Forbidden - A Sims 3 Love Story (18+!)

Chapter 25 - A New Beginning

2012-02-26T13:02:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains brief sexual references and strong language. Several upcoming chapters won't feature anything too adult-rated due to point of view switches. You'll see what I mean!

Five years later…

There were several options for them to move to, but they finally settled on a town called Morningside. It had plenty of open space for running and hunting, and Allanna and Xavier bought themselves an extravagant house in the country. It even had a pool house, which worked to their advantage so they could go swimming or take a dip in the hot tub without having to worry about the sun. The house's three bedrooms were very fitting for their family as well, since Linley wasn’t their only child now.

Not long after they bought the house, thanks to the even hotter sex (and rougher since Allanna’s bones didn’t break as easily now), they welcomed twin boys into the world. Braden and Jaden were now three years old while Linley was eight.

For Allanna, the hardest part about being a vampire was not being able to walk in the sun. Even shitty vampire movies and TV shows had some trick to living in the sunlight. But oh no, not in the real world. Not in the world where even a touch of sun would severely burn you to a crisp.

Linley, on the other hand, was fortunate. Since she wasn’t a full-blooded vampire (unlike her brothers, who both were since Allanna and Xavier were both vampires when they were conceived and born), she could walk in the sun unscathed. She hadn’t transformed into a wolf yet, though her parents weren’t entirely sure that she would since she was only half werewolf. Linley also had urges to drink blood, and unfortunately for her, human blood was far more appealing. On the plus side, she preferred meat more than blood most of the time.

One benefit she didn’t have was the ability to read minds. That hadn’t been passed down to her from her father. When her parents had explained to her the possible abilities she may possess in the future, she inadvertently discovered that she couldn’t hear the thoughts of others. She could, however, turn off her own mind so that her father or any other vampire couldn’t read hers.

For the most part, Linley lived a pretty normal life. Moving to Morningside was a new beginning for the entire family, but so far, things were going good. Still, Linley surprised her parents one day when she announced that she wanted to attend public school.

“Other kids my age go,” she said diligently, her hazel eyes hopeful. “Why can’t I go?”

“We can teach you whatever you need to know here,” her mother insisted.

“It might be dangerous for you to go out there,” her father added.

“It is not! I can walk in the sun, I don’t need to drink blood all the time, and I don’t turn into a wolf.”

“Why do you want to go to school so badly? Most kids would much rather stay at home like you do.”

“I’m lonely. I don’t have any friends. I want to be normal.”

“Well, honey,” Allanna said gently, “I understand that, but the fact is, we don’t know how you’d react around other kids. What if you get a craving? We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“I know I’m not normal! But I won’t get any cravings! I don’t want to be cooped up in this house all day, clear out here in the middle of nowhere! I want to be normal!”

Allanna and Xavier exchanged glances. They’d had a feeling something like this would transpire as Linley matured. She’d frequently told them that she was so confused, because in actuality, she didn’t even know what she was. She wasn’t a vampire or a werewolf. She was both, caught in the middle, and most likely the only one of her kind in existence.

And yet, she was bound and determined to go to school. She was very intelligent for her age, able to read books like a teacher and she was great at all subjects with the exception of the dreaded math. But even then, she persevered and got through it. The only thing Allanna and Xavier had against their daughter going to public school was their fear for the safety of everyone else inside.

“Please?” Linley begged in a last-ditch effort to sway her parents. Xavier sighed before saying, “Tell you what. Why don’t you and your mother go check it out tomorrow? It’s summer now, so there won’t be any kids there yet. Enrollment doesn’t start for a couple of weeks. You go check it out and see if you’ll like it, and we’ll go from there.”

“Thanks Daddy!” Linley strode toward her father to give him a big hug. Xavier stood up and returned the embrace.

After they parted, Linley shuffled off to her bedroom. Allanna stood up and looked at Xavier.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“It’s what she wants, and if she’ll be happy, that’s the important thing.”

“Why don’t you come with us? Don’t tell me it’s because of the boys.”

“No, it’s that I’ve never been to school, remember? Vampires never send their kids to school. Linley might be different, plus you’ve experienced it. I wouldn’t know if it was good or not.”

“Fine, I’ll go. But I’m still worried sick about the cravings she might get.”

“I’ve got an idea for that. We’ll get her a plastic cup if need be and put some blood in it. In fact, get her a red or black plastic cup that isn’t transparent, add a straw, and then she can drink when she needs to.”

“God, I hope she doesn’t spill it.”

“She’s not clumsy. I’m sure she’ll be fine, Allanna. I trust her.”

“So do I. I’m just worried.”

“In my experience, mothers do tend to worry more than fathers.”

Allanna playfully rolled her eyes. Just then, they heard a shrill cry from upstairs where the bedrooms were. She and Xavier both hastened up there to see that Jaden had awoken from his nap, and he needed changed.

“Why don’t you try to potty train these two tomorrow?” Allanna suggested as Xavier picked their son up out of his crib. “That would certainly help.”

“They might learn as fast as Linley did. I’ll give it a shot.”

“Thanks.”

As Allanna changed Jaden’s diaper, Braden woke up and he wanted fed. Xavier took him to the kitchen. Though they were in two different rooms, both Allanna’s and Xavier’s thoughts were synced – their twin sons were full vampires, just like their parents. But Linley was half vampire, half werewolf. What was she? What exactly would happen to her? Fear of the unknown was a prominent thing in their lives these days. But what could they do to find out more about their own daughter?

********************

The next day, Linley woke up bright and early. Her stomach churned with anticipation for what the day would hold. She was probably the only kid in the world who was actually eager to attend school.

Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, Linley staggered to her window and looked out. Her parents had bought a house that was pretty isolated from the town, and it was secluded by a lot of trees. Her mother had told her that someday, she’d most likely transform into a wolf, and those trees would shelter her when she felt the urge to run. Her parents ran quite a bit at night, although they were always blurs so it was hard to see them after a few seconds.

Linley wondered if she actually would turn into a wolf, and if she did, what it would be like. Her mother had told her that she wouldn’t be able to control that first transformation, which would be painful, and any transformations on a full moon. Sometimes she felt so different. Essentially, she was different, but she didn’t know how much. She’d never heard of anyone being half vampire, half werewolf. She’d only known of someone to be one or the other, but never both. Her parents had told her that she was special, since her mother had been a werewolf when she and her vampire father were married, thus resulting in her different birth. But her mother had been turned into a vampire later, which is why her brothers were full-blooded vampires.

Linley hated feeling like the odd one out. Her parents lived as though they were humans so they could coexist with them peacefully. She hoped to do the same by going to public school. It shouldn’t be that hard, considering she could walk in the sun without any issues and she didn’t turn into a wolf involuntarily except at night (when and if she ever phased).

At last, Linley opened her dresser and pulled out some nice clothes. She brushed her hair and stuck her feet into some dress shoes. Then, she headed toward her parents’ bedroom. She opened the door without knocking and saw that her parents were still in bed.

“Wake up!” she exclaimed, jumping on their bed and jostling its occupants. “It’s time for school!”

“Ugh,” Allanna moaned as she shielded her eyes. “You won’t be that thrilled about getting up early when you actually have to go five days a week.”

“I want to go! Come on, get up!”

“All right,” Xavier grumbled as he sat up. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, which grossed Linley out.

“Daddy, put on a shirt! Yuck!”

Xavier chuckled and said, “Well, I can’t get out of this bed with you in here, because I’m only wearing my underwear under these blankets.”

“EWWW!!!”

“Why don’t you wait for me in the kitchen?” Allanna suggested. “Get yourself some breakfast, and I’ll be down in a minute.”

Linley didn’t argue. She bolted out of there as fast as she could (which was pretty fast, confirming that she inherited her father’s speed).

Once she was in the kitchen, she pulled some milk out of the fridge and poured it into a bowl of cereal. She sat down at the table and took a bite. Thankfully, she was able to eat whatever she wanted and it would taste good. She didn’t have a thirst as strong as her father, so luckily she didn’t require as much blood as he did, either. She considered this to be a good sign since she wanted to pass as being as normal as possible.

Finally, her mother came downstairs. Linley slurped the last of her cereal before tossing the plastic bowl into the sink. “Let’s go!” she said excitedly.

“Can’t I eat first?” Allanna teased.

“No!”

“We’ll go, I promise. Just give me a minute.”

Linley didn’t want to give her mother even a second, but she did anyway. Finally, her mother’s cereal bowl was also empty, and she grabbed her car keys and the two shuffled out the door.

With their expanding family, Allanna and Xavier had invested in a second car, a family-friendly minivan. It looked better to drive kids around in that instead of their trendy sports car.

The ride to the school seemed to take forever, but finally, Allanna pulled to a stop in front of a three-story brick building. Allanna ushered her daughter inside quickly so she wasn’t exposed to the sun for too long, and they followed the signs to the administration office. Allanna introduced the two of them to the secretary behind the desk and explained that Linley had been home schooled but was interested in attending a public school. The secretary buzzed one of the third grade teachers, which is the grade Linley would be placed in, who gave them a tour of the school.

“This is my classroom,” the woman who introduced herself as Mrs. Kirkwood said as they entered a brightly colored room. “This is where you’ll stay if you decide to come to public school. I know you’ll be in my class because I have more empty seats right now than the other teachers.”

Linley looked around the room. There were several tables set up in rows while a large desk for Mrs. Kirkwood was nestled in the corner. A large green chalkboard was on the front wall, and there were several books, globes, pictures, maps, and other learning items throughout the room. There was also a small corner in the back of the room with carpet and a castle-like bookshelf, which Mrs. Kirkwood said was the reading corner. Linley found herself fascinated and even more excited about the prospect of attending Morningside Elementary School.

“Where do I sit?” Linley wanted to know.

“You’ll find that out on the first day,” Mrs. Kirkwood explained. “When I get a list of all the students in my class, I’ll make little name tags and put them on the tables so everyone will know where they’ll sit. But don’t worry, no matter where you end up sitting, I’ll do whatever I can to help you. If you ever have a question, feel free to ask. In my classroom, there’s no such thing as a stupid question.”

Linley nodded eagerly. They hardly needed a tour of the rest of the school, which included the library, cafeteria, and of course the playground outside. Thankfully, they didn’t actually go outside, so Allanna didn’t have to worry about the sun burning her skin.

When the tour concluded, Linley’s response was predictable, and it would have been even if Allanna hadn’t been able to read her daughter’s mind.

“I want to go here!” she declared.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Mrs. Kirkwood replied with a smile. Allanna got some information from her about enrollment, and the two finally went back home. Linley eagerly told her father what had happened, and Xavier explained that they’d get her a solid plastic cup just to be safe. She’d also take her own lunches rather than pay for the school’s, considering she’d be on a “special diet”.

“Are you sure about this?” Allanna asked Xavier skeptically later that evening.

“Of course I am. You said yourself the place looks good, the teacher’s nice, and Linley’s thrilled about it. She’ll be fine.”

“I just wish we could know 100 percent what’s in store for her. And I don’t just mean with school; I mean with everything.”

“I did some research while you were gone.”

“Research? What about potty training?”

“No such luck, but I’ll keep working on it. Anyway, I checked the Internet, and it turns out that, several centuries ago, there were creatures just like Linley that existed.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m serious. One hasn’t been seen for so long because it was so rare, and it’s been unheard of ever since. But a long time ago, back when werewolves and vampires first came to be, there were a few rogues of each species that bred children. No one ever knew about this, at least no one I knew, because that species died out before any of us were even born.”

“Wouldn’t Mortius have known?”

“I’d imagine so, but obviously he didn’t tell anyone because he assumed they were extinct forever. No wonder he was so adamant to get rid of Linley.”

“What were these creatures?”

“They were called hybrids. They possessed the abilities of both werewolves and vampires with a few exceptions. For instance, they crave blood but usually prefer flesh. They have the speed and strength of a vampire but can transform into wolves. In fact, they can fully control their transformations. They don’t uncontrollably change on the full moon or even when they’re angry.”

“You mean, if there’s a full moon, Linley won’t change unless she wants to?”

“Exactly. Hybrids also have all the heightened senses, but they can’t read minds. They have the quick ability to heal, and of course they can walk in the sun and shut off their minds so that other vampires can’t read them.”

“Wow. So, essentially, she’s stronger than a vampire and werewolf by herself.”

“I’d say that’s pretty accurate.”

“This is amazing. I’m so glad we know more about her. It’s like a huge weight’s just been lifted from me.”

“I know the feeling.”

Allanna suddenly had a thought. “So, if your mother had survived, her and Savek…”

“Their child would have been a hybrid, yes. I realize now that that’s another reason Mortius killed her. He didn’t want her to bring a hybrid into existence, especially since one hadn’t been heard of for centuries, because they’re more powerful than both species.”

“And that’s why he took Linley away from us when she was a toddler. He…”

“Yes, he was going to ensure that no more hybrids existed. Because, if it weren’t for me and that stake, a hybrid would be the only thing that could have taken him down. We were very fortunate.”

“Well, that proves it, then. Linley is the only known hybrid in existence.”

“Yes, so we have to be very cautious. We’ll protect her at all costs.”

“Of course we will.”

Finally, a great worry lifted from their shoulders, Allanna and Xavier retired for the night. In one month, Linley would be starting public school for the first time. They both hoped it went well.

Chapter 24 - No Turning Back

2012-02-22T12:42:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains some strong language and brief sexual content (picture included).

The pains began the next day around 3 in the afternoon. Allanna was preparing a snack for Linley when she suddenly felt dizzy. She collapsed onto the kitchen floor, dropping a metal pan with a clang. She clutched her stomach and cried out Xavier’s name in agony.

Xavier, who had been playing with Linley in the nursery, was at her side in a matter of seconds.

“What is it?” he asked with concern.

“It hurts!” Allanna shrieked as Xavier knelt down next to her, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “I feel like I’m on fire!”

Xavier didn’t say it out loud, but he knew what was wrong. He’d seen several transitioning vampires in his time. Allanna’s body was trying to fight the transformation, and because she had wolf genes, it was fighting even harder. Her body was literally in a battle. How ironic, despite all their best efforts, the vampire and werewolf war persisted, even if it took place inside Allanna herself.

The worst part was that there was nothing Xavier could do. Allanna’s body had to run its course with this metamorphosis, and there would be no turning back.

“Help me,” she begged weakly. Xavier picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He put her on the bed, where she began to thrash around, fighting against the pain.

“I don’t want this,” she whimpered. “I don’t want to be a vampire. I won’t be able to be a wolf anymore! I’ll have to drink blood! I won’t even be able to go outside during the day! Please, make it stop!”

“I can’t make it stop,” Xavier said with regret. “There’s nothing that can be done.”

“How long does this shit take? I’m dying!”

“Don’t fight the pain. Go with it, it’ll help.”

“How would you know? You were born this way!”

“I’ve seen several transformations over the years. I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“Just…don’t leave me. And take care of Linley.”

“I promise.”

Xavier climbed into the bed next to Allanna and held her tightly. He hated Mortius now more than ever. He wished he could kill him a thousand more times and bask in the glory of his demise. What he did to Allanna was unforgiveable. She was in physical and mental anguish and he could only sit back and watch.

