What Comes After With lauronica_mars

[countess_karnstein]

The campus felt like an entirely different place. Students were buzzing with gossip and rumours surrounding both the Dean and Lara. Some of the favourites Ella had heard were along the lines that she was brain washing students and hypnotised Lara. The rumours of her being an evil witch always made her laugh. Some believed that Lara was the evil one, bribing Ella somehow to get good grades. No one was really one hundred percent sure, except for the students that crossed the Supernatural world and knew what happened that night.

It was both a blessing and a curse that both Lara and Ella had stepped into the light and revelled their relationship. Rumour after rumour piled up but Lara’s blog had become an overnight blast of fame. Ella watched through the security cameras as her girlfriend couldn’t go anywhere without crowds of people staring or asking her questions.

The students that had revealed themselves as wolves were now following her like lost puppies, protective of the witch that liberated them. The witches both light and dark divided into the jealous and admiring of Lara’s abilities. She had never been so popular.

LaF and Perry as best friends of Lara and also present the night everything happened, had also gained the fame and flock of questions that came with that. In the end they had to take their lunch to the far side of the tables in the hall and sat away from the groups and whispers.

“Have you messaged her? You did message her didn’t you?”, Perry stopped stabbing her mash potato with her fork and looked across the table at LaF who was barely eating.

“Back of the hall.” LaF nodded. “I messaged Danny but I haven’t seen her since the night, you know.”

Perry looked up and noticed all the students whispering and talking. “Maybe we should have picked a quieter spot to interrogate her?”

Comments

[countess_karnstein]

Nobody saw the slushie coming. One second Leo had frowned in trying to undetstand what Lara meant by a vampire being a porcupine, his expression probably giving that thought away. And in the next the blue grape exploding from the back of Lara’s head. Perry and Leo didn’t get much of the splash but LaF got caught in the side spray and spun around to face whomever had thrown it.

“WHAT THE…” LaF grabbed their half-eaten pudding in retaliation but no one was to be seen. Instead the lunch hall erupted with laughter and a few nervous glances on who dared throw something at Lara because inevitability, the news will head back to the Dean. “The next person who does that…”

“LaF!” Perry cut in. “Don’t react to them, just grab your things and let’s leave. Right Lara?”

Leo’s senses were going crazy as the scent of the blue grape was so strong. He shook it off and ignored Perry and LaF, focusing more on his white witch friend that him and the pack felt they owe a life debt to. “Did you want to come back to the caves and come see us after you’ve showered or did you want to shower and head to the library? Your choice!” Either answer Leo was beaming with excitement.

[lauronica_mars]

"What the?" Lara's voice was shrill before she took a deep breath, calming herself as she scanned the room for threats both with her eyes and with her senses.

"And I'll leave lunch in my own time." She shrugged. "I'm not going to let that drive me out of the room. But I think the caves first." She smiled at Leo.

Grape slushie dripping out of her hair she took another bite of her desert, lowering her voice. "Something weird's going on? Normally with a prank like that someone would feel triumphant? And no one does? No I can't tell what any one person is feeling, but the mood of a group is easy to read."

[countess_karnstein]

“It was strange. I mean everyone saw but the person that through it vanished so fast. If I was going to throw something at someone I’d want them to know it was me. Well…unless I’m breaking into somewhere or doing something I shouldn’t like stealing lab equipment.” LaF’s went quiet as Perry and Leo exchanged the glances of not being able to tell if that was a joke or not.

Excited at her answer Leo asked the three of them to meet him at the main entrance in the evening just before it was getting dark. While he paced up and down the entrance, honoured to be escorting Laura and her friends. Fliss was opposite him rolling her eyes at Leo’s over excited nature.

“So far I’m liking this way better than the tunnel.” LaF looked around expecting to see Laura here any minute. Perry on the other hand, was so nervous she was clutching her elbows and looking nervous.

Leo smiled. “You’re welcome here. It’s okay.”

[lauronica_mars]

"I'm still surprised you went in through the tunnel rather than the front door." Lara smiled. "Fewer traps and they'd have let you in; they thought they were invincible. And Fliss! Good to see you again!"

Lara had of course been compared to a puppy more than once and with reason, but she had nothing on the younger and more enthusiastic members of the pack, and was practically tackled by Fliss's hug. Calm compared to Leo was not calm. "Glad to have you back, Lara!" She stepped away. "And you're the roboticist and the witch? Any friends of Lara's, especially ones that came to the rescue are friends of ours. Although we'd prefer a bit of warning if it's The Dean."

