Home Again [Gwen]

[Raphael G. Mattias]

Leonardo's reply to Raphael was simple. 'nothing is wrong. I am simply tired'. Yet it somehow sounded wrong. Like it was hollow. Instinct urged caution, but nothing could have prepared Raphael for what he was about to see. Leon shoved off the counted to stand and as his feet touched the ground the weirdest look came over his facial features. It was something Raphael had never seen. Confusion? Or perhaps just a lost expression of someone who'd been completely caught off guard by something. Instinct made him lunge in Leon's direction before his mind could process what had to be done. As he took his first step, Leon's knees his the floor. On his second step his brother caught himself from falling further and Raphael was glad for he would not have made it. With a third step he was nearly at his brother's side. Leonardo's eyes closing sending a pang of fear through Raphael.

“Leon!!” he shouted, finally reaching his brother only to stop short of embracing him. What had caused this? Was it a snipper bullet? But Raphael would have heard glass shatter or other sounds. Even with a silencer and from a great distance, the round would have made some sort of notice as it breached the apartment. Then he heard the most unbelievable words from his brother. 'A heart attack' he thought. But the thought was so ridiculous. Lycan's didn't have heart attacks... did they? A werewolf's healing ability was supposed to make things like that impossible.

Raphael knelt next to Leonardo and reached out to support him. Again, the absurdity of the act making him hesitate. This is something he'd never thought possible. His eldest brother. His father's protégé. Looking frail and vulnerable like this.... 'Ambulance' the words bounced around his head. No. No ambulance. A Mattias, and especially Leonardo could not be hauled away to some human hospital where word of this would most certainly be leaked to the media.

Raphael supported his brother with one arm and fished his cell phone from his pocket with the other. He hit speed dial for a medical emergency. A direct line to the doctor. The phone rang only once and was picked up by the familiar voice of their one and only physician.

“It's Raphael. We have an emergency. We require your assistance at Leonardo's apartment. Please make haste”

“Raphael! Wait! What is the nature of the emergency? Has there been another attack?” He heard the doctor press for details. There was the sound of glass shattering in the background, Raphael's keen hearing identified it as a wine glass, and from the sounds of the reverb. It was at least half full. The screeching female voice that accompanied the sound almost had him hanging up the phone that much faster. “Leonardo? Dear god no, not my Leonardo!” Nadia screamed hysterically. “NADIA!” he heard his father Mitchel shout at his mother.

“No, He says he is having a ….. ..” Raphael stopped mid sentence. What the hell was he supposed to say. He looked down at his brother. His thumb hovered over the button on his touch phone to disconnect the call. What the hell was he going to say?..

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

Leonardo was aware that his name had been called, but the ringing in his ears deflected the full intensity of it. As the constrictions of his chest and airways threatened his breathing he became aware of one of two things: one, almost all of his muscles were contracting or trying to and two his mind was trying to pull away from it trying to treat it as exhaustion. It was an estranged contradiction, and he didn't know what to make of it save for the fact that it was happening and he had no control over it. Thoughts of what exactly was going on screamed through his ears, but he couldn't understand. What was happening and why was it happening? What was happening to him and why? What escaped from his lips was indeed ridiculous as he spoke to Raphael, but Leonardo himself couldn't give a reason to why his mind had suddenly jumped to human terms. Maybe the estranged fact that he craved so much to be normal under such circumstances had forced it out of him in the moment of weakness or maybe he truly thought that could be the case in that moment, Leonardo didn't know. However, even upon answering Raphael he knew it was wrong. What was this?

In those split seconds that Raphael started talking on the phone, more thoughts rammed through Leonardo's mind. He had been keeping up with his medication. He was sure of that. He had done everything he was supposed to in order to keep that side of him suppressed so as not to act in the way Gwendolyn had. He did not want to transform -or at least he didn't want to remember transformations and spent most of his time trying to sleep through full moons and mitigate himself as it was. He had done very well in those regards. He had always followed the rules and done what had been asked of him. However, in those split seconds, he was aware that something in him had changed. Some part of him had stepped up into a position that he was not ready to back down from even in his own mind. This had been seen not only in his sequestering of Gwendolyn but in the way he had been speaking to his own father- the man who above all should have been respected. He had taken a motion towards becoming alpha- despite the fact that there was already an alpha in the family and despite the fact that they hid their own essence and acted as humans to the point it was more of a head of the family scenario anyways. Now what? Now what exactly was happening? Why was this occurring and why could he not fight the sickly feeling that hi sown actions had been the cause of it.

Despite his enveloping thought sand clenched muscles, Leonardo felt the sudden estranged need to run- as if to go jogging would somehow clear everything up. It was an absurd thought, and he quenched it in a moment- or as best he could, anyways. The feeling persisted, though. The desire was there not simply to go down the elevator and leave but to run- possibly down the stairs or even the fire escape. He was free to do what he wanted in that moment----Oh that was ridiculous for you! He was a Mattias, and there was no fire, yet his thoughts persisted. In that obscure moment, he felt the insatiable urge to laugh, and indeed a small chuckle escaped from him. How did he think he was free? That was very un-Mattias above all else. He belonged as part of the family, yet why did he suddenly want to get away? Why did his body suddenly feel that it could run away and not have to deal with anything else? Because I want it... was the thought that came to him, but Leonardo couldn't understand why. His muscles remained clenched harder the whites of his joints visible in his hands. Father was alpha, and Leon had played alpha... and now he wanted to run. Yet at the same time exhaustion was plaguing his very body as he just remained there lunched and tightening. His heart slammed harder against his chest, and he was vaguley aware that if he had been having a heart attack it would probably have taken his consciousness by then. Then why was it slamming in his ears? Why was his body doing something he could not control.

