l o v e is DEAD {syren/open}

[Syren Loup Garou]

I smiled, thinking much of the attraction between Cole and I, the attraction I'd seen between Mick & Arwen before even they realized it, and of course, the bond between my Midi and Stryker. "You were right to oppose your mother in this. I am proud of you both for taking a stand and fighting for what you believed in. These are things all Loup Garou hold in high regard. You have gained honor by persuing your love in the face of adversity." And I truly was proud of her, though I was certain if I ever met her mother, someone was walking away bloody, and it wouldn't be me. I visualized the cheetah and the lynx wrestling and running, and it warmed my heart. I knew now that I must take Sarah back to the Luna with me. I would make her part of our family, and she would be Loup Garou, if in no more than name, for all time. Her spirit would join the munin and Myla when she crossed over, which I hoped wouldn't be for a very long time. As you can see, I was growing quite attached to Sarah.

I smiled again and pulled Sarah into my arms. "You are a strong and wonderful woman, as was Myla. Both of you are beautiful beyond words. I cannot give you her back, but I can, in my own way, provide you with the security and safety you felt with her." I took her hands in mine and shifted so that I could face her easily and look her in the eye. "Sarah, in the morning, come home with me. Let me take you to the Luna. We will take you as one of our own, extending our friendship and loyalty to you and your kin. Well, your brother and sister at least. You will be protected by the clan, as you will be part of it. Please do me this honor."

I was using my fingers to comb through her hair again, when another image came to mind. We were asleep on the cabin's floor, on Arwen's large, plush rug before the fireplace. I was a wolf, and Sarah was a lynx, curled up against my belly. "We should eat, then rest. Morning isn't far, and this has been a long day for you." I kissed her forehead, and moved into the kitchen where I refilled our tea first off, then made a couple sandwiches. Arwen had left over roast, and all the fixings for a hearty sandwich, as well as my homemade bread. I returned to join Sarah with the food. "It would make me feel better if we slept as our other selves." I said between bites. Surely she would understand this. As our animal halves, we would see, hear, and smell better, which would alert me far sooner to any danger that may come upon us in the night. However, that was highly doubtful, as Arwen had laid spells around the cabin to protect it and her land. She took after her Grandmother in that way as well. I stayed close to Sarah while we ate and finished our tea. I left the dishes, planning to do them in the morning after breakfast, before we left for the Luna. I built a fire in the hearth, and shifted soon after it was ablaze. I sat on my haunches watching the flicker of the dancing flames. "Come here Sarah, rest now." As soon as she was comfortable, I began licking her fur in long, smooth strokes. I curved my body around hers, as I have many times with my children and others within the clan, and continued to lick her until her breathing deepened and she fell asleep. My own rest came soon after, dreams reaching out to pull me under the blanket of sleep.

[Sarah Raven]

"I never would have given up." I knew that, deep down I knew. I fought for love, fought for what I thought was right. If I didn't, I would be Sarah Raven, and I never would have experienced such wondrous joy at being in love and sharing your heart with another. "Thank you Syren." I bow my head, "that means allot." Already I was looking up to her like a real mother, having lacked one in quite a while now, and it was comforting to have this, the warmth tone of voice, the hugs, and the non being judgmental. "Even if she came at us with rusty swords, I would never have let Myla go. We were attached, deep down in the core." Life would be hard, but it didn't stop because she was gone. I would honor her memory, and hey, maybe we would be together when I crossed over. It would be a long time away, but that was better than thinking I would never see her again, even in death. A half smile curved my lips as I raised my hand, seeing it shift into a lynx paw and back again.

When my hand was normal again, I was once again pulled into a hug, and returning the hug, I nearly choked. "Thank you mom." Saying, calling her mother was becoming more and more natural the longer I spent with her. My mouth dropped as my eyes widened. I knew she was serious, but it was hard to comprehend. There was no doubt in my mind that I would refuse, because I wanted to be with Syren, like her real daughter, experience her world. And my brother and sister wouldn't miss out either, they would be allowed. I did know she wouldn't let my real mother near, and that was good, not to mention anyone else who wanted to kill me. "I'll come home with you. I will do you the honor." I buried my head into her shoulder, feeling more at peace than I had since watching Myla die. I didn't have to ask if she was sure about it, I was getting to trust her more and more to not have to ask, which was a comfort to know I could still trust. "Thank you." I whisper, pulling away and smiling warmly. "We go home, tomorrow." I had never been to the clan, but already it felt like home. And that felt damn good.

"Okay." I nod, agreeing with her. My body still ached from the run and terror, and I was beginning to feel more tired now I felt at peace. When Syren left, I looked around the cabin, again hoping I could met Arwen and thank her kindly. Syren soon returned, and I took the tea and sandwhich, took a sip of tea and began to eat. "Sounds like a plan to me." Sleeping in my lynx form wasn't a problem at all, and I carried on eating, filling my belly and killing off the hunger that tried to snake its way through my body. Finishing the rest of the tea, I would help with the dishes in the morning, I watched as Syren built a fire and shifted into her wolf self. I shifted myself, my lynx body walked smoothly over, paws touching the floor but made no noise as I sat next to Syren, cuddling into her and laying down, resting my head between my paws. I felt safe, knowing I was with Syren, and cuddling closer, I close my eyes and let sleep take me. My breathing deepened and was calmer, and I was soon in dream land.

