---It was shortly after our session that we refreshed, and enjoyed a warmer and less alcoholic drink in the afterglow---

  -I enjoyed our time tonight. You know, it was quite smooth that discreet, knowing wink between you and Cellinia.

  -Well, she helped me get us moving before any commotion began. Like an old partner to another.

  -You have quite a history with her. While I was away, and you just got hired, you worked with her on more than just a few missions.

  -Yes. We were reliable, and the Doctor made use of us often as part of most deployments. Overtly or covertly.

  -Did she ever tempt you?

  -My thoughts were on an entirely different lupa.

  -''Cassiel.'' She spoke on a cheerful but more serious tone as she sat onto my lap. Facing me in that same elegant dress.

  -''Would you have liked to have your way with both of us?'' She asked as if offering. Her smile sweet, almost infectious.

  Temptation tried to seize me, a shiver creeping up my every nerve, both hot and icy cold. My heart began pulsing rapidly, and my thoughts were rushing unnaturally for someone with such a life experience as mine.

  -''Provence!'' I spoke gravely, grabbing her in the moment.

  -Yes!?

  -You are the only lupa I ever want in my life!

  -So flustered, so stirred~. Have you envisioned something sinful before your answer?

  -Whatever thoughts you may have induced it doesn't change the truth I speak.

  -I am committed to only one person in good faith, and that chosen is you. I don't need nor want another in my life or on my bed, my lupa.

  -Your words are so heavy. What have my tempting words touched?

  A short silence went as my mind wondered for an unwanted answer.

  -It touched the one part of my integrity that was never challenged.

  She looked at me endearingly, touched I could even say. And her long, smooth tail wrapped around us both.

  -I am fortunate to have charmed a man such as you, my loyal mate.

  -''Know that this lupa is forever only yours.'' She spoke in pure honesty before pressing her lips against mine.

  -You know, I felt that you had something for me even from our first meeting.

  -Yet you always held back. I can imagine the pain you were in then because of your affliction.

  -Provence, even if I didn't have the affliction...

  -Yes?

  -I would never utter those words lightly for the first time. Those two special words that I now shower you in, they have a deep consequence and meaning.

  -Indeed, and I am happy it is meant only for me, my mate.

  -Even more than that. I would never utter them for their first time on a whim, on just simple feelings. For such words have immense weight.

  -I know their meaning Cassiel, but I feel they have even more weight to you by your serious tone.

  -To speak those two simple words recklessly was akin to a damning sin. At least with my people, in our upbringing. For I was taught that they carry a significance so true that there should never be any reason to doubt or argue against it if uttered.

  -''As if an unmovable truth, an unchanging universal fact.'' Provence added, understanding of the meaning of what I spoke.

  -''Yes.'' I answered.

  -Your burden must have been titanic until you released it, confessing to me, even indirectly as you did in the medical ward I was interned in.

  -Heh, pretty damn titanic. You can't imagine how relieved I was for you to be alive my lupa, and so find out that you were feeling the same for me.

  -I'm grateful you stumbled upon me that fateful day, Cassiel. That you were there with me to save my life. Being by your side, helping you heal from your past is the least I could do.

  -You comfort me so much, my beloved lupa. I never thought I could find someone so uplifting and wonderful as you.

  ---Some time after, back on Rhodes Island---

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  -Attack!

  She came upon me! Her incredible bestial reflexes acting split second. Her rapier swift, making simple moves intricate as she aimed to disarm or land a mortal wound.

  ''One, two, three, four!'' I counted her every move. She was quicker than before. I was actually hard-pressed playing with the katana to repel her. I deviated her last lunge upon me at what would've been the cost of at least two fingers, and a hand split in half at worst. But her rapier was brought away from my neck, and as such my handgun pressed upon her chin.

  Provence looked in my eyes. No hint of frustration or anger was to be seen in these golden eyes of a predator.

  -''Again.'' I beckoned.

  She approached casually, and casually she continued to press her attack onto me. Her pace indomitable. I actually had to match her step in backing away. Her swings oscillating all around me perilously. She was confident in her stance and her own bewildering speed with which she swung her rapier. Her confidence about to climax with potent smugness as she thought she had grasped victory. Only to have it dispelled as I brought a hidden knife to her neck. However, her sword was dangerously pushing against my heart. It was a draw this time.

  -Close. Again!

  We assumed our positions, commencing once more. Our duel was like a dance of two aggressive partners, suave yet with deadly approaches from one another. Our blades swung swiftly, composing a melodious tune from the clashes of steel.

  She was getting closer. She had been reading me, studying me since the beginning. She was anticipating my moves. Getting to know my reaction times. My levels of endurance against fatigue even.

  Her aggressiveness was measured, making headway against me. She was confident more than ever. Beads of sweat actually began flowing down my temple and gather on my back. Her attacks were simple, inviting more intricate moves upon her, yet that was deceiving. Each time quick to overturn my every attempt, nearly disarming or landing a blow on me. Her own swings coming back deceivingly rapid in return!

  I was quite enjoying this perilous dance with my most sublime lupa. Her deadliness making her even more desirable in my eyes.

