Being Human {Kaera, ask}

[Banning Vuldanshe]

What I leave,
When you go,
What I see,
And what you show,
And what I guess,
And when I don't,
Is something you all ready, all ready know,

I can't live without,
All I think about,
All I want is you,
You're all I dream about,
I can't live without,
All I want is you,

[/i][/size]




It was official; there was nothing more annoying in this new world, than the constricting feeling of a tie around one’s collar. What, was the flimsy piece of cloth some kind of new age torture device? A way to make men want to go caveman and start pissing on the rug?

It was with such irritated thoughts, that Banning greeted the night, tugging at the restricting cloth around his neck with a growl. It had been more than a month since his ‘rescue’ from Vincent Montegue’s research facility, and he was ever so slowly learning how to live in the modern world. The language barrier was hard enough, given that he’d excelled in soldiering, not in scholarly works…but this? The clothing, the mannerisms, the lack of privacy; it was just so strange!

Everyday, he was regaining his memories of their life in the past, and he was quickly beginning to think that the world was slowly toppling down into the mud it was so desperately trying to cover over. Ties…who the hell needed ties? Gods, if it wasn’t for his mate and her brother’s oath that she’d love what he was wearing, he’d set fire to the godsdamn thing.

Making his way through the Quarter, he stopped and surveyed the old, ivy ridden buildings. They seemed to loom over the people below, ever watchful, and he understood why the Fenrisulfr’s had chosen to den down in the swampy city. Despite the poverty and damage done by mother nature herself, it was an old soul, wasn’t it? Almost as old as the shifter’s themselves, and so full of history that he couldn’t help but feel a kinship with the heartbeat of Louisiana.

Now, if only there weren’t drunken kids making obscene gestures at him, or women trying to ‘pick him up.’ THEN, his love of the city would have been complete.

Heading for Screamers- which was, of course, farthest down a street full of partiers and midnight revelers- he kept his hands in his pockets and his mind focused on his mate. It had been her idea, their little ‘date,’ and he couldn’t help but feel a bit of trepidation at the entire ordeal. He was still learning the ins and outs of modern society; what if he embarrassed her? Did something wrong and got her into some kind of trouble with the human authorities? He practically cringed as he imagined them in that iron-clad jail cell he’d seen on television…and, worse yet, the look of disappointment on Kaera’s face when she looked at him.

Gods, embarrassing his woman was the last thing he wanted to do. He was no invalid in need of a crutch, or some kind of moron incapable of getting with the times. Steeling his shoulders, he moved through the crowds until he reached Screamers, fiddled with his tie one more time, then headed on in. The bouncers greeted him with smiles and waves, and more than one waitress flashed him flirtatious smiles, but he only had eyes for a certain blond beauty waiting somewhere inside.

Now, all he had to do was act normal and not get her killed in some odd, random way. Easy as hell.


[/center]

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

Cause I could be your dealer
I can be your only friend when you meet her,
I'll keep you coming back again,
You can call me anytime I can make you feel fine,
You can tell my bag of tricks if you need a fix,
Then I'm a dealer, Hey!
Love love dealer


The modern age was a pain.

Kaera hated dealing with all the double standards and two faced meetings she took on for the company as much as she loved the challenge of taking some of those smug SOB's down a notch or two once they figured out she wasn't just a pretty face. More than once, she'd walked into a conference meeting with sneers and leering eyes only to walk out leaving shell shocked faces behind. In a lot of ways, men hadn't changed that much in the thousand years she'd been alive and they still seemed to equate beauty with dumb as rocks and she was happy to change their way of thinking.

Unfortunately, that meant a lot of time spent at the office and she'd come to resent those lost moments that she could have spent with her returned mate.

Today had been no different. At least though, she'd had tonight to look forward to even if she'd been held up longer than normal.

Finally slipping out of the office and passed the security gate, Kaera sighed as she reached up and pulled the clip from her long blond hair. As it fell in rumpled waves about her shoulders, she laced her fingers through it and gave it a good shake. That alone was enough to make her almost purr with satisfaction.

By the gods how she hated putting on this sophisticated front just to please corporate America. The four inch heels she wore to make her seem taller where killing her feet and she hated the confined feeling business suites and up pulled hair gave her. Her inner wolf howled at the necessity of the things but Kaera hadn't lived as long as she had but running wild.

