101 Shift of plans (1/2)

Arei's white knuckles ached as he clinched the steering wheel tighter as he searched for a suitable hotel off the busy interstate exit. The wolf leaning across the center console whimpered as the body she laid across began to convulse uncontrollably. ”Hang in there Kitten, hang in there.” A hotel sign reading jacuzzies in the room and pets welcome came into sight. Arei whipped his car off the road, its rear tires skidding as he slammed on the breaks in front of the hotel office. He didn't take the time to shut the car door behind him, instead, he practically ran inside the office. In less than five minutes he was getting back into the car and quickly pulling it around to the backside of the building. ”Easy does it, Kitten.” He said as he lifted Jos from the passenger side and waited impatiently as the wolf leaped from the car as well. He kicked the door closed with his foot and hurried toward the stairs taking them two at a time.

Once inside the room, Arei wasted no time filling the large jacuzzi tub balancing Jos's body in one arm as he worked. When it was half full he laid her down in the water and turned toward Shelly. ”This should help some. Stay with her, I'm going to try finding a pet store or exotic fish store.” He ran a nervous hand over his hair as he lumbered toward the door. With any luck, I'll be able to find one of those saltwater kits for a large aquarium.” He watched as the wolf paced around the tub, sending worried glances every few steps before grabbing the 'do not disturb' sign from the backside of the knob and hanging it on the outside after closing the door behind him.

A loud slam of the door brought caused Shelly's head to snap up in attention. Arei was rushing in a large sack over one shoulder his other arm quickly extending out to the knobs of the tub. He shout a questioning glance to the wolf. ”Flooding the room isn't going to help, ya know.” He sent her a halfhearted smile before turning back to the tub and lowering himself down on his knees beside it. He tore the bag labeled as aquarium salt open and poured the contents rapidly into the waters. He gripped the edge of the tub as he tried speeding the spread of the salt with his other hand.

Shelly inched forward as he worked curious to know if it would work, but froze mid-step as a tentacle crept out over the tub and over Arei's white knuckles. Her eyes bugged and her mouth dropped open wide at the large man's tender response. Instead of jerking away like she had figured he'd do, he turned his attention to Jos's face. he clasped the hand that had been stirring the water and brought it to his cheek. Rubbing his face against the sleek wet tentacle, he brought the hand that had been gripping the tub to Jos's face.

”It's ok, Kitten, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere just relax.” He cupped his hand and brought scoops of the water up and poured them gently over Jos's head and chest as he continued to caress the tentacle encircling his wrist with his sharp stubbed jaw.

Curiosity won out as Shelly moved closer to the tub. Her bright canine eyes moved in shock and awe between Arei and his tender nurturing words and Jos's beastly form. She jerked her paw away as one of the tentacles laying across the floor moved toward her.

Arei didn't take his attention away from his care of Jos or break his soothing even tone as he spoke. ”Don't be afraid. She's scared and only wants to make sure you are still here.” He brushed a strand of white hair out of her face. ”It's true she doesn't maintain nearly a much of the human mind frame as you or I, but she's still Jos...”

He set there for several hours talking softly to Jos and telling Shelly fragments of information and memories he'd shared wish Jos several hundred years ago. Shelly slowly releases the tension in her body and adjusted to the feel of the sleek wet tentacle that wrapped gently around her paw. Before she had even realized she'd drifted off to sleep, Shelly found herself jerking back awake. Arei's soft whispers filled the room along with soft moans as Jos fought against the fever that had yet to subside.

Arei rang out a wash rag and placed it on her forehead but didn't remove his hand from her face. He stroked her temples with his large thumbs. ”Come on, Kitten, come back to me.” He smiled down at her. ”This isn't the worst I've nursed you back from. Remember that first night?” As if in protest her body shook harder nearly taking her head under the water. He stood and pulled his shirt up over his head. ”Have it your way.” He said as he stripped down to his short boxer breifs then carefully stepped into the tub. He lifted her slightly as he slid into the tub behind her, cradling her small misshapen body in his lap. He used both hands to scoop more water over her upper body. ”I wouldn't let anything happen to you then and I be damn if it does now.” He placed a light kiss atop her head. ”You remember those several days after? The struggle to keep you alive?”

Shelly's ears perked up at the interesting story Arei was whispering against Jos's now soaked hair.

Zakynthos, Greece 1563

Areion stroked a large hand over his hair as he adjusted the clothing Orion had been wearing moments ago. He glanced over his shoulder to catch a final glimpse of the large bear that was Orion's animal form make its way across the beach before turning and marching straight into the cave. His breath caught as he stepped through the gentle splatter of the falls overhead. ”Damn...” He sighed. He let out an unsteady breath as he slowly forced his legs forward.

There was a trail of blood leading from the mouth of the cave and he followed it farther into the dark scantly lit portion of the cave lifting a burning stick from the fire as he went. Damp and dank air filled his nostrils caring a the metallic twinge of blood with it. His breath caught when the light fell on the small ball of a child curled up in a dark damp corner of the back wall of the cave. Drops of water from the falls above fell from the ceiling making the chilled air even more despairing. He bent down beside the tiny body, but she let out a pained whimper and curled tighter into the ball. ”Shh.” He tried comforting her and stroked a slightly trembling hand over her wet hair. ”I'm not here to hurt you. Let me see your injury. I need to mend it.” He stroked his large hand down her arm until she finally released her grip and let him lift the the small, frail arm. The color left his face and he let out a gasp. The entire hand was now missing. ”Shit.” He growled.

Mistaking his anger, the small child turned tear-filled eyes up to meet his. ”I sorry!!!!” She cried, ”I hungry... I hunt bring us food is all...” She turned her face away in embarrassment as she continued to sob.

Arei scrunched his brows. ”Shh...” He cooed. ”But we had just ate.” He gave a light laugh. ”Well I guess you didn't eat much...” Then a thought dawned on him and he reach down and tilted her face back up to his. ”Do you not eat... cooked... food...?”

She shook her tiny tear stained face. Her sad, tear-filled aqua eyes twinkled under the light of the flame melting his heart completely.