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]

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?”

[lauronica_mars]

"I think it needs a white witch to set up?" Lara shrugged. "And possibly to occasionally rebalance occasionally because some people are going to try naturally to take over. And to set up I think it takes there being someone respected enough that they could become an alpha but doesn't actually want to. Which is all probably a rare combination."

She smiled. "See you this evening, love?"

[countess_karnstein]

Ella accepted the invitation to meet Lara at the party and promised to meet her there later as she had some things she needed to take care of. LaF and Perry had also agreed to come and what the two of them thought would be a small gathering by a lake, turned into nearly half of the campus.

The second the sun started to set huge fires lit around the shorelines and beer kegs were rolled out and stacked. There were so many wolves, humans and various sub classes mixed together that Ella was genuinely surprised how many were out and having fun. She wasn’t used to seeing any of them laughing as they used to cower in fear of being caught by her or her vampire followers.

The atmosphere had completely changed. Ella was still finding it a shock of adjustment but she hid it well fully knowing that Lara would probably pick up on some of her tells where no others could.

After a good amount of time wondering what to wear, Ella chose to settle for her short black skirt and matching knee high socks. Her top was low cut and fitted perfectly around the curve of her waist. On purpose she dressed a little younger, looking less like The Dean of a university and more casual. Once sorted she followed the sound of loud music and voices until she reached the far side of the campus. Thankfully blending in more with the students this time she was able to slip through the crowds of people and between all the fires and seated logs propped up around them. A month ago if someone would have asked her to allow this behaviour on her campus she would have had them all killed.

Instead Ella slipped around the crowds, watching students cannon ball into rivers and jump off the cliffs to the right hand side. When past some of the fires and towards the docks the wolves had set up a ring of logs in an arena style fashion where they fought both in human and wolf form. Ella hadn’t seen anything like it before.

With her vampire hearing it wasn’t long before she picked up on the sound of Perry’s voice sitting by one of the fires. LaF was next to her trying to separate two melted marshmallows they that on a stick. “I’ve not seen her yet but she’s not going to miss this!” LaF laughed, watching the sticky marshmallows create a mess.

Danny and Mel sat on the other logs watching Kirsch see how many beers he could drink in under a minute. Ella didn’t quite know how to approach them but snuck to the side and sat on the log not to far from Perry and LaF. LaF instantly handed Ella a fresh marshmallow on a stick. “Pretty sure she will be here anymore.” They smiled, making the effort while Perry started concentrating on if she could make the fire jump into her hand.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara would turn up a few minutes later, her hair in a high plait, dripping wet and her thin white dress damp enough that it was clinging to her as well as revealing her entire collar bone; she'd been jumping into the river with some of the werewolves and only hurriedly and incompletely drying herself. The fact that her underwear was soaked and her damp body was making the dress cling to her and how much Ella would notice that was, of course, entirely deliberate.

"You made it, love!" Lara was a few feet away from Ella; she guessed she might have sneaked up on her girlfriend and she was going to take the opportunity as she really didn't get many chances where it was possible even if there were at least half a dozen eyes on her, a number of whom had missed Ella's arrival. She also wanted to give Ella a second to look at her in the firelight before glomping her for a hug and a deep kiss, and knew that actions speak louder than words, and that this would be the first actual time people had met Ella. Yes she was dangerous, but that was different from being a random killer.

[countess_karnstein]

As the lake was populated with so many people to the point of overcrowded, Ella’s senses were on high alert. Her vampire hearing was honing in on every possible conversation within range. Of course Ella being Ella she wouldn’t have back up with her and vampires had filtered themselves around the lake, blending in as the students they pretended to be during the day.

“How could I pass up a chance to see you and watch the fire…” Her sentence was cut off the second she turned to see Lara’s dress clinging in all the right places. The exposed collar instantly making Ella aware of her fangs extending. She usually had better self-control but Lara continuously pushed those limits to the point the vampire would tease and say it’s unfair.

Everyone within a close proximity of them didn’t know that Ella was there. Instead she blended with the students and almost looked human next to the firelight. It was Lara who gave away it was her and caused the attention to be on the both of them but Ella didn’t care. All the concern for being exposed among a lot of creatures who months ago would probably have attacked by now, was gone the second Lara arms wrapped around her. When their lips met the kiss deepened with such passion that for a brief moment Ella lost herself must have lightly nipped her girlfriend as there was a faint but small taste of blood shared between them.

