-Keep it to yourself if you value your life.

  I left the room in a dignified manner. Leaving Lappland on the floor where I violently threw her off of me. Just before I broke my aim and holstered my handgun. Noticing an evident relief in her frozen panic at what she'd brought upon herself.

  I left the main corridor into another, shutting the door behind me. And my feet gave in as I slumped down with my back against the wall. Fortunately no one was around, and no one would be around for some time at this working hour. But I couldn't be certain that would last. I had to get out of view to somewhere close and reclusive.

  -''Haaah.'' I tried to breathe in deeply through all the pain in my chest.

  She had come upon me, seizing me in her grasp for too long. Menacing me by showing her unusually sharp and monstrous teeth. ''No. I permitted it for too long'' I thought to myself. She had found out, and she took to testing my weakness, that devil. I left still firm in my pose enough to give her doubts, but inside the pain grew.

  I had allowed it to go for too long, and was paying the price. My heart was spiking, and an all encompassing pain grew in my chest. Shadows flickered too often and too many in my view. I felt a trickle of drool coming down my mouth. I wiped it, trying to force myself up, but my strength was gone. My muscles, they strained abnormally and remained so. I was losing myself in the trauma again, and I damned my life and weakness for it.

  -''Tacet!'' I heard a familiar voice, and footsteps rushing towards me.

  -''Tacet! What's wrong? I'll call the medics.'' Spoke a worried Provence.

  -No! Don't! Haaah.

  I couldn't even lie that I was fine as she crouched besides me. She... caught me at my worst.

  -''Don't let anyone see me like this.'' I managed to utter.

  Provence stood there, thinking for a few moments before she decided.

  -''My place is close, come with me.'' She spoke decidedly before helping me up on my feet.

  It was fortunate that her residence was close by, for continued contact with her kind as she helped me there wasn't alleviating my affliction. My hands were shaking and the phantoms of the deceased were haunting my visions with dark spots still. Mister Grape, Provence's immense and loyal wolf companion stood by beside the sofa. Regarding me at ease yet... almost worried if I ever could read an expression.

  -''Take this.'' I spoke as I handed Provence a case. ''My hands shake too much, haah, I need a shot.''

  Once inside she diligently administered what I had given her. I washed my face with cold water as if washing down all the trauma of the past, and then Provence sat me down. Herself sitting nearby to have me under her watch. Slowly but surely, the trauma was receding. The pain was subsiding and the shakes stopped. I could feel my limbs beginning to flow with some semblance of vigor once more. It was that in this meantime Provence had brought some refreshments to ease down with. We laid on the single couch as I unwound, regaining myself.

  -Are you feeling better?

  -I am, thank you for your help.

  -''What did I inject you with? Those seemed familiar'' Provence had asked.

  -Sanity vials. You've probably seen them from the good Doctor.

  -I... never knew you needed them.

  -I don't. But they help in moments like these.

  -They're not a cure for what you have then?

  -... No. They are not. They partially relieve. That's the best they can provide.

  Her place was a simple if small dorm. Transitory accommodations for couriers and messengers who were always on the move and only needed a temporary shelter for respite. A port in the storm. Enough for one's needs.

  -What did she do to you?

  I looked at her, realising she saw the altercation with Lappland and I that brought me in this state.

  -You saw.

  -I came by just before you handed her ass down on the floor.

  -Then you heard.

  -''... some.'' She admitted.

  -''I trust you.'' I said simply. And she nodded, visibly appreciating the confidence I placed in her.

  -''I appreciate what you've done, I'm in your debt.'' I spoke as I grasped my jacket.

  -Wait! You're not well yet. There's no rush to go out there after what happened.

  She was sharp. She noticed my movements were off, my coordination still not up to its best. And I still moved as if stinging needles were about to poke my heart.

  -I'll be fine. Plus I don't want to overstay. It wasn't my intent to rob you of your free time.

  I rose up, and as I did a large tail coiled around me. Surprisingly bringing me back down with ease.

  So swift she was that I couldn't even manage to utter a response as her hand came on my chest, pushing me with surprising ease down on the sofa. Before I knew it she was upon me, setting herself on my lap to pin me in place.

  -You're still so weak on your feet and you want to go out?! You won't be able to fend off Lappland if she stumbles on you this time!

  I was struck at how easily I was handled. And she was right as well. It would have been recklessly dangerous to be in such a state with someone I couldn't trust.

  -Stay. And regain yourself before you head out.

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  -You don't need to do this.

  -I feel I must. I won't have you collapse just as you recover.

  -I am fine now.

  -Then why is your heart beating so fast?

  In vain I tried to rise. She was a prime lupa that caught me at my weakest, and she imposed her will. Imposed it for my well-being. Her hand was on my chest, right above where my heart was.

