regency } of gentle times and of being loved

[cunningwolf]

Kate: [there's still a lot of the castle she hasn't explored but she's taking her time with it, mostly because she's allowing her husband to distract her when warranted. She's also become a bit more withdrawn, however, since her brother turned on her, and she's doing her best to stay out of the way, not wanting to get in his way as much. Today, she's currently in the library, browsing the fiction section for something light to read]

Peter: [he's been busy for the last few days. Both from dealing with getting his daughter to start proper lessons as well as a job for the Duke on research. He has noticed that Kate has been staying to herself and he didn't want to always try and distract her. She had to deal with her own thoughts as well, and not dealing with them wasn't going to help her. He does walk into the library though for his own reasons when he sees her and smiles softly] I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Kate: [glances up from the stacks before shaking her head with a small smile] Not at all. Just looking for something to read.

Peter: Well, I won't interrupt you. I just needed to grab something for my project.

Kate: [she nods, before glancing over curiously] What are you working on?

Peter: The Duke happened upon a church griffin in one of his towers. He didn't know what it was, and wanted me to give him as much information as I can on the creature so that he could decide if it was something he needed to remove or befriend.

Kate: Befriend. They're harmless, so long as there's plenty of rats to eat. I had an uncle who used to keep one as a pet.

Peter: That's what I told him, but he doesn't want to let the thing get too comfortable that it would come curl up on his lap while he was conducting business. It's fascinating watching the man as he learns about the supernatural. He is so open to learning. It's refreshing.

Kate: Church griffins will only get as comfortable as you let them. If he lets the thing do it's own hunting, then it won't come to rely on him for what it needs.

Peter: Precisely. That's the kind of information I'm gathering.

Kate: [nods] I believe your cryptozoology texts were in that section. [she points to the next area over of the library]

Peter: Thank you. [he nods and goes over that way] How are you doing today?

Kate: [she gives a small shrug as she turns her eyes back to the books in front of her] Just looking to keep busy.

Peter: Is there anything I could do to help you with that?

Kate: [she pauses before shaking her head] While you would be a welcome distraction, I'm not sure if it's the kind of distraction I need at the moment.

Peter: It seems you are looking for one that will let you escape into another world.

Kate: This one hasn't been too enjoyable as of late. [a beat] Present company excluded, of course.

Peter: No, that is understandable, all things considered. [he watches her a moment] I wish there was something that I could do for you to help.

Kate: [she swallows, taking a book in her hands as she sighs] I've just ... never doubted the loyalty of my family before. Even Daniel. Even my father.

Peter: [he goes to sit in the window seat] Your brother... he feels betrayed by us I'm sure. You, me and Chris working around his engagement. But I had hoped when the time came for him to strike, it would be at me. Never you.

Kate: [she shakes her head] It wasn't just about the engagement, I don't think. I forget, sometimes, that the men in my family can be just as despicable as the first man I married.

Peter: Your family has never made it easy on mine for most of my entire life. Present company included. But I will admit that having spent time with you, while I know you haven't changed much, I think you have lost a bit of that roughness we have always associated with your family towards us.

Kate: [she's aware of the impressions her family has left on the supernatural community, and while she knows she's been softening up around him, it's not an intentional thing. Part of her isn't even really sure why she's doing it] Perhaps. But I don't even think it's really about you. [it's about a worthless woman tethering them to a deal that was supposed to bring him more power, not make them subservient - or at least that's how Daniel sees it]

Peter: He's angry that he's not in control of our lands and name.

Kate: Yes. Because I took his place in the marriage contract and therefore put our family in a lower position.

Peter: Your family has enough power. Ours wouldn't matter. And Daniel would never have been happy here, and it would have just made things worse.

Kate: And why do you think he wouldn't have been happy? [eyebrow raise] In his mind, he would have control of your niece.

Peter: Do you remember Laura before Parrish started to fight for her? I would have retreated here after their marriage and been alone with Malia. Maybe Cora. Derek would probably have been forced into a marriage of Daniel’s choosing. Same with Cora and do you think he would have thought of their happiness in that process? But once they were gone... what would he have had?

Kate: The alpha. Her happiness wouldn't have been a concern, all that matters is that she would be his. His property, his wife, and pardon me for being indelicate, but in his bed.

Peter: And his DNA in their children. But his happiness would have come at the expense of hers. She would have been obedient, but never happy, and that means she would never be herself.

