Of Love and Culture
folder
+S through Z › World of Warcraft
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
8
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7,452
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Category:
+S through Z › World of Warcraft
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
8
Views:
7,452
Reviews:
16
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own WoW or any of its content. I make no money from this fanfiction.
Prequel: Into the Night
Full Summary: Sai was never the strongest or fastest young druid growing up, but he was always the most loved. So filled with perpetual joy, he was a light of all the good in the world. Although, he has always been alone, with no sign of a lover in his future. Little does he know that this was never the case, and his mate has always been just a few feet from him almost all of his life. Bane has already accepted and claimed Sai as his lover, even though the boy has literally never laid his eyes on him. When he finally does expose himself fully though, he is shocked to find that his mate rejects him and his culture. How does this bode for the two love starved druids?
Chapter Rating: PG13+ (Strong suggestion to sexual desires and stalker-ish material)
Of Love and Culture
Prequel: Into the Night
By: Serronas
His footsteps…I always know them. His presence…I can always feel it. Like the softest brush against my heart, a scent of the lightest breeze to all of my senses. No matter where he comes from or when he appears, I always know and I must always be careful. Even now as he approaches the Recluse I can feel him, and I find myself pausing mid-sentence.
The man I am speaking to, a familiar friend and clan-mate by the name Altrun takes immediate notice of my sudden loss of concentration. He understands, of course. He always understands, for despite being younger than me he is wiser in the means of social parameters. “Go,” he says softly, “Hide, you’ll be alright.”
I look up into my friend’s eyes and smile, giving him a thankful nod as I let my body take its familiar feline shape and slip into the shadows.
Why do I take to the shadows? It is quite simple. I am self-aware, and do not trust myself… My body and instincts yearn, but I know that I must hold patience; I must remain stoic and unseen.
Little Sai… My love and mate, his sight always takes my breath away. A night elf like myself, a fellow druid with skin of a gentle violet and eyes of baby blue. His hair, the shade of midnight is always kept neat and tidy in a short tail behind him and his face is always smiling, framed by two slim bangs that give it the shape of a heart.
He comes up the cobble road towards the tavern and looks upon the people there. He knows most of them personally, and is familiar to everyone. His smile…goodness his smile lightens everyone’s heart and acts as a breath of calm to all those around. He is loved by everyone, and yet…loved by none. I’ve seen it in his eyes as he sits alone in the park, curled in his little familiar position beside the moon well. He seems so alone despite having all of Stormwind as a friend. Yet still I cannot trust myself.
Perhaps I seem like a stalker, though one would not be far from the truth. There is never a moment where my little Sai is alone, and I ensure this. As his mate I must guard him, protect him and make sure that he sees his life to sexual and mental maturity. That is why I hide. That is why I cannot trust myself, for my beloved is still maturing. He would be too easy to trick now, were I to come out of the shadow and woo him to my bed. But there is no honor in that. There would be no peace between us if he were to be chosen and not to choose me as well. Would he be bitter? Perhaps. No, I have to give him a chance to grow and comprehend himself before I can appear.
A woman comes up as Sai greets those around the tavern, running drinks and smiling like the good boy everyone knows him for. She smiles and wraps her arms around him and he hugs her back with a happy smile. This woman, Senna, is an important part of my mate’s life. She and Altrun, both members of my clan, are here to help me guard and watch over Sai. He does not realize how much he is loved, and how far I have gone to ensure his safety. Though, I know that they do not pose to be Sai’s friends. Just as everyone else, they love my mate and cherish his smile; they too ache to keep him safe and happy.
Sai steps back and takes a moment to examine the woman’s belly, round with the promise of not just one, but two babies, a joyous smile on his face from this. He loves children, and this makes me even happier to know.
Senna is a human, one of the few outsiders to ever be brought into the clan. But her presence is loved; her will of steel and fiery nature is enough in accordance with our own kind that she was welcomed among us. Altrun has pride in this, in his mate, and I see the look in his eyes. It is the same I possess for Sai.
After a few moments of droned conversation that I only half bother to listen to, Sai urges Senna to sit, and goes to fetch her a drink. In the sparse moments that he is gone I can hear another set of steps that I recognize almost as easily as Sai’s own. No, not footsteps, but the sound of hooves against the cobble road.
