TW: reference to domestic violence

Early morning broke across Alias Island as the sun peeked its golden rays over the eastern sea, chasing away the dark of the night before. Alastor trudged his way back to the island from the mainland across the floating bridge that linked Alias to mainland Boreas during high tide times. He had not spent the night on the island, instead escaping his wife's scorn by finding shelter with Relm out by the lake. It wasn't Alastor's most proud moment, but it beat having to face the cold rage of Manea or listen to her fucking her paramour in their own bed. At least he'd had the decency of keeping his affairs with Relm away from his family. The dark dire wolf tried not to dwell on his bitterness as he stepped across onto the pebbly shore of the island, his long fur flowing unceremoniously into the lapping water while he made his way up into the pine forests that made up a bulk of the island's terrain.

Despite his displeasure at his current personal life, Alastor still maintained his duties and performed his role as Commander to the best of his abilities. That began with his routine morning patrol, the ebon-furred brute cutting his way through the trees of the quiet summer morning. As usual, his path took him around Alias Lake, expecting to find nobody else up as early as he was. Ordinarily, he and Manea would have gone on these patrols together, but he assumed she was too busy snuggling up to her new boyfriend to keep to that routine anymore. In silence and rancor, Alastor emerged from the woods to begin his circuit around the perimeter of the lake, putting his mind into his work to avoid thinking too deeply, lest his ire continue to grow.

"Alastor Mendacium"

What had just happened? Ikigai was bewildered, hurt, confused, but most of all she was sore. Deimos had taken her so roughly that she was left bleeding from both ends. It was his right to take her as he pleased, but she had never expected it to be like that. Especially not after their first time had been so... loving and sweet. It wasn't even something that she would complain about though. There was no going back on her decision. Ashen and Elysium needed this alliance. Just as she had always done, Ikigai would suck it up and do what was best for her people.

Being bloodied stood out like a sore thumb on such a pristine pelt, so Iki had escaped as soon as she was able and made her way to the lake to bathe away the blood and other fluids. Looking at her muted reflection, she could see that her lip was slightly swollen and cut. Deimos had mashed her face hard into the furs when he'd taken her. That wouldn't be as easy to hide. She'd just have to be scarce for a few days.

Approaching paws brought dark, pointed ears shifting. Iki's long neck curled to the side, her silver marbled gaze falling upon none other than Alastor. Shit. What excuse could she make up? She'd soaped herself up so the smell of blood should have been tamped down by lilac, but there was no hiding her split lip. She smiled faintly and nodded. "Hello, Alastor. I haven't had a chance to tell you how dashing the long coat look is for you." She quite liked the long fur on him and sought to distract him with her words.

"Iki"

Alastor rounded the edge of the lake past a few sparsely growing spruce trees on the edge of the rocky shore, turning the corner to see another wolf at the edge of the water. His obsidian gaze lifted, falling upon the freshly bathed form of the young princess Ikigai. Though she had grown since he'd first met her as a wee pup and blossomed into a beautiful young woman, Alastor would still always remember her as the polite and proper little girl who was the first Ashen wolf to greet him at their parlay. Her argent eyes turned to him abruptly; she clearly had not been expecting anyone to come around this early, and he silently hoped he hadn't put her off with his sudden appearance.

Ikigai smiled and nodded to him, and the Commander in turn bowed his head respectfully back to her. He had a tremendous amount of respect for the young princess, accepting the arranged marriage that had unified Elysium and Ashen together. She was dutiful to a fault, raised with the utmost in decorum and performing her role without flaw. It was a hefty weight that had been placed on her, and anytime Alastor tried to imagine doing to his own children what had been done to her, he balked at the notion. But he chalked it up to different cultures and ways of life—neither more right or wrong than the other in this regard. Ikigai greeted him with a compliment about his new coat, causing the dire brute to slow his gait so he could give her the attention she deserved.

"Good morning, Lady Okiku," he greeted her in turn, remembering most of her name, or at least enough to call her by her true first name. He then blinked in surprise, his gaze turning back upon his own flowing fur that mirrored Ikigai's silken tail. Scant few wolves had ever paid his coat any compliments, so it took him aback to hear the kind words of the Abraxas lady. "Oh. Oh! Why, thank you! I actually don't receive many compliments on it. Probably because I still have yet to learn how to master keeping it groomed." He punctuated his words with a soft chuckle, a departure from the usual hearty laughs his voice filled the forests with. Looking back up to Ikigai, Alastor realized he hadn't spent much time making sure the Ashen princess had been comfortably moved into her new home. As one of the pack's leaders, he'd be remiss if he didn't check in with her and make sure everything was suitable to her. She was an important guest of theirs, after all, and soon to be a member of their family.