  She lunged into a more daring attack, and I parried while doing a pirouette around her. Grabbing her tail as I did to destabilise her footing, hoping to bring the match to its end. To my surprise however her foot met mine before my intent was fulfilled.

  I found myself unable to remain steady and was instead flung hard against the floor of the sparring hall, landing in full. Before I could even flinch into a defensive posture her rapier was pinching hard against where my heart lay. Assuming a dominant position on top of me.

  Mister Grape laid on one of the benches. Seemingly half asleep but watching very much interested at what unfolded before him.

  -''The trainer has been finally succeeded.'' She declared with a tone of superiority.

  -''It seems so.'' I spoke as I intended to get up, but to my surprise I was pushed back down, almost violently so.

  Her rapier pushing even more dangerously against my chest.

  -''You don't seem to know your position.'' Provence declared smugly.

  -''What are you doing?'' I asked while my hands clamped upon her.

  But it was no use, if she wanted to impale my heart I couldn't have stopped her even if I wanted.

  -I am the pack leader now, that is, if you value your life.

  -''So give in to me, Cassiel.'' She spoke suavely, demandingly on an assertive tone. This lupa wanted me to submit to her willingly.

  I looked into her eyes and while I knew she jested, playing with me, I still saw what seemed to be a string of seriousness. Mixed perhaps with satisfaction. My body slowly eased down, the tension in my muscles dispelling. My muscles relaxed, and I ceased my intent for release under her. I could clearly see her relish.

  ''Heh, what have I done with her?'' I thought, humouring myself.

  -''I yield to you, my lupa. I am yours.'' I spoke defeatedly but at ease, with a hidden satisfaction of my own.

  Her rapier was left besides me as she laid upon me fully, grasping my face with both her ungloved palms. She looked at me before she claimed what she owned, kissing me passionately. My arms wrapped around her, indulging the victorious lupa upon me.

  -''You're mine, my dear human.'' She spoke endearingly.

  -I acknowledge your claim, my fierce lupa.

  She brushed her sharp canines dangerously on my cheek before biting my neck, slowly, playfully. She was savouring this moment, and I indulged her. A bit later we were on one of the benches, still not done yet. She was on my lap, wrapped around me, still unwilling to let go as we made out.

  -How about a shower and a snack before you claim your spoil of war?

  -Hmm, alright. I am rather famished after that long fight.

  -''I'll make sure to satisfy your other cravings after.'' I said, winking at her.

  -''You better, I demand it.'' She replied before biting my cheek playfully, and I couldn't help but smile and chuckle in happiness at her affection for me.

  It had been a long month, and a short period at the same time in which Provence had managed to absorb nearly all that I had to teach her. She was a distinguished survivalist, and as fit as she could be. Her skills with her crossbow were most reliable and deadly.

  However, it nearly wasn't enough during the time that I had managed to save her life. And nearly wasn't again in a subsequent mission after that. Of course, I wasn't absurd, one could only be so prepared against the perils that life brought. Even so I knew there was room for improvement. And I wished with all my being to know that she would live.

  As such it was that after my recuperation I had talked with her. Proposing to train her, to impart with her all that I knew. Everything, from my special forces training that I received when I was part of the ''Divisione Speciale Anti-Canina di Terra'' to all the techniques and fighting tricks I had learned from both Texas and Projekt Red as well as those learned during the End War.

  Not only that but I would closely train her in the usage of Arts firearms, personally acquiring her a reliable and hard hitting handgun.

  She listened to my proposal and my reasons when I revealed that I wanted her to become more deadly out of my selfish desire to know that she would live through any challenge. She accepted, and I would hold my word. Teaching and training her with a patience so natural I never thought myself capable of.

  The learning process was not one-sided. She herself would impart to me valuable survival lessons, important knowledge that were valid in this new world to me. Things I perhaps have previously neglected.

  Progress was swiftly made as Provence proved herself a quick learner. Becoming more deadly than anyone would know as our training continued in privacy. I was glad to notice that she took my proposal seriously, going with it quite easily. For as dire as a situation was she would never attack in anger. A trait that Lappland completely lacked in. A trait that greatly put me at ease knowing Provence had it. As anger was a treacherous sword to wield even at its best.

  But my lupa was different. She was wiser, calculated, but not stricken by doubt into inaction. She was balanced, and that made her all the stronger, reliable. To the point that I believed she could hold her own against the likes of the other three lupos.

  She was happily chewing into her plate of home-made shawarma when my smart phone rang with a received message.

  -''Anything important?'' Provence asked.

  -It would have been a call if it was. Seems Kal'tsit wants to share a word with me today.

  -I hope it won't take too long.

  -Oh don't worry. I won't neglect you, my insatiable lupa.

  -''I know you won't. You're an ardent man for me.'' She replied with a knowing wink.

  -I will savour you passionately tonight.

  -Ooh~. I'll get out the perfume candles.

  Before I left I patted Grape on his head, with him replying with the wiggle of his tail. Having finished eating his portion long before us, he laid in his usual spot in the extra sized dog bed we got for him. Placed not far from the exit of our home.

  -Take care of the home front while I'm away.

  -Woof!

  He puffed in agreeingly, and perhaps as a rebuke to my impertinent demand since he had been a companion of Provence long before me. Either way I was a member of the family as he was now.