Ardoor is a young Draenei, a paladin, with soft blue flesh and a kind smile. A weak heart though. He shows his belly too easily, and what’s worse…
“Ardoor!” Sai’s lovely voice cuts across the drone of voices. He holds a cup of tea in his hands and carefully hands this to Lady Senna before looking back to the blue beast. Without hesitation he throws a hug to the paladin and the sight of this makes my fur stand on absolute end. Two gnomes sitting nearby are unfortunate enough to hear the unholy growl that I had hoped was silent, and I see Altrun cast his gaze on me with flickered ears.
Yes, my mate is smitten with another, and that other, I watch, is wary of their relationship being known. The Draenei scans the area, and is careful to make their hug look just friendly. He is not proud of my mate, he does not hold Sai's pure happiness in the same regards but instead plays on the knowledge that poor Sai is simply too oblivious to notice any of this. He just lets it happen unwittingly.
Altrun flashes me an apologetic look, and I know that this is not his fault that this has happened. He contains their relationship as best as he possibly can, and I do the rest by ruining any private time they think they may have. Thankfully that beast has never made a bolder move than simply taking my mates hand into his own, their comical size difference nearly appalling.
No…no I must calm myself. Letting the thoughts take shape in my mind can be dangerous, especially to the Draenei. No, I know that he is not a completely wicked creature. He simply does not know, and I cannot risk coming out to tell Ardoor about my dilemma, for fear Sai might find out. In some twisted way, I was told by Altrun one afternoon, that they looked good together. Had I not been such a heavy factor in Sai’s future life, Ardoor would be a good thing for him, a good guardian.
A squirrel later paid for those words…
Regardless of the intricate critter life in Stormwind, and however painful and enraging that truth might have been, the fact remains. I am Sai’s mate.
Ardoor gives Altrun and Senna a respectful bow, one of his large hands pressing against a blushing Sai’s back as they move themselves inside of the tavern. I stand and quickly follow them, never letting my eyes off of the two for a second as they slip inside of the warm, drunken atmosphere of the Blue Recluse.
Ardoor guides him to a seat and runs off to get them some drinks. The two are quickly joined by familiar friends, two dwarves, a gnome and another druid who is not a clan mate, but is aware of my presence. It takes all of my willpower to not touch little Sai in such a close space, and though his scent is mingled upon that many others, the scent of his sweet presence is enough to placate me and still drive me mad all in one move.
I slip upstairs and lay myself balanced upon the wood railing overlooking the tavern. This gives me a perfect view of Sai, and most importantly, a complete unhindered view of Ardoor. Were he to try anything, I would be the first to see and he would swiftly receive not the first nip to that very sensitive tail of his. Yes, it proves to be a very potent tool to keeping the Draenei under control.
Like many nights, this one is uneventful. I only have to bite that tail once, to keep him from placing one of those large blue hands on one of Sai’s tiny little thighs. At this point, I know he knows that there is someone doing this, and he is beginning to learn what triggers my wrath.
Sai is, thankfully, oblivious.
The night continues on quietly. One by one each of the friends gathered around the table drops away for one reason or another, and this includes the pesky Ardoor. It pains me though, when the druid finally takes leave and my little Sai is alone again. How I long to reach out and tell him that he is never alone, that I am always here, I know that I cannot. I am helpless to just watch as he stands and starts walking out of the tavern with me following carefully behind. Once back outside, he realizes that he is alone here too, as Altrun has probably taken Senna to bed and everyone else is either sleeping or doing something else.
I follow him as he makes his way to the park, where he is the most comfortable and relaxed. The Park is peaceful and quiet, a favorite spot for intimate moments among those of Stormwind.
He makes his way towards the little Inn and slips inside. The woman behind the counter greets him happily and he smiles to her in return. Though I know she cannot see it, there is a deep sadness in his crystalline blue eyes that just makes my heart ache so deeply.
Slowly he makes his way up to his room and I slip in just in time, before he closes the door scant centimeters from my tail. We play our game, a little nightly dance, or at least I do, of avoiding detection as he slips around the room, brushing his hair, dressing in his casual night clothing and opening the window opposite the room from the door. Yes, I do enjoy watching him redress…it is a sick pleasure of mine I will admit, but his body is as much mine as it is his. That is sick to say I realize, but as I’ve said, call me a stalker if you so desire.
