl on her lips faded slightly, though her eyes were still raging with frustration. "Yes," she replied simply, downing the pint quickly and getting another. "It has been a long time," she admitted. "But I see no reason to return to the court without..." Her voice trailed off, for Viktor knew quite a bit about her. They were old friends, old lovers, from a rather long time ago.

Thirteen shrugged and Viktor smiled with understanding, moving over to serve another customer. He knew her as Artanis, but knew her most recent alias as well. Even among her own kind, Thirteen liked to keep a change of names; it kept people on their toes with her and confirmed that they were call her by a recent name, so that if one were after her for blood there was a chance they wouldn't know her newest name.

A bit paranoid, yes, but Thirteen didn't care. Although, she thought, This is my favorite name for quite some time... and it seems to add an extra level of mystery. I rather enjoy it. Her mood lifted slightly with the downing of the second beer, but it barely effected her Lycan blood.

[Darin Astennu]

The night was long, yes, but was the lycan tired? Not really. Atleast, thats what he thought. He did feel refreshed for a moment, so he had decided to wander, following his nose. The scent of Lycans and alcohol caught his attention and he wandered back to a bar he had not been into for some time. He noticed Viktor talking with a young woman, but its was no young Lycan. He simply shrugged to himself and walked past the tables to one in the back, if for some reason he fell asleep he was best to go unnoticed there. As he walked past, he gently brushed back the woman in her seat. He didn't really even feel it, so he made his way to his destination before sitting. He ran his fingers through his short black hair and yawned alittle as his green hazel eyes looked around. He smiled to Viktor as he came over. "Damn I haven't seen you for a while. How have you been?" he asked. Darin looked at him and smiled warmly.

"TO be honest, I've been trying to find a way to unleash my pent up energy I guess. I'll try to come in more often. In any case I'll have an ambrose beer", he spoke.

Viktor looked at him and shrugged, with a nod. He looked down a moment and caught the two tattoos on his wrist. "Hmm I never noticed those.. Isn't that a Ankh and the... Protector of Osiris mark? Or was is of Ra?" he asked. Darin looked down and then looked back at Viktor.

"No.. They've been there since I was young and to be honest.. it is, except I never quite figured out exactly what it had meant. All in all it means Protector.. But that's Ancient Egypt for you, always a mystery to some of its symbols", he said with a light chuckle.

Viktor nodded and looked over to Thirteen for a moment and was going to mention something, but he knew that he had a few orders to do, so he smiled and turned hurrying over to the bar to fill both Thirteen's and Darin's orders, also having to look alittle more for Darin. As he did that, Darin leaned back and closed his eyes, finally feeling like sleep wanted him. He would stay awake.. atleast until his drink arrived and even then only company would be able to keep him up.

[Thirteen]

Thirteen's ears perked up when she heard talk of Egyptian symbols. Desiring to say something, the Lycan began to glance over and study the tattoos on the man named Darin's wrists. Interesting... Glancing at her own wrist, Thirteen again traced the Eye of Ra, her great protector of old. Now, though, it was just a symbol of the power she had when she was a young Lycan. When she was a goddess, considered to be Ra's protector.

Of course, she had known then that this was all bogus, but she still had believed it in some way. Deciding that she felt like speaking to the fellow Lycan, Thirteen turned, a charming mask of flirtatiousness on her features. "Couldn't help but overhear," she began. Her wrist was angled so that he would be able to see hers as well. "Were you around back then?" It was a courteous way to figure out how old this Darin character was. Thirteen wasn't planning on informing Darin of who she was, even if he had been around back then.

I won't tell him... but should I at least introduce myself? The Lycan asked herself. Deciding against it, she just waited for the male Lycan's reply, feeling a little anxious for some reason. her heart was pounding a little faster than usual, but that happened whenever she saw someone attractive. Yes, she was a passionate being and she loved the beauty of the world. To catch a man like this, to finally find her soul mate, was her real desire.

Where was the man of her dreams? Wouldn't he just stride in one day and sweep her off her feet? Or would it be a slow, gradual type of love? That was something Thirteen wasn't used to, especially since almost all of her life, she got what she wanted as soon as she wanted it. That was the life of a goddess, as she had been over two thousand years ago... so why had it not been so when it came to love?

Downing the second drink, Thirteen slid it over to Viktor and winked at him. He was momentarily dazzled by her beautiful glance, but then filled it with the amber liquid. "Thanks, friend," she said with a smile, turning back to Darin.