Once she reached her car, she quickly slipped in and then drove over to Screamers. Parking at the back, she keyed in her code and then slipped upstairs to the offices Wulf kept and was relieved to see that her clothing bag hung from the back of the door.

Evidently, Ash had managed to bring it over for her so that she wouldn't have to drive clear out of the city to the mansion before her date and she was grateful.

As it was, Banning was probably already looking for her so she hurriedly slipped into the bathroom and into a little black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places and made her feel every bit a woman. Following those by black knee high boots and a smudge of lipstick, the blond smiled at her reflection and then headed downstairs.

It was time to find her mate have some fun!

Taking the steps quickly, she hit the main floor and was out into the club before she knew it. Her step was light and her smile bright as she glanced around and found Wulf overseeing the crowd. Moving towards him, she placed a kiss on his cheek for greeting and then turned to observe the room at his side.

"Wow.. its packed in here tonight, brother! Have you seen Banning?"

The huge blond gave a chuckle and shook his head. His keen eyes seemed to gleam with amusement as he took in her dress.

"I have not, pup. I've been dealing with business though. Brom called earlier saying that he was on his way in but I have not seen your mate for a few hours."

Sighing, Kaera tapped her foot a bit impatiently before shrugging.

"Well, I guess I'll have a drink as I wait for him then. He'll be along any time, I'm sure."

Giving her brother another kiss, she practically danced away and headed for the bar. Unfortunately, she had just reached it when two guys barreled into her path and about knocked her off her feet. An arm reached out to steady her but the smell of alcohol on the man's breath made her recoil.

"Well, hello there beautiful... Where have you been all my life?"

Oh geez... Not only about knocked off her feet but now subjected to the lamest pick up lines on the face of the earth? Talk about ill luck!

Trying to scoot away, the petite blond arch a brow and caught her inner wolf back as she eyed the idiot.

"Sorry, pal.... I'm a married woman and i've been with my husband."

Blinking through a drunken haze, the man didn't seem perturbed by that remark as he hauled her against him and leered.

"Don't matter to me, baby.. I'm sure I can make you forget him.. At least for a night."

Rolling her eyes, Kaera was just about to respond when the sight of Banning making his way through the crowd had her stiffening and shoving at his chest.

"If you know whats good for you... You'll unhand me right now, sir! Otherwise... You could end up with more than you bargained for."

Chuckling, the man copped a feel of her ass.


"Really baby? You got a friend?"

Muttering under her breath, the little wolf sighed. "not the kind your thinking but...."

[Banning Vuldanshe]

Gods and demons, there was a reason why he didn’t frequent Screamers as much as his brothers in arms did. First off, the pounding music was liable to make his eardrums explode any minute, and for another…good Ostri…how could one little room seem to fit so many people without exploding? Surely, it was a mystery!

Grumbling and growling, Banning did his best not to start shoving his way through the crowd. Drunken dancers and others looking for a good time were moving in the opposite direction as he, and he found various elbows, feet and even faces being smacked into his body. At one point, a woman actually fell directly into him, pressing her front to his…but he’d guessed that it had been more of a come on than an accident, given the grin she was giving him. Remembering Kaera’s instructions on politeness, he’d carefully extracted himself and moved on.

The woman in this age…what happened to females wanting to find a mate and settle down? He almost laughed at the thought, going back to those new found memories of his woman. As if Kaera Fenrisulfr had ever been capable of being solely a wife; she was liable to make him eat his thoughts if she ever found out about them. He supposed that it was the fault of growing up with a family full of men, but Banning knew different.

His Kaera was spectacular, and much unlike all of these other…plain women. Where they had fire in their bellies, she had a fire in her soul.
Call him jaded, but there really wasn’t any other woman like his woman. He would kill for her, if the need ever arose.

…Aka, he would kill for her in the next five seconds. Were those men touching, his mate? Were they leering at her with those drunken faces? Pawing at her with those unwanted hands?

It was like a switch was flipped in his mind, and the shifter lost all sense of decorum. People that he’d been previously trying to be gentle with were suddenly being shoved to the side, as he practically mowed down those in front of him, in order to reach his woman. Wulf was probably going to pitch a fit later, but he was lucky that he didn’t give into the berserker’s howl for blood. He steeled himself against it, knowing that the wolf inside was enough to deal with the morons trying to hit on his wife.

