LEMON WITHIN, READ AT OWN RISK OF EXPOSURE!

Chapter Nineteen-Another Fox

"Hey guys, great job!"

Handing out drinks to the males as they went passed, several females smiled, flirting. Ignoring the first offerings, Kai continued on his way, wanting to refresh himself.

"That track was a killer." Tala sighed, rubbing his neck as he joined his friend.

Nodding in agreement, Kai entered into the shade, needing reprieve from the blistering hot sun above them.

"I'll be glad when this is all over," Tala murmured, looking out to where the competitions were still on going. "Hell, I never knew about it before this."

Grunting in response, Kai idly wondered where the red head mustered up the energy to talk. Leaning back against his spot against the cooler part of stone behind him, he watched as the track competition continued on.

It wasn't something he had planned on, being apart of the team representing his P.E. class that would go up against the other classes within the school. Flicking a glance to the board at the side of the field, a smirk drifted over his lips in satisfaction. They were in first place.

"Will you look at her run?" Tala muttered.

Turning his attention, Kai saw immediately whom Tala was talking about, and unknowingly, his gaze softened as he saw Anaya deliberately pace herself against the pack of students rushing over the field, before she pulled away slowly, and crossed the finish ahead of them with ease.

"She's good."

The unfamiliar voice spoken at their side had both males turning to view the strange female watching on. She cocked her head, and a slow smile drifted over her lips, as her gold eyes flashed. "Saw you standing here, thought you might like some water," she held up two bottles, and thrust them at them. Stepping back, she flicked at her dark hair, and grinned at Kai. "Can't have such good looking studs dehydrate, be a shame."

Amused, Tala looked over the bottle she gave him. "And you are…?"

"Mia." She winked. "So whose the girl?" She pointed curiously to where Anaya was listening to the announcements.

"My girlfriend." Kai stated, feeling a mixture of emotions within him as he watched her. "Anaya Li."

"Li, huh?" Mia's eyes narrowed. "She's a good runner. Should be interesting racing her."

"Good luck." Tala saluted her.

"Sweet, but I don't need luck." She replied with a mischievous smile before she walked away.

Looking down at the bottle she'd given him, Kai hesitated, before he twisted the cap, and following Tala's example, took a long drought, satisfying his thirst.

Perfect, he drank it. Watching with malicious eyes, Mia smirked before she turned and made her way to the track.

Listening absently to the announcer asking for the next racers to take their place, she walked through the crowd, and accidentally jostled into another person. "Oh!" She widened her eyes and gave a surprised, and apologetic look to the other dark haired female turning around to look at her. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

Dark emerald eyes studied her coolly, before offering a half smile in return. "No harm," Anaya stated lightly.

Mia resisted the urge to bare her teeth at her. "Hey, your Anaya Li? I watched you run earlier, you're pretty good."

"Thanks," Anaya nodded. "Your pretty good yourself. Mia Tao, right?"

"Yeah," Mia smiled, inwardly scowling. How had the girl found out about her? "I'll be racing you soon, I guess. May the best win."

Anaya merely smiled in accordance, dipping her head, before she smoothly turned and walked away. Silently, a snarl slipped out from Mia, as she glared at the wolf. Damn, the bitch was too cold. She had even managed to evade the spell Mia cast.

Growling to herself, she stalked to the woods to wait.

"Hey."

Turning to the familiar presence, Anaya pressed into Kai as he looped his arm around her waist, and took a deep breath, allowing his scent to penetrate. He bent his head, and brushed a kiss to her hairline, even as his hand snuck under the edge of her t-shirt, and fingers glided over her damp skin.

Closing her eyes, she purred softly as he traced up the length of her spine lightly, dipping his head to run his mouth over her throat, tasting her.

"How do you have the energy play like that?" Tala groaned on the ground, blinking blearily at them.

Kai pulled back, a perplexed look passing his crimson gaze. "Suddenly I'm feeling energetic." He murmured. "Sexually," he added, a frown touching his face. "I wasn't before…"

"Dude, you get sexually energetic whenever Anaya's around." Tala stated bored, flopping back.