He is slim and beautiful in every way. Curves in all of my favorite places, just the right amount of leg, flawlessly gorgeous flesh. I follow the small hollow of his spine down his back and of course let my eyes linger upon the untouched innocence of his ass. My sick game does not continue for long though, for he slips on a pair of very loose pants that cut off my view just millimeters too high.
Finally he pulls back the sheets on his bed and slips in between them, pulling a pillow to his chest as he slowly seeks a comfortable position. I lick my lips and wait a few moments, the scent of him filling the air in such a small space, just his scent, no others to sift through. It makes me dizzy.
Once he begins to doze I slowly and quietly slip out of my feline form and carefully approach. With the softest words under my breath I cast a weak Hibernate spell on him to set him into a deep sleep that would take nothing short of a fireball to the face to waken him. This ensures that I can get close without the risk of waking him, and it is the highest point of my night.
I lick my lips and lean down slowly, letting my fingers gently run up the bare flesh of his exposed arm. A smile touches his lips from the depths of his sleep and I feel a surge of pride and need within me. Yes, the presence of his mate is somewhere deep inside of him. Since he is not purely of the blood of our clan this feeling is not made apparent until he himself chooses to accept me as his mate, but until then these smallest little signs were all I needed to know that I was not just some creepy man fawning over someone who was just old enough for this to be considered acceptable. If creepily sneaking into his room, knocking him out fully and cuddling him in his sleep were acceptable, that is…
I settle into the bed space behind Sai, holding his back against my chest. Instinctively he turns around and I stiffen, hoping he hadn’t woken. Thankfully, he had not, and instead nuzzles into my chest.
A powerful, dominant rumble reverberates from my chest and I lean down to bury my nose in his hair. Such a potent intake of the same scent that had earlier made me dizzy was now enough to nearly shut down my brain. Another deep growl rumbles from my chest and I lean in to lick a trail up the shell of Sai’s ear before nibbling on it, which drew the tiniest submissive whimper from the parted, begging lips of my sleeping mate.
I feel myself losing grip over my already minimal control and I reach down to wrap my fingers around his thigh, uncontrollable desire flowing like a needed poison through my veins.
“That’s quite enough brother,” Before I can register what is happening I feel a strong hand take hold of one of my ears and yank me back. So soft and cherished is the scent and feel of my beloved, I struggle with myself as Altrun pulls me completely off of the bed, “You will thank me later.”
I know I will but still the Alpha in me struggles for dominance. Had Altrun not come to my aid, I know that this outcome would have been terrible.
He drags me to a window and uses my ear as a leash, shoving my head out of the opening. “Breathe, brother. Take in the fresh air.”
I follow his instruction and take a few deep, deep breaths of the outside air. Panting and struggling for control I finally relax, “Thank you,” I manage, unable to not hear the soft rustle of Sai’s sleeping form seeking my warmth once more. This, naturally, makes the alpha within me struggle harder for control.
I force myself to crawl out of the window and drop down, and Altrun joins me.
I am aroused, yes, and I can feel the alpha within me roaring just beneath the surface. Altrun waits in silent understanding as I force myself back to a calm state. I have never lost control this badly before, and I can tell my nerves are fraying more and more with all of the torture that I put us through.
“Go,” Altrun says softly, “Run, go back to the clan and meditate.”
I want to object and I growl at him in response. His eyes are serious, and his composure unwavering.
Without warning he changes forms and I am tackled to the ground by a panther. Naturally I shift as well and we fight for a moment but I am the better fighter, and were I not still struggling with my alpha I would have easily put Altrun in his place. But this is not the case. He pounces, we roll and he knocks me to the side.
The hackles on the nape of my neck are risen to fine points, my teeth are bared and we circle. Altrun is being defensive; he knows that I can hurt him if he continues to push me in this unstable state of mine. Finally, I relent to his wisdom on the matter and lower my head in forfeit.
“Watch over him.” I say, looking down to the grass, “Do not let Ardoor near him.”
Altrun slowly nods, “Of course, brother. Always I am with you. Now go.”
I turn and begin to pad off towards the docks. I did need to clear my head, but it had been a very long time since I had to return home to meditate and control myself. Though, I knew it would happen eventually…
My knees buckle under the weight. My heart is sinking into my stomach and tears sting at the back of my eyes. My body shakes, my blood is cold. The shock of all of this leaves me sick inside, broken.
