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[eyarazrushost]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[oftheshadow]

I know your scent, he told her, moving his head only slightly in the direction of her hand. I have for years. Ever since she'd begun bringing him kitchen scraps, quiet and small, her vibrant red hair the only spot of color in his dull grey world of concrete, chains, and cages.

...you...you weren't afraid. When even grown, hard-bitten mercenaries were terrified to approach the steel bars, their fear reeking from their rank-smelling sweat. I was...surprised. Even the old man had carried a whip whenever he'd come to collect his 'pet'. A few thin white scars across his midnight-black muzzle attested its use.

The glow up ahead signaled they were approaching the city, and the wolf's ears went up. You will need money, he told her, and a different vehicle. As well as warmer clothing. And food and other supplies, but money and a vehicle first. All else could be gathered as they went.

[eyarazrushost]

Genya glanced at him curiously. She knew he knew of her. She'd brought him food. As much as she could manage. She always thought the wolf was too lean. She knew that Lantsov didn't keep him well fed. It was cruel the way the wolf was treated. There wasn't much she could do to rebel against them, but she could do that.

"I knew you weren't going to hurt me," she answered honestly. She wasn't sure how she knew that. She simply did. She knew that truth deep down in her spirit.

Her eyes studied the lights of the city. She'd seen it enough times with Tatiana. She'd been dragged along to various parties and galas and 'charity' events. She'd never really explored it for her own.

"A friend left me some money and clothes. There's a drop off spot where I can get it," she explained. Zoya couldn't do much given her own restraints within the system, but this was more than enough for Genya. "I guess we can steal a car?"

She'd never done that before, but she'd watched videos. "I need to Tailor myself," she added. She needed to not look so Genya Safin. "That will give us more coverage."

The large wolf would be difficult to hide.

[oftheshadow]

They left the SUV in an abandoned lot not far from Genya's drop spot, the large wolf keeping well in the shadows, very nearly one himself. Fetch your supplies, he'd told her, ghosting along beside her as they slunk down the silent street. Do what you must and I will meet you at the train station in an hour.

Then his voice had faded, but before it disappeared entirely, he added, soft as a whisper, I am called Aleksander.

At this time of night, the train station wasn't overly crowded and only half-lit, as many of the overhead lights were out or missing entirely. A tired-looking middle-clerk was running the counter, yawning almost every ten minutes. A few weary passengers napped on the hard wooden benches, waiting for their next connection, and still fewer noodled about between trains coming and going.

A pair of cops were checking tickets and ID's, reporting into their shoulder mics every third person or so; they were looking for a red-haired woman and possibly a very large black dog, a purebred German Shepherd. But no one in the station matched either description - honestly, a dog? - so they soon wandered back out, leaving all inside muttering about the rudeness of cops and the inconvenience of it all.

Save for one, a tall man in all-black clothing, wearing a hooded sweater with sleeves that didn't quite reach his wrists, jeans that didn't quite reach the tops of thick black combat boots, and gleaming white teeth that were a little longer than normal, and gold-ringed dark eyes that watched everything intently from the depths of the hood.

[eyarazrushost]

After she'd reached the drop spot, Genya had changed. Not just her clothes, but her appearance as well. She transformed her scarlet curls into sleek black hair. She darkened the blue of her eyes to a hazel shade that wouldn't catch much attention. The shape of her eyes were slightly larger and rounder for a doe eyed look instead of her familiar piercing gaze. She flattened the tip of her nose a bit with less of angle. Finally, her lips were made smaller and thinner to hide the plushness of them.

She was unrecognizable. Only the wolf could identify her by her scent. She changed from her clothes into the ones Zoya had left for her. She wore a pair of black jeans and a chic grey sweater that was covered with a wool coat in navy blue. She was thankful that she'd worn sensible boots.

With the money, she was able to buy supplies they'd need north. The cabin would be well stocked, but she still bought food and water that she squirreled away in her newly purchased duffel bag. She bought a large flash light with extra batteries, a scarf and a beanie for herself, and a burner phone. It wasn't much, but she didn't want to blow all the cash now. They'd likely need more supplies during their stay, so they needed to be reasonable.

