Siren padded along silently through the forest on one of the many deer paths that criss crossed the island. The little deer were used to her presence, and the tiny she wolf spent much of her time with the quiet herd. She knew many of them as fawns, and they had practically grown up together when Siren was a much younger girl. Chimera promised not to harm the creatures and they lived in relative harmony.

Of course that wasn’t to say that Siren didn’t know the herd needed management if she wouldn’t allow natural predation. The population wasn’t straining yet, but by the time fall returned she knew that there would need to be members culled from the herd. The how and what of it hadn’t settled quite yet, but she knew she would need assistance.

Siren shrugged off the thought as she dipped her head under some yellowed foliage and stepped out into the clearing by the den. It had changed shape quite a bit from the shallow hole she dug, and it was much more comfortable for the three wolves that shared the cavern.

Work, work work. It was all that Chimera did lately. He'd built a bridge. He'd fought in a raid. He hunted with packmates by request. He'd also lugged a massive, massive gift back to the island for his sweet sister. The slave had helped with his surprise as was her duty. He doubted he could have managed it without her, honestly. She wasn't entirely useless. Not only had he brought the gift back, but he'd been working on something else in secret while Siren was out meandering the island with her deer. He deemed that his work was done and so it was time to unveil yet another present for the tiny girl.

Seated outside of the den, Chimera was pleased to see the object of his attention come into view. "Siren," he rumbled, placing a kiss upon the brow of the tiny, pale girl. "I have something for you." Rather than lead her into their den, Chimera stood, pushed aside some foliage, and led Siren into the doorway of a newly crafted den within the ground. He'd been working on it here and there. The space was wide and tall enough for the massive brute to walk upright. He'd crafted smaller chambers for sleeping and whatever else the girls might desire, but one of the chambers was extra special.

With one big, black toed paw, the newly tri-colored wolf gave his sister a little nudge, urging her to inspect the strange sleeping space. It was fitted snuggly into the dirt, the opening pointed outward. The walls were hard and scaled on the outside, but the inside was smooth. He'd lined it with a plethora of furs and cushions all fit for a princess. "I don't like the idea of you sleeping in the dirt, so I made this for you. And..." the giant moved towards the wall that would separate the den he'd created from the den she and Dalila had created. "So your hard work isn't put to waste..." Raising one paw, he pushed on the wall and it came crumbling down, making the den even larger as the two were combined. He'd been careful to not dig through, but to come close enough that breaking down the wall would be easy. Ears tucked against his skull for a moment as he looked at his little sister. "Do you like it?" Then as an afterthought he added, "your slave helped some."

For reference of the sleeping space.

She felt like sometimes all Chimera did was work, making her life better and more comfortable with everyday they lived on that island. Her name was on his pale lips as she appeared through the underbrush. Her brother swiftly closed the distance between them and kissed her forehead. She wasn’t certain when he’d become so much more affectionate but she enjoyed the tender moments. They brought her closer to him. She didn’t need presents or waited on, all she wanted was him to rely on when she needed help.

Siren did really like the presents though. Even if she vowed to never leave him, the gifts and affections he poured over her were enough to keep the girl happy. After such a difficult life she didn’t mind being spoiled. Of course, she was appreciative too. She never asked Chimera to break his back for her. She was still thankful with every gesture he gave.

The girl tilted her head curiously as Chimera spoke, her expression bright and curious as he urged her forward. Siren blinked back the emotions that threatened to well up as she approached the unconventional bed. It looked like a bed for a queen, and here she was a discarded cur. ”Chimera,” she could barely say her name she felt so in awe. No one besides Chimera tried to make her feel special like this, and she couldn’t help her rin as she peered back at him.

He went on, carefully tearing at the brittle wall until the tiny original den was fully combined with Chi’s much better work. Siren gaped like a little fish, she didn’t know what to say or do. Stunted from the beginning she struggled with her emotions. In that moment all she could do was throw herself at Chimera’s chest and hug him tightly. "I love it." She muttered into his fur as she tried not to cry.

Any time that anyone touched him, the dire boy's first instinct was still to bite. He doubted that this would ever change and he didn't really mind. That instinct would keep him alive. He didn't bite Siren though. He'd learned to tamp down that instinct where she was concerned. And so, when his tiny sister pressed herself against him in an incredibly thankful embrace, he wrapped one big foreleg around her and held her close. Lowering his muzzle, he snuffled in the top of her golden crown. He was glad that she appreciated his efforts. It would have been horrid had she not liked the gifts.