“I am sorry, brother. I had to do this, for the sake of your mate and your sanity.” Altrun’s voice was distant to me, but the reality was…startling. “I will not ask for forgiveness, that will come on its own, in time.”
Hackles raised, and I realize that I am making a slow and rather gruesome transformation. He braces himself as my eyes turn on him and a roar splits the air. All heads quickly turn to us as I lash out at him, snapping and snarling. He does not raise hand or paw in offense, and only after my efforts grow more violent does he take his sturdier bear form to take the hits better.
It has been five days since the incident. Five days since I nearly lost control. Five days was too long. The Mother held me and comforted me in my meditation but she was just distracting me. Just biding time.
No, these thoughts are not my own. Yet, at the same time, they are. I am betrayed by he who swore alliance to me.
The alpha, unable to seek the flesh or scent of his mate, has turned violent. Uncontrollable. I am losing to him, just as Altrun too is wavering beneath my claws and fangs. Perhaps I want to let go. Perhaps I want to just give up.
Sai, my beloved little mate…my truest connection to all things good in Azeroth was gone. Altrun had, in my absence, taken my mate someplace and encouraged him to train on his own. To grow stronger. I know Sai. I know how he fights and survives, and I know that on his own he will not last in the wilderness.
I am vaguely aware that the guards are responding to my sudden violence. I am too enraged to care. I see only red and feel only hopelessness.
He tells me that Sai needs to grow. He tells me that my mate needs to be able to fight by my side one day and while some small part of me knows this to be true, I also know that Altrun will never tell me where he sent my mate. There are too many scents in Stormwind to begin tracking him.
Ropes bind my feet, and it isn’t until a leather band is forced around my maw that I realize I am unable to continue my assault. Senna runs to her mate, horrified for what I had done. For what I had done.
I was detained for many days for my actions, during which time Altrun and his mate had left to go to the clan to deliver Senna’s babies. I should have been there. I was going to be named the Godfather of their children, but now I am unsure. News of my loss of control has surely reached the clan, and shame fills my heart.
When I am finally released from my detainment I cannot return to the clan for the shame I hold within me. I wait in Stormwind impatiently for the return of either my brother or my mate. A fortnight passes before Altrun finally returns.
In his arms are his two children, wrapped in a bundle of blankets in each arm. I stand at the top of the Stormwind docks, and I can see something is wrong. My heart sinks once more, and I wonder if this agony of mine will ever cease now that it has begun.
“They released you, brother.” Altrun says quite matter-of-factly, and it is all I can do to nod. I approach slowly, watching the sadness in his eyes. He doesn’t speak for a moment, then finally looks down to the children in his arms, “Please, meet Tahlia and Sorias. Your Godchildren.”
My jaw drops and I look to my brother incredulously, “B-Brother!” I stammer, “How…after what happened…”
“Senna did not want to name you the Godfather, but I insisted. The loss of a mate weighs so heavily upon our souls, I am sure that feeling betrayed by my actions, on top of your already uncertain control… I told her I already knew what was going to happen, and I already accepted it.”
With trembling hands I took one of the children into my arms and held it. For a child of half-human blood he appeared so pure and perfect of our race that I could not believe it.
“Senna is gone, Bane.” he finally murmured, his voice thick. I knew he had already shed all of the tears that the clan allows for such a passing, but the news hit me hard. Senna was my friend and companion as much as Altrun was. I held the baby tight to my chest and kissed his forehead gently. “She passed in the birthing.”
“Mother will let her soul rest.” I whispered and reached out to hold Altrun.
Sai did not return. When a year had finally passed I released myself from my hopes that he would return. Nobody had heard from him, and it was obvious that the wilderness of Azeroth had claimed another victim. Altrun apologized to me every day with his eyes, and though I had long since forgiven my brother, I never told him so with words. Perhaps it is my way of saying forgiven but never forgotten.
