The Shunned (closed for LoganDarkHolme and DarkWarrioress)

[LoganDarkHolme]

He felt her body give, as she arched against him, the stiff peaks of her nipples dragging across his chest, and it deepened the purr that had been steadily vibrating his chest, the scent of her growing heavy in the air. Confusion, lust, he was about to bend his head down and kiss her again when she suddenly snapped her head up, catching him in the chin and snapping his own head back from the impact, a snarl of pain replacing the contented purr from a minute again as she suddenly began squirming and pushing him away “Alecsi!! That’s it!” he’d released her hands when their heads collided and had began rubbing his jaw when she pushed at him again, the excitement in her voice focusing his attention on her and not the lust between them Did anyone in your family know where you were going when you left?

Alecsi stared at her, blinking, trying to catch up on the sudden change of topic, he shook his head to clear it and sighed with a snarl as her words finally registered, his mouth opening and closing a number of times, his shoulders sagging he huffed, closing his eyes and forcing the Feral instincts riding him back, allowing him to think again. How did the people I work for know exactly where to send me to find you? Oh, I know there were stories floating around about you in the jungle but my firm does not idly send their scientists out on rumors his jaw worked, his teeth grinding as her words almost perfectly echoed the thoughts he’d had only a few short hours ago, but now that the words were out there, it did cause him to have to think. His eyes finally opening, they had returned to their normal chocolate brown and not the red of his feline side. He stared at her, his head cocking to one side,

“ummm….just the immediate family, my cousins, but I told them I was heading south, honestly I wast sure where I was going to go, I was so devastated by my parents deaths, and my grief, I just kinda……...wandered away, I stayed human till I hit Argentina, traveled east for a while, then I fell in with a few humanitarian groups helping the poor, odds and ends. Then one day, I just walked into the jungle, shifted, and well, wandered...i’d lost all track of time at that point. Until you…..” he looked at her again and scrubbed his face “it wasn't until you, listening to your group and finding out just how long I’d actually been……..well. How much time I’d spent in my fur, it completely shocked me”

His gaze trailed over her still half naked form and he shook his head “let me get your clothes, before the cat decides we want to see you completely naked and more…..” he turned his back to her, wandering into the trees returned moments later with the bundle and handed them to her “so, only 4-5 people knew? But like you said, rumor’s spread, it wouldnt be hard for to figure out where I was once a “Giant Panther” hit the news cycle,

 

[DarkWarrioress]

“My----”

She was still in the grip of what he had just shared with her so it took a hot minute before it registered that he knew where her clothes were. She watched him go and return with her clothing, her eyes narrowed. She snatched them from out of his hand and started getting dressed.

“Dammit, Alecsi! Why did you have my clothes? And why were you hiding them?”

She didn’t wait around for answers. She was hopping on one foot as she tried to get one sandal slipped on her foot before doing the same with the other side.

“I swear. Do you only think about sex?”

She threw the question at him over her shoulder as she marched back to their suite. Nope. On second thought, that’s not where she was going. Stopping at their door, she turned and pointed at him.

“You stay here. I got business elsewhere.”

Muttering to herself she went to find Kaernan. A few inquires later she was knocking on his office door.

“Enter.” His voice was clipped.

Sam entered and softly closed the door behind her before walking up to his desk. Kaernan looked up from what he was doing.

“Samantha. Is everything alright? Alecsi?”

“Alecsi’s fine. Damn cat. Do you have a moment?”

He pointed to a chair in front of her.

“Of course. Please.”

Sam sat down and studied Kaernan.

“I’ll get right to the point. Alecsi is not taking me seriously enough. Maybe I’m on some screwed course but I think his family is involved somehow in this witch hunt. Of course, understandably, he doesn’t want to entertain such a thought. They’re shifters too and family doesn’t turn on family. However, it happens. I don’t want to see Alecsi get hurt here but I also would like to see him stay alive. I feel responsible. Alecsi is here because of me. In more ways than one. I take it you’re investigating the matter. I would start with his family and the family business. He might have turned over the responsibility of the family business to his family but he is still the head of the company. There’s always a reason for wanting him out of the way. Permanently.”

Kaernan listened to her speak but never said a thing. Sam knew she was heard however. She left the chair and walked to the turning back toward him.

“Oh! And if it’s not too much of a bother, could you please find me a room of my own? It doesn’t matter how small it is. I don’t need much space. I would appreciate it and hopefully as soon as possible. Also, I’d like to thank you and the Ravens for everything you have done for the two of us.”