"Noted." Lara smiled. "And this place is looking brighter already!" She glanced round, noting that the whole place was a bit of a mess, but that they had taken out some of the favourite decorations of the old alpha. "So how does it feel to be the big pack on campus?"

Fliss blinked; she hadn't thought of it that way yet.

[countess_karnstein]

Fliss walked proud as she took them further into the cave. It had a long way to go before it was impressive for visitors but for now it was a home where the pack could grow and be safe without the constricting power of an alpha.

“I never really thought of it like that. I guess we are one of the biggest packs.” Fliss looked up at the balcony where Lara once stood and helped to free them. She couldn’t stop smiling. “We’ve become one big family thanks to you. Even the youngest pups of the pack look at you like a hero.” Fliss then turned to LaF and Perry. “Feel free to make yourselves at home. Once you accept the fact you are in a cave you will see the further in you go the more beautiful it gets.”

Walking away from the balcony and to the side of the stairs a man glided silently down the stair case. His hair tied back in a ponytail and adorned in a long black fitted jacket that upon getting closer, revealed to have gold threaded patterns stitched throughout. He looked no older than thirty at most and held himself well but LaF was aware of learning vampires don’t age that there was a good chance the wolves would be the same way.

“Well if it isn’t Lara Hollis.” He softly took her hand and bowed to show his respect. “The pleasure is all mine. Would you kindly join me upstairs for a drink? I have some things I would like to discuss with you.”

[lauronica_mars]

"The biggest on campus." Lara shrugged. "Ella normally tries not to allow packs on campus but you're now an exception. Which means you might have to protect your territory from adventurous werewolves. And we still need to sort out how you handle alpha responsibilities."

Lara returned his bow with one of her own. "I'd be delighted." She genuinely liked meeting new people, although her eyes did first flick to one of the werewolves to see whether this was friend or foe.

[countess_karnstein]

“I want to come too!” Fliss beamed. She had already taken to Lara and adopted her as an older sister type figure.

The man nodded. “Of course.” And as he took them up the stairs towards the back from the balcony he pushed back some curtains to reveal comfortable couches lined up in a circle. In the centre was a circular table filled with various fruits and bottled drinks. Fliss instantly jumped over and made herself comfortable. She started to pick at a few grapes and made way for Lara to enter.

“The previous alpha you took down was my brother. I’ve never been so grateful.” He smiled and started pouring them glasses of wine. “We’ve grown in numbers in such a short space of time. Thanks to you we’ve feel safe from the dean on campus. She has kept her word and hasn’t made a move. Even the wolves that attend the school are treated equally. We owe it all to you.”

And then he frowned. “The problem is that the board needs an appointed member to represent us on the board. I don’t know who will be selected for that but the person that corresponds with them will be given certain powers. I’m sure you’re aware that the Dean has executive powers, as she should speak directly to the vampire member of the board.” He sighed. “If powers are given we cannot swap and change someone to represent us and I’m concerned that if allocate someone the rest of the pack might think we are selecting another alpha. We’ve become more of a family and I don’t want that lost.

Do you have any suggestions on who to appoint? Or simply what we could do?”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara blinked, and as she so often did, started to prattle while she was still gathering her thoughts. "I don't yet, but there's something I've wanted to know with how I've set things up. Fliss, you've seen the old alpha claws often enough? Concentrate on your hands and see if you can make them?"

"But that's an alpha ability?" Fliss frowned.

"Not a permanent one. You should all be able to do it and it only I think borrows the power to make the change and to change back? I want to see how it works?"

She smiled, her thoughts having had time to sort her thoughts out. "The board needs someone to represent you on the board. But does that mean they need a board member, or can you send a speaker or proxy and keep the power with the pack?"

She smiled at Fliss who was staring at her hands, realising the success even before Fliss did. "Like that. Fliss can use some of the alpha power from the pack, and so can the rest of the pack. But she's not an alpha and I hope not going to try to become one. And I was right!" Lara smiled. "Unlike the muscles, alpha claws only take power when actually transforming or cutting."

"And you could do that." She smiled at the senior werewolf. "The board position is held by the pack, and the delegate has limited authority and needs to consult with the pack for far reaching changes."

[countess_karnstein]

He watched as Fliss looked fixated at her hands. “Incredible.” And while she was distracted he took the opportunity to introduce himself. “My name is Sylens. I didn’t mean to pull you aside like this. I’m nervous. As my brother was the previous alpha I’ve done everything I can to not be like him. The pack knows this. We all support one another well but the board is a terrifying thing to deal with and as they grant its liaisons with special powers it could offset the good thing we have going. I wanted your advice.”

