A.
Jake's POV:
She was indeed there! I was shocked beyond words but I couldn't get myself to her although I wanted to but not as shocked as I was after I saw her in the vampire castle, in captivity. That night I knew something was wrong, and I couldn't do a thing but leave her behind for the moment.
"What do you think you're doing back there, huh?!" Kia yelled as we continued through the thick trees. I didn't feel the need to talk after I saw her. I cannot understand anything, how she ended up with them or what she was doing there.
"You cannot just ignore me after we wiggled our way out through the whole night running away like a set of cowards instead of facing them!" he grabbed me by the shoulder making me snap at him by punching him across the face.
"Jake! Come on....and Kai lay off" Maya said helping him up, i didn't want to act out but he made me. He almost hurt her and wouldn't shut up the whole way when I asked them to fall back. He growled at her before running off the opposite direction dislodging trees. He's always had temper issues and again wanted the most heads.
"He'll be fine but just to be sure, Leo" she said before he sped off after him. Kia can be extremely destructive when he's mad and might just hurt someone
"Are you ok?" she asked carefully playing her hand on my bare shoulder. I had my shorts on along our way but the shirt just couldn't come on plus I couldn't get him off my mind. I wanted it to happen tonight but after I saw her I couldn't stand the fear in her eyes towards me.....she was afraid of what I am
"Yes, I just want to be alone" I said evenly not letting a hint of what I was truely feeling surfaces"You head home, I'll be right behind you" I added again but the look on her face was telling me a whole new story.
"You know I can't do that" she said gripping my hand going on the adjacent direction from home. That was what I was afraid of, she couldn't listen and will get to the bottom of it in the matter of seconds. I quickly understood what she was doing leading me that way. It was our favorite spot when we were kids and now the spot we train or bleed out our troubles.
She let go off my hand when we were at the clearing with broken tree trunks littering the arena, to prove they have been really talking while I was gone.
"You've been doing it alot" I said still observing the place remembering my last show there. It had been almost 3 years when i used Kia as a harpoon, there was blood everywhere.
she responded with a sound in her throat "uhmm".
she had a sports bra and sweat pants on on our way and was putting her dark hair in a ponytail, showing off her muscled shoulders and tight guts. For a lady she looked a little intimidating. She started picking out moves to engage me in a fight.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you" I said honestly because I couldn't even fight me at this moment, it would be extremely bad.
"Y' think?" she said before swiftly punching me across the face hard making me loose a bit of my vision and balance, I didn't even see it coming. She was going around circling me with her fists in the air, teasing me with her brows and occasional giggling.
"I still think it's a bad-" before I could lay off my words I received a harder blow in the gut, a painful groan and an involuntary growl escaped my throat.
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about" she said cheerfully. I threw my shirt to the ground hyperventilating, I was getting really pissed at it. I didn't want to talk or fight her I just needed not to believe who I saw back there was Gia.
"Come on!" she said gesturing for me to attack with her hands but I wasn't going to, I was about to turn and leave when I saw her leaping in the air with her a threatening blow to the side of the head, I quickly dodged and griped her hand pulling her to the ground with a thud swiftly getting on top of her, pinning her down on the ground. She groaned in pain as she tried to let air down her throat. I thought I was a bit rough as she was really looking hurt, I loosen my grip on her wrists a bit.
"Not bad" she said between breaths "But never let your guard down" she said as fast as I felt her knee in my balls and getting thrown into a huge tree trunk smashing through it. The pain was incredibly felt especially on my back, I couldn't even move through those painful breaths. She was standing right above me in a second grinning down at me.
"You really are getting better" I said with strain from my aching spine although I felt better inside, her technique really does work.
"I win, so now you've got to tell me what happened back there"
Now, that she's right there within my reach nothing was standing in-between us but I freaked out. Would she like me like this? And again I haven't figured out the reason of her being here? Does she know about us? Is she part of us? But I doubt is she did because of the fear I witnessed in her eyes night and the confusion still embedded in her features. I was really quick, trying to lose her while she called out to me repeatedly. My heart skipped beats as I went further, I felt conflicted, her call was pulling me only towards her but from my better judgement I wasn't supposed to show myself to her as I was afraid what that will come to. I knew my way well around the village and throw her off by giving my top clothing to one of my friends. He took them without much questions as I hid somewhere around the area so I could see what happens. I saw her disappointments as she left thinking that she really didn't see me.