[Darin Astennu]

Darin heard a shift and then a beautiful voice. He blinked and shifted, turning and looking right to the eyes and face that had once haunted his dreams for so long. It was in an instant, he felt a tear within him. All those years and hate had arisen, but with looking at her, he could feel that same feeling of forgiveness. He blinked and shook all feeling out from him, perhaps it was best to be his old self, most likely because no one would remember him. He turned and took a gulp of his drink. He noted her symbols with a smile. Her question played in his mind and within a few moments he leaned forward with a charming smile.

"Yes.. I was.. and I do miss it, but I think what I miss the most was watching a goddess at play. She never I was there, as hidden like a watchful Ra. I could never speak to her or let myself known because she was the Alpha's only daughter. I still recall her beauty, even as I gaze now. But I must admit, it seems she only got more beautiful. But sadly, you do not remember me.. Sekhmet, do you? I should have known it was you, I guess it has been many seasons since I did last see you, well watched you".

[Thirteen]

Thirteen listened with widening eyes. Her face froze and her eyes turned cold, her gaze hard. "Who the hell are you?" She demanded, standing up and accidentally knocking her beer over. It spilled, the mug falling to the wooden floor. But the noise was missed as Thirteen took a step back.

Who knew of her life? Studying his face for another second, Sekhmet's eyes widened and she began to growl. Eyes turning black, she began to back out of the bar. "You stay the hell away from me," she spat. Her voice was harsh and shaking from rage. The problem was how attracted she was to this man, but there was no way she could stay. Her father would be enraged if he heard of such things.

For hundreds of years, Sekhmet had either killed or just altogether avoided Intaro's people, for her deep-rooted anger towards them. She couldn't quite explain it, but she was hurt by the fact that they had betrayed her father, thus making hate for her. And she knew who this was, all of a sudden.

The son.

The one she had so long wished to destroy, but now her heart wouldn't let her. "All those years away, Azetipin, and still you say such things of me?" She remembered hearing how he thought she was beautiful, but now it was just... disgusting. Most of Sekhmet's life had been about hating this man, and here he was speaking of how beautiful he always thought she was.

[Darin Astennu]

Her reaction had been no surprise to him, and yet it did. He felt that pang of hurt hit his heart with her reaction, almost to say that his heart wished she hadn't. He closed his eyes and sighed, listening to her, smelling her anger and as well as pain? Or was it Guilt? Maybe something better? Her words to stay away seemed to stab him, but that was one thing she would never know, she was after all his weakness of all things. He slowly opened his eyes as he heard his name, his own one. Now he was Darin, but his name sounded like a lullaby coming from her lips. He looked at her and stood, standing a few inches taller than her. His eyes shifted to their bright green and brown before returning to his normal ones, though they never seemed to turn black.

"You know, All those years after you killed my innocent sister I tried to hate you. Actually, I once came to kill you to avenge her death because she was a casualty in a war she was too young to even know or understand. I still remember that day.. That day where I found you.. as always by the Nile, tendants tending to you as you floated down its beautiful waters. I waited until you stepped off and when you did.. I couldn't bring myself to kill you. I wanted to avenge my sister, but I couldn't. I could do nothing but to forgive you. All those years before my father forced me to be forever torn, I used to follow you like a love sick puppy, having crush after crush on you. I was angry at my father for what he did, but I couldn't stay... You were the reason I would have stayed, but you left as well. I had no choice but to abandon everything I knew for the sins of a Father. I vowed to protect my sister.. and I failed at that. I only had wanted her to stay out of this war. A war I could never take part of because no matter what.. Sekhmet, You have always been my weakness. I did learn to eventually hate you for what you did, but in seeing you here and now, its as easily forgotten as the people who worshiped us as Gods and Goddesses".

He sighed and sat back down, bringing his hands up to really show his wrists. He stared at the symbol he never really knew why he had it, but it meant something. He eyed it before closing his eyes. Sooner or later he opened them and looked at her.

"I was given this marking when I was just a pup. No one told me what it meant, but the most I know.. I am a protector, whether it be the pharaohs of our old home, the gods and goddesses, or the mortals we walk among. Yea.. some protector I have been.. I failed everyone, including myself. Hate me Sekhmet, but I am no different from you. The only difference between us.. I was made to be condemned for the sins of my father".

[Thirteen]

A shocked look stayed on Thirteen's face... she couldn't help but stay and listen to Azetipin's strong, stern voice. Her eyes were changing back and forth from nearly black to their normal dark blue, but she never changed into her Lycan form; she kept herself mostly under control, for this was not the time and place to change into her fierce form. What really surprised Sekhmet was how calm Azetipin was staying-- he was just standing there, informing her that he was strong enough to take what she threw at him and he was also willing to speak his mind.