Kate: You assume that that is something he would care about.

Peter: I know he wouldn't. But what kind of happiness would he have long term in a home that can't find happiness?

Kate: My brother is the particular kind of sadist that would have probably enjoyed the fact that she was perpetually unhappy. In fact, if Lord Parrish hadn't magically resurrected himself, he probably would have relished taking that from her too.

Peter: [sighs] Your brother... I don't know if there is a word that accurately describes him.

Kate: You are our enemies, treaty or not. As far as he's concerned, it is not a woman's purpose to be happy in a marriage, simply to facilitate children and provide him more power and wealth to his name. The fact that he could hold that kind of power over his enemies? [she gives a low whistle] It was basically all he ever wanted.

Peter: And it was all he was ever raised to believe.

Kate: [she nods] My father taught him well.

Peter: We honestly thought you were all like that.

Kate: [she shakes her head] Chris is more noble than that. Always has been, despite my father being ... my father. [there's a pause] And I just didn't want to blend into the background - not that that ever mattered.

Peter: You never blended into the background. Trust me on that.

Kate: [she glances back to him, trying to figure out how exactly he meant that. Part of her is grateful that someone noticed her though, even if it's not the person she wanted to] It felt that way, sometimes. Only got worse after my first husband died.

Peter: I will admit, after my wife died... it took a long time for me to find my place again. And while you were frustrating to deal with back then... those times we fought were probably also the times I felt more alive than I had in a while.

Kate: [she watches him again, considering carefully] I never had that kind of connection with anyone - like you did with your wife.

Peter: That's the thing with wolves... that bond forges and it's deep and fulfilling and just completes you when you find your mate. It's an instinct... some see it as a weakness, but it is something that you can't live without once you have it.

Kate: So how did you?

Peter: [sighs, rubbing at his chest a bit] Beyond the fact I'm a stubborn son of a bitch?

Kate: [she smirks] I have a feeling it would take more than that.

Peter: My sister. She would bring Malia into me as I struggled not to follow her into death. She told me that she knew it hurt, but that I needed to take care of my daughter and that a piece of my wife's soul lived on inside of her. I clung onto that, and my daughter. I dragged myself out of that pit and made myself get up and out of bed every day to take care of that baby, and every day it hurt but I did it until it started to hurt less, and less. Every now and then when I think of her, I can feel it inside... it's why I never wanted to remarry, because it wouldn't be fair to another woman to know that I had this emptiness inside of me.

Kate: But you married me.

Peter: I did.

Kate: Was it just for your niece?

Peter: Not to be insensitive, but yes. It was. I wanted her to know happiness like I had had, something she wouldn't have with Daniel.

Kate: No, she would not. [she takes a couple steps forward] Then why did you come for me in the woods?

Peter: [he looks over at her, and then reached over to gently take her hand] I don't know if I will ever be able to love another as deeply as I did my mate, Kate. But I have grown very fond of you since we stopped fighting each other and started to work as a team... even when we still bicker. I would never abandon you like that. You mean more to me than just a marriage of convenience.

Kate: [lets him take her hand, moving in closer and letting her hand rest against his chest, then shakes her head] You are a much better man than my first husband.

Peter: Well, my bark is worse than my bite. But I hate to think how you were treated if it causes you such pain when you think back on it.

Kate: [she glances up at him before shaking her head] It doesn't matter. He got what he deserved.

Peter: Well, when you do feel the need to talk about it and get that pain off your heart, I will be here to listen.

Kate: [swallows for a moment, because no one wants to listen to her, ever, but she nods all the same, before giving him a small smile] Not today.

Peter: [nods] When you are ready. [he smiles back] Until then, you have your other worlds you can escape to.

Kate: [she nods, and takes a step back again] I should let you get back to your research.

Peter: [nods, moving to step away before stopping himself] Unless, of course, you want to help me with it?

Kate: [her head tips to the side, studying him for a moment] What did you have in mind?

Peter: You could help put some of your personal knowledge into this report so that the Duke will be better prepared. I will of course let him know you helped so that you can have his thanks as well.

Kate: [considers again before nodding] Alright.

Peter: [smiles] Good. Let's get the book and we can go to my office.

Kate: [nods and moves past him to find what he was looking for, pulling the book off the shelf easily] Here. Lead the way.