[Syren Loup Garou]

Whatever dreams I had were easily forgotten upon the morning light. I yawned , stretching my limbs, careful not to accidentally kick the lynx that was still curled against me. I smiled, darting my tongue out and licking her furred head. She seemed so small in this form, like a child. When she stirred, I licked her one last time. "Good morning Sarah. How'd you sleep?" I pressed my nose into the ruff of her neck, snuffling, etching her scent into memory. "I'll start breakfast." I licked her cheek and rose, arching my back before shifting back to human.

In the kitchen I started a pot of coffee and water boiling for tea, then began to dig for food. I toasted some of the bread left over from last night's sandwiches, soaked our dishes, and started frying up some bacon to go with omelettes. Arwen's kitchen was always fully stocked, and I knew my way around it well enough. I added fresh veggies to the omelette mix, then poured it into a skillet. While the bacon crisped and the eggs cooked I quickly washed the dishes. Leaving the dishes to dry, I piled cheese on the first omelette and folded it over. I grabbed two plates, dried our mugs and set them aside to use again with breakfast, and started the second omelette. Since the skillet was already pleny hot, it took half the time to cook the second omelette, and soon both plates were filled. I sat everything on the table. "Breakfast's up, sugar. Got coffee and tea, take your pick." I left the milk and sugar near both pots, so she could make whichever she wanted just the way she liked.

Onions, peppers, and mushrooms dotted the omelette's. Butter melted on the toast. I tucked in as soon as Sarah was settled, drinking first a cup of coffee, then a cup of tea. I finished quickly, and sat back while Sarah enjoyed her meal. "We should reach the Luna before dinner. I didn't bring anything with me, so I'm not taking anything back. We can hunt if we get hungry on the way." I was thrilled to be bringing Sarah home with me. For some reason I felt that her and Stryker would hit it off, and Arwen would no doubt want to know all about the lynx who's mate now rested beside her cabin. "There's 2 girls, my girls, or damn near close enough, that I want you to meet. Arwen, who's cabin we're in, and her sister Stryker. Stryker also has the cutest daughter with my son, her name is Arya. Midian's my eldest, Stryker's mate, and Synge is my youngest son. I'll warn you that Synge will no doubt ask you a million questions about being a lynx. He and Arwen share a fascination with other shifters. My husband, my mate, Cole, is the Alpha of our clan, making me the Lupa. Mick is our second, Arwen's mate. Most likely these will be the people who'll be around you most. And of course, I'm not leaving you alone unless I know you'll be alright." I reached over and patted her hand. I was excited to get home, I wanted to find Nyta and request an amulet for Sarah. Pearl maybe, or opal.... "Let's get these dishes washed and head out then." I smiled to Sarah as I stood and collected the dishes. "I'll wash, you dry?" I asked as I plunked the dishes into the still warm and soapy water.

[Sarah Raven]

Morning came and with it, the lush sunlight peeking through the curtains, spilling light where it could reach. Yawning, stretching my limbs to wake the muscles up before I did anything else, the relief coursed through my body while I blinked, remembering easily where I was so there was no panicking. "Good thank you. I'm sure I did dream, but, like cupping water, they trickled away. You?" I asked, waiting patiently but with a slight jump as I felt her cold nose upon my neck. "I can help." I offered, standing upon my paws and limping slightly, one of my legs had gone numb. Kicking backward, glad Syren had shifted and was in the kitchen since I really didn't wish to kick her in the face, a few moments passed when the feeling returned, and a dopey smile lined my lynx facade as I began moving without tripping, limping or having my limbs feel like jelly. Then I realized my slight predicament. I had no idea where everything was located.

Standing dumbly around the kitchen, smaller than Syren as I had not shifted yet, the scent of food soon permeated through the air and I inhaled deeply, gratefully, still with a pang in my heart about Myla. Even though the pain lessened, it was still there, unable to stop thinking that she would never eat again, and I had to stop my thoughts before they spread. As the cooking was nearly done, I began shifting, shedding my feline form to stand as a human, in case Syren wanted any help. Not that I knew what I was doing, but hey, it was worth a try! Syren had been such a help I wanted to repay her, not wanting to act like a freeloading jerk or something. "I can help, but it looks like you know what your doing. Next time though, I do want to help." I winked, knowing there would be plenty of times to help and ease my conscious. I liked making sure I repaid people, if they helped me I'd help them. Otherwise I felt bad and that was never a nice feeling. Besides, it was good, depending on who it was. But I ramble.

Walking over carefully to the table, pulling out a chair and taking a seat, eyes widened at the amount of food I think I drooled. "This looks amazing. Thank you." I poured some tea, let it sit for a little bit before adding a tea spoon of sugar and a few drops of milk before letting it rest. "Sounds good to me." Taking a bite of the toast and omelet, savoring the delicious taste as it sat on my taste buds, even burning as it was still hot before swallowing, blowing air against my tongue to cool it down. "It would be such a pleasure to meet them! As for Synge, I do not mind the questions, I admit I've never had something like that, but he is more than welcome to ask." I began digging into my breakfast again with vigor, taking sips of my tea before I finished off both, feeling full and content. "Thank you, again. I think I'll always be, forever in your debt." Not many would help someone like me. "Sure I'll dry! Granted I don't know where everything goes, but hey, I'm up for the adventure." I grinned, standing up to take the rest of the dishes to the kitchen, to get started.