[Songs for scene: Billie Eilish - No Time To Die]

A terrifying growl ripped through the air and left Yuè sitting up fast in the warm sunlight that spilled through the bedroom window. He sat there for a moment, listening intensely.

"That's cheating!" A deep yet boyish voice came from downstairs.

"Gunter, you're the last person to complain about fairness. Last time we fought, you waited until my back was turned to sink your teeth into my ass. My ass of all things." Emery sounded annoyed, yet a chuckle followed soon after.

With wide eyes, Yuè climbed from the bed of silent feet, walking over to the door and opening it quietly. The air was slightly cooler in the hallway and he shivered, crossing his arms to stave off the chill.

Peeking over the banister of the stairwell, he spotted the source of the voices. Emery was a familiar face, but Yuè had never seen the other man before. Just from his build alone, it was obvious that he was a wolf.

The other had light brown curly hair that hung around the top of his broad shoulders and was nearly as tall as Marcellus. His muscled arms, covered in inky tribal markings, held a sheen layer of sweat. "Yeah, when I was a wolf. Not when I was human."

Emery laughed, wearing a loose white linen shirt that dipped down low and opened near his chest. "You're a sore loser brother."

Gunter jumped toward him. In mid air his skin shredded and rained down. And when he landed atop of Emery he was a large wolf with a brown coat and dark eyes—one enormous paw atop Emery's chest.

Emery only folded his arms behind his head as though he were relaxing beneath the sun, head tipped back. "Good morning," He smiled, gaze finding Yuè peeking over the banister. "Did we wake you?"

Yuè's eyes snapped to his mouth slightly agape at the sight of the large wolf that was pressed on top of the other man.

There was a sliver of fear creeping through him and he backed up a step away from the banister before he could stop himself. He could still feel the sharp teeth of the beasts as they tore into his flesh and bile rose in the back of his throat.

He inhaled, an almost pained sound as he tried to pull his frightened mind from the terrifying events that were still fresh on his mind. Events that had very nearly led to his death.

He was vaguely aware of his body hitting the floor, legs curling up to his chest as he fought off the phantom pain that burned through both his leg and chest, the pain in his injured arm spiking and adding to the horrid vision that plagued his mind.

In an instant, Emery was at his side, his face hovering over Yuè's. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"He's human. That's what's wrong." Gunter said.

"Shut up, not the time." Emery barked back as he helped Yuè up from the floor.

Yuè inhaled deeply, eyes clenched closed as he tried to center his thoughts. He was not dead. There weren't teeth trying to rip out his throat. He was okay.

He repeated this over and over until his heart finally settled; his lungs no longer felt restricted.

Dual colored eyes opened slowly, his hand unclenching from where it had balled into the front of Emery's shirt. It was then he noted that he was plastered against the man's front, his tears staining the fabric there and he jerked away in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry. I-I'm okay now." He assured the other, face a bright red from both crying and embarrassment.

"What happened? Were you having an actual panic attack?" Genuine concern left the man's usual calm voice, pinched and high with worry.

Yuè stared up at him with guilt at making him worry. "Yes, I just wasn't expecting…" He gestured towards the other man, Gunter, with a weak hand. "It caught me off guard a little, but I am okay now. Really."

Emery looked over his shoulder at Gunter, who was now back in human form. "He wasn't one of the ones who hurt you, and neither would my other brothers who had. Marcellous made that clear last night when you were sleep."

Yuè didn't feel very reassured, but he nodded anyway, rubbing at his broken arm with a wince. He really should get a sling for it, lest he wish to do more damage to the point of no repair. Perhaps they would allow him outside, to find herbs that may soothe the pain.

"It is very nice to meet you, Gunter was it?" He greeted, finally turning to face the other man. His heart still beat harshly in his chest, but he stood straighter now. "I am sorry for how I reacted. Not exactly a good first meeting." He gave a slight bow.

"And you are?" Gunter asked. "Most humans are scared of us. I expect it." He laughed.

