They were deep within surrounding forest, amongst the dark green evergreen trees that look near shadowy black in the low light of night. It required a practiced ease to avoid some of the gnarled branches that looked and felt like reaching limbs trying to grasp you. How easy it could be get lost here. But try as those trees might, the moon still managed to peek through, illuminating their path. The she-wolf relished in the mottled light like a familiar friend, even despite the fact that the now unfamiliar woodland seemed less than welcoming. It felt as if the territory itself saw her as a trespasser, as impossible as it was. Yet how it truly probably had less to do with the forest itself and more to do with the pack territory they crossed. It sent her inner wolf into a state of awareness as if it could still sense a ghost of a severed bond that had long since disappeared. Even though the vivid memory of what happened to those they deemed 'rogue' wolves. They were hunted down for sport. Their death celebrated to avoid them becoming a symbol that Nolan would never allow to exist within his tightly controlled pack. Once joining that pack, it was for life. Something she had to learn, even despite their bargain. She disliked how those rules were still etched with familiarity within her mind, even despite all that time away.

Mira easily strode near Tetradore, her feet treading softly but not as much as her wolf could. Yet she still managed to avoid most of the brittle branches upon the forest floor out of habit. Tetradore was quiet and yet his presence enveloping. The slender brunette found comfort in it, even despite the silent trail into the woods. Although, it was almost a shame they couldn't simply allow their animals to take over and just exist for a while. To burn off the foreign sensation of jitters that occasionally fluttered within her chest the closer they got to the clearing.

Mira rolled her shoulder blades, her wolf almost itching to be released as she ducked to avoid a low hanging branch. She had risked everything to escape this town, this place. Yet here she was, practically back upon Nolan's door step. Perhaps in some regard that was empowering if she let it to fuel her. But those memories were far from pleasant and hardly forgotten.. especially not here.

Just a few short minutes later and they had made it. It was at that moment that she prompted that plan from her boyfriend, hardly enjoying that her voice sounded slight pitched. Those molten golden glowing eyes of her wolf that tried to peek through her all too human ones, even as she the familiarity of emerald green. How calm he appeared, his usual aloof self even as they drew closer to that inevitable battle.

Did he feel that same prickle of anxiety that sparked warmth within her chest? She could feel the creeping heat from her lava, that acted like a reminder that she must keep those emotions collected. But she could not help the way this place made her feel or the memories that threated to lash up within her mind. That would do no good here and now. It was something she swiftly eased down as she focused on her breath and the stoic panther. His deep voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her out of the pool of it. He claimed it should be easy. Those words uttered like it was a simple fact. When was anything that easy and yet, he possessed something Nolan never could. Trust.

That simple plan was to just let Nolan know she was there and wait. He was right.. it was simple... At least simple until it wasn't. It was everything after the fact that remained perfectly obscure.

Tetradore then pointed downwind, directing her gaze and focus with the prompted motion. Letting her know that he intended to remain downwind, so no one would suspect him as he slowly picked them off one-by-one with brutal efficiency. It would help even those odds. It made perfect sense. Her head dipped in a sober nod of understanding. Yet, she was entirely curious how many Nolan would bring with him? He was an arrogant man, so certainly not too many...

It was Tet's suggestion that she could combust anyone that came into that clearing. Although he seemed to offer that suggestion almost cautiously like he didn't quite like that option. It was easy to burn wooden crated to ash, or any other inanimate object. It was a whole other thing to incinerate a living person where they stood. Those words seemed to hang heavily within the air. Yet, perhaps some part of her already knew it might come to this, despite whatever pretty denials she had made before. If only they lived in a perfect world... But they did not. She had a choice to make. "I will do what needs to be done." Mira uttered definitively, softly as if feeling the weight of it on her tongue. But even though it packed a level of conviction, it still possessed a hint of resignation all the same. She disliked the sound of it but she disliked this seemingly endless cycle more.

If she were to choose to fight, to take a stand, it made complete sense that it would be here. For the sake of her own family, for him, and for herself.

Those repercussions would simply have to wait for another time, even though she knew they would be there waiting.

She looked off into the clearing and beyond, in the direction she knew they would inevitably come, but her boyfriend stepped forward, slipping his phone into his pocket before stepping into her line of sight as if to take away those troubling thoughts. She allowed her gaze to raise and meet his own, his strong but gentle hands lifted to grip her shoulders as he explained that taking a life was no easy feat. She wondered if the lives he took haunted him too.. But it was like he wished to shield her, offering her that way out if she decided to simply be a bystander. What a luxury and yet.... She could hardly just sit and wait. "I know. But I will do what I can anyways. It's not just on you." Mira had seen what he could do before. The man was an absolute power house. Both in the ring and outside of it. It didn't mean she couldn't have his back.

They had already spoken of those concerned of Nolan's potential oppressive powers. But it was something to be aware of even still. Would those powers even work with him near? Perhaps it hardly mattered so much now with that pack bond severed? It was hard to tell, she never was able to find out the extent of it. Plus, she had a lot more control over those powers and herself... but in a situation as charged as this one? Hm. What if she couldn't reel it in so easily? That was another problem she needed to face too. But what good did it do now to fret over them when she needed to trust herself. Just as she trusted him. She rested a palm on his chest. She pulled upon her inner strength and all the belief she could muster.


"I got this. She willed a reassuring smile to face. "and.. I got you too.."

The rest just had to fall as it will. They could pick up the pieces later, so long as they both were alive enough to do so.

If she had to be bait, she was going to be amazing bait. They could do this. The plan was simple... just like he said.

After their moment, she pulled out her own phone... She did not hesitate, did not waste any more time.

She pinged the coordinates, along with a little message that she was here and wished to settle her father's debts, allowing the man to think she had fallen right into his trap all the while luring him into theirs.

"Its done." She said. Minutes passed before her phone buzzed and dinged in her hand. She didn't need to read the message to know he was on his way.. but she looked anyways.

'Its going to be so good to have you back, little wolf.' How she swore she could hear his voice saying those very words.

That plan was about to become a reality. "He's on his way. He is already acting like he's already won." She looked to her boyfriend. "I guess he will be in for quite the surprise."

mira ramos