Massive paws diverted from his path and the monstrous brute walked over to join Ikigai at the edge of the water. He could smell the strong scent of her lilac shampoo, a fitting luxury befitting a lady of her standing. Manea was also one inclined to such indulgences, and he could see why his mate was so taken with the little fae. "I apologize for not checking in on you sooner. I wanted to give you ample time to get settled in before I pestered you to make sure everything was to your liking." Alastor's dark abyssal eyes moved from Ikigai's to hone in on the split to her lip, the swell to the end of her snout. The smile on his face began to slip away, his expression dropping as he looked over the rest of her. There was no way to tell through her fur if she bore any other injuries, but suddenly the heavy scented shampoo began to seem less innocuous in light of his discovery. "My dear, what happened to you?" asked the dire brute with a concern that few ever saw. Ikigai was not one of his own, but in this moment, Alastor's fatherly instincts had flared to life, treating Ikigai's condition and safety the way he would have if he had found Avacyn in this state at the side of the lake.

"Alastor Mendacium"

Alastor drew closer and Ikigai's stomach clenched. Mentally she willed him not to notice. Not to see her wounds or smell the blood and sex upon her. Thankfully she'd washed thoroughly before he'd arrived. Her words did indeed seem to distract him as he looked down at his own coat with a smile. His smile made her smile grow, despite her current situation. The pale lady had a soft spot for the man, whether he knew it or not. He stuck around his family and she had the feeling that he was a good father to his children. That meant worlds to the Ashen princess. A much better man than her own father. The black and red giant then mentioned that he hadn't had much luck learning how to take care of his long coat and Iki chuckled softly. "I'll bring you a gift and give you some pointers," she promised sweetly.

The apology given took Ikigai aback and her snake slit eyes widened for a moment. She shook her head in the negative. "No need to apologize. I'm settling in well enough." She forced a smile. Aside from her run in with Deimos earlier in the day, it was true. Everyone had been kind and hospitable. She'd made a friend or two. There was nothing that she was lacking. For the most part, anyway. Ikigai was feeling the lack of love in her life. Her mother, sister, uncle, cousins... they loved her and it showed. She hadn't created a bond with anyone here that filled that void within her. In time, she had hoped Deimos would come to take that duty, but it didn't seem as though this would be the case.

It was then that he noticed the split in her lip and the slight swelling of her muzzle. The instant shift from happiness to concern... it made Ikigai feel horrible. Before he even asked, she was shaking her head, but ask, he did. "Please don't worry," she spoke softly, her delicate tones a mere whisper as her gaze dropped from his and slid down to the water. "A hazard of the agreement, I suppose. I'll be okay." She had taken such abuse tonight and she would gladly take it again to keep their packs tied as one. Dutiful to a fault, was Ikigai Abraxas.

"Iki"

Ikigai was such a sweetheart. Without anyone to help him with his new fur coat, he had resorted simply to letting his fur get messy and tangled, then just bathing more at Manea's behest, but it never really solved the issue. More like it delayed the inevitable. Ikigai, however, offered to show him how to care for his fur, even offering him some gifts to help him out. "That's very kind of you, Ikigai," he replied with a small smile. "Thank you." But that moment of happiness was short-lived as he noticed the injury to her face and immediately set upon her like a father tending to a child who had just taken a tumble.

The Abraxas princess was instantly shaking her head in an attempt to dismiss his concerns, but Alastor was having none of it. His paternal instincts had kicked in and he was compelled to take care of her. The biological need to protect had to make sure Ikigai was all right. Dark eyes clouded with concern when the alabaster fae shifted her eyes down from his in shame and embarrassment, the demure acceptance of what had happened to her striking his heart like a nail had been driven through it. As Commander of Elysium, he was responsible for the pack's safety from all threats—both external and within. The fact that Ikigai was sitting here by the lake bearing her injuries meant he had failed her. Suddenly, the innocuous scent of lilac didn't seem so innocent anymore.

There was no doubt in his mind who the culprit behind her injuries was. He didn't know Deimos well, but he knew enough of the brute to know that if someone else had done this to the princess, he would have torn them apart already. The fact that no such violence had occurred meant he was the guilty party. Ikigai further confirmed his suspicions when she deigned the incident "a hazard of the agreement". That comment set Alastor's blood on fire, and he gently yet insistently urged Ikigai's chin up with the massive paw on her cheek. "The agreement? My dear, no wolf has a right to lay a paw on you with malicious intent. You are a princess of Ashen, soon of Elysium, and any wolf who does you harm will be dealt with according to our laws." Alastor had placed a heavy emphasis on "any" to show Iki that no wolf, Mendacium or otherwise, was above the pack's tenets. Her betrothed, a Mendacium, was held to the same rules as everyone else, and no one was above the law.

The fact that Ikigai was so readily accepting of taking such abuse from her future husband as a part of her normal life broke Alastor's heart. Looking at her, Alastor saw the faces of his sisters, watching them progressively become more and more broken and damaged until his abusive father had snuffed the life out of every single one of them. He had seen the danger and the escalation of domestic violence firsthand. It had made him into the monster he was today. The murderous, wrathful side of him wanted to march over to Deimos' den right now and dole out some well-deserved justice. The fatherly side of him wanted to comfort and ensure Ikigai's safety foremost. That side of Alastor won out for now, and the giant wolf fixed obsidian eyes with the young woman's argent silvers before wrapping trunk-like forelegs around her sides and pulling her into his fluff to embrace her. Alastor didn't say anything for a moment, just offering the hurt princess a reassuring hug and a comforting presence. "Oh Ikigai..." sighed Alastor, his expression falling now that it was no longer within her sight. "If you want me to keep this quiet, from your mother and Manea, I will keep my lips sealed. But please... don't ever think allowing yourself to be made a victim is something you must do. You are so much more than that."