"Most humans fear what they do not understand." Yuè said. "And I am only human. It was not my intention to react the way I had, but you must understand the last time I saw a beast such as you, I nearly died. This will all…take some getting used to."

His lips pressed into a frown. In only a few days, his life had been turned upside down and all but destroyed all because he refused to spread his legs. Was this a test from the goddess? If so, it was a cruel one.

Shaking his head of those thoughts, he looked to Emerys. "Will it be possible for me to go outside? I would like to gather herbs for the pain in my arm. Unless you have some here."

Emery nodded his head. "With someone beside you. Orders that you don't run off alone. If you escape, it can cause many problems." He flashed a frown

"Problems?" Yuè's brows pulled together in confusion. "I don't think I can cause much trouble in my current state, nor would I try to leave. I don't…I don't have anywhere else to go."

Emery patted Yuè's back. "You're a human in wolf territory. Right now you're in the North East parts of Emberland. Salthelm. Marcellous' lands. But if you leave and try to find your way back home, you might wander in the wrong territory."

Gunter made a noise of protest. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But if you walk with us to get some fresh air, none of them will fuck with you, that's for sure. Just have Marcellus to claim you."

Yuè sputtered, looking up at Gunter with wide mismatched eyes. "C-claim?" He felt his cheeks warm. Surely he didn't mean it the way that he was thinking, right?

"I didn't Stu-stutter." Gunter responded, copying Yuè. "Yeah claim. You know. Make you his."

Emery shoved Gunter and shook his head. "He's an idiot. Wolf's claim their mates. Mark them, and let others know you can't be touched. Two males are uncommon. He's just poking at you. Come." He said, grabbing hold of Yuè's hand.

While they descended the steps, Gunter burst out into a fit of laughter about how he had fooled Yuè with his unfunny joke.

"Don't mind him. He is childish. Never really had time to grow since he was in a coma since he was fifteen and got out at twenty four. Now he's twenty seven and still doesn't know how to act his age." Emery sounded annoyed. His usual smooth voice clipped.

Yuè's ears were burning and he ducked his head as he followed behind Emery. He was curious to know why Gunter had been in a coma for so long, but he kept the question sealed behind his lips. It was not his place or business to ask.

"Is there a lake or a brook nearby that I can visit? Preferably at night? I would only need a few minutes."

"There's one behind the mansion? Why do you ask?" Emery led him through the double doors of his mansion, edged in gold.

Yuè hesitated, biting his lip. He couldn't exactly say that he wanted to use the water as a mirror to check on his father. He knew the history of the beast. He doubted they would let him stay knowing of his abilities.

"It's a traditional thing. My people believe that if you bathed under the moon it would promote faster healing." It wasn't technically a lie. It did promote healing.

Emery hummed thoughtfully while they descended stone steps carved from the mountain side their mansion sat atop. In the distance they could see the forest top and its thousands of trees.

"Ah." Emery hummed thoughtfully. "For your broken arm, right?" He looked over to him, a sweet and charming smile claiming his lips.

Yuè's breath hitched and he was taken in by how handsome Emery was now that he had a chance to really study him.

His cheeks flushed and he looked away in embarrassment. He wasn't sure how they would react to his… preferences. The last people who discovered them tried to take advantage of him and cast him away as a Sinner.

"Y-yes. For my arm." He cleared his throat, brushing a strand of silver hair behind his ear and wincing when it caught on a tangle. He would need to wash it soon, but he wasn't sure how he would manage with only one hand. Perhaps he was better off cutting it.

"Marcellus should've wrapped your arm properly. If you need me to, just say the word." Emery's long blond hair blew behind him as they reached the bottom of the mountain side.

It was a beautiful sight. The golden sun swelled above them. A flock of birds soared east in an uneven V formation.

The rocky path led them to the back of the large mansion. They walked through a garden holding statues of enormous wolves and water fountains that reflected the dozens of rose bushes.

"It's just up ahead." Emery reinsured.