You should already know why The thought came to him, yet he refused it. All thought was cut off in that moment again as he reveled at the fact that he had taken his medications- as if this was something to be heavily noted again. It was only then that he realized his his mind had been focusing on key things even as thoughts swirled. I'm not transforming right now he mentally growled at himself. He was sure of that. He was a Mattias, and rules from his father kept them inline. He was supposed to be kept in line. He followed what was done, yet the urge to run still remained in him. Was he fighting himself then? Was this a reflection of mental conflict- of turmoil? No it would be less physical than this. Maybe the drugs were having a weaker effect. Maybe as he aged, he was just getting stronger and needed more medication to keep this from happening- whatever this was. He didn't understand it- couldn't fathom the feeling for all he was.

"Tell him I'm having shoulder pain," Leonardo breathed out before realizing what he was saying. That was far from what he had meant to say- far from the scenario that was playing out right then and there. However, some estranged part of himself wanted to fall into the lies that he was trying to weave right then and there. It would keep his mother under control and keep it all in his own suite. Raphael had said it was an emergency, though, and even then Leonardo was adding to it. "Just tell him it's just bad shoulder pain, and I need him to look at it," he accidentally growled out thereafter flinching just a little as it seemed his arm wished to confirm this pain by pulling his muscles. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Leonardo was aware that haphazardly he had started clawing at the ground. He would keep control. He would keep this in check. But what if you lose it? was the doubt that stabbed him harder than any knife then and there. His diaphragm spazzumed then and there, and he coughed.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

Raphael lost his command of speech when he heard his brother growl. Raph just stared down at Leonardo and watched the joints of his hands whitened as he fought his battle with whatever it was that was making him stiffen like that. What pain he must be going through? 'What in god's good name is going on?' Raphael asked in his mind. Leon's eyes were almost wild at times. And this made Raphael suck in his breath suddenly as he turned his head to the left and his eyes darted to the door to Leon's bedroom where Gwendolyn was now sedated. He returned his gaze to Leonardo knowing he'd just hit the nail on the head.

But there was no time. Every microsecond's delay in his answer to the doctor's question would make him sound that much more suspicious. Raphael knew he could lie to the doctor, but not to his father. If Mitchel Mattias took the phone it would be all over. The fat lady was about to sing, and he had to say something. But what? As if on queue Leon spoke.
'Tell him its just bad shoulder pain?' Raphael thought as his vocal cords relaxed enough to allow him to speak. It was almost as absurd as the heart attack thing. Especially after he'd just said it was an emergency. But what choice did he have? He could control the good doctor. But for Mitchel to come here now.... To see his prodigy going completely out of control. To see Gwen's half transformed body laying unconscious in Leonardo's bed. To possibly arrive just in time to see his heir go wolf..........

“Problem with his shoulder. His muscles are in spasm.” He added seeing Leon convulse and cough. “Would you be so kind as to come by and have a look?” Raphael replied picking up where he left off. A mere seconds had lapsed. Would it be enough? Raphael didn't believe a word of what Leonardo said

Now it was the doctor's turn to pause. Raphael knew the doctor had heard him suck in his breath and probably what Leonardo had said. In the background he could hear his father's voice ask the doctor the seriousness of the situation as his mother now sobbed. Raphael held his breath. What would the doctor say? The doc would not be able to lie to Mitchel either. Especially not to the man's face. His father would know he lied the moment his facial expression and mouth shifted to form the words. The doctor would have to believe what he was saying.

“For heavens sake, Nadia. Its just his shoulder again.” The doctor patronized his mother. “Everything is fine. A rare underestimation on my part of the muscle relaxers I prescribed is probably all. I'll go check on him.” The doc replied to Mitchel, and he heard his father grunt his approval before continue to scold his wife as his voice faded into the background. His father and mother were walking away. Raphael's restarted his breathing, and what he felt was his heart too.
“I'm in route, Raphael. Have Leonardo lay down in the meantime. Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the shoulder.” He finally replied to Raphael. Raphael thanked him and ended the call.

Raphael dropped his phone and put both his arms around his brother to properly support him. “Leonardo...” He said and paused to collect his thoughts. Leon was clawing at the ground which solidified Rapah's belief that his brother was indeed in the midsts of his own transformation. He knew how hard it was to fight it. The pain it would cause. He was no doctor, but the symptoms fit. He almost asked Leon if he'd taken his own medication since the incident. But even as he the question formed in him mind, he knew it would be dumb to ask. Of course he did. That was not something Leonardo would fail to do. He wasn't some naive child like his kid half-sibling. Anger bubbled up and his thoughts shifted to that half-sibling sleeping in the other room. He was convinced this was her fault somehow.

“Look. I don't know what this is all about, but the doctor is on his way. We need to get you under control before he gets here. If you don't have any better suggestions, I think maybe we should double your medication and put you out like Gwen.” He stated bluntly. There was no time to dance around the problem. Raphael was hoping Leonardo's pride would not get in the way. To resign himself to the care of his youngest brother. The Leon he knew would fight. He hopped this new Leon, or perhaps just common sense, would let Leonardo delegate responsibility to him. It would just be temporary anyway. Raph had no designs other than to help.

Leonardo going wolf right now would be really bad. If he transformed and did the alpha thing again, he may pull Gwendolyn out of her sedation and force her transformation as well. Raphael would have to follow suit or possibly be torn to shreds while attempting to contain them both. He simply had no clue how much control Leon would have as a werewolf. Gwen would have little or none.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

On most days, there was very little chance that Leonardo was conveying anything he was feeling visually through features or motions. He kept the worlds separate- a front of cool decision forwards and the more spiteful panic within. He was a man who naturally enjoyed his secrets and his privacy. He was a man that valued control of a situation and control of himself within that situation. Very few things truly even brought a frown to Leonardo's face. Sure he would allow his face to fall sympathetically on occasion, but one could not call it true emotions. Those were his priceless things to be kept away from the eyes of others. However, something had changed in him. Something had turned the tables around, and Leonardo knew not when it started. The raw feelings, the rush and desire to break free and claim what was innately his surged through his veins with a heightened pulse.His thoughts spun, and he internally growled. The desire to charge forwards, to run through a forest and howl out the names of those he desired to follow him was there pouring into his veins like lava. However, the rational side screamed out refusing to lose control- refusing to be a werewolf and to be a Matias. He had just quenched one wolf, and he refused to become another. He refused to become one of the things that inwardly he despised being. He wanted control. He wanted control. He wanted control!