Kai shook his head, looking at Anaya. "Not like this," he told her. "It feels…different. And I keep seeing an image of another girl come over your face."

Anaya stilled. "Overlapping?" She questioned.

"Kind of," Kai regarded her, his hand still stroking her. "It's blurred, and shifts. Your eyes change mostly, becoming lighter, paler."

Anaya touched his cheek, and closed her eyes, concentrating. She inhaled deeply, before her eyes snapped open. "Did you eat anything?" She asked sharply. "Recently?"

"Just a bottle of water." Kai replied, watching her. "What is it?"

Her eyes flashed. "If I'm right, that water had Lyhl in it. It's a potent mixture that is capable of turning a persons lust from one to another. And…" she hesitated. "It makes them forget their previous affections, not to mention controls the person who had taken it."

"I haven't forgotten you," Kai observed, as Tala sat up, looking attentive. "The energy just feels wrong, and there's that damn shifting."

"It only works if you feel lust," Anaya hesitated again. "If the one who had imbibed Lyhl feels more than pure lust, it's possible for them to fight it, even throw it off completely." She looked away. "Not many are able to do this."

"Aya…" Kai drew her closer, and pressed his face to hers. "It's more than lust, you know that," he breathed against her skin, inhaling as his lips grazed over the soft silkiness of her.

She looked up at him, her gaze shy and holding a spark of joy deep within as he touched the recent bite mark on her neck. "You're my mate," he stated, sure and possessively. "If last night didn't convince you…" he arched a brow in meaning, and saw the answering curve of her mouth.

Rolling his eyes, Tala leaned forwards. "So, how do you get that drug out of his system? Ah, never mind," he sighed as Anaya looked over with a deadpanned expression. "Go," he waved his hand. "I'll just take a quick nap here, if you don't mind."

Amused, Kai nuzzled Anaya before he let her lead him away to a more private area.

Anaya moaned as Kai held her partially pinned to the floor where he had all but pushed her down, and arched her back upwards as his mouth played hotly over her breast, laving the smooth underside before dispersing tiny nips around the edges, licking her soothingly afterwards to take away the pain.

Feeling her nails bite into his shoulders, Kai blew cool air over her heated skin, before he nuzzled the tips of her hardened breasts, grazing the nipples with his teeth lightly, before he latched on, and suckled, drawing on her hard.

Her hips bucked in response, reaching down, he trailed his hand along the edge of her thigh, slowly working his way up to her heated core until he struck gold, and slid two fingers into her, making her tense all over.

"Kai…" she moaned throatily. "You're going to kill me."

"But what a way to go," he purred, nuzzling her breasts a final time making his way up.

She met his kiss halfway hungrily and twisted her body beneath his restlessly, wrapping one leg around his hips in a silent demand.

When he deliberately ignored her actions, and pushed another finger into her, while rubbing his thumb along her clit, she bit his lip before releasing, and decided two could play that game.

Slipping her hand between them, she found the hard evidence of his erection, and wrapped her nimble hand around it, squeezing slowly.

Hissing, Kai stiffened and broke off the kiss, his eyes glazing even as he glared half-heartedly at her.

Smugly, she smirked, applying more pressure as she stroked his length just how he liked it, flicking her nail over the edge of skin at the tip.

A low growl rumbled out of his throat as his hips thrust at her helplessly. "Tease." He bit out.

"I'm a tease?" She breathed, and yelped when he thrust his fingers deeper. She automatically squeezed back, making him loose his control.

Pulling his hand away, he grabbed her backside, and lifted her up as he came over her. Spreading her legs, she arched up happily, and moaned with satisfaction as he pushed his swollen organ into her velvet folds.

Holding her to him, he bent over her, and began to thrust deeply.

"How the hell can they go and have a marathon of sex, and come back looking so bloody refreshed?"

Hearing her boyfriends indignant mutter, Serena looked over to where he was staring, and wrinkled her nose. "I don't think you want to know." She replied dryly, not at all put off by his remark, or the knowledge of what her best friend had been doing.

