fic:give up the ghost, btvs/alpha&omega
Title: Give up the Ghost
Chapter 3:Part A: they crave the same thing
Prompt: #445 firebrand @ tamingthemuse
Rating: FR13
Disclaimer: BtVS and all related characters are copyright of Joss Whedon and ME. The Alpha and Omega Series and all related characters are copyright of Patricia Briggs and Ace. No infringement intended.
Summary: Leah Cornick was a lot of things (most of them bad), but none would’ve guessed that she was a Slayer trapped within a wish.
The scent of dry earth remained, but the wild scent-one that Anna associated with Asil from when she’d first arrived in Aspen Creek-had faded to the familiar menthol of most wolves. She assumed the menthol, which held a tingling sensation, was how their noses interpreted the magic that allowed them to change shape. Minty, with a bite that left her with the urge to rub her nose on her arm.
Anna chose to rub soothing circles on Leah’s back instead. The skin beneath her fingers twitched, muscles working in tandem as the rest of her shivered and Anna knew it had little to do with the chill outside. She might not enjoy Leah’s company-or even like her for that matter-but the usually proud wolf had been reduced to trembles and she couldn’t tale enjoyment from that. Charles would assume those feelings came from her status as an Omega, but Anna thought it had more to do with her being a decent person.
Thoughts of her mate drew her gaze upward and she saw that his focus was divided between Dawn and the one Leah called Illyria. She followed his gaze to them and glared at the witch that had caused such an adverse reaction in the wolf in her lap. The thinner woman stood between Dawn and her pack, but the witch’s eyes, wide and filled with such sadness, were trained on Leah. Anna’s anger was appeased, marginally, by the grief she saw in those blue eyes, but her wolf was not so easily placated.
She might’ve growled, but the weight in her lap shifted and returned her attention to Leah. Quivering arms lifted her into a seated position, but she still leaned heavily against Anna. She accepted the weight and spared another upwards glance to see Charles crouched behind them, between her and the window. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at his need to protect and while his expression never changed Anna could sense his frown of displeasure with her amusement-which of course only amused her all the more.
Brother Wolf still watched Illyria with wary eyes, the gold seeping through Charles’ brown, and seemed hesitant of Leah. That was different, but he was willing to allow Anna to help her. He knew her capable and more than willing to help others in their pack, but his loyalty was to his mate first and it didn’t help that he cared little for Leah. Anna was touched by the overprotectiveness of her mate and it warmed her and her wolf, but she caught one of Leah’s hands within her own just in case.
The older woman met her gaze, green eyes boring into her own a moment, before they softened and she attempted a timid smile. “H-how’s your day going?”
The trembling of her form was echoed in her voice, but the question-so unlike Leah-made Anna smile in return. “Better than yours.”
A line appeared between her brows and Leah looked to Bran, a pinched frown replacing that sweet smile, and Anna assumed he was doing his Marrok mind to mind magic. Her shaking subsided during the brief exchanged and Anna could now smell the slightest trace of Bran’s scent on Leah and Anna inclined her head with the thought that the connection between them might be helping.
A car door slammed, making Leah tense and the shivering return, and the footfalls leading to the front door were more cautious than hurried. Asil kept his place in the doorway, leaning against the frame and straddling the entry so he was both inside and outside at once. His pose was casual, as if he hadn’t a care in the world, but Anna could see the tension in his shoulders and his handsome features were as blank as she’d ever seen them. Asil tended to carry with him a faint sadness that only receded when threatened or something amused him. The careful blankness was new and Anna didn’t welcome it in the slightest.
He bared his teeth in a smile at their newcomer, which limited their identity to a select few, and Anna heard more car doors open and close as their pack arrived to fight a fight already won-or lost. Anna wasn’t certain on the outcome just yet. Sage winked at Asil as she passed him and took in the room and its occupants with a careful sweep of her artfully done eyes. Anna envied the precision of her eyeliner before Sage stalked into the room and placed herself between their group and the newcomers.
The placement, similar to the Marrok’s, wasn’t lost on any of them before she looked down at Leah with something close to pity in her gaze. Her chin dipped before a smirk twisted her lips, and Anna flinched in preparation of what was to come, as Sage announced to the room, “Good to see queen bitch is still with us.”
There was truth to her words, even the insult, but Bran’s eyes narrowed and he warned, voice mild, “Sage.”
She spun on the heel of her boot-apparently Illyria wasn’t the only one willing to brave this terrain in them-and inclined her head to Bran in acknowledgement of his dominance. It was a meaningless gesture as far as Anna could tell since she knew Sage would antagonize Leah the very next chance she got, perhaps out of Bran’s earshot, but Leah always gave as good as she got. Bran’s mate could be counted on for clever rejoinders if little else.