Worse yet, because Allanna hadn’t been born a vampire, she’d have eternal life, unless of course some sorry asshole killed her. Xavier himself aged slowly, but eventually he would also die. He’d thought about that before, how he’d outlive Allanna because werewolves aged like humans. But now, it didn’t matter because either way, they wouldn’t be able to live together forever.

********************

The transformation completed in three days. Allanna had to hold a pillow over her face to keep from startling the neighbors with her strangled cries of pain. Xavier kept his promise and never left her side, and though he didn’t tell her, he could see the physical changes in her. Her skin got paler and her eyes began to glow. Her wolf scent disappeared and was replaced with one similar to his own.

Though he blamed Mortius for this twisted turn of events, he also blamed himself. Mortius had controlled his mind and forced him to bite Allanna for the third and final time. If he hadn’t bitten her on their anniversary when they’d made love, maybe things would have been different. He kept trying to tell himself that wouldn’t have mattered, since Mortius would have made him bite her until she had a total of three bites. But that didn’t make the events any easier to deal with.

On that third day, as the sun began to set, Xavier was sitting on the floor with his back to the bed. As promised, he hadn't left his wife's side since the beginning of this hellish nightmare. His only exception was to tend to Linley, and he'd changed his clothes right there in the room. Allanna was sleeping soundly and he had his head buried in his hands. Suddenly, he felt a delicate brush against his fingers. He looked up and saw Allanna staring at him, fully transformed. Their fingers intertwined as he gazed at her newfound beauty.

“Allanna,” Xavier said as he sat on the bed. “Are you all right?”

Allanna looked around. As a werewolf, her senses would already be heightened, but as a vampire, they might be heightened slightly differently. Either that, or she was trying to figure out where in the world she was.

She looked back down at Xavier and said softly, “I think so.”

Her voice hadn’t changed, except it might have gotten a little softer. Her grip tightened on Xavier’s hands, and her skin still felt soft and delicate as a flower, though much stronger than before. A werewolf’s teeth were strong enough to rip apart vampire flesh, but their physical strength wasn’t always perfectly matched. Some werewolves were stronger than others, just like some vampires were stronger than others.

Allanna finally sat up and looked down at herself. Physically, she didn’t look all that different. But Xavier could tell that she was wondering how much of her appearance had been altered.

“Here,” Xavier said, offering his wife his hand. She took it and he pulled her up off the bed. “See for yourself. You’re still beautiful to me, and I swear to you, I’ll take care of you.”

Allanna allowed her husband to lead her to the mirror. It turns out that mirrors were a myth when it came to vampires – they could see their reflection just like anyone else. Allanna had her eyes closed, but with Xavier’s encouragement, she opened them up again. And when she saw what was looking back at her, she almost fainted.

She didn’t faint, but she did lose her balance. Xavier carried her back to the bed and sat down next to her. “This isn’t me,” she said glumly. “I don’t want this. I won’t be able to do anything anymore. I don’t want to live like this!”

“Ssshh, it’s okay,” Xavier consoled her. “You’ll be fine.”

“No, I won’t. Everything I’ve ever known in life, everything about me…it’s gone. I won’t even be able to go for runs anymore, and I’ll have to stay inside during the day, and…the worst part…”

“Allanna, you don’t have to drink human blood. Now granted, animal blood won’t completely cure your thirst, but it’s better than nothing. You’ve hunted animals before, only now you don’t need their flesh.”

“That doesn’t help.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to make it easier for you. But you think you can’t go running? My dear, I have to say, you haven’t experienced running until you’ve run as a vampire.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know how fast we are. Imagine being able to run freely at night, so fast that no one would see you, and not have to worry about hunters.”

Allanna hadn’t considered that. She’d seen Xavier’s lightning fast speed several times and had guiltily been perplexed by it.

“What do you say we have a little vampire study session?” Xavier suggested. Allanna nodded, knowing that she’d have to learn to adapt to this life sooner or later. She’d rather it be now.

********************

Allanna adapted to her new life as a vampire pretty quickly. Xavier taught her how to hunt (and she did insist on animal blood, even if she wouldn’t be as strong, because there was no way she’d make humans into a meal or steal from a blood bank), run, read minds and turn off her ability for other vampires to read hers (except if there was an elder vampire in their midst, which there shouldn’t be with Mortius’s death), and even love making.

Allanna had thought the experience had been good as a wolf. But as a vampire, she was more attuned to Xavier’s body, and that made for even steamier nights together. Her senses were heightened like before, but somehow, they felt almost like an addition to what she already had. Nothing like Linley would have of course, but good enough that the apartment’s landlord kept calling their room about noise complaints from the neighbors even when she and Xavier were at their most quiet.

Allanna still missed a lot about being a wolf, but she was grateful that she was alive and still had her husband and daughter with her. But as for Linley, she was growing pretty quickly, and Allanna didn’t want to procrastinate her first transformation.

“We can’t stay in Bridgeport,” she explained to Xavier one day. “We’re right in town and there are a lot of people who might see her. There aren’t many places for her to run. Actually, there aren’t a lot of places for us to run, either.”

“Then we’ll move. We can go somewhere else.”

“But where? We need a place where there’s a lot of open land for running and hunting, and I don’t want to live right in town. I’d rather live out in the country or something.”

“We’ll find a place. I promise.”

Xavier took Allanna in his arms and planted a kiss on her now crisp lips. In all honesty, he didn’t particularly care where they went. As long as they were together, that was the important thing.

Chapter 23 - Malice

2012-02-19T12:31:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and some violence.

"That mother fucking son of a bitch!" Allanna shrieked at the top of her lungs. "Does that bastard really think he can get away with this? He left his stench here, we can easily track him, and he knows we'll come after our daughter."

Xavier was equally enraged. The nerve of Mortius, breaking into their home, and kidnapping their daughter! And Allanna had brought up some good points. In fact, it all seemed way too easy.

"That's just what he wants," he said lividly.

"What?"

"This is a trap. He knows we'll come for Linley. He wants us to do just that. That's why he left a trail. He wants us to come for Linley so he can do God knows what. Finish what they started three years ago, I presume."

"Three years ago? You mean..."

"The night you were shot with a silver bullet, and the night Linley was born. Mortius didn't finish us off then, and now he's using our own daughter as leverage so he can do just that."

Allanna clenched her fists. "That fucking prick! I swear I'll kill him! We're not doing anything wrong, we're leaving him alone! Why doesn't he extend the same courtesy?!"

"Because no one defies Mortius. And I did. And I got you involved. I'm so sorry, Allanna. This is my fault."

"No, it isn't. I didn't have to fall for you, but I did. And I did that by myself. But we don't have time to argue about whose fault it is. Our daughter is out there at some psycho vampire's mercy. We have to get her back."

"We will. I promise."

"I mean it, Xavier. Don't be like my dad and spend four months trying to think of the perfect plan to get her out. We have to move. Mortius won't keep Linley alive like he did me. You know that."

"Yes, I do. Which is why I've already concocted a plan."

"Then tell me what it is."

"It's simple, really. We're going to kill Mortius."

Allanna just gaped at her husband. That was his brilliant plan? To somehow kill one of the oldest vampires in history, the one who harbored a huge grudge against them both? What was he going to do, throw holy water on him?

"Actually," Xavier replied with a tiny grin, "holy water is drinkable for us. And don’t even mention garlic, it’s harmless to us. Though I can’t imagine why anyone would want to eat the unappetizing vegetable in the first place. There are a few ways to kill vampires, but the most effective method is, naturally, to drive a wooden stake through its heart."

"Oh, wonderful. And you think you're just going to stroll right into wherever Mortius is, say hi, and kill him? The bastard can read minds, among other things. You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"Well, there is one small thing..."

"Like what?"

"Allanna, you forget, werewolves were originally humans who received the gift of being able to transform into wolves to protect themselves from vampires. Of course, vampires enslaved the werewolves because they were perceived as a threat, but it turns out that werewolves are strong enough to kill vampires. Their teeth can penetrate a vampire's skin easily."

"And you want me to come with you to help kill Mortius."

"I gathered you would be accompanying me in any case, since this is our daughter."

"Of course I'm coming, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to take on Mortius. He's one of the more powerful vampires out there, Xavier."

"I know you can do it," Xavier said as he took Allanna's hands in his. "I believe in you."

Allanna looked into Xavier's icy blue eyes with a renewed feeling of confidence. Everything he'd said about the history of their species was correct. If one thing could kill a vampire, other than a wooden stake, it was a werewolf. And Allanna was tired of being a victim to Mortius's wrath, and she was furious with him for kidnapping Linley. It was time to teach the filthy leech a lesson once and for all.

********************

The plan was slightly shaky, but it was worth the risk. The life of their daughter was at stake. They weren't about to let Mortius get away with kidnapping her, no matter what diabolical scheme he might have planned.

"Remember," Xavier reminded Allanna for probably the tenth time, "we go in there cautiously, not angrily. Mortius wants us to burst in there without a plan to hastily take Linley back. I guarantee that's a trap. So whatever you do, don't pick a fight."

"I know. And then when Linley is safe, you're going to drive a stake through Mortius's heart, and I'll bite his fucking head off with my teeth."

"You got it."

Allanna rubbed her hands together in eager anticipation. She was ready for this. She was tired of Mortius controlling her life, and that of her husband and daughter. She’d get great pleasure out of puncturing his jugular vein in a sweet taste of ironic karma. She could hardly wait.

Allanna and Xavier had also contacted Cynthia in hopes that she would help them out. The more werewolves they had on their side, the better. Unfortunately, Cynthia was literally scared to death of disobeying Darius. She didn’t want to become the new omega; she had no other family, since her father was hardly ever around due to her rebellious younger sister, so getting exiled from the pack would do her no good. Allanna had even called her mother and begged for her assistance, since it was her granddaughter that was in danger, but her efforts were in vain. No one would defy the alpha male of the pack.

Betas could challenge the alpha male to take over the position as leader of the pack, but no one did because they all felt Darius was a good leader. Had he been the type of alpha who cared more about himself than his pack and got them in danger, several betas would have stepped up to challenge him. As it was, Darius’s word was law.

Finally, Allanna and Xavier vacated their apartment and headed toward their destination. They were both able to follow Mortius’s pungent odor with their keen senses of smell, and it soon led them to the outskirts of Bridgeport. An eerily familiar vibe settled across them as they gaped at the cemetery's mausoleum beckoning to them. They trudged inside, careful to keep their minds blank so that Mortius couldn’t hear them coming by reading their thoughts.

The smell of Mortius, and that of Linley, led them to a winding staircase that descended into a damp and dark crypt. They carefully walked down it, wary of potential creaking noises that might ensue and blow their cover.

Darkness covered them like a thick blanket, and the only signs of light they could see appeared to be behind an iron door at the very end of a long hallway. They crept toward it, keeping their eyes and ears peeled, until at last they halted to a stop when they saw their daughter.

Linley appeared to be asleep, but both parents feared that she was actually unconscious. The toddler was lying on top of a coffin with her eyes closed, and the coffin was surrounded by a grotesque looking fountain filled with red liquid. And that liquid had the coppery scent of blood.

“This is disgusting,” Allanna hissed under her breath. Xavier quickly shushed her, though he thought the same thing.

Unfortunately, they needn’t have worried about being quiet. Because out of the shadows, stalking behind them, stepped Mortius. He let out a malicious chuckle as Linley’s parents turned to face him.

“Welcome,” Mortius said in his authoritative drawl. He smiled like a fiend as his fangs glistened in the dim candlelight. Scuffling sounds came from the hallway Allanna and Xavier had just come from, and they saw Gloria and Cedric fill the void that was their only means of escape.

“Let Linley go,” Xavier demanded hotly.

“Now, surely you don’t think I’m going to do that,” Mortius replied smugly. “I didn’t lure you here to let you off that easily.”

“What do you want?”

“I only want what’s right. You defied me, married and bred with the arch nemesis of our kind, and the result is that thing over there on the coffin. None of you can be allowed to live.”

“We haven’t done anything wrong. Our laws aren’t written in stone, and we both voluntarily left our respective families. All we ask is to live in peace.”

“No one gets away with defying me.”

“Technically, I didn’t defy you. You told me to guard Allanna, but you didn’t say where or how. I did guard her, and I’ve protected her all this time. I’ve kept her alive, and her father had no intention of signing the treaty. Your war isn’t with us, Mortius. It’s with the Duskwood pack.”

Allanna couldn’t believe her ears. Xavier was telling Mortius to go after her family? But that meant Cynthia, Devan, and her parents and siblings…

“Right you are,” Mortius cut in as he read her thoughts. “I suppose Xavier has a valid point. But I do believe that even the leader of that pack of mutts would agree that the existence of your offspring is dangerous to both of our kinds.”

“What do you mean, dangerous?” Allanna interjected angrily. “Linley wouldn’t hurt anyone!”

“Oh? Then explain why she was practically rabid when she first got here, craving blood like an alcoholic craves beer. And I can tell that you know nothing about her. She could transform into a wolf when she gets older, therefore she’ll have the strengths of both species. I must confess that I originally intended to use her as leverage against the werewolves, who have never known such a creature to exist before. But after seeing how uncontrollable she is, it's obvious that she can’t be allowed to live. However, we might be able to come up with some sort of agreement.”

“What the hell would we agree to with you?”

Mortius turned toward his daughter and right-hand man. With a simple nod of his head, the two parted and allowed Dorian to enter.

“First thing’s first,” Mortius said as Dorian came closer. “I think Dorian has earned the privilege of meeting his granddaughter.”

“Don’t you touch her!” Xavier yelled.

Cedric grabbed Xavier’s arms and held him back. Allanna tried to reach Dorian, but Gloria’s arms stopped her.

“Not you again,” Allanna moaned.

“Oh yes, me again,” Gloria purred. “I’m going to really enjoy killing you. I still can’t understand why Xavier would pick you instead of me as a mate.”

“Because he has better taste in women than skanky sluts who do everything their daddy says.”

“You bitch!”

Gloria yanked on Allanna’s arm so hard that it broke. She let out a yelp but felt the bone fastening back into place. She squirmed in Gloria’s arms, but she wasn’t strong enough to break free.

Dorian, meanwhile, had made his way toward Linley. Linley had woken up upon hearing her mother’s shriek, and was looking around with fear in her little eyes.

“Hello there,” Dorian said. He reached toward Linley to pick her up, but the smart toddler knew better than to warm up to strangers. When Dorian’s hand got close enough, she grabbed onto one of his fingers. She then pulled hard enough to sprain it. She wasn’t strong enough to dislocate or break it, but it was something.

“Damn!” Dorian bellowed as he stepped back. “Well, I think we have all the facts we need, Mortius.”

“I agree. That creature is too dangerous to be allowed to exist. And as I mentioned before, I’m sure the beasts of Duskwood would agree with that claim. However, I think we have a proposition for you, Xavier.”

“I’m not interested in making any propositions with you.”

“Oh, I concur. I’ll give you a choice. You can let us destroy that vermin over there that’s a threat to our very existence, and that of your wife’s kind, and in return, you can keep your wife for eternity and never hear from this clan again.”

“Are you mad? Killing Linley wouldn’t help anything. Even if I did agree, which I won’t, Allanna and I could have another child, and it would be the exact same thing as Linley.”

“Ah, but see, I’ve already predicted that outcome. Tell me, how many times has your wife been bitten?”