She hefted the duffel bag on her shoulder as she strode into the station. Her now raven black hair was tucked beneath her navy blue beanie while the scarf hung around her neck. She wasn't sure what she was looking for. A wolf, certainly, but that felt too conspicuous. People would freak out if there was a wolf.

Her eyes scanned the station and studied all the people. Could he be hiding in the Shadows? He'd hid himself so easily before. She clocked the lack of cops here at this sleepy hour. It was mostly passengers milling about from one destination to the next. Her eyes traveled around and nearly passed over a tall, dark figure that hugged the wall.

Immediately, Genya looked back at him. She didn't know him, but when his eyes locked on hers, she felt that same familiar feeling when she'd first locked eyes with the wolf. Her feet began to bring her towards him until she stutter stepped when she realized she didn't look at all like herself.

[oftheshadow]

He'd smelled her nearly a block away, so familiar was her scent. Warm summer rain, autumn cedar, and apple blossoms after the last snow of spring. He'd recognize it anywhere. So he wasn't too surprised when a completely different woman stepped into the station, cautiously glancing about before moving further inside. Yes, she'd hidden her true self well.

It was nearly time for their next transportation to arrive, so he slipped out of the corner and headed for her, slightly impressed that she did the same - how could she recognize him like this? - only to have her stop and try to turn away. He gently took her elbow before she could.

"It's me," he murmured in the same voice she'd heard before. Dark, low, and tinged with that hint of the North. "This isn't a form I choose often, but it has its uses." Even if the clothes he'd pilfered didn't entirely fit. The face that gazed over her head briefly, scanning their surroundings, then back at her was weather-pale, sharply featured, and sported a dark beard that obscured the lower half.

"The authorities have been and gone," he told her quietly, leading her to the loading platform. "We have tickets for the next train; it should be arriving at any moment."

[eyarazrushost]

She'd been guided by something deeper when she recognized the wolf in him. Her stutter step had jarred her out of it. It allowed her brain to catch up with her. This was Aleksander as a human. His voice sounded exactly the same, but only now, she could actually hear him. He looked weary and reserved, yet she still found him breathtakingly beautiful. The gold around his dark eyes were arresting.

"How?" she whispered to him. Genya let him guide her towards their train. He'd not only acquired a human form, but train tickets as well. Her eyes causally looked around to confirm what he'd said about cops. It appeared as though the coast was clear.

She stayed close to him. The train doors were open for them, so they stepped onto it from the platform. There weren't many other passengers at this hour. It was only them and a mother with a sleepy eyed child in her arms. Genya lingered on the sight for a moment and wondered about her own mother.

"Are you alright?" she asked when they were safely on. She didn't know what it took for him to be like this. Her gaze swept over him with worry and care.

[oftheshadow]

He’d acquired not only tickets, but the clothes he now wore and a passing-fair ID, also. The unfortunate who’d “donated” all of these would live, but more than likely suffer months of mental trauma thanks to being attacked by first a giant black wolf before getting stuffed into a supply closet after being knocked unconscious by a giant naked barbarian in the train station.

Oh, well. Ends justified the means, after all.

Aleksander didn’t answer nor relax from quivering alert until the train had departed, sliding smoothly through the inky night. He’d parked Genya next to the window and swung in beside her, right in front of the back exit doors.

“I’m sorry,” he quietly apologized, “for being so rough. It’a been…decades since I’ve been in this form.” He gestured wryly to his torso. “It’s still a little awkward to handle.”

[eyarazrushost]

"You're not rough," she said in surprised. Genya knew what rough was. She knew how it felt when a man was rough and careless with her. She knew the sort of aches and bruises it left behind. That hadn't been Aleksander at all. He was guarded and jerky in his movements since it was all so abrupt, but nothing that made her feel any discomfort. His large form stayed close to her like he was trying to hide her. It made her feel so much safer.

She felt herself relax slightly. His body was pressed against hers next to her. It wasn't unwelcome.

"It's very nice," she offered a little shyly. The words felt silly. "I like the other you as well. They're both-- lovely."

She wondered if this was the symptoms of all the stress and panic coming to a head. She gave a low huff and shook her head. "Are you hungry?" she dug through the duffel bag and pulled out the different snacks she'd purchased. Trail mix, protein bars, beef jerky. She'd bought whatever could keep and be filling.

