Strange Love

"I knew you'd lose!" Peg said as he slapped Arei on the back. "You just can't match Thousands of years of practice. Don't worry, the two of you will get there eventually." He said winking down to Jos.

Jos shook her head as she watched Peg pull Andy ahead playfully. "I almost miss the old, s.e.x.u.a.lly repressed Peg more. At least he wasn't as smug..." She grumbled.

Arei chuckled, taking her hand as he replied. "Oh no! trust me, he was just as smug then too. He just did a better job of hiding it!" When he noticed Jos had become more rigid, he quickly released her hand. "Sorry, old habits."

Jos thought it over for a few minutes as they entered the back of the palace and began walking toward the library. She reached out and took his free hand as he pulled the door open. When his surprised eyes met hers, she responded. "I don't mind... I've spent so many of the past years having men push themselves on me and expecting way more than I'd ever willingly give, that I still react negatively to any type of physical touch. I'm sorry about that, and I'll try to work on it."

Arei released his hold on the door and turned his full attention to her. Using his grip on her hand, he pulled her against him in a tight hug. Placing a light kiss on top of her head, he whispered. "I would never force you into anything. I hope you at least know that much by now."

Jos nodded against his grip. "I do. It will just take some time to deprogram the reaction is all." She pushed back to look him in the eyes. "Please, don't take it personally... alright."

He smiled down at her, though the pain was obvious in his expression. "I won't, Kitten. Are you ready? I'm sure everyone is ready for one more night of fun before we have to all return to the real world."

Jos let out a heavy sigh as she nodded. "Don't remind me, I'm so nervous about tomorrow I'm not even sure I'll be able to enjoy a second of tonight."

Arei sent her a more genuine smile this time. "With this group of clowns? How could you possibly have a bad time?" He turned toward the door with Jos tucked under his arm, a wide grin spread across his full lips. "I wouldn't be surprised one bit if it wasn't a damn three-ring circus in there as we speak."

Jos couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. Her eyes sparkled with amus.e.m.e.nt as the doors began to open and the happy, cheerful voices began to spill out into the hall. It wasn't until she got inside that her whole body froze up. Worry, dread, joy, fear, and anticipation all warred with one another within her as her eyes fell on Ry and the small red Pomeranian nipping at his pant leg aggressively. "Russ?" She had barely whispered the name when the puppy turned its attention to her, pants still in his mouth. Within seconds the dog was barreling toward her and launching itself at her. She lifted it and studied it for a minute before moving her focus back to Ry. "What in the world?"

Ry ran his hand through his short hair. "It was dad's idea..."

"Isn't he the cutest!" Chary called out from the water's edge. She was in a s.e.xy red bikini that matched her bright red lipstick and flaming red hair.

Jos cleared her throat as she forced her attention away from the dog. "He's... kinda my ex..."

Chary's brows flew upwards. "You dated a dog?"

Snickers not only came from the sofa's surrounding the pool Chary was in, but also from beside her. No doubt Arei was finding it amusing. Jos held the overjoyed puppy to her chest. "I take it you weren't here for your father's... party trick?" She nodded toward Shelly. "He's not a dog. He's her brother, an alpha werewolf."

Chary's hand flew to her mouth in amused surprise. "Is that so?!" She held her hands out wanting the dog. "It kinda makes me want to play with him even more!"

"Trust me the kid is ten times more agreeable in that form!" Ry threw in. "My gods, when was the last time we were all in the same room?" Ry asked moving his attention from Peg, to Chary, then over to Arei. "Peg was telling me, I missed out on a race. I bet had it been you and I, we could have beaten them."

"Yeah maybe, but it wouldn't have been as enjoyable for me having someone other than Jos riding me." He sent her a wink as the puppy began snarling and fighting her grip.

Jos had taken a seat on the edge of the pool with her feet in the water and was considering handing over the puppy when the library door burst open. Raven and Isha had their arms loaded down with stuff as they chatted happily. "What in the world is all that?" Jos asked as they neared the seating area.