Xavier’s eyes narrowed into nothing more than twin slits. “Don’t you dare.”

Allanna had no idea what they were talking about, but Mortius just broke into a maniacal grin before saying, “I presume your answer to my proposition, then, is no.”

“Of course it’s no! Mortius, listen to me. Look at Linley. She’s proof that this stupid war between vampires and werewolves can end. She’s proof that the two kinds can actually get along. Just leave her be.”

“I can’t do that, Xavier. You must pay the price for defying me. Funny, I would have thought you’d known better than to make a mate out of the enemy after witnessing your mother’s cruel fate after she did the same.”

“Fuck you!”

Xavier writhed to break free from Cedric’s steel grip, while Mortius shook his head in mock disappointment. “Very well, Xavier. Just remember, I did try. I offered and you refused. Now you must witness the suffering of both your wife and daughter.”

With that, Mortius bent down and a blue aura seemed to surround him as he grinned, his face glowing eerily in the faint candlelight. Cedric released his hold on Xavier, who grabbed his head and cried out in agony.

“Xavier, what’s wrong?!” Allanna cried.

Xavier’s response was to cry louder and he began screaming, “No!” at the top of his lungs. Still grasping his head, he staggered toward Allanna, who was still being held captive by Gloria.

“Allanna!” he cried with disdain as his fangs emerged from his open jaw. Allanna’s eyes widened. Then she remembered – Mortius, being an elder vampire, had the ability to control the thoughts and actions of others. And the comment he’d made about how many times she’d been bitten…

“No!” she screamed as she struggled to get free. But it was too late. Gloria released her grip on Allanna just as Xavier wrapped his arm around her. He had tears in his eyes as he uncontrollably bent to the will of Mortius. His fangs sunk into Allanna’s flesh, and the pain felt like a hundred needles puncturing her neck.

Allanna tried to grab Xavier’s hands and move them away, but she wasn’t strong enough. She could feel herself beginning to get weaker. She had no idea why Mortius was making Xavier do this, but at last he stopped. He sunk to the ground in an exhausted stupor as tears continued to fall from his eyes.

“What the fuck?” Allanna demanded of Mortius. “You made him bite me? What the hell is that shit?”

“Silly dog,” Mortius chortled. “I could read Xavier’s mind when I asked him how many times you’ve been bitten. He bit you once to save your life after you got silver in your blood, and again in the throes of passion. This will be the third time.”

“I know, a human turns into a vampire if they’re bitten three times and drink blood. But I’m a werewolf. You can’t turn me into one of you.”

“On the contrary. Any normal vampire wouldn’t be able to. But if you were to drink the blood of an elder vampire, one of the strongest vampires in existence, that blood would overpower yours, rendering your werewolf genes obsolete.”

Allanna took a step backward. Was he serious?

“Of course I’m serious,” Mortius affirmed. “Now, any ideas you might have had of biting me in your wolf state should be quashed. You wouldn’t want to drink my blood by mistake and turn into one of us, would you?”

Allanna had never been so angry in her life. Xavier had been right – kidnapping Linley had been a trap. But it hadn’t been solely to harm her. It was also to be rid of their small little family once and for all. Mortius had said that Xavier would have to witness the suffering of both her and Linley. Obviously the suffering for her had consisted of Xavier biting her neck. But Linley…

“You’re mistaken,” Mortius cut into her thoughts. “When I told Xavier that I’d allow the two of you to be together for eternity in exchange for your daughter’s life, I meant it. I also meant it when I said that I predicted the two of you might have another child. That’s why I was willing to turn you into a vampire so that both things could happen without any problems.”

“You were going to turn me into a vampire so that Xavier and I could be together? Bullshit. You were going to turn me into a vampire because you know that would piss us both off! You son of a bitch!”

That was the last straw. Allanna allowed herself to transform. She shed her clothes and fur sprouted from her flesh right in Gloria’s arms. That got her attention well enough to holler out in fear and let go of her captive. Allanna could have easily taken Gloria down, but her target was Mortius.

“Look out, Father!” Gloria yelled as Allanna lunged. She missed his jugular, but her canines did sink into his arm. She could feel the flesh tearing beneath his jacket as she bit him, refusing to let go.

“You fucking mutt!” Gloria dashed to Allanna and ripped her off of her father’s arm, but the blood that began flowing from his open wound proved that she’d gotten him. She spat out the coppery tasting stuff so she didn’t end up drinking it. But she needn’t have bothered.

Mortius glared at her with fury in his crimson eyes. Cleary he never thought she’d actually do that. Gloria darted for Linley while Cedric and Dorian knelt at Mortius’s side. Xavier jumped up to stop Gloria, and Allanna tried to help, but Mortius had other plans for her.

“I’ll never accept you as one of us,” he declared with malice, “but at least you’ll spend the rest of your life suffering as an immortal!”

He jumped up, grabbed Allanna by the throat, and shoved his open wound into her mouth. The blood was pumping rapidly from it, and it came at such a tirade that Allanna couldn’t stop it from sliding down her throat. She gagged and gasped to get it out of her system, but it did no good. She could feel it slide all the way down her throat to her stomach.

“You bastard!” Xavier yelled from across the room. In all the commotion, he’d managed to withdraw a stake from his waistband that he’d hidden, and it had somehow gone unnoticed by the vampires. Xavier had driven the stake through Cedric’s heart, and even his own father had been put to death. Gloria, like the coward that she was, had fled as soon as she saw Xavier withdraw the stake. Xavier was on a rampage, and as far as he was concerned, anyone in that room that wasn’t his true family was going to die.

Mortius was still somewhat disoriented from Allanna’s bite, and Xavier took this opportunity.

Or rather, he tried to. Mortius looked up at him and the threatening stake he held.

“You don’t really intend to kill me, do you?” he asked snidely.

“I intend to, and I will. I’ve had it. You killed my mother, you tried to kill my wife and daughter, and now I’m going to extend the favor.”

“Your wife needs your attention more than I do. She’ll be in for a big surprise when my blood starts consuming hers. I can only imagine the agonizing pain she’ll have to endure. And to think, you’re more worried about vengeance than her.”

“Shut the fuck up and DIE!”

Xavier lunged forward and grabbed Mortius’s throat. Allanna’s strong bite had weakened him, and the blood he was losing also made him frail. Xavier looked at Mortius right in the eyes as he stabbed a wooden stake right though the elder vampire’s heart.

Mortius’s red eyes took on more of a sallow brown color and his skin became even paler. His breaths finally stilled and his eyes fluttered closed. The Duskwood vampire clan’s leader was now permanently dead. He wasn’t just the undead now – he was literally gone, an observation confirmed when his body turned to dust.

Allanna had reverted back to her human form and was now running toward Linley. Her clothes were shredded due to her quick transformation, but this was one time that Xavier didn’t feel aroused seeing her naked body. That’s because he was too worried about what might happen to her.

Allanna picked Linley up and hugged her tightly. Linley began to weep, but it was undetermined if she was crying for joy and relief or for fear.

“Are you all right?” Xavier asked rhetorically as he approached his family.

Allanna looked on the ground and saw the corpses of Cedric and Dorian. Then she saw the remnants of Mortius scattered across the ground.

“I don’t know,” she finally answered truthfully.

“Let’s get out of here,” Xavier suggested gently. Allanna nodded solemnly and they both left. But the whole way home, Xavier could feel Allanna’s fear as easily as he could read her thoughts. She was scared to death of what lay in store for her thanks to Mortius forcing blood down her throat.

Chapter 22 - Intrusion

2012-02-15T13:31:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and explicit sexual content (pictures included).

A week later, Allanna and Xavier were celebrating their one-year anniversary. Linley was sleeping peacefully in her crib while the two had a romantic candlelit dinner in the apartment.

"This is so nice," Allanna remarked as she dug into her spaghetti. "You really are quite the romantic."

"You're surprised? I've had a few years to perfect that trait."

"I know, but it's just so nice because it's never been done for me before."

"I can't imagine why. Someone sure missed out on something special with you."

"Oh, stop."

Xavier just chuckled in response as he savored his meal. He, like other vampires, could eat this food, but it didn't do anything to help his thirst. It tasted good, but it didn't help him in the long run. But it helped him blend in with a crowd if he was surrounded by humans.

When they finished their meal, Xavier cleared the plates away. Allanna stood up from the chair, and he zipped toward her with his lightning-fast speed before she could get away.

"I have something for you," he said in a tone that barely contained his excitement.

"I know," Allanna replied, "you told me last week that you got me something. And I told you that you didn't have to, because I felt bad that I didn't get you anything."

"To which I replied that I didn't expect anything from you in return apart from your love. Really, Allanna, I got you something because I wanted to. I love you."

With that, Xavier dashed into the bedroom and dashed back out in a matter of seconds. He was holding his hands behind his back.

"Allanna, my love," he began, "you are the very fiber of my being. You're my essence and my reason for existing. I love you with all my heart, even though it no longer beats. I'd like to present you with these..."

Xavier withdrew his hands from behind his back to reveal a dozen bright red roses. The aroma indicated that they weren't artificial, and every single one had been carefully selected to create the perfect bouquet.

"These are beautiful!" Allanna exclaimed as she happily took the flowers and breathed in their sweet scent. "Thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome, although they're not nearly as beautiful as you. However, there is more than the roses."

"More? Xavier, I know you aren't hurting for money, but those roses sure weren't cheap. What more could you possibly give me?"

"Just another token of my love for you."

Xavier then withdrew a small velvet box from his pocket and handed it to Allanna. She put her flowers on the table and opened the box to reveal a lovely gold necklace with a heart pendant dangling from the chain.

"I know how werewolves are when it comes to silver," Xavier explained, "so I went with gold. Besides, I think gold is more fitting for true love."

Tears filled Allanna's eyes as she looked at her husband. She immediately put the necklace on and then wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Thank you so much," she whispered into his ear. "This necklace is beautiful, I really don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I love you and I wanted to show you how much I did. Although, I guess I could have gotten you silver if you preferred, since you explained that you can wear it so long as it doesn't get into your blood..."

"No, gold is fine. You picked it out with your own heart, and that's the one I want. I love it, almost as much as I love you."

Allanna then pulled back and planted a kiss on Xavier's icy lips. "I have to confess," she then said, "that I did get you something. I got it one day when I took Linley out with her stroller. That's the only way I could get you something without you reading my mind."

Allanna then excused herself and went into the bedroom. When she came back out, she was carrying a small rectangular box wrapped in gold paper with a silver ribbon tied on it.

"It's not much," she said apologetically, "especially since I've never shopped for a man before, but I think it fits the romantic factor."

Xavier unwrapped the paper and found himself looking at a box containing some very high-end cologne. It was a nice brand, and it even had a scratch and sniff sticker on the front of the box. The odor it was releasing was very masculine, and that was just the way he liked it.

To express his satisfaction, he picked Allanna up and covered her mouth with his, much to her delight.

"This is great," he said as he set her back down, took the bottle out of the box, and sprayed a little onto his neck before sitting down on the couch. "I love it. Thank you, Allanna."

Allanna couldn't restrain a smile. She was so relieved that Xavier liked his gift. She hadn't been sure that a vampire would have any use for cologne, but she was thrilled to find that her husband used it eagerly.

In fact, with Xavier sitting there on the couch looking so handsome, and wearing that very masculine cologne, Allanna realized just how stimulating it was.

"I can think of something else to give you for our anniversary, and for another way to thank you," she said with a wink.

"Oh, I wonder how," Xavier said sarcastically, but in a seductive, far from argumentative tone. Allanna just smiled as she positioned herself above him.

"You're so beautiful," Xavier said as he looked at his wife in awe. She was the perfect specimen of womankind, even if she was half wolf. Her abundant bosom was dangerously close to his face, and he felt the familiar hardening south of his belt.

Just because they were married and parents didn't mean their sex life would plummet.

Allanna responded to Xavier's compliment by spreading her legs and sitting on Xavier's lap, cupping his face in her hands. She gazed longingly into his eyes, and he knew, both in his own mind as well as hers, that they'd made the right decision. Even if their relationship and the life of their child was forbidden, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that they were together.

Their mouths drew closer together like a magnetic force until at last they touched. Xavier picked Allanna up and, their lips never separating, carried her to the bedroom. There, they stripped down to their intimates as their tongues took turns exploring the insides of each others' mouth. They hoped Linley, even with her advanced hearing thanks to her parents both having that ability, wouldn't hear the commotion.

Without saying a word, Xavier lowered Allanna onto the floor. She didn't even care that it wasn't as comfortable as the bed. She was too busy enjoying her husband's kisses and how his fingers were fondling her.

"Xavier," she moaned under her breath in ecstasy. His cool lips brushed against her cheek and his fingers traced her flat stomach before settling on top of her bra. He could read in her mind how badly she wanted this. But one of his guilty pleasures was that he enjoyed teasing her. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Please," she begged, her voice rising to a squeal, hopefully not loud enough to wake Linley in the adjoining room, "take me."

Xavier didn't hesitate. He stripped off his boxers and Allanna removed her lingerie. With his brute strength, Xavier turned Allanna around so that she was facing the bed. With one quick, hard thrust, he entered her. It took all she had not to let out a scream.

"Oh God," she moaned as her nails dug into the bed. She began to slide down it, hardly able to keep herself standing upright in the throes of passion.

"Holy shit," Xavier grunted from behind. Just like before, he'd picked up on Allanna's habit of moaning during coitus. He positioned himself so that Allanna's new position didn't cause the sex to cease. He wasn't about ready to end this. It was their one year anniversary, and he wanted to make every second count, and last for as long as possible.

"Fuck yes," Allanna said in a tone that was half whisper, half scream. She was trying so hard not to shout, not only for Linley's sake, but for the sake of the neighbors. Her moaning just turned Xavier on more, prompting him to thrust even harder.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Allanna bellowed, even louder than before. "Please, don't stop! That's it!"

Allanna hoisted herself up and Xavier arched his back as he felt his release. And during that release, he couldn't restrain himself - his fangs elongated and sunk into the tender flesh of Allanna's shoulder.

"Ouch!" she yelped as he pulled back, their breathing rushed. "What the fuck was that for?"

"I'm sorry," Xavier said between gasps, "I couldn't help myself. It was just so...good."

Allanna looked at the gash on her shoulder as blood erupted from it. It wasn't a lot, but she did dash to the bathroom to wrap it up. Xavier followed her with an apologetic look on his face.

"I'm so sorry," he said glumly. "I shouldn't have..."

"It's okay. I take it as a compliment. But next time, ask me, okay?"

"All right, fair enough."

Just then, Linley's cry emitted from the next room. Xavier, with his lightning fast speed, dashed into the bedroom, threw his clothes back on, and darted into Linley's room. He picked up the crying toddler and held her close.

"What's the matter?" he asked her soothingly as he snuggled her against his chest. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"Nose," the toddler replied.

"Nose? What about it? Do you have a stuffy nose?"

"NOSE!"

Xavier read Linley's mind and ascertained that she was trying to say "noise", not "nose."

"Oh...," he said awkwardly. "You heard some loud noises? Great, I guess your mom and I weren't as quiet as we hoped we were."

Linley just looked up at her father with curiosity in her eyes. To get her mind off the noise that had awakened her, he grinned and attacked her with "the claw".

