Gabriella stared at herself in the closet's full length mirror, studiously avoiding making eye contact with herself. She stood naked in the warmth of the hotel room her hands planted on her hips as she considered her reflection.

Her black hair hung wetly, brushed back so that it's length hung between her shoulder blades. finely manicured brows arched gracefully away from a slim pert nose. Almond shaped eyes floated above high cheek bones, the kind that models starved themselves to get. Their hazel color set off perfectly by her flawless olive skin. Perfectly placed between her pert nose and delicate chin were a pair full lips, the kind that begged to be kissed. Even now, pressed tightly and thinned slightly with the pressure, they seemed to pout, aching for another set of lips to make them happy.

Her neck flowed into shoulders a little broader than considered perfect, but they were exactly shaped to provide adequate support for her high firm breasts, still gravity defying despite their natural fullness and size, a perk of youth. Areolas the size of an American half dollar circled nipples that beaded against the slight breeze of the ceiling fan. Dark against her olive complexion, they provided a prefect contrast.

Her rib cage, led to a flat and slightly sculpted stomach. toned, but not overly muscled, a tribute her daily exercise routine. Small finely manicured hands, rested on hips that were perfect for child bearing. A small, neatly trimmed, heart-shaped tuft of hair covered the junction of her long legs. Strong thighs and shapely calves led to exquisite ankles and finely shaped feet.

Over all, a perfectly sumptuous package, one designed by the gods to delight in pleasures of the flesh. Unfortunately it had been several weeks since she had indulged and would probably be several more before she could. Her heart couldn't stand it. She was still torn up over Adrian's rejection of her love, all for that young twit, Matt Bowler. She'd known that Adrian's tastes in the bedroom had led him to sample both sides of the equation, but for him to actively choose Matt over her was infuriating.

Involuntarily, her mind replayed the last argument that awful day in Edinburgh.

Adrian had asked for time away from duty, while the Miranda, a recommissioned and heavily modified Russian aircraft carrier that served as the Dawnstar's mobile base of operations, was undergoing repairs. He had planned a trip to Scotland, to visit his friend Matt 'Hat' Bowler.

Gabriella had invited herself along, for several reasons, the most important being there was no way she was going to let Matt and Adrian spend time together unchaperoned. Her jealousy wouldn't allow it.

It was also a way to lay low and let tempers cool at the base. The Dawnstar's staff had been growing more and more agitated with her due to the presence of her feral henchmen. The incident when one of them had run wild in the engine room, savaging several of the crew, had been the last straw, despite the fact that he had not been in control of himself at the time.

The argument had started after Gabriella had brought a newspaper article to Adrian's attention. It had been about a mysterious Shark-like being fished out of the North Atlantic. Something about the incident made her feel it should be investigated. Since they were the closest, she'd suggested the two of them do it. Adrian had dismissed it as insignificant and was unwilling to interrupt his plans, insinuating the only reason she wanted to investigate was to keep him from Matt.

While that would have been a welcome consequence, it wasn't the conscious reason for wanting to investigate. She was actively trying to take her role on the team seriously, and Adrian was making light of it. As usual, she lost her temper and during the argument she boldly told Adrian of her feelings and they're depth. He hadn't even acknowledged them. She could still hear his condescending tone.

A soft knock at the door brought Gabriella out of her painful reverie. Grabbing a silk robe from off the bed, she hastily wrapped it around herself before calling out. "Be right there." She strode to the door, and used the peep hole. Just outside her door stood the chiseled perfection of her body guard Alessandro Baptiste, his usual stoic expression making his mood unreadable. She forced the bitter memories back into her vault of emotional baggage and forced a smile onto her lips.

She opened the door and admitted the man who had become her friend, confidante and support.

"Little Mother." he said as greeting, his gravelly voice expressionless. His large six and half foot frame always made her feel small and insignificant, safe and secure at the same time. Her repressed libido wondered idly what it would feel like to have this mountain of a man above her lost in the throes of passion, but she thrust the thought away. Given his past, and the 'master' she had freed him from, those thoughts were more than inappropriate.

"Well?" She prompted, forcing her voice into a casual tone despite the flutter of nerves that threatened her resolve.

"The meeting is set. He accepted all requirements and asked only for our discretion." Alessandro responded, holding back that he'd had to argue, quite forcibly for his own admittance to the meeting. Gabriella was in a fragile enough state about her decision. He didn't want to add to her troubled mind. Despite his reservations about the path she was taking, he had sworn to follow her, give his life for hers if necessary, and nothing was going to dissuade him from his duty. As the leader of their small pack, she deserved nothing less.

However, despite his vow to support her, he knew full well the danger she was flirting with, having only recently been liberated from it's clutching grasp. Liberated by the extraordinary rage and strength of the woman now seated comfortably across from him in the hotel room's small seating area. His mind went back to the day they had first met.

Such strength, he mused. Alessandro had not regretted his decision, despite knowing that his life, and quite possibly his brother's as well, was now forfeit if Remus, or Den Mother caught him alone. Gabriella had the makings of a fine pack leader, once she learned to overcome her dependence on others, particularly the green haired Dawnstar, Slipknot.

Unfortunately, shortly after Gabriella had freed them, Manny's time of change came up, the short period of time as Den Mother's power faded.

Unable to renew the bond, the ability to transform became uncontrollable, and with it, the animal instincts inherent in the form. Manny had run rampant through the Dawnstar base, the floating citadel called the Miranda, injuring several crew members. This event, along with a final confrontation with Slipknot had driven her to follow the path she was on, ending all ties with the hero group and searching for answers through the one source that offered itself, the one source she shouldn't trust, Remus.

Alessandro's thoughts returned to the present. "Little Mother," he started, his gravelly voice filled with uncharacteristic concern, "are you sure you want to do this. Remus is like the proverbial Genie, he never grants a wish without twisting it to fulfill his goals. He may tell you the truth, but it would most likely be so twisted with lies, half truths and misdirection that it might as well be complete fiction. It's how he turned Medusa, the leader of the first Dawnstars. I watched him do it."

Gabriella's eyes flared with indignant anger. "Not you too 'Sandro. Don't you start doubting me too. I know what I'm doing. Besides, that's why you're coming with me. To help me wade through the bullshit, to get to the kernels of truth. I need this 'Sandro. I need this more than I can ever express." Her voice dropped, softened into a plea. "God knows I'm not going to find any answers any other way."

Alessandro nodded. The decision was made, the path laid out. It was hers to follow, his to protect.

"Our flight leaves tomorrow at nine in the morning. " He said, his tone slipping back to his normal emotionless timbre. "I'll arrange a wake up call for six thirty." Alessandro stood, giving a slight bow of his head in respect and turned to go.

"Alessandro?" Her voice was faint.

"Yes, Little Mother?"

There was no response for a long moment. The silence grew and Alessandro could sense she was wrestling with something.

"Please stay. I don't want to be alone tonight." Her voice could barely be heard above the ambient sounds of the room.

"Of course." Alessandro turned and sat next to her on the couch. He scooped up the television's remote control as she snuggled into him, her head resting on his broad chest, one arm draped across his stomach. He rested a large meaty arm across her shoulders and flicked on the television, settling in for a long night. In moments she was sound asleep.