Leonardo's knuckles blanched porcelain the harder her curled his fingers his nails seeping into his skin. His shoulder twitched, but no pain came. The adrenaline rush that was threatening to overtake it bad blocked what feeling he had in return for more rushing emotions. However, he knew that was wrong. His shoulder was supposed to be injured, and he could not push past that. He had to act accordingly. He had to keep control. His struggling mind barely comprehended what was being said on Raphael's end of the phone. some part of him desired to know whether the lie had gone through as described, yet he couldn't will himself to speak even after Raphael had hung up. Keep control. You are a Mattias. Keep control. This is what you were trained to do. Keep control... His mind replayed the track over and over in his mind. However with every slipping moment, he could feel what he thought was sanity slipping away from him. Instincts were driving their way into the midground of his mind whispering words and desires he would not speak of. Suddenly feeling Raphael's arms around him, Leonardo froze for but a moment. The words from Raphael dissociated what thoughts Leonardo had as he listened. Sedation? No. Even in his right mind he refused it. He had not needed a proper sedative for his transformation in years- simply the proper pills to lower the effects, and he could sleep through it easily. A snarl haphazardly escaped from Leonardo- his rationale blinded by pride. He would be alpha- he was alpha!

It was in that moment Leonardo's higher thoughts slammed into these lower ones. No. He was not alpha. Father was. Father was the man with the status, and yes he would inherit it in time but.... but he desired it... he desired to be head of the family and alpha of this pack. Trembling a little as his muscles spazumed, Leonardo shut his eyes before making to pull away from Raphael. "I- I - I refuse," he snapped out staring at his brother's blue eyes with nothing short of a challenge given. "I...." Leo wasn't even aware of what was spilling from his mouth then and there, and thus he stopped dead in his tracks to stare at Raphael- a desperate attempt to grab at his mind again. I want control. I want control. I want... Another snarl escaped from Leon's lips, and he was aware of just how little control he had. If allowed to go wolf, he would have no control. He would succumb to the feral side that desired nothing than to ruin his human side as he saw it anyways. It was a beast, a thing to be contained and locked away. However, even then and there, he could hear it practically howling in his ears. It wanted free- wanted to use the fact that he had asserted authority over another wolf as an excuse to show its true colors as alpha. He knew it all too well. Despite his doubt, despite the rationale he tried to use against it, that was what plagued his heart. That was the thing bearing its fangs inside of him and waiting to tear past his mind and become head over his body.

No! I want control! he mentally screamed back at the dog of his mind who simply howled something back at him blaring in the ears of his mind and making him flinch. Could he contain a beast? He had already forced Gwendolyn down but could he pin himself? Leonardo didn't know. Transformation had wrecked his childhood as he remembered, and each subsequent time he had taken the fur of a wolf, he had destroyed something whether it was his father and mother's initial relationship or his brother's favorite toys. He had torn into things with a feral violent and scorn- the inner workings of all he hated came alive in him. He hated it. He hated it! He hated it! As if on cue the dog violently snarled in his mind and drew a snarl from Leon as well. Brown eyes flashed dangerously to Raphael threatening dangers ready to tear his throat out if he so much as intersected. However, in another moment the look was gone again left with something twitchy but calmer. I won't lose control! In that moment, Leonardo's will surpassed his pride for but a moment. "Medication's on the nightstand.." he growled out after a moment reaching one hand up to all but tear at his hair. "I don't need a sedative though," he accidentally snarled only to freeze in his tracks as he did so. "Hurry." He would keep control. He would keep control. He willed himself to keep control right then and there. That was all he could do.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

Raphael's eyes widened at the snarl that the man in his arms responded with to his request. He knew then for a certainty that he was in trouble. Unlike Gwendolyn, Leonardo's transformation would be almost instant. Leon would literally explode into his wolf form once he gave in to the animal side.. Raphael would be hard pressed to keep the wolf contained. Raphael had just his bare hands. The wolf would have teeth and 4 clawed paws. For the first time in the last few minutes, He was glad the doctor was on his way. If Raphael could keep from getting injured severely, he may get through a worst case scenario with Leon. His eyes flicked to the almost closed door to Leonardo's bedchamber. He'd not latched the door. Within was Gwendolyn. How in Gods name was he supposed to handle two werewolves?

Raphael's thoughts went to the gun in Gwen's purse. But with that thought was the knowledge of the ammunition that that pistol was loaded with. He may kill one of them with a single shot. That was unacceptable. But what about Leon's gun? Did it also have the same ammunition? The uncertainty of this made him take those options off the table, even as he heard Leon stutter his refusal. This brought his blue eyes to focus on his brother's brown ones staring back.. There was no mistaking the look and determination. He knew that look. It was a rebuttal. A challenge. The beast, not the man. But then there was something else. Leon's eyes softened a bit, but not before another snarl left him and his eyes went wild again.
“Fight Brother!. You are your own master. Let not a beast claim dominance. You are Mattias first and foremost” Raphael said tightening his grip on his brother. If Leon changed, he stood the best chance at containing him if he could get around and place him in a hold from behind. Away from the lethal claws and jaws. Raphael needed to be at his brother's back. He knew this, but hesitated. Raphael knew that he could very well be forced to hurt Leon to keep from being hurt in return. It was a rare thing, but Raphael was beginning to get frightened. Did he even stand a chance against a rogue alpha? This was getting out of hand and fast.