"I heard that Tala," Anaya replied as she and Kai joined them in the shade alongside the track. "And I'm not dignifying it with an answer."

"C'mon, it could be a break through." The red head whined at her, while grinning.

"Leave it alone, Tala." Kai growled as he pulled Anaya against his chest, leaning against the tree they reclined under.

Serena rolled her eyes at her boyfriend, before giving a worried glance to Anaya. "That Mia Tao was looking for you, both of you actually. When I mentioned you were both…ah, occupied, she seemed to get rather upset."

"Really." Lifting her gaze, Anaya swept it around casually, seeking, before she paused, and stayed.

On the opposite side of the track, Mia stood also looking, with a look of loathing on her features. Her lip lifted in a snarl, before she turned and stalked away.

"She gave you the water?" Anaya asked softly.

Kai nodded silently, tightening his hold around her waist.

Smiling slowly, a predatory glint entered her dark gaze. "I think I know who that fox might be now…"

That damn bitch! Somehow she was able to counteract the drug!

"Fuck, but how?" Mia snarled angrily.

"Mia."

Scowling, she looked around, before striding away from the school, tugging sharply with intense dislike at her choker. "What do you want?" She growled.

"It's time."

Startled, she stopped. "All ready?"

"I need you here."

"What do you need me for?" She snapped. "I've all ready given you my energy."

"Yes. But there's something else from you I need"

Annoyed, she glared at everything and nothing. "This better be the last thing you want, Devin." She muttered.

"I promise," he spoke smoothly. "After this, I won't have any other need from you."

"Good." She replied, satisfied.

"So, here's to Anaya kicking ass!"

The spoken girl mockingly saluted Tala as he made the toast with his cold drink.

They sat outside in one of the courtyards connecting to the new and popular bar that had opened. The group relaxed after the long day of the track competition had ended. Thanks to Anaya, their class had come out with the victory, and now they were celebrating, much to her amusement.

Sitting back in her seat, Anaya tipped her head back to peer around the umbrella that had been used during the day to keep the sun off of the customers. Finding the sunset well under way, she quietly watched the bright colours that filled the sky.

It was a simple pleasure that gave a kind of contentedness she hardly felt these days. As the wind gusted up, bringing with it a cool touch, she took a deep breath, starting to relax further, when she stiffened, scenting something upon the air.

Straightening, she swept her gaze around the area, intent and probing as her nostrils flared again.

Noticing her odd actions, the others cut off their conversation, and regarded her worriedly. "Anaya?" Serena asked hesitantly.

She ignored the other three, starting to half rise from her seat when she spotted the cause of her unease emerging from hiding only meters away. Irritated, a low snarl emitted from her throat. Another fox. Her eyes narrowed. This one's male. Is he the vixen's sibling or mate?

Stepping forwards, daringly, the dark amber-eyed male flicked a cautious look around, before he met Anaya's wolf-like gaze. He un-tucked his hands from the depths of his pant pockets, and splayed them out in a universal gesture of peacefulness.

"I don't want to cause trouble." He called out.

Standing to her full height, Anaya didn't lower her guard, allowing her ookami to merge with her some more. Suspicious, she stared at him. "Why are you here?" She demanded coolly.

"I've never seen him before," Serena murmured.

"Me neither." Tala watched the strange male warily.

Kai merely watched, taking in the male's dark brown hair, his tanned skin, and brawny build. He looked like a fighter, but despite that, he was going out of his way to pacify Anaya, who was visibly bristling at the sight of him.

"My name is Shen Lang," the male introduced himself. "I'm looking for someone." He paused, regarding Anaya as her eyes narrowed. "I think you know who I mean."

"Is she your mate?" Anaya asked.

Shen shook his head. "She's a childhood friend. But our families made an agreement to bind us."

"She's not marked." Anaya stated, crossing her arms.

"No," Shen relaxed subtly, but didn't move. "She ran away, before the ritual was done."

