As soon as Chimera released her and told her to go back to Siren she immediately took off back toward their home, moving as quickly as she could with the pain that was radiating form her shoulder. It was hard to see past the confusion and panic that had set deep in her chest between what had happened last night and the attack she had just endured from Viper. She couldn't comprehend the reason behind any of it and as she stumbled into the den she pressed herself against the wall, pulling air into her lungs and trying to put any kind of coherent thought into her mind. She had no way of knowing that Viper had seen Chimera on top of her or that it would have made the other woman act in such a way. From her perspective and from what she knew it just felt like a random attack. She was honestly kind of glad that Chimera had shown up when he had which was a strange thought in of itself after doing everything she could to avoid him all day. But seeing him defend her, even if it was simply because she was his property, caught her off guard. The way he had moved her and spoken to her was such a stark contrast from how he had been last night and it sent her head spinning. "S-Siren?" she called from the room where their herbs were stored, glancing down at the gash across the middle of her shoulder and then back up at the herbs. She originally thought she might be able to tend to the wound herself, but as she looked at the shelves all of her lessons and knowledge seemingly disappeared all at once. She was trembling too much to do anything with any kind of dexterity and it was hard to see through the tears that were clouding her vision. "Siren could you... Could you help me please?" She hated asking for help, she hated knowing that her lady would see her like this, but she didn't have much choice. "Speech"

Siren had been mostly asleep when Dalila returned to the dens that night, the dappled woman seemed off but Siren didn’t make any connections until the next morning when she was also much quieter than usual. Siren didn’t press, she was never one to push. So the day continued without incident as usual. Siren spent her time with the deer herd, the innocent woman was making friends with the young fawns within. There were only a few this year, after the long winter there had only been a couple true survivors. Siren wouldn’t be forced to cull anyone this year or next.

When she felt herself grow hungry Siren returned to the dens. It was a much more impressive home these days, incredible really compared to what she and Dalila had first done. Her dainty paws were not made to dig, that was widely apparent after her efforts. She had her meal, alone, which was odd as well, but after such a long day of walking around the island the tiny princess made herself comfortable in her special bed and took a nap.

She knew she wasn’t asleep for very long when she heard Dalila’s voice from the herbs room. At first she didn’t recognize the panic there, and almost thought she dreamed hearing her name. Then her name was called again followed by the distressed sound of Dalila asking for her help. Siren immediately picked her way out of the furs and cushions of her comfortable bed. Dainty paws carried her to the herbs storage and she was stopped in complete surprise at the sight of her servant. Tears streamed down her eyes, she was trembling and bleeding.

Siren was suddenly nauseous at the sight of her. Not because she was disgusted by Dalila, but because she could hardly stand to see the woman like this. ”Dalila!” She exclaimed as she shed off the surprise and rushed to the woman’s side. ”Who did this to you?” Siren didn’t often experience anger or rage, they were mostly foreign to her, but the feelings erupted within her like a terrible volcano. Not that she had any power to do anything but get Chi to do something.

The dainty princess immediately started to inspect the wounds, and she tried to ignore the scent of Viper on her servant.

Dalila felt guilt twist in her gut when Siren rounded the corner from her bedroom and she saw the shock color her face, quickly followed by the anger. Her pale blue gaze fell to the floor as her lady rushed to her side and started inspecting her wound, demanding to know who had done this. She should have been able to protect herself. At one time she had been an accomplished fighter among the slaves she had once lived with, but in that moment when Viper ambushed her it felt like all of her knowledge and skill had drifted away. Even now she couldn't manage to tend to her own wound because she had allowed herself to get too shaken up and now she was forced to let Siren see her like this. "Viper," she admitted quietly after a moment to respond to Siren's question, knowing there was no use in hiding it since she would surely find out one way or another. She still wasn't quite able to meet Siren's gaze as her ears fell back against her head. "I don't know why, I didn't do anything. I haven't even crossed paths with her at all recently." She desperately tried to think of something that could have triggered it, something she could have done to aggravate the smaller woman, but she kept coming up short. She held still so that Siren could tend to her wound while her thoughts continued to swirl. "The only thing that changed-" she mused out loud before she realized she was speaking and snapped her mouth closed to stop herself. The only thing that had changed was Chimera raping her. Surely that didn't have anything to do with it though. Viper hadn't been there... right? And even if she had been, it wasn't her fault - it was Chimera's. She thought about the almost kind way Chimera had gotten her to her feet before sending her back to the den again and something twisted in her gut. She knew about Chimera being with Viper just from observation and overhearing conversations, but could the other woman really be so jealous to attack her for something Chimera did? "Speech"