"I'm gonna getcha!" he teased as Linley squealed with glee when Xavier's fingers tickled her tummy.

"What's going on?" Allanna asked as she entered the room, back in her anniversary dress.

"I think Linley heard us," he said as he continued to tickle their daughter.

"Oh, great. I knew she'd get super hearing abilities. I wonder, are hers even more accelerated than ours? We both have advanced hearing abilities, but she has both genes."

"That's a good question, but only a doctor would be able to tell us that. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to take her to a human doctor. What would they say if they saw all that in her body?"

"I know, and that scares me. There's a lot about our own daughter that we don't even know, and we have no one to ask."

Xavier nodded understandingly. He had the same concerns as his wife regarding their child. They weren't even sure what kind of creature she was for sure. Did a name even exist for what she was?

Xavier feared that, since they had no one to ask, they'd never find that out.

********************

Two years later...

Linley was now three years old, fully capable of speech and walking, and she was even fully potty trained. She practically took care of herself, but she was still a child, so of course she had to be provided food (and blood), not to mention toys to keep her occupied. Sometimes the only way to get her to fall asleep was by putting her in the swing her parents bought her, and letting her drift into unconsciousness to its sweet lullaby.

"You know," Xavier said one day as Linley enjoyed her swing, "Linley's old enough to be in preschool now. Maybe we should think of enrolling her. She's certainly intelligent enough."

Allanna looked at her husband like he'd lost his mind. "You can't be serious. What would she be like with other kids? She still craves blood and who knows what would happen? Plus, for all we know, someone may kidnap her."

Xavier had to think about that. Allanna did have a point. Still, he wanted his daughter to have as normal a life as possible. And that included going to school.

"What do vampires do for school?" Allanna inquired.

"Well, vampires don't go to school. They have no need for it. Their parents teach them everything they need to know. Besides, they're trained to hunt humans, not coexist with them. What about werewolves?"

"We can choose when we transform, except when there's a full moon or when we get super angry, but we still go to school like normal kids. We don't hunt humans, so there's no risk of getting caught. Of course, we can still control ourselves as a wolf, so it's not like we'd attack someone without knowing it."

"I see. Do you think Linley will have the ability to transform?"

"I'm sure she will. For us, when we're about 8 or 10 years old, we transform for the first time, but only when there's a full moon. It happens because it's in our blood and our nature to change, so we have no choice. If you know it's coming, it's best to stay away from humans, because you don't want to get caught. Plus, that first time is very painful. But that's it. After that, it's pretty easy to change between forms."

"So, you're saying that when Linley is around 8 years old or so, she'll uncontrollably turn into a wolf on the night of a full moon, and experience excruciating pain when doing so?"

"That's just a guess. She's part vampire too, so she might be strong enough to fight the pain. The most important thing is we keep her away from humans when we know it's coming. I even wonder if it'll happen sooner, or at all, because of the vampire genes in her body."

“What about the rest of the time when there's a full moon? And getting angry?”

“I’m guessing she’ll have the same lack of control over that as I will, and have to transform during a full moon even if she doesn’t want to. Then she’ll have to wait until the sun comes up, or until she calms down, to turn back into a human. But again, like I said, that’s just a guess.”

"There are so many things we don't know about our own child. It’s frightening.”

“I know; there must be something we can do. But what?”

Before Xavier could answer, a strong scent penetrated the room. Both Xavier and Allanna knew who that stench belonged to. It couldn't be anyone else.

As if on cue, the glass on one of their windows shattered open and a dark figure dashed toward Linley. In seconds, Linley was out of her swing and in the arms of the intruder.

"No!!!" Allanna yelled as she jumped off the couch, preparing to transform. But it was too late.

Mortius disappeared out the window, carrying a crying Linley in his arms.

Chapter 21 - Blood Lust

2012-02-12T11:40:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains nothing bad! lol

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Linley grew like any normal baby would. Allanna had a lot of fun decorating the second bedroom, converting it into a nursery. They bought a crib, baby swing, toys, high chair, stroller, and all kinds of cute objects to spice the room up. Xavier’s money really helped them out. In fact, he finally confided in Allanna that he had enough money to last a lifetime. Allanna wouldn’t have to work unless she wanted to.

Normally she’d want to work just to keep herself occupied, but she had no college education and the only job she’d ever had was at the Stop and Shop in Duskwood, and that manager would hardly give her a good reference. Instead, she was content spending her time bonding with her daughter.

One of the best parts about Linley being only half vampire was that her skin wasn't extra sensitive to sunlight. Allanna was able to take her for strolls with no hassles regarding burning skin. Linley seemed to really enjoy this.

There was, however, quite a big problem with Linley. Because she was half vampire, she inherited the worst part about her father – she craved blood. She drank breast milk as well, but Xavier knew that she also needed blood. And he was the only one who could get it for her.

“Why can’t we just use animal blood?” Allanna demanded one day. “People are going to get suspicious if bodies keep piling up. It’s not easy keeping you both fed.”

“I don’t know what else to do,” Xavier replied. “We need it to survive. I can live off animal blood, but Linley needs human blood to stay strong. She’s too young and weak to live on animal blood. Besides, I don’t…”

“What?”

“I don’t feel comfortable drinking animal blood.”

“Why the hell not? I hunt animals.”

“Wolves hunt animals in the wild. Vampires were always created to drink human blood. But that’s not why I’m uncomfortable.”

“Then why?”

Xavier sighed before confessing, “Whenever I drink an animal’s blood, it feels like, in a way, it could be you. I know I’m not drinking wolf blood, but it just doesn’t feel right.”

“Well, you have to do better than that.”

“Maybe we can come up with some sort of compromise.”

“Like what?”

“Well, maybe I can still obtain human blood, but instead of choosing the targets that smell the best, what if I only drank the blood of criminals?”

“They’re still human, and if all the criminals in town start disappearing, someone will notice. There has to be another way.”

“Well, the only other option I can think of is robbing the blood bank. And that’s very risky.”

Allanna pondered this. Blood banks were used to store blood donated by humans in the event of a needed blood transfusion. Still, they were safe, clean, and less noticeable to acquire…

“Allanna,” Xavier cut into her thoughts, “I don’t know about that. It’s very risky.”

“It can’t be more risky than killing people in public, even if you’re in the shadows. Please, can’t we give it a try?”

Xavier sighed. “I suppose, but keep in mind that it might not work.”

“I will.”

Just then, Linley woke up from her nap with a shrill cry. Allanna hurried to the nursery while Xavier looked heavenward, hoping that this plan would work.

When it got dark, Xavier left the apartment and headed toward the blood bank. He made it in without any problems, and made it out the same way. He was amazed at how easy it was. He’d grabbed as many bags as he could carry, and hopefully it wasn’t so many that anyone would notice they were missing. He even wore gloves to ensure that his fingerprints wouldn't be left behind.

Once he got back to the apartment, he poured some of the blood into a baby bottle and carried it to the nursery. Allanna was holding Linley in the chair and she looked up when she heard her husband approaching.

“You did it?” she asked.

“Yes, and it was surprisingly easy.”

“Good. Here, let me have that so I can feed her.”

“Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to feed her this time.”

“Okay, as long as you don’t go into a rampage because you smell it.”

“No, I’ve lived long enough to become accustomed to it. I’ll be fine.”

Allanna handed their daughter over to Xavier, who cradled her in one arm and inserted the bottle into her mouth with the other.

Linley eagerly drank the contents of the bottle. When Xavier pulled it away, she began to fuss. He was unable to read her mind, since she wasn't able to formulate words, but he could see pictures in her head of what she desired. And what she desired was more blood to drink.

"I wonder if she'll turn into a wolf like me," Allanna pondered out loud as Xavier returned the bottle to their daughter's mouth. "She hasn't yet, but for us, kids don't start to shift into wolves until they're older. It usually happens when they're between eight and ten."

"I have no idea if she'll be able to transform," Xavier replied as Linley finished up her drink. "I can read minds, but I can't see the future."

"So there isn't a vampire in real life that could be like Alice Cullen?"

"No, thankfully. That would drive me insane."

"Imagine how the rest of us would feel, vampires that could see our futures. That would be even creepier than vampires who can read minds."

Xavier let out a chuckle before he noticed that Linley's eyes were drifting closed. Drinking blood seemed to make her tired, so he placed her in her crib and went back into the living room with Allanna.

As they sat on the couch together, Allanna finally confessed, "Xavier, I'm worried."

"About what?"

"I'm surprised you haven't read my mind to figure that out. I mean, from our families' point of view, this whole thing we have together is forbidden. You and I fell in love, and we had a baby. To them, Linley is some sort of monstrous half breed."

"I've been hearing you think such things, but I didn't want to bring them up to you. I didn't want to upset you. But I understand where you're coming from."

"Her very existence is basically illegal, what if..."

"Never. I'll never let anything happen to her. They won't touch her."

With that, Xavier pulled Allanna toward him to plant a reassuring kiss on her tender lips. That kiss made her feel safer and less concerned for Linley's safety. She only hoped it would last.

********************

One year later...

As Linley grew, so did her appetite for blood. She was now a full year old, but her appetite didn't cease. If anything, it got worse. Allanna was concerned that their daughter would be too reliant on blood, but Xavier assured her that this was normal.

"Baby vampires," he explained patiently, "need more blood than adult vampires, simply because they're weaker. They rely on it to grow. But I had younger siblings, and by the time they were two, they were practically weaned off of it. I'm sure that'll be the case for Linley, maybe sooner considering she's only half vampire."

"I'm just so worried," Allanna replied skeptically. "It's so risky for you to keep going to that blood bank, and if she's only half vampire, why wouldn't her appetite be smaller?"

"Actually, compared to full vampire babies, her appetite is small."

"Now that's just scary. How do you guys manage?"

"It varies depending on the parents. But the most common method is to find prey and allow the baby to feed on it."

"That's disgusting."

"I thought you'd say that."

Allanna just rolled her eyes. She was glad that Linley's cravings would eventually decline, but there was so little she knew about babies in general, let alone one with both werewolf and vampire blood in her. She was grateful to have Xavier's mind reading ability; without him, she'd probably go mad trying to figure out if Linley wanted blood or beef.

As if on cue, Linley began to fuss, demanding to be let out of her crib. Xavier and Allanna had both deciphered her various cries, even without Xavier's ability to read her mind. Linley simply wanted let out to play.

Allanna placed Linley on the floor, and she immediately toddled over to one of her many toys. Because she was so strong, she was able to develop both mobile and cognitive skills faster. She'd begun to speak, was almost potty trained, and could already walk. She truly was one in a million.

"There's a very special occasion coming up," Xavier said with blatant eagerness in his voice. Allanna's face broke into a grin and she said, "I know. Our anniversary is next week."

"The celebration of us being married for one year."

"I still need to find you a present. Which isn't easy to do, by the way, with you reading my mind."

"My apologies. Maybe you should take Linley for a stroll one day and get something for me then."

"That's the problem, I'm not sure what you want. And I can't think about it because it'll spoil the surprise."

"Oh, don't worry. I don't expect anything other than your love. But I must confess that I got you something."

"Oh, Xavier, you shouldn't have. Now I have to get you something."

"Not at all. I got you a gift because I wanted to. I felt no obligation to do so, and you shouldn't either. I love you, Allanna, and that's what this gift will symbolize."

With that, Xavier pulled Allanna into a tight embrace, which she returned eagerly. It didn't matter that she and Xavier were born to hate each other, nor did it matter that they were both basically exiled from their original homes. All that mattered was that they were together, and they would be forever.

Still, though it was at the backs of their minds, they tried to force certain unpleasant thoughts away. But unfortunately for them, one of their worst fears would soon become a reality.

Chapter 20 - A New Breed

2012-02-08T11:52:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and some graphic content.

Xavier hurried back to the apartment, carrying the now unconscious Allanna in his arms. He could hear her heart rate steadily declining and he hoped he’d make it back in time.

If there was one sure way to piss off a vampire, it was to harm its mate. Xavier was prepared to take the lives of all his clan for this. Not only might Allanna die, but their child would as well.

Xavier placed Allanna onto the bed and looked at her wound. He knew that a werewolf’s superior healing ability wouldn’t be fast enough to get the silver out of her system. There was only one way to save her.

Bracing himself, Xavier lowered himself down on top of Allanna, elongated his fangs, and sunk his teeth into her neck. Her blood tasted delicious, though it was heavily tinged with the poisonous silver. He’d fantasized many times about what it would be like to drink it. Now, he wished he didn’t have to.

Xavier hoped he’d get all the silver out of Allanna’s blood before he sucked her dry, but at last he tasted the last traces of the bullet. Her neck now had a pretty big bite mark on it and a little bit of blood seeped out of it, but at last Allanna stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

“Allanna?” Xavier asked with concern.

“Xavier,” she whispered. She reached up to touch his face, but then her own face contorted to one of sheer pain and agony. Her hands flew to her stomach and warm liquid seeped out from her legs.

“Shit!” she cried. “My water broke!”

“It must be trauma from the shot,” Xavier ascertained. “We’re gonna have to deliver this baby now.”

“It’s too soon!”

“No, it’s not. You’re nine months along, and it isn’t human. It’ll be strong enough.”

Allanna gripped her stomach tighter as Xavier rotated her to a better position and said, “Please get this baby out of me! I don’t even get an epidural for crying out loud!”

“Just relax, I’ve seen several babies delivered in my time. Calm down and do what I say.”

Allanna bit her lip, stifling a shriek. Xavier ran for a towel and positioned himself at her feet, lifting up her skirt before removing her underwear.

“I can see the head,” he reported. “Just push.”

“Fuck!” Allanna screamed as she tried not to thrash around.

“That’s it,” Xavier coaxed as he watched their baby’s head get closer. After a couple more pushes, Xavier extracted the bouncing baby girl and wrapped her up in the towel.

“It’s a girl,” he confirmed proudly. The baby’s eyes shined up at him, sparkling like his own but with Allanna’s hazel color. She had no fangs and her skin felt like a human’s – not too warm or too cold. This was clearly the result of his extra cold vampire skin and Allanna’s extra warm werewolf skin. This baby was literally half vampire, half werewolf. She had both genes in her body, and those genes made her a new breed.

“Is she okay?” Allanna asked.

“She’s just fine. She’s beautiful, just like her mother.”

“Oh, stop. Please, let me hold her.”

Xavier carried their daughter to her mother, who eagerly stood up, and placed her in Allanna’s waiting arms.

“She’s just…perfect,” Allanna cooed.

“She is, isn’t she? And here we were worried about what she’d be.”

“She’s…she looks like a vampire with her eyes. But I smell wolf in her blood.”

“Indeed. She’s a new breed. Half vampire, half werewolf.”

“This is incredible.”

Allanna suddenly felt something trickling out of her neck. She looked down and saw blood stains on her shirt.

“What the…” she asked. Xavier took the baby and confessed, “You were shot. I could only think of one way to save you. I had to get the poison out.”

“You bit me?” Allanna had to sit back down.

“I had no choice. I wasn’t going to lose you and our child.”

“But…if you bit me…”

“You’re not a vampire. It doesn’t work like that. It takes three bites, plus you drinking blood within 24 hours of the last bite, to complete the transition. You’re fine.”

“Thank God.”

Xavier looked down at their daughter and, like magic, a name came to him.