He thought back to what his mother said about the bond between Gwen and Leon. Leon's eyes were wild and Raphael didn't even know if he could understand or even hear him in this state. Still, he had to try.

“Brother. You must do as I recommended. There is no other way. If you turn, Gwendolyn will burn through her sedative and join you. You shall force my hand and I may be forced to hurt her....” Raphael stopped as Leonardo's wild eyes flashed at him. There was nothing but feral beast looking at him at that moment. He could see in those eyes the beast about to attack. Had he made yet another error? Raphael's grip shifted as he prepared to get behind his brother. Then a miracle happened. The pupils shrunk and Leonardo was back. Raphel's grip went slack as his brother's twitching body relaxed. His brother spoke, and this time it was really him. Not the half-crazed voice he heard before.

With a nod of approval, Raphael jumped up to do as he was told. There was a huge “But” that he wanted to argue against not taking the sensitive, but that could wait. He needed to hurry.

Raphael rushed to the bedroom door and pushed the door open. He almost froze at the sight of Gwendolyn's brown eyes staring at him from the bed. They were somewhat wild and had the look of a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. The covers were a jumbled mess and she was practically naked, clad in just slivers of her undergarments, having torn the remnants of her clothes off. He closed the door behind him and braced for anything that might happen. He'd been right. Gwendolyn was in tune with Leonardo. Whether his brother liked it or not, she'd accepted him as her alpha. She was reacting to his fight with himself. He wanted to shout out how that could possibly be possible, but there was no time. He continued forward. She'd not yet transformed and was no further along than before. She was holding herself up with her arms at an almost sitting position. She looked to not recognize him for a moment. "Leon's ok. Back to sleep Gwendolyn. thats a good girl." He cooed. Then he thought he heard her whimper softly before her eyes softened in recognition and her eyelids flickered closed as the sedative took hold again and she collapsed back down onto the bed. There was a peaceful calm to her. He even saw the corners of her mouth twitch up into a smile.

This was a good sign. It meant that his brother was still maintaining control. Raph flung the covers back over Gwen's sleeping form but paused for a second to tuck her in gently. He was torn between wanting to be angry and feeling sorry for her. He grabbed all three pill bottles off the night stand and rushed back to Leon. He made sure he locked the door behind him. This would buy him some time if things got ugly. There was little chance Gwen would retain enough control to remember how to work the lock.

“I have them, Leon.” he said as he approached his brother. He looked at the bottles in his hands. One was obviously the medication, for he had a similar prescription. The second was the muscle relaxer for Leon's shoulder. The third he did not recognize.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

Leonardo had at one time considered himself a master of many things. Poise, muse, and control were his most valued characteristics, but to be a complete master of himself- or rather the wolf side of himself, was not something he had yet to achieve. Within the man was a boy clashing with a dog- nothing more nothing less. Two that should have been long standing friends but were by birth taught to be adverse to one another, and in that moment, they clashed violently within. The boy wanted control, the dog wanted to be free. Leon wasn't sure when he had started to chew at the inside of his mouth, but the taste of blood was prevalent in his mouth and registered in his mind during a brief moment of clarity that quickly dissolved thereafter. Nails clawed against pants, and the werewolf growled low in his throat even as Raphael ran to get the medication. Though the creature in his mind had no actual words, Leo understood its intentions. It wanted to be free for the night- to run and do more than that.

He waited for what seemed like forever before the sound of Raphael's voice rang in Leo's ears. All too quickly brown eyes shot to him, and Leon fought the urge to stand up right there least it trigger the violence in his muscles. Instead, he pressed his back hard against the counter there and breathed in sharply. Hesitantly, he extended a hand towards Raphael and took all three bottles easily opening the first two and popping them swallowing them without a second thought. The third he hesitated on and looked at uncertainly before setting it to the side. No, he wouldn't take that one. Bracing himself, he breathed in deeply.

The muscle relaxer kicked in first, and sure enouh Leon found his shoulders start to relax and his breathing smooth out. After that, the wolf in his mind began to become foggy - a shadow of its former self that could easily have torn his mind to shreds before being forced to retreat back farther and farther as the medication kicked in. An immeasurable amount of time went by for Leonardo, but as he came back to himself again enough to actually assess his surroundings, he found himself disoriented- an after effect of the medication at hand. Looking sideways at Raphael with duller eyes than before, he frowned a little before allowing his face to fall blank. "Thank you," was all he murmured after a moment before throwing his head back and assessing the ceiling curiously.

Shortly after, a knock on the door hit the air. It seemed the doctor was there.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

Raphael watched as Leonardo's eyes darted to his as he straightened and supported himself with the counter wall before extending his hand in staggered extensions as if not sure of what to do. Raph placed all three bottles in his hand and knelt down to wait. He was curious about that third bottle that he didn't recognize the prescription. Leon had set it aside. He wanted to ask about it, but now was not the time. Leonardo almost seemed to shrink as he relaxed before Raphael's eyes as the drugs took effect. As if aging before his eyes, yet not.

Raphael sighed in relief knowing the worst was over. Leonardo would master his demon. But what now? Surely Leon could not hope to keep taking double the dose of his meds from now on. He would be almost incapacitated. Unable to function normally. What would happen upon the morrow when he went back to his usual regimen of his medication's? Raphael dropped his head and reached up to rub the back of his neck and head as he let go of his own stress and anxiety at the events of the last half hour. He looked up in time to see his brother glance around at his surroundings as if awakening from a daydream. Leon thanked him but his head fell back and he looked to be studying the ceiling.