By this point Perry was trying to stop LaF from staring but seeing The Dean smile let alone be near someone without them fearing for their life was something surreal to watch. Even more surreal to see Lara with someone. It was a side that her friends didn’t get to see.

As the kiss parted Ella took Lara’s hands in her own, loosely linking their fingertips and stepping back to take in what she was wearing. “Is this on purpose to drive me crazy or was this your back up plan in case I didn’t arrive?” She let go of one hand only to spin Lara around slowly with, looking at every curve the water accentuated alongside the fire. “You’re beautiful.” And when Lara came back in full circle Ella caught her and stole another kiss, not caring that she was now wet as well.

“Get a room already!” Mel rolled her eyes and finished the rest of her beer.

Ella ignored her the comment in the background. “Should we go get a drink? I heard that Fliss is entering the arena to fight over the other side if you want to watch?” Serious talk could come later. Right now Ella just wanted Lara to have fun.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara moaned softly into the kiss, grinding a little against Ella, and teasing her still further, knowing that Ella had nipped her lip slightly. "Oh, I never try to drive you crazy. I'm far too innocent for that." And she concealed a smile at Mel's suggestion; part of what she was doing was selling Ella as being a relatively normal person when she didn't actually have the need to be The Scary Dean. Someone telling them to get a room and then not getting their head torn off was a good start.

"That sounds lovely. And I hope Fliss does well!" And didn't need anything she and Leo had learned that afternoon. Leading Ella by the hand she almost skipped off to get them both drinks before almost bumping into someone she was sure had moved into position just as she was getting a beer for each of them. So she smiled "Sylens! I was hoping to see you here. Sylens, this is my girlfriend Ella. Ella, Sylens." She hoped they'd leave the business for some other time - this was too much of a party and there were far too many listening ears.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella laughed a little when Lara said lovely. She was possibly the only person that could attach ‘lovely’ to watching a pack of werewolf’s fight and the second she called herself innocent Ella flashed back a smirk and lightly tugged her closed enough to whisper in her ear. “Keep driving me crazy and you’ll be screaming from my dungeon by the end of the night.” She playfully nipped Lara’s earlobe. “Don’t forget we have a lot of catching up to do.” And with that Ella let herself be dragged through the crowd. Some of which had caught what she had said with their wolf ears but the vampire didn’t care.

Once they got their drinks and started making their way through the crowds it wasn’t until Lara bumped into Sylens that Ella’s stature completely changed. Sylens extended his hand but Ella paused before taking it.

“I’ve heard a lot about you but never thought we would meet like this. Thank you for coming.” His voice was calm and Sylens wanted to add more but was nervous himself being this close to the vampire. “Are you on the way to the area? Lucya is there. Before I left the crowds were getting louder. Matches between wolves can get heated fairly quickly.”

Ella took his hand in a brief shake. “Thanks. I see from the amount of you here that not hiding is working well for you.”

“We have Lara to thank for everything. The whole pack listens to her.” He flashed Lara a smile and said he would catch up with them later. Ella tried to relax but still found it strange to not have the wolves trying to kill her. As they found their way across the other side of the lake she became painfully aware how many wolves there were on her campus. They walked up to the circle pit which seemed to be formed using the benching of the old school football pitch and jumped up onto one of the benches to get a good view.

Two wolves were tumbling around the centre of the pitch while the crowd cheered. Thankfully there were two refs in the centre, watching these giant beasts attack one another. Ella remained calm and took a sip of her drink. It was her finger tips that might have gave away she was a little nervous being around so many wolves. She didn’t show it on the outside but by now Lara might have been able to tell.

“There is Fliss.” She nodded to the young girl over one side. Her opponent was a boy similar in age who was from the other side of the field. “Are you sure you want to watch this?”

[lauronica_mars]

"Promises, promises." Lara just smirked back. "And at least I recover fast with white magic."

She cut in with Sylys. "It was mostly the pack all deciding that they didn't want your brother as Alpha any more. I couldn't have helped if they hadn't all wanted it. But it's partly to make sure there isn't another Alpha like your brother I asked Ella for research help." She smiled. "And I'm sure I haven't seen all the wolves here before?"

"The neighbouring packs are all here, checking us out." Sylys nodded. "Especially as we haven't got an alpha. Some of those fights will be a little more serious than they should to check if we can defend our territory."

