I woke up first. Banshees don't generally require much sleep, and I had been knocked out for two days. So I was up and bright eyed at six in the morning. Lupin, however, was sleeping like the dead. I let him sleep, figuring the last few days probably hadn't been kind to his sleeping pattern. I could feel his exhaustion and it put me on edge.
The very idea that Lupin could be hurt had me sitting in the bed staring at him for an hour straight. It reminded me of a guard dog, standing vigil over its charge. The fact that he wasn't hurt and hadn't been reassured me, about as much as it gutted me. Because while I had that reassurance, he didn't. He likely hadn't slept at all, standing vigil over me, fearing that I would die.
I realized, an hour into my own vigil, that it wasn't very productive. I brushed Lupin's hair off his forehead, gently placed a kiss over his temple and slid out of bed. He didn't stir at all, proving just how exhausted he was.
I went in search for clothes and found my own in the dresser across the hall. The room I had recovered in, directly across from Lupin's room, was full of my stuff. I found one of my bags full of toiletries, located my toothbrush, grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom.
I came out in my favorite pair of jeans, that I had somehow managed not to get covered in paint, and a large black t-shirt that read: "Underestimate me. That'll be fun." I figured it was suitably twisted. After the lovely display of, now dead people, underestimating me.
I decided to explore Lupin's rooms, or floor rather. The hallway from the elevator led to other rooms. More bedrooms, more than any one person needs, an exercise room, a pool, a bar, for whatever reason, and what looked like a storage room, full of all sorts of magical odds and ends. After I was pretty sure I had found every room I realized I was hungry.
I went pilfering through Lupin's fridge and found what one would expect a werewolf to have in their fridge. Meat, meat, meat, and more meat. I located sliced bread in his pantry and made some breakfast sandwiches. Cutting some cheddar and mozzarella cheese and cooking sausage patties, bacon, and eggs. I toasted the bread and threw it all together. I made one for me and three for Lupin. Werewolves eat. A lot.
As I finished the second half of my sandwich I wondered if I should have made more. If he had more variety to his ingredients, or if I had known where anything in his kitchen was, I would have made something better. I turned around on the stool, surveying the dark wooden cabinets. I had nothing better to do.
I opened all of his cabinets. There were pots, pans, bowls, plates, dishes, cups, spices, and recipe books all hidden in his kitchen. I found a mini fridge dedicated to fruits and vegetables tucked under the counter. By the time I was done I was craving brownies. I took out all of the ingredients and started my endeavor. I didn't need to use his books. I had my own recipe.
Two hours passed by in a blur of baking. I made brownies, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, strawberry cupcakes that were cooling, frosting that was chilling, and a cherry pie that was baking. I was in the middle of rolling the cinnamon buns when someone cleared their throat.
I turned to find Rayen and Ember seated at the island, August trying desperately to reach a cookie. Both women regarded me, amused and intrigued.
"So," Rayen said. "Are you going to eat all of this by yourself or do we get some?" She looked around, indicating my racks of baked goods. I finished rolling the dough and put it in the pan.
"Sure, help yourselves." I turned around as they both snatched up brownies and cookies, fighting over which muffin was biggest. August singing an adorable song over his cookie that simply comprised the babbled word co-key over and over again.
"So you're a baker?" Ember asked around a mouth full of cookies. I shook my head and turned to continue rolling.
"No, I stress bake. Lucky for you, I happen to be rather stressed." I looked over my shoulder at them. "I typically am." Rayen smiled, jubilant.
"Wonderful. You're good with a sword and you cook, too." She picked up another cookie and nodded at me. "I like your shirt." I smiled at her and she sniggered. Ember shook her head, readjusting her hold on her joyfilled son.
"If you're not careful, Fable, there's going to be a line of werewolves vying for your head." She stated, though she didn't sound too worried. I turned to face them and pointed at my shirt.
"Fun." I whispered and the two werewolves grinned. I went back to rolling the buns and the women and toddler delightfully ate my treats. When I finished I stuck the pan in the oven next to the pie and set the timer.
I sat down across from the vultures on the other side of the island. Ember turned to me, brows raised.
"Where's Lupin?" I snagged a brownie and placed it on a napkin. The topic of my mate was complicated. I could physically feel his exhaustion and worry. Half of me wanted to stand over his unconscious body and hiss at anybody who got close. The other half wanted to curl up in his presence and drown in his safety. I had somehow managed to ignore both halves of me and bake sweet treats.
"Sleeping." I answered, taking a bite of my brownie.
"Still?" Rayen asked, a brow cocked, half a cookie between her fingers. I nodded, my mouth full. Her surprise became exaggerated, eyes wide and mouth agape. "You're telling me he has yet to be informed of your culinary brilliance?" She tsked, shaking her head, her face the picture of regret. "That just won't do." Ember rolled her eyes at her cousin and Rayen smiled in turn, hopping up off the seat.
"I'll go wake him up." Rayen announced gleefully. My teeth clenched and eyes narrowed, I didn't like that idea. I didn't like that idea at all.
It took only a moment. A single thought and I was overtaken. I became nothing more than my instincts. And they screamed that Rayen was a predator, a threat, and I could not let her near my sleeping mate.
My lips drew away from my teeth in an involuntary snarl. I growled as Rayen moved closer to the room, her back to me, oblivious to my disdain. My growl twisted, harsh and eerie, as my monster leaked out, agreeing with my assessment of the threat. And while Rayen did not notice, Ember did, her eyes wide, holding her son close to her chest, recognizing the monster.
Ember turned, too late, to warn Rayen of my reaction. I was already moving, up and off the stool and around the island. Rayen was already halfway across the Sitting Room, but I closed the distance easily. Turning in front of her, grabbing at the back of her head, fingers pulling on her hair. I watched her eyes go wide as she realized what was happening. The monster in me hissed, a rattling guttural sound, the banshee in me making the noise resound, turning it into a war cry.
I yanked back on her hair and her head went up, throat open and vulnerable. I pulled back my free arm, talons sharpening on my fingernails, preparing to rip out her throat. Rayen kicked and hit at me, but I was stronger, my monster was stronger. I lifted her by her hair as she punched at me with werewolf strength.
I heard doors opening and stools falling over and heavy footsteps. But it didn't matter, with her death my mate would be safe, he would stay asleep, blissfully unaware. I smiled and I watched Rayen's eyes turn with a different fear. I hissed again, quieter this time, a gentle promise of a quick death.
I flexed my taloned hand and plunged towards her throat. Ready to end her life. To kill the threat.
Rayen closed her eyes, a small whimper escaping her lips. My monster contorted my face as I plunged for her throat.
And then she was gone from my hand and the world twisted and warped. I flipped and landed hard against the wall. A great big grey wolf lay on top of me, holding me down. I snarled a jagged sort of anger wrapping my arms around his torso and flipping him under me. I pushed him down hard and he thwacked his head against the wall. I bared my teeth and snarled in his face, pushing him down again. He snapped his giant maw in my face and growled in turn. I wrapped my fingers around his muzzle holding his jaw closed as he snapped at me.
I pulled down on his head forcing him to look me in the eye. I met his eyes and almost broke.