"We can make other changes as you see fit. More chambers, shelving in the walls. The small den could be used for herb storage if you'd like or we can build you something else." He wanted his little sister to feel useful. He needed her to see her worth. Chimera knew that she felt like a lesser being sometimes even though she tried to hide it from him. He could see. That wasn't what he wanted for her. The way that she held herself reflected upon him. In Chimera's eyes, he was damn near a god. How could his sibling be anything less than a goddess? Siren was beautiful in her tiny, exotic way. Others would no doubt start seeing it soon if she ever left the island. Oh the fights that the future held... he was both looking forward to them and loathing their arrival.

The lack of hesitance in showing her affection was testament to how much Siren trusted Chimera these days. Once she would have feared to even ask if she could touch him. She had always been seeing to a wound or scrape, never in affection. She didn’t realize this was one of the first times she showed how she felt towards him deep down. Even less did she expect the return of affection as she felt the weight of his arm over her back and his muzzle at her soft fur. He told her of the possibilities that lay before them and the icy girl’s heart warmed. Chimera was the only one who could take care of her, who knew what she needed and provided without question.

”I like all of that.” she confessed softly and tried not to be overwhelmed at the lengths Chimera went for her. ”Well, one day when plants start to grow again” She sighed softly as released him, a soft simple grin on her features. ”Chimera this is so thoughtful, I… is there anything I can do for you?” He was right, she needed to feel more useful. Her self worth was minimal on the best of days, but as long as she had Chimera she could mostly hide it. Not that she realized she wasn’t doing a very good job.

Back when Chimera and Siren had found her, she hadn't really known what to think, but the longer she spent with the pair the more devoted she became to her lady. Of course, she never hesitated to follow the man's commands and easily submitted to any of the bites that he let out on her - but mostly because of Siren. When she had first been assigned to the first lady she served, back in her old pack, there had been a stretch of time when they were still learning each other. That dedication hadn't clicked with her immediately. That wasn't the case with Siren. Pretty much from the first day Dalila had been thrilled to serve her. When Chimera commissioned her help to dig out the new addition to the den especially for her lady she hadn't hesitated to put all of her energy into it. Of course she had to keep it a secret so it was difficult to make sure her paws were washed clean from the dirt before she went with Siren for healing lessons and to make sure she didn't look tired when they were walking around the island. She just knew that at the end it would be all worth it. When Chimera decided it was finished Dalila lingered near the den and waited for him to lead Siren inside. Dalila smiled excitedly, her tail wagging behind her. She tried to imagine what Siren's reaction would be, but couldn't quite picture it. Oh how she wished she could be there when he made the grand reveal of it all... She wrestled with it for a few moments before finally giving in and moving toward the den. The temptation to see her lady's happy reaction was just too much to resist. She went in through the old den entrance, walking through the space and finding the opening that led into the new, elaborate sleeping area. She crept through the doorway of sorts and peeked in, her pale blue eyes landing on the pair. Another smile pulled onto her lips when she saw them embracing, her heart warming with a satisfied happiness. Yes, it had been worth it. When they started speaking to each other about future improvements and Siren asking him if there was anything she could do for him, Dalila began to quietly back away again, happy that she had gotten to catch even a little bit of her beautiful lady's reaction. "Speech"

The giant embraced his tiny sister until she pulled back. Siren expressed her thanks and Chi nodded. Movement to the side caught his attention and he noted the slave slinking back into the shadows. If she wanted to watch, she could watch. No use in creeping about like she was stealthy. Chimera's gaze narrowed in disapproval and he hoped Siren caught the look. He left it up to her to train their acquisition. The earthen fae was far more useful to Siren than she was to him. Siren's question pulled his attention back to her. Anything that she could do for him? Again his brow furrowed. His damn brow was always furrowed. "Realize your worth." He wasn't trying to rub it in, but he also was trying to rub it in. "I'm only doing this for you. I'm only part of this pack for you. So make the best of it." Don't waste my efforts, was what he left unsaid. Being subservient wasn't something that Chimera liked, but he was subjecting himself to another's rule for the sake of his sister. This was where they grew up. This was where she was comfortable. This was all for her. Rising from his place, Chimera called out to Dalila. "Take the excess dirt out of the den." The dirt from the wall that he'd collapsed lay in a mound. It couldn't stay there and the wolf might as well make herself useful. He looked back to Siren. "You two could build shelving into the walls over in the other part of the den. Or just make her do it all. She needs to earn her keep somehow." Chimera had a distaste for the woman, but he liked that he didn't really like her. It made it much easier to sink his teeth into her. "Speech"

