[nospaces][googlefont="Carter One"]

[attr="class","bhs"] [attr="class","bhsquot1"]Blue Canary in the [attr="class","bhsquot2"]Outlet by the Lightswitch , [attr="class","bhstext"]Caelum leaned back against the soft furred body as her cell phone was held loosely in her hand, a few feet from her face. Her expression was one of immense distaste, and even the hyenas looked annoyed from where they were lounging about around her like a protective body guard. I don't care what you felt those mangy mongrels needed, this was NOT the agreed upon price. It is well out of budget no less. I demand to see you in person, in my office in the next five minutes, Miss Knoxx. I am owed an explanation, and you need to figure out how you expect the company to put that kind of money forward. Five minutes, Miss Knoxx. Alone. Caelum sighed as the call was disconnected, before a faint whine had her hugging a furred male around the neck, "Yeah . . . I'm not so sure about going alone either, but you heard the pig. And Rhys is still dealing with stuff . . ." With a second sigh, the young queen climbed to her feet, before noting the hyenas following suit, "I'm pretty sure you guys trailing after me doesn't count as 'alone.'" She teased with a smile, before her tone softened, "Well, come along then . . . Thank you. All of you." She headed towards the exit of the enclosure, with the pack walking at her side and slightly behind her. The trip to the zoo director's office wasn't a happy one, not for Caelum. She didn't like the man and his slimy mannerisms. Every time she was in a room with him, she felt like he was undressing her with his eyes, and plotting how to get her under his thumb. Going into the office alone was not high on the list of ideals, but she also knew she had more than enough powers to protect herself. Plus there was no doubt in her mind that the Hyenas wouldn't dream of letting anything happen to her. While it still was unfortunate that  Rhys was busy, she had confidence taht this meeting would be okay, The zoo was closed, and do to that fact, it was easy for the hyenas to make their way to the director's office with her. She had initially been worried that they would be stopped, someone would say something about them being out . . . but whether it was the time of day, or just luck, the entire path to the administration building seemed clear. It didn't really help to settle the half-fae's nerves however. The queen felt the zoo seemed to quiet, to silent. As she enteredd the building, that feeling intensified. Where was the door man? The lobby receptionists. No chatter from the different departments. It was like they'd all been sent elsewhere. Rubbing her finger against her engagement ring, the fae took a steadying breath before nodding to the hyenas and making her way further into the building. Surely they were just on lunch. She chose to take the stairs, so the hyenas wouldn't feel to cramped in the elevators, she flying up, they running alongside. Reaching the third floor, she exited the stairwell before turning left and heading to the main office at the end of the hall, where the words 'Director; could be seen stenciled into the old oak door. Pushing the door open, she entered slowly, her eyes on the man behind the desk, "Director," She greeted cautiously, keeping the door crackled slightly behind her and the hyenas primed out in the hallway, "I know you're dismayed about the price of the enclosure, but you knew when hiring me that I complete a project to the animal's preference. The river was slightly more than projected, but they hyenas will be far more comfortable - unless you're looking forward to the activist's hassles on the enclosuree?" The man pushed away from his desk, pacing behind it a moment before heading to a liquor cabinet and drawing up a shot of whiskey, It still puts the price of the enclosure out of budget. I don't make the budgets, Miss Knoxx. I just have to adhere to them. I'll have to explain the increase of price not only to finance, but the CEO and the board of administration as well. What do you expect me to tell them. 'The hyenas asked for a river?' He snarked, pacing around the office again, pausing here or there to glance at a painting, or wall ornament, I've been director for a long time, and I can understand how others want to do best for an animal . . . but I have to also do what is best for the zoo. He paused this time, straightening a picture by the office door, and Caelum narrowed her eyes. I also have to do what is best for me, Miss Knoxx . . . Caelum. His hand hit the door and firmly shut it, turning the lock as he did so. The queen blinked in alarm, "What do you think you're doing? Why did you lock that door?" It was a feat of strength that her voice remained level but annoyed, despite the alarm at her back up now locked on the other side of the door. I'm willing to look the otherway, to support the costs . . . for a favor, Caelum. You're a pretty girl . . . and it's been some time since I've been in the company of a pretty girl. His steps were measured as eh approached her with purpose, the fae queen's mouth dropping open, "Absolutely not, you pig!! I'll sooner cover the costs of the expansions myself than do what you're suggesting!" She retorted, her features twisting with disgusts. The director was smirking, as she was backed to his desk, That's where you seem confused, Miss Knoxx she flinched as his knuckles grazed her cheek, alarm shooting through her at the touch, I'm not suggesting, I'm informing. As she was shoved back, a hand around her throat, the fae reacted, fear instantly reaching through the new bond with Rhys, tapping into his own magic and borrowing it as she slammed the room into dark. Her knee connected with the Director's groin as she shoved him off of her. A snarl and a hand twisting through her hair kept her from going to far, though it was the harsh slap to her face that had her cry out, a start of pain as her skin flared red in the shape of the handprint, the taste of blood from the lip that had been cut on the large class ring the director war. Her magic flared in response as she wrestled to free herself, the hyenas clawing and ramming at the door now, and in that desperate moment to free herself, her magic clung tightly to Rhys, to the bond, a pray of help, the memory of the director's office door, and the desperate plea for safety in her mate's arms as she was thrown back to the floor, her head colliding hard with edge of the desk, her scalp growing warm and her hair dripping read from the wound, as her shirt was torn partially down the middle. Her magic flared as vines erupted from the window, knocking the director off her, holding him against the wall, even as her vision faded to black, carrying one last plea through the bond, even as the door to the office was smashed open. A plea of pain, and need for safety. The familiar growl, the soft, familiar touch to her side, a tongue licking her hand, and then the scent of Rhys, and as she slipped into unconsciousness,, she felt herself relaxing, knowing he'd come for her, she had protected herself until he could, but he was here now - and she was safe. [attr="class","bhsnotess"] [attr="class","bhsimg"] [attr="class","bhsnotes"]Tag @rhysandadamdrake [break]Words ### [break]Notes Had to let her save herself But he can still take care of the director and play doctor and nurse her back to health <3 still enough for him to be angry about, but figured the obvious manners in which she went to protect herself would at least let him be proud of her too so that he didn't lose himself in the anger. [break]Outfit Clickie!