His eyes, his beautiful silver eyes, undoubtedly belonging to Lupin. The anger left me instantly, stripping me bare of nothing but what I had done. I let go of his jaw pulling my hand away like he was on fire. I sat up and twisted around. Rayen sat on the floor where I had dropped her, Ember at her side, August still held tight to her chest. They seemed shaken but otherwise ok. I turned back quickly to survey Lupin, my eyes going up and down his wolf form. I discovered… that I was and never will be a vet.
"Are you ok?" I asked, my voice soft and shaking. I hate losing control.
The grey wolf whined softly, just once and brushed his nose against my shoulder. I smiled weakly and climbed up off of him. He rolled over and stood up, coming up to just above my hip on all fours. When he didn't fall over or wince in pain I turned to Rayen prepared to beg forgiveness.
Ember stood, concerned, at Rayen's side. August was blissfully unaware of the danger and reached gleefully, out of his mothers arms, clapping at Lupin, gently chanting: "Woofy, woofy." in between spurts of laughter. Rayen held up a hand at my opened mouth, standing up with the regard of Ember's worrying eyes.
"This is in no way your fault." She spoke softly but firmly. "Many have been killed simply by looking at a mate for too long. I keep forgetting what you two are." She smiled at me. "And underestimating your abilities." She furrowed her brows. "Are all banshee's that strong?" She asked, genuinely curious. I shook my head, still too ashamed to speak. Rayen sighed.
"Look. I forgot that Lupin hasn't slept in a few days. Your reaction is totally normal. He stood watch over you and then you switched. You were already feeling protective of him, that's why you were stressed, and I should've been more careful." I nodded again. Still not certain I should accept that. Lupin came up beside me and rubbed his head against my thigh, I brushed my hand over his head. His fur was soft and warm, I petted him again, it calmed me.
An alarm went off and we all turned to the kitchen, the counters still heaping with my goodies. I felt Lupin straighten, my hand still on his head. I suppose he wasn't expecting his kitchen to be full of baked goods. I looked at the plate of the three sandwiches that I made for him, they would have to be reheated.
"Um, Fable?" Ember whispered, drawing my attention.
"Yeah?" She pursed her lips, shifting her son to her other side, he hit at her, resenting being brought further away from the wolf.
"Shouldn't you get that?" It took me a moment but I got it. She was talking about the ringing. But what-
"The pie!" I gasped, eyes wide, running for the oven. I pulled it out and thankfully it hadn't burned. I sighed, setting it to cool.
I heard the ripping and folding as Lupin Turned. When I spun back around he was human and making his way towards the kitchen, August ranting spitefully about Unle Oopin not being woofy. I picked up his sandwiches and threw them in the toaster oven for three minutes. Rayen and Ember made their own way back and sat at the seats they had previously occupied.
Lupin came around to my side, very aware that if he sat next to the two females it wouldn't go well. He picked up a blueberry muffin and studied it. He then looked at me, eyes inquiring.
"You cook?" He asked. I shrugged and opened the fridge to take out the frosting for the cupcakes.
"I've always found it relaxing, so I do it often. It made me decent enough at it." I took out a spoon and spread the frosting on the cupcakes.
"And she's humble too." Ember muttered, dipping her finger in my bowl of frosting and licking it clean. Her son effortlessly followed her example, grabbing fistfuls of frosting, he waited, but no one stopped him so he joyously shoved his fists in his mouth.
"You've got it all." Rayen announced to Lupin through a mouthful of brownie. Lupin regarded them and then took a bite of the muffin. He chewed, swallowed, looked at the muffin, and then shoved the rest in his mouth. He reached to get another.
The toaster oven chimed and I grabbed tongs, pulling out the, now hot, sandwiches and placing them on a plate. I took the half eaten muffin from Lupin's hand and replaced it with the plate of sandwiches. He smiled happily and sat down to eat.
I finished his muffin and then continued icing the cupcakes while the others ate. Lupin stood up, done one sandwich, and opened the fridge. I grabbed a glass from the nearby cupboard and handed it to him as he sat down with the gallon of milk in hand.
I finished icing the cupcakes and Lupin took my spoon and empty bowl, putting it in the sink beside him. I picked up the tray of cupcakes, moving it to be more obtainable to the vultures. As I passed by they grinned brilliantly at me, I narrowed my eyes at them, but their smiles just grew.
The timer for the cinnamon rolls went off and I made my way to the oven. Lupin passed me the oven mits as I went and I stuck them on quickly. I opened the oven and pulled out the rolls. I set the cinnamon buns to cool on the stove. Then I turned around to take the knife Lupin offered me to start cutting the pie. I took a slice and placed it on Lupin's now empty plate. He thanked me as I passed him a fork.
We both looked up and regarded the grinning ninnies. I looked over at Lupin and he shrugged. I sighed.
"What is it?" I asked and the two women giggled.
"You don't even realize it." Ember laughed.
"The two of you are moving around like some married couple." Rayen mused. I furrowed my brows.
"How do you mean?" Rayen rolled her eyes and took a cupcake.
"When did you even learn where everything was, Fable?" Ember asked as August played gently with her short hair, getting frosting all in the strands.
"Oh," I looked behind me at the kitchen counters. "Well, I woke up at six and went through every one of his cabinets so I could bake effectively." I shrugged at their looks. "It worked, didn't it?" Lupin nodded and took a bite of his pie. He swallowed and smiled.
"That it did." Ember shook her head at his comment.
"That's not the point. You guys move around each other like magnets. It's not natural, not even for mates." Lupin narrowed his eyes at his sister.
"What's your point, Ember?" She sighed and turned to me.
"When he got up to open the fridge, you got him a cup. Why? How did you know he was getting a drink?" I pursed my lips and shrugged.
"He already had food so he could only be looking for something to drink." Ember squinted at me and then turned to her brother.
"You gave her a knife. How did you know she was going to cut the pie?" Lupin looked up at me and shrugged.
"The pie was cooled, so obviously she was going to cut it." Ember's face screwed up like she had eaten a lemon.
"It's so very difficult to explain this. They always think it's normal." She glanced over at Rayen and the girl sighed, swallowing her food.
"Have you ever heard of a Mated Pair?" I just stared. Then I blinked, twice. I looked over at Lupin and he was watching me. We just looked at each other. Mated Pair.
"It's really not that hard to believe." Rayen chuckled.
Of course I knew what a Mated Pair was, everyone did. They were our fairy tales, as human fairy tales had far too many holes for any smart child to believe. So supernatural children were raised by the stories of Aaoliera and Bransmitter, tales of Yasmin and Gabriel, the journeys of Talianna and Ren. Their epic adventures and all consuming romances. The Mated Pairs. Something stronger than the Bond. Legend says not even death can separate a Mated Pair. It would explain so much. The stronger urges and the stretching bones when we part. And they weren't wrong, we did tend to understand each other even without words, I had just chalked that up to the regular Bond though.
I looked away from him and turned to regard the two already mated females.
"So, you're saying it's not normal to just… understand? To know what he's feeling?" Ember looked between us and shook her head.
"No. I would not call that normal." I nodded and looked over at Lupin. There were so many reasons why he would never love me. So many good reasons for me to just leave him. Leave him to live out his life as he properly should. Without the taint of my soul bound to his. But if this is true. Then I'd finally have a reason to stay.