“I think we should call her Linley,” he said.

“Linley?”

“Yeah, it’s not an old name but it’s not new either. It’s unique, just like her.”

“I like it. And she looks like a Linley.”

“Then so be it. We also better get her some baby things.”

“Pink.”

“Of course.”

The new parents smiled at each other as their daughter cooed in her father’s arms. Allanna realized belatedly that they didn’t even have a crib for her.

“We didn’t plan on her coming so soon,” she said glumly.

“It’s not a problem. I’ll simply go get her a little bassinette for now.”

“Why don’t we just let her sleep in here with us? Then we can get all the stuff at the same time.”

“That might be the better option. But first, you both need your rest.”

Allanna nodded and Xavier could tell that she was physically spent. Not even caring that the bedding was dirty, she simply stripped down to her underwear, crawled under the covers, and fell asleep. Xavier didn’t need as much sleep as humans, or werewolves for that matter, so he took it upon himself to take care of Linley while his wife slept.

He carried her into the living room and sat down on the couch with her. He allowed her to grab his finger with her tiny hand, and he swore he saw her smile at him.

As Xavier watched his daughter, he knew that, now that she was born, the vampires wouldn’t back down. The werewolves probably wouldn’t either. Linley seemed perfectly harmless, but she had the genes of both species in her blood. That could spell disaster for both kinds. But Xavier swore that he wouldn’t let anything happen to his daughter. He’d protect her, no matter what the cost.

********************

“So it’s happened,” Mortius declared.

“Yes,” Gloria reported. “Xavier was in such a rush to get back to his apartment that he didn’t notice I was following him. I could hear everything. His bitch had their little brat, and apparently it’s half vampire, half werewolf.”

“Very interesting. You know, now that I think about it, perhaps killing that child isn’t the best option. Perhaps we should use this to our advantage.”

“Father, what advantage could there possibly be?”

“Revenge, Gloria. When the time comes, I have another plan that will ensure our victory over the werewolves of Duskwood. The battle is going on despite my absence, but their offspring will be our trophy card.”

Chapter 19 - Propagation

2012-02-05T11:48:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and sexual content (pictures included).

The rest of the honeymoon was just as blissful as the first night for Allanna and Xavier. It didn’t matter that she was pregnant – the two got it on as often as they always did. This time, instead of christening an abandoned shack they were hiding out in, they christened their very own apartment.

Xavier also bought them a trendy new Ferrari, and they christened that with pleasure in the middle of the night when hardly anyone was around (although the possibility of getting caught just made it hotter).

Things were really looking up for the lovers. They were both enjoying married life, and Allanna was even enjoying the maternity clothes she was wearing. Most people would say maternity clothes were hideous, but she actually found herself liking them. She and Xavier both looked forward to the arrival of their baby more and more every day. Allanna didn’t seem to be having any problems with the pregnancy, and thanks to Xavier’s seemingly unlimited supply of income, neither one of them even had to work. All they had to do was relax and enjoy each other’s company.

“You know what we should do?” Allanna asked as she rested her head in Xavier’s lap one day. “We should start thinking of baby names.”

“Already? You’re only about five months along.”

“I know, but there are millions of names we could choose from.”

“Well, I’ve always been partial to the name Preston.”

“Preston? That’s a pretty weird one. How about Byron?”

“That sounds like someone was trying to say Brian but they were dyslexic.”

“Oh, be quiet. I like unique names.”

“As do I. What do you like for girl names?”

“I like Trudy. Or Nadine.”

“I prefer Carina or Veronica.”

“You can tell we’re from two different time periods. Your names are more old-fashioned than mine.”

“Maybe we can come up with a name that’s not old or new.”

“Maybe, but I don’t know what.”

“I’m sure we’ll think of something.”

“You haven’t been able to hear anything, have you?”

“I’m afraid not. Like I said, I probably won’t be able to until after the baby learns to communicate. That’s just how it works.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Lying there in Xavier’s arms, Allanna felt so content and so complete. When she was a child, she’d always dreamed of a knight in shining armor carrying her away to a big castle and they’d get married and have a family together. Her life was no fairy tale, and they weren’t exactly living in a big castle, but she still mostly got the thing she wanted most out of life. She never would have thought it would have been with a vampire. She could barely picture it happening with a human. But she was very glad she did. It proved that true love can find anyone.

It’s funny that as she was thinking this, her cell phone rang and when she answered it, she was surprised to hear Cynthia’s voice on the other end of the line.

“Cynthia? What is it?”

“I just needed to know if you were okay.”

“I’m fine. You haven’t contacted me since that night four months ago. I never even knew if you got my note.”

“I got it, I just didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t believe you were really going to run away with a vampire, after springing one free and turning the whole pack against you.”

“Not the whole pack. You’re still on my side, right?”

“Of course, which is why I’m calling. I need to warn you – your dad is pissed off. I’ve never seen him so crazy. He keeps talking about what a failure you turned out to be, what a disappointment you are, and…well, I’ll spare you the rest of the details.”

“No, don’t. I want to hear it. What else did he say?”

“Allanna…”

“Please, Cyn.”

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Cynthia sighed and said all in a rush, “He says you were so easy that even a vampire got into your pants and that you’re a disgrace.”

“He…he said that?”

“I said you didn’t want to hear it.”

Allanna couldn’t respond, because Xavier grabbed the phone out of her hand and said, “You can tell her father that I love his daughter and I didn’t smooth-talk her into anything. You should also throw in that she’s now my wife.”

Allanna tried to stifle her sniffles as she watched Xavier’s face. She could hear Cynthia on the other end of the line thanks to her advanced hearing ability, but that didn’t make matters any better.

“The whole pack is worried sick about what you guys bred,” she was saying. “No one has any idea what it might be, except that it won’t be good.”

“I can assure you that’s not true. And what business is it of theirs, anyway? They essentially exiled Allanna, and it’s our child, so we’ll take care of it.”

“That’s not the problem. The problem is, it’ll probably have both werewolf and vampire genes, and it might not be controllable. It might be a danger to both species.”

“How would you know what the vampires are thinking?”

“I don’t, but that’s what Allanna’s dad seems to think. I guess that’s one thing those two bone-headed leaders can agree on.”

“So you’re calling to warn us.”

“No, I’m calling to warn Allanna. I’d lay low for a while if I was you.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Okay, well, I can hear Allanna sniffling back there, so tell her I’m sorry I upset her. I’ve gotta go, there's a war going on over here and let's just say the odds aren't exactly in our favor.”

Allanna heard the phone click to disconnect the call and Xavier handed Allanna’s cell phone back to her. He then wrapped her in his arms.

“I can’t believe my dad would say something like that,” she wailed, the war not even prominent in her mind.

“It’s all right,” Xavier consoled, stroking Allanna’s hair. “He’s wrong; he’s just speaking out of anger and hurt.”

“Oh yeah? Was your dad speaking out of anger and hurt when he said your mother deserved to die?”

“Perhaps. Although that could have been Mortius brainwashing him.”

Allanna just cried harder and began to sink onto the floor. Xavier sunk down with her and cradled her in his arms until her sobs subsided. When they did at last, she sat up on her knees and took Xavier’s face in her hands. He sat up on his knees as well and gazed into her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said solemnly as little tracks of mascara dotted her cheeks. “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Nor I you,” Xavier replied. He then sat down on the sofa and pulled Allanna into his lap before leaning in to plant a kiss on her soft lips.

As their lips touched, Xavier thought about what he’d just said. Allanna wasn’t a vampire. She wouldn’t live forever. She’d age like any other person, whereas he would take three times as long to catch up to her. In human years, she was already only a year younger than he was. He refused to lose her. But the only way to keep her by his side forever would be to turn her into a vampire. If she were a human, that would be an easy feat. But she was a werewolf. He had no idea how his chromosomes would interact with hers. He didn’t even know how their offspring would turn out.

But he’d find out soon enough.

********************

Five months later…

Allanna was nearly due for delivery. She waddled around the apartment like a penguin, willing the baby inside her to come out so that she could see her feet again.

She also missed transforming and running at night, but she wouldn’t feel particularly safe doing that anyway. Bridgeport was a big city full of people, and several of them were probably hunters. Thanks to Xavier, they were able to at least keep food in their stomachs. His near-century worth of funds bought them a lot of meat, and Xavier had even learned to like it enough to satiate his thirst, so long as the meat was extra rare. They were making do, and they’d even gone shopping for baby things, but since they didn’t know the gender, they hadn’t made any purchases yet. Their apartment thankfully had two bedrooms, so at least the baby would have a place to sleep after it was born. The two just hoped that they were keeping a low enough profile to avoid being found.

It was a burden always being on the move to avoid the wrath of two irate species who’d abandoned them both, but Allanna and Xavier were determined to do whatever they could to keep their child safe.

Unfortunately, they didn’t succeed very long in Bridgeport.

The vampires found them first. Xavier should have seen it coming. They went against all logic and went out to the more desolate part of Bridgeport to stargaze. Then they saw a horde of angry glowing eyes coming straight for them.

“Shit!” Xavier exclaimed as he stood up. Allanna slowly got to her feet as well. She looked around and fear engulfed her. She couldn’t transform, and she could barely even walk with her stomach protruding so far. Even if she could help, she and Xavier were both greatly outnumbered.

“Just leave us alone,” Xavier snarled. “We’re not bothering you anymore. You can have your war with the werewolves all you want, but we want nothing to do with it. Let us be.”

Mortius stepped out from the shadows and looked irritatingly smug in his formal suit with red scarf. Maybe he thought he was James Bond or something.

“Xavier, this has nothing to do with the war,” he droned, ignoring the James Bond thought. “It has to do with the fact that you betrayed your clan, committed treason, and are about to bring an abomination into this world. We can’t allow you to live.”

“Our child will not be an abomination. We’ll take care of it, and it won’t be a threat to anyone.”

“On the contrary. It will be tarnished with the blood of that creature standing next to you, and we won’t allow it to live.”

“Fuck you, Mortius. I’m tired of dealing with your shit. I’ll never forgive you for what you did to my mother, and if you think you’re going to come after my wife and child, you can go to hell!”

Mortius just frowned. He shook his head in disgrace before saying, “You’re a fool, Xavier. You had everything, and you could have had more if only you’d accepted my daughter’s advances.”

Gloria emerged from the propagation and shot Xavier a death glare. If looks could kill, he would have turned to stone.

“Instead,” Mortius continued, “you chose that dog to be your mate. That’s unfathomable, and it goes against every bit of our existence. You should also know that I chose you to watch over our hostage for a reason. I was testing you, to see if you could be trusted, and you failed the test. You deceived the clan like your mother did. Even if I was forgiving, you've adamantly proven time and time again how untrustworthy you truly are. Your dear friend Malik paid the price of saving you that night all those months ago, and now you’re next.”

In that instant, Mortius lunged. He grabbed Xavier by the shirt and punched him in the face. Allanna jumped away from the two brawlers but then she heard a sound that froze her in place.

That sound was the sound of a gun firing. She looked over and saw that Daddy’s Little Girl Gloria had a gun in her hands.

“Stay still, mongrel!” she demanded.

Allanna dodged another bullet, but she saw that, as it zipped past her, it was silver.

The punching next to Allanna didn’t cease, and she had no way to help Xavier.

Another shot rang out and it barely missed her leg.

“Stop moving you fucking bitch!” Gloria screamed.

Allanna saw that none of the other vampires were helping. In fact, this whole thing seemed to be about Mortius and Gloria. Mortius was attempting to kill Xavier for betraying the clan, while Gloria was attempting to kill Allanna for stealing her man.

Jealous much?

“Fuck you!” Gloria yelled, and this time Allanna couldn’t dodge the bullet in time. She ducked, but not fast enough. She felt the bullet graze her side, barely missing her abdomen carrying her baby, and she fell to the ground on her back, clutching her wound.

“You fucking bitch!” Xavier yelled with vehemence. He landed one final blow to Mortius’s balls before charging toward Gloria.

Suddenly, lights flashed over the hill. They were red and blue, which could only mean one thing – the police were on their day.

“Damn it!” Mortius cursed. “Some human heard all the commotion and saw a fight so they called the police. Let’s get out of here!”

Xavier dodged one last punch as he ran toward Allanna. Her vision was getting blurry. The silver was already spreading through her system, poisoning her blood.

“I won’t let you die!” Xavier declared. He picked her up and yelled one final warning at the retreating vampires, some of which were his father and siblings:

“If she dies, you all die!”

Xavier then hastened to take Allanna back home, hoping that he wouldn’t be followed.

Chapter 18 - Tribunal

2012-02-02T00:37:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and very explicit sexual content (pictures containing nudity included).

Four months later…

Allanna’s stomach grew at a normal rate, much to the surprise of both her and Xavier. Xavier enjoyed playing with her expanding baby bump, and would always try to listen to the creature gestating inside to see if they could get some answers regarding what it would be.

He also tried talking to the fetus inside and would touch Allanna's stomach, but his efforts to find out anything were always in vain. He couldn't get any information on what kind of creature they'd bred.

Though she tried to hide it, Xavier knew that Allanna’s worries increased every day. Not only was she worried about what they’d bred, but she also worried about what it would look like after she delivered it.

Xavier tried to find ways to ease her mind, but that was easier said than done. She no longer had morning sickness, but her hormones were still running wild. One minute she was pissed off, the next she was horny, and the next she was depressed. It was completely unpredictable, even with his mind-reading ability. Then he came up with an idea.

“I was thinking,” he said to her one day as they were attempting to watch TV. “I know of something that might help to end this ridiculous rivalry between our kinds.”

“What is it?”

“Well, they’re looking at us as two natural enemies who committed adultery. Perhaps it would help if we got married. Our kinds both strongly believe in that.”

“You can’t be serious. They already know I’m pregnant, getting married won’t change that.”

“All right, then why don’t we get married for us instead of them?”

Allanna gaped at Xavier. Was he serious? She really didn’t see that coming.

“Of course I’m serious,” he affirmed with an earnest look on his face. “I love you, Allanna. I realize that times are different now, but in my time, people got married to signify how much they love each other. I want that for us.”

Xavier stood up then, stood Allanna up, then knelt down, took her hand in his, and asked, “Allanna Lycoris, you’re my essence and my reason for existing. I love you more than life itself. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

Allanna was speechless for a moment before she began crying with joy and finally answered, “Yes, I will. I love you too, Xavier.”

Xavier stood up then and encompassed Allanna with a tight embrace. She hugged him back with a sudden feeling of bliss and relief. Maybe this was a sign that everything was going to be all right.

********************

The wedding wasn’t extravagant. It was a private ceremony in front of a judge. Both Xavier and Allanna wished the wedding could have been more traditional, but because everyone they knew were in the middle of a century-long brawl, not to mention pissed off at them, there was nothing more they could do.

But that didn’t make their wedding night any less romantic. Even though Allanna’s stomach was getting bigger, Xavier still found her to be gorgeous. She was literally glowing as she carried their child inside of her, and both of them were beginning to think that their bundle of joy wouldn’t be a monster after all. Xavier had also managed to get them both some pretty matching wedding rings to symbolize their love. He got Allanna a gold one, not knowing that werewolves could touch silver, it just couldn’t get into their bloodstream.

“Come and get it,” Allanna called seductively from the bedroom. Xavier chuckled before entering the bedroom in his boxers. Allanna was lying on the bed in sexy lingerie with a very tempting look on her face.