"Party supplies, what else?" Raven replied. Her eyes widened and she quickly dropped everything to the table. "Oh shit! Is that THE Russaranian?!" She motioned for Jos to hand him over. "You gotta let me hold him!" Even though the dog struggled against her grip, Jos handed him over. Raven lifted him in the air and studied him before letting out a loud laugh. "Not so hot now are you, you smug little shit?!" She lowered him and ground her knuckles into his fluffy head. "Gotta say, your cute as f.u.c.k like this though!" She turned toward Isha who was straightening the mess Raven had left on the table. "Look, babe! It's a Russaranian! We gotta take some pictures and turn this mutt mug into a tee-shirt or something. Ah, I got it! A mutt mug coffee mug! We can make him a little mugshot sign to put around his neck, it could be a mutt mug, mugshot, mug... You can't beat that shit!"

Isha rolled her eyes as everyone else laughed along with Raven. "You are ridiculous. How do you even come up with such nonsense so sporadically?"

Raven shrugged, "It's a gift."

"Well, it sounds like a great idea to me. I bet it would break the internet." Poseidon said as he popped into the room with a tray of decanters. "How about a tee-shirt with the mutt mug, mugshot, mug on it?"

"Ug! I'm too sober to even consider this tongue-twisted mess of yours!" Chary said as she lifted from the pool and took one of the decanters.

"Why is he in dog form in the first place?" Jos finally asked, glancing around the room.

Raven shrugged. "They came by to go over tomorrow's trial, and I happened to mention how much I would have loved to see him in dog form. And he has no choice but to play nice and listen in this form so it's a win for everyone!"

"I guess..." Jos murmured as she watched Arei make his way over to one of the chairs near Peg and Andy. {Had he known they would be here this evening?} She let out a heavy sigh and turned her focus back to her friends.

The night continued very similarly to the night before, except Jos hadn't felt much like drinking tonight. In fact, she'd barely said anything to anyone all night. Russ had clung to her nearly every second of the night in his cute puppy form, which she had to admit was better than if he'd been here in his normal form. Arei had kept his distance the entire night even going as far as to not look in her direction unless she was speaking or someone was asking her a question... and for some reason, it was beginning to get on her nerves. She faked a yawn as she stood up. "I believe I'm going to call it an early night if you guys don't mind." Shelly jumped down from the lounge she'd been resting on and headed toward Jos, also ready to turn in.

Arei pushed up from the chair as a mix of approval and pouts filled the room. "I'll walk the two of you up." Arei held out his hands for the puppy. "You bite me, and I promise I'll feed you to the sea dragons." The puppy still fought against him but didn't try to bite as Arei handed him over to Ry. "We'll go over everything again in the morning before heading to the Embassy." Ry nodded as he took the squirming puppy.

Jos was quiet as Arei led her and Shelly through the long hall leading to his room. She watched as Shelly disappeared inside the door Arei pulled open before she said anything. "I'm surprised you came up with us. I figured you'd stay behind and hang out more with your brothers." She looked away as she fumbled with her words. "It's hard to tell when you'll have a chance to see Ry again."

Arei let the bedroom door close as he stepped toward Jos. Lifting her chin so that her gaze met his, he whispered. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were upset about something. What is it, Kitten?"

She averted her gaze. "I'm not upset... I just figured..."

Arei interrupted her. "I thought we agreed to complete honesty? After the hell you put me through over my unsaid truths, are you really going to lie to me now?"

Her guilty, troubled eyes met his. "You were avoiding even looking at me all night... I figured you'd continue into the night as well."

A faint smile curved his lips. "I didn't want to cause you any undue stress with the pup in the room, or risk pissing him off and learning the hard way he could possibly still shift into the werewolf." He released her chin and dropped his hand to her shoulder, playing with a tendril of hair that rested there. "How would you prefer I acted toward you around him?"

Jos's brows furrowed as she contemplated his question. "I... I'm not sure. I'm not even sure where any of us stand at the moment."

Arei smiled down at her. "The decision is yours, whatever you choose is fine with me. We can take our time in private and in public or we can take it to whatever limit you are comfortable within either as well."

Jos averted her gaze again feeling her cheeks heat. "I... I'll think about it."