I can feel the tears pricking my eyes and I look away from him. Lupin catches my wrist brushing his fingers across my hand as a comfort. I can feel his happiness and worry, his pain, sharp and brittle, at my reaction. And I feel his desire to know my feelings. As the tears roll down my eyes, I stare steadfast at the counter.
"Let me in, Fable." He whispers against my hand, brushing his lips over my knuckles. And I comply, because I can not not do what he asks. I can not not give him this. Give him me.
So he feels it, my hope and happiness, my guilt and self hatred. My confusion over what this could mean and what it changes. But when he smiles, I know he only cares about the joy, the little firework going off in my heart.
I smile at him and squeeze his hand. I turn to his relatives in, currently awkward, attendance. They had both turned around, eating the cookies over a napkin they held in their hand.
"Could this explain the… tearing?" Ember and Rayen both turned to me. Rayen twisting a whole lot more exaggerated. August sucking dutifully on a cookie.
"What's the tearing?" Ember asks, narrowing her eyes at her brother. He makes a just-because-your-older-doesn't-mean-your-better face at her, I know it well. She makes a remarkable yes-but-I'm-still-better face in return. Lupin sighs, faking annoyance wonderfully well, but I can feel his love and amusement, and also his worry. It soon replaces the other emotions as he explains.
"When we separate, we tend to feel… pain." His voice vibrates with concern and I know it's not for himself. I understand, the pain I feel is horrible but to know he feels that same pain…
I reach out and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, he instantly reaches up to take my hand in his. With our channels open, I feel him relax under my touch. He takes a deep breath.
"It's like our nerves are being pulled out of our bodies, like a loose thread on a sweater. It's like… an invisible hand has reached into our bodies and tears out our skelton uncaring of the flesh that confines it. It feels like… like-" His voice breaks and I squeeze his hand. I know what it's like. I know why he can't continue. I meet Ember's gaze.
"It feels like death. It feels like you are dead and there is nothing left. But you know you are alive. You are so very aware that you are… alive. You can feel your heart beating in your chest. The breaths you take are like sandpaper down your throat. It feels like death, but you know it's not because you are alive. And then… you realize." My voice broke, tears balancing on my eyelashes. I take a selfish glance at Lupin and his eyes meet mine. I'm certain we both break, we have broken the other. I look away, needing to.
"Grief." It's a broken, broken word that escapes my lips. Ember and Rayen both watch us, even August has gone still sensing the heaviness of the air. "It's grief." My tears fall freely now. "He's not there and so my instincts say he's dead. And that's how it feels. That's what it would feel like if he were to…" And I can't say, can barely even think it.
"Die." Ember finishes for me, her voice soft. I nod, wiping away my tears. Lupin pulls me down to sit beside him. He doesn't let go of my hand and I don't let go of his, we both need it.
"That's… that's horrible." Rayen mutters, barely above a whisper.
"They don't say anything about that in the stories." Ember defends, her voice weak. Lupin nods.
"I expect it will go away if she accepts the Bond. The magic will likely be made more aware of whether we're dead or not, so it won't make us grieve… unnecessarily." I screwed up my face at him.
"You know you would also need to accept, it's not just me." He smiles easily at me.
"I will accept as soon as you choose to, love. I will not pressure you into an answer with my decision. It should be yours and yours alone." Rayan sighed deeply.
"That's cute and everything. Really noble of you cousin. But we have a prior engagement. If you can't separate from Fable then how are we meant to go?" Lupin pursed his lips, apparently upset that he would have to miss it, he shakes his head.
"I completely forgot it was tuesday." He muttered mostly to himself. I smiled and took a bite of his pie leaving them to figure it out. I didn't ask where they were going, I figured if they weren't inviting me then I couldn't go. Wait, did he say-
"Tuesday?" I asked a little too loudly. "Is it really tuesday?" They all nodded and I swore. "I also have somewhere I have to be." I looked at the clock, I still had about an hour, hour and a half. I turned back to them and clasped my hands together. "Can we please please please go to my thing." It wasn't required that I attend every single one of my showcases but Heather is extraordinary when pissed off, and this one is VIP access, fancy and expensive. Rayen cocked an eyebrow.
"Where are you going?" I bit my lip, bracing myself, doubting a werewolves' fun time is found in an art gallery.
"It's an art showcase and I-"
"Really?!" Rayen exclaims, jumping up, her face bright with joy. "We are too. We're going to see Leviathan's new gallery. Have you ever heard of them? They keep their identity secret and no one even knows if they're a girl or a boy. Though judging off of their art I would say that they have to be from the supernatural world." She saw my face and shook her head. "Sorry I'm a big fan, I could go on and on. What gallery are you going to see?" I have frozen. I'm certain I crashed or glitched or something. I just stare blinking like a fool.
"Fable?" Rayen questions concerned. I look between Ember and apparently my number one fan.
"You…" I blink some more. "You like the artist Leviathan?" Ember scoffs.
"Don't lump me in with those art loving geeks." She jokes motioning between her brother and cousin. I turn to face Lupin, breaking more of my circuits.
"You-you like Leviathan?" Lupin chuckles good naturedly. Apparently nobody else sees me breaking, glitching, crashing.
"It's Rayen that's the art fanatic but I can appreciate beautiful things. She showed me some of Leviathan's works and…" He shrugged and pointed behind me and to the right. I got up and walked around the island to the corner of the sitting room, a large wall that I hadn't seen before now. I stopped and stared. What the fuck.
Honestly, how had I missed this in my exploration of Lupin's rooms? Because hanging on the wall were seven different pieces, all of them painted by me. That's not something you just don't notice. I inspect each individual painting, even though I made them, it's like I'm seeing them for the first time.
One was of a beautiful water nymph dressed to the nines. Her silken watery hair cascading down her shoulders, her large bug eyes sparkling in the sun. Her long boney arm held a suitcase, the other pulled open the taxi door. I had painted her as plainly supernatural as I could, while keeping her surroundings utterly mundane.
The one right next to it was of an ogre I met one summer day at the park. His light green skin just seemed to make the rest of the summer day brighter. I captured that, taking the ogres typical ugly features and not changing anything except adding my viewpoint.
The next painting on the wall was of Luna. She was a friend of mine. The painting had her curled up on my grey couch in a white t-shirt that read: "Keep calm and just keep swimming." Her stunning, red and gold tail curled up against my throw pillows as she laughed at me, her curly dark hair pulled in a messy bun. I loved that painting but I had been unsure about selling it to the public seeing as Luna, a siren, was rather famous for her voice even among the humans. She had made me do it, had told me that if I didn't she would call my mother.
The next painting was a group of elves walking in a straight line down the sidewalk as seen at the side view, across the street. All of their long braided blonde hair and pointy ears, walking like clones to the faculty line.
Near the bottom of the wall was a painting of a unicorn. Her name had been Clarissa. She was homeless on the street, sleeping on a park bench. I had given her some food and then asked if I could paint her. She wholeheartedly agreed. Her beautiful angelic face was shadowed by the dirty jacket she wore. Her long flowing rainbow hair was matted and pulled into braids. But still her pearly white horn stood proudly on her forehead. She had reminded me of hope.