Leah was stiffened at her side, the trembling had faded beneath her anger with the barb, and the scent of wilderness was back, overriding the menthol to leave only a trace of other behind. Charles’ hands settled over Anna’s shoulders and tugged her backwards as Leah rose to her feet. Sage turned, sensing the threat at her back, and frowned at Leah. Her nostrils flared, scenting the air and those blue eyes widened, before Leah’s power swept outward. Again.
It filled the house with a suffocating presence that drove Sage to her knees. Her chin lifted, throat bared to Leah in a subconscious gesture that was more real than one she’d presented to Bran moments ago. Anna remained standing behind her, with Charles gripping her shoulders and Bran watched his mate. His face drawn in thoughtful lines that were more considering than worried at the moment.
Anna realized, perhaps a bit belatedly, that the familiar taste of Marrok’s power wasn’t present in Leah’s. It raised her brows and she looked to Asil for confirmation in what she sensed. He’d risen from his casual pose against the wall and was now watching Leah much the way he watched Charles from time to time. There was a canniness to his expression that said he was lost between amusement and distrust at this sudden show of power.
The few pack members from outside the house made their way past Asil with a careful slowness, their heads bowed and bodies low to the ground. If they’d been in their wolf shape Anna was certain tails would’ve been tucked tight and bellies exposed as soon as they neared Leah. Only Eric-the arrogant wolf meant to learn manners from the Marrok-attempted to push himself up right.
The struggle brought Leah’s focus from Sage to him and he dropped to the ground. Wolf or not, he rolled onto his back and bared his throat and belly as the scent of wilderness sharped and Leah addressed him, biting out each word as if it hurt her to speak, “You. Hurt. Kara.”
Bran’s eyes widened and he moved away from Dawn and the Other-Brother Wolf had her doing it now-taking a spot between Leah and the rest of the pack. He frowned at Charles and the grip on her shoulders tightened just a bit too much before they slipped away. Anna took a step forward, towards Leah as Bran settled his hands over her upper arms.
It was a muzzling gesture disguised as a comforting one and Leah tilted her head. The long braid she wore her hair in rolled across her back and Anna slipped her hand beneath to lay a reassuring touch between her shoulder blades. Leah turned her face towards her, an achingly slow movement that made the hairs along Anna’s neck stand on end, and she swallowed when she saw the wolf staring back at her. Leah’s eyes had gone from green to rust colored and Anna frowned since she was certain Leah’s wolf was gold with a silver tint and her eyes were the usual amber.
Charles’ memories of his stepmother confirmed this and trepidation filled Anna, but she suppressed her unease and called on her wolf to give her the strength of will to keep her hand resting on Leah’s back. Her nerves settled and she drew small circles on the other woman’s spine with her thumb. Leah’s next breath was an uneasy exhale, her lashes falling against pale cheeks as her power dissipated. It left behind several wolves sagged against the Persian carpet and Tag was the first to peek out from beneath his orange dreads.
Anna shook her head and he pressed his forehead back to the carpet before she directed her gaze back to Bran. “I think Leah needs a moment to collect herself,” she could feel Leah’s amusement through the pack bond and Anna realized she was giving orders to Bran and hastily added, “We also need to question our guests.”
“We do,” Bran agreed readily enough and Anna heard a quiet rumble in the words, but it sounded as if his voice held laughter, like Leah’s side of the pack bond, rather than rage.
She cast her gaze to the other wolf and saw her eyes remained rust colored which told Anna not to trust what she was feeling at the moment. Leah might be doing her best to quell the wolf, but she was failing inch by inch. “Please send away, all but Tag and Asil.” Bran’s brows rose with her suggestion and she felt Charles’ displeasure and rejection of her request before she rolled her eyes and added, “And Charles too. Of course.”
The last bit was tacked on in exasperation and she made certain her mate knew and heard it. Charles was settled by the addition and Brother Wolf was unconcerned either way since he’d never intended to leave her alone with Leah regardless. Anna wasn’t going to roll her eyes at the both of them. She wasn’t.
“Anna’s choices are acceptable.” Bran announced to the room at large and with an easing of the tension in his shoulders the pack began to do as she requested. Anna watched most of them make their way cautiously outside, but she had the sneaking suspicions they wouldn’t go far. Not that any of them would fare well against Leah in her present condition. Leah had a soft spot for Tag, like Kara, which was why Anna had chosen him. Leah she trusted him-quite a bit actually-and his presence, while dominate enough to irritate, would likely help more than hinder.
