"Doran I am not having this argument again!"
He growled.
'Please Tiona!'
I pointed at the yellow fang wolf accusingly.
"First of all he tried to kill me and second do you think any one of them would do the same for you or me?! I'll tell you the answer no they wouldn't they would leave our bodies to rot!"
'That's not the point, your better then they are I know you are. Every wolf has a right to rejoin the earth no matter the choices they made. I would do it myself if I could but I can't do it as a wolf you know that!'
I groaned. Why was this such a big deal to him? It's not like he knew the guy.
'I give you my word I will help you but I ask that you please just do this for me, at least until I can send them off myself.'
I sighed. I could tell he wouldn't budge, he was right he didn't have to help me. I mean sure because of the brand he couldn't leave but he didn't have to help the least I could do is this one thing.
"Fine I'll do it but if or when you can shift its all yours again."
'Deal.'
I knelt next to the body as I put my hands out i called on my power. A light shined down my arms as it covered the body and just like that the body before me disintegrated to rejoin the earth. Once done I turned to Doran.
"Can we move on now?"
'Thank you.'
I waved off his words still not understanding why it was so important to him, my mind already going to the task at hand.
"We better get a move on if that wolf was right Imogen's minions will be headed our way in the morning. Our only advantage is that they think we don't know about the bounty. At least we have the advantage of knowing they are coming."
'Your not planning on trapping them are you?'
I shrugged.
"No hopefully we will get to Lexington before they even realise we are there."
I began pacing as I thought of a plan.
"They know we're going to Lexington, I may be able to convince the black claw pack to help."
I pulled out the money Tarlock had given me as I counted it. Five thousand exactly, looks like Jacksonville will have to wait. First I need to get this bounty off my head.
"Only thing is five thousand is a far cry from a hundred thousand."
I frowned putting the money back instead instead pulling out a vile from one of my hidden pockets.
"But there might be a way to convince them with if we sweeten the deal with this."
Doran eyed the vile sniffing the air he began to growl.
'What are you doing with vampire venom?!'
I shrug.
"Stole it off a witch. You never know when vampire venom can come in handy. Considering there are no vampires left it's worth far more then a hundred thousand. At the very least I was saving it for a situation such as this."
He grumbled in his chest at me.
'Vampire venom is dangerous Tiona if you hand it over to them who knows what they will do with it. Something like that should not be in the hands of a underground pack.'
I scowled at him.
"Do you have a better idea?"
He stayed silent.
"Didn't think so. If I don't find out who put that bounty on my head I'll be dead within a week."
Under my breath I added.
"Or worse."
Doran didn't miss my words though his growl prof enough.
'I won't let that happen again, I gave you my word.'
He sighs.
'Fine we'll use the vampire blood to bargain with.'
I nod.
"Lexington it is then."
'Is that where the black claw pack is?'
I stare at him as I put the vile back in my jacket.
"Not exactly."
He groaned quickly I explained.
"Lexington is where we'll find Treston, he's kinda of like the emissary for all underground packs. You see each pack has certain skills. Imogen and Tarlocks pack for instance the serpents, they deal in the black market. You go to them for weapons, powers, pets, you name it they can get it for you. The black claw pack are where all bounty's start. While every pack can fill a bounty the black claw is where all go to start a bounty. Treston is the voice between packs and the first point of contact with any job. If we want to make a deal with the black claw pack Treston can make it happen. Dealing with Treston has the added bonus that he's neutral territory. While we are in negotiations with him no one can touch us."
'And he's in Lexington?'
He chuckled.
'For such and important job I find it hard to believe he's in such a small town.'
I shrug.
"He's only the West Virginia emissary there's one in every state. I couldn't tell you why he's in Lexington I just know that he is and it's good fortune for us that he is since we should be there tomorrow night."
'Who would've thought the underground packs were so extensive.'
I laughed.
"What did you expect if there's a way to make quick cash there will always be an underground. It's not like the king and queen are going to feed every pack. Most Underground packs are just trying to provide for their members any way they can."
Doran went quiet at my words seeming to be taking it all in.
"The underground packs is not a new thing, what kind of pack were you in that this is new to you?"
He huffed as he turned around avoiding my eyes.
'It doesn't matter they probably think I'm dead by now.'
He sighed.
'Come on might as well get to Lexington before anyone else tries their luck.'
He started walking not even waiting for my answer. Taking wolf form I started after him. I knew he was reluctant to talk about his pack but since he was willing helping me I wanted to help him in return.