The next two paintings were a set. They had been personal. I submitted them believing no one would buy them, I even priced them unreasonably high yet still someone had bought them. I remembered when Heather had told me they had been sold. I had tried to track down who had brought the pieces but all I could figure out was that it was a man and he had paid in cash.
They were both paintings of monsters. Of me. One of a little girl, pale skin and a flowing white dress, blowing in the slight breeze. The girl stood in an alleyway, completely surrounded by darkness. But she looked up, reaching desperately for the stars.
The other painting was of a woman. Same pale skin, surrounded by the field of white flowers and sitting atop a throne of bones. She was dressed in a brutal black dress and a crown of thorns on her head. No emotions on her face.
They are both me and both not…
Rayen saw where I was looking and laughed pointing over at Lupin.
"He paid two thousand dollars for those paintings. And he did it in cash, he said he didn't want the artist to come looking and take them back. If you ask me Leviathan wasn't even the one who painted these." She shrugged.
"You know that's not the point, Ray." Lupin called from the other room, she rolled her eyes.
"Yes, yes. It's about what the art says, not who painted it." Rayen snorted and turned to me from her seat.
"So you do know the artist." I nodded, hesitantly. I mean, it wasn't a lie. "Were are you going to go to their show?" I nodded again, still very much broken. She gasped, apparently surprised. That makes two of us.
"Really!? Wow, you and Lupin really are destined to be together." You have no idea. I look up one more time at the wall of my art work and the two pieces of my soul that he bought. I laughed, just how long could I keep this a secret. I make my back into the kitchen. I looked at Lupin and he met my eyes. He had seen my soul without even knowing it was mine and had kept it safe. I wondered if he knew I had planned to burn those paintings if no one bought them. I definitely couldn't just tell him, not at this point. Well, he'd find out soon enough.
We all heard the door to the elevator chime and then the voices of three boys. Declan, Tristan, and Arrow, all making their way through the front door. They spotted us easily enough and came to join. Autumn was in her father's arms, but she wriggled out of his hold to join her mother and brother at the cookie bar. The two toddlers taught each other the co-key song as they stuffed their faces with chocolate.
Delcan made his way over to his frosting covered mate and kissed the top of her head, stealing a brownie from her plate.
"Oh no, Fable's stress baking." Arrow exclaimed, coming to stand beside me. Tristan picked up a cupcake and bit into it.
"Tell me, how is that a bad thing?" Tristan asked after he swallowed.
"Well, once Fable starts stress baking she never stops." He threw me an innocent smile and grabbed a muffin. "It makes everyone around her gain weight." I ripped the muffin from his hand.
"If you're going to complain then don't eat." He whined in protest. I pointed him out of the kitchen and he sulked off. Not so subtly grabbing a fist full of cookies and brownies as he ran into the sitting room, the toddlers hot on his heels.
I turned to Tristan and narrowed my eyes.
"What did you do to my brother? Why is he happy?" Tristan pursed his lips and turned to Declan. The dark man smiled at me and kissed his mate again, I turned my attention back to Tristan. Rayen groaned.
"They've been sparring all day. The only real reason we came up here was because we were tired watching our mates get beaten up over and over again." I smiled at her and she smiled back. Then her smile faded.
"Do you have anything to wear to the art show?" I arched a brow at her.
"Yes, I should." She nodded.
"Are we going somewhere?" Arrow asked from the other room. I picked up a muffin and shoved it in my mouth. Let's see how this goes.
"Yeah." Rayen answered, when I proved that I couldn't. "We're going to Leviathan's art gallery." Arrow turned to me and raised a brow. I gave him an innocent smile.
"Apparently, Rayen is Leviathan's number one fan." I said motioning towards the smiling girl. "And Lupin, well…" I pointed to the wall and everyone looked. I heard Arrow's sharp intake of breath and I am certain so did the wolves. I watched his internal struggle not to burst out laughing. It was like watching his face battle itself.
"That's… wonderful." He said quietly, his voice not entirely right. He looked away from the paintings and smiled charmingly at me. "Have fun." And if I could have, I would have totally flipped him off.
☽◐⬤◑☾
Lupin
She was my Mated Pair. I felt it deep in my bones. It felt.. right.
In the last three days that she has occupied my home I have learned much about her. I have also become more lost as to what she is. As she stated I am always allowed to know who she is. But who she is and what she is, it's different. And I know ultimately it doesn't matter. I want her, Fable Walker, what she is isn't important. But it is necessary. It is a showing of trust. And I can not look over that lack of trust, that knowledge she refuses to share with me.
It hurts me. In a way I can't really explain. A wound to my soul. My wolf snarls at the secret, believing her intentionally cruel. A creature ruled simply by base instinct, but I am human, for all intents and purposes. I know that the pain, though inflicted by her, is not her true intent. I know her to be guarding herself. And I know that it is easier, nicer, simply being left in the dark. Even my wolf paces at the fear that she is soon to kick us fully out.
Every part of me vibrates that she is mine and that I must protect her. The possessiveness only heightened with the revelation of us being a Mated Pair. But still I know myself. And I know that if she wanted out, no strings attached, I would let her go. My wolf howls in protest, the larger monster underneath snarling his equal distaste. If there is one thing that we can all agree on it is the belief that she is ours.
Even now my mate was spending time with my sister, getting ready for an art show that we somehow both ended up needing to go to. Sometimes Fate seemed so heavy handed that it left me blinking in shock. I chuckled darkly at the whole situation. Forcing myself out of my reverie. Ava and Rayen sat across from me, both equally lost in thought.
"What are you thinking?" I asked Ava. I knew her to be the most untrusting of my friends. She had good reason and it made her good at her job, but her recent attitude towards my mate rubbed me the wrong way. She shrugged at the slight growl in my voice.
"We know next to nothing about her." She started, ignoring my annoyance. "Not to mention she's shown little trust in us." My cousin scoffed from her seat.
"How is she meant to trust us, Ava? For all intents and purposes her brother was right, we did, ultimately, kidnap her." At my pointed glance she rolled her eyes. "It was Fable's word against ours. Thankfully your mate seems to have a backbone and a sword to back it up. But if she wanted to, she could easily accuse us of abducting her." At my growl she added. "Not that she would." My wolf was easily appeased but Ava scoffed.
"I was not doubting her sensibility, though I could question it." She muttered with a long glance at me.
"You can not bring your own opinion into your judgments, Ava, that makes you bad at your job." She scowled at me.
"She is given a mating bond," She spits through spite-clenched teeth. "A magically chosen decision by Fate, and yet refuses to accept it." I narrowed my eyes at my life long friend.
"She doesn't know me, we are strangers." Ava scoffs. "Would you accept the bond between a stranger?" I challenge her.
"Yes." She snaps back, eyes meeting mine. I wince at the pain in her voice. Knowing all too well the sadness that her and her wolf succumbed to as all of our friends found their mates. In that she and I had been alike, this recent development, I knew, left her alone in her sorrow. I could do nothing to change that. Nor could I fight the judgment she had for my mate. In Avas eyes Fable was rejecting the one thing she wanted most in the world, a mate.