Asil, however, was powerful enough to stand on his own and wild enough that he could cast some insight into what was going on. Anna looked to Dawn and knew most of that insight would come from her, but she also knew to wait until they were relatively alone before addressing that. Once the last wolf, Eric with his belly to the floor, left Asil closed the door behind him, but not before making a snickering sound at his predicament.
Anna understood the urge so she didn’t begrudge Asil of it, but rather shared a tight-lipped smile with him. Her smiled widened with the sudden surge of jealousy she felt from Charles and she did roll her eyes then. Tag pushed himself up into a kneeling position and when no one growled at him for his audacity he came to his feet in a boneless movement that brought the Other forward, between him and Dawn.
Charles placed himself at her side as Dawn moved around the Other. “It has a name.” Anna shared with Brother Wolf who kept nagging her with the fact that Illyria wasn’t Kin and definitely was not human. She was nearly certain the sound he shared in return was a huff that had better not have been in annoyance. She spared Charles a sideways look while continuing to do her best to keep Leah calm. His face was blank and held no answers and his side of their bond was shutting down in preparation of the possible battle to come.
Dawn cast a considering glance at Charles, but determination brought up her chin and set her mouth in thin line as she took several steps towards them. Bran drew his hands downward, following the line of Leah’s arms until he held her hands a brief-but reassuring if Anna was reading Leah correctly-moment and released her. He turned and placed himself beside Leah, slightly ahead to remind the room’s occupants she was his to protect, but also clearing a path between Dawn and Leah.
He watched the witch with a considering gaze, which she ignored and crossed the room in a few hurried strides. She was in Leah’s arms with a speed that belied her human nature. Leah grunted with the sudden impact, but buried her face against Dawn’s neck. Anna could felt the contentment Dawn’s touch brought to Leah and a moment passed in which Bran frowned darkly at the pair before Leah pulled back.
She cupped the taller woman’s face in her hands and smiled up at her with green eyes. The tension left Anna’s shoulders and she allowed her hand to ease away from Leah’s back. The loss of contact caused no change, no change at all, and that had Anna giving Dawn another assessing look.
Bran broke the quiet in the room with a clearing of his throat before stating, “The dining room has enough chairs to seat us all. Let’s adjourn there,” his mild tone wasn’t reassuring in the least, “We have much to discuss.”
Chapter 3:Part A: they crave the same thing
Prompt: #445 firebrand @ tamingthemuse
Rating: FR13
Disclaimer: BtVS and all related characters are copyright of Joss Whedon and ME. The Alpha and Omega Series and all related characters are copyright of Patricia Briggs and Ace. No infringement intended.
Summary: Leah Cornick was a lot of things (most of them bad), but none would’ve guessed that she was a Slayer trapped within a wish.
The scent of dry earth remained, but the wild scent-one that Anna associated with Asil from when she’d first arrived in Aspen Creek-had faded to the familiar menthol of most wolves. She assumed the menthol, which held a tingling sensation, was how their noses interpreted the magic that allowed them to change shape. Minty, with a bite that left her with the urge to rub her nose on her arm.
Anna chose to rub soothing circles on Leah’s back instead. The skin beneath her fingers twitched, muscles working in tandem as the rest of her shivered and Anna knew it had little to do with the chill outside. She might not enjoy Leah’s company-or even like her for that matter-but the usually proud wolf had been reduced to trembles and she couldn’t tale enjoyment from that. Charles would assume those feelings came from her status as an Omega, but Anna thought it had more to do with her being a decent person.
Thoughts of her mate drew her gaze upward and she saw that his focus was divided between Dawn and the one Leah called Illyria. She followed his gaze to them and glared at the witch that had caused such an adverse reaction in the wolf in her lap. The thinner woman stood between Dawn and her pack, but the witch’s eyes, wide and filled with such sadness, were trained on Leah. Anna’s anger was appeased, marginally, by the grief she saw in those blue eyes, but her wolf was not so easily placated.
She might’ve growled, but the weight in her lap shifted and returned her attention to Leah. Quivering arms lifted her into a seated position, but she still leaned heavily against Anna. She accepted the weight and spared another upwards glance to see Charles crouched behind them, between her and the window. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at his need to protect and while his expression never changed Anna could sense his frown of displeasure with her amusement-which of course only amused her all the more.
Brother Wolf still watched Illyria with wary eyes, the gold seeping through Charles’ brown, and seemed hesitant of Leah. That was different, but he was willing to allow Anna to help her. He knew her capable and more than willing to help others in their pack, but his loyalty was to his mate first and it didn’t help that he cared little for Leah. Anna was touched by the overprotectiveness of her mate and it warmed her and her wolf, but she caught one of Leah’s hands within her own just in case.