Peter: [and he will hold out his hand to her so that they could walk arm in arm through the castle to his office]

Kate: [will happily do so, slipping her arm through his as they go]

Peter: [and as they walk] You know, we could escape for a while if that would help clear your head a bit. I can send Malia to Laura and we could travel.

Kate: [pauses as she considers] Where would you like to go?

Peter: Perhaps Italy, or maybe Greece?

Kate: I've never been to Greece.

Peter: Neither have I. Then let's go.

Kate: Are you sure Malia will be alright on her own?

Peter: I'm sure her teachers can handle her on a trip up to Laura. She's been a lot calmer and more behaved since Liam left.

Kate: Still heartbroken over that?

Peter: Yes, and while I do miss the boy, things have been a lot more relaxing without his constant mischief.

Kate: They have. And I'm sure the heartbreak will pass eventually.

Peter: Oh, I'm sure. And as she starts going to tourneys next year, she will make new friends and soon will start to be courted by other young men. Liam will be a memory soon to her.

Kate: [she nods] It's probably for the best.

Peter: And hopefully it will be what young Liam needs to finally find his place in this world.

Kate: [she nods] And a more productive one at that.

Peter: He is just lucky that Lord Parrish was able to recover all the silver. Otherwise Laura and I would not be nearly as amicable to his possible return.

Kate: No, I'm sure you wouldn't.

Peter: [and they have reached his office] Alright, shall we get to work, m'lady?

Kate: We shall. [and they will do that and she will try not to distract him with flirting when she gets bored]

Peter: [yes, because he's getting better at flirting back. Slowly becoming more and more normal]

Kate: [then there will be lots of flirting, possibly even flirting through touching]

Peter: [and he will chuckle, leaning into her touch] You are very distracting.

Kate: [grins a bit as she leans in so that she's closer to his ear] Would you like me to stop?

Peter: Not really.

Kate: Good. [and since she's close, her lips are grazing against his jaw as she speaks]

Peter: [turns his chair to be more accessible and leans his head, moaning softly]

Kate: [and she will just slide into his lap, one hand moving to the opposite shoulder as her lips trail against his neck]

Peter: [and his hands will be playing along her thighs as her dress had to get hiked up for her to do that]

Kate: [probably, but there's still way too much material here to do anything in this position, but that doesn't really matter as they can still do plenty of touching with wandering hands]

Peter: [oh, he knows. And he does prefer not to have sex in his office. but touching is big and he likes that]

Kate: [don't worry. she'll behave(ish) until he decides he wants to return to their bedroom. she'll just let her hands roam his chest a bit as she leans in to kiss him properly]

Peter: [yeah, he will soon be in a position] M'lady, I am thinking perhaps we may benefit from an afternoon nap. What do you think?

Kate: [amused, she smirks a bit before nodding] I think we have exhausted our research for the time being. [a pause as she leans in to kiss him again] Could do with a little ... recuperation.

Peter: [kisses her back deeply, his fingers pulling her closer] Yes, this can wait until tomorrow.

Kate: [goes where she's pulled twining her arms around his neck as she leans in to the kiss, prepared to move wherever he wants to take her]

Peter: [and he is going to just use that werewolf strength to just stand up, keeping her in his arms and walking them to the door between his bedroom and his office without going into the main parlor]

Kate: [she does appreciate that werewolf strength quite a bit. She'll just hang on for the ride, keeping the kiss as best she can]

Peter: [and once they are in the bedroom, he will gently lower her to the bed] Let me help you get out of that.

Kate: Please do. [and she will shift just enough to help him reach the laces and ties of the dress so that he can get it off her, before reaching to pull at his own clothing]

Peter: [he will be quick with both of them before laying his wife on the bed and going to crawl on top of her, kissing her deeply as his hands explored her flesh]

Kate: [leans back into the bed as she pushes up into his hands, giving him permission to explore wherever he pleases. New scars from her time in the woods has mingled with the old ones now, connecting like spider webs across her stomach, but she doesn't flinch away when he touches her, only closes her eyes and focuses on the feel of his touch]

Peter: [The only scars he has are long, long ago from his youth, but he doesn't make any deal over hers. He is just gentle, worshiping her for her, and nothing more as he slowly kisses his way down her body]

Kate: [her eyes close as she leans back against the pillows, her hands sliding over his back and into his hair as his head moves lower, fingers tangling there for a moment as she does]

Peter: [and when he centers on her sex, he's going to just stay there for a while and enjoy it.]