Coming up behind the one holding her, Banning couldn’t help but peel back his lips in an infuriated snarl. He put his hand on the human’s shoulder and gripped it so hard, that the bones cracked beneath his fingers. With a howl, the man wheeled around to face him.

”Yes, I’m not the kind of friend you’re thinking of,” He growled the words out carefully, so as not to mess up any of his newly learned words, after catching the latter part of the conversation. A nasty smile went onto his lips as he tightened his hold until the man began to struggle in earnest. ”I’m her husband, and you’re pawing at my woman. Do you want to die?”

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

There was nothing like the sight of a bonded male in full protective mode to trip a girls trigger. Especially when all that possessiveness was headed in her direction with a look that promised death to the assholes stupid enough to try to take what wasn't theirs to begin with.

Damn.... Kaera was just sure the temperature in the room had just sky rocketed at least a hundred degrees.

Someone call the fire department because she was just sure she was going to be bursting into flames in a matter of mere moments. The moment she'd seen Banning heading in her direction and seen the possessive fury that had crossed his face... It was safe to say her pulse had kicked it up a knotch and the clothing on her body was suddenly to constrictive. The heat in her middle burned brighter as she saw the blue gems that her males eyes had become and remembered just how fun it could be to direct that fire into more pleasurable aspects for the both of them.

It had been to long since she'd seen that fire and it did things to her that no decent woman probably would ever admit. Poor misguided fools. They had NO idea the pleasure they were missing out on and Kaera could only sit back and smile as her mate put the idiots in their place.

Ok, so maybe she was suppose to be a modern woman but she'd been born to an age where she could appreciate the more.. barbaric aspects of an alpha male's claiming. Kaera would be the first to admit that while she was independent and perfectly capable of handling her own business... She was also completely content to be all female when it came to letting her man take care of her and throw his weight around.

Besides... Who was she to cut in on the most fun he'd probably had in ages? There was nothing Banning like to do more than knock a few heads together and he got to do it so rarely these days.

Turning her attention back to the scene in front of her, the little wolf arched a brow as she awaited the man's response and then grinned as the fight seemed to go out of the little bunch. Bannings rage wasn't anything a sane man wanted to tamper with but it was a bit disconcerting on how fast they seemed to come to the same realization.

"We're sorry, man!!! Didn't know she was yours!!" the idiot stammered before sliding free of the huge shifters grip and falling backwards. "So sorry..... didn't know..."

When the men took off howling like a bunch of whipped puppies, Kaera waited for her mate to look down at her and then smiled. Picking up her purse, she slid her small hand into his.

"Hmmmmmm.... Have I told you lately how much I love you?" she inquired with a devastating grin before standing on her tip toes to pull his head down for a kiss. "I should probably admonish you for the brute face but.... I find it entirely to sexy at the moment...."

Slipping back down to her flat feet, she tugged on his hand and started to pull him through the crowd.

"Now..before we get sidetracked into one of the back rooms again.. How about you feed me and then take me to see that new movie I've been wanting to see? This is our first night out on the town after all and I do so want to show you some sights...."

[Banning Vuldanshe]

Oh God, did it feel good to be on the offense, Banning thought with a feral smile, tightening his hold on the stupid human until the man began to squirm and gasp. What a frail creature he was; all jiggling flesh and easily broken bones. With just a flick of his wrist, he could snap that flimsy neck and go to town on his buddies; those morons who’d stood by and allowed his Kaera to be pawed at. The mere thought of another’s hands on her had his vision clouding over, colors bleeding into one until a haze of red fell over his eyes.

The fighter in him- that crazy voice that demanded blood be shed- wanted to tear this place apart…and he was tempted to give into it. He could make an example here, by killing these stupid humans; one that the rest would never forget. To touch the Vuldanshe woman was to die, to be ripped apart while still alive. Yes…that would stop the rest from giving her such looks of yearning, or grasping what wasn’t theirs to claim…

The sound of Kaera’s hypnotic voice had him pausing, the berserker inside of him instantly calming. In that second, the shivering moron in his grasp used the distraction to knock his hand away, running with his friends out of the bar.