Straightening up and tapping one of her sexy high-heeled shoes on the hardwood floor. "You paint the pictures of my childhood perfectly, Azetipin," she said, a slight sneer still in her voice. "But this means nothing to me. You said you have once tried to hate me, so you better try a little bit harder, for I want no part of you. You are the spawn of Intaro, the one who tore my pack to shreds. He ruined our lives." Her words were only half true, for Thirteen did want a part of Azetipin, but she wasn't about to tell him that. It was almost difficult for her to say the words, but she had to keep him away and get out of there; there was no way her father would ever approve.

Mind racing, Sekhmet attempted to calm down a little more. Eyes finally calming back to their normal color, she took another step toward the door. Finally tearing her eyes from "Darin," Thirteen looked over at Viktor. "I'm sorry, friend," she said. "I'll see you later, okay?" He nodded, eyes still darting between her and Darin, but he knew better than to question her decisions. Looking back to Darin, Thirteen's eyes were like steel-- cold and hard. The noticeable thing was the fact that she was emotionless as she looked at Darin, for any other emotion would have given something away.

"Watch your back, Darin," she sneered, finally turning to walk out of the bar. Thirteen knew there was a major chance that he would follow and, in her heart, she wanted him to. But her head knew the truth; there was no way anything could ever happen between them. The rift between their packs was too deep, too old.

[Darin Astennu]

Her words stung at him, but he took it. She never gave him the chance to speak and soon he felt that slight familar animalistic feeling well up inside him. He blinked and willed it away, he wasn't going to turn, especially not here. he was the spawn of his father, ah yes, but then again, her dad wasn't perfect either. No one was. Either way Darin sighed and watched her tell him to watch his back, but this time as she left, he silently went after her, mainly because he hadn't been done with her. He looked to Viktor and tossed him the money he owed before walking out. When he did he looked around and caught glimpse of her.

"I am the spawn of my father huh? It was my father who tore up the pack? I remembered that it was your father who threw us out of Egypt! And You tell me to watch my back and yet.. It is you who should watch yours as well. We are the last of our bloodlines and you hate me for a reason you do not know. How can you hate someone so much like you. Do you like this war? Do you want lycans to go on killing each other? I never did, I always wanted peace, but I guess your pride and arrogance is your weakness Sekhmet! I honored your father! And I was repaid with blood and anguish. You are a hypocrite Sekhmet! I can smell that longing coming from you. You long to not be alone? As I guess from what I have heard.. and yet, you insist to be alone. When was the last time you saw your father? Or visited your pack? I heard a rumor.. that little Sekhmet disliked the men of her pack, because she was on such a high throne that none of them were good enough for her", he called out.

His blood was beginning to boil, but he calmed himself down. He then took a breath and continued.

"I am not afraid of you.. or of your father and especially not mine. This is a new day and yet you cling to a meaningless war of blood. Infact.. Kill me now little Sekhmet, let the only lycan of peace bleed out in an offering to the higher powers. Make your daddy proud! Even though I'm sure he's disappointed you continue to run away from him and the pack you seem so keen to protect. So Come on.. Kill me.. devour me or choose peace. I suppose you are the heir to alpha? As I am to the pack I come from. There should be an end to this war.." he said, then finished softly as he stood his ground and watched her, softness in his eyes.

[Thirteen]

Thirteen felt as if her insides were exploding. Everything was twisting and contorting; her vision was red and her heart was pounding hard. She could feel a torrent of different emotions punching her in the stomach. She was in pain and she was much too angry to be in the bar.

"My pride!? I hate you, Azetipin Khons," she spat, barely able to speak through her anger. With that, the woman stormed out of the bar. Once outside, the cool autumn air hitting her as she walked, Thirteen was able to calm down a little more. Not enough, though, for her heart was still pounding too much blood through her body and her ears were ringing. It hurt to not change, but it was much to public to just rip out of her clothes where she was. But she was so angry.

"He called me a hypocrite?!" she yelled aloud, not caring who heard. "Me, the one who is wrong? He's the one who is so off course! He just..." She screamed out her frustration and turned toward a more secluded area. There was a park nearby that was all land and benches. It was rather large, so she decided to storm around there. "Honored my father, what is he talking about? All Intaro were perfectly loyal only to Intaro... My pride? What of my pride? I am of a proud people! I have done nothing wrong."

