[C] The old Master

She bristled when her revenge plan was foiled.

Then she went for the jugular. Literally.

His fur was so thick that there was no chance that she would get to his skin, but she tried hard to do so.

It wasn't long before she was worn out and just laying dociley against him, gnawing on his fur.

Despite her size she was spunky, he just let her try to attack his throat, not worried at all, even if she did manage to get through his mane of fur, her teeth couldn't do much harm.

Once she calmed down and wore herself out he lowered his head, resting it between his paws and curling up around her.

He had formed a fur bed for her to rest in, completely content with just laying here while she napped.

The runt was content napping with her face pressed into Tuzik's thick, warm fur, but the others pups were excited to play.

They pounced on Tuzik, biting at his legs and tail to try and get a response from him.

Loud barks sounded around he large Hound.

The little pup whined and nuzzled further into Tuzik's fur.

Tuzik gave a whine, he didn't know what to do, he was happy curling up with the neglected runt but the others wanted his attention.

Playing with them would mean abandoning her but then staying with her mean ignoring all of them.

His gaze turned to Lucifer but he knew the man wouldn't be much help, he wouldn't be having his conflict.

Lucifer just arched a brow in response to Tuzik's look.

He didn't care.

Three pups attached themselves to Tuzik's tail, biting and whining as they tried to get him to play.

He'd been playing with them up until a few minutes ago!

Tuzik came to a compromise.

He picked the small pup up and carried her gently, the others could chase after him in the yard and she could relax and enjoy a ride.

He wagged his tail until the pups were shaken free and padded out onto the grass, giving a muffled yip for them to try and keep up with him.

The runt whined, wriggling a little as she was picked up.

The other puppies were quick to chase after Tuzik, falling over each other to try and get at the adult Hound.

"Ware them out well."

Lucifer would be able to get some peace tonight if all the pups were sleeping. Deme wouldn't be able to complain about them neednig more attention iif they could barelly keep their eyes open.

He didn't have to move too fast to keep a small distance between himself and the little hoard of pups.

He moved around objects, looping around trees to have them running in all directions.

He ran with them until he could see some of them lagging behind and slowing down.

It took a long while but soon enough he was laying back down near Lucifer, enjoying the presence of the Fallen as he set the runt back down close to his chest.

The runt wriggled and writhed for a few moments when she was set down again, before she settled.

She gave a low whine, quite happy now she was curled up against his heat again. He was so much warmer than herself or any other of the pups. Adults had a much higher body temperature. It was something that the little puppy appreciated as she cuddled close to him.

"You've done me a great favour." He would have ben sat there waiting for the puppies to tire out for hours before they got to this point.

It didn't take long for the other pups to cuddle up to him too, curling in against his sides and nestling in against his long fur.

Pups always enjoyed body heat, it was something they weren't given after being taken from their mothers.

Tuzik's gaze turned up to Lucifer as the man spoke, looking content from his position on the floor.

What will happen to the runt, will you kill it?

He asked, using the link they shared with their masters.

"The others should kill it off before long."

That could be an accident. The tiny pup was likely to get caught in the bigger pups games and be injured. Lucifer wouldn't put forwards the effort to heal it.

Or it could be on purpose. Soon the pups would realise there was a weak link and get rid of it.

Tuzik looked down at the runt, then to the others, they already separated themselves from her.

It wouldn't be long before they started to test their strength and she couldn't keep up.

He and Coilean could never make a pup, he wanted one, it was in his nature to want pups.

Here was one that would be sacrificed for the sake of the rest of the litter progressing.

Master...if you have no use for it, could I take it?

He hadn't discussed this with Lyo, or with Coilean, but chances didn't happen like this, ever.

"No," was Lucifer's immediate answer.

He wouldn't give up the pup. Not that one.

Deme liked that one and he'd be sad if he found out Lucifer had given it away.

"Take another."

Tuzik looked disappointed for a moment but looked up as Lucifer spoke again.

He could have another one? But the Fallen had use for those one and not this one...

He knew there must be a reason behind him keeping it this long, he would never have let a runt live this long if he was intending to kill it.

He looked around at the others, sniffling and lapping at them as he tried to choose which one to take.

Lucifer watched as the snoozing pups were examined.

He had six to choose from and they were all healthy; four male, two female. The choice wouldn't be the easiest to make, but each and every one of them would be a good choice.

He sniffed them all, eventually he chose the one who seemed the most affectionate, one of the boys who was nestled in against his stomach.

He picked it up gently by the scruff of the neck and looked up at the man.

This one?

He asked, tilting his head slightly, excited by the prospect of taking one home with him.

Lucifer nodded.

"He is less suited to a Hound lifestyle than the others."

Affection was a disadvantage for Hounds. Lucifer tried to break them of the habit of being affectionate quickly, but some were more stubborn than others. This one was very cuddly. Something Deme loved but he didn't.

Thank you, Master.

He replied, bowing his head before he slowly stood up, making sure to not disturb the sleeping pups.

Tuzik was surprised with the ease of which he had been given the puppy.

Still, his tail wagged with excitement as he padded away from the pool area.

Lucifer was here for a reason and he suspected the man would be around often so he could spend more time with him at a later date but for how he ran toward the library, he needed to find Alyosha and Coilean.

Alyosha and Lean were both in front of the fireplace in the library. Lyo was sat in a large armchair with a book in his lap and Lean was curled up quite contentedly at his feet.

Occasionally Lean would stir and nuzzle against Lyo's leg, vying for some attention, which Lyo readily gave in the form of tummy rubs and scratche sbehind the ear.

Right now, though, Lean was sleeping.

Tuz had run back to the house and padded through the halls as a hound.

He walked into the library, his tail wagging happily as he moved to nudge Coilean awake.

He looked at Alyosha, gently placing the sleepy puppy into the man's lap, a large grin showing on his lips as he shifted back, sitting on the floor naked.

Coilean whined loudly hen he was nudged awake, but blinked his silver eyes open blearily.

Lyo didn't have quite a lethargic reaction. The puppy - who really wasn't puppy sized - in his lap caused him to jump with a start.

"Tuzik, what-?" What the hell? It was a Hellhound, he noted immediately. The skull on its head was unmistakable.

"Where did you get it?"

Coilean whined and stretched before finally sitting up.

Tuzik smiled, his head resting against Lyo's thigh as he reached up and stroked it's soft fur.

"Master gave him to me."

He replied, his English was getting better and better with each passing week.

"He's no good, for training, too....happy."

Tuzik leaned over to Coilean, his tongue lapping out over the man's cheek affectionately.

"Coilean, we have pup."

"Master?" Who was this Master? Who just gave away Hellhound puppies to passers-by?

Lean nuzzled against Tuz when he was licked, giving a pleased little whine as he leant heavily against the Hound.

His silver gaze fell on the 'pup' and his brows arched. Wasnt it a bit big for a pup? The Hound was almost as big as he was.

"My first Master."

He explained, scratching the pup's ears and down his neck.

"He's here."

Tuzik motioned, petting the floor, indicating that his first Master was staying in this coven at the moment.

"He can't shift yet..."

"Your first master." Lyo was struggling getting his head around this. Tuzik's first master was here in the mansion.

He shook his head and decided to store the information for later procesing.

Now he had something a bit more pressing to think about. The creature that was curled up snoozing in his lap.

"He's young." The pup had the gangly limbs and too-big paws thing that a lot of ordinary puppies had going on. He was huge, but still looked like a little puppy with his features.

It was strange.