Damn, and he’d been hoping for a bit of blood before their outing. This new world, with all of its ‘civility’ and whatnot…it was a far cry from the warring existence that he was used to. The memories of their past were clear in his mind now, and the nuances of this modern society was still surprising, even after months spent with the Fenrisulfr’s.

With a low growl in the back of his throat, Banning caught her around the waist, pulling her closer to him for a proper kiss. God, he’d never be able to get over her taste, or the feel of her body pressed up against his. Almost reluctantly, she allowed her to pull away, though he kept an arm wrapped securely around her waist.

Someone else try to grab her ass, the warrior thought with a glare at the others around them. He DARED them.

“It’s not my fault that the men of this time are stupid,” He grumbled, pulling her closer to nuzzle her neck. A martyred sigh escaped him as he began to lead her toward the front exit. “You should have let me kill them. They deserve no less, for annoying you.”

Compliantly, he allowed himself to be led, eyeing her backside as they finally made it outside. “I think getting sidetracked sounds like a good idea, don’t you? We could always pirate that movie and watch it in the sitting room. Alone. Naked.” A roguish grin lit up his face, as he tugged her toward a Harley that he’d borrowed from the bald skinwalker. The man didn’t seem to like or trust him- then again, he was told that he didn’t like or trust anyone- but once Banning had promised to show Kaera a good time, he’d allowed him to borrow the bike.

It was really one of the better discoveries that the new world had made, he thought with a grin, handing his mate a helmet. These motorcycles were built for speed and he loved it.

Yet another dramatically martyred sigh escaped him as he slid one leg over the bike’s seat and started the engine. Once Kaera was deposited behind him, he turned around to flash a grin at her. “Fine, to the restaurant it is. Wulf told me that you like an Italian Restaurant named ‘Mario’s?’ There we will go.”

With a purr that turned into the roar of horsepower, the bike sped off, cutting through traffic as they made their way toward the dining district. He drove carefully, aware of the precious cargo at his back, but in no time, they had reached their destination. Handing his keys to an attendant out front, he held his hand out to his mate.

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

Laughter floated behind the couple as Kaera allowed her mate to whisk her way for a night of romance. The men's shocked gazes behind them had her almost in stitches because it was obvious they hadn't ever been faced with an alpha male in protective mode before. And Banning was definitely a force to be re conned with.

Not to mention heart stoppingly sexy and adorable when he got all grumpy.

"Now baby.... you can't go around growling at people just because they are stupid.." she started to chide him before spying Ty's bike and the helmet her mate held out. Instantly distracted, she practically jumped up and down for joy at the prospect of taking a ride. "OHHHHHHHH NICE!! Have I told you lately how much I adore you?"

When he simply laughed at her cooing, the little wolf settled herself behind him on the monster bike and rested her chin on his shoulder. Her bright eyes took in everything as he pulled the motorcycle out on the main street and her sense sang being so close to her love. The night fairly sang out its magic to her and her inner wolf howled to be let out to romp and play.

All to soon, they were at their destination and Banning was helping her off the bike. A quick tug at her dress and then a fluff at her hair made her presentable again and earned a hot glance from her man. So hot in fact that Kaera was definitely making plans of buying him his own bike so that next time they could discover just how creative one could be. Just the thought made her want to go up in cinders and it took all her will to resist the urge to tell him she'd changed her mind.

So, instead, she reached for the hand he held out and followed him inside the nice, dull restaurant. Someone really outta give her a medal for the accomplishment.

When they were seated and the candlelight dancing in front of them, Kaera impishly kicked off her shoe and ran a delicate foot up the inside of his calf. Mischief glimmered in her blue eyes as she gazed across the table and propped her chin in a palm.

"So Handsome.... Do you come here often?" she teased.

[Banning Vuldanshe]

Banning was doing his best not to growl at every human who passed them by, as they made their way into the restaurant. There were so many strangers with so many hidden pockets and double-tongued smiles, that all he wanted to do was whisk his mate up into his arms and hightail it for home. But he couldn’t do any of that, could he? He was supposed to try to fit into this world; to forget about the fact that people lied, cheated, stole, killed, coveted—

A growl worked its way from his throat before he could stop it, and the couple standing next to them immediately backed off. Gah, he was horrible at this ‘blending in’ crap. According to Wulf and Brom, such things took time, but he didn’t want to practice at being normal. His wolf told him that the WORLD wasn’t normal, and every single person here who might pose a threat to his mate should be strip searched. How his brothers in arms lived in this place was just unknown to him.