Kate: [her back arches as she loses herself in the sensations for the moment, hips rocking up into his touch and holding on for the ride]

Peter: [and once he knows she's close, he's going to slide up and kiss her as he slides nice and deep inside of her]

Kate: [his kiss swallows the moan of him pressing into her. Her hands move to his shoulders gripping tightly as she shifts one leg to slide higher on his hip to allow him to move deeper]

Peter: [and he's going to go slow, firm thrusts getting in nice and deep with each one]

Kate: [her head tips back against the bed, breaking the kiss to catch her breath, her neck baring to his lips as her lips push up to meet his on each thrust]

Peter: [and he goes right for her neck on instinct, his human teeth dragging along the skin there as he starts to speed up]

Kate: [she shivers at the feel of his teeth, her body starting to climb towards it's peak as he picks up speed, her fingers digging into the skin of his back]

Peter: [he can hear her heartbeat, his thrusting going to work in time with it, and when he hits his peek his human teeth go on their own accord and they bite down into her shoulder]

Kate: [she gasps in response to the bite, following him over the edge as she tenses and relaxes beneath him]

Peter: [and as he relaxes, he realizes what he has done and looks at her shoulder to see if the skin is broken before trying to soothe it with a kiss] I'm sorry, I did not mean to hurt you.

Kate: [her fingers move against the back of his neck as he leans forward, and she shakes her head] It didn't hurt.

Peter: Okay. It was only with my human teeth though, so you are only going to bruise a bit.

Kate: [she shrugs] Will my hair cover it?

Peter: Yes, or a dress with a high collar. You will be fine. [but he's got his thinky face going]

Kate: [yeah, she knows him well enough to know that face] Is there something wrong?

Peter: [thinks] Did you ever learn about wolf mating rituals?

Kate: [her eyebrows go up] No. I believe that would have been considered "improper."

Peter: [nods. He moves to roll to their side, pulling a light blanket up to keep them warm. This was going to take a bit] Remember when I told you about how I should have died after my mate passed in childbirth?

Kate: [she nods as she shifts to curl up next to him, keeping close to him for warmth]

Peter: It wasn't just emotional. When wolves find the one they love more than anything... they mate. And it's not just a sexual experience. There's a moment where the wolf inside of us claims the other and creates a supernatural bond.

Kate: [nods slowly, and since she's not dumb] I take it that claim usually comes with a bite?

Peter: Yes, with fangs. But the urge to bite, in any form... is a buildup to that.

Kate: [her eyes narrow for a moment her hand sliding up against his chest] So part of you wants to claim me?

Peter: Not in a way that would make you any less than you are now. Just in a way that would prove to anyone else that you were mine.

Kate: Mmmm. [it's an odd thing. She's resisted being someone else's property for as long as she's been aware enough to know the feeling, but there's something about Peter that makes her believe him when he says that it isn't that kind of claim. That it's a form of protection, rather than a loss of power]

Peter: It also means... it means that my heart believes it's ready to really open itself back up to truly let me love you. [and there is that bit of vulnerability]

Kate: [there's a bit of vulnerability in there for her, too, because that would imply she would trust him that his words are true. she glances down at her hands against his skin for a moment, before looking up at him again] I can't say I've ever been on the receiving end of that particular emotion, in any context.

Peter: I never thought I would find it again.

Kate: Then I suppose we will have to be patient with each other.

Peter: [he nods, and then runs his hand along her neck a moment, thumb stroking her cheek] And perhaps... perhaps it's time you experience what it is liked to be loved. It is a feeling that is in abundance in my family - a family you are a part of now.

Kate: [her head tips towards his hand unconsciously for a moment, and there's a part of her that wants it, but it's so much more complicated than that. Every time she's tried, it's ended with a smack in the face - her father, her family, her husband. She's not sure if she can give in that easily]

Peter: [he sees that, knowing the vulnerability in her eyes and just leans in to kiss her again]

Kate: [she closes her eyes and kisses him back, sinking into the familiar touch and trying not to over analyze the rest]

Peter: [and he will slowly pull her back into making love to her again, because they don't really have anything else that is that important to do today]

Kate: [nope, and this is definitely much easier than talking]