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

“Dammit, Alecsi! Why did you have my clothes? And why were you hiding them?” Alecsi could only give her a sheepish grin, his eyes glinting with amusement “you just looked so cute confused,” he spoke quietly, averting his eyes as she quickly dressed, the scent of her rage floating to him and he sighed, scrubbing his face, closing his eyes as he tried to get a handle on the feral side of his nature that was screaming at him to claim her, the irony of her words not lost on him as she practically hissed at him I swear. Do you only think about sex? He huffed a laugh, yea, around her, he couldn’t stop thinking about it, the more time he spent with her, took in her scent, her attitude, watching the thoughts flow across her face as she got intent on a subject, her passion for life and her job…….she was a fucking bombshell to him. As she finished dressing he fell into step beside her as they made their way in silence back towards the main building. As they approached the main door Sam stopped and whirled on him, fire in her eyes and he arched a brow as she slammed her finger into his chest, her Rage hadnt abated in the slightest and he’d begun to frown, the fire in her eyes as she hissed at him “You stay here. I got business elsewhere.” he blinked, watching as she again spun and stormed off not even waiting for his response, his brows furrowing as he cocked his head. Rolling his eyes at her dramatics he rubbed his face again and returned to their suite.

Stripping off he moved into the bathroom and started the shower, wincing as he pulled his shirt off he quietly added that Sam “Might” have been right about him not being fully healed yet, glad that the showers were designed with a built in seat in the molding he sat and angled the shower head so that he could sit and soak, laying his head back he was still somewhat confused as to why Sam had gotten so pissed off, he’d intended to at least distract her and give her a chance to relax too, it wasn't doing either of them any good running head long into this. He knew she meant well and was extremely open to helping him solve this shit. But she needed a break too, allowing herself to constantly run full steam from one problem to another wasn't healthy. Its why he’d needed to shift, to let the Cat out and run wild for a while, just let instinct take over and forget the problems for a day. They obviously weren’t going anywhere. Why rush it?

It was almost an hour before Alecsi’s eyes snapped open, the warm water still beating on him, the steam pooled around him thick in the bathroom, he hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep. Assuming Sam would be back by now he shut the faucet off and began toweling himself dry, stepping from the bathroom in a swirl of steam he looked around, frowning as he saw her bags were gone, sniffing the air he knew a Raven had been in the room, and had taken her things, a low growling rumbled his chest as the hair on his neck stood on end. Where was his woman? with a yawn he slid under the sheets, not caring to get dressed, exhaustion took him fast and he once more fell asleep
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Kaernan

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Kaernan looked up from his computer monitor as Sam entered, a frown twisting his lips down at the heated look in her eyes and the steam he could practically see coming from her ears “Samantha. Is everything alright? Alecsi?” he asked, knowing the Felines penchant for aggravating injuries “Alecsi’s fine. Damn cat. Do you have a moment?” Kaernan exhaled a relieved breath, and he had to fight to keep his lip from twitching at Sam’s curse, So, Alecsi was the issue, interesting…...as Sam sat across from him he interlaced his fingers and rested his hands across his stomach, giving her his full attention, his curiosity peaked at what could have her so out of sorts. “I’ll get right to the point. Alecsi is not taking me seriously enough. Maybe I’m on some screwed course but I think his family is involved somehow in this witch hunt.

Kaernan’s brows rose slightly as she lit off on her train of thought Of course, understandably, he doesn’t want to entertain such a thought. They’re shifters too and family doesn’t turn on family. However, it happens. I don’t want to see Alecsi get hurt here but I also would like to see him stay alive. Kaernan blinked, but continued to listen, his expression remaining neutral, she seemed like she seriously needed to Vent, and honestly Kaernan was happy that she was taking this as seriously as he himself was, He didn’t know Alecsi well, but he knew how the Feline race as a whole operated, never really taking things seriously, and well…….being as lazy as a cat about it. I feel responsible. Alecsi is here because of me. In more ways than one. I take it you’re investigating the matter. I would start with his family and the family business. He might have turned over the responsibility of the family business to his family but he is still the head of the company. There’s always a reason for wanting him out of the way. Permanently.”