He nodded, "Alright, just keep in mind we do have to keep up some level of an act for the council." She moved toward the door. When his hand took the knob blocking the door, her eyes shot up to his in surprise. "You have nothing to fear from me, Kitten. Whatever you decide, I will honor. I'll not push you for any more or less and I'll not go back on my words here tonight. I realize you've been through some trauma recently," He stroked her cheek with his free hand. "but I'll not be the cause of more of it." When she closed her eyes and rested her head against his palm, he bent and kissed her forehead. Pulling the door open, he added. "Go lay down, I'll be in in a few minutes." He waited as she made her way inside before pulling the door shut again.

"What are you still doing out here in the hall?" Ry's voice carried from the far end of the hall. He had the puppy tucked under his arm as he made his way toward his own room.

Arei arched a brow. "Are you leaving him like that all night?" he asked as he studied the dog's irritated expression.

Ry shrugged. "If it lasts. We really don't know if it will once, he falls asleep or if dad falls asleep." He smiled down at the dog. "Guess we'll find out." His gaze moved back to Arei. "You still didn't answer."

Arei shot the dog a quick glance. "I'm giving the girls time to settle before going inside myself. You know how small that bathroom is."

Ry chuckled, "Always the gentlemen. You should take some lessons." He growled down at the dog.

Arei shook his head. "Well good luck with that." He turned toward the door and tapped lightly before opening it. "Later." He threw over his shoulder as he walked into the room.

Jos was snuggled up to Shelly on one side of the bed, leaving plenty of room in the massive bed for Arei. He chuckled lightly as he walked over to his bags and pulled out a pair of gym shorts before heading to the bathroom to change. When he was finished, he slid under the covers and turned over facing Jos's back. "A smart man would spend the night over there in the window seat or in the floor tonight just in case."

Jos let out a long breath. "He's come in on us asleep together before, and I'm sure he's more than aware we are sharing a room now. What's the point in making it any more uncomfortable than it has to be?"

He ran a hand over her covered arm as he bent his head and placed a light kiss on her slightly exposed shoulder. "Because I'd rather sleep uncomfortably one night than have to see you endure the kid's rage again."

She tightened her grip around Shelly's snoozing body as thoughts of the night Russ had burst into her bedroom at the Embassy played through her mind. "You locked the door, right?"

He nodded, releasing her and rolling over onto his back. "I did; now get some sleep."

Jos frowned and rolled over to face him, the moonlight from the window illuminating his features. "Arei." She whispered as she lifted her head onto his arm.

He smiled down at her in the darkness as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "What is it, Kitten?"

"Thank you." She whispered as she nestled her head against his chest.

"For what?" He asked as he stroked the length of her arm.

She lifted a shaky hand to his chest and began tracing the pattern that now seemed just as much a part of her. "For always being so kind and considerate, for giving me the time I need, for helping to be here for me and Shelly... for this." She said as she snuggled against him. "I've felt so lonely for so long. I thought by giving in to Russ that loneliness would go away but being with him only made me miss something else even more... it was this. The way you have always just cared and loved me without forcing it to be more, without demanding more." Her eyes lifted to meet his. "I can't help but regret the way I've treated you all this time and wish that I'd somehow been able to retrieve my memories on my own years ago. I feel like I'm to blame now, for not doing enough then."

Arei pulled her tighter against him. "You're not to blame for any of this. There are many things I could have did differently as well but didn't." He was silent for a few minutes. "Tell me, you said if I'd told you the full truth in Tampa things may have been different. Did you mean that?"

Jos thought it over before nodding. "Had I known everything that I do now, I know it would have been? But I realized at least a fraction of your dishonesty almost immediately. As I said, those early memories hadn't been erased, and though I'd tried my best to repress them, the second I saw Ry in my living room most of them had already began plaguing my mind. The only thing I'd really lost was our time together here and some of the events that had followed." A heavy frown curved her lips. "You should know, it wasn't just you I lost with those memories... it was everyone here. All the people I'd finally been able to call friends... family... It's one of the few things I've always wanted."

He could feel a tear drop onto his bare chest where her head rested. He turned onto his side and pulled her into his tight embrace. "You have it back now, Kitten. And no matter what is to come, you'll never lose it again. Not only do you have your old family back, but you also have all the people you've met along the way." He nodded to Shelly. "You'll not be getting rid of her anytime soon." He said with a chuckle as he kissed her forehead. "Now get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a trying day for sure.