As they spoke the floors both upper and lower began filled with more werewolves. All students and various staff that had previous hidden now had places to stay and quarters much like the dorms where they can feel safe. Two wolves both in full form were tumbling around play fighting in the background and on the ground floor Perry was playing with four puppies who were nipping at her clothing and trying to steal things out her pockets.

Leo was with LaF, showing them a drone he had been building and testing out the flight controls. It was almost hard to believe this was a place where previous vampires and wolves had fought.

“Does it make you happy?” Fliss beamed. “Knowing this is all because of you? I hope The Dean continued to let us stay here. Our numbers are growing.”

[lauronica_mars]

"Of course the board is terrifying. They try to be." Lara smiled fondly. "If you're trying to do something they don't expect and need to think about, Ella could be your best ally."

She frowned. "Now I think about it she might know some of the answers to how the board positions work if you don't mind me calling her? And she's going to want some more formal arrangement with all of you. She neither controls you nor knows quite where you stand."

And she returned Fliss' smile with one of her own. "And this place is so much better than it was when I was brought here, in all possible ways. It's amazing how much it's changed."

[countess_karnstein]

A woman pushed back the thinly vailed curtain and sat next to Sylens. He instantly put his hand on her leg and smiled affectionately. “This is my mate, Lucya.”

She smiled back at her love before the attention was brought to Lara. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I was able to watch everything but couldn’t get involved because of the children.” As she mentioned them three small wolf pups jumped up and around the sofa where they were sitting. One of them by Lara’s side, jumped onto her lap and tried to lick her face to say hello. Another was by her feet weaving in and out of her legs and the third was trying to play with Fliss and tease her into a tug of war. “They can be a handful.”

Sylens laughed at them trying to play. “It’s good to see them now cowering in the corner.” The smallest pup, the one licking her face stopped to curl into a small ball to the side of her lap. His chin rested her leg and occasionally nudging her hand to pet him. “What makes you think she will provide is with information without anything in return? We’re lucky she is letting us stay alive. We know of her reputation. You’re the first white witch that hasn’t disappeared because of your power.”

While Leo played with the drone Perry was talking to Danny who had a new found purpose in protecting the rest of her pack. LaF hurried up the stairs and leant on the back of the couch just to the side of her friend. “We need come here more often. Did you know there are rooms that lead to other rooms that lead to bigger rooms? This is like a whole extra part of Silas I never knew existed! This is so cool.”

“There is a party later on. Some of the younger members wanted to show some fireworks off and celebrate. You are welcome to join us.” Lucya pushed back her curled blonde hair delicately took a bunch of grapes off the centre of the table. “Lara, we don’t know anything of the members or how they run things. Any information to help us would be grateful but we do know you have done so much for us already.” She smiled at LaF. “You and your friends.”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara laughed as she hugged and petted a pup. "A pleasure to meet you too. Of course she's going to want something! But good deals are about giving both sides what they want, and you've a few things she does that you'd be more than happy to give her."

She raised one finger, her gesture stopped by the pup licking it, and she conceded defeat with a smile. "First she really doesn't like the board and is involved in a decades long game of high stakes chess with it. Turning the most aggressive seat on the board into a proxy who needs to consult with the rest of the pack over major decisions will be a huge win for her as will someone who isn't reflexively hostile to her." She was too busy petting the pup to raise a second finger. "Second she takes the safety of her students pretty seriously, and more people looking out for them and more she can draw on when there's real trouble will be useful. And that's just where to start." Lara, as she was speaking, was assessing, trying to see how sympathetic and how trustworthy they were, and whether it was worth starting to explain some of the angle Ella came from to them.

Her smile then turned shark-like. "As for White Witches disappearing, we're what goes bump in the day to vampires because we've made taking down some of the most feared vampires in history look not just easy but like poetic justice. If a vampire gorges on human blood so much that there's more human blood than vampire blood in their body then it just takes a small push to become human. And if they are the sort of jerk that feeds exclusively off young female virgin humans, even if they don't gorge themselves, then it's not that hard to make them what they eat. A young female virgin human." She gave a second to let that one sink in.

She paused. "It's like your brother. If just three members of your pack who couldn't turn into battle form had been loyal to him personally as the alpha then I couldn't have done a thing to him with magic. But as the entire pack wanted to break away I could help that."

"And the party sounds lovely, although I assume inviting my girlfriend to it might put a bit of a damper on celebrations."

[countess_karnstein]

Both of them listened to Lara’s words. The mother smiling fondly at how Lara didn’t seem to mind the pups trying to play with her. They had never met a witch before and were too busy being protected when the fight had broken out.