"We all took our time to accept our bonds." Rayen reminded her. "Even Ember had her moments. She did not fall head over heels in love with your brother instantly. We all had our concerns, and Fables life does not seem like one where you can ignore those concerns." It was true. My mate's mysterious life seemed only to grow more and more uncertain. With every step I took towards her she took two back.
"Her brother is concerning." I turned my attention back to my Emissary.
"How do you figure?" Her eyes squinted looking at something I couldn't see.
"It proves them to be something different. Arrows powers are something only granted through a powerful bloodline, it was fashioned that way after so many failed legacies. To have that power proves them to be something more than simple banshees. Not to mention her other brother's formality and command. It brings into question how they got involved with this Carter fellow." Her eyes glanced up at me, face grim. "They are something else, Lupin. I am afraid of what that might be." There was a moment of silence where we weighed her words. My Second and I, knowing that only a fool would dismiss Ava's warnings. A throat cleared and we all turned to find Arrow standing in the threshold.
"If I may?" He asked, a small smile on his lips. I nodded and he came in, taking a seat beside me. He looked at nothing for a moment, collecting his thoughts.
"My sister has been through a lot." He sighed. "As I'm sure you've figured out." He purses his lips. "We've all been through a lot. But my sister has taken it upon herself to hold the guilt for it all. She believes herself the reason for Carter's torment." He swallowed hard. "Unfortunately I can't say she's totally wrong. But my siblings and I gladly sold our soul for her, we are all broken, and we are all healing. We know that if she had gone it alone, there would be nothing left of her. Nothing broken and nothing healing. We do not blame her, but that does not stop her from blaming herself." He shifted in his seat, rolling out his neck. "Fable took herself out of it. The paranormal world, the life we've lived. She wanted no part in it, started her own semi-human life and we let her. She wanted to believe herself capable of quiet happiness and she might have been." Arrow glanced over at me, a small smile tugging at his lips. "She could have been content, Lupin, but Carter changed her. The guilt made her believe herself undeserving of a fantastical happiness." He scoffed and then chuckled darkly. "I have not seen my sister, the girl I knew, in a very long time. But I see her again, here, with you." He smiles wickedly. "And I saw her shine, as she gutted that wolf." Arrow turned his gaze to Ava, a look I'm certain most don't live to tell of.
"We are different." He informed her. "We are all monsters. And I suggest that you be patient. For l suspect that it is only a matter of time before you meet Fable Walker. And I hope that you do not blink, for she is glorious to behold." He smiled at my emissary, another face I'm sure few have lived to tell of. He was met with a smile of her own, and Ava does not smile, not unless she plans to kill you. I ignored the two smiling loons.
"And if she does not wish to come back into this world of magic and monsters? What am I meant to do then?" Arrow glanced at me and chuckled. He stood up to leave.
"Fable tried to leave, Lupin. Key word: tried. But she could never really get out. She'll love you, if only because you gave her a reason to come back in." He stopped at the threshold turning back over his shoulder. "But I suspect it will go deeper than that." And as he left humming a merry tune I felt my heart contrast. I hoped he was right. Wished it with all my heart that she would find it in her to love me. I understood the hesitation. And I would understand if she couldn't love me. But with every laugh and smile and whisper she makes, sounds that I can not claim as mine, my heart breaks just the slightest bit more. Slowly, so very slowly, she's breaking my heart to bits, and I can't imagine what will be left of it in her wake. But every bit of it is hers, the broken, battered, and bruised. My heart has belonged to her for longer than I have lived. And for now, all I am left with is a very fragile hope.
I wonder when it will break too.
☽◐⬤◑☾
Fable
We arrived at the gallery a little late. It had opened about forty minutes ago, but I wasn't too worried about that. I was worried about what would happen when they realized who I was, because they would. It would be extremely difficult to hide that once we got inside, especially with Heather's wrath undoubtedly waiting for me.
A group walked out of the building talking jubiantly about the paintings. They walked right by us as we climbed out of Rayens black Jeep. That's one of my favorite things about being unknown, people don't swarm me as I enter. I had lived with that my entire childhood, I was glad it no longer happened.
Rayen jumped up on the steps to listen to their conversations. She did it bluntly with a smile on her face and the group easily increased their volume so she could hear better. Not that she needed it, werewolf hearing and all.
Lupin made his way around the car and stopped next to me on the sidewalk. We both watched as his cousin somehow managed to join in their conversation about the art that she had yet to actually see.
Lupin turned to me and smiled.
"You look pretty." I smiled back at him. I was wearing a black pencil skirt and blazer with a green silk blouse. I had pulled my hair into a bun and borrowed some of Ember's makeup, we were the closest in complexion, then I stuck on my fancier black flats. It made me look professional, which was the capacity in which I was here, yet it didn't set me too far from the crowd. Lupin wore a grey dress shirt and a nice pair of black slacks. I smiled brighter at him.
"So do you." He chuckled lightly.
"Yes, yes we're all beautiful." Rayen sang as she skipped back to us. And she wasn't wrong. Rayen wore a red shirt with a flowing white skirt that twisted about her legs. Her hair was let down and makeup heightened her features. She was easily the prettiest of our group, but then I was sure she was also trying the hardest.
Her face fell into a perfect facade of grief. She looked forlornly at the doors and then back to us, and sighed.
"You will both be heartbroken, I'm sure, to learn that Leviathan apparently has a lover." I just stared at her. What in the world was she talking about? She saw my appalled face and figured I sympathized. She nodded solemnly. "Yes, 'tis true." She intoned in a slight British accent. She smiled mischievously at me.
"Apparently Leviathan painted an extremely beautiful man. Everyone is wondering if that means they are dating." I continued to stare. Having my own private panic attack. I had completely forgotten. I had painted both of them. Both of their portraits were hanging on the walls in that building. I made a face, it probably wasn't pretty.
"I'm sure that's not what it means." Rayen nodded reassuringly, taking my face for the broken heart she had assumed I would feel. Lupin clicked his tongue.
"You're both insane." He muttered starting up the stairs without us. "And Leviathan is undoubtedly a woman." He said over his shoulder. Rayen rolled her eyes as we caught up.
"Says the man." She croned. Lupin glared at his cousin.
"I'm not looking to date her, Rayen." He spoke with such conviction. I laughed at the statement turning to coughs as I choked on my laugh. Because he was, he was trying vemently to date Leviathan, he just didn't know it. Oh I am so screwed.
We made our way through the doors and into the heated gallery. The foyer was large and littered with people, the walls hanging with my work. I spotted Heather immediately and she saw me. Thankfully she was in the middle of a conversation and could do nothing more than stare at me with evil eyes.
I grabbed both Rayen and Lupin and pulled them in the other direction. The two werewolves trailed me, even as we disobeyed the arrows pointing us in the opposite direction.
"You intentionally break the rules don't you?" Rayen drawled, a smile in her voice. I waved her off.
"It's fine." I said. And it was, the workers eyed us but didn't interfere. They all knew who I was.
We worked through the gallery backwards. Going room to room, no one stopped us and Lupin became silently amused at the whole ordeal. Rayen was overjoyed at the attention we drew. We went through three rooms pleasantly enough. Some of the art goers eyed Lupin, seeing the familiarity, no one said anything and he didn't seem to notice.