'If you want once we've removed the bounty off my head we can go to your old pack let them know your still alive.'
'No it fine I'm sure they are doing just fine without me.'
'But don't you have family? friends? Im sure they would want to know.'
He growled at me.
'I said no Tiona so just drop it!'
Stunned I went silent. We walked for a few minutes when Doran spoke again.
'Look I'm sorry it's just that's not my life any more. When I gave you my word I meant it I'll stay by you, but My past needs to stay where it is, in the past and that includes my old pack.'
I sighed.
'I understand I think you know that so I won't mention your old pack again. I'm sorry too I'm the last person who should be giving advise....'
I chuckled bitterly.
'Especially when it comes to facing the past. It's not like I've been facing it either.'
Doran stopped walking forcing me to stop too, avoiding his eyes I continued.
'Ever since I escaped that hell, I've been running from it ever since. Stealing power from everything and anyone no matter the consequences as long as I continued to become stronger.'
'Why?'
My eyes met his once more.
'Because the stronger I got the more chance I had that no one would ever hurt me again.'
His green eyes delved into mine, surprising me he padded closer and rubbed his head along my fur. The wolf equivalent to a hug.
'I get it Tiona, you were only trying to protect yourself any way that you could.'
Pulling back my eyes widened as he licked my cheek. Once again a wolf equivalent to a kiss.
'You have me now Tiona, you don't need any more power. Together we will be enough. Let's get this bounty off your head then we'll go somewhere, Anywhere that's far away from both our pasts. Sound good?'
I wanted so badly to say yes but that voice inside me. The thing inside me that craved power demanded what was in Jacksonville. When I didn't answer Doran started walking again.
'You don't have to answer now let's get this bounty off your head first then you can decide.'
I padded after him. My mind swirling in confusion. He wanted us to leave? Where would we go though and how far?
POWER
I growled at myself, the thing inside me fighting my thoughts of leaving. Why did I need more power, I had my sparks as I liked to call them. I looked ahead at Doran.
HE WILL ONLY HURT YOU LIKE ALL THE REST
I shook my head. No Dorans different, he gave me his word.
HES LYING
No your wrong he wouldn't lie to me!
HE DOESNT CARE ABOUT YOU. HE HAS SECRETS, HES USING YOU. HE WILL BETRAY YOU, YOU CAN ONLY COUNT ON YOURSELF.
I could feel the sparks start to surface.
YOU NEED MORE POWER. ONLY WITH MORE POWER CAN YOU BE SAFE. DO NOT TRUST DORAN, YOU CANT TRUST ANYONE.
My sparks grew. The voice wearing me down. Suddenly Dorans voice broke through my thoughts.
'TIONA!'
I blinked as I came to again Doran before me concern in his eyes. My sparks died down and I shook my head of the foggy ness looking around. We had stopped again but We were much further then we were before but I couldn't even remember walking this far.
'Wh...what happened? How long have we been walking?'
Doran head tilted sideways as he stared at me.
'You don't remember?'
I looked around again it was already day time. It was true I didn't remember but I wasn't about to tell him that.
'Yes sorry I just lost track of time.'
I laughed to cover my lie.
'Sorry I get caught in my head sometimes.'
He stared at me, I wasn't sure if he believed my lie or not but he didn't question it.
'It's fine come on Lexington is only a few hours away.'
Wait what? if that was true I'd lost an entire day. I followed Doran my mind swirling. This was not the first time I had lost time. There had been quite a few incidents where I had woken up not remembering the day before. I wasn't sure what it meant but I didn't want anyone to know. If others knew I lost control of my actions sometimes they might see it as a weakness and that was the last thing I wanted.
'Are you sure your alright?'
Dorans voice once again pierced my thoughts.
'Yes I'm fine.'
He continued to walk but every now and then I caught him sneaking looks at me. Was he worried about me? I had to his my weakness better it was bad idea to let him know. He already thought some of my actions were monsterous if he knew there were blanks in my memory now and from my past he might think I'm crazy as well. No. better that he doesn't know.
In a few hours we would be in Lexington and I can get to the bottom of who put a bounty on my head. I only hope he would agree to make the deal with the black claw pack. It wasn't often they revealed the identity of the bounty benefactor as they have strict confidentiality rules. I only hoped that the vampire venom was enough to make them break those rules. I guess we'll find out soon enough.