This was not a good thing. The doctor would be here soon. As if on queue there was a knock at the door. Raphael grabbed at his hair with both hands and yanked as he swore. He grabbed the medication bottles and stuffed them in his pockets then stood. “Just one lousy break Karma, you whore. You owe me, damn you” He grumbled to no one in particular. He wanted to look at his brother, as he'd always done, for guidance, but didn't This was all up to him. He would somehow have to convince the good doctor that Leon was acting out of sorts due to the muscle relaxer. That he just could not wait for the doctors arrival and dispensed to Leon a second dose.

As he walked towards the door. There was a second series of knocking. “Yes, Yes, Doctor Giordano. I am coming.” He said, then paused as his hand outstretched to grasp the doorknob. First he glanced at the bedroom door and wondered if Gwen still had enough sedative in her to stay put. He'd have to keep the doctor from that room. Then he remembered Leon's security. Leon's phone had not rung. Was this normal? Did security only call to announce non-family members? His hand froze in place just inches from the knob.

Raphael turned his glance to his brother. “Leon” called to him, not sure if he was in the frame of mind to answer. “Shouldn't we have gotten a call from the lobby?” He whispered so intensely that it was almost a hiss. Even as he did this, his feet edged apart as he took a stance to react to anything.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

From within the confines of his clouded thoughts, Leonardo grasped the fact that his name was stated and tried to grasp the hissed question that even in his less than focused state, his ears managed to catch. Frowning disdainfully at what was said, he tried and failed to understand as his mind veered around the words that had been said. Shaking his head disdainfully as the muscles in his neck complained about being used, he growled at his slow lucid motions now focused on his own physical being rather than what had been asked and the possible danger that was just behind the door. It could easily be ridden off as the doctor, yet indeed his phone had not rung out. Even if Raphael checked it then, there was no message that had moved to voice mail as there should have been at the very least.

For a good few seconds, it seemed as though Leonardo was not going to be able to answer. However, in a startling display against the silence, he spoke. "Raphael," Leon stated aloud unsure of what he was even answering then stopping to consider once more, he managed to grasp at the question. "We should have..." he answered surprisingly quietly thereafter frowning even more as he leaned forwards then trying to force himself to get up. Leaning sideways, he made to put his hands down on the floor in an effort to force himself up to stand. As his arms failed to hold his weight, he effectively slumped forwards there on the floor. A groan escaped from him a mix of frustration at his new predicament and the lack of control he had over it.

Meanwhile, another knock came from the door- a quick repetitive motion, yet there was no voice from the other side to confirm that it was the doctor.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

His hand has just an inch from the door-knob. Raphael leaned forward to put his eye to the small glass lens of the peephole. His instincts screamed at him not to. If he was an assassin there would be a high powered rifle or gun pointed at the one and only weak point in that door. He risked taking a bullet to the head at point blank range. It would most definitely go right through his eye and into his brain. He may still survive this if the bullet was not the armor piercing type, but he would be down. There would be no one between the person(s) on the other side of that door and his family. He didn't not know for sure, but this was Leonardo's apartment. Leon was Matias. The peep-hole lens had to be ballistics glass. If he remembered right, the door was three or more inches thick and should be armored. Steel jacketed kevlar with some type of solid backing.

His face continued forward. He had no choice. Opening the door blind was not an option. He looked through the hole and focused. He saw the doctor, but something much more terrifying than any assassin was behind him. An abrams tank with barell of its 155mm cannon pointed right at his head would not have been more of a shock, heck, he would have welcomed that. Raphaels breath hissed out of him slowly as his head dropped.

“Mitchel” he whispered in warning to Leonardo.

There was just one thing he could do now. There was nothing more to be done. In his head the fat lady let out a chorus of opera that was unrivaled in anything he'd ever heard before. Raphael grit his teeth and fought the urge to slam his head against that door as hard as he possibly could in the hopes of knocking himself out. His hand grasped the knob and he gave it a turn. He could hear the locking mechanism in the door slide back the seven carbon steel pins that secured that door like a bank vault. His head came back up to level and he put on his signature crooked smile before pulling the door to swing open.

“Doctor. Good to see you again. I'm sorry it had to be under less than ideal circumstances. Please, do come in.” Raphael greeted, taking the doctors hand as he replied and extended it to shake Raphael's. Raphael pulled him inside as quickly as he dared without giving away his desperation. Raph's eyes left the doctor's as he passed and shifted to his fathers. The most outrageous thought flicker in his mind. The thought of just slamming the door closed to bar access to his father. But that was just absurd. No one did that to Mitchel. Not even he, his son, would live after such an insult. The thought died as quickly as it sparked and Raphael stepped forward into the doorway, his arms extending to the sides and forward to embrace his father.

Again. There was, after all, just one course of action left to take. Raphael would stall. He would buy his brother time in hopes that somehow Giordano would work a miracle. That somehow Leonardo would pull himself together enough so that at least they'd only have to answer for Gwendolyn, for Mitchel would surely ask to see her if nothing else. “padre. è bello vederti” (Father it is good to see you) “non c'era bisogno di venire fin qui” (you did not have to come all this way) Raphael said, giving him a hug with a few pats. Mitchel returned the gesture. “è sempre un piacere, Raphael” (It is always a pleasure, Raphael.)

Raphael turned him around to the left to allow the door to slowly swing closed. “May I have a minute, Papa. There is something I must ask you. It is of great importance” He asked as he let go his embrace and took a step back. Mitchel's eyes never left the door. The Alpha and head of the family was no fool. Raphel knew why he was there and knew that his father could see right through him.

“sì, certo mio figlio. qual è il problema? (yes, of course my son. What is he matter?)

