"Your loss." With that Adira and her pack ran off, disappearing through the trees and leaving the mantis and man alone.

For a time all was silent, until Carter voiced the first question on his mind.

“Why didn't you kill her?" It seemed odd to see a being who admitted to not experiencing emotions show something Like mercy to a rival.

“If I had I would have gained her whole pack as enemies," Taki stated simply.

“It was unnecessary in any event. Werewolves are honorable creatures, now that I proved myself against their alpha they will keep their word."

"I see... I can't say being used as a bargaining tool made me all that happy though," he remarked with a frown.

“It was necessary to make the deal more appealing to them. Even if I hadn't offered you up if I had lost I wouldn't have been in a state where I could have taken you from them anyway." She extended what remained of her severed scythe, examining the damage.

Carter felt the guilt well up again as he watched the blood slowly drip from the torn blade.

“I'm sorry about your scythe..."

"It matters not. It will regenerate within a week."

“It will?" he exclaimed.

“Of course. Damage Like this is common when fighting with a blade, our bodies are adapted to heal readily from such an injury. We are not Like fighters with swords who can simply replace a broken blade, so instead it grows back."

That made sense.

“Well, anyway..." he moved to an uncomfortable matter concerning this situation, gratitude. "Thanks... if you hadn't shown up-"

“They would have raped you until you lost consciousness, and if they liked you enough they would have kept you forever as part of their pack. Your only hope of escape would have been to become strong enough to defeat one and become her master, which is doubtful given you have no fighting skills."

Carter stood slack-jawed at the description.

"You would probably have come to enjoy it," Taki added, apparently thinking it would make him feel better.

“Werewolves are demanding but skilled Lovers, and very caring toward their pack."

Carter felt his irritation at her rise again. "That... look I'm just trying to say thank you!"

“There is no need for thanks. I said I would protect you did I not?"