Storming on, Thirteen paid attention to calming herself down while continuing her rant. I can smell the longing coming from you... She screamed again in anger. "I do not hide my feelings all the time; I wear no mask. Yes he was attractive, but much too pigheaded and insane for my taste! He is the hypocrite, for he does not even know the symbols he bears. If my only option were men like him, I would truly wish to be alone, for he is disgusting and putrid and vile. As for not visiting the pack... I am in search of the one who will rule with me and since he doesn't seem to already be part of the pack, I will choose my own mate!" The last part of her sentence was yelled and her anger reached its peak.

Exploding out of her skin, standing tall was a Lycaness with fur black as a night with no moon and eyes as silver as the stars. She was large and terrifying, looking a bit like the Egyptian jackal in her build, only larger and much more fierce. This was Bastet, the devourer of old... and she was a terrifying sight.

[Darin Astennu]

(My.. this is getting good.. lol Oh and.. Darin said that HE respected and honored her father.. not Intaro)

Darin closed his eyes and lowered his head. She hated him... well perhaps there was no future for their packs. He listened to her go off to rant and rave, his sensative ears picking up everything she said about him, as well as her reasons. He opened his eyes and could smell the change on the air. It was pointless to try and reason with her at this point. Her names for him seemed to stick in his mind.Here she ranted that he was pigheaded and insane, and yet she was so blind to see that he wasn't being any of the things she called him nor see that he wasn't completely attacking her, but defending himself to implant the suggestion to end the suffering. It was even more sorrowful how she completely ignored talk of peace and end to blood shed. He shook his head and began to walk, not caring where his feet took him. He had to return to the woods around the bar, the last place of peace in his mind, but something told him it wouldn't.

"I am not the fool. I wish change, but you seem not to. You seem to want more death and blood spilled. Why must everyone be ignorant.." he softly spoke to himself.

[Thirteen]

Thirteen raged through the park and finally slipped into the nearby woods. They weren't as vast as other areas she had been in, but it was well-sized for being close to civilization. She smelled everything around her from the needles of pine trees to the dirt beneath her massive paws, but those things were pushed quickly from her mind.

Then words of Azetipin's popped into her head that she had barely registered before. Devour me or choose peace... There should be an end to this war... What? He... wanted peace? The idea of peace seemed so out there, so far fetched. Why would he want peace, when he could just take over everyone by killing her or her father? The black jackal-like Lycan slowly faded back into a human form as she ran, back out into the park.

Would it be fair to go find Azetipin now? What was she thinking? Peace was... impossible... right? Everything hurt, including her head, as she tried to straighten out her thoughts. "No... I shouldn't go look for him, it wouldn't be right. He probably wouldn't believe me, anyway." Thirteen sighed and ran her long, beautiful fingers through her dark hair. Finding a nearby bench, Sekhmet straightened out her outfit and sat down.

Pulling her feet up and sitting "Indian style," as a child would, Thirteen took a few deep breaths and settled herself. Clearing her mind of all thoughts, she tried to figure out what she really wanted. The only thing that came to mind was the blood she had become accustomed to regarding Intaro's pack; could there be anything different with them? This was one pack that was truly split in two, so different now...

Anyway, it was too late now. Keeping herself perfectly calm, Thirteen traced her tattoo of Ra and took in her surroundings.

[Darin Astennu]

Darin sighed to himself and continued to walk. Eventually, his train of though lead him to not pay attention, and at the most of convenient moments, a lycan young teen from Azuko's pack came barreling into him. Darin shook his head and picked his head up right as the teen pup shifted and then began to bite, slash and attempt to kill Darin. Darin managed to merely defend himself since he wasn't going to fight the boy. He coughed up blood and still did not shift. Finally the teen stopped from somewhat of exhaustion or the lack of a fight. It was then that Darin used his strength to move and grab the back of the teen pup's neck. Instantly the boy calmed down as he shifted back, making a soft whimper. This was something that mothers did when they were young, it was an instant submission and calming effect. He coughed and spat up some more blood, hitching his breath before he began to walk back towards the city. Perhaps Sekhmet would be there, perhaps not, but either way, he was determined to place the young lycan on his way to safety and home. He walked silently, the boy leaning his head back against his hand with a sigh. Perhaps it was a good thing the young man didn't bring weapons. As Darin walked he sniffed the air and then spotted Sekhmet. He wheezed and slowly walked towards her. When he got close to her, he released the boy's neck and he instantly hung his head as he walked to his future leader. He said nothing, but took his defeat, unscathed, unlike Darin.