I came out of hiding after she'd left, taking my shirt from Leo.
"Thank you," I said quickly putting the shirt on
"Why are you doing this? She's thesame girl that we went to save"
"I will explain later" I said quickly going after her but keeping atleast ten feet from her. Suddenly she got jerked by the arm by an elderly woman I recognized almost immediately
"Ruby!?!"
___________
B.
GIA's POV:
It's been a month tucked in these woods having muscle tearing training and reversing the effects of the suppressant I have been taking my whole life. Grandma Ruby had the other's and Elizabeth ingesting it in me since after I was taken to hide me away, my powers were like beacon to my end so it was a necessary measure. Elisabeth felt like she somehow owed Ruby her whole life so she left with James and me after my other foster parents died. It wasn't the first time that attacks were made on other to get to me before I was any stronger or older. Instead somehow I always ended up escaping and my foster family never did.
Ruby informed me that I was once put up for adoption in the 1800's because the hunt for me was wild and deadly and accidentally got adopted by human couple. Almost every creature of the day or night was looking for tails to reach me, the family of recent at the time which was Ruby's witch friend got subdued after she hid me away in an abandoned church house. Properly cloaked neither ruby or anyone could tell my location, she was tortured and then set on fire for not disclosing. I had been in that worship house for a week, until an officer found me hence getting adopted by the human family. It took Ruby two years to finally found me resulting from the worry of my human family, a baby that didn't grow an inch in two years and many unexplainable phenomenal happening. Their first taught was a rare disease but later thought of demonic possession or something of sort. Ruby took me away during that time where they were haunting for paranormal investigators and demonologist, the couple were left thinking I was taken away by the evil spirits.
But it was only a matter of time that my powers can't be caged, so the rash was the beginning of the undoing. It was alot of weight on my conscious knowing that alot of lives were destroyed trying to keep me safe.
It has been quite a while of blood vomiting, high fever, hallucinations with a condition of severe vulnerability and terror, also taking awful serums. It took a week to completely reverse it with it the nightmares, Ruby noted it would have been worst if it was to reverse naturally but I was saved that part of trouble by the vast knowledge of herbs gathered in my great grandma's head. I was getting faster, stronger, huge appetite, better control of my emotions and some physical changes. For some reason my features were sharp, edgy and my skin just glows naturally
I have been on my feet since the sun rose and it's already noon. Sweating, strained and feeling sick in my stomach. I can't take it, yesterday was a bit of a haze and she's over working me. I was dodging arrows laced with the fluid of an orchid steam she called Arominel and few other ingredients she mixed
It is mean stuff, causes immense pain when in contact with broken skin. And I was meant to dodge a dozen flying at me at once. Although with inhuman velocity but obviously being new to the side of me I never knew existed, some arrow heads had to break through my skin giving me a surface wound accompanied with a sharp pain I had to suck in, in other to not get another arrow bruising my skin alas one stuck to my thigh like a thorn in a rose stem while trying to flip in the air.
I screamed at the top of my lungs landing in the ground with a thud, it felt like it was eating away my flesh and the longer it stayed in the more damage it cause, it could poison the blood but for me it would be days of agony. With shaking hands I reached and yanked it out of my flesh, blood splatter owing to my action. I threw it to the ground angrily, I have had enough of bleeding and causing me so much pain in cause of training, to a war I never wanted to have or ever want to participate in.
"I'm done for today!" I said towards grandma Ruby whom was standing atleast a meter away. Dragging my right foot towards the house blood was just trailing under my jeans as I put pressure on it. It's a good thing that I can heal very quickly without taking any of those nasty herbal medicine but the wound was rather slowly closing up thanks to her crazy mix.
"I don't think we are quite done here" Ruby said carelessly like it's normal to put a person on a target and have her grandson throw arrows at me. I would rather be anywhere but here in this bloody town that doesn't exist to the world.
"Well I am, session is over" I said to both of them mostly her grandson Hunter, whom was looking my way with a bow in his grasp and the other hand on his hip. The look she gave me of authority made me sigh heavily
"I need to take a shower. I stink" I added limping back into the house, the heater had hot water, underneath it was powered by red charcoal. I helped myself with a bucket into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I furiously yanked all my clothes off, looking down at my open wound. I sighed remembering how life used to treat me when I had a doctor mom, a cop dad, a pet and nothing more.