At Lara’s question the two of them looked at one another and paused before answering. It was Lucya that spoke first. “If we are to live here alongside vampires then I see no problem why she cannot come. We have become more than a pack. We are a family that is growing by the day.” She looked nervous not sure how to ask the next question. “Can you…control her?” It was a mothers way of asking if she was to bring her children out to watch the fireworks, would they be safe.

LaF took a piece of fruit from the table and laughed. “Control? You should see what Lara is like when they aren’t together.” They teased.

[lauronica_mars]

"Control?" Lara laughed. "Other than by telling her she'll spend the night on her own, no. But she's ruthless not sadistic." Lara paused and flushed. "Not normally sadistic anyway." And she enjoyed the ways Ella was. "And puppies aren't a threat to her. She's..." Lara paused again, this time more thoughtfully. "Can you tell me that what I'm about to say none of you will tell anyone else? And that includes you, LaF?"

[countess_karnstein]

Both of the wolves nodded but LaF pulled a funny face. “Come on Lara it’s me. Pretty sure between you me and Perry we’ve got the whole best friends thing down.”

Perry came over, interrupting at the last minute but backing up what LaF had just said. “Agreed!” She sat next to Lara and started to stroke the puppy which was now pawing a nest around Lara’s lap.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara smiled, then looked at Sylens. "Imagine your brother had a son he raised to be the next Alpha. He probably cared for him, but wanted to turn him into a chip off the old block and taught him carefully how to do things. The son was basically a sweet kid, so your brother did a lot of work to 'toughen him' up so he was 'strong enough' to be the next Alpha." Lara's voice was very dry with her opinion of what was done.

"Then imagine that one day the son said no to the way your brother treated the rest of the pack and said no. He fought back against his father and won, killing him and becoming the new alpha in the process. And tried to take over and protect everyone he was now in charge of, but the only skills his father had taught him were the ones he used. So whenever he tried to do avoid force or fear and still protect his pack he just didn't have the skill to do it. And he knew that the more he was feared the less he actually needed to be to protect his pack, while his father's enemies kept circling, looking for weakness."

Lara didn't think the metaphor needed explaining, but was an insight into Ella that if she was to win the wolves as actual allies they needed.

[countess_karnstein]

Both the wolves looked at one another. The three puppies all had an ear listening to what Lara had to say but the surprise didn’t come from the them or the many other wolves that were evesdropping on the conversation. Instead it came from LaF who looked down at the floor as if they had just realised something terrible. The other side of Lara, Perry sat with a mouth wide open in surprise. Her mind was picking apart everything her friend had just said.

The only noise to break the silence after what felt like a long time was the one of the pups who whimpered as if feeling sad to the story. Lucya gave her mates hand a little squeeze. “No harm will come to her here. I’ll make sure to spread the word amongst all of us.”

Sylens nodded in agreement. “I heard rumours of her age once. Stories of things she had done. I will admit that does not appear to be the person that is there now. Everyone deserves a chance.”

Fliss looked around at the amount of wolves populating their tunnels. “Do you think she might have extra accommodation for us?”

Although her friends were still surprised by a little insight into someone they thought to be a monster, Perry frowned and tried to change the subject. “So, now the whole school know everything aren’t you at least worried that those people higher than Ella might come for you or her?”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara nodded. "Just remember. If she thinks you think she's soft she may do something impressive to prove otherwise." She paused. "And extra accomodation? She has some." Lots in fact. "She doesn't give freebies to anyone that might be a threat to her students or worries might get strong enough to challenge her directly, but definitely understands both trades and win-win deals. She's also going to want to make sure that the pack doesn't grow much further for now."

She turned to Perry and frowned. "What do you think my being kidnapped was other than someone on the board making a run at her? And they are definitely among those circling. Yes, I'm worried it will happen again, but think that it won't be for a while."

[countess_karnstein]

LaF frowned thinking about it. “But wouldn’t helping this pack get bigger and letting them have sanctuary on the campus look like she is being strong and smart? She’s making allies and those people circling would see that?”

The two of the three pups came to join their brother and Perry watched, trying to hide how much she was melting at the sight of them. All three were fighting to get on Lara’s lap to the point the smallest kept tumbling off either side.

“I can’t stop them if they are annoying you but they seem to like you.” Sylens laughed while Lucya ordered the other two to make room for their little brother. “Tonight the party will be at the far end of the campus by the lake. Leo and Fliss are helping with the fireworks. All of you should come.”

LaF grinned. “I’ve already volunteered my services to the fireworks team. This is going to be a display you’ll never forget.”