Then we got to room four, the crowd of people and noise proving that this exhibit was well liked. I turned to my companions, still not brave enough to actually go in.
"It's crowded, let's wait for it to ebb." Lupin noded eyes glued to a different piece. It was a picture of a flower bed. Roses and tulips, dandelions and chrysanthemums, all beautiful and colorful. And laying on a pink blossom was a sprite, the little winged creature sunbathing happily, spread out on the soft pedals. Her name was Silla, her blonde hair was cropped short and spiked up. She wore heavy black and dark exaggerated makeup, the little goth fairy lying in the bright flowers.
Lupin turned to an employee nearby waving him over. The worker approached hesitantly, not sure what was going on. I knew him, Ethan, he'd worked for me for a while now, he was nice.
"What can I help you with, sir?" He asked, ever the professional. Lupin pointed at the sprite.
"What is the price of this painting?" He asked, gently curious. Ethan glanced at me, a question in his eye. I shrugged and he turned back to Lupin all smiles.
"It's priced at two hundred dollars, sir." Lupin nodded and looked back at the piece. A moment under his studious eye and then he smiled at Ethan.
"May I speak with management about purchasing it?" Ethan smiled back, brighter than before.
"I am the manager, but unfortunately we already have an interested party." Ethans eyes met my gaze. His smile faltered just slightly then he turned back to Lupin, smiling full force. "Nothings been signed though. I'm sure you can put your name down." Lupin nodded and reached into his pocket pulling out his wallet. He handed Ethan his credit card and smiled.
"I'd really appreciate it if you put that through." Ethan nodded, accommodatingly and took his card. As Ethan passed by me I snapped my fingers at my hip, he discreetly slipped me the card and I hid it in my blazer pocket. I'd be damned if I let Lupin buy my painting, if he wanted it, he could have it. The werewolves were preoccupied studying the painting that Lupin had just purchased, or tried to.
"It's pretty." Rayen subjectedly commented. Lupin gave a small smile, pleased. I decided that I wasn't going to give my opinion. That was just a rabbit hole I wasn't going to try and navigate. Rayen turned to me an amused smile on her face, as a large group emptied out of the next room.
"Lupin buys one piece for every show he goes to." She explained to me. "He usually goes to the auctions, not the galleries." She shrugged, turning to me more fully. "But I managed to talk him into taking me to this one." I nodded, it explained why we had never run into each other, I never went to the auctions.
"Isn't it a little early." I said to Lupin. "You haven't even seen the whole place." He shrugged, turning to face me.
"I like this piece." And that was that.
"I mean sure." Rayen argued, still not convinced of its brilliance. "I'm not arguing that it's not pretty. It is, but I think…" Her voice trailed off and her eyes went wide. "Oh my god." She whispered mouth hanging open.
We both turned following her gaze. As the crowd dispersed we could see into the other room. Hanging on the wall, a clear view from where we were standing, was a twenty-four by nine inch portrait of Rayen.
The picture captured her glancing over her shoulder, a small smile lighting up her beautiful face. Warm breath clouded and curled around her face. Thick mahogany hair twisted about her, flowing and soft. The street light's behind her glowed a dim gold in the night's dark. Her eyes gleamed that same golden glow. In her eyes there was the predator, but in the painting there was only the smiling beautiful girl.
Rayen pointed, mouth still hanging and eyes wide. She moved towards the picture. Into the room that was sure to reveal my secrets.
"Thats..." She swallowed. "Thats me." Her voice was quiet and she just stared. Lupin joined her, openly shocked. I was the only one unsurprised, though I wouldn't call my composer relaxed.
Rayen reached out to touch the painting, someone called from the other side of the room "No touching the paintings." Rayen withdrew her hand and continued to stare.
"Leviathan painted me." Her voice was barely a whisper as if she couldn't believe it. Lupin still stared but he seemed less shell shocked. He chuckled lightly and shook his cousin by the shoulders.
"So it would seem." He stated, lightly amused. Rayen whipped around in his arms.
"Please can we buy this one. I know you liked the other one but... I mean, come on." She looked back at the painting, smiled and turned back, mouth open ready to state her case. But her eyes snagged on something behind us and went wide. I cringed. This girl notices too many things.
Her mouth fell open and grabbed Lupin pushing him to turn around. He turned at her urging, eyebrows raised. When he saw it he froze. I cringed again and turned with them.
I could assume, easily enough, what it was that they stared at. I decided not to gauge their reaction and just stared with them.
It was a large canvas, thirty-six by forty-eight. And it was different, the painting. I usually paint the things I see in my life, actual scenes that had happened. I had tried to paint Lupin as I had seen him. The beautiful creature across the street, that had appeared in my life like an earth shattering cannonball. But I couldn't do it, couldn't paint all of the emotions I had felt on that night. Couldn't incorporate it all without having it look like I had just thrown up all of my emotions. So I took one. Just one emotion I had felt.
I painted my awe. And in my brush strokes you could see that he, his presence, was my muse.
He stood in a forest. A forest that I myself had never been in, but he seemed to belong. His black hair seemed to reach up to the sky, stretching along with the branches of trees. In the painting he wore nothing but a t-shirt and jeans, and he smiled at me. A crooked grin, just one side of his face pulling up, a wolfish smile. And then there were his eyes. I had still not gotten them quite right, the color was just too extraordinary to replicate. But you saw it. The wolf in his eyes. The joy and the pain and the… love.
I had painted not what I felt. I threw away all of those many thousands of emotions and simply painted Lupin. I painted what he had felt, what I had felt him feel. Then I painted what I had seen.
A beautiful creature, an extraordinary temptation, and he stood there… just across the street.
I took a deep breath. I could see the desire I felt, bluntly inscribed in the painting. No wonder people were assuming he was my lover. I sighed again. Artists take a risk with every piece that they submit. It's sharing a window into your soul, revealing an opinion to the harsh views of society. I never regret it. I choose to never regret it. At this very moment, however, I was wishing I hadn't submitted the piece.
I could feel the sharp gazes of the two werewolves. I drummed my fingers against my lips and looked up at the ceiling. I mean, really, it's just such an interesting ceiling. It's so white and… white.
"You said you were a painter." Lupin stated, his voice low and light. I looked at him at the tone of his voice. He looked surprised, uncertain, slightly amused, but not angry and not… disappointed.
"Yeah." I nodded, realizing I had yet to respond. "I am." I muttered my voice broken beyond repair. Rayen glanced at her cousin and then looked at me, then her eyes drifted to the painting of Lupin, then back to me. Her eyes went wide and she gasped.
"Your Leviath-'' I clapped a hand over her mouth as she almost shouted my secret to the entire crowd. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the room. She easily came along, Lupin following close behind. We went through the big white doors marked for employees only. I let go of her wrist and turned to face them.
"Yes, okay. It's true." I bit my lip at Rayens still unchanging shocked face. "I paint under a false name because I don't want the fame or the questions. But it doesn't change the fact that I am Leviathan, and it is a secret." I said pointedly at Rayen, who had just almost blown my cover.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Rayen asked, her shock diminishing slightly. I screwed up my face and risked a glance at Lupin, he just regarded me with bland curiosity.