A possessive arm would its way around Kaera’s waist, and he tried his best to hide his amusement as the maitre’d practically fidgeted in nervousness in their wake. They were…what was the phrase he’d heard used on the television? Ah yes; they were a ‘power couple,’ with Kaera all elegance, and him oozing banked violence. Just one little twitch from any of these humans, and they would be dinner. Simple as that.

The shifter settled in his seat and proceeded to play with the collar of his shirt. Attempting to read the menu would be futile given that he was still learning the ‘English’ thing, but Wulf had been so kind as to tell him what to order beforehand. His brother was still a bit mistrusting around him, but it was obvious that he was proving that he truly was Banning Vuldanshe, as the elder wolf had been the one to suggest the restaurant.

He tugged at his collar again. Gah, how did these people wear these things? Back in the day, his finest garb was made of the softest bear pelts in the land, which he had hunted down and slain himself. But today? Everything was about the starch…and gah, but it chafed in all the wrong places.

So immersed was he in mentally criticizing the world order, that the tantalizing brush of Kaera’s foot against his leg caught him by surprise. He twitched with yet another growl, shoulders bunching, but he quickly realized what was happening when those familiarly delicate toes started brushing their way along the backside of his knee.

A smile immediately replaced the curl in his lip, and as if a switch had been flipped, Banning visibly relaxed, his expression softening. “That would depend,” He replied smoothly, as the waiter came to take their drink order. According to Wulf, Kaera enjoyed wine, so the shifter proceeded to order the most expensive bottle. ”If you come here often, then I suppose I do as well.”

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

Awwww... Was the big bad wolf feeling a bit cornered?

Kaera couldn't help the giggle that crept out of her throat as she watched him across the table. Her mate looked so adorable with the way he shifted uncomfortably and tugged at his collar. It was all she could do not to ask him if they could blow this joint and find somewhere not quiet so public to get reacquainted in.

With eyes dancing with mischief, the female caught the slight pause to his motions and slid her foot further up his leg until it rest on one hard thigh. As the waiter poured the wine, she grinned and slanted a wicked glance at him that practically dared him to say a word. After the woman had retreated, Kaera leaned forward and placed her chin in her palm.

"Well.... I have to admit.... I haven't been out like this in ages... See... I was married to this really good looking man a very long time ago and I think he pretty much spoiled me for this sort of thing... I'm afraid that to impress me.. You might have your work cut out for you." she said, watching him with hot intent. "While some women might get a kick off suave, genteel men... I kind of like throw back sort who are mens men.. You know... All battle scarred and full of male aggression...."

Picking up her wine glass, the beautiful blond hid a smile behind the brim and took a sip of the deep red liquid. Letting out a moan of delight, she licked the edge of her lip before continuing.

"How about you??? What sort of woman attracts you? Now that i'm sure you've seen what the world has come too.... How does your female rate?"

[Banning Vuldanshe]

Damn…what was it about his mate’s voice that never failed to put him at ease? Brom bit back a laugh at her words, and found whatever possessive, overprotective tenseness that had taken over the muscles of his shoulder and back, instantly disappear. He was a bit jealous of her obvious ease in which she took in the facets of the new world, and shifted a bit uncomfortably as a waiter appeared. He’d gotten the basic etiquette lessons from Kaera and Wulf- don’t slurp or eat with his fingers, and blah, blah- but hell if he didn’t grab the poor human’s wrist when the man proceeded to lay a napkin in his lap.

And that didn’t even BEGIN to describe the sound he made when another man tried to do the same to Kaera. Someone’s hand was approaching an area of her body that only HE was allowed to approach. What? He was in his rights to defend her honor…

But his mate seemed unfazed, which helped with the relaxing. Gods, but he had to get used to this damn place, as hateful as it was. He missed the days when roasting a pig in a pit was fine dining…when there was none of this ‘use the tiny fork first’ crap, and when he could pour his own godsdamn wine.

It took some deep breaths and his hanging on every word that his female said, to keep him from dragging her out of this place. Cornered? HA. Understatement of the year.