AN: Hello everyone and welcome to the first chapter of Love and Culture. Yes, Bane seems a little creepy doesn’t he? Ha! This was a lot of fun to write, and I hope that it was as much fun to read. I have nothing to really say except that there is a lot more fun to come, please excuse any errors in spelling or, most importantly, tense. I don’t normally write from this first person current pov, so there are probably a few errors. As with any story of mine, I’m always welcoming Beta Readers, please know your strengths and weaknesses. Drop me a review if you like the story or if you have some constructive criticism. If you don’t know what that is and intend to bash my work, please either refrain from doing so or look up its meaning somewhere. Hm, for having nothing to write I sure put a lot here. Apologies! Chapter one is coming up fast, so stay tuned!
Chapter Rating: PG13+ (Strong suggestion to sexual desires and stalker-ish material)
Prequel: Into the Night
By: Serronas
His footsteps…I always know them. His presence…I can always feel it. Like the softest brush against my heart, a scent of the lightest breeze to all of my senses. No matter where he comes from or when he appears, I always know and I must always be careful. Even now as he approaches the Recluse I can feel him, and I find myself pausing mid-sentence.
The man I am speaking to, a familiar friend and clan-mate by the name Altrun takes immediate notice of my sudden loss of concentration. He understands, of course. He always understands, for despite being younger than me he is wiser in the means of social parameters. “Go,” he says softly, “Hide, you’ll be alright.”
I look up into my friend’s eyes and smile, giving him a thankful nod as I let my body take its familiar feline shape and slip into the shadows.
Why do I take to the shadows? It is quite simple. I am self-aware, and do not trust myself… My body and instincts yearn, but I know that I must hold patience; I must remain stoic and unseen.
Little Sai… My love and mate, his sight always takes my breath away. A night elf like myself, a fellow druid with skin of a gentle violet and eyes of baby blue. His hair, the shade of midnight is always kept neat and tidy in a short tail behind him and his face is always smiling, framed by two slim bangs that give it the shape of a heart.
He comes up the cobble road towards the tavern and looks upon the people there. He knows most of them personally, and is familiar to everyone. His smile…goodness his smile lightens everyone’s heart and acts as a breath of calm to all those around. He is loved by everyone, and yet…loved by none. I’ve seen it in his eyes as he sits alone in the park, curled in his little familiar position beside the moon well. He seems so alone despite having all of Stormwind as a friend. Yet still I cannot trust myself.
Perhaps I seem like a stalker, though one would not be far from the truth. There is never a moment where my little Sai is alone, and I ensure this. As his mate I must guard him, protect him and make sure that he sees his life to sexual and mental maturity. That is why I hide. That is why I cannot trust myself, for my beloved is still maturing. He would be too easy to trick now, were I to come out of the shadow and woo him to my bed. But there is no honor in that. There would be no peace between us if he were to be chosen and not to choose me as well. Would he be bitter? Perhaps. No, I have to give him a chance to grow and comprehend himself before I can appear.
A woman comes up as Sai greets those around the tavern, running drinks and smiling like the good boy everyone knows him for. She smiles and wraps her arms around him and he hugs her back with a happy smile. This woman, Senna, is an important part of my mate’s life. She and Altrun, both members of my clan, are here to help me guard and watch over Sai. He does not realize how much he is loved, and how far I have gone to ensure his safety. Though, I know that they do not pose to be Sai’s friends. Just as everyone else, they love my mate and cherish his smile; they too ache to keep him safe and happy.
Sai steps back and takes a moment to examine the woman’s belly, round with the promise of not just one, but two babies, a joyous smile on his face from this. He loves children, and this makes me even happier to know.
Senna is a human, one of the few outsiders to ever be brought into the clan. But her presence is loved; her will of steel and fiery nature is enough in accordance with our own kind that she was welcomed among us. Altrun has pride in this, in his mate, and I see the look in his eyes. It is the same I possess for Sai.
After a few moments of droned conversation that I only half bother to listen to, Sai urges Senna to sit, and goes to fetch her a drink. In the sparse moments that he is gone I can hear another set of steps that I recognize almost as easily as Sai’s own. No, not footsteps, but the sound of hooves against the cobble road.
Ardoor is a young Draenei, a paladin, with soft blue flesh and a kind smile. A weak heart though. He shows his belly too easily, and what’s worse…
“Ardoor!” Sai’s lovely voice cuts across the drone of voices. He holds a cup of tea in his hands and carefully hands this to Lady Senna before looking back to the blue beast. Without hesitation he throws a hug to the paladin and the sight of this makes my fur stand on absolute end. Two gnomes sitting nearby are unfortunate enough to hear the unholy growl that I had hoped was silent, and I see Altrun cast his gaze on me with flickered ears.