Siren sighed softly as she looked up at the wounds and took note of her needed supplies as she shifted her attention from flesh to the storage on the wall that the two of them had built. Dalila thought herself a servant or slave, and while she was, to Siren she was so much more than that. She was her partner, they gathered and prepared herbs together, created tinctures and creams, shared a bed at night. There wasn’t anyone else that Siren was closer to and seeing the blood on her coat had summoned a protective spirit within that she never predicted she would feel.

On that thought Dalila spoke the woman’s name and Siren’s hackles raised and she froze as she reached for a bit of moss to begin cleaning Dalila’s wounds. She regained her focus and wetted the still green moss in a vat of water before cleaning the woman’s shoulder. She didn’t say anything and her explanation continued, the attack came without provocation. Siren continued to wipe away the blood from around the wound as Dalila eventually went on softly, but cut herself off short with a snap of her jaw. The only secret Dalila would keep from her was something to do with Chimera. She wasn’t (fully) blind, the tiny princess had noticed something off with the woman she shared every day with after her bath. Which had taken forever.

”What happened?” Siren whispered, her focus obviously on the supplies on the floor beside her as she readied the poultice and bandage to finish dressing the wound. Her words were no command, but a gentle question that Dalila could tell her if she wished, or keep to herself if that was what would keep her most comfortable.

She sat still and quiet while Siren began to clean her wound, her blue gaze fixed on the ground beside her. Part of her silently hoped that her slip of the tongue would go unnoticed and that Siren wouldn't ask, but another part of her really hoped that Siren would bring it up. She'd never come out and say it herself unless her lady did and that part of her that didn't want to cause a stir, just wanted to keep her head low and do her work, was content with just keeping that secret all the way to the grave. As long as she got to stay with Siren she could be content. But the smaller woman beside her didn't ignore the words that had started to slip out of her mouth. Instead she questioned what had happened, giving her the opening that she needed to admit what happened and find comfort in the only wolf she had ever considered a friend needed. Dalila didn't answer right away, her ears flicking back against her head nervously. She didn't want to be the reason for some kind of issue between Chimera and Siren, but maybe even more than that she was afraid that Siren would take her brother's side and insist that it was part of her duties as his slave. If that was the case she'd bear it, but it wasn't what she wanted. She fidgeted nervously until doing so make her foreleg hurt more and she winced, forcing herself to stop. "Chimera... He... He forced himself on me," she muttered softly, hurt and shame on her face. "He said it was part of my duties and I... I was afraid he'd take me away from you if I didn't let him so..." Dalila glanced up at Siren then her eyes pleading and apologetic. "I-I'm sorry, I should have told you, I just... I didn't want to get in more trouble. If... If that's really what I should be doing for him then... Then I will, just..." Just let me stay with you. They were unspoken words, but she hoped that Siren would understand. She whined softly and looked back at the ground, mentally preparing herself for the worst. "Speech"

After Siren finished cleaning the wound she picked up a poultice the two of them had made together and started to lather it onto Dalila’s bit wound. Silence settled between them for a long moment as Siren carefully saw to the jagged wound and even more carefully prepared it for bandaging when the slave girl, and Siren’s closest friend, told her what happened. Siren wasn’t sure how she felt when Dalila confessed what happened. Siren was mostly innocent, but she did take care of her herd of deer and she had tried to do what she could when it came to training. She knew the laws of life. Hearing that’s what Chimera did to her sweet Dalila hurt her icy little heart.

Siren didn’t care about anyone beyond Chi and the woman before her. He left her deer alone because she asked him to, but would he let Dalila be if she wanted him to do that? He believed that’s what Dalila should be sued for, obviously, he hadn’t done it to hurt her. Siren knew Chimera would never intentionally hurt her.

The small princess was quiet for a moment as she wrapped her slave’s arm. Dalila was hers right? They spent all of their time together, Siren wasn’t certain she could function properly in her day to day life without Dalila. She was the greatest gift that Chimera had given to her, but it came down to that didn’t it. Chmera provided, but that gave him the right to deprive as well. A lump formed in Siren’s throat at the thought of losing Dalila on the inverse. Maybe she could be seen as replaceable but not in Siren’s eyes.

