Lycan - Chapter 4

The brotherhood. Xandra often flip-flopped back and forth between the two rival groups. The brotherhood gave her the freedoms she craved while Xavier's gave her the home she desired.

She tried to make both places work, having seperate lives at either or and even having a love at each place. A love. Never a lover. Xandra, for the most part, had no physical intimacy with anyone past the level of sleeping beside them curled up in a very wolfish manner.

"You didn't stay with the brotherhood, did you?"

Xandra shook her head. "No, I couldn't. I left and roamed on my own." She heaved a sigh. She had gotten past the tough part. Mostly.

"I killed when I roamed. Anyone that knew too much. Or that wanted to hurt me. And there were plenty." Xandra wasn't big. People often made the mistake of thinking that they were capable of taking advantage of her - and many tried to take advantage of her body for that very reason - but Xandra was by no means weak and could easily fight them off if she so desired. So she did.

"How many have you killed?" Tir questioned. No one had the exact count except his girl. And even her account varied.

"Twelve." She admitted. "In under seventeen years. Except for Mr. Cunningham no one that anyone would miss. Vagabonds and assholes that decided I'd be a pretty piece of meat." She growled this words, teeth pulled back in a cruel snarl.

"Do you love me?"

"I - What?" The question caught her by surprise and she sat starring wide-eyed at the man sitting before her. "What?" She repeated, tilting her head and whimpering to express her confusion. Human emotions still evaded her and she had no clue how to express them in a human manner. So, canine noises and actions had to suffice.

"Do you love me," Tir repeated, eyes tearing into hers, desperate to know the answer.

"I- Yes. I do." She answered slowly, searching for some sort of trap. Tir smiled and Xandra blinked, puzzled at the sudden change of topic. "Why do you ask that?"

"I needed to know." Tir shut off the tape recorder, and reached across the table to take her hand.

Xandra remained confused. "For your report-thing?" She nodded at the recorder.

"No, for myself. To know that falling in love with you was worth it."

"I know I'm not easy to love - " Xandra began her usual rant, questioning why he was with her and berrating herself.

"No, not that. I needed to know if it was worth knowing your story, being a liability. If anyone finds out what you've done they can use me against you."

Xandra frowned, even more puzzled. "I don't understand."

"I needed to know if you loved me so I could love you back."

"Oh." She blinked, still not fully comprehending any of this.

"I love you," She finally whispered, curious to see the results.

Tir smiled and squeezed her hand. "I love you too."