“è circa Gwendolyn” (its about Gwendolyn) “Why does she have a gun?” Was the last thing to be heard inside the flat before the door closed and eliminated voices from the foyer. At this question Mitchel's head turned to give Raphael his full attention. 'For god's sake, Leonardo. Hurry!' He thought.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

As the name of their father rang in his ears, Leonardo tensed who heartedly. Despite the muscle relaxer he had just taken, his body had clenched, and all too quickly, his heart began scaling up his clavicle towards his ears. No no no no no no no no no his thoughts begged and practically screamed. Father didn't need to see this. He didn't need to see Gwendolyn half transformed in Leo's bedroom nor did he need to see his eldest suffering close to a mental breakdown in the light of the full moon. SHIT Leonardo mentally swore biting into the membrane on the inner side of his mouth as the desire to run came back to him- all for a totally different reason, though. He doubted his legs would let him though. Even with his muscles clenched like rocks, and even with new adrenaline seeping into his veins, he doubted he could just get up and burst through the kitchen window like he wanted right then and there.

Raphael's voice was like a beacon telling the distance that he still had, the time that he still had, to figure out what to do. Why he had insisted on calling the doctor, Leonardo scaled his mind but could find no answer. He supposed it was in a brief panic that had drove him to actions that he was now regretting. Damn it he mentally swore harder. However, just as he was about to struggle to get up, the muscle relaxer came back for round two, and suddenly his entire body went numb and lax again. Though his heart still screeched in his neck, it was as though the rest of his body had shut down. The words that followed rushed into Leon's ears full force thereafter, and he was aware of Raphael's tactic in an instant. The sound of the doctor's foot steps moving about only to stop in confusion registered in Leon's ear. Not the bedroom... Leonardo practically hissed but could no longer secure his jaws enough to actually make such a sound. Instead, he ended up leaning his had forwards- his neck still having some movement, and slamming it against the cabinets that were behind him. All too quickly the world was spinning, and Leonardo realized just how hard he had hit his head. If he had known that Raphael had been fathoming something of similar intent just a bit ago, he might have laughed at the entire thing. However, right then and there Leonardo was trying to come to grips with the world that was twisting and turning before his eyes now. Ugh, this was almost making him nauseous.

The sound was actually enough to draw Dr. Giordano's feet away from the bedroom and off towards the kitchen area after a moment, and as the doctor came around the corner to stare at the brown eyes apparently waiting for him, all too quickly, he moved forwards bending down and setting two fingers on Leon's throat. "Leonardo what happened?" was the question uttered with every bit of concern. Leonardo stared up at the doctor trying to get the world to stop spinning long enough to focus in on him, but after trying to speak and finding he couldn't due to the mass of headache that was now ushering through his head, he settled for a weakened frown. The doctor frowned silently back all too quickly lowering his previous fingers and making to gently pull Leonardo forwards in order to lift his shirt and stare at the wound he himself had been managing to what he thought was the best of care. Nothing appeared to have changed wound wise, and Dr. Giordano was at a loss for words for a moment. Something else was the matter clearly, but he had not been there to know just what. Leonardo made no protest when the doctor set him back again and set a hand on his forehead. "You're a bit warmer than usual, Leonardo..." he frowned after a moment "Can you explain what happened?" he frowned again.

Leonardo dragged what he could of himself together, reached forwards, and all but yanked the doctor closer just enough to whisper in his ear- his lips barely working in the process. The words that transgressed were all but inaudible, but as he caught on, the doctor tensed and frowned heavily gently setting a hand on Leon and pushing him back again only to turn and rummage through his bag thereafter. Pulling out a bottle and a fresh syringe, he began filling it easily enough before administering it. "You're growing up," the doctor sighed a little more to himself than to anyone.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

“It is not like you to question my judgment, Raphael” Mitchel stated after the briefest of pauses. Raphael knew by the tone of his fathers voice that he was not happy. Raph knew then that he was right to assume that his father was already on to him. He also thanked god that he was Mitchel's son. If he was anyone other than a family member there would have been no way to even gauge even that tiny detail. Mitchel was alpha and the head of the Matias family. Everything he knew he learned from his father. How could he hope to fool the master himself? He would have to pull off the performance of his life to keep his father from condemning him and continuing forward through the door to the disaster within. It should not be impossible. He just had to base what he said on truth. He could hide things, but the second he told a flat out lie, his father would know. If any stray emotions crossed his features, Mitchel would pick up on it instantly. Raphael cleared his mind of the fiasco that was ongoing inside. All doubt, worry, fear, anxiety, everything was pushed to the back of his mind. He had but one chance. He would not get a second. The minute his father was certain that Raphael was being dishonest, the game would end. He must keep his father from asking him a direct question about anything.

“Not by any means, father. It is simply a matter of curiosity. Gwendolyn was less than willing to divulge the full narrative. She was rather unsettled about the whole affair.” Raphael recovered falling into his full Matias mode. He was Matias after all, even though he favored the facade of an average college student when not at an official function or before his father. Raphael wagered on the fact that Mitchel did not know Gwen was incapacitated in the bedroom. It would be safe to assume that to the knowledge of his father, his precious daughter was in the room on the other side of that door and that Raphael's actions of barring him entry was simply to have a private conversation about her.

Mitchel actually sighed in response. This told Raphael that he was doing well so far. He couldn't help but put a feather in his cap. The only person who could be on equal footing with his father was Leonardo. Those two were like mirror images of each other when it came to the art.

Mitchel went on to explain in detail the conversation that He and his daughter had that morning. He expressed his annoyance with Gwendolyn's rebellious attitude. Something Raphael had never heard the man admit to before. The man never had a negative word when it came to his daughter. It was another reason why Rapahel never allowed himself to get close to her. While he and his brothers were always criticized, condemned, and worse. His half sister always received leniency and favoritism. He almost let anger bubble up at the memories. He caught himself and quickly squashed it. Besides, Gwen was a girl. Could he really expect her to be treated the same as the boys? Raphael paused at the thought. For some reason he'd never thought of it that way until now. Before he could think further, he pushed the thought away. There was no time for that now. The seconds and minutes ticked by and Raphael could only hope that progress was being made inside. He at least hopped that Leon was no longer on the floor in the kitchen. At least on the couch, if Dr. Giordano simply knocked him out with a tranquillizer, it would buy Raphael time to think of something. What that something was? He didn't have a clue.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

What Leonardo had said simply astounded the doctor whether the man who had been in charge of the Mattias care since he had been found personally by Mitchel all those years ago. He had never heard of such a circumstance as what was uttered by those lips. He had assured himself to be on of the best doctors the werewolf world had ever known. That was why he was in charge of the prestigious Mattias pack after all. However, Leonardo had thrown him for a loop. In the past he had heard of certain werewolves within a pack taking on what he would call 'alpha characteristics', a leader's disposition, a hardier than normal body, but more importantly a will over his subordinates.