[oftheshadow]

Had she seen him but a scant half hour earlier, Genya might not have been so charitable with her compliments. Going from four legs to two was quite a shock, and the loss of a thick, rudder-like tail made keeping his balance nearly impossible for the first fifteen minutes or so. Then there was all the business with thumbs, and trying not to bite his own tongue when swearing like a sulfurous pirate as he attempted to don the pilfered clothing and remain upright all at the same time.

This human form was just so bloody hindering awkward. Tall, lanky, and just...odd, he was once more reminded why he much preferred the one he'd been born into; his wolf form was quite perfect, from the tip of his sharp nose to the end of his thick, bushy tail. But, moving about as such a creature, regardless of how magnificent, would see their trek ended more than quickly, so he'd been forced to don this uncomfortable skin once again.

But his senses were no less sharp with just two legs, and a dark eyebrow arched as he smelt Genya's scent change just a bit as she spoke, becoming...warmer. Sweeter, somehow. Not...unpleasant, and he found his nostrils flaring to take in more of it. Then she began to rummage in her duffel, procuring food, by all the gods. He went for the jerky first, leaving the more nutritious snacks for her. It was tough, dry, and was slightly softer than boot leather, but he swallowed it down regardless. Once they reached their destination, he could hunt, so at least they'd have plenty of meat.

"...thank you," he murmured afterwards, once again casting his gaze around the nearly empty car, always on alert, always ready for danger.

[eyarazrushost]

Genya allowed him to have his fill of whatever he wanted. She wasn't surprised that he'd gone for the jerky. She wished she bought more. She pulled out a water bottle and kept it close in case he got thirsty. She didn't have much of an appetite. Her heart was still in her throat with worry and fear that Lantsov will come swooping down on them to drag them both back.

Her fingers fidgeted with a bag of trail mix. Her eyes kept darting around even though the train was on a steady journey north. The train was largely empty, so it was quiet. Even the lights were slightly dimmed. She couldn't shake the worry and the gnawing fear.

"You're welcome though it's really not necessary. I don't think I would have been able to escape without you," she admitted. The guards would have surely caught her even if she hadn't taken a detour to free him.

[oftheshadow]

He sensed no immediate threats; the young mother had dozed off not long after her babe had fallen asleep. So he was free to turn his attention back to his companion, feeling her anxiety as keenly as if it was his own. He hesitantly reached out and placed a large hand on her arm.

"Calm," he whispered, speaking nearly into her ear. "We're safe, for now. I smell nothing out of the ordinary, and no one will be looking for us as we are." His hand was large, the fingers long and dexterous, a soothing weight.

"You were right," he told her then. "We needed each other, back there." She would have been all-too-easily apprehended by the guards had she been alone, and he'd still be shackled to the basement floor inside a thick steel cage.

[eyarazrushost]

Normally, any unfamiliar touch made her flinch especially from men. Lantsov had made her jumpy. He'd made touch from another human being feel like something dirty. It made her feel less than. That wasn't what she felt when he leaned in to murmur in her ear. He was already much closer than she'd ever allowed anyone, but it didn't feel like it was a danger.

It didn't make her feel like she was disgusting.

His hand on her arm was warm and gentle. She stared at it for a long beat and studied the length and shape of his fingers. "I'm glad you're here with me," she admitted. She couldn't imagine anyone else. She didn't trust many others save for the few she could count on one hand. It had taken time to build that trust, but with Aleksander, it came easily.

"Aleksander is a pretty name," she offered up. She was curious about him, but she didn't prod. It was his story to tell.

[oftheshadow]

Slowly withdrawing his hand, he straightened a bit and replied in the same quiet tone, "My first master gave it to me." No idea why; apparently the old wizard had just liked how it sounded. "A very, very long time ago."

He'd seen centuries pass, most of them from behind the bars of some cage or other. After his first master passed, he'd been left to the wizard's horrible son, who was all to eager to squander his patron's wonderful discoveries, his incalculable wealth, and to abuse and defile all of the treasures the sorcerer had cherished.

Including the only living Shadow Wolf in existence.

But he shared none of that; it wasn't his wont to speak to humans - doing so with Genya had been the first time he'd uttered even a syllable in over half a century. That curiosity, however, he heard himself saying, even as he wondered why.

"...I haven't spoken to anyone since...in over five decades."