”I would never give you up.” She told her softly, unable to meet her minty gaze. Chimera would have to tie her up kicking and screaming to get Dalila from her. She didn't think she could control Chimera, not really. He did what he wanted and she made requests. She wanted to protect her sweet Dalila from him, but how could she? He purchased Dalila for these reasons, to tear her flesh when he needed to bite. Dalila was making it obvious she didn’t want to be used in that way, but what voice did a slave really have, even one that she… loved.

There was a long moment of silence while Siren finished treating her, wrapping the wound she had applied the poultice to. Dalila was afraid to look up at Siren, afraid to know who's side her lady would take. She prepared herself to just bare what Chimera wanted from her if that's what was asked, she prepared herself to be sent away or worse for not complying to what they wanted her to be or for over stepping a boundary for getting too attached to Siren. None of those things came. Instead, Siren's soft voice made her ears perk, her eyes widening with surprise as she lifted her gaze to look at Siren even though the smaller, delicate woman was looking away from her. I would never give you up. Her ears folded back against her head as confusion and emotion pulled her in all different directions. She knew Siren was appriciative of the work she did and she was certainly the most kind, affectionate lady she had ever served, but she still didn't expect Siren to stand up for her. She was just a slave, why would Siren do that for her? But Siren wasn't just her lady any more was she? She was the only friend she had ever had, the only wolf she had ever felt this strongly for and the only one she would ever give up everything to be with. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. It felt like too much to ask that Siren might feel the same for her, but even just hearing that she wouldn't give her up in favor of someone that would comply to Chimera more easily made her realize that maybe her desires weren't so far fetched after all. To have someone that actually cared if she lived or died, a real friend. Dalila blinked away the misty tears that pulled at her eyes as she leaned forward to delicately press her nose to the top of Siren's head. "Thank you, my lady," she whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion. She loved this beautiful, delicate woman, no matter how sacrilegious it felt to admit it out loud. She'd do anything for her, even if it meant being Chimera's outlet or enduring whatever it was that he wanted from her. She'd do anything for Siren. "Speech"

Viper was so disgustingly irritating. Why did he even keep her around? She couldn't speak. Her actions made no sense. When he thought he knew what she was going to do, she went and did something entirely different. She didn't listen to him at all. And yet he gave a shit. If he didn't, the tri-toned man wouldn't have been so fucking worked up. She'd stalked away from him, stomping angrily off of the island and he'd gone the opposite way. Back to the den he went, but he took the opportunity to breathe. The dire wolf calmed himself, not wanting his foul mood to make him lash out at Siren. His pace slowed and he took as much time as he needed before arriving at the den. Outside he stopped, hearing hushed voices and scenting blood. Viper had done a number on the slave girl. It wasn't acceptable and he'd told Viper as much. If Viper ever touched Dalila again, Chimera would take it out of the small woman's hide. That, he promised. With one final deep breath, Chimera padded into the den. His eye adjusted to the change in lighting and he continued to move forward towards his own sleeping place. Something stopped him though and his gaze hardened for a moment before he turned and moved towards the alcove where Siren and her slave rested. The giant man blocked most of the doorway so he sat, allowing a bit of light in. "Siren," he greeted his sister first. Only then did Chimera's pink gaze drift to the slave woman. "Are you alright?" His tones were low and surprisingly soft. Soft for Chimera, at least. Now that he knew why Viper had attacked Dalila, he felt somewhat responsible for her injuries. "Chimera Quill Klein"

The thought caused her to tilt her delicate features just slightly as Dalila looked down with confusion that shifted steadily into acceptance. They hadn’t been together for incredibly long but Dalila was a massive part of her everyday life, more than routine she’d grown attached. She looked forward to the end of the day when they settled down together. She had been severely off put in the difference of schedule Chimera’s time with her caused. Siren missed her when she wasn’t there, Dalila was so much more than a slave.

She tried to reign in her emotions, she didn’t often let anyone see what she truly felt, but feeling like she faced losing her caused her eyes to glaze over with unshed tears. She looked up to Dalila as she spoke quietly, a simple thanks, but Siren could see her own emotions mirrored in the woman’s sweet features. Siren didn’t often smile, but hearing the emotion in Dalila’s voice and seeing it on her features, feeling the devotion and similar affection of love brough the corners of her lips back into a shy grin. She took in a soft breath as Dalila pressed her nose upon her crown. She closed her dual toned eyes, feeling so much more appreciative of the woman before her.