Leonardo had been honest in his statement, but it only worried Dr. Giordano. 'I took a step towards alpha' the words still rang in the doctor's mind, and he couldn't help being caught between a smile and a frown as he watched Leonardo starting to doze. 'The medication isn't working'. It was why he had added a higher dose, something that would have been better used in a tactical weapon against other werewolves rather than as medication in that moment. It would give a desired effect all the same though, a languid response and a reaction of exhaustion. What worried him now was what he was going to say to Mitchel. The doctor would not lie if asked directly. However, it was a more than serious event and needed to be taken with care. Dr. Gio knew good and well what Mitchel would do if he knew, but whether that was good for Leonardo right now, especially after the trauma that the doctor himself was sure that he had suffered, Giordano wasn't sure. He was a sympathetic doctor whether he wanted to admit it or not.

When Leonardo had relaxed completely, the doctor sighed, shifted sideways a bit, and picked him up with surprising ease. Walking over to a dining room chair, he sat him down and put two hands on his face. "Do not speak unless you know what to say," he murmured for a moment before releasing Leonardo and wandering back towards Raphael and Mitchel. "I gave him some higher dose medication, his body should be fine now," the doctor stated using as vague terms as he knew he could get away with in this circumstance.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

Once Mitchel was done with his explanation, there was nothing more Raphael could do. His only other recourse was to nod and thank his father for his time, which he did. To ask another question, even if he could think of one, was impossible. Mitchel would quickly catch on to something being amiss and then it would be that much more difficult to keep him from being suspicious once inside. Raphael prayed for a miracle as he turned to the door and reached out his hand for the doorknob. This was his ass on the chopping block as well as Leonardo's. Proper protocol was to have told Mitchel everything. Not just with the phone call to the doctor, but much sooner. Probably as soon as the first signs of Gwendolyn's transformation.

Raphael opened the door for his father and fought the urge to hold his breath as he did so. Mitchel walked in and stopped short as the doctor's, seemingly waiting for his arrival, walked up and informed them of Leon's condition. If it wasn't for Mitchel standing next to him, Raphael would have breathed a sigh of relief. Leon was off the floor and in a chair. His color had returned and he did not look anything like he did when Raphael left his minutes ago. Even though his eyes were not looking in his direction, Raphael could see they were focused and not wild. 'Sweet Jesus, Mary and Joseph' Thank you!!' He thought as he nodded at the doctor. The best he could do for a “thank you” at that moment.

Raphael casually strolled past his father and gestured to the couch. He had to buy Leon all the time he could. How “together” his brother was, was still in question. He had to keep his father as far away from Leon as he could. There was no telling what would happen if Mitchell was allowed a face to face with his brother.

“Please, Padre. Sit. May I interest you in a refreshment? I haven't been here very long, but I'm sure Leon's mini bar is well stocked.” He offered just as smoothly as he walked.

Mitchel, however didn't budge. Raphael turned with a quizzical look. He saw Mitchel inhale sharply and let out his breath slowly as his eyes slowly scanned the room left and right as if trying to figure something out. Raphael slowly inhaled also in an attempt to try to find what, if anything had given away that something was not kosher. What the hell did his father pick up on? Was the gig already up?.

“Leonardo” His father called out, and Raphael's eyes flicked to his brother. 'Shit' was all he could think to say. Raphael's crooked smile never waivered, but he had to work hard to keep the sweat that wanted to bead on his forehead from forming. Even the doctor stopped in his tracks, probably also worried, for he had unwillingly been handed a questionable if not bad hand and decided to play it for sake of his loyalty to the family as a whole, and not just to Mitchel. They all had bad hands and poker faces at the moment. Was Mitchell about to call their bluff? What the hell did he smell? What gave them away?

“I will not have my children serving me drinks like servants. You will retain the proper staff here on a full time basis as quickly as possible. Are we clear?” He ordered with slight irritation in his voice.

Raphael's legs almost gave out. Luckily he'd kept his faculties as he was trained and even remembered to shift his features to one of amusement at Leon's expense as he would have done any other day. Mitchel made his way to the couch, but before he sat down his eyes lingered on the door to Leon's Bedroom. This wasn't over by a long shot. Michel would ask for Gwen eventually. It was not like her to not burst through whatever door was in her way to greet Mitchell with hugs and a kiss. For her not to have done was obviously not being overlooked. Raphael was sure that the only reason his father had not asked for her yet was that Mitchel thought she was obviously still cross with him at the moment. This would buy them time when it came to Gwendolyn. And time, at this moment, was worth its weight in Gold.

Raphael strolled towards the mini-bar. “At least a maid, brother. This place could use a woman's touch.” He said, trying to feign a light ribbing. He swung around the counter and looked down at Leon's stock. “What will it be, Gentlemen? I shall play the part of the hired help, just this once, since I am the lowest ranking Mattias in the room.” He joked. He almost added that something about Gwen and a maid's outfit, but bit his tongue. Yes,it was more “Raphel” like to have done so, but tempting fate was just not a good idea right now.