In the background one of the guards of the previous alpha, still recovering from his wounds was drinking and glancing over all three of them. He sat alone, occasionally slouching back into his chair and making it obvious he was watching. Perry couldn’t help but notice but kept quiet and tried to fight down how uncomfortable it was making her.

“Are you going to go tonight?” She whispered while the wolves opposite them were talking about moving to the campus above. “I mean a party by the lake does sound good right? It might be what we all need right now?”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara shrugged. "You're thinking like a young scientist, Laf. Not someone who hasn't quite grasped that we no longer do feudalism much. The immortals who are into books barely leave the library. Those who are into power?" Lara shrugged, puppy wrangling and making sure none of them actually fell. "They really don't want to share most of the time."

She smiled. "And if we want to work out how the board membership works, shall I call Ella and invite her here?"

When she was met with nods, if hesitant ones, she pulled out her phone. "Hi, love." Lara's smile softened and eyes went distant when Ella picked up. "I'm at the wolves home, trying to find out the exact rules for a board representative for something that might confuse your board and slow it down." She smiled. "Also I've been invited to their party and my girlfriend's invited too."

[countess_karnstein]

At this point Ella was still in her office. She had successfully exhausted every option on a replacement in the magic classes and the repercussions that might bring depending on her choices. On top of that she wouldn’t admit it but she was nervous about the treaty with the wolves. Although now fully healed a lot had happened and Ella was known for always been several calculated places in front.

The phone was on silent but the buzz of it on the side of her desk was loud enough to snap out her train of thought. The second she heard Lara’s voice she felt her stomach flip and all the sensations of a heart racing without the beat to show it. “Lara…” Ella voice was warm until she said she was with the wolves and the vampire’s defences went up. She knew she was more than capable of looking after herself but was still protective of the girl she loves.

Trying her best to trust the wolves wouldn’t hurt her, Ella used her playful tone. That tone only shared between her and Lara in the bedroom and purposefully meant to tease. “Your girlfriend’s invited? Sweetheart, you better be talking about me now we are exclusive to the world or this vampire might get cranky.”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara just smiled at that, her own voice just as teasing as Ella's. "I think I'm talking about you. But if I wasn't I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find a replacement for the evening." Her tone was just as teasing.

Eyes were wide in the room as the wolves saw Lara tease Ella right back, their hearing good enough that they could hear both sides of the conversation, and there were glances exchanged in a mix of confusion and understanding.

[countess_karnstein]

She was well aware the wolves could more than likely hear what they were saying. Ella smirked at her response. “Comments like that will land you in my dungeon and you have no idea what I have planned for you later. We have a lot catching up to do.”

LaF and Perry could see the expression of the wolves around them frowning a looking a little surprised but not really understanding what was being said other than witnessing a flirty side of Lara they both hadn’t seen before. “I think I’m starting to get the picture.” LaF stopped leaning on the back of the sofa to help Perry shield the pup’s ears.

“Lara!” Perry tried to snap her best friend back into the room.

Ella caught what was being said and laughed. “Are you sure the wolves aren’t planning some sort of ambush?”

[lauronica_mars]

"Promises, promises." Lara giggled before speaking to the room. "And no, Leo, that wasn't a bad threat by Ella. Could ... thank you Fliss."

Leo's eyes were slowly getting wider as Fliss whispered in his ear.

"And I'm pretty sure it's not an ambush, and I'm going to put you officially on speaker so LaF and Perry can hear as well as the wolves if you've time now.." In other words it was time to get at least partly down to business to upend the board.

Her voice became a bit more serious. "What we were wondering was whether instead of having a board member from the pack we could make the seat and the power belong to the pack itself, and the pack got to send a proxy with limited authority to act on its behalf to board meetings while the whole pack needs to discuss anything major." Ella would no doubt recognise whose plan that was and that it could cause some headaches for the board if it wanted to run ambushes.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella wasn’t embarrassed at by what was being overheard but swapped her tone the second she was put on speaker to her usual intimidating self.

There was long pause while she considered her answer, picking up on the fact that this was clearly Lara’s idea. “When you are given a seat on the board it comes with executive powers and abilities. When I’m not on loud speaker I will tell you some of mine but the…gifts-if you call them that are different depending on what you are. I’m over three hundred years old and have never known a pack to function without an alpha. Mother never mentioned if a pack had tried and been able to do it.”

She paused. “If you give me some time I will see what I can find out.” Ella’s voice was calm but she couldn’t say what she wanted on speaker for everyone to hear. “I’ll tell you what I can tonight at the party?”