”Thank you, Dalila.” She returned softly and pressed herself against her speckled chest. She could have melted against Dalila then, as she wished their problems away and craved a nap curled up together. Suddenly Chimera entered the den. Siren looked up from Dalila’s chest as he settled near the doorway, greeting her before addressing Dalila with a softness that was normally reserved for her. She smiled up at him, knowing he would never jeopardize her happiness.

”Chimera,” she greeted in return, leaving room for Dalila to answer him, but she knew she wanted to say something before he excused himself. Viper hadn’t given Siren any reason for her to like her, but thankfully Chimera seemed unlikely to expect her to. They were far too different, and now she had Dalila’s pain to blame on her as well.

Dalila felt a small smile pull across her features for the first time since her bath the night before when Siren looked up at her, her lady's sweet grin contagious and heart warming. Feeling Siren press into her chest made her ears flick shyly and made her smile widen as she gazed down at the small woman that she had dedicated her life to. They touched and snuggled all the time, but this felt different. Now all she wanted to do was curl up with Siren enjoy that closeness that she had missed out on the night before. For the first time in her entire life she wanted to be just a little bit selfish and allow herself a night of rest beside this delicate lady. However, a presence in the doorway made her gaze break away from Siren, her pale blue gaze landing on Chimera's massive form. Her eyes dropped to look at his paws as soon as she realized who it was, her demeanor immediately shifting into the more subdued, submissive state that she felt expected to personify under the scrutinizing gaze of the man that had purchased her. Her ears flicked uncertainly and a flicker of surprise crossed her expression when he asked if she was alright, hearing the softer tone of his voice with the same confusion she had felt when he stepped in to defend her against Viper. "Yes, sir, I'm okay. Thank you," she replied softly, genuinely thankful for his assistance even if he, in a way, had been the cause of this to begin with. "Speech"

The pair of women seemed oddly comfortable with one another. Chi could see the glistening wetness in their eyes and his mismatched ears tucked backwards. He wasn't oblivious to the feelings that his sister had developed for the slave girl. Siren was a sweet, caring fae. He was honestly surprised that she hadn't been able to like Viper. Then again, the small, brown and black wolf was terribly irritating. She was uncouth and lacked the grace and finesse that Siren possessed.

Dalila assured him that she was fine and Chi nodded in acceptance. He could smell her blood and the rich tang of herbs, but if she said that there was nothing wrong, then he wouldn't argue. The brute cleared his throat and looked away, preparing to leave the women to their...emotional whatever. He should sleep anyway. There was a plan forming in his mind and he had to sort it out. Had to make sure that the plan would be worth the effort.

"Well, if there's nothing else..." he trailed off before rising. It would be better to let them sleep. Better to let Dalila heal. Chimera fixed his gaze on Siren for a moment longer, a silent apology in those mismatched depths.

Dalila was the wolf Siren was closest to, that was as obvious as the sun in the sky. The dappled woman cared for Siren on a day to day basis, knew her at her messiest (not so difficult with fur so easily tangled), and proved again and again Siren could count on her for anything. As Siren leaned forward to take comfort in her, to support her as much as she supported her. To be there for her when she was needed, to protect her as much as she could. She leaned into Dalila, a sweet affection that felt different than any time before. Now that she was faced with the prospect of losing her Siren felt like she needed her so much more.

Before either she wolf could question their feelings deeper Chimera was there. Siren appreciated him checking in on her, he was her savior and protector. However, her eyes fell on her big brother, her protector and the one family member she felt like she could trust. But when Dalila looked at him she fell. Dalila sunk in on herself to show her appropriate reverence to the man who owned her. The difference between her relationship with Siren was glaringly obvious compared to Chimera.

Dalila assured him that she was fine and the massive man moved to leave them be. ”Chimera,” she started softly, her voice was always quiet but she was careful as she spoke. Always a request because she could never command Chimera. ”Will you give me full possession of Dalila?” Dual toned eyes looked up to her brother, not pleadingly because that was beneath her. How else could she ask him to cease using the woman. Siren didn’t want to see that expression on her features again. Chimera saw her as a tool, but Dalila was so much more than that to Siren.