Yes, my mate is smitten with another, and that other, I watch, is wary of their relationship being known. The Draenei scans the area, and is careful to make their hug look just friendly. He is not proud of my mate, he does not hold Sai's pure happiness in the same regards but instead plays on the knowledge that poor Sai is simply too oblivious to notice any of this. He just lets it happen unwittingly.
Altrun flashes me an apologetic look, and I know that this is not his fault that this has happened. He contains their relationship as best as he possibly can, and I do the rest by ruining any private time they think they may have. Thankfully that beast has never made a bolder move than simply taking my mates hand into his own, their comical size difference nearly appalling.
No…no I must calm myself. Letting the thoughts take shape in my mind can be dangerous, especially to the Draenei. No, I know that he is not a completely wicked creature. He simply does not know, and I cannot risk coming out to tell Ardoor about my dilemma, for fear Sai might find out. In some twisted way, I was told by Altrun one afternoon, that they looked good together. Had I not been such a heavy factor in Sai’s future life, Ardoor would be a good thing for him, a good guardian.
A squirrel later paid for those words…
Regardless of the intricate critter life in Stormwind, and however painful and enraging that truth might have been, the fact remains. I am Sai’s mate.
Ardoor gives Altrun and Senna a respectful bow, one of his large hands pressing against a blushing Sai’s back as they move themselves inside of the tavern. I stand and quickly follow them, never letting my eyes off of the two for a second as they slip inside of the warm, drunken atmosphere of the Blue Recluse.
Ardoor guides him to a seat and runs off to get them some drinks. The two are quickly joined by familiar friends, two dwarves, a gnome and another druid who is not a clan mate, but is aware of my presence. It takes all of my willpower to not touch little Sai in such a close space, and though his scent is mingled upon that many others, the scent of his sweet presence is enough to placate me and still drive me mad all in one move.
I slip upstairs and lay myself balanced upon the wood railing overlooking the tavern. This gives me a perfect view of Sai, and most importantly, a complete unhindered view of Ardoor. Were he to try anything, I would be the first to see and he would swiftly receive not the first nip to that very sensitive tail of his. Yes, it proves to be a very potent tool to keeping the Draenei under control.
Like many nights, this one is uneventful. I only have to bite that tail once, to keep him from placing one of those large blue hands on one of Sai’s tiny little thighs. At this point, I know he knows that there is someone doing this, and he is beginning to learn what triggers my wrath.
Sai is, thankfully, oblivious.
The night continues on quietly. One by one each of the friends gathered around the table drops away for one reason or another, and this includes the pesky Ardoor. It pains me though, when the druid finally takes leave and my little Sai is alone again. How I long to reach out and tell him that he is never alone, that I am always here, I know that I cannot. I am helpless to just watch as he stands and starts walking out of the tavern with me following carefully behind. Once back outside, he realizes that he is alone here too, as Altrun has probably taken Senna to bed and everyone else is either sleeping or doing something else.
I follow him as he makes his way to the park, where he is the most comfortable and relaxed. The Park is peaceful and quiet, a favorite spot for intimate moments among those of Stormwind.
He makes his way towards the little Inn and slips inside. The woman behind the counter greets him happily and he smiles to her in return. Though I know she cannot see it, there is a deep sadness in his crystalline blue eyes that just makes my heart ache so deeply.
Slowly he makes his way up to his room and I slip in just in time, before he closes the door scant centimeters from my tail. We play our game, a little nightly dance, or at least I do, of avoiding detection as he slips around the room, brushing his hair, dressing in his casual night clothing and opening the window opposite the room from the door. Yes, I do enjoy watching him redress…it is a sick pleasure of mine I will admit, but his body is as much mine as it is his. That is sick to say I realize, but as I’ve said, call me a stalker if you so desire.
He is slim and beautiful in every way. Curves in all of my favorite places, just the right amount of leg, flawlessly gorgeous flesh. I follow the small hollow of his spine down his back and of course let my eyes linger upon the untouched innocence of his ass. My sick game does not continue for long though, for he slips on a pair of very loose pants that cut off my view just millimeters too high.