Lara smiled. "Good thing you don't have an Alpha. Keep everyone guessing."

He frowned. "Until the Molehills step into the ring. Sorry, I mean the 'Mountain Wolves' who are one of our neighbouring packs. One of them's just getting in the ring now."

"Of course we'll stay." Lara smiled before shouting. "Kick his ass Fliss. Remember how strong you are!" It was after all not just claws she could borrow.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella had a history with the wolves in the mountain. They weren’t the biggest supporters of her but then few really were. Still, she wouldn’t have gotten where she was now if it wasn’t for her ruthless actions but then Mother didn’t let her learn any other way.

She glanced around the stadium picking out the vampires covering her in case something went wrong. Thankfully they were subtle enough that they blended in just like any of the drunken crowd they were around.

Lara started shouting out towards Fliss who looked up the second she caught Lara’s voice. It was the encouragement she needed. Refusing to transform straight away she walked into the chalk outlined ring and waited for her opponent to do the same.

“Remember this is not fight to the death. The first to surrender loses.” One of the Ref’s had to remind the teenagers as Fliss acknowledged the rule but her opponent who kept bashing his chest with his fist, didn’t look like he paid any attention at all.

Ella continued to drink her beer. Half watching the match, half watching how beautiful Lara was. The roar of the crowds faded away and all she could think about how she wouldn’t have knowingly let any of these wolves on campus a month ago. She wouldn’t have let anyone survive. She thought breaking up with Lara and keep separate would have protected her and kept her safe but instead it somehow made her weaker to be apart.

The noise snapped back in the second the fight had begun and Fliss took a few sharp jabs to the face. The two young wolves stepped and danced around one another until the mountain boy tripped Fliss and took her feet out from under her. She scrambled away seconds before his foot smashed into the crowd where she had fallen. He must have anticipated her move as before Fliss could get back on her feet, he swiftly managed to get her in a choke hold and apply the pressure. Fliss was being stubborn and refusing to tap out but her face started to turn red. Her opponent just needed her to relax just a little longer before he snapped her neck.

“He’s going to try and kill her.” Ella could see the temper in the boy from where she was standing and he wasn’t about to let up any time soon.

[lauronica_mars]

"Kill? Seriously?" Lara swallowed, looking to Ella for confirmation before calling out "You're stronger than that Fliss! Stop holding back!" Ella would probably be the only person who recognised from just a touch that Lara was using her magic right now for all that the circle was warded. But that wasn't where Lara's magic was helping.

Fliss relaxed, her eyes closing, and her opponent twisted slightly, setting up the neck breaker with a vicious smile on his face, and Lara whistled. She'd believed Ella, but it was one thing to believe her girlfriend and another to see it for herself.

But Lara could see what few others could, and had slightly untangled the pack's energy, allowing Fliss to draw more energy into herself, empowering herself. And relaxed muscles were, of course stronger than tense ones.

With a grunt Fliss forced herself to her knees then her feet, then ducked and twisted, before pushing him through the air. A roar went up when he landed out of the circle.

"And the winner, by a ring out, Felicity."

The only people who looked unhappy with that were the Molehills and Felicity herself as she trudged out of the ring. She returned Lara's enthusiastic hug with "That win felt like cheating."

It wasn't often Lara was short of words, but she was here.

[countess_karnstein]

She could feel Lara was using magic. Even through her finger tips it emanated from her with such power that Ella felt overwhelmed. Still she kept their fingers linked, hoping that in some way her presence was helping. With only three standard powers she didn’t know what good to Lara she could have been.

The harder he pushed on Fliss’s neck the more Ella wanted to help Lara’s friend. She was torn between signalling for her vampires to break from the crowd and entering the ring herself but whatever Lara was doing suddenly worked and Fliss won the match. With such a victory Ella stepped away so Lara and Fliss could have their moment.

In the background the mountain wolves looked angry. Full of rage the boy that lost the match was pushed and hit for being so weak. Even in human form they carried the pack animal vibe with them.

“Their clan is known for being dangerous. Where his hands were going he was aiming to kill you.” Ella spoke calmly from behind Lara where Fliss who was still hanging on the hug, looked shocked and blinked at Ella.

She squeezed Lara a little more in a frightened hug. “Seriously? He was trying?”

Ella responded with a serious nod and didn’t want to elaborate on methods of killing people.