  She felt my heartbeats as they were rushing once more now that a lupo was upon me. The sanity injection was still flowing fresh in my veins, alleviating me. But it was only a matter of time before my trauma would resurface once more. I was feeling the tell-tale strains of tension growing within me before it would turn into pain.

  -''Provence.'' I spoke as my breathing slowly became laboured.

  -''What's wrong? How can I help you?'' She spoke evidently concerned for the person before her.

  I couldn't answer. I couldn't reveal such things to her. And I could not think of anything appropriate to say. And I hated myself for it... for such weakness, and all in front of her. To be brought down by my trauma from the very lupa I secretly loved... it was shattering. I should have told her off me despite how much I desired her closeness. Yet... I was struck by inaction. Reckless, all while the affliction would soon grow dangerously in me once more. I had to do something! Yet nothing came to mind.

  At that moment of mental struggle I closed my eyes, strained in body and soul. And in the next I felt her soft palm touching the scarred side of my face.

  -''Who did this to you?'' She asked sincerely.

  I didn't want to answer. I didn't want to tell her it was her race. But even so, silent as I was my gaze upon her must have unintentionally answered her.

  -''It was my kind.'' She said as a realization.

  -''Yes.'' I replied in the end, surprised myself at the labour I had to muster to utter it.

  -Your affliction, it's because of wolves?

  -It is.

  Her eyes widened.

  -''You have trauma because of us.'' She spoke, realising how deep the scars really ran, and what they meant.

  I closed my eyes for the moment, refusing to admit more of the already painful truth. But before I could gather the strength to tell her off of me she had seized the initiative once again.

  This lupa was not done keeping me under her hold. She had unclipped her jacket, letting it fall off of her before pulling down what amounted as her pants. Leaving herself in an attire I thought too revealing, and too much to my liking. Keeping on herself only a pair of boxers and her inner shirt that covered only down to below her breasts. A prime and beautiful wolf girl sat onto me. With golden eyes that reflected a care from a humanity I seldom met in my life.

  -I need you to calm down for me.

  She grasped my hand gently, bringing it up to her head, and unto her fluffy violet wolf ear.

  -I want you to feel this wolf. As much as you want.

  I coiled my fingers, slowly, gently. Brushing my palm against her fur, and it felt... amazing. It brought me back to the memory of when I first petted a wolf so long ago in my childhood. And as I gazed at the beautiful visage that it belonged to, the memory held itself in place instead of following into the worst ones.

  -''Give in, and let me heal you.'' Provence beckoned, and I felt no hesitation in her words.

  She continued to feel me, to sense me. And in turn I reached for more as my right hand came upon her back. Sliding down slowly onto her hip and then her generous bottom. Feeling it for long minutes before grasping her tail. I continued to fondle her fluffy ear, and then, slowly, slipping it down to her cheek. Relishing in being able to touch her in such an intimacy.

  Curiosity piqued as my hand came closer to her mouth. She didn't stop me as I brushed her lip aside. On the contrary she opened her mouth slightly, anticipating my interest. And there I could see her sharp canines. Not all teeth fully sharp and shocking like that of Lappland's, but nevertheless radiating the danger they constituted. The canines were sharp, and in good health. More than easily able to rip through flesh.

  -''I will never harm you.'' She spoke sweetly, submissively. Wanting to put me at ease as she might have discerned worry as I studied her sharp teeth.

  I didn't see her as a monster of my past. My unease dying down as I focused solely on the person in front of me. In her natural beauty, in her captivating wolfish features, in the tenderness she was showing me. Delving only in my desire for her in an effort to stop my trauma from spiralling out control. And, amazingly, I felt it dying down. Giving way instead to a wave of tiredness, both of the body and the mind.

  Provence pushed her visage into my palm, enjoying my caress, inviting more. This wolf girl was not just offering herself to heal me. She was relishing as well in our simple intimacy. I could resist my desire no longer as I wrapped my arms around her. Bringing her close and tight against me. And she let herself be taken willingly, settling comfortably against my chest.

  She would not sketch the faintest complaint as I continued to gently caress her exposed parts. I continued to stroke her ears the most. I felt to my pleasure as I caressed her thighs and her generous bottom. Pulling her leg against and closer around me, stroking and feeling their fine texture. Touching her under tail which sent shivers of stimulation throughout her body. She blushed, and yet she made no semblance of hating it, of wanting to stop it.

  I could feel her whole body against mine, warm, almost bare, and so relieving to my soul. I loved her, I loved her with all my heart! And I wished to keep her, to utter those words to her. Before I could, the calming veil that was her being had pushed my tired mind into a restful sleep.

  The room was bathed in a bright yet dying shade of yellow by the time I woke up. Finding Provence just close besides me. Looking as if she enjoyed her own rest as well. Turning my head right I saw Grape laying down besides with his gaze towards us. Looking as if he enjoyed his own lazy nap.