"I was going to." I sighed. "I mean, this is my work, I had been in the process of asking you to cancel your plans and come with me." I shrugged. "But then you had the same plans and you liked Leviathan. And then there was the wall and you had my paintings and I just…" That little cavern in my chest, my soul, that had emptied to make room for Lupin, it fluttered. Like a breeze ruffling the leaves in a tree, I felt his presence touch me. I met his eyes and in them I knew he understood. Not my feelings but clearer, he had heard my thoughts. His gentle smile tightened but he said nothing. Now was not the time to have that conversation, not in front of his cousin.
I looked away and faced Rayen. She watched the both of us peculiarly, observing our silent conversation. I couldn't disagree, having someone read my thoughts was… odd. I sighed.
"Honestly I've never had to tell anyone that I was Leviathan, you know? It wasn't a secret, everyone in my life knows that I paint under that name. I've just never really had to tell anyone, reveal the secret." I shrugged again. "I didn't know how." I closed my eyes frustrated with my clumsy explanation. But Rayen just nodded.
"That makes sense." I looked at the both of them. They knew I wasn't being fully honest. Lupin knew why and Rayen knew it wasn't something she should press. It had nothing to do with her and everything to do with me, and Lupin.
"I'm sorry." I said sincerely, meeting Rayen's eyes. She smiled and waved it off.
"Secrets are hard to tell, I get that." She smiled brighter. "And now I know who the real and true Leviathan is." She clicked her tongue. "I am slightly disappointed you're not a tall, dark, and handsome, six foot, hunk of man, but I'll settle for short, blonde, and busty." I gave her a dry look and she winked. Despite my instinctual desire to claw out her eyes and slit her throat, I was really starting to like her. If Echo and Rayen were to ever be friends, they'd be a force to be reckoned with.
A small but real smile spread across my lips and I glanced at Lupin. He had yet to say anything and simply watched me with gentle concern. He smiled supportively and I nodded back. That bigger conversation, the one he'd gleaned from my head, I knew we'd soon have. Another one of my secrets, another one of my cards I'd never given to anyone. I just had to figure out if I could give it to him.
The doors we had entered through, swung open, creaking and banging shut. Heather stood in all her five foot glory, chestnut hair straightened and pinned back, her red wine cocktail dress hugging her hips, thin tan arms meticulously manicured crossed over her chest, and startling blue eyes glaring at me, sparking with a burning fire. I knew from experience that one should always avoid angering Heather, a dragon's temper was generally known and feared. Her blue eyes shimmered, highlighting her origins of the sea, crackling like waves and thunder.
"Where in the Seven Realms is your god damn phone?" She spoke softly, anger shaking her tiny body. I knew better than to interrupt. "I have been calling you and calling you. Three days Fable Walker! You ghosted me for three days. And then you have the audacity to show up late. An entire hour late! You disobey the rules, going, for whatever fucked up reason, in the opposite direction of the arrows. They're arrows, Fable. You're supposed to follow them, not disregard them. You confused the staff, drew attention to yourself, and all to avoid me." The blue in her eyes deepened, the darkness of the ocean that no one has yet to see. I met her eyes and realized she had been worried. I had worried her.
"I'm sorry. My phone broke." She hissed, pure dragon.
"Then buy another one." She seethed through clenched teeth. I sighed and motioned to Lupin standing ahead of me and to the right, simply watching the threat.
"I've been a little preoccupied, unfortunately." Heather flicked her burning blue eyes to my wolf and my senses curled. I knew she wasn't any true threat but still, all of that powerful anger focused purely on him made my spine crawl. Heather's eyes slid back to me, noticing my reaction, her eyes narrowed. When she turned back to study Lupin the anger had lessened, my spine straightened but my shoulders stayed tense.
A moment passed and then Heather's eyes widened and the ancestral wrath of the Sea Serpent disappeared. Her blood red lips stretched into a grin.
"You're the man in the painting." She drawled impishly. Heather looked back at me with a sweet smile and sad glint in her eyes. "You found your mate." I nodded smiling back gently. Heather had thirteen brothers and sisters, because dragons, for whatever reason, had tons of children. All of her siblings had found their mates and started families of their own. Heather had seventy-two nieces and nephews and four on the way. She loved her family and her dragon cubs but she wished for her own. Heather had discovered at an early age that she preferred women rather than men, her family accepted her and loved her and she lived as she liked. But she gave up hope of ever finding her own mate or having her own children. She was happy for me, truly, but also grieved her loss.
"Next time, find a damn phone and call me." I chuckled and hugged her, she hugged me back tightly and then let go.
"I'm sorry." I said again as I pulled away, she nodded.
"What are you?" Rayen asked awestruck, staring at my dragon friend. I looked at Heather, the magic effident in her eyes, curling behind her pupils. She smiled, pure monster, Rayen actually smiled back.
"I am the seventh descendant of the Sea Serpent, dragon of the sea and river, ocean and brook. My ancestors curled the waves of the ocean and led the paths for the rivers. We are the masters of water and monsters of the sea." She paused a moment and then rolled her eyes. "I'm also her agent." She said poking her thumb in my direction.
"And damn good at it." I offered. Though most dragons were talented at making money. Heather grimaced and I shot her an inquiring look.
"Niel is here." I groaned and she nodded her sympathies. "He seems rather drunk and says he won't leave until he talks to you." I nodded, one can't remove a zombie. They're stubborn as all get out and strong as hell. Our security wouldn't work on him, I'd have to deal with it. I groaned again.
About a month ago Niel had discovered my identity due to some heavy duty stalking that we couldn't pin on him. He approached me, revealed he knew my secret, and basically asked me to become his whore, in return for not outing who I was. I declined, fervently, he just couldn't seem to take no for an answer. I wanted to kill him, still did, but Niel Buckingham was the brother of, for lack of a better term, the Zombie King. Joshua Buckingham was a splendid person and happened to love his brother, if I killed Niel it would start a war. I sighed.
"What room?" I asked and Heather grimaced again.
"Room three." I grimaced with her. The painting of Lupin was probably not his favorite. I turned to Lupin.
"Stay." I demanded and turned to walk out of the room. Lupin following close behind, I hadn't really expected him to listen, I wouldn't have. The two women followed at a distance, Heather quietly explaining to Rayen who Niel was, still I could hear her and I knew Lupin could too. By the time we made it to room three both wolves knew that Neil was a prick, a zombie prince, and trying to blackmail me into sleeping with him. I could feel the menace radiating off of them, but they stalked silently, knowing it was my right to deal with him how I saw fit.
We turned into the room and found Neil pacing in volcanic anger. He wasn't a bad looking guy, but he definitely wasn't attractive. He was average, bland, most zombies were. He was a little under six feet with too pale hair and small brown eyes. His body was filled out but not toned, he looked soft, not strong, and he was sickly pale.
He saw me out of the corner of his eye and turned. Fury warped his face as he regarded me, if he were human his face would be tomato red.
"You lying, cheating, whore!" I swallowed as everyone turned to look at us. Apparently this wasn't going to be easy. I took a deep breath, every instinct screaming to just kill him.
"Niel," I started civilly. "You're drunk."