Kaernan finally had to raise his hands as she had started to become red in the face Easy, Sam, take a breath, ok? Just breath for a moment he couldn’t stop the tilting of his lips into a smile as he sat back, I’ll state this upfront, since you seem the type to hate beating around the bush, I agree with you, to some extent, Kaernan rose from his chair and moved over to a small Mini-bar in the corner of his office, the soft “klink klink” of ice in a glass, Kearnan reached into the fridge and pulled out 2 bottles of water, giving one ice filled glass and bottle to Sam, then sitting back down, his face turning serious “we only just met Alecsi when he returned to the states, we knew “of” him, well, his family, but had never met him prior to his……...capture……and subsequent arrival into our territory running from the human police...he made a soft huffing sound, quite close to a laugh Every species generally keeps to it’s down, the Shifter Council of the United states governs all races within the countrys borders, but pretty much leave us to our own devices unless a Dispute is claimed or we are exposed. He popped the top off his water and poured it into his glass, reaching out he turned his computer Monitor towards Sam showing her court documents and several tabs open with searches running Alecsi told us about what happened in the Amazon and your arrival in his territory, and we have been trying to dig to find as much information as we can on who, what, where, and what the fuck, but as you can guess, the Governments, even Shifter governments of other countries, aren't too forth coming with Black market information

Kaernan watched her as her eyes moved, clearly reading what little information they’d found so far, he clicked into another Search and it was a page dedicated to a Family tree, Alecsi’s family tree, every shifter race, and family, had a history, that was meticulously kept by Archivists and could trace any race/family's bloodline back to the beginning of written history. Alecsi doesn’t want to believe it either, its always been an unspoken Law amongst us, You don’t betray your own, we are all taught that, a shifter Version of Commandments, if you will, and its death for any who betray our kind. Our laws are harsher, because we are animals at our core, family, doesn’t betray. But……..as I said, I agree with you there is more going on. Alecsi knows it too, even if he doesn’t wanna voice it out loud yet, but he DOES suspect. You've made him have to think about it.

Kaernan watched her stand, frowning as she paced for a bit before turning back to him again if it’s not too much of a bother, could you please find me a room of my own? It doesn’t matter how small it is. I don’t need much space. I would appreciate it and hopefully as soon as possible. Also, I’d like to thank you and the Ravens for everything you have done for the two of us.” Kaernan sighed and rubbed a hand over his face Give him time…...Sam…...Just as youve been dropped into our world, while handling it extremely well, you don’t know us, Alecsi sacrificed himself, to save you, Thrice now, if my count is right, ive seen it in his eyes how he watches you, scented his attraction to you, Alecsi has been dropped back into the Human world and also has a lot to catch up on. But he DOES care, Samantha, about you, although he’s being an idiot about how he’s showing it. Kaernan pulled a Keycard from his desk drawer Whether you want to or not, Youre one of us now, and we look after our own, here he held the card out to her

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Sam listened to Kaernan. She gave him the same courtesy he had given her. She sipped on her drink and cooled down. Alecsi had that effect on her. He could turn her into a blubbering mess one moment and a raving lunatic the next. She sighed and took the keycard from him, slipping it in her pocket.

“I hear you, Kaernan. I’m also well too well aware of the attraction between us. There is a time and place for everything and right now, for me, this isn’t it. He almost died because of me. He doesn’t want to believe that either. I know, you know as well because we were there. If it hadn’t been for the transfusions and your surgeons, he wouldn’t be here right now.

Kaernan, I don’t know what Alecsi is running from. He’s spent all those years in the Amazon jungle. He hasn’t been exposed to many people, preferring to live his life out as a wild cat. I come along, following some vague order from my higher ups to track him down and bring him back. I understand the unspoken law of not betraying one of your own, but it happens. I’m not saying that’s the case here, but it’s a possibility. Alecsi chose to follow me here and I feel responsible and until we can put this to rest, I’m not ready to embark on a personal relationship with him, no matter how I feel. Alecsi has acknowledged my thoughts, that’s true, but deep inside he doesn’t want to believe it and because of that, he might have a bit of a blind side to him. Anyway, thank you for the drink, your time and the room. I appreciate it.”

Sam got up from her chair and held out her hand to shake Kaernan’s before she let herself out of his office. It seemed the Ravens were well on the job judging from the info she saw on Kaernan’s computer. That should have satisfied her, but it didn’t and wouldn’t, until they exposed just what was going on and those people who hurt Alecsi was brought to justice and she didn’t care if it was human law or tribunal law.