"Alastor Mendacium"

She didn't have to lie. He knew. Iki could tell by the look in Alastor's obsidian eyes that he knew. It didn't take a genius either way. There weren't many who would have had such access to her. Had it been an outsider, surely she would have raised the alarm. No... all paws pointed to Deimos. Even now, after what he'd done, Ikigai would try to protect the man. They were a pair betrothed and his standing in the pack reflected upon her just as her standing reflected upon him. It couldn't be known that he'd raped her just as it couldn't be known that she'd been raped. And so she had sought to keep it a secret, but alas...

A strong paw grasped the woman's chin and Ikigai didn't stop it. She raised her mercuric gaze to meet Alastor's, watching his expression as he inspected her wounds. Her lower lip was swollen and the split from her tooth was rather obvious. The hulking brutes soft words brought a pang of pain to Ikigai's chest. He pointed out her position, her ties, her importance. He then pointed out that there would be repercussions for the action taken against her. That... frightened her. Ikigai's brows drew together and she gave her head a light shake. "Please, Alastor..." she began softly, " anything you might do would only make it worse for me." Of that, she was certain. She'd seen firsthand what a knock to Deimos' pride did to him. Being confronted about this altercation would put it in his head that she'd begged for aid against him.

Before she could say anything more, the giant man was pulling her against his chest. A soft gasp pulled from the fae's parted lips and she stiffened for but a moment. Had her own father ever embraced her as warmly? Not that she could remember. Alastor's soft voice met lynx-tipped ears and a gentle sigh drifted from the woman before she softened and leaned into the embrace. He offered to keep quiet on the matter and she nodded, her silken cheek sliding along the thick fur of his chest. "Please. I don't want to jeopardize what I've fought for. I will gladly make any sacrifice for both Ashen and Elysium."

Ikigai would remain settled against the black brutes chest, taking comfort in his size and strength, his fatherly nature. "I'm confident that I can handle the situation," she assured him. She would have to be wary around Deimos and never let her guard down, but Iki was fairly certain that she could stop another incident from happening.

"Thank you, by the way," She whispered softly. "Your children are truly lucky to have you, Alastor." Appreciation dripped from the woman's dulcet tones. Though born a princess, she had rarely been shown such kindness and never from one outside of her family, save Kotori.

"Iki"

The panic Alastor saw in Ikigai's eyes at the mere mention of delivering recompense to Deimos for his transgressions only served to solidify the alpha male's resolve. If Ikigai feared what her fiancé's response to being held responsible for his actions might be, then it meant the haughty Mendacium needed to be brought down a peg hard. Alastor couldn't stand pompous superiority in others, but when wolves lauded that over others and used it to justify their unforgivable actions, then they would be learning a very harsh lesson on reality from the demon. "I promise you, little seraph, I will not give Deimos any reason to retaliate against you." Alastor was very careful in his wording. He would not do something to jeopardize the Abraxas princess' safety, but he would not promise her that he would turn his cheek to this. Letting Deimos believe he had gotten away with what he did would likely embolden the brute to escalate, and he would not permit any worse damage to befall the sweet snowy fae. Memories of his sisters' broken and bloody bodies flashed in his mind. He would end Deimos without hesitation before he let that come to pass.

Ikigai asked him to keep the matter quiet and he simply nodded his head. He would be sworn to silence on her behalf if that was what she wished. "Then I shall say nothing," he reassured her. "You are allowed to handle your affairs however you see fit, but remember that you do not have to handle them alone. You have wolves looking out for you. You are cared for here." Alastor did not release Iki from his embrace until she began to draw back, allowing her to soak in his protection as much as she wanted. At some point during their embrace, Alastor's ears perked to catch Ikigai's claim that his children were lucky to have him. Alastor's expression froze in surprise. A slow smile began to soften his features after a moment. Ever since he'd become a father, all he'd ever wanted was to do right by his children—to be better than the monster that had spawned him. Iki's works of praise did more for him than she would ever know.

"You're far too kind to me, my dear," came the giant wolf's rumbling reply. Strong forelegs slowly fell from around her, permitting Iki her freedom to resume cleaning herself up. He looked down at her, abyssal eyes gentle while he regarded the damage done to her. Though his expression was placid and caring, the thoughts raging inside his broken mind were far more violent than his visage betrayed. Iki did not need to see the monster he truly was—but Deimos would. One large paw stroked her cheek gently once more, then nodded towards the lake. "Finish doing whatever you need, then go to the medical den. Irilyth will help make sure you get what you need. Tell her that Alastor has instructed her to not ask any questions and to tell no one else of your state." Beyond just making sure she was taken care of, Alastor's instructions conveniently kept Ikigai away from the den she shared with Deimos—at least until he was done having a chat with the brute.

"Alastor Mendacium"