No Apologies Allowed

Myranda was so happy to be back outside of the cave. The growing drama was not what she wanted to be around at the moment. She hadn't even wanted to go out to that horrible sight in the first place!

Now, she was in a bad mood - worse than before, really. Joss had been so disrespectful to her (emotionally charged or not, it wasn't nice), she had to go back to that forsaken death ground, and then she know she looked like a fool as she tried to fight.

"My Luna?" Metas asked as though he had been trying to get her attention for a while now.

"Hmm?" Myranda let out and turned her attention to him as they walked past the gathered group outside of the cave. For a moment, she was worried someone would stop them, but Metas must have given them some sort of look, or maybe they could just read he wanted to be left alone, because not even her brother approached them.

She was too busy looking at the ground to notice much of anything, though really.

"Did something happen before you came to my aid?" Metas asked tenderly, and kept walking with her proudly.

"Mmm... I just... I don't care for how Joss spoke to me, is all. I know I'm not officially a Luna or anything, but I still think that even as his pack-sister he should have asked a bit more nicely to take him to you," she replied reluctantly.

"Ah. I see," Metas replied steadily and kept walking towards the lagoon so that he could rinse his fur. "I know that feeling well - and trust me, Mandy - it will get better with time, and with practice. I do understand however, that you are all in a high state of emotion. I have a feeling he didn't mean to snap. It also helps to state your distaste with their tones immediately. It is something you learn with practice."

"I'm not sure that's something I'll be able to do efficiently," Myranda confessed with shame.

"Sweetheart, I know you will be able to with practice. You are strong, and you are nothing but attitude - and I love that about you more than anything. You could always pretend that everyone you talk to is Jyriah. You seem to have an easy time communicating with him. So why not picture him when someone slights you?"

"That's a really good idea...Uhg... I'm useless as a Luna, aren't I?" she lamented.

"Not at all. You give me purpose and strength. Mandy, you are my sun and my moon. You are the fire in my life that helps me burn. You're very much a grand Luna - but you have to grow into your own definition of what a Luna is. Whatever you choose, as long as you are good to our kingdom - and you will be - I will support you."

"I don't deserve you, Metas."

"You deserve me, and I deserve you. There is no one I'd rather have by my side. You are my love, my life, my Luna. Nothing changes that," he answered steadily, and stopped near the edge of the small pool of water and took a seat on his hind legs, and propped himself up on his front paws.

"Thank you, Metas. I love and cherish you deeply. I wish I hadn't pushed you away earlier. I honestly didn't realize how much I need you now that I have you," she said warmly and despite the sticky and tacky blood on his coat, she leaned into him regardless.

"Thank you, Mandy. You've brought meaning and joy to my life, and I need you as much as you need me. We're a team, and nothing can break that now," he replied in kind.

"...and I love you, but we do need to work on your fighting skills. You're too jumpy. I will have to show you how to keep low and circle your opponent without faltering. The main rule is to keep eye contact. Once your opponent looks away, you take that second to go for their throats. Cold and calculated beats out fast and fiery any day," he added.

"How did you learn to fight?" she couldn't help but ask, and hoped it wasn't too much of a sore subject.

"I watched Silas and Harbinger a lot, read a ton of books, and asked my friends for practice sessions. It was much easier with help - so let me help you as well," he offered and tilted his head down to rest upon hers.

"I would like that a lot. If I am your right hand, then I should be as strong as you. I hope to never find out if we have to use our skills, but if we do - at least I'll be prepared."

"Mandy, you are already as strong as I am. You just need to sharpen your skills. Your capabilities are grand, but your abilities are lacking. This just means you have room for potential. If you were weak, then I could not teach you anything," Metas replied with warmth in his tone, but it was hard for Myranda to not take a little offense to his words. True as they may be, they were still hard to swallow.

As if he knew exactly what his words had done, he followed up quickly with, "-and don't think I'm saying you're not worthy. You very much are. I'm just saying you're very capable is all."

"I know you mean well - but it still isn't a fun fact to admit that I fight like a puppy. Do you think maybe we could start tomorrow once your wounds heal?" she asked with hope.

"Mmmhm - as long as you promise to heal me," he said with a grin, and a tone of pure flirtation.

"I don't think I'd ever have a problem treating your wounds, my Alpha. Now how about we get all of the blood off of your coat? You're starting to smell like those dead vultures across the way," she replied and sneered a little as she looked towards the Vampire Coven's home.

"That is a fate worse than death. How about we bathe, and then return home for the night?"

"No...I'm really not in the mood to see Joss - not even if he had an apology waiting for me. Can we stay out here together tonight? I don't think anyone will be returning - and as long as we sleep together in our lycan forms, we'll be fine. I don't think I could stand another moment cramped with everyone in that tiny little rock-hut right now," she confessed with a bit of shame in her tone. She felt a little too spoiled after those words left her lips, but Metas didn't make a move or sound to indicate he was offended.

"I would like that, too. I am not certain I'd like to face Joss either. I know you didn't want to go back there. Luna or not, it's cruel to ask someone to do such a thing for something that wasn't a known fact. Yes, though - I'd love to sleep out here together tonight. I know a small brush where I take naps in the shade we can fit in. It could also throw our enemies off to have scents out in the woods. Your suggestion makes for a good tactic," Metas replied with with delight.

"Ah, my Alpha - you always make me feel better. Thank you."

"Of course, my Luna. I love you - and it is my honor to make you feel better."

******

Joss sat on the rocks in the stream near the cave entrance and focused on the tree furthest away. He was trying very hard to focus his thoughts, but it wasn't working well. He was starting to regret the way he had spoken to Myranda - and even worse, he was feeling guilty he had made her go back to the very place she had tried to avoid.

He wasn't sure is apologizing would be enough, and yet he thought of all the words he could summon to ask for her forgiveness. Not just as a Luna, but as his pack-sister. He didn't want or need a rift between them now that Syrana was gone.

Part of him hoped that she'd come strolling up with Metas any moment, but he couldn't even pick up their scent. Perhaps they were avoiding coming back?

He felt a deep sense of unease with not knowing if or when they would return, and with the fact that Metas had given the group a cold, and knowing look as he passed them earlier. Hopefully he hadn't lost the trust of anyone, and perhaps they understood why he would act so irrationally when it came to his twin sister.

....I mean they had to, right?

...Right?...