BRY of W&&R and CAUTION

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Rhys found himself groaning as he watched the council around him. He hated these meetings and the fact that his father had to be there still. He was chafing at the hold that he was under and wanted nothing more than to take the reins and displace his father from the throne.

"As you can see, your little stunt with your betrothed has caused much chaos within our people. They believe that it is a sham that you are mated, regardless of the... hybrid... nature of the fae Queen. It has been so long since the last time that there was an officially confirmed mated pair that most think that it is false." King Feanor snarled, staring at his son with his hands on the table.

"Actually, your highness... The people seem to be less upset and disbelieving than you seem to think. Many of the people of our kingdom are excited about the mating bond between the future King and his Queen. The discontent that I have heard are more calls for Rhysand and Queen Caelum to step up and lead as they have both been raised to do." The council leader stated, one manicured eyebrow raised as she stared at the king. She had never supported his rule and would be thrilled to see a better leader on the throne.

"Sounds to me like you are not wanted, father..." Rhys stated, disdain dripping from the title that he had been forced to call the man for his entire life. "Perhaps the councils, both ours and the fae, should consider moving up the wedding date so that you can take your much... earned... retirement." He stated, seafoam eyes glittering with amusement.

"You will find that you are not going to be what the people want. They are a fickle bunch." King Feanor snarled, eyes alight with fury as he looked between his son and the leader.

"Father, this is not the time..." Rhys stopped as he felt a strange mixture of emotions run through him.

'Rhysand... The zoo is strangely empty... Caelum was called to the director's office and we have not seen another soul yet...' The calculating voice of Njeri rushed through him and he snarled softly. Rhys was on his feet and heading out the door with a soft word to the leader.

"Rhysand Adam Drake! Get your ass back in here. This meeting is not over." King Feanor's enraged voice followed the dark prince into the halls. With a flick of his fingers, Rhys slammed the door in his face and nodded to his driver.

"I need to get to the zoo... As fast as you can." He ordered, his prince mask firmly in place as he slid into the back of the car.

'THAT WORM LOCKED US OUT!!' Njeri's voice was enraged and he could hear the snarls from Kali and Azizi. A feral part of Rhysand surged to the forefront, the reason that he could connect with the savage beasts as well as he did. The world around him went silent and he found himself snarling along with his beloved hyenas.

Rhys was just stepping out of the car at the zoo entrance when he felt the pull on his magic and the emotions that were tied to it. It sent him to his knees and he gasped as he tried to sort through it. 'Cael?' He thought as he took a few breaths to equalize the balance in his magic. The hyenas were wild with fury, their connection stronger now that Rhys was closer. Reaching the door, he saw the mangled mess that had been left of the door as the hyenas tried to break through.

One kick, along with the damage done, was enough to send the door flying backward into the wall. The room was wreathed with darkness, the shadows dancing with his added fury. Taking the magic away with a sweep of his hand, he saw the damage that the director had done. Fury enraged the feral side of him and he let the hyenas stalk the man until he was cowering in a corner.

"Keep him there." He spat, his voice cold and cruel. Rhys turned to his fallen mate and swept her into his arms. Carefully supporting her, he sat in the director's oversized chair and arranged her so that he had one hand free.

"I have you, mi cielito." He whispered as he brushed a red painted strand from her face. Grabbing the director's own phone, he made a few phone calls that had the pig whining and complaining. Within 10 minutes, the police had arrived and the man was in cuffs. Shortly after, the people in charge of the zoo were knocking on the badly damaged door.

"Your director has assaulted my fiance. He is in police custody. While I do not want the position, I am taking his job and doing what needs to be done to keep this zoo a functioning place. Make no mistake, I have the power and money to take this zoo from you, but I find myself loathe to do so when I need to be paying for a wedding." His voice was smooth as crushed velvet and cold as ice as he spoke to the intimidated people that were staring fearfully at the hyenas. He smirked, his face cold while he stared at the men in polished suits that seemed to think they had power. Perhaps it was left from being a prince, but their idea of power was laughable at best.

Upon dismissing the humans, he called for the one medic that he trusted. "My mate needs care... I require you at the zoo immediately." He crooned into the phone, gladly playing on the elder woman's vanity to get her to hurry. Anything for Caelum. It would take her a bit to get there, but at least he knew that the best medic in his kingdom would be there for her.

"You are safe, my love. He is gone and we are alone with only the hyenas." He murmured, his voice warming finally as he pressed a kiss to her forehead and chuckled as Az came forward and licked her cheek. He sent a wave of warmth and love through their bond, caressing her with his shadows.

@caelumknoxx
"Rhys Sass"
Words: 1000+
Notes: Um... yeah... Rhys was not happy XD