The older woman met her gaze, green eyes boring into her own a moment, before they softened and she attempted a timid smile. “H-how’s your day going?”
The trembling of her form was echoed in her voice, but the question-so unlike Leah-made Anna smile in return. “Better than yours.”
A line appeared between her brows and Leah looked to Bran, a pinched frown replacing that sweet smile, and Anna assumed he was doing his Marrok mind to mind magic. Her shaking subsided during the brief exchanged and Anna could now smell the slightest trace of Bran’s scent on Leah and Anna inclined her head with the thought that the connection between them might be helping.
A car door slammed, making Leah tense and the shivering return, and the footfalls leading to the front door were more cautious than hurried. Asil kept his place in the doorway, leaning against the frame and straddling the entry so he was both inside and outside at once. His pose was casual, as if he hadn’t a care in the world, but Anna could see the tension in his shoulders and his handsome features were as blank as she’d ever seen them. Asil tended to carry with him a faint sadness that only receded when threatened or something amused him. The careful blankness was new and Anna didn’t welcome it in the slightest.
He bared his teeth in a smile at their newcomer, which limited their identity to a select few, and Anna heard more car doors open and close as their pack arrived to fight a fight already won-or lost. Anna wasn’t certain on the outcome just yet. Sage winked at Asil as she passed him and took in the room and its occupants with a careful sweep of her artfully done eyes. Anna envied the precision of her eyeliner before Sage stalked into the room and placed herself between their group and the newcomers.
The placement, similar to the Marrok’s, wasn’t lost on any of them before she looked down at Leah with something close to pity in her gaze. Her chin dipped before a smirk twisted her lips, and Anna flinched in preparation of what was to come, as Sage announced to the room, “Good to see queen bitch is still with us.”
There was truth to her words, even the insult, but Bran’s eyes narrowed and he warned, voice mild, “Sage.”
She spun on the heel of her boot-apparently Illyria wasn’t the only one willing to brave this terrain in them-and inclined her head to Bran in acknowledgement of his dominance. It was a meaningless gesture as far as Anna could tell since she knew Sage would antagonize Leah the very next chance she got, perhaps out of Bran’s earshot, but Leah always gave as good as she got. Bran’s mate could be counted on for clever rejoinders if little else.
Leah was stiffened at her side, the trembling had faded beneath her anger with the barb, and the scent of wilderness was back, overriding the menthol to leave only a trace of other behind. Charles’ hands settled over Anna’s shoulders and tugged her backwards as Leah rose to her feet. Sage turned, sensing the threat at her back, and frowned at Leah. Her nostrils flared, scenting the air and those blue eyes widened, before Leah’s power swept outward. Again.
It filled the house with a suffocating presence that drove Sage to her knees. Her chin lifted, throat bared to Leah in a subconscious gesture that was more real than one she’d presented to Bran moments ago. Anna remained standing behind her, with Charles gripping her shoulders and Bran watched his mate. His face drawn in thoughtful lines that were more considering than worried at the moment.
Anna realized, perhaps a bit belatedly, that the familiar taste of Marrok’s power wasn’t present in Leah’s. It raised her brows and she looked to Asil for confirmation in what she sensed. He’d risen from his casual pose against the wall and was now watching Leah much the way he watched Charles from time to time. There was a canniness to his expression that said he was lost between amusement and distrust at this sudden show of power.
The few pack members from outside the house made their way past Asil with a careful slowness, their heads bowed and bodies low to the ground. If they’d been in their wolf shape Anna was certain tails would’ve been tucked tight and bellies exposed as soon as they neared Leah. Only Eric-the arrogant wolf meant to learn manners from the Marrok-attempted to push himself up right.
The struggle brought Leah’s focus from Sage to him and he dropped to the ground. Wolf or not, he rolled onto his back and bared his throat and belly as the scent of wilderness sharped and Leah addressed him, biting out each word as if it hurt her to speak, “You. Hurt. Kara.”
Bran’s eyes widened and he moved away from Dawn and the Other-Brother Wolf had her doing it now-taking a spot between Leah and the rest of the pack. He frowned at Charles and the grip on her shoulders tightened just a bit too much before they slipped away. Anna took a step forward, towards Leah as Bran settled his hands over her upper arms.