“Ladies and gentleman, if I could have your attention please. Next in the ring we have Leo vs Michael!”

Fliss gasped and instantly broke the hug. Flinging herself around to look at Leo stepping into the circle. Once inside the circlet the wolves were forbidden to leave until throw out, dead or submission. These were the set in stone rules that upset Fliss the second she saw her best friend step into that circle. “What is he thinking! Michael is a crazy! He’s not ready for that!”

Michael was about the same age as Leo. Both young freshman only Michael was built like your stereotypical jock who only cared about how big his muscles were and how hard he could hit. Leo, supporting the image of the skinny boy next door cracked his knuckles and waited for the fight to begin.

“Come on! We need to get closer!” Fliss took Lara’s hand like a little sister wanting to show something and tugged her down the stairs and closer to the pitch. “Can you help him?! If he gets stuck? Can you?”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara hugged Fliss tighter before letting go. "The more I see of the Mountain Wolves, the less I like them. And if I'd had thirty seconds before the match I could have helped? But he's not channelling properly.

She swallowed, looking at Michael. "You use Royal Rumble rules for a ring out? Feet touch the floor." Lara was prattling, stating the obvious, leading to Fliss frowning even if Ella knew this tone possibly better than Lara herself understood it; there was the edge of a plan poking Lara's subconscious but she wasn't fully aware of what it was yet so was talking and stating the obvious to sort out her own thoughts. "And he's just the sort of swaggering jock who will go for the full overhead throw."

Leo was a lot better at dodging than Michael, obviously, but his hits were nowhere near as hard and the difference could be seen. Lara, far from calling advice was still prattling. "He's never going to win like that. Not enough power. But his claws are sharp enough he could take the lunk down by a thousand cuts pretty easily." Over the far side of the ring the alpha of the Mountain Wolves could be seen, purposely making sure he couldn't see the ring so he could jump in to defend any 'unjustly accused' wolf.

And then her face lit up even as Leo flinched from a heavy blow. Two hits to one and four to one through the guard didn't mean much when one fighter was so much bigger than the other. "We can win this. Fliss, Ella, I need you both. Fliss, taunt him. I need that overmuscled idiot to throw Leo out this way. Early for preference. And to draw his claws so Leo doesn't draw first." Her smirk grew. "Ella, I need your speed. He needs to land on a table with no one touching him at any point and his feet not touching the ground. That will give him the time I need with him even if I can't touch him without him forfeiting."

She knew she was playing a dangerous game here, but had never learned to back down and thought Leo would prefer a more than fighting chance even if he lost to the fight ending in a whimper.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella blinked when Lara asked for her speed to help a wolf but she knew how much they meant to Lara even if they weren’t Ella’s biggest fan. She waited, watching the mountain wolf play with Leo like he was toying with a piece of meat.

Fliss noted how much endurance Leo must have to take blow after blow and refuse to quit. It didn’t stop her covering her mouth with her hands each time Michaels blows connected with his body. The minute Lara asked her to taunt him she stepped closer to the ring and puffed up her chest full of air. “What do you call that? Call yourself a wolf? I’ve seen puppies with more fight in them you overweight jerk!”

Michael, who at this point has his hand around Leo’s neck. Listened to everything Fliss had to say. The anger built up in his eyes and to prove he was something to be feared he let go of Leo and kneed him square in the stomach. Leo’s whimper of pain could be heard by the people closest to the ring but only for a brief moment as the crowd roared with cheer for the mountain wolf. Michael thrust his hands up to the sky and walked around as if baiting for someone to enter that was worth his time. The crowd roared again.

Fliss moved a little closer to Lara and started to worry at what was coming next. When Leo struggled to his feet, Michael charged from the other side of the circle and smashed into Leo with the force of a quarterback. The little wolf went flying and would have landed outside the arena if it wasn’t for Ella who moved faster than the wolves could see and moved a table to catch Leo’s fall. The crowded booed the vampires actions but Leo could still win this if he wanted to.

“What kind of wolf has a vampire helping them to cheat?” The alpha snarled. “Finish him Michael. Stop playing around.”

Michael smashed his knuckles together. “Oh you’re going to wish you tapped out.” And with that he wanted on the edge of the circle for Leo to jump back in. “You signed your death warrant for helping him, vampire.”

Ella laughed, feeling as though she was being taunted by a child.