Finally he pulls back the sheets on his bed and slips in between them, pulling a pillow to his chest as he slowly seeks a comfortable position. I lick my lips and wait a few moments, the scent of him filling the air in such a small space, just his scent, no others to sift through. It makes me dizzy.
Once he begins to doze I slowly and quietly slip out of my feline form and carefully approach. With the softest words under my breath I cast a weak Hibernate spell on him to set him into a deep sleep that would take nothing short of a fireball to the face to waken him. This ensures that I can get close without the risk of waking him, and it is the highest point of my night.
I lick my lips and lean down slowly, letting my fingers gently run up the bare flesh of his exposed arm. A smile touches his lips from the depths of his sleep and I feel a surge of pride and need within me. Yes, the presence of his mate is somewhere deep inside of him. Since he is not purely of the blood of our clan this feeling is not made apparent until he himself chooses to accept me as his mate, but until then these smallest little signs were all I needed to know that I was not just some creepy man fawning over someone who was just old enough for this to be considered acceptable. If creepily sneaking into his room, knocking him out fully and cuddling him in his sleep were acceptable, that is…
I settle into the bed space behind Sai, holding his back against my chest. Instinctively he turns around and I stiffen, hoping he hadn’t woken. Thankfully, he had not, and instead nuzzles into my chest.
A powerful, dominant rumble reverberates from my chest and I lean down to bury my nose in his hair. Such a potent intake of the same scent that had earlier made me dizzy was now enough to nearly shut down my brain. Another deep growl rumbles from my chest and I lean in to lick a trail up the shell of Sai’s ear before nibbling on it, which drew the tiniest submissive whimper from the parted, begging lips of my sleeping mate.
I feel myself losing grip over my already minimal control and I reach down to wrap my fingers around his thigh, uncontrollable desire flowing like a needed poison through my veins.
“That’s quite enough brother,” Before I can register what is happening I feel a strong hand take hold of one of my ears and yank me back. So soft and cherished is the scent and feel of my beloved, I struggle with myself as Altrun pulls me completely off of the bed, “You will thank me later.”
I know I will but still the Alpha in me struggles for dominance. Had Altrun not come to my aid, I know that this outcome would have been terrible.
He drags me to a window and uses my ear as a leash, shoving my head out of the opening. “Breathe, brother. Take in the fresh air.”
I follow his instruction and take a few deep, deep breaths of the outside air. Panting and struggling for control I finally relax, “Thank you,” I manage, unable to not hear the soft rustle of Sai’s sleeping form seeking my warmth once more. This, naturally, makes the alpha within me struggle harder for control.
I force myself to crawl out of the window and drop down, and Altrun joins me.
I am aroused, yes, and I can feel the alpha within me roaring just beneath the surface. Altrun waits in silent understanding as I force myself back to a calm state. I have never lost control this badly before, and I can tell my nerves are fraying more and more with all of the torture that I put us through.
“Go,” Altrun says softly, “Run, go back to the clan and meditate.”
I want to object and I growl at him in response. His eyes are serious, and his composure unwavering.
Without warning he changes forms and I am tackled to the ground by a panther. Naturally I shift as well and we fight for a moment but I am the better fighter, and were I not still struggling with my alpha I would have easily put Altrun in his place. But this is not the case. He pounces, we roll and he knocks me to the side.
The hackles on the nape of my neck are risen to fine points, my teeth are bared and we circle. Altrun is being defensive; he knows that I can hurt him if he continues to push me in this unstable state of mine. Finally, I relent to his wisdom on the matter and lower my head in forfeit.
“Watch over him.” I say, looking down to the grass, “Do not let Ardoor near him.”
Altrun slowly nods, “Of course, brother. Always I am with you. Now go.”
I turn and begin to pad off towards the docks. I did need to clear my head, but it had been a very long time since I had to return home to meditate and control myself. Though, I knew it would happen eventually…
My knees buckle under the weight. My heart is sinking into my stomach and tears sting at the back of my eyes. My body shakes, my blood is cold. The shock of all of this leaves me sick inside, broken.
“I am sorry, brother. I had to do this, for the sake of your mate and your sanity.” Altrun’s voice was distant to me, but the reality was…startling. “I will not ask for forgiveness, that will come on its own, in time.”