“You know what, Kae,” He said, after taking a deep gulp of his wine. “I haven’t been out in a while as well. I’d say…centuries, maybe? Unless you count the lab that you found me in…”

There was a teasing light to his eyes, as he reached across the table and slid his fingers through hers. Ah, that was the stuff; a single touch to remind him that the world still turned in the right direction.

…Not that the relaxation lasted long, when she made that damned moan and licked her lips like that. He was instantly stiff once again…and for entirely different reasons.

Gently, he teased her fingers in his, before bringing them up for a chaste kiss. “How my female rates?” He repeated. “I came back from the dead for this female…so there must be something alluring about her, wouldn’t you think? My woman is gentle, but a warrior underneath. She is all fire and softness…she is perfect, and I would fancy no other but her, in any world or in any time.”

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

I don't need this menu, no I don't,
I already know just what I want,
did I hear you right, did you tell me,
go pay the waiter and lets leave,
now honey I know by that look in your eyes,
and your hand drawing hearts on mine,
that our night out of the house ain't gonna last too long,
when all you can think about is getting me home,
Walking through the front door,
seeing your black dress hit the floor, uh honey
there sure ain't nothing like you loving me all night long,
and all I can think about, all I can think about,
all I can think about, is getting you home.


She had to be the luckiest woman in all the realms.

Thats all Kaera could think as she stared across the table at her mate and saw the fire light up his baby blue eyes. Even after all this time, he still had the power to make her want to call the waiter and head straight back to the house where they could make love until the stars fell from the sky or Wulf and Brom pounded on the doors demanding they let others in the house get some sleep.

She honestly had no idea how she'd survived a thousand years without him and could only fathom that their midnight walks in the land of the dream gods had given her strength to get through the days without his beloved smile.

As his fingers entwined in hers, the little blond leaned further over the table and met his eyes as he spoke. There was no mistaking the truth of his statements and liquid heat pooled in her middle. Damn, he still said all the right things to make her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He might not be diplomatic like Wulf or silver tongued like Brom but he spoke directly to her heart.

And that was all she needed.

"You know.... I"m thinking that I already know what I want .. and it has nothing to do with whats on the menu... Why don't we get our food to go and take it back to the house for a make shift picnic in our rooms?? Its entirely to ... crowded here for what I have in mind...." she whispered huskily, letting her eyes dance with mischief. "I think that tie could be put to more... interesting uses at home...."

As she waited for his response, the female shifted and ran her foot up higher on her mates thigh and grinned as she spied the sight of his pulse leap just under the skin of his throat. Her own heartbeat picked up in anticipation and she found herself practically guzzling the rest of the no doubt expensive wine in order to calm her nerves.

Oh, she knew that Banning had been testing himself tonight with the limits he could push but she didn't really care to have his civilized like the rest of them. If they never made it out of the house again, she would be perfectly happy just having him in her bed to wake up too. All this was completely unnecessary if he was only doing it for her and she hope he realized that. If he wanted to push himself to acclimate to this century, fine, she would support him but she would never push him into something he was uncomfortable with.

"But that is your call, my love..... Your wish is my command tonight..."

[Banning Vuldanshe]

Banning closed his eyes and bit back a groan that would no doubt have all the people seated around them begin to stare. She was playing with fire, teasing him like she was. Didn’t she know that he ached for her all the time? Even when they were together, he needed to touch her; to feel the warmth of her body against his and taste those sweet, strawberry lips. She was the air he breathed, and dammit, now she was making one helluva hurricane gale around his head. Breathe, lungs! Breathe!

When she leaned forward towards him, the shifter raised his hand to trace his finger along the soft curve of her cheek. Gods, but she was beautiful. It was a surprise every single day, that she had chosen a man like him. Most of his past was available to his mind in bits and pieces, but from what she’d managed to tell him over the years? He was some kind of…lower species, when compared to the aristocratic bloodline that she came from. If anything, Kaera Fenrisulfr should have married a King…or someone with poise, manners, control. Someone like her kingly brother, or someone suave like Brom.

But no, she’d chosen him…and every damn day, he thanked the Gods for it. She was everything.
And she was driving him absolutely CRAZY.

