I'm Out Of Reason

For the majority of their conversation, Alastor was silently appraising the petite woman before them with his usual relaxed smile. He let Manea handle most of the talking, as he usually did in any official capacity that involved the pack or them as alphas. It wasn't that he felt that he couldn't be involved or handle himself, but out of respect for his wife. He knew this had been her dream for years and she had worked tirelessly to attain it. She deserved to be the face and voice of Elysium. He would chime in if he had anything worthwhile to add. The fae whose colors mimicked Manea's introduced herself as Duchess, explaining her sudden appearance thanks to a chance encounter with Ricin in Auster. Alastor was a master of the poker face, his neutral expression giving away nothing while she spoke. The big black eyes of the predator roaming over supple curves and slim sides betrayed the inner machinations of his mind, however, both lecherous and violent.

Duchess was quick to get to the point. She wanted to stay in Elysium for about a week. In exchange, she offered to track herds and lead a pack hunt to pay for the shelter and care they'd provide. It was a fair trade in Alastor's mind. When Duchess mentioned staying outside of pack lands if they desired, Alastor was quick to cut in with a curt, "No." He'd already had Relm get attacked while he wasn't being alert. If Duchess was welcomed in, she would stay within the pack's caves. Then her dual-hued eyes drifted up to him, their gazes locking for a long moment before Duchess looked away again with a suggestive comment offering other ways to compensate them for housing her. Alastor felt a pleasant bristle run down his spine. She reminded him very much of Manea's handmaiden, although far more sultry, and definitely both his and Manea's type. Perhaps they'd get a taste of her before their time together was over...

Manea voiced her support for the group hunt, then turned to the dark brute for his response. "I'm an avid hunter myself. Nothing is quite as thrilling as a heated pursuit or the moment when the kill is finally yours," he agreed, a dark double entendre in his gaze. "More than that, I think Ricin will be thrilled to see his friend again. Don't you, dear?" He turned his smile over to Manea. Chade and Ricin had become vital members of Elysium, and while Chade thrived, Ricin still kept to himself most of the time. Perhaps this was what the boy needed to coax him out of his shell.

"Alastor Mendacium"