The tiny girl followed her brother’s gaze as his expression shifted towards the smaller of the rooms. Dalila. She might have been spying but more likely she had wandered into the sibling’s warm embrace and hadn’t wanted to disturb them. ”Dalila, make your presence known when you approach.” Siren’s voice was always quiet, but there was a serious note to her commandment as her attention was swiftly returned to Chimera.

Her pale pink touched ears fell to her skull as he called her out, stating bluntly his desire for her but also leaving his most fierce request unsaid. Realize your worth. Siren looked away ashamedly for a moment, but she vowed it would be the final time she allowed the emotion to behold her. Immediately after she lifted her head, took a deep breath, and held herself differently. Despite the lack of value in herself, she could see her value to Chimera more clearly now. This was all for her and she should act like she was worthy of his efforts. Determination settled into her expression and she nodded lightly before attention was returned to Dalila and Chimera suggested what they should do with their time.

”You make a good suggestion,” she returned softly. Her voice was quiet, but she was determined to embrace the confidence that Chimera wished her to show. ”Spring will return, but my stores are minimal at best.” They didn’t have a lot to store, but one day she would have a real apothecary. ”I’ll do better.” Those last words were much quieter but they held a promise to Chimera that couldn't be mistaken.

The disapproving glance from Chimera made her stop, her head dipping apologetically. She hadn't wanted to interrupt the moment they shared, but she should have known better. He was too perceptive for that. Somehow Siren's stern direction to make her presence known stung more than the hard glance she had gotten from the more violent male, but she nodded as she glanced toward the ground. "Yes, my lady," she replied quietly. She lingered there in the entryway between the two spaces, not looking at the pair as Chimera spoke to Siren about knowing her worth. She wouldn't comment since she knew it wasn't her place, but she did hope that Siren would take the commandment to heart - though not in the more threatening tone that the male delivered it in. Siren was the most lovely wolf Dalila had ever come across and was far more deserving of her efforts than any of the other royal wolves that she had served under once upon a time. She did hope that her lady would recognize that in herself as well. She glanced up at Chimera when he instructed her to clear out the extra soil and immediately nodded in agreement and went to get the large, shallow, wooden bucket that had ropes fashioned into a handle she had used to help clear out the dirt from the den that had just been completed. Bringing it back to the pile of dirt that had crumbled down between the now connected spaces, she tripped it onto its side and started scooping and sweeping it into the vessel, carrying the loads of dirt outside and dumping it out a short distance away. Luckily it only took maybe half a dozen trips to clear it all away since it had been a very thin wall separating the spaces. Once she was done, she put away the tool and found her way back to the new space, padding over to her masters with a polite dip of her head. "Is there anything else I can do for you now?" she asked quietly, waiting to see if there would be another task for her to do right this moment or if she would be sent away. "Speech"

Do better. That was all that he needed. Siren wasn't some lowly slave like the dolt in the other room. She was a princess, born to an empress and sister to yet another empress. Even if titles were mostly bullshit, that had to count for something. He wanted Siren to act like the princess that she was and to believe that she deserved it all. If she didn't, why was he even bothering with making things better for her? It was important to him that she come across as royalty; as better than the rest. He wouldn't go to such lengths for someone worthless and having her feel as though she was... well it was insulting to him, really. Siren chastised her slave and Chimera didn't spare the wolf a glance until she finished scooping the dirt and taking it elsewhere. His sister mulled over the idea that spring would return and she would have enough to fill the shelving that she and Dalila might make. Chi wasn't so sure that spring would return. Everything seemed to just be getting colder. Even the waters around the islands had begun to freeze over. Animals that weren't used to the bitter cold were dropping over dead. It made bringing home meals much easier, but it was still concerning. Dalila asked if there was anything else that they needed from her and Chimera bit back his retort. Why couldn't women just be quiet? He hated hearing their voices. He hated hearing any voices. Looking down at Siren, the dire boy got to his paws. "I have things to do." With a nod, he left the den and left the women to their own devices. He didn't really care what they were doing, but he didn't want to sit and watch. "Speech"