Xavier licked his lips playfully before climbing onto the bed. He started to pull Allanna down, but she instructed him to stay put. She then got up and did a little strip tease dance.

Xavier let out a wolf whistle as Allanna danced along to some music she put on the radio. She giggled and began moving her hands all across her muscular body before pretending to unclasp her bra.

“How do these look now?” she asked seductively.

“Huge,” Xavier replied. “Bring those fun bags over here.”

“How bad do you want it?”

“I can taste it.”

Allanna wiggled her eyebrows and began crawling forward on the bed.

“Come on baby,” Xavier cooed.

Allanna laughed before hovering above him, teasing him even more.

“Your boobs are so fucking huge,” Xavier moaned in ecstasy, his erection throbbing against Allanna’s thigh.

Allanna responded by jiggling them in front of his face. He pulled one out, grabbed a protruding pink nipple, and flicked at it with his tongue. Then he took the tender thing in his mouth and began sucking. Allanna moaned, feeling herself grow moist.

“You better get used to this,” Xavier said after he took a break, “because you’ll be doing a lot of it when the baby comes.”

Allanna stuck her tongue out at Xavier before tearing his boxers off, removing her panties and bra, and climbing on top of him. She teased him some more by not inserting his stiff member inside her, and he finally ended up begging for it.

“I like when you beg for your treat,” she mused.

“Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” he chortled. “Besides, isn’t it usually the dog that begs for treats?”

“I’m not that kind of dog.”

Xavier laughed and finally Allanna lowered herself onto his shaft. It felt so good he was afraid he wouldn’t last as long as he wanted to. He also wasn’t sure who was moaning louder – him or her.

“Oh yeah baby,” he said, picking up her habit of moaning in ecstasy. It turned her on even more, and he loved when she was dominant in bed. Her breasts went up and down as she bounced on top of him and he grabbed them eagerly, teasing her nipples with his thumbs.

“Oh yes,” she breathed as she quickened her pace. Xavier felt himself on the verge of release, but he wasn’t finished yet. He lifted Allanna off of him and then laid her flat on the bed.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “I’m not done.”

“Neither am I.”

Xavier then returned the pleasures she’d given him down south and put his tongue to work.

“Holy fuck,” Allanna gasped, and Xavier knew she’d never had this done before. He took full advantage of this and swirled his tongue in and out, around and round. She grasped the bedspread for support with one hand and pushed his head closer with the other.

“Oh fuck yes,” she said, her screams getting louder and louder as she tugged at his hair, pushing his head closer to his destination. “Don’t stop, please don’t stop.”

Xavier had no intention of stopping. It wasn’t until after he received a sweet drink and heard Allanna’s content sigh that he stopped. He then flipped her onto her stomach, propped her up on all fours, and entered her from behind.

“Yes!” she screamed. He knew how much she loved this. “Oh fuck! Yeah! Oooohhh!”

Xavier couldn’t resist reaching around and stroking her most sensitive area with his finger. This made Allanna curl down, putting her head on the bed for support, and scream.

“Oh, Xavier! Let me have it!”

Xavier did let her have it, until he could hold out no longer. He moaned her name as he finished, squeezing his fingers into her sides.

“Ouch,” she said.

“Sorry. Shit, I hope I didn’t leave bruises.”

“It’s fine. Just don’t squeeze there, you might hurt the baby.”

“I’m sorry. So, how was that for a wedding night?”

“Fucking amazing. I swear, you just get better every time you do me.”

“You know what they say. Practice makes perfect.”

Allanna just rolled her eyes playfully at Xavier. One thing was certain – if she kept getting exercise like this, she wouldn’t have to worry about being super fat after the baby was born. She was gasping for air, but in a good way. She couldn’t have imagined a more perfect wedding night. She sat up and pulled Xavier toward her to give him a kiss.

“I love you, my dearest,” Xavier said to Allanna.

“And I love you too,” Allanna replied. Never before had such true words been spoken. At least, not by her. She had no doubts and no regrets. She no longer cared that she was ostracized from her own kind. She didn’t care that her family hated her and how they considered her a huge disappointment. All that mattered was that she was going to be in the arms of Xavier Deitrech for the rest of her life.

********************

Duskwood was on the brink of an even deadlier war. The hatred could be felt in the air as both species prepared for the inevitable.

Mortius was perched in his chair during the vampire tribunal, stating what the next steps would be.

“Malik has been dealt with accordingly,” he said, and he didn’t miss the slight look of resentment that passed over Cedric’s face as he said this, “and our next step is to destroy Xavier Deitrech. The charge is treason, the sentence is death. He betrayed us, followed in his mother’s footsteps, and now he’s impregnated the enemy. We don’t know what they’re created, but it will be an abomination regardless. A vampire with mutt blood in it must not be allowed to live. And that means taking the life of its expectant mother as well. She brought this upon all of us. She brainwashed Xavier into turning against us, and now they must both pay.”

“When will we get this revenge?” Gloria asked eagerly. She’d given up on Xavier after he’d slept with the enemy, but she’d experience just as much pleasure in killing him as sleeping with him.

“In time, daughter,” Mortius replied. “We’re all very thirsty, pardon the pun, for revenge, and we shall have it. I think even those animals on the other side of Duskwood would agree with that.”

Gloria snickered and the rest of the vampires joined in. Mortius stood up and said, “We will have our revenge! Treason is punishable by death, and we’ll take not only the life of Xavier Deitrech, but also that of his werewolf lover, and their abomination of a child!”

The vampires let out a chorus of cheers and raised their fists in the air like an angry mob. Mortius grinned in satisfaction. If there was one thing he couldn’t tolerate, it was insubordination. Xavier had been very insubordinate in not obeying his orders and then claiming to have fallen in love with a beast. Such a thing wasn’t possible.

And he couldn’t wait to prove it.

Chapter 17 - Evening the Odds

2012-01-29T22:19:00.003-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language.

Allanna felt like she couldn’t drive fast enough. The pack wasn’t as fast as a vampire at night, and they probably weren’t as fast as her father’s car, but they were deadly in such great numbers. Either way, if Xavier didn’t get killed, then someone else would. It could be Devan or it could be one of her siblings. It might even be Cynthia’s father. This was going to end badly if she didn’t do something.

Normally she’d hesitate before getting so close to the invisible vampire/werewolf barrier, but tonight she sped right on through the mist. It was already dark by the time she got to the invisible wall that had separated the two species of Duskwood for so long. She had no idea where to look for Xavier, but her scent would surely draw out one of the leeches long enough for her to warn them of the impending attack. She didn’t care what happened to them – it was Xavier she cared about. And if she could warn one of them, maybe she could distract them with preparing for the battle long enough to save Xavier.

Her plan worked. A vampire leaped out of the shadows to investigate the stench she was emitting, and Allanna saw that it was Xavier’s younger brother, Jebadiah. She pulled over and jumped out of the car.

“Jebadiah,” she said hastily as he made his way toward her angrily, “listen to me. My pack is on its way. They’ll slaughter you all. You have to tell me where Xavier is.”

The red-headed teenager sneered. “Why the fuck would I help you? You’re just like that asshole that seduced my mother and caused her to end up killed. Only you seduced my brother. Nice move drawing that stupid pentagram on his palm. We couldn’t even kill him for treason.”

“Jebadiah, I swear to you that I mean your brother no harm. Now listen, if you tell me where he is, I’ll leave you alone.”

“No way. Mortius gave instructions to kill any wolves on sight, and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

“What’s going on out here?” a third voice inquired. Malik stepped out of the shadows.

“You,” he said when he saw Allanna, recognizing her smell.

“Malik, my pack is coming. They’re coming for Xavier and the rest of you. Please, where is he?”

Malik gaped at her. For a moment, Allanna thought he’d listen to her. Then he frowned at her before saying, “Why would I do anything to help Xavier? Or you, for that matter? He betrayed all of us and got you, the enemy, pregnant. You’ll probably end up with some devil child or something.”

“Xavier’s your best friend!”

“Not anymore.”

Allanna wanted to transform so badly to rip the throat out of this bastard, but he turned to Jebadiah and said, “Go tell Mortius the mongrels are on their way. I’ll deal with this one.”

Jebadiah took off. When Malik turned back to Allanna, his face was softer. He said, “If you want to see Xavier, get your ass over here now and keep moving.”

Allanna had a million questions fly through her mind, but she didn’t waste time trying to answer them. She listened to Malik and followed him. He led her to a gothic-style library, then circled around to the side of it to enter a side door that lead to a cellar. He closed the door behind them and ushered her down a hallway until they came to a big room. In the center of the room was a coffin. That coffin was emitting a noise from inside. The nose sounded like…

“Xavier!” Allanna cried as she ran toward the coffin. She threw the lid up, and Xavier sat up abruptly, rubbing his head.

“Allanna!” he said as he stepped out of the coffin to embrace her. “How did you find me?”

“Malik showed me,” she said. Xavier looked at his friend and said, “If this is a trick…”

“No, it’s not. I can tell how you feel about her. Just like your mother. But it’s not my place to come between you guys. Both of you better get the hell out of here while you still can. Oh, and the wolves are coming.”

“What?”

Allanna looked down and said glumly, “I’ve got some news for you, and my dad found out, so he’s declared war on your kind.”

“You mean the news about how we fell in love? I presume you told him that?”

Allanna bit her lip as Xavier drew her closer. This wasn’t the time. They had to get out of here. Xavier read that in her mind, so he threw Allanna onto his back and carried her out of the cellar.

The streets were quiet, but they wouldn’t be for long. No sooner had the three of them emerged from the cellar than Mortius himself looked at them with a smug expression on his face.

“Malik,” he said snidely, “I wondered if you would do anything you could to help out your dear friend Xavier. It seems that I was correct. Even you have sided with the enemy.”

“I just want to see Xavier happy,” Malik amended. “I don’t care about the girl, but if she’s what my idiot friend wants, then so be it.”

“I wish I could believe that. But I know better. Now, why did Jebadiah tell me that the wolves were coming? Was that a means of distraction so you could show our uninvited guest where her lover was?”

“No,” Allanna spoke from Xavier’s back, “my father’s furious. He’s coming with the rest of the pack. Malik didn’t lie.”

Suddenly, a shrill howl ripped through the night. Mortius turned to see a large black wolf romping toward him. Allanna recognized her father.

“Dad, wait!” she called. “We’re all here now! Mortius, just talk to him!”

“You don’t have to fight like this!” Xavier added.

But their pleas went unheard, their cries unnoticed. A bloody brawl formed right there on the street. The pack wasn’t far behind Darius, and Mortius’s right hand vampires showed up to join the fight, including Gloria and Jebadiah. One vampire looked to be an older version of Xavier, so that was undoubtedly his father. Even some vampire children joined the cacophony.

Allanna didn’t care to witness any more. “If you want to kill yourselves for some stupid war that started before we were even born,” she shouted, “then go ahead! I’m done! Fuck all of you! Xavier, let’s go.”

Xavier didn’t argue. He gave Malik one last glance, saying something in his mind to him. Malik sadly shook his head, so Xavier zipped through the night with Allanna on his shoulders. She just hoped that Cynthia would get and understand the note she’d left on the kitchen table.

Sneaking one last look back, Allanna gripped Xavier’s shoulders tighter as he carried her to a new destination, this one unknown even to him.

********************

They could have gone back to Vivica’s and Savek’s hideout, but the place just didn’t seem as appealing now. Plus, Allanna insisted that they better find a really nice place considering the news she was going to have to share. She told Xavier not to read her mind about this – she wanted to be able to tell him herself.

Finally, they stopped at a bank and Xavier withdrew as much money from his account as he could. He then opened a new account in both their names, almost as though they were posing as a married couple. Allanna found this pretty appropriate considering the news she was about to break.

Allanna had a few hundred dollars in her account, so she withdrew that as well and the two finally managed to find a large skyscraper two-bedroom apartment in Bridgeport, at least temporarily. It was a nice place, not the biggest apartment around, but it was better than nothing.

“All right,” Xavier said as he set down the bags full of even more clothes they’d had to invest in, “what’s the big news you have for me?”

Allanna told Xavier to sit down. She then explained the predicament they’d put themselves in.

“I was showing all the signs, so Cynthia and I went to a drug store and bought two boxes of pregnancy tests, so that was four tests. They all came out positive.”

Allanna braced herself for Xavier’s reaction, but he thankfully didn’t go berserk. Instead, he pulled Allanna close to him on the couch and cradled her in his arms.

“And you’re scared because you don’t know what it will be.”

Allanna nodded as Xavier's fingers intertwined with hers. “I don’t know what to do. I can’t even go see a doctor because werewolves have our own. Our body’s designed to change from one form to another, so it would look very weird to a human doctor.”

“Vampires have their own doctors as well. Our bodies are exceptionally strong, not to mention cold to the touch, and we have no heartbeat. But in this situation, I’m not sure who to go to. We don’t know what the baby will be.”

“And we’re both pretty much ostracized now anyway. Do you think you could try to read its mind? Maybe when it gets older, since it’s probably too little now, but when it can hear our voices? Maybe you can find out what it is?”

“I don’t know. It’s worth a try, but I can’t guarantee anything. No one’s ever been able to read the mind of a fetus before. We’ve all had to wait until after it was born, and even then it’s difficult because they’re incapable of speech.”

Allanna felt her nausea come back, and she bolted for the bathroom before throwing up. Xavier followed her in and said in an attempt to lighten the mood, “I didn’t mean to make you ill with that information. I’m sorry.”

Allanna sat down on the ground in a depressed stupor. Xavier had basically said their situation was hopeless and unpredictable. They’d have to wait and see what happened.

“Xavier,” she asked suddenly as she stood up to wash her hands, “why did those vampires have you in a coffin?”

“I have you to thank for that, actually. Your pentagram saved my life. They were going to kill me, but they couldn’t because I was marked as your victim. Instead, they put me in that coffin in a cruel twist of irony. I couldn’t get out because it only opened from the outside. So I guess we’re even now.”

“What do you mean?”

“I saved your life a few times, remember? You saved mine. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, you still got into big trouble because of me. And why didn’t Malik get you out of there?”

“Malik didn’t free me before because he was afraid.”

“Well, what about now? He helped me find you, and then he helped us both escape. What will happen to him?”

“I asked him if he wanted to come with me in my mind, and he said no. I think he shares my feelings and he’s tired of the tumultuous fighting. I can’t do anything to change his mind about coming with us, but hopefully Mortius will spare him.”

“You know he won’t. The guy’s a monster.”

“Cedric is Malik’s father, and Cedric is Mortius’s right-hand man. Things might be different.”

“I hope so.”

At last, Allanna yawned and stretched. “I’m tired; I think I’ll go to bed.”

“I’ll join you.”

The two made their way to the bedroom where they both stripped down to their undergarments. Allanna stretched out across the bed and threw an arm onto Xavier’s chest as they both closed their eyes.

Sleep came relatively quickly for Allanna, but Xavier had a hard time submerging into unconsciousness. Allanna was pregnant with his child, and neither one of them had any idea what it would be. But one thing was certain – the werewolves and vampires may be in a stalemate battle, but when word got around that she was carrying an unknown species, neither kind would hesitate. Fear of the unknown was a powerful thing, and with the rivalry already going on, neither species would allow their child, uncertain of what it was, to live.