[Leonardo K. Mattias]

Dr. Giordano gave a small nod back to Raphael and met Mitchel's gaze for a moment before nodding to the man as well who simply nodded back at him. Though those brown eyes of the clear alpha in the room were quite an unnerving sight even to the doctor who had served under him for years now, Dr. Giordano kept his head. Though he could easily be fired for not telling everything up front, for the children's sakes he would do this small task. Stepping back, he made to take a seat down in one of the chairs near Leonardo before drawing his knees together and sitting back.

Leonardo was aware of the people in his loft, his sanctuary, and in that moment, he mentally sighed. If not for the shame of what had gone on, or rather what was still going on, the distinct realization that his place was once again being scrutinized wasn't the most pleasant thing to have happen after his emotions had already been run over by a truck and then baked in an oven. Even worse he was so physically tired now that he couldn't get up and play host to these guests even if they were family. It was a worse insult to his pride at the moment than anything else. The only saving grace then and there was that the dog had completely disappeared from his mind for the moment, and the craving for change was dead for now. If he could regain some of his personality, maybe he could redeem himself even a little.

The sharp statement of his name all but made Leonardo go rigid. If not for the muscle relaxers taking full effect, he would have easily sat straight up right then and there. Instead, he found himself gazing towards Mitchel waiting for whatever else was about to be said. As the words spilled from Mitchel's mouth, Leonardo fought the urge to laugh. It was the same comment that had been made since he had acquired the apartment, and though he was aware of the tension in the voice of his father, he also knew that even if he didn't ever get staff on that floor, Mitchel wouldn't do anything. It was their silent pact of sorts and their sort of sacred humor. However, at the moment, Leonardo could only mentally groan that his father chosen to speak that when guests were there. Rather than speak, though, he gave a slow careful nod in response. Mitchel frowned briefly at this lack of speech but didn't pursue it for now at least.

Raphael's words nearly made Leonardo mentally growl. However, he was reminded again that he couldn't do that right then. Father was there. However, as he continued on, it seemed Leonardo could let it go. He remained silent and allowed his eyes to gaze at Mitchel who was haphazardly gazing back at him. Briefly the doctor looked between the two men before standing upright. "Nonsense, Raphael, I help you see to it," Giordano replied before starting over to the kitchen where Raphael was. Meanwhile, the eldest brother and the father continued their staring contest of sorts before eventually Leonardo's eyes blinked and cascaded sideways instead. Mitchel just sighed in response partially questioning to himself whether it was the pain medication or something else that was earning him such silence from his eldest. As if Gwendolyn's apparent continuing disdain was not already distressing enough for the man who had lived for centuries.

Shutting his eyes, Leonardo breathed in drawing on his weakened vocal chords for a moment. "On the bottom is some aged red wine," he stated quieter than intended before falling silent again. Mitchel frowned before nodding as though this was fine as well.

[Raphael G. Mattias]

At Leonardo's mention of Aged red wine, Raphael knelt to open the climate controlled wine storage custom built into the enclosure to the bar. He couldn't help but Raise an eyebrow at the vintage paper label on the bottle. “DeMarco & DeVicii” He mused out loud. That statement had even Mitchel taking notice. That winery was destroyed in WWI along with the family who owned it. The bottle he held was from a cache found in an off-site wine cellar thirty years later. It was the family's reserve meant to be left to age at least tat long before being sold and was about that old when the tragedy happened. That made them among the rarest and most coveted fine wines and there were just a dozen or so bottles known to exist. Raphael counted six here and almost asked the very dumb question of how in the world had Leon gotten a hold of half or more of that particular vintage

The doctor approached, but Raphael waved him off with an "I've got this" nod and flick of his eyes toward the couch where Mitchel sat. “Aged is an understatement dear brother. These are late 1890's. The famous reserve cache.” he said out loud. It had the desired effect of distracting Mitchel to the point where he said nothing about the doctor returning to the couch. Raphael almost asked if Leon was sure he wanted to serve it, but he wouldn't have said anything if not, and he wouldn't have them out here at the bar, even though it was climate controlled, if he did not intend to drink them. 'You sly dog!' Raph thought. This would be a definite distraction for their father who was a wine collector himself. “And six bottles. I am very impressed.” Raphael added the crucial bit of information. He knew Mitchel would ask to have one.

Raphael grabbed three glasses and the bottle and returned to the couch to serve the beverage. Leon would not be having any, he knew. Not with the multitude of drugs in his system right now. Mitchel swirled the wine in his glass. Gave it a deep inhale and finally wished it around in the glass, admiring the rich body and color before he sipped, like the true professional he was. He finally swallowed and smiled, lifting his glass toward Leonardo.
“It is indeed one of the finest. I have a few coveted wines in my collection as well, Leonardo. I know you've had your eye on a few. Perhaps an arrangement or exchange could be made?” Mitchel asked. Soon there after there was a steady flow of conversation as the wine was consumed and Leon had some time to recover. At one point Mitchell erupted into laughter at a college mishap story that Raphael was telling. Their voices became elevated to be heard over the laughter. “Ah, yes. That brings back memories! However, when I was in college....” Mitchel said out loud.

In the next room the voices, specifically the alpha's voice, reached the unconscious mind of Gwendolyn's sleeping form. She gasped as she bolted upright. The pain was excruciating as her body that was still partially transformed protested. It was a knee-jerk reaction force d by fear and the fact that she was sedated and disoriented. She bit her lip stifling a canine yelp that almost escaped her. The resulting whimper still more than enough to be heard on the other side of the door. Her canine teeth easily cut her and she felt the warm liquid which tasted of iron in her mouth. Never having had blood in her mouth, she spat it out on instinct and cursed when she realized what it was and what she'd done. The conversation ceased on the other side of the door and Gwendolyn's head snapped left and right as she panicked. She was literally covered in her own blood with nothing but her underwear at the moment. Her torn clothes were in a pile on the floor. What the hell was she to do?..