I loved that life although deep down sometimes I felt I never belong that I wouldn't fit in especially with the nightmares I used to have but Elisabeth convinced me otherwise only later to come face to face with the nasty truth and the worst part was they both were not here to walk me through.
I was left only with strangers that I must come to trust because my survival depends on it–I was left helpless and I don't like it one bit. I sat on the toilet, took a clean towel on the rail and dip one end in the hot water.
I placed it on, bitting down my bottom lip at the sting but it was enticing. It looked I made it worst because it was bleeding now more, it would have been scary looking down at a hole in my thigh but I have seen alot which included me killing a helpless man in the dungeon, I am still haunted by it.
I threw the towel to the floor cursing, I hate everything that's my life now. I gently placed myself into the tub ignoring the bitting pain around my open flesh, the scratches has all healed leaving only a trail of dried blood down my arms and face. I scrubbed myself clean as fast as I could before the water turned pink, I wrapped my towel over my body and came out of the toilet meeting with Hunter in the corridor.
"Hey, I know Ruby can be impossible and pushy" Hunter said tossing an apple from one hand to another his gaze following the Apple's movement I think mainly to keep him from staring because he had never seen me half naked, hot from shower and pissed at thesame time. Though Hunter was older than me, I was feeling a kind of burn around my skin holding on to the part of the towel that was up against my chest, I didn't want any incident. Although I have became less self conscious about revealing too much skin, still the phenomenon being astounding but I was still thinking of throwing myself into my room to avoid any possibility of an unforgettable shame, the door was just opposite the bathroom and also stood open.
"No kidding, she's–" I stopped, what was I thinking telling the guy that his grandmother is a little nuts. I cleared my voice muttering "sorry"
"It's ok. I get it" he said biting into the Apple
"And I can tell she's totally over working you, don't think it's because your parents dumped you on her to raise but she's just wanting to help you fit into this community and build you strong. She cares deep down" I smiled nervously, we had to lie about me–Well grandma Ruby did the lying part I just played along. I had to be kept a secret to the werewolf society, not even family can be trusted with that big of a secret. So, she said I was a daughter to one of her children, Elisabeth that went off after the war into the human society detaching from every family ties and they brought me back to learn. I needed guidance and that I was an angry, vicious, dangerous, hateful child.
Quite a profile but it wasn't as bad as the one my father set for me.
"I'm sorry about that" hunter apologized pointing down to my still bleeding thigh.
"Yeah, it's ok. I better go take care of it before I stain the floors and maybe earn a three week detention on a tree"
"Hey! I love sitting in the tree" he whined
I gave a grimace going straight into my room, well too late because I left half a print of my foot on her wooden floor boards, it's gonna take forever to take out. I shut the door behind me I grabbed on my handkerchief out of my dresser and wiped around my wound and down to my shin clean throwing it in my trash.
I got myself into a short dress not that I was liking it because the woods was a little hot but because I must, before I could finish combing through my knotted hair my thigh has already closed up.
What a relief, I went over to the kitchen as I was as hungry as a perched vampire, I could take a whole cow leg down. She made mashed potatoes, pan stirred meat and some vegetables which I enjoyed. After dinner we cleaned out the dishes and it was time for Hunter to go, yay!
Don't get me wrong, I like him when he's not throwing stuffs at me or punching me across the face. It was the weekend and he wanted to go for family stuffs, I actually urged him to. I wanted some days off, he'll be coming back Tuesday which was almost a week. I bid him farewell after walking him about a mile telling him I can't wait to have our training sessions back although he had known I was being sarcastic about it. I hugged him lightly before he went off, I can't wait to spend those six days sleeping in my bed.
I deserve all the luxury of rest and fun, I would have checked in snacks and Netflix but I remembered I was a million miles away from home. Heck, the place I currently was roaming in is called "shallow falls" . You could imagine my discomfort spending each day in the very place that cost me all.
No wonder the vampires doesn't like the mention of it.