Chapter 16 - Alpha and Omega

2012-01-25T11:54:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and content that some might find disturbing.

To be completely certain, Allanna took three more tests. They all came out the same – two pink vertical lines squinting up at her with the word ‘Pregnant’ flashing afterward.

There was no denying it – Allanna was pregnant. And she didn’t even know what she was pregnant with. She put her head in her hands to shield her face.

“What are you gonna do?” Cynthia wanted to know. “You can’t tell your dad, but eventually he’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do. But I do know that I can’t do this alone. I need Xavier. He might know what this baby will be. His mother got pregnant with a werewolf, like I told you, and they even knew it was going to be a boy. Maybe he can tell.”

“Oh, what? You think he’ll read the fetus’s mind like Edward Cullen?”

“This is no time for jokes. But yeah, it’s a possibility.”

“I don’t mean to laugh, but…” Cynthia burst into loud guffaws. Allanna just rolled her eyes. She had too many unanswered questions and no one to ask them to. For instance, did vampires have an increased gestation rate? Or would it be the normal nine-month cycle? Or would it maybe even be the same gestation period as an actual wolf (although for her kind, it took nine months anyway)?

Plus, Allanna wouldn’t be able to transform while pregnant. Doing so would most likely kill the fetus since it was only designed to fit inside one body type. And, despite Cynthia’s suggestions, Allanna didn’t want to give up the baby. It was hers and Xavier’s, proof that it wasn’t impossible for two arch nemeses to fall in love.

Thinking of this brought up the most important question - would Allanna even be able to see Xavier again?

********************

Allanna spent the next couple of weeks in a state of perpetual loneliness, sickness, and hungriness. She still hadn’t told anyone other than Cynthia that she was pregnant with the enemy’s child, and she still hadn’t figured out what the baby might be. She was desperate for answers but had no way to get them.

She also couldn’t even transform to enjoy a good run at night due to being pregnant. This situation sucked, plain and simple. Plus, how was she going to tell her parents? Eventually they’d find out. Cynthia had offered to tell them with her, but Allanna knew that she had to inform them on her own.

Allanna rubbed her stomach, willing her mind to be telepathic like a vampire’s. If part of a vampire was inside her, perhaps she could develop some of the creature’s special abilities. Then maybe she’d have an idea of what she was dealing with and what to do. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

“What are you?” she asked her stomach with apprehension. “Will you be more of one species than the other? Or will you be something…terrible?”

Allanna’s greatest fear was that she’d give birth to an abomination, the result of a vampire breeding with a werewolf. Such a thing had never been heard of, at least not until Xavier’s mother and her lover, but she hadn’t carried that baby to term. She’d been killed before it was born. Allanna didn’t want that to happen to her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she called nonchalantly. The door creaked open and Allanna saw her mother standing there with worry in her eyes.

“Allanna,” she said.

“Mom, are you okay?”

“I should be asking you that question. You know I can sense when something’s wrong.”

Allanna sighed. Her mother might be more understanding than her father. Who else could she ask? Her mother had been through pregnancy; at the very least, she’d be able to offer some insight on that.

“What’s wrong?” Lupe asked as she sat down next to her daughter.

Allanna looked at her mother and confessed, “I’m scared.”

“I’ve never known you to be so scared of anything. What is it?”

“I...Mom, please don’t tell Dad. I have to tell him myself, when I’m ready. But…Mom, I’m…pregnant.”

Lupe unsuccessfully tried to stifle a gasp and Allanna lowered her head in shame. When she finally looked up, she saw that her mother was crying.

“It’s that thing’s, isn’t it?”

“Mom…”

“Allanna, I can’t believe you’d do this to yourself. To the pack. You know that’s forbidden.”

“Mom, that law isn’t written in stone. I love Xavier and he’s good to me.”

“You were supposed to be Ace’s mate. He’s good to you too, and he would be even better for you than that filthy leech!”

So much for her mother being more understanding.

“Mom,” Allanna pleaded, “I’m sorry. But don’t you see…”

“All I see is that you got kidnapped by a blood-sucker and you ended up falling in love with him for some stupid reason, and now you’re pregnant with his kid! Who knows what could be growing inside you? It’ll probably be some grotesque monster that both drinks blood and turns into a wolf! It’s a disgrace!”

Before Allanna could argue, her mother declared, “I’m telling your father.”

“Mom, just because he’s the alpha…”

“If you had listened to your father, the alpha, this wouldn’t have happened! We’ve always taught you never to lower yourself to the enemy’s standards, never let them take advantage of you, and what do you do? The exact opposite! I thought you outgrew that habit when you grew out of your teens!”

“Mom, we’re not all wolf. We’re half human too, so we don’t have to do exactly what Dad says. You’re just afraid to stand up to him!”

“That’s enough! I’m telling your father, and I’m also telling you something else – there’s no way you’ll bring that…thing into the world.”

Lupe stood up, spun on her heel, and stalked out the door, slamming it behind her. Allanna collapsed onto the sofa and began crying. So now her mother was completely against her, set on telling her father the secret she was trying desperately to keep for as long as she could, and now she was being threatened to have an involuntary abortion.

Now what was she going to do?

********************

Just as she’d suspected, Allanna’s father wasn’t happy when he learned that she was carrying a vampire’s child. He couldn’t comprehend why she fell in love with the enemy to begin with, much less allow herself to become knocked up by it.

Try as she might, Allanna couldn’t get Darius to understand why he should stop feuding with the vampires over something that happened centuries before they even existed. But her efforts were in vain. Darius wouldn’t listen, and now he was more determined than ever to take the fight to the vampires.

“That little fucker got you pregnant after kidnapping you to manipulate us to give up our territory, and he’s not getting away with it!” Darius declared in anger. “I’m gonna rip his throat out and feed it to him! I’m tired of being intimidated by those bastards, and they expect to get our land! This means war! I should have started the war after you were kidnapped, but now there’s no point in procrastinating. It’s time to gives those filthy blood-suckers what they deserve.”

Allanna saw the crazed look in her father’s eyes and she knew there was no reasoning with him. She watched as he transformed himself into an intimidating black wolf, her mother and brother following suit (Raquel had to stay behind and take care of Lacey, but she was fully capable of handling that being raised as a werewolf). Darius went outside and howled a call for help. When the rest of the pack arrived, he reverted back to his human form for only a moment, long enough to discuss the tactics of the impending battle.

No one even cared that he was standing outside stark naked in the middle of the day. Then again, as werewolves, that wasn’t anything new.

When the meeting was over, Darius reverted to his wolf form and led the way toward the vampire territory of Duskwood. Allanna could do nothing but watch helplessly, unable to transform due to her condition.

She was now essentially the omega, the member of the pack who carried all the burdens and frustrations. If this pack had been in wolf form permanently, she’d be the last one to eat, and would be the one to go hungry if food was scarce. She’d turned against her pack and her actions were unforgiveable in the eyes of her former family. None of the pack even looked back at her as they marched toward their destination.

But just because she couldn’t transform didn’t mean that Allanna couldn’t do something to help Xavier. Luckily, Cynthia wasn’t in the crowd of battle-prone wolves. She was at work in Vegas, working the earlier shirt. That would give Allanna an opportunity. At least, she hoped it would.

Summoning up her courage and determination, Allanna made her way toward her father's junky lemon car, since Xavier had undoubtedly taken her Bug since it was nowhere to be found, and floored it. She had a mission tonight, and it could end up killing her. But she was determined to try.

Chapter 15 - Consequences

2012-01-20T14:05:00.002-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and sexual references.

Xavier waited outside for more than two hours before he saw wolves begin circling the area. He could read their minds easily – Allanna’s father hadn’t gone for the idea of peace, and he’d ordered his pack to make sure she didn’t get out of his house. That meant that Allanna was essentially stuck in her parents’ house against her will.

Xavier sighed in frustration. If only he could get in there to save her! But there was no way he could do that. He was greatly outnumbered, and wolves had strong enough teeth to rip apart the flesh of even the strongest vampire. He’d never stand a chance. And if he died, that wouldn’t do Allanna any good either.

Finally giving in, he decided to confront Mortius himself. He’d changed his mind about his tactic. It would be better to give it to Mortius straight rather than going through Malik. Taking Allanna’s car, he drove toward the swankier part of town.

When he arrived at Mortius’s big mansion at last, Xavier snuck a quick peek at his palm. He could still make out a tiny outline of Allanna’s pentagram, visible through his superior vision. He was as ready as he would ever be.

Summoning up his determination, Xavier reached Mortius’s chamber with no hassles. But that wasn’t surprising – he certain that Mortius knew he was there. He was expecting him. Because Mortius was an elder vampire, he could read the mind of anyone whether they willed him to or not. It was quite troublesome.

“It’s been a long time, Xavier,” Mortius said by way of greeting when Xavier entered the chamber.

“Mortius,” Xavier said coldly. “We need to talk.”

“Yes, we do, don’t we? Why don’t we start with where we left off? After you once again took that animal and fled. You have quite the courage to come back here, I must admit.”

“I came back here because I have a proposition for you.”

“Proposition? Surely you jest. You have no proposition for me. It’s all for you, and I can tell that simply by reading your mind.”

“Mortius, this war has gone on long enough, don’t you think? You weren’t personally involved when this feud began, yet you enforce some unwritten rule to hate werewolves. What did they ever do to you? Our kind enslaved them centuries ago, so if anyone has the right to hate the opposite species, it’s them.”

“My, you’ve become quite opinionated about werewolves since frolicking around with that little lycan, haven’t you? Xavier, surely you know that werewolves retaliated against us for enslaving them. They sparked the war, not us.”

“Bullshit. If our kind hadn’t enslaved them to begin with, they wouldn’t have needed to retaliate! Mortius, I’m tired of this. So here’s how it’s gonna work. You stop this stupid rivalry, let the werewolves keep their land, and in return, I’ll leave your clan since I know I’ve pissed you off for the last time.”

Mortius raised his eyebrows. Then he threw his head back and laughed. “Xavier,” he said when he managed to compose himself, “I must say, in all my years, never have I heard something so humorous.”

“I’m not trying to be amusing. I’m serious.”

“I realize that, but do you really think I’m just going to let you go? You defied me, you sided with the enemy, and worse than that – you’ve followed in your mother’s footsteps.”

Xavier’s fists clenched at his sides as he tried to restrain himself. He was tired of this asshole tarnishing his mother’s name. And he was tired of taking orders from him. Mortius wasn’t an alpha male, he just thought he was. And it was time he learned his lesson.

But Xavier didn’t get the chance to beat that lesson into Mortius’s face. That’s because he found himself being grabbed by two sets of hands. He turned around to see one set of arms belonging to Cedric and the other to Gloria.

“You won’t hurt my father,” Gloria hissed. “And how could you? You chose a mongrel over me?! Are you mad?!”

“No I’m not mad,” Xavier said sarcastically, “I’m fucking pissed off. Now let me go!”

“I won’t allow that to happen again,” Mortius said as he rose from his throne like a king. “But first, there is someone that would like to see you.”

Xavier snapped his face up as his captors spun him around to face the door, and saw his father approaching him with a disgruntled look in his eyes.

“Son,” he said as he walked forward, “you disappoint me. I’d hoped you’d never follow in the path of your mother. I always had a feeling you might, considering you took her death so hard. But for you to do exactly what she did…”

“Father, don’t you see? Mother just fell in love again. I’m sorry that it wasn’t with you, and I don’t condone her committing adultery, but to kill her? If you truly loved her, you never would have allowed that to happen.”

“Dorian made the right choice,” Mortius said from behind Xavier. “He knew that Vivica needed to be punished for what she did. And now you must also be punished. Gloria, if you’d please.”

Gloria released her hold on Xavier and went to stand next to her father’s throne. A second pair of hands replaced hers on Xavier’s arm. He looked to his side to see his father. Then, to his disdain, he saw Malik.

“Malik,” he said desperately, “you agree with me, don’t you?”

“I’m sorry man,” Malik said with genuine sincerity, his eyes apologetic. “I’ve got no choice here.”

“Yes you do,” Xavier insisted. “This guy isn’t a leader. He’s a dictator.”

“That’s enough,” Mortius said. “Gentlemen, would you deal with that please? The smell is revolting.”

Cedric and Dorian tightened their grips on Xavier’s arms. But they didn’t do what they intended to, which was rip his arms straight out of their sockets. Instead, Dorian glared at the palm that was extended toward him.

“Mortius,” he said with chagrin, “it appears that our little betrayer has been made a victim of the enemy.”

Mortius walked forward and saw the slight outline of the pentagram etched into Xavier’s palm. He shook his head in displeasure before saying, “It appears we’ll have to find something else to do with you. I look forward to finding the appropriate punishment for you. And that mark on your palm will forever be a reminder of why you weren’t granted a quick and slightly more merciful death.”

********************

One week later…

Allanna’s father had clearly stated that she wasn’t to leave the house. Thankfully, he let her go back to her home with Cynthia. Her best friend had been ecstatic to see her again, but she wasn’t too thrilled about what Allanna had told her father. The beta wolves circled the house regularly to ensure that Allanna didn’t disobey the alpha, and even Cynthia had to get involved with that plot. The only way she was able to get to work was because their childhood friend Devan was taking her, since Allanna's car was missing. Apparently Cynthia and Devan had become pretty well acquainted in Allanna’s absence, and he’d driven her to work since Allanna’s car had been missing (in actuality, it had been in the parking garage since Allanna was abducted). He continued to do so now since her car was still in absentia.

Allanna was right in her prediction that she wouldn’t have a job when she returned – going MIA for months wasn’t a good way to keep employment. She was going stir-crazy being cooped up inside all day. She felt like she was still in prison, only this time it was worse because it was her family’s doing. How barbaric could one get?

Allanna was lying on the couch around midnight, feeling utterly depressed while Cynthia worked, when she suddenly felt nauseous. She jumped off the couch and ran to the bathroom covering her mouth with her hand. She then knelt down and threw up in the toilet.

After she finished retching, she tried to catch her breath before flushing the toilet. Why had she suddenly felt nauseous? She had no reason to. She hadn’t eaten anything that didn’t agree with her. She chalked it up to being stress-induced.

Finally standing up, Allanna flushed the toilet and went to wash the acrid taste out of her mouth. She then stared down into the sink, fighting off tears. If anyone had told her in the past that she’d be feeling lonely for a vampire, who had become her true love, she would have laughed in their face and then smacked them. But now, those feelings couldn’t be ignored. She wanted to see Xavier again. She was desperate for his companionship. But how was she going to pull that off?

As she stared into the sink, Allanna had a thought. Cynthia was her best friend, and they’d always trusted each other with everything. Maybe she could talk Cynthia into helping her out. She wasn’t even sure where Xavier was. He hadn’t come back for her, plus her car was missing. She had the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Staggering out of the bathroom in a stupor, Allanna suddenly felt hungry. Her stomach wasn’t growling but she was having cravings. She opened the fridge and peered inside. She saw some olives and decided to make herself an olive platter. She also found some nacho chips and cheese in a cupboard and began making some nachos as well. When she finished, she sat down to savor her snacks.

As she indulged, Allanna thought about possible tactics for getting Cynthia to be on her side. She hadn’t mentioned that she was in love with a vampire, but surely Cynthia would understand.