Dalila kept her gaze low and her head dipped while Chimera was in the room, feeling comfortable in the role that she had been born into. It was always easier to default to this than anything else, a habit that would certainly be hard to break if she ever tried to. With Siren it was different. From the very beginning, even on their way home form the caves the slavers had kept her locked away in, Siren hadn't looked at her in a harsh way or talked down to her. There were certainly times when Siren had been firm with her or at the very list direct in her commands, but even then they weren't unkind. It was a kindness that Dalila had never experienced before and it made her all the more attached to Siren in the end. She didn't have that kind of ease around Chimera and she wasn't sure she ever would. She felt a bit of relief when Chimera began to take his leave, but Siren stopped him and Dalila gave her lady a slight glance from the corner of her eye. The question that Siren posed took her by surprise, her ears perking and her eyes widening, though the kept her posture the same. Full possession of her? Dalila immediately understood the meaning and her gaze softened with appreciation, a faint hint of a smile attempting to pull at her lips. If Chimera no longer owned her then she had no obligation to do what he wanted. She would only need to answer to Siren. As long as Siren didn't wish for her to appease her brother then she'd never have to endure what she had the night before. Even if Chimera denied her request the thought and meaning behind the request warmed her heart and tears threatened to fill her eyes again. "Speech"

As Chimera began to move away, Siren spoke his name. The giant stopped and curled his neck to look back into the alcove at her and the cringing slave girl. His sister asked for sole ownership of the slave and white heat flashed behind Chimera's eyes. Siren had asked right in front of the slave. How insulting. And the look of complete love and devotion that Dalila gave Siren after? Disgusting. His sister usually had more tact than that. The fact that it seemed like they were tag teaming him incensed the man. A low growl of warning pulled from the behemoth and his pale pink eye fixed on his sister. "Are you going to take her place?" Chimera turned his body fully to stare into the sleeping space where his treacherous sister and the slave girl lay. "She was purchased. She is a belonging. For a pile of furs, she became my property." Siren had more sway over him than any other wolf, but he expected certain things from her. He expected respect, reverence, devotion. He didn't expect this. This felt like betrayal. "If you want her for yourself, you can find a way to replace her." Siren knew how he was. She knew that he needed some sort of outlet. That was the reason that he purchased the bitch in the first place. Dalila's purpose had been to tend to Siren, but to take whatever Chimera gave her. Now his sister had developed some sort of relationship with the slave. It was sickening. Very beneath a princess. With one final growl, Chimera turned and left the den. He'd find somewhere else to sleep tonight. Being around the two women at the moment was too maddening. "Speech"

Siren was taken aback when he answered her with another question, would she put herself in Dalila’s place? Her jaw fell in surprise and her heart stopped. She couldn’t predict him, but this made him far angrier and annoyed than she had even anticipated. At most she expected a gruff no as he stalked to his room, but there was a heated flare in his good eye, something she hadn’t seen in a very long time. An emotion that hadn’t been directed at her in even longer, not since Mortis had taken her from Ashen.

The tiny princess crumbled beneath Chimera’s harsh stare as he filled the entrance of the alcove and chastised her furiously. A replacement, he needed an outlet. Siren felt even more confused then. What was Viper then? Chimera growled deeply, but didn’t raise a paw to herself or Dalila like she expected when he erupted. Siren still wasn’t sure what she had done to flip the switch, but he had been in such a good mood moments previously.

He stalked away and she swallowed hard, still frozen next to Dalila with her tail between her legs. It had been years since she trembled beneath her brother’s gaze, but that moment brought it all back to her. Her childhood, being the chew toy and his outlet. At least they had been children then. She couldn’t imagine… She tried to breath and move, but all she could manage was leaning further into Dalila and crying.