But within all this wrinkles, folds and series of unfortunate events I gained something in these woods–The wolf. Right after I made my presence known to the clan leader, he showed up, he was able to find me. The sight of him comforts me, it brings some kind of safety feeling. He just showed the night after my visit to the village and kept staring through my window. I never noticed him there until I wanted my window closed, I saw red glowing eyes from a distance locking to mine, I knew instantly whose they were.
The next day, he showed again not coming any closer than 3 feet to my window. His all dark fur blanket molded into the moonless night. The only thing dimly reflecting some of his physio was the torch Ruby had by the sides of the house. This night I could almost feel him inside me, I could feel he wanted me closer; I couldn't describe how I got that but it was like I could hear his thoughts in a voiceless manner. I went through my window and went up close carefully not to alert Ruby, closer than we were in the castle. I finally feel him, his soft fur, warm body and scent; a scent that I seemed to have mastered. I thought it were because we have met before and unconsciously took in his signature but it felt like it's been happening a long time like I have known it for quiet a while but didn't get to notice it's intensity or how it made me felt. It was something I could never be able to explain
I didn't want to think too much, now I could pick him up from miles out, some new ability I had. We spent the time staring up at the sky while I rest my body against him without a word spoken out. The rhythm of his breath played against me, constantly making me aware of his presence and I loved it.
Tonight I was even more free, I had not to worry about waking up at dusk and still he'd not shown up yet. I stared out my window to the thick forest having no thoughts at all but an unknown peace–it isn't that unknown because he would stand just there and I have been missing him, strangely. It's been a week he hasn't visited and that alone has kept my nerves on the edge more to the slow movement of time around this part of the world.
No electricity, internet or even people my age to interact with if you'll Ignore the fact that I was more than 4 centuries old. It's an aching process of morning to night stretched into looking like a whole week. The only fun thing to hear or watch was the birds and the view I was staring at.
I sighted and shut the two door window atleast there must be something I could do besides nothing. Laundry, it's already hanging dry out. Meditation, I have been sick of it and some how not good at it. Hiking to the village, that I haven't done since when I went shopping with Grandma Ruby. I don't see any problem with it if I can just hide the mark and just not try bumping into people and getting into their heads or calling on their attention by acting new. Apart from that I am so capable of taking care of myself now that I can kick and punch. I think everything is checked
I can always just tell her when I'm back
I went out onto the dirt road and somehow I haven't bummed into grandma Ruby, just walking. It's not the must fun activity when you are alone, quiet and your thoughts are trying to tear the rest of peace out of you, at some point I wish I could just run off anywhere but here or the dark castle and I would just forget everything and start a new but as of now that will stay only a wish.
As a part of surprise whenever I was out in these woods there is someone always watching just like now, it would either be a bird chirping, an animal trailing after me. I have heard crunching of leaves for the second time now, from my experience I knew who that little champ might be.
But last time I stood wrong. After a couple of steps put of the proximity to the cabin, I noticed someone following me. At first I thought of Phoenix sneaking on my again but the heavy steps and wild breathing of rage, I ruled it out. It was clear they were trying to be silent and very oblivious to the fact that my hearing was thrice as theirs when I wasn't tapping into my powers. I kept calm knowing that whoever it was, they would be able of little to no harm towards me. I continued walking anticipating an attack anytime or they would just bore out and leave but they were persistent in following after me. I suddenly stopped after a while of walking, also making the person following after me do thesame. Ironically my heart beat started to pace and that of the one following me was quiet steady. I turned around and was met by the face I last expected, the guy that I had a run in with.
"Are you stalking me?" I asked taking a step back because he wasn't In personal space distance. He was simply glaring me down hostility and scowl. He closed the distance between us again and grabbed my wrist, crouching forward on me.
"I haven't told anyone what you've done yet. There is something about you that I don't like! Something secretive and I am finding it out" that was all he said threateningly before pulling away and walking away. That left me confused and highly troubled, he looked very determined to find out about me. I have been worried about him ever since
So now being followed made me think fast about his words but the footsteps didn't sound thesame as his and I immediately recognized the scent after a blow of the wind.