It was a muzzling gesture disguised as a comforting one and Leah tilted her head. The long braid she wore her hair in rolled across her back and Anna slipped her hand beneath to lay a reassuring touch between her shoulder blades. Leah turned her face towards her, an achingly slow movement that made the hairs along Anna’s neck stand on end, and she swallowed when she saw the wolf staring back at her. Leah’s eyes had gone from green to rust colored and Anna frowned since she was certain Leah’s wolf was gold with a silver tint and her eyes were the usual amber.
Charles’ memories of his stepmother confirmed this and trepidation filled Anna, but she suppressed her unease and called on her wolf to give her the strength of will to keep her hand resting on Leah’s back. Her nerves settled and she drew small circles on the other woman’s spine with her thumb. Leah’s next breath was an uneasy exhale, her lashes falling against pale cheeks as her power dissipated. It left behind several wolves sagged against the Persian carpet and Tag was the first to peek out from beneath his orange dreads.
Anna shook her head and he pressed his forehead back to the carpet before she directed her gaze back to Bran. “I think Leah needs a moment to collect herself,” she could feel Leah’s amusement through the pack bond and Anna realized she was giving orders to Bran and hastily added, “We also need to question our guests.”
“We do,” Bran agreed readily enough and Anna heard a quiet rumble in the words, but it sounded as if his voice held laughter, like Leah’s side of the pack bond, rather than rage.
She cast her gaze to the other wolf and saw her eyes remained rust colored which told Anna not to trust what she was feeling at the moment. Leah might be doing her best to quell the wolf, but she was failing inch by inch. “Please send away, all but Tag and Asil.” Bran’s brows rose with her suggestion and she felt Charles’ displeasure and rejection of her request before she rolled her eyes and added, “And Charles too. Of course.”
The last bit was tacked on in exasperation and she made certain her mate knew and heard it. Charles was settled by the addition and Brother Wolf was unconcerned either way since he’d never intended to leave her alone with Leah regardless. Anna wasn’t going to roll her eyes at the both of them. She wasn’t.
“Anna’s choices are acceptable.” Bran announced to the room at large and with an easing of the tension in his shoulders the pack began to do as she requested. Anna watched most of them make their way cautiously outside, but she had the sneaking suspicions they wouldn’t go far. Not that any of them would fare well against Leah in her present condition. Leah had a soft spot for Tag, like Kara, which was why Anna had chosen him. Leah she trusted him-quite a bit actually-and his presence, while dominate enough to irritate, would likely help more than hinder.
Asil, however, was powerful enough to stand on his own and wild enough that he could cast some insight into what was going on. Anna looked to Dawn and knew most of that insight would come from her, but she also knew to wait until they were relatively alone before addressing that. Once the last wolf, Eric with his belly to the floor, left Asil closed the door behind him, but not before making a snickering sound at his predicament.
Anna understood the urge so she didn’t begrudge Asil of it, but rather shared a tight-lipped smile with him. Her smiled widened with the sudden surge of jealousy she felt from Charles and she did roll her eyes then. Tag pushed himself up into a kneeling position and when no one growled at him for his audacity he came to his feet in a boneless movement that brought the Other forward, between him and Dawn.
Charles placed himself at her side as Dawn moved around the Other. “It has a name.” Anna shared with Brother Wolf who kept nagging her with the fact that Illyria wasn’t Kin and definitely was not human. She was nearly certain the sound he shared in return was a huff that had better not have been in annoyance. She spared Charles a sideways look while continuing to do her best to keep Leah calm. His face was blank and held no answers and his side of their bond was shutting down in preparation of the possible battle to come.
Dawn cast a considering glance at Charles, but determination brought up her chin and set her mouth in thin line as she took several steps towards them. Bran drew his hands downward, following the line of Leah’s arms until he held her hands a brief-but reassuring if Anna was reading Leah correctly-moment and released her. He turned and placed himself beside Leah, slightly ahead to remind the room’s occupants she was his to protect, but also clearing a path between Dawn and Leah.
He watched the witch with a considering gaze, which she ignored and crossed the room in a few hurried strides. She was in Leah’s arms with a speed that belied her human nature. Leah grunted with the sudden impact, but buried her face against Dawn’s neck. Anna could felt the contentment Dawn’s touch brought to Leah and a moment passed in which Bran frowned darkly at the pair before Leah pulled back.
She cupped the taller woman’s face in her hands and smiled up at her with green eyes. The tension left Anna’s shoulders and she allowed her hand to ease away from Leah’s back. The loss of contact caused no change, no change at all, and that had Anna giving Dawn another assessing look.
Bran broke the quiet in the room with a clearing of his throat before stating, “The dining room has enough chairs to seat us all. Let’s adjourn there,” his mild tone wasn’t reassuring in the least, “We have much to discuss.”