Leverage

The feeling of the earth had never felt so good, and so freeing to Jyriah until today. His phobia of closed spaces would now be forever ingrained into his psyche, but at least he was alive. His legs couldn't even carry him as he tried to put weight on his feet for the first time in days.

He was hungry, too. However, the feeling of Joss wrapping his arms around him, and pulling the reddish headed man into his chest was far more filling than anything else.

"Joss! Joss I missed you, I missed you so much - don't leave me alone again," Jyriah laughed and cried out in relief as his arms tightened around his mate's strong torso and taller stature.

"Jerrie... Ahg, I'm so glad you're alive. I've missed you so badly it made me sick. I love you, and I'm not leaving your side ever again!" Joss replied with tears of joy dropping down his face.

"Soooo, can we talk about a reward?" Lyrica asked with a grin and tilted her head to the side.

"I told you already, the favor was already paid. That male you just let go was the one who saved you as well. Your life was spared. We owe you nothing more." Metas said sternly and shook his head.

"Yeah, but you laughed and stuff. I thought we were just--- uhg! You wolves are such a pain in my backside. Come on, please? I hate living in the city. It's so bright and I don't get a lot of peace...." Lyrica complained and gave Metas a pretty good set of puppy-dog eyes, but it did nothing to sway the male who stared at her unimpressed.

"I thought Vampires hated light, why would the city be bright?" Myranda asked in doubt.

She let Joss and Jyriah have their moment before she had her own, and while she waited, she didn't mind doing an interrogation. This woman was weird, and she didn't rub her the right way.

"Yeah, not all of us. Most of the newer generations have a lot of gene augmentations, some wear these weird glasses - and some of them even have metallic replacements for lost limbs. I mean, I enjoy a movie and a good show now and again, but the bright lights all over the city are annoying," Lyrica said with a huff and crossed her arms.

Metas and Myranda exchanged confused looks, as most of the words Lyrica had used were nothing more than gibberish. They had no idea what any of that stuff was, but assumed it was human stuff.

"So wear the attire used to block out light, then." Myranda replied coldly. Something about this female really grated her nerves.

"No - they don't work great on my eyes. What would it harm to just let me live here?" Lyrica argued and pouted with crossed arms. For someone who looked fully-grown, she sure did act a bit juvenile.

"The harm would be that it would look weak to my kingdom to allow you to do so with absolutely nothing in return," Metas replied with a matter-of-fact tone.

"I just saved that guy!" Lyrica shrieked and pointed towards Jyriah.

"Yes, but that was to repay my Luna for sparing your life. The debt you owed us is now repaid. So, unless you have another thing to trade with, the answer is no." The Alpha King answered with measure.

"You're a real piece of work, you know." Lyrica replied shortly and rolled her eyes. She really didn't want to have to give up her other 'ace' up her sleeve, but she was desperate.

Living in the techno-punk like city of the younger vampires was intolerable, and the old clans from before the human war were stuffy and too traditional to bare. The forest was where she loved to live the most. Be it the pieces of monsters she was made of or whatever -- this was where she loved.

"Fine," the abomination sighed and tapped her chin. "I do have something else..." she brought up hesitantly.

"Speak, then. I'm well prepared to gift you what you request if its good enough," Metas replied and nodded before he gestured towards her.

"So, you know that chest you guys found?" Lyrica asked innocently as though she were a child telling their parent a joke.

"Yes. What about it?" Myranda replied and looked at her flatly. She was tired of tricks and this person's foolishness.

"Well, it's got some really nice tools and weapons in there - but you can't see them because you're werewolves..." Lyrica started and went on just a little bit more. "I know how you can see them, though. If you let me live in your woods and hunt once a night, I'll tell you how. I'll build a tiny house out of stuff I find, and I'll leave your trees alone. It's good stuff, too" she finished in hopes it would tempt them.

"If what you say is true, then you should be confident in waiting until we see the goods before we strike this deal. If there are valuable items in that chest that I can see and touch with my own abilities, you may live here as long as you respect me as your King. Do you agree?" Metas replied with his own fortitude that matched hers.

"Deal! I've got nothing to lie about when it comes to those things. Come on, let's go back to that chest you guys found, and I'll show you I'm not huffing air," she replied with finality.

"You can accompany me back to my pack and we will go as a group." Metas commanded as there were no other options that were tasteful to him.

"Fiiiiine." The female said with attitude and threw her hands up.

"My Alpha-" Joss started as though he had a request, but also tacked on, "-my Luna" before he continued.

"Yes?" Myranda and Metas asked in unison by complete chance.

"I'd like to take Jyriah to get bathed and fed. Is that acceptable?" Joss requested with respect. He felt as though he were on thin ice with Myranda, and he didn't want to put any pressure on the surface in case it acused more damage.

"Absolutely," Myranda replied and nodded. "Just bring him back, please." She replied with the best smile she could muster.

"Aww, baby sis... you're so grown up now," Jyriah jested with a toothy grin. "My baby," he tacked on with a fake, over-dramatic cry.

"Stop it....but also don't... I missed you, jerkface." Myranda replied as she looked at her brother with a smile and soft eyes of affection.

"Love you, Mandy" Jyriah replied and pushed her buttons a little more (and secretly hoped to tug at Metas' tail as well with his comment).

To his delight, it worked.

"Hey- that's my name for her. Get your own," Metas replied with the most joking tone he could muster in front of a stranger.

"Brothers share, Metas." Jyriah informed playfully.

"They do. They share everything - including punches," Metas replied with a mischievous grin that was painted with a hint of ferocity behind it.

"Come on you," Joss said with a soft laugh as he supported most of Jyriah's weight and walked towards the river. "Thank you Alpha; Luna," he added and gave a grateful grin over his shoulder.