Blue eyes popped open as she spoke again, and Banning was thankful for the lack of foot traffic around his table, because he just KNEW that they were going neon. He let his thumb slide over her bottom lip, and his mouth went dry. Hell, he’d wanted to take her home ever since he’d seen those stupid bikers hit on her in Screamers. But he’d known that she’d been cooped up in the house for so long, and Ty had mentioned how she liked to go out at night…

Gah, it was too much. The desire shimmering in her eyes was too much, and the sultry purr of her voice was off the frikking reservation. Licking his lips, the shifter managed to tear his eyes away from her mouth.

“I’ve wanted to take you home ever since I saw you in Screamers,” He answered truthfully. “But I’m starting to agree with you…you would look much better without that dress on.”

At her last statement, a predatory gleam crept into his eyes, and he immediately waved down a waiter. Curtly, he ordered a few dishes that he knew his mate would like, and a short time- and some serious readjusting- later, they were ready to go.

When outside, he couldn’t help but stop her at the curb, pulling her back to his front as they waited for his bike to be delivered. “I love you,” He murmured, nuzzling the side of her head. “I wanted tonight to show you that I’m learning; that I can survive in your world. I’m sorry that we didn’t get to eat in the restaurant. If you want…I could probably buy you one.”

[Kaera Fenrisulfr Vuldanshe]

Some how, it didn't surprise her much when Banning suddenly got antsy and started waving for the check. A smile curved over her full lips as he paid the waiter and then they were up and moving through the crowded restaurant. Before she knew it, they were stepping out on to the street and her mate was pulling her back against him as they waited and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

OH.. Didn't he just say the sweetest things?

Tilting her head back at him, the little blond smiled at him and raised a hand to his cheek. Did he have any idea just how much he meant to her? By the heavens, if they had to spend every night for the rest of their immortal lives doing nothing but sitting together in front of a fire.. She would be content. After a thousand years of being without him and feeling completely empty inside... she wouldn't trade having him whole and healthy beside her for anything. Anything at all.

"Banning.... Surely you know that I could care less about the world. I only push you because I know you will never be happy until you have conquered this new world you've found yourself in. You never allowed yourself any weakness before and i know you will drive yourself insane if you don't become adapted to your new surroundings. Your a warrior and you'll never rest knowing you have any weakness the enemy can exploit and I know this. Its for your sake that i even care whether we leave the house or not....." she whispered, careful to keep her voice low so other people would not ever hear. "There are times that I wish we could just leap back to our former time but its forbidden. To many things would be changed."

Dropping her head, she laid her head back against his chest.

"How about we stop for a midnight run before we go into hte house? I would like to run in our natural form with you....I think it would do us both good...."

[Banning Vuldanshe]

His arms tightened slightly as he nestled her more comfortably against him. The line of his lips turned a bit grim, then, as echoes of the past whispered in his mind. He did miss the old days; a time when life was slower and less complicated. With a little shake of his head, he absently traced small circles around the softness of her palm.

”I’m afraid I don’t wish the same, my love,” He said truthfully, watching the cars pass them by. ”Life was simpler then, but…there was so much war; so much superstition and fear. This place is strange to me, but it’s safer for you, I feel. Bah, I can’t explain it…but it almost feels right for us to be here, in this time, together. I feel as if we’re meant to…change something.”

He shook his head as the words came out, not fully understanding them himself. He cursed the new time on a daily basis, yet if he were given the chance to go back, he probably wouldn’t. Had Kaera’s prophecy come true? Had he become addicted to the modern comforts of this world? The ancient shifter almost laughed aloud at the thought.

With a purr, the motorcycle finally arrived, and Banning ushered his woman toward it. The thought of taking her home and showing her how much he valued every second they had together was quite enticing, and he found himself practically stuffing his head into the helmet. But, before he could gun it like lightning toward the mansion, her next request had him pausing.

A run in the woods? A smile immediately lit up his face, as he looked at his mate over his shoulder. While he was still confused about the ways of the world, as a wolf, things never failed to click into place.
”Your wish is my command, my lady.”

The ride to the local nature preserve was relatively short, impeded only by a few choice angry drivers who thought racing a motorcycle was the makings of a fun night. Once there, Banning guided them into the small parking lot and turned off the engine, waiting for his woman to proceed him into the woods.

A puckish feeling came upon him then, and before she could react, he sprinted ahead of her. In a flash, long legged strides became paws hitting earth. His clothing floated to the ground- he’d double back and nudge them under a bush later- and with a wolfine grin on his face, he glanced back at Kaera.