  -''You just sat there and watched me grope her.'' I whispered accusingly and half jokingly.

  -''Waof.'' Was his own at ease given answer.

  -''Tacet.'' She spoke out sweetly if a bit lethargic. ''How do you feel?''

  -''Much better.'' I replied, and she beamed brightly to know that she brought such relief to me.

  It wasn't gone outright I realised as we sat up a bit after. A pressure was still there despite it all and... personally, secretly, it was discouraging for me. She nearly did the impossible. She had calmed me, she had stopped my trauma from taking over. And that was an astounding feat in of itself even if it wasn't completely dispelled. And... I was grateful for that. Deciding it was better to focus on what she achieved rather than my own misgivings about myself.

  -''Provence, there is no way to thank you. I... went overboard.'' I had said the last part still trying to find my words. In my stupor, in my... eagerness, I took advantage of her. Of what she was trying to do.

  -''No!'' She spoke quickly, eager to dispel my thoughts. ''I did it willingly. I needed... I needed to pull you out of your trauma.''

  -Tacet, do you have misgivings towards me?

  -''No, I don't.'' I answered before taking her into a heartfelt embrace.

  -''You are an amazing lupa, Provence. Though I am not cured, I know I can better control my affliction. Thank you.'' I spoke the last words slowly, deeply, as I gazed into her eyes to impart the deep impact she had on me.

  She caressed my visage once more as she spoke.

  -I will be by your side if you are ever in need.

  ---Some time later that same day. Provence's point of view---

  Mister Grape growled a deep menacing bellow. So full of intent to kill that I suspected who was approaching us from the dark that stirred him so. He was always an accurate judge of character, and this time was no different. I tapped his head, signaling to stay behind and let me handle her first.

  -''Hello there amica. What an interesting scent you have on you.'' Spoke a white haired lupo.

  -Hello Lappland.

  -Tell me, amica, did you scrounge him up after he left? Was he weak or did he still have his wits about?

  -Did you scrounge yourself up after he handed your ass to you, again I might add?

  -Hah! Hahahahah! So you saw! Then you really did meet him right after. His scent is so fresh and so... powerful on you.

  -Did you take advantage of him by chance, amica? If you did, you should thank me.

  -''Are you such a parasite to those that go out of their way for your well-being?'' She spoke before continuing.

  -You are more than tiresome. You are reckless to a danger to all those around you. And in a way... pathetic, to take advantage of those who went out of their way to even save your life.

  -''Such big words, o noble catastrophe messenger.'' The white haired lupa spoke as she approached, grabbing one of her wrist's. ''You forget your place in the pack. I think it's time you indulge in answering me before I stop indulging you with my patience, amicaaa.'' The white wolf ended saying the last word menacingly.

  -No, I think not.

  -''Tsk.'' Was the white lupo's only response before she struck.

  Provence evaded with ease the fist which passed by a hair's breath of her face. The opposite lupo was less able as she received in full Provence's knee straight in her gut at the same time she struck. Lappland recoiled, raging and in pain as she attacked once more.

  But just as her body sprang into action Provence was already moving at double her speed! Connecting her foot in a devastating strike against Lappland's temple! Cancelling her attack and propelling her against the nearby wall. The white lupo lingered and fell like a rag as the shocking impact stunned her. The wound on her head debilitating her as a threat momentarily as it even drew blood.

  -''You are strong. Everyone knows that.'' Provence spoke as she kept her distance of the white one.

  -But I am more agile than you.

  I knew I was far from being the strongest. But I was agile, I knew my mobility was nearly unparalleled. And I knew best how to swiftly deal with stronger opponents.

  Travelling the wasteland all these years alone hardened you, moulded one into a survivor if lived long enough. One would learn to deal with thugs and outcasts mightier than oneself. Being from Siracusa I learned of survival from a young age. I knew her kind, my kind. The famiglias ways. I learned to deal with them, with everything. Improving my traits where I could and being aware what I lacked in. Thus, I would surprise even those more skilled or stronger than me.

  -Touch me or him like that again, and you will find an arrow in your heart in the dead of night.

  Mister Grape followed as I left her as she was, a crumpled heap. Not even deigning to help her. Not leaving her out of my sight until I left the corridor proper. A lupo like her was too dangerous not to be careful around. Akin to the most maddened desert raiders of the Barrenlands. Feigning sanity before becoming beasts with an insatiable thirst for shedding blood. I once thought better of her. Perhaps she was forced to feign too much civility while on Rhodes Island. I expected too much of her, too much of a Saluzzo.

  ''Provence brushed her cheek. Remembering Tacet's gentle caress upon her as she walked the corridors of Rhodes Island.''