She truly hadn't known what to expect when Siren made the request of her brother to have sole ownership of her. She had seen all different sides of Chimera from the brutal side of him that had raped her to a seemingly softer side that had shown her at least a touch of empathy when he came between herself and Viper. He felt unpredictable, at least in her eyes, and maybe that was one of the things that made her so unsure around him. What she hadn't expected was for Chimera to take such offense to the question, to growl and snarl, questioning if Siren would take her place. Dalila's fur started to bristle with fear for her lady at the thought, having to bite her tongue to keep herself in her shrunken position instead of jumping up to stop him, to insist that it was okay, that she could take it for her lady. Dalila knew that would only make things worse so she sat silently, her head hanging lower and eyes fixed on the ground as Chimera insisted that she was only a belonging that had been purchased for a pile of furs. Just a thing to own and use. It was strange - if that statement had been said to her back when she was still living in her old home, back when she had very well and truly been nothing but a slave for the upper class to use and dispose of, she wouldn't have thought twice about it. Of course she had been purchased, of course she was property. That's all she had born to be. But Siren had begun to make her feel like she was worth more than that. Her lady made her feel like she was worthy of being cared about and was worthy of being a friend. She had allowed herself to grow too attached and now she paid the price. She fully expected him to lash out, tear into her, maybe rape her again just to prove a point, but he didn't. He made a demand that if Siren was going to take her then she would need to be replaced. Confusion pulled at her brow. Replaced? Another slave? She didn't have time to fully process that statement before he stormed out of the den and left the two women there in the shocked silence and she felt Siren lean into her, the sound of her crying shattering her heart. With Chimera gone she broke out of the submissive stance she had been frozen into, bringing her gaze to Siren with a soft whine, leaning her nose down to Siren's cheek and carefully licking away the tears that stained her pristine fur. Quietly, she got to her paws and gently led Siren over to the bed they shared, pulling the smaller, delicate woman down into it and curling herself around her with a protective possessiveness that she had never felt before she began to grow closer to her lady. She made sure that it was her back facing the door, blocking Siren away from the outside world as she snuggled her close. She was so sweet, so delicate, and in that moment a loathing anger simmered in her gut for Chimera for making this gentle, perfect lady cry. "I'm so sorry, my lady..." she said quietly, gently pressing her nose to the top of Siren's head. With a determination she didn't know she had, she added, "I won't let him hurt you... I'll take anything and everything he does before I ever let him hurt you..." "Speech"

She didn’t know what to think, replace Dalila? She was too caught up on the comment of offering herself in the woman’s stead to even think she could go off on her own and somehow acquire a slave. Siren didn’t want to think about any of it and she leaned into Dalila to try and forget, but her tears betrayed her emotion. Chimera kept his promise, he wouldn’t lay a paw on her again, but the way he looked at her. That accusing stare. What had she done? She almost forgot who she was taking her comfort from, for so long she suffered on her own. Crying to her deer, or in her little alcove alone when she was with Mortis. Now she had Dalila. The one who was always close, and always there for her.

Her tears were taken, but Dalila didn’t hold her, instead they shifted to bed, where Siren had wanted to be since before Chimera had even come inside. She went willingly, her tears already stopped by the time she sunk into the bed and Dalila curled protectively around her. She was held unlike she had ever been before, Dalila’s arms felt safe and she was warm.

Siren pressed against mottled fur, burying her face and clinging desperately. One day and it felt like her whole life was turned upside down. A simple request and she was very nearly relegated to object. Was it just a matter of time before she disagreed so completely with Chimera that she would be thought so equally disposable? The thoughts of Chi and her future were haunting, especially as Dalila spoke, apologetic as she held onto her tiny form and gave careful affections as she vowed her loyalty softly. As long as she could help it Dalila would take anything and everything her brother could dish out.

”Dalila,” Siren whispered her name as she curled against the woman’s chest. She knew she could count on Dalila for anything and especially now that woman proved herself over and over again. She was her closest and only friend, the one she could truy trust the most. The one who put Siren’s desires far and above her own. Did Siren even deserve her? She started to cry again, but it wasn’t because of Chimera scaring her. Siren wrapped her arms around Dalila’s neck and she held her tight, that embrace saying all the words she wished she could. That she wished this wasn’t how things were, that she was the one that was sorry, to say I love you. Dual toned eyes closed tightly and she held onto the woman like she’d never held to anyone before.