Hackles raised, and I realize that I am making a slow and rather gruesome transformation. He braces himself as my eyes turn on him and a roar splits the air. All heads quickly turn to us as I lash out at him, snapping and snarling. He does not raise hand or paw in offense, and only after my efforts grow more violent does he take his sturdier bear form to take the hits better.
It has been five days since the incident. Five days since I nearly lost control. Five days was too long. The Mother held me and comforted me in my meditation but she was just distracting me. Just biding time.
No, these thoughts are not my own. Yet, at the same time, they are. I am betrayed by he who swore alliance to me.
The alpha, unable to seek the flesh or scent of his mate, has turned violent. Uncontrollable. I am losing to him, just as Altrun too is wavering beneath my claws and fangs. Perhaps I want to let go. Perhaps I want to just give up.
Sai, my beloved little mate…my truest connection to all things good in Azeroth was gone. Altrun had, in my absence, taken my mate someplace and encouraged him to train on his own. To grow stronger. I know Sai. I know how he fights and survives, and I know that on his own he will not last in the wilderness.
I am vaguely aware that the guards are responding to my sudden violence. I am too enraged to care. I see only red and feel only hopelessness.
He tells me that Sai needs to grow. He tells me that my mate needs to be able to fight by my side one day and while some small part of me knows this to be true, I also know that Altrun will never tell me where he sent my mate. There are too many scents in Stormwind to begin tracking him.
Ropes bind my feet, and it isn’t until a leather band is forced around my maw that I realize I am unable to continue my assault. Senna runs to her mate, horrified for what I had done. For what I had done.
I was detained for many days for my actions, during which time Altrun and his mate had left to go to the clan to deliver Senna’s babies. I should have been there. I was going to be named the Godfather of their children, but now I am unsure. News of my loss of control has surely reached the clan, and shame fills my heart.
When I am finally released from my detainment I cannot return to the clan for the shame I hold within me. I wait in Stormwind impatiently for the return of either my brother or my mate. A fortnight passes before Altrun finally returns.
In his arms are his two children, wrapped in a bundle of blankets in each arm. I stand at the top of the Stormwind docks, and I can see something is wrong. My heart sinks once more, and I wonder if this agony of mine will ever cease now that it has begun.
“They released you, brother.” Altrun says quite matter-of-factly, and it is all I can do to nod. I approach slowly, watching the sadness in his eyes. He doesn’t speak for a moment, then finally looks down to the children in his arms, “Please, meet Tahlia and Sorias. Your Godchildren.”
My jaw drops and I look to my brother incredulously, “B-Brother!” I stammer, “How…after what happened…”
“Senna did not want to name you the Godfather, but I insisted. The loss of a mate weighs so heavily upon our souls, I am sure that feeling betrayed by my actions, on top of your already uncertain control… I told her I already knew what was going to happen, and I already accepted it.”
With trembling hands I took one of the children into my arms and held it. For a child of half-human blood he appeared so pure and perfect of our race that I could not believe it.
“Senna is gone, Bane.” he finally murmured, his voice thick. I knew he had already shed all of the tears that the clan allows for such a passing, but the news hit me hard. Senna was my friend and companion as much as Altrun was. I held the baby tight to my chest and kissed his forehead gently. “She passed in the birthing.”
“Mother will let her soul rest.” I whispered and reached out to hold Altrun.
Sai did not return. When a year had finally passed I released myself from my hopes that he would return. Nobody had heard from him, and it was obvious that the wilderness of Azeroth had claimed another victim. Altrun apologized to me every day with his eyes, and though I had long since forgiven my brother, I never told him so with words. Perhaps it is my way of saying forgiven but never forgotten.
AN: Hello everyone and welcome to the first chapter of Love and Culture. Yes, Bane seems a little creepy doesn’t he? Ha! This was a lot of fun to write, and I hope that it was as much fun to read. I have nothing to really say except that there is a lot more fun to come, please excuse any errors in spelling or, most importantly, tense. I don’t normally write from this first person current pov, so there are probably a few errors. As with any story of mine, I’m always welcoming Beta Readers, please know your strengths and weaknesses. Drop me a review if you like the story or if you have some constructive criticism. If you don’t know what that is and intend to bash my work, please either refrain from doing so or look up its meaning somewhere. Hm, for having nothing to write I sure put a lot here. Apologies! Chapter one is coming up fast, so stay tuned!