"I'm not drunk, you banshee bitch." He stomped towards me, wrath in his eyes. "You thought you were too good for me, is that it? Too important to spread your legs, like a good little bitch, for a lowly second prince. But you do it easily for him." He spit, pointing at the picture hanging on the far wall. The painting of Lupin staring at us, everyone in the room turned to look, decently confused.
"How easy it must have been for you to allow yourself to be fucked by the Alpha of Pennsylvania. Someone finally deserving of your cunt." He seethed, spit flying from his lips. "Did you think you'd suck his cock and he'd fall head over heels for you? Well too bad bitch, your mine. I own you, you and your pussy." He smiled, feline and predatory, it sent shivers over my skin. The female in me sensing the threat of a man. Neil stepped forwards and caressed my face. My lips pulled up involuntary, I fought the snarl, his touch like warm oil on my skin.
"I'll fuck you hard. And even as you scream and refuse, you'll enjoy it. I'll put my dick in your mouth and you'll love the taste. You can't say no, not to me, your mine." He brushed a finger against my temple and I recoiled at the possessiveness behind the touch. I shook with uncontained anger, my hands curled into fists at my side. The monster in me thrashed and roared wanting to tear off his head, I didn't really disagree.
"I am not yours." I gritted through my teeth, the anger sharpening my voice, the banshee shrilling it like blades. His face contorted into a savage horrible thing, he threw himself away from me and flung his hand at the picture of Lupin.
"Are you his?! The Alpha's little play thing? Tell me did you like the taste of his cock?" He snickered at my face, rage running red and hot through my veins. "They're wolves, you whore. All you are to him is a hole to fit his dick into." Bad mouthing me was one thing, insulting Lupin set off an entirely different urge. I was going to kill him. I tightened my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I took a shuddering breath.
"I am not his either." I rasped, a part of me aching at the truth behind the statement. But even if I were to ever belong to Lupin, it would never be in such a capacity. He would not own me, I would simply be his, and he mine. I hated Neil further for even thinking Lupin was capable of such a thing. The desire to kill him was shaking my entire body. I needed just a moment, to calm down my monster, urge him back to his cage.
Lupin felt my desire, the need, and he stepped forward, hand at my back. Neil slid hateful smug eyes away from me and took in the Alpha of the Pennsylvania Pack. A moment passed while Neil's eyes twisted from hate into something much crueler and then spat in Lupin's face.
My monster roared, clawing and shredding, I echoed it's sentiments. It took all of me not to rip out his throat. Rayens hand wrapped around my wrist, tight and secure, ready to hold me back if I did decide to kill him.
Lupin raised his hand and wiped the spit from his face. He regarded Neil with that expressionless mask, revealing nothing.
"That's just nasty." He intoned, wiping his hand down his thigh. "I figured Buckinghams would have more manners." Neil snarled.
"What? You get the Banphrionsa on your dick and now you think you're entitled? You're just an animal." Rayen growled beside me at the insult, Lupin showed nothing. I slid on the mask, it fit easily, comfortably. I stepped up beside him.
"Your drunk Neil." I leveled my glare on him, still itching to disembowel him. He flinched at whatever reflected in my eyes. "Go home." He took a step back and straightened. Seeing it, what I was, remembering who I was. He nodded, anger still clenching his jaw.
"No matter what you do, Fable Walker, no matter how many years pass you by, you will always be this." He turned around and stalked out of the room. "Prepare yourself for war, Banphrionsa na Sceimhle. He wants you back." And with those ominous words that slithered down my spine, he disappeared.
The crowd that had been watching us confused, slowly dispersed, muttering amongst themselves trying to figure out what had happened. I listened to what they surmised.
"Drunk ex-boyfriends. There the bane of my existence." One girl intoned to a group of friends. I sighed, it worked for me.
I turned and found Heather's harsh blue eyes staring at me.
"Carter?" She asked. One word full of so many different horrible things. I nodded and she sighed, hugging me quickly.
"Did you tell Sadie?" I shook my head as she pulled away.
"Sadie is a Knox," I say, using the word used for humans in the supernatural know-how. "She doesn't need to be involved in this." Heather gave me a look, I smiled slightly.
"Sadie Vanwick will eat you alive if you do not tell her. She might be human but the girls got steel. I will not be held accountable for not telling her you're in trouble." She sighed again, looking at me with sympathy.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. I nodded at her sincerity, there was nothing I could say. Heather inspected Lupin, standing quietly at my side.
"The Alpha, huh?" She smiled devilishly and I shook my head.
"Don't even start." She chuckled deeply.
"You got the wolves on your side, then?" I smiled brightly.
"I am officially the Pennsylvania Pack's Third." She snorted.
"Of course you are." I gasped, putting my hand over my chest.
"He was an asshole, ok, and he challenged me." She shook her head, a smile light on her lips.
"My brother is also in town." Her brows furrowed.
"Salem?" I shook my head.
"Arrow. And my sister is probably on her way." She nodded.
"Good. And if you need any help all you have to do is ask." I nodded.
"People do seem to keep informing me of that."
"That's because you refuse to ask for help, you stubborn girl." She leaned forward and gave me a quick tight hug. "Don't die, ok. And call Sadie." I nodded and she left, disappearing into the gallery to finish her job.
"Fable." Lupin's voice was soft and questioning, it tore something in my heart. I took a deep breath, the urge to kill something still pressing, despite Heather's intervention. I turned to face both werewolves, their eyes watched me, concerned.
"I'm done looking at paintings. Can we go back?" I didn't mean for my voice to have quite the whine to it, but I was so tired. Rayen smiled and nodded.
"Of course." Lupin pursed his lips but nodded, his gaze went over my head. I followed it to find the painting of the goth sprite he had wanted to purchase. When I turned back he was surveying the room, supposedly for Ethan.
I sighed and handed him his credit card. He took it with a cocked brow and crooked smile. I turned on my heels and headed for the painting. Lifting it off the wall, I turned back and offered it to Lupin. He hesitated a moment and opened his mouth.
"If you insist on paying, I will slap you." He closed his mouth and took the painting. We headed back out of the gallery and to the doors. I stopped when I spotted Camille, meeting her gaze. She instantly stopped mid sentence, leaving the customer and approaching me. She inclined her head in a small bow, her red hair not moving a bit from the twist on her head. I returned the gesture, in kind.
"Did you catch that, Camille Daravan?" She smiles politely and nodded.
"Of course, Lady Walker." I gave a brisk nod.
"Good, send it to my brother." She inclined her head.
"It will be done, Banphrionsa." With that out of the way I smiled kindly.
"How are Joseph and Miguel?" She smiled brighter.
"They are good. Miguel just got an A on his math test and Joseph started soccer." I smiled at her excitement.
"Is he any good?" She shook her head and laughed.
"Not at all, but he loves it." I laughed along, politely.
"I'm glad to hear it, I hope Sofia Screams soon." She nodded in pride.
"Any day now." I inclined my head, in dismissal.
"May the night be devoid of keening, Camille Daravan." She bowed deeper.
"May the moon's light never lead you astray, Banphrionsa." I smiled and she left, the curious gazes of two werewolves trailing her escape.
I marched on and out the door, the werewolves following close behind. Wondering, yet again, what I truly was.