Dalila felt her throat and chest squeeze tight with emotion as Siren pressed into her and wrapped her forelegs around her neck, hiding against her with a soft whisper of her name that tore at her heart. It all went against everything she had ever been taught for how she should act, how she should behave around those she served. For once she didn't care. Siren was scared and hurting and all she wanted to do was make her feel better. She slipped her forelegs around Siren as well and held her tight, tucking her head down over Siren's while she closed her eyes tight and desperately tried to think of a way to make all of this right. Dalila knew that she was nothing. She had been born a slave and would always be a slave. No matter how hard she had fought and how many wolves she killed she had ended up failing the first lady she served and she would live with that guilt forever. She refused to fail again and let even a single hair on Siren's head be put out of place. Siren was a princess, too good and pure for this world. Dalila would do anything to make sure it remained that way. The speckled woman would be more than happy to be the target for all of Chimera's violence and abuse if it meant that Siren would be spared, but she thought about how it might be if something were to happen to her in the process. What if Chimera got too rough and actually hurt her and kept her from being able to properly care for Siren? What if he finally tipped over an edge and killed her instead? Who would be here for Siren then? No, she couldn't let that happen. She very briefly considered trying to leave with Siren to get her away from Chimera once and for all, but she was certain that Chimera would try to track them down and if they were caught it would just end terribly for them both. No, there was really only one solution. She'd have to be replaced, just as Chimera demanded. She imagined having to pull another slave into this mess, having to subject her to the brutality that she would otherwise have to endure, and a guilt twisted in her gut. In a way it felt like she was just deflecting pain away from herself, but as she lifted her head away from the back of Siren's neck and opened her pale blue eyes to look at the smaller woman it felt like it was worth it. Anything for Siren and to keep herself with her. "We'll figure this out, my lady," she told her softly, squeezing her gently in her arms as she looked down at her with determination that felt weak at best, but she wanted to be the one Siren could count on. Every minute of her life going forward was going to be spent making herself worthy for her princess and making herself better to protect and serve her - to make herself feel like the devotion Siren had shown her wasn't for naught. She had been purchased so it must be possible to find the slave traders she had been purchased from again, right? A pile of furs... Was that all it really took to buy another wolf? That's what Chimera had told them. For a pile of furs she had become his property. Between the two of them they could manage that surely. She tried to give Siren an encouraging smile, hiding her own guilt and fear to comfort her lady. "Speech"

Siren struggled with knowing her place, she had experienced both sides. She was a young cur, barely socialized or trained, worthless. Despite her birth she was literally living in dirt and a part of her would always remember that time. Being a princess, holding her birthright, was almost unnatural. She couldn’t let Chimera down though, he saw her as a princess and she tried so hard for him, but many times she fell short. She wasn’t the perfect little royal. As was shown by her affection for her servant. Dalila was supposed to be a tool, something that helped her comb her hair, store her herbs, and do daily tasks that she couldn’t quite manage. Dalila had become much more than that.

Siren was reclusive, she didn’t enjoy big gatherings nor socializing. Having one wolf who was there with her no matter what, and knowing she would offer no judgement made her much different than any other wolf. Siren didn’t give affection to anyone besides the rare moment she was given with Chimera, but Dalila… Being close was natural, curling up together at night, letting her brush and tidy her long fur, they were always close. Like now. Siren;s belly was pressed against Dalila’s as her arms were wrapped around her. Siren sunk into Dalila’s embrace as the dappled woman held her closer. The slave woman curled around her and shielded her from the outside world, everything was blocked out but Dalila’s support and devotion.

She didn’t know what to do. The Klein Princess couldn’t leave to protect Dalila, she promised to never leave Chimera ever again and she didn’t want to. Dalila was closer, and there wasn’t a wolf in the world she would replace her with. Chimera was different though, he was there for her since birth, they practically raised each other. He was gruff, difficult, and there were many moments she didn’t understand him in the least, but she could never leave him.

Dalila squeezed her gently, assuring her that they would figure out the situation Siren put them in. If she had just kept her little mouth shut, if she had tried just a little harder to understand Chimera. If she was just better than she actually was they wouldn’t be here right now. She couldn’t do it though, she saw the look in Dalila’s eyes when she admitted what Chi did to her. Siren couldn’t stand it. One silvery eye peeked up from Dalila’s soft fur as the woman gazed down at her. She saw the promise there, they would find their solution, they had to.

”I hope so,” she returned quietly and buried her features back in Dalila’s neck. Maybe in the beginning Siren hadn’t cared, she didn’t know Dalila and she really was just a tool. Time changed all things and their relationship deepened and developed. Siren loved her but how could she admit that? The girl snuggled in closer, curling against Dalila so she took over her senses. The night was already getting late and the young Lady would not stay awake much longer.

"Siren Primrose Klein"