I dashed to the direction of the noise in a swift
"So, it's you following after me." I turned my face away acting as if I was pissed at him. The last time he was here I told him to be back the next four nights but he never showed and I made treats. He growled softly his heavy footsteps sounding coming up against me rubbing his side against mine. I would have toppled over if I was the old Gia
"I will consider the apology but right now I really need some company" I said looking back to him. He turned around and started walking. I followed quick after, side by side my skin against his soft fur. I would occasionally look down at his huge, scary size seeing nothing but a soft hearted wolf watching over me. He was leading me deeper into the forest where I haven't even been. I was suddenly feeling stupid, trusting a wolf, he wouldn't hesitate to rip my head off if he finds out about my truth. I stopped a bit in my tracks as he continued through into the concentrated trees.
I ran after him, If he tries anything I can always just kick his ass and another perk of being a God is that I can control them but I haven't mastered that yet but I can always run
"Hey, wait. Where are you–" my mouth dropped at the clearing, it had sand covering it's ground. Logs, chipped trees and almost falling ones barely hanging on it's own trunk, I could see a bit of red here and there which I try telling myself it isn't blood.
"What's this place?" I asked surprised why he brought me there. He just proceeded to the middle of the arena.
"Don't tell me. It's a training ground! But today is my day off Friend" I said sitting on a log sheepishly "It's beautiful" admiring the place some more, it's really the light full place of the forest and the air just blowing and it felt different
"I guess I am going to have to speak to myself again this time" I laughed at the thought whole this while together I will have to read out what he would possibly say but it doesn't feel random. It was like I would actually understand his growls and howls. I just love the company caring less of it's gender although I have an inkling the attraction might be because it's not my gender but I don't really care if it turns out otherwise
"I'd be hoping that would change,Why don't you show yourself to me?"
I didn't know if it was the question because he just jumped in front of me growling angrily almost knocking me off the log. I was about to yell when I realized he wasn't exactly looking at me and I suddenly felt something behind me. One swift move and I was behind the bulky size of the wolf.
Now I was facing the people I first saw besides grandma Ruby.
"Why am I not surprised?" The male said opening up his arms like he was expecting a hug.
"Uhhh....let's see maybe that's because you've been following me or clearly haven't had enough!" The scorn on his face indicated he knew what I was referring to
The wolf is just growling growing agitated moving as the guy does and the lady was just standing not even trying to move or intercept with a straight face like she's watching a movie. He was a little close to us coming to the side, the wolf all got defensive in a whole new level.
"Ohh dear! Come down and I wasn't following. It looks like you and you little friend here are in the wrong place in accordance to your bad timing" he said but less to me and more to the wolf, it looked like they have a little problem they need to solve but I'm not having my day off for this jerk to ruin it.
"This isn't private property?"
"Hi, I guess that's enough of word exchange" she stepped up coming around shoving the male back. She looked down at the agitated wolf reassuringly, I didn't know why but it felt I was definitely the odd one.
"I believe we haven't given proper introduction seeing we got off the wrong foot here. Why don't we start over?" she said with a sweet smile, I nodded before she continued. "I'm Maya and that fiercely thing is Kai, my mate" she gestured to him who was still eyeing down the wolf.
Finally, she spoke of it
"I'm Gianna, Gia in short and this. is. my...wolf friend" I said with a grimace
"That's interesting, you must be new here?" she asked glancing down at the wolf that wasn't doing anything but keeping me 3 feet away from both of them. I didn't know why he was acting that way seeing that we were in a werewolf territory
"What's more interesting is the wolf down there" Kai said coming to Maya's side. He was facing me now with a devious smirk, arms crossed over his chest. Maya eye rolled at him with the growl my friend made, I had to get us out of there but he tears that mouth runner.
"Yes, I think we'll be going it's getting late. Nice meeting you, Maya" I said to Maya ignoring her irritating boyfriend, I wonder how she put up with that. Mostly having to ignore the part that I will have to introduce myself fully sometime as I could see Maya is pretty enthusiastic to her about it. I saw the expression after I stated my leave.
We turned on our heels when she called at me
"See you around!"
Yeah right! I think it'st's better say away before I get to snap her boyfriend in half.
"Thanks for walking me back" I said brushing the hair on his back. I did have a nice walk back with me babbling on my own the whole way back mostly speaking of Kai and how I might not be able to tolerate him next time we cross paths.
It was getting to be sundown and I have been out for quite a while I thought it would be good to check back with Grandma Ruby before she flips the whole village. He went off as I turned to the cabin, I feel a lot better of my crappy days already!