Sam found her room easily enough. It wasn’t far from the suite she had shared with Alecsi. Opening the door and stepping inside, she found it to be about as luxurious as the suite. The Ravens weren’t stingy with their hospitality, that’s for sure. She also found all her things already moved over, which kind of baffled her because she had just asked Kaernan for a different room. She shrugged. There was a lot she didn’t know about Shifters and what they were capable of. Rummaging around in the mini fridge, she drew out some fruit juice, found a glass and even some ice. What didn’t they think of? Pouring her drink over ice, she went to the glass door and opened it, stepping out. It was a small balcony, but it had a great few. Sitting down, Sam took a sip of her drink and sighed. Why did Life have to be so damn complicated?

 

[LoganDarkHolme]

Almost a week passed since Sam chose to move to another room, and each day she chose to avoid him only served to fuel his frustration. After the second day, Kearnan confronted him as he paced a hole around the pond, snarling and snapping at anyone that got close, informing him in not so many words that if he was going to continue moping like a child he was going to make Alecsi snap out of it, an Ultimatum that did not go over well and Alecsi attacked him. After nearly a half hour Kaernan managed to Knock Alecsi out with a hard right cross followed with a hard uppercut that snapped Alecsi’s head back along with his eyes. With an irritated sigh, Kaernan snapped his hand out and Slapped Alecsi, who awoke with a snarl.

Listen Feline, you can either stop your fucking moping, and go square things away with your Female, or you can do something constructive, ive had enough, its time for you to get your head on straight and help us figure out YOUR issue. Before the rest of us get found out and then we will have a real mess on our hands

Scrubbing his face Alecsi nodded, his anger having been sated with the fight, returned to his room and showered. By week’s end Alecsi had done what he could to dive into the company books, but there was only so much he could do remotely. And there were several areas of the company servers that he should have had access to that he found himself locked out. With a snarl Alecsi went to his closet and got dressed, tucking his head low on his head he caught Sam leaving Kaernan’s office, with a Roguish grin he slipped an arm around her, pulling her too him he kissed her before she could say anything, pulling back with a quick nip to her bottom lip he winked “Be Safe babe” before he slipped into Kaernan’s office behind her “I need a car” he said without preamble, Kaernan’s brows rose as he sat back And……….why?…….do you need a car?” Kaernan rumbled ,

“Because im paying my Cousin, and the company outside of LA a visit, I need a closer look at the books then I can find online, As much as it galls me to say this, I think Sam might be on to something, Not anything Cartel related, I don’t think, but one of the shipping manifests had a small error.” Alecsi stated, tugging to the bottom of his suit jacket in place, his eyes flashing in the low light, Kaernan just stared at him a moment before reaching into the desk and pulling out a set of keys Take the Tahoe, and ill send my Enforcer, Adam, with you as back up, Nodding a thanks alecsi caught the keys and tucked them into the pocket of his jeans, leaving Kaernan’s office he caught Sam as she was about to enter her room. He just stared, his body twitching with the need to touch her, for just a moment his eyes Flashed the vibrant red of his cat before he turned and headed to the parking lot

 

[DarkWarrioress]

Tomas had been given the authority to deal with the company’s books and he was good at it. So good that he had made two sets of books. The one he showed the family and the one he kept private. He knew it was wrong, family didn’t betray family. That’s how he had been raised, but they had so much. More than his immediate family ever had. Tomas had a grudge against his aunt and her family and where the fuck had Alecsi disappeared to? Not that it mattered much, Tomas was going to make money off his family one way or another. He had plans. Big plans. His cousin, who ran the company in Alecsi’s place, had asked to inspect the books. Not a problem. Tomas would deliver them this morning.

Another thing Tomas was good at, computers. Unknown to his cousin, Tomas had a private server and it was through this private one that Tomas conducted his own sequestered business on. Tomas had laundered a lot of money over the years for the cartels in South America and the cartels paid him very well for his service and his silence. If something ever went wrong, Tomas made sure that his aunt and cousins would take the fall for it and he would be long gone.

Tomas knew he was playing with fire because if the family ever found out what he was doing, well, they would turn on him like rabid wolves and there would be no sign of him ever again. He would have simply disappeared. On one score, Tomas loved the rush. The excitement. The danger. On another, he wanted to prove he was better, smarter, than his family. Even as kids growing up, Tomas sat on the outside, watching as his cousins played and roughhoused. He wasn’t good enough to be invited to play with them. So, yeah, he packed a grudge. A big one.