[eyarazrushost]

"You're doing well. You have a very pleasant voice," she told him. More than that, his voice was like warm, smoky velvet. She realized she missed his touch. The feel of his large hand was a comfort. It helped steady her spiraling nerves. Their conversation gave her something to focus on at least. Fifty years was a long time not to speak to anyone. She didn't blame him. Not with how Lantsov used and abused him. She wished she didn't have to talk to the old man either or his horrid wife.

She hoped she never had to again. "You might need some water," she added. She twisted the cap and offered it to him. "Your throat might be dry from disuse. The water will help with that."

She liked being able to help. She liked doing. Sitting idle had never been her forte. Now that all they had to do was sit and wait until they arrived, she needed to find a way to keep herself occupied.

[oftheshadow]

He wasn't used to...compliments. But he nodded in thanks, taking the offered water when she held it out. It was clear and cool, delicious stuff, but he was careful to take only a single deep swallow before handing it back again.

"You are...very kind." An observation. He'd noticed it time and time before. His brow furrowed slightly. "Yet...you lived there for many years. I remember when you first arrived." She'd been so small, barely out of babyhood. "It is...odd, that you did not end up like them." Cold, cruel, and conniving.

Again, not understanding why, he slowly held out his hand, palm up this time, inviting. "...that is...that is a good thing."

[eyarazrushost]

She called the water, but kept the bottle out in case he wanted more. She knew she needed to drink some too. She simply couldn't bring herself to stomach any of it with the way her stomach was all knotted up. She glanced up at him in surprise when he recalled when she'd first arrived at the manor. She didn't think he remembered or even noticed her when she was first brought there.

She'd always had a fondness for animals. Even the great wolf hadn't scared her off that. Lantsov and his men had made it clear that he wasn't a pet. He was a weapon. Her shoulders hunched. He thought her kind, but she knew that she was just as scheming and manipulative as Tatiana. She'd seen the woman and her circle of friends play their games. It was how Genya had managed her escape plan as she did.

Her hand was tentative and small in his. Her touch was unsure because she didn't think he deserved his kindness. "I feel like I did end up like them. They changed me," she said quietly, "They broke me."

[oftheshadow]

Long fingers slowly, very slowly, closed around her smaller digits, the wolf staring thoughtfully at their joined hands. Strange...the touch wasn't painful, or revolting, or even unpleasant. He deliberately lifted their joined hands, tilting his head this way and that as he examined the back of her hand, clasped in his.

"No," he quietly disagreed, lowering their hands again. "They tried. They tried many times." He knew, because they'd done the same to him. Over and over and over. "But I see no brokenness here." Turning his head, he glanced over at her, gold-ringed eyes meeting hers, seeing not the disguise she now wore, but the girl she'd been, the woman she was.

"You have steel inside. Strength. A deep core of...of darkness." Like called to like. "...like calls to like," he whispered, gripping her hand just a little tighter.

[eyarazrushost]

She felt at ease with her hand in his. His old didn't make her feel trapped. She was fascinated by the way he took in the sight of their hands together. He was comparing the two. It was an excellent study in contrasts. Small and soft to his large and rough. It had been a long time since he had use of hands. Likely even longer that a touch had been so gentle.

"I feel broken," she said ruefully. She wanted to be what he said she was. She wanted to be the steel that he saw in her with his golden ringed eyes. But Lantsov had carved pieces of herself each time he came to her bed. He ground her down until she was nothing but a raw, open nerve left in the ribbons of what she was. She hated the thought.

Genya held fast to his hand like a lifeline. "You're strong," she countered. He'd been unstoppable. Like calls to like, he said. "I wish I could be strong like you. No one could ever hurt me."

[oftheshadow]

Her latter words made him pause. Lower his gaze and his head. Fall silent for what seemed time indeterminable. He was quiet until the train slid into the next sleepy stop, the young mother rising and exiting the car without a word. No one else boarded; the whistle blew a short blast and then the train once again glided off into the cold night.

Finally, the wolf released Genya's hand, then very slowly, an inch at the time, he rolled up the sleeve of his too-short sweatshirt and held out his wrist, turning his arm over to reveal the weathered skin over deep, dark veins. Scars snaked all the way around his arm, old, faded, white. A couple even slithered upwards, marring the tender skin as they disappeared beneath the fabric.