"Did she know?"

Anaya's curious query had Shen shaking his head once more. "She doesn't know of the arrangement, I asked our families to keep quiet, until I had a chance…to win her."

The vixen has no idea her playmate has feelings for her now.

Inwardly agreeing to the ookami's awareness' assessment, Anaya eyed him, before she stepped back, looking away as she sat. "Sit."

A passing look of relief, and gratitude came over Shen's face, before he nodded, and ventured forwards. For the first time, he glanced at the other three sitting and watching with curiosity, and they noticed his chin lifting fractionally, and he inhaled.

Taking a seat slightly diagonal of Anaya, he glanced at her, but did not make eye contact as he spoke respectfully. "Your pack?"

Anaya grunted. Nodding, Shen smiled faintly, before he looked closer to Kai, a frown touching his face, before realization filtered in.

"I didn't realize you were mated." He murmured.

Kai regarded him intently. "You don't seem too surprised." He observed.

Shen's shoulder's rose and fell in a shrug. "There are plenty of humans that know of our kind. Some are loyal friends and servants to us."

Serena looked at him doubtfully. "So you trust us to keep this a secret?"

Shen gave her a blank look. "If you could not keep the secret of our existence, you wouldn't be alive."

"Hey…" Tala growled, coming up to defend Serena as she paled.

"Is that true, Anaya?" Serena asked shakily.

For a long moment, the dark haired female was silent, before she uttered: "Yes."

"What?" Tala exploded. "Why?"

"Think about it," Shen responded lowly. "In medieval times, a witch was prosecuted and burned. Shape-shifters and demons were hunted by mobs and killed by any means necessary. Today, if we were exposed, we would suffer torment beyond death."

"Experimentation." Anaya's eyes glowed faintly with utter hatred. "We'd be examined, picked apart by hundreds of scientists." She snarled, flashing a hint of her canines in anger.

Tala's features changed from anger to horror. "I…hadn't thought of that." He admitted.

"We do, we live with that fear every day." Shen sighed. "What I wouldn't give for the old days…"

Glancing at him askance, Tala frowned. "You say that like your old."

Snorting with amusement, Shen leaned back, lifting his brow. "I'm eighty years old."

Jaw dropping; Serena stared as Tala and Kai blinked in disbelieving shock. Frowning at their reactions, Shen glanced to Anaya, and saw the tightness of her jaw.

"You haven't told them." He spoke in the language of canines.

When she didn't respond, he backed away, not wanting to challenge her decision. He would respect the ookami-youkai, not merely for her strength.

Flashing a mischievous smile, he chuckled. "Kidding."

"Don't allow him to fool you," Anaya stated lightly, sending a furtive glance of gratitude to him. "Foxes are known for their misleading ways."

"Too true," Shen agreed cheerfully.

"Wonderful," Serena muttered, frowning. "So how do we know if you're being truthful?"

"I have a purpose here," Shen stated. "I don't have time to be causing trouble, as much as it's second nature to me, I can control myself. Besides," he added thoughtfully. "There are all ready enough problems here."

"Oh?"

He nodded, looking to Anaya. "I ran into that inu-youka."

Disgust filled Anaya's features. "Him. I should deal with that garbage."

Shen hesitated. "Not that I doubt your skills and strength, but you may be outmatched. He has help."

Stiffening, Anaya pierced him with her gaze. "Help?" She repeated.

"You didn't know?" Disturbed, Shen frowned. "The dog is in league with a magic user. One that uses the dark arts."

However, I would like to say thank-you to all the my readers...those that haven't forgotten about this, and a huge thanks to anime-diva-40, who went on a reading spree for three of my stories and reviewed with such lovely compliments. Thank you miss Kira, your nagging certainly helped!

The idea of 'Lyhl' is just a figment of my imagination. Actually, a lot of this story is, so if you don't like what you read, I really don't care, so don't tell me, and don't bloody flame me. Just don't read. It's that simple.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed this. Not sure when the next part will be out, but I promise to work on it.
Storm