Rape. That was all I could think, was that he had raped me. I had heard of a place where wolves could come for help, from a kind old lady that lived in the woods. This was the only place I had found that wasn't scary. It was all open, all free. I move to the front steps and stare for a moment. Taking a deep breath I move forth and scratch the door. Just then a sharp pang goes through my body and I let out a startled gasp and leap backwards. They were coming. I let out a whimper and scratch at the door more frantically. I was an odd colored wolf, a shiny chrome color. I was lean and lanky and I continued to scratch the door with even more figure. I was so scared....

Martha came to the door, no longer wearing the braces on her ankle, and almost free of a limp. For a moment, she peered out of the window at the wolf, past experience telling her that this creature was a source of danger. But like John, she had lived with canines long enough to be able to judge their basic intentions fairly accurately. She could see that Vixen was obviously pregnant- very pregnant to be precise.

Slowly, the woman opened the door, praying that she was doing the right thing, and that Vixen was here for help, and not to cause harm. "Hello there, mother." Martha spoke gently, trying to be calm despite her racing heart. In her mind, this wolf must have been someone's escaped pet, right? But, funny thing was, animals in this Valley had lived around humans so much that even the truely wild and feral creatures occassionally sought out human-help.

Peeking his head up between the railing of the porch, a pale orange-tan tom cat watched Vixen. Oh great, more pups?!? He thought to himself. He loved to play and socialize, but the canines were a bit rambunctious sometimes, and he hated getting slobber all over him. That, and it hurt when you got stepped on by those massive paws.

My heart clutched in my throat as the human opened the door. She was so....big. I stand uncertainly now, my breaths quick and sharp. It hurt. Everything.....Hurt. Another contraction shot through me and I let out another yelp. This pain was worse then any I could imagine. My pups.....All mine. He wouldn't ever see them. He couldn't have them. I would keep them with me forever and ever. My eyes fell on the cat and I say in a hoarse voice, "Help me. Please.....Please help me." They were coming and I had no where to go. No where to stay. Still I thought this was the Lady of the Woodlands and not the wolf hating woman and son of the ranch. "Please...I'll do anything."

The silver wolf's yelps brought Rihanne quickly to the door. Her temper had been almost completely ruined for wolves with the death of Mark, and if this wolf was here to hurt Martha, she had better watch out.

A growl started to form in her throat, but became stillborn by the fae's smell. The copper-curled fairy almost instantly came to realize that this one had other things to worry about than hurting Martha. Closing her eyes for a moment, she mentally took stock of her own body, forcing each muscle in its turn to relax, putting a sympathetic smile on her face before slowly approaching the newcomer.

Easy there, miss. I'm Rihanne. This is my mistress, Martha. Sounds to me like you've got little ones on the way, yes? If you behave yourself, Martha will help you. The speech was an odd combination of tenderness and strict suspicion, but she was trying her best to be friendly. After all, Tahmore's wolf companion, Elder Brother, was nice enough, and Artemis was a valiant defender as well. Perhaps this steely lady would prove to be one of the nicer ones.

Seeing dark clouds form on the horizon, Rihanne whined up at Martha, scrubbing one padded foot gently against the woman's skirt. Whatever the case, the soon-to-be mother could not birth her pups out in the wet.

Almost without realizing, Martha put a hand out on Rihanne's back- sort of like a security crutch to have the mixbreed around. That, and as a protective gestured towards her canine companion, for she knew all to well how easily a life could be taken around here. They had had one bad wolf in the past, who they all thought could be a trusted friend. But, she turned against her 'masters' and the rest of the Ranch pets. Still, the memory of Koda was strong and always a reminder of what could happen.

Not willing to let a strange wolf in her house to roam free, Martha quickly thought of an alternative. Stepping outside and closing the door, she walked around to the side of the house where there was a second door, leading to their mud room. The room wasn't very large- it was about the size of an average shelter-kennel. But it was plenty big for a wolf to move around comfortably in. "This way, now. You can have shelter here." Martha opened the door and stepped in, where she began to rummage around in the closet. Soon enough, she had an armful of old sheets and towels which she laid on the ground, so that Vixen could make a whelping nest for herself.

Martha stepped back from the door now, seeing if Vixen would take to the shelter. It would offer her warmth and protection from the elements, while concealing her from the rest of the house just in case she turned out to be aggressive.

Nivi trailed a distance from Martha, flashing his eyes from Vixen to his human master, "Watch your p's and q's now, or she'll boot you out." He warned, "No biting anyone."

I let out a sigh of relief. They were going to let me in! I smiled at Rihanne wearily and murmered "I am Vixen, daughter of Lestaphos and Prophet. I mean no harm to anyone, I just....I don't know where to go." Tears welled up in my eyes. He wouldn't touch them, couldn't have them. They were mine. "He'll come find me. He..He'll kill me. You have to protect her, he might go after her as well. I will try to help. I promise I will try for its all my fault." I let out a soft sob. "I'm so sorry." Miserably I follow Martha into the mudroom. Before she has a chance to close me in, I lick her hand in gratitude. Deadly fangs are carefully held back, I don't want her to throw me out. I just want help. I curl up in the corner and stand again circling. I begin to pace and pant heavily and lay down once more as my first son is born. Soon, six pups lay by my side. Three male, three female. With my life I shall guard them.

Rihanne stayed by Martha's side every step. Even if this fae seemed harmless, Rihanne also remembered Koda. She remembered, cursing herself silently, shaking her head against the memory. To Vixen's whispered warning against harm that might come to Martha, she pulled her lips back in a silent snarl, saying Let the daemon TRY to hurt my Martha. Just let him try. His blood will make our grass grow. And she watched as the female was closed in, breathing out slowly as the door snapped shut.

She let out a sigh of relief, leaning on Martha's good leg and trying to stifle a whine. Though Rihanne was distinctly Martha's companion, the copper mix remembered the time Mark had saved her life, and she still missed him. She snarled quietly, remembering that she'd never gotten the chance to return the favor. Just let someone try to hurt Martha. Bite out their innards and ask questions afterward. NO ONE was going to cost Rihanne any more family.