"...they hurt me," he admitted in his low voice. "Humans...they always hurt."

[eyarazrushost]

"They can, yes. They hurt and destroy, but there are some that can be good too."

Her eyes dropped down to his arm. She saw the scarred skin that spanned his wrist then spiderwebbed its way further up where she could see. She felt her heart constrict at the cruelty he suffered. His pain was apparent upon his skin for anyone to see. She could only imagine what they looked like beneath his fur in his wolf form. Her pain was inside of her where Lantsov had reached so deep and hollowed her out.

"I can fix it. I can soften the scars, but I can also hide them completely. For a time," she offered to him. It was a worthwhile effort in her opinion. Better than anything she did for Tatiana's wrinkles and sagging tits.

Her fingertips lightly brushed along his wrist. Her touch was tender and feather soft. She wanted him to feel a touch there that was kind for once. "Like calls to like," she repeated his words. "You and I. We're the same, aren't we?"

[oftheshadow]

Thankfully she couldn’t see his neck, or, Saints forfend, his back. She’d have quite the challenge if she wanted to smooth away all the marks humans had left in his skin. At least the thick black fur hid most, but in this form, they were apparent for all to see.

Her touch was…soft, and he didn’t feel the customary instinct to jerk away from it - he’d instigated it earlier, after all - but he shook his head to her offer, not wanting her to waste her talents on his worthless hide.

“No need,” he told her in answer. “I use this form so seldom that it isn’t necessary.”

He felt a light shiver course over his arm in the wake of her touch. Curious. It wasn’t…unpleasant, and the muscles flexed on their own in response. Her musing quirked a corner of his mouth, odd humor piqued.

“In many ways, yes. Others, not so much.”

[eyarazrushost]

Was that a smile? It was like the ghost of one quirking at the corner of his lips. It drew one to hers as well. Suddenly, the anxiety and terror she'd felt shifted into humor. A laugh bubbled out of her as the gravity of what they'd done truly washed over her. She had to bring her other hand up to her mouth to muffle the sound. Where had this all even come from? It was like his quirked lips had broken the ice.

"I'm sorry. I might be a little mental right now," she sighed as she got ahold of herself. Genya lightly traced along the inside of his wrist and then down to his palm where she followed the lines etched there. He had big hands, much like he had big paws.

"Mmm, perhaps you're right. I'm not sure I'd make a very good wolf," she agreed with a twinkle in her eyes.

[oftheshadow]

He couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed. It was a sound he’d heard so little, seldom as a whelp and not at all during his tenure with other, cruel masters.

Well, not the mirthful, light sound that now echoed from his companion.

Aleksander felt his mouth twitch and huffed lightly through his nose. He shook his head to her apology; if she needed to laugh to settle her nerves, it was fine with him. It was only cold calculated logic that kept him in his own seat; the wolf inside wanted to shred the side of this man-made container and bolt for the trees and the relative safety of the deep, deep forest.

“Probably not,” he agreed a little wryly. “Few could.” He watched her small fingers map his wrist and palm, lupine curiosity arresting his attention.

“But,” he heard himself say, “tonight you have done what seemed nigh impossible.”

[eyarazrushost]

"I still can't believe we did it," she replied with a shake of her head. Her heart was still racing at a heightened beat, but it wasn't quite in her throat anymore. The comfort of the wolf in man form next to her reminded her that she was protected. They were in this together. She knew she'd feel better once they were in the thick woods in the little cabin tucked away in the mountains.

Genya started tracing the length of his fingers. She flipped his hand over and studied his knuckles and the shape of his nails. They were long and elegant. It reminded her of a pianist' fingers.

"We're close. We're so close," she murmured. He eyes traveled to gaze out the window longingly.

[oftheshadow]

“Now is the most dangerous time,” he warned her, voice still rough. “It is nature to try and rush, to throw caution to the wind and flee without care.” Prey did it on sheer instinct.

“But we must be wary still. Cautious, and clever.” The rest of his thought faded when she began running her fingers over his; he felt his skin begin to tingle somewhat curiously.

A little arrested by her intent scrutiny, he blinked, tilted his head, then inquired, “…does my hand truly fascinate you so much?”