"Per..haps.. he is better left in your care. He is your pack mate... His family must miss him, so ....I thought...I'd send him home....After all he is.. too young.. to be trying to... be fighting in this war.." he said slowly with a few coughs as he winced and tried to replace his broken ribs so that they could be healed.

[Thirteen]

At the smell of blood, Thirteen broke from her trance and looked around. Her eyes easily spotted the broad shoulders and well-toned body of Azetipin... What am I saying?! She scolded herself. But that pup, he was familiar. She hadn't seen him in quite some time, but it was most definitely one of her pack. Running her hand through her hair once more, Thirteen stood and sat the young man down before looking back to Azetipin.

"You're bleeding," she stated simply, knowing he would have noticed something like this. From the looks of it, he hadn't even tried to fight back... no wonder he was coughing up blood. Turning to the pup in one swift movement, Artanis (for that is what those of her pack mostly called her) backhanded the boy hard across the face, leaving a bruise that would soon be gone on his face and a slower-healing bruise of ego. The pup yelped and cowered onto the bench. "What is the meaning of this?" She demanded, looking from the boy to the man still bleeding before her.

His blood smelled as hot as the sands of Egypt and Thirteen could almost feel the sun beating down on her shoulders, even though it was night. What strange feelings and memories this Intaro Lycan brought forth in her. With rising frustrations, Thirteen found herself unable to more than glance at Darin, for she wasn't sure what new feelings it would create in her. Already the smell of his blood was disorienting her slightly and she wasn't sure if it was just the metallic smell or the fact that it was his, but it brought things back.

The sands were exceptionally hot that day as Neith sailed down the Nile on her boat. With her father and mother beside her and the Beta Intaro there as well, Neith was rather bored. Upon the banks, Neith spotted the one who looked quite a bit like Intaro and knew instantly who it was; Azetipin Tarik, Intaro's son and heir to the Beta position. Her mother desired Neith to be paired with a man like Tarik (her mother and herself found Tarik to be an interesting, attractive name), for he held leadership skills.

The boat sailed on, but Neith rose gracefully and went to the back of the boat. Never once did Tarik look up from where he was standing in the water (probably fishing), no matter how hard Neith desired him to do so. It seemed he didn't notice her, but that didn't matter, did it? There was some sort of argument that had been going on between her father and Intaro as of late and Neith wanted to know what was going on. She returned to her seat and remembered again how hot the sun was on her face...

[Darin Astennu]

Darin was shocked when she back handed the pup. He was merely trying to do what he thought was best. He shivered and looked at her, he knew he was bleeding. He watched her silently, wiping the blood from his mouth and nose. He inhaled deeply, relieved that his ribs had healed. She seemed to go into a memory because of her face. He looked at the pup and then back to Sekhmet. He could swear he could remember exactly what she was thinking back to. He could see that day in his mind, but she would never know that the whole time, he had been watching her reflection in the water. He had dared not to look up for fear that it could spell bad news. He blinked and snapped back to reality and softly spoke.

"I'm sorry if I bothered you. Don't punish the pup, he was only doing what he had thought was noble.. to try and kill the son of Intaro. But none the less.. I should be healed in a bit.. I guess I never expected that.. " he said, then paused before inclining his head as he looked at her, "What are you remembering back to? You look like you are thinking of the past".

[Thirteen]

Upon hearing Tarik's voice, Neith looked up at him with slightly widened eyes, as if trying to figure out how she had gotten here. He looked different now than he had back then, but that was no matter. Keeping her heart rate slow and even, she tried to think of how to word her reply whilst figuring out how he had known that she was remembering the days long past.

"I was remembering the day your father declared he wanted no part of my father's pack," she stated, her voice even and erring on the side of cold at first. "My mother and I were talking about someone while Intaro and Azuko discussed something, but it soon became heated. I got up for a moment to see something better, but was pulled back to the conversation at hand, since I assumed it was something important that I would need to remember..." Her voice trailed off. It was an odd rendition of the story, but Neith didn't know how else to word it.

Glancing at the pup, she looked him up and down and inhaled the smell of his fear. With a simple nod of her head, the Alpha heiress allowed the young man to leave. He took of rather quickly, looking back a few times, but Neith didn't give him another thought. The blood stains on Tarik's shirt were all she could focus on, not even daring a glance at his face as she spoke of the past. Would he really know the day she was talking about? There was no way.