As she was thinking this, Allanna suddenly felt sick again. She threw down her nacho chip and hustled into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet.

“Fuck!” she exclaimed as she stood up again, rubbing her stomach after the painful retching. “What is going on?”

Just then, the front door opened. Allanna hadn’t realized that it was so late. Cynthia was coming home from her shift at the Strip Tease. She walked out of the bathroom and saw her friend standing at the door.

“Hey Cyn,” she said by way of greeting.

Cynthia looked at her friend, then saw the half-finished food on the table. “Hungry?”

“I was craving something.”

“I can see that. How are you doing?”

“Going stir-crazy, but okay except for that. Oh, and I just threw up twice.”

“What? Don’t tell me you’ve got the stomach flu already.”

“No, I don’t think that’s it. I think it’s stress.”

“Stressed about your dad?”

“You could put it that way.”

Cynthia shook her head before sitting down on the couch. Allanna cleaned up the half-eaten plates and went to join her.

“You better not be contagious,” Cynthia warned.

Allanna shook her head. “No, I’m not. Like I said, it’s just stress. My stomach didn’t even hurt and I haven’t eaten anything I haven’t eaten a million times before. I’ll be okay. How was work?”

“The usual. Although now I’m keeping my eyes open for any leeches that may show up to kidnap me.”

“Cyn, I need to ask you something.”

Cynthia glanced to her side and saw the serious look on her friend’s face. “What is it?” she asked.

Allanna took a deep breath and, though she’d planned to be calm and subtle, she found herself pouring out everything in her story at once, beginning to blubber, the words spilling out of her mouth like the tirade of vomit that had done the same thing not long ago.

When she finished, Cynthia’s eyes were wide and filled with disbelief as well as sorrow. For one horrible moment, Allanna thought that Cynthia would transform and try to kill her. But instead, Cynthia’s face softened before she said, “I think you’re crazy to be in love with a vampire, but you’re still my best friend. You’re like the sister I always wanted. Ashlyn’s a little bitch so she doesn’t count. Allanna, I want to help you, I really do, but how can I? I could end up killed or severely punished if I just let you escape.”

“You wouldn’t just be letting me escape. You could have come home from work so tired that you passed out before thinking of asking someone else to take watch. Please, Cyn. I have to see him again.”

Cynthia heaved a sigh and leaned back on the couch. “I can’t guarantee anything, but if you’re sure this is what you want, I’ll do what I can. But it will have to wait for a few days so I can figure out who’s on patrol when.”

“Thanks.”

********************

The next two days were hell for Allanna. She kept getting sick, waking up in the middle of the night to throw up, and she also had the strangest cravings. She hated seafood but found herself wanting to eat it like it was going out of style. She would just sit down to relax and be overcome with the sudden urge to pee. And worst of all, her period was five days late. She'd always been regular right down to the minute, but not this time. Finally, she told Cynthia about it. Her reaction wasn’t the one Allanna was hoping to hear.

“Allanna, come on. You admitted to me that you slept with the guy, you even went into details about how good it was. Which, by the way, I’m glad you finally had the good experience I’ve been telling you about, but let me ask you this – did you guys ever use protection?”

Allanna stopped to think. She’d wanted Xavier to wear a condom their first time, but he hadn’t had one so he’d just pulled out. They discussed it the next day, but then Mortius had shown up. And they’d ran away from him to the abandoned cottage Vivica and Savek had shared. And they’d had countless hours of sex…

“Uh…” she said as her face turned red.

“Allanna, are you fucking serious? You not only slept with the enemy, no offense, but you didn’t use protection? What were you thinking?”

“We don’t know that I’m pregnant.”

“What else could it be?”

“I don’t know!”

Allanna started sobbing like crazy, which just made the possibility of her being pregnant that much more real. Finally, she and Cynthia went to the nearest drug store to buy a pregnancy test. They were able to get away since Allanna would be chaperoned by Cynthia, though Darius wasn’t too happy about it. But at this point, Allanna could care less what her father thought.

Not wanting to wait until she got back home, plus not wanting the pack to smell it, Allanna went into the store’s dim bathroom and headed into one of the stalls. She opened the box which contained two tests and prepared to use the first one. When she came out, she set it on the counter.

“Now we just have to wait,” she declared glumly.

“Allanna,” Cynthia said skeptically, “if this thing’s positive…”

“Yeah, I know. My dad will kill me. I’ll be the omega. I’ll probably be exiled. Plus I’ll probably spark a war because Dad will want Xavier’s head on a platter.”

“Actually, what I was going to say was, we don’t know what it will be.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re a werewolf. He’s a vampire. What will the kid be?”

Allanna hadn’t considered that. If she was pregnant, would the baby have more vampire or werewolf genes? Or would it have half of each? Worse yet, would it be an abomination?

Before she could think about that any longer, Allanna looked down at the pregnancy test on the sink. She saw one bar…

…and then another bar. And she knew what that meant before the actual word flashed across the tiny screen.

“Fuck me,” she said as a whole new fear consumed her.

Chapter 14 - Futility

2012-01-15T14:01:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains explicit sexual content and nudity (including pictures) and strong language.

They stayed at Shadow Grove for almost another month, but for once, Allanna didn’t mind being so isolated. It gave her even more time to experience Xavier’s talents.

The love they made was out of this world. She couldn’t get enough of it. They christened the entire house, not even caring that Vivica might have done the same with Savek.

They did it in the bedroom.

They did it in the bathroom.

They did it in the kitchen.

They did it in the living room.

They were having so much sex that it was hard to think of anything else but their sweet sonatas. Xavier had managed to pry himself away from Allanna’s tempting body long enough to get them some new clothes. The ones they’d originally been wearing were practically torn apart now.

Allanna still hunted for food for the two of them, and though it wasn’t as good as human blood, it was better than nothing. But the really important thing was that the two had found solace in each other.

But that solace came with a price. They were deeply in love with each other, but their kinds would never understand. Xavier would likely suffer the same fate as his mother, while Allanna would probably be shunned and exiled from the pack. Was their love that strong? Was it even worth it?

“What can we gain out of this?” Allanna asked one day as the two chatted on the bed.

Xavier could hear Allanna’s doubts clearly in her mind. One thing they could gain was great sex, but was that really worth betraying their families?

“We’ve living in a modern day Romeo and Juliet,” Xavier observed.

“I don’t know how this happened. I know they say opposites attract, and I guess we were both pretty curious about each other since we’re supposed to be natural enemies, but still. I just don’t know anymore.”

“You miss your family.”

“Yes, I do. Wolves travel in packs, remember? We’re very close.”

“Well, I have nothing to go back to.”

“That’s not true. You have a nice house I’m sure, and a lot of money, and you said you have your father and siblings.”

“They’re dead to me. They’re on Mortius’s side, and my house isn’t particularly extravagant. I try not to pride myself on being wealthy.”

Allanna wrapped an arm around Xavier’s waste and stared into his gorgeous eyes. In fact, she'd noticed that they were more of an aquamarine color than an icy one, though sometimes they alternated between the two colors. They captivated her and drew her in even more. “I just wish there was something we could do. This war has been going on for centuries. Werewolves and vampires have been natural enemies for so long that no one’s considered changing it.”

“You’re right. Maybe my mother had ulterior motives in mind besides love.”

“What do you mean?”

“Maybe she had the same idea that I’m getting. Perhaps she was hoping to end the hatred between vampires and werewolves at long last.”

“You think she was trying to get them to form a truce?”

“Something like that.”

“And you’re getting the same idea?”

“I think it would be worth a try.”

“Xavier, I think it’s too late. This hatred between our species has gone on for so long that they don’t know anything else.”

“Allanna," Xavier cupped her chin in his hand, "this might be the only way we can be together. It also might be the only way to save your home.”

Allanna sighed. She couldn’t deny that she wanted to be with Xavier. He made her feel safe and special, and he’d defied his own orders to help her. She’d’ never felt this way before about anyone, and she didn’t want to stop feeling this way.

“All right,” she said at last. “Let’s do it.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I’m tired of having to worry about losing my home, and I know the rest of the pack is too. It’s time to do something about it.”

“This could be dangerous. I should go with you when you tell your family.”

“No way, it would be more dangerous for you to be there than it would be for me going alone. They wouldn’t even let me talk before jumping you.”

“I won’t let you be unprotected on my account.”

“I won’t be unprotected. My father wouldn’t kill me, the worst he’d do is exile me and I’d leave. You, on the other hand, need protection.”

With that, Allanna grasped Xavier’s right palm and used her long nail to etch a pentagram pattern into it. “This makes me your victim technically, but it also means that no one else can touch you. That includes your kind. At least you’ll be protected.”

Xavier looked down at the invisible mark on his palm. How ironic, it was Allanna who was protecting him, instead of the other way around. It didn’t make him feel particularly masculine.

“So, now that we have a plan,” Allanna said, “should we be going home soon?”

“I’ll take you home tomorrow. But I won’t be far away. I won’t leave you there completely alone.”

“Fair enough. You can keep watch then. And Xavier?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

Before Xavier could respond, Allanna was on top of him, giving him eager kisses.

Xavier kissed her back just as eagerly, feeling the familiar bulge form in the front of his pants. Allanna took it upon herself to do something about that. She unbuttoned his shirt, leaving a trail of kisses all the way down to his pants. She then unbuttoned and unzipped those pants, revealing his long member, rock-solid and waiting. She licked her lips seductively before using that tongue to tease Xavier, then at last taking him inside her.

Xavier couldn’t stifle a moan. This girl really knew what she was doing when it came to fellatio. He thought he was about to burst when she stripped down to her lingerie and removed his pants before climbing back on top of him. He hurled his shirt to the floor and looked into her eyes.

“Allanna,” he said breathlessly, “I love you. You’re my essence, and without you, I’m nothing.”

“I love you, too. And I don’t give a shit if it’s forbidden. I want to be with you, and that’s what’s gonna happen. Now shut up and do me.”

He loved when she was bossy. And he obliged without any complaints. Allanna stripped off her undergarments and took control, much to Xavier’s delight. Her ample breasts bounced up and down like two super balls as she ground against him harder and harder, calling out his name as she climaxed.

Physically and emotionally spent, Allanna collapsed into Xavier’s arms. “Are you really sure about this?” she asked him, referring to the truce they hoped to form between their species.

“Absolutely. I’ve witnessed this war for nearly a century, and I’ve grown quite tired of it. It’s time to turn things around.”

Allanna changed positions, then snuggled deeper into Xavier’s arms and fell asleep. Xavier spent the time contemplating the best approach for their new goal. It was hard to believe that when they’d started this adventure, they couldn’t stand the sight of each other. Now, they were practically inseparable. And if they accomplished this goal, that’s how they’d remain for eternity.

********************

The next day, the two prepared to head back to Duskwood. Xavier could read Allanna’s mind, and it was a mixture of determination, hope, and uncertainty. One minute she’d think they’d really manage to end this war once and for all, yet another she’d think their efforts would be futile. But there was only one way to find out for sure.

“Remember,” Xavier said as he drove Allanna’s Bug, “I’ll stay as close as I can just as a precaution. Hopefully I’ll be far enough away so that none of your pack can detect me.”

“Thanks, and I’ll do the same thing when you tell Mortius.”

“I don’t intend to tell Mortius. I intend to tell Malik. We’ve been friends for nearly 55 years. I trust him. He can talk to his father, who is a very close friend of Mortius. Hopefully we’ll get something accomplished that way.”

“Let’s hope so.”

The closer they got to Duskwood, the more anxious they both became. Xavier felt his feelings begin to imitate Allanna’s. Mortius was a very powerful vampire, and he wasn’t one who could easily be bargained with. And the alpha male of a wolf pack was unlikely to yield to the enemy. But they had to try. It was time to stop standing idly by while the two species had asinine feuds after thousands of years.

When they arrived back in Duskwood, Xavier headed toward the run-down part of town that was the werewolves’ home. He stopped the car near a bridge a few miles away and Allanna walked the rest of the way toward her parents’ house. She couldn’t deny the feelings of relief and happiness she felt when she looked at it.

Allanna walked up the steps and, out of impulse, rang the doorbell. It was broad daylight, and she and Xavier had agreed to come then since it was when vampires were at their weakest. Xavier himself was enduring the sun for Allanna’s sake. Since this was a weekday, her siblings would be at school, though Lacey would probably be inside playing somewhere.

The door flew open and Allanna found herself staring into the worried eyes of her mother. When she saw who was staring back at her, her eyes misted over with tears before she asked skeptically, “Allanna?”

“Yeah, Mom. It’s me.”

Lupe threw her arms around her daughter’s neck as the tears finally spilled over. Darius came out from around the couch to see what was going on, and he had a similar reaction to his wife.

“It’s a miracle,” he declared as he embraced his long-lost daughter.

Allanna returned the hug, but her father suddenly jumped back, his nose twitching and scrunching up. “Allanna, you smell terrible. What is that?”

“That’s actually something I need to talk to you about.”

“Get in here, how did you get away from those leeches? Did they hurt you? If they did, I swear…”

“No, Dad. Listen.”

Allanna followed her parents into the living room and they all three sat down on the couch, Allanna between them. She took a deep breath and began.

“I was kidnapped by a vampire,” she began, “and they had a plan to use me to…”

“I know,” her father interjected. “I got a letter about that.”

“You did? And you didn’t even try to save me?”

“Of course I did. I was trying to come up with a plan to get you out of wherever those bastards had you without getting caught, and without signing that treaty that came with the note.”

“I figured that’s what you were trying to do. But anyway, the leader of this vampire clan had another vampire watch me to make sure I didn’t escape. He had me locked up in this silver cage and I couldn’t get out. He got bored and started a conversation, and it turns out…Mom, Dad, he’s a really good guy. His mother was killed by the clan leader because she fell in love with a werewolf like us, and he…”

“Stop right there,” Darius said, a scowl across his hard face. “Did you just say that blood-sucker is a good guy? Allanna, I know about their mind tricks. They’ve brainwashed you.”

“No, Dad. I swear, I convinced him that his real enemy wasn’t his mother’s lover, it was his clan leader because he ordered her to be killed. When he realized that, and when I told him that you’d never surrender to the enemy, he busted me out of that cage and took me to Vegas. He’s been protecting me.”

“Protecting you?” Darius chortled. “The son of a bitch kidnapped you twice and you say he’s protecting you?”

“Dad, Xavier wants to end this stupid war between werewolves and vampires once and for all, and so do I.”

Darius furrowed his brow while Lupe sucked in her breath. Clearly neither one of them had expected to hear this from their daughter.

When Darius spoke again, his voice was stern. “Those cretins enslaved our ancestors, treated our kind like shit, and you expect us to just forget about that and forgive them? I think you’ve been in captivity for too long.”

“Dad…”

“Enough!” Darius stood up angrily. “I don’t want to hear any more about it! You aren’t even going back to Cynthia’s. You’re staying here with us so we can keep an eye on you.”

“You can’t do that!” Allanna argued as she jumped to her feet.

“Can’t I? Not only am I your father, I’m the alpha wolf of this pack. And what I say goes!”

Allanna could feel herself getting angry enough to transform, but she managed to spit, “You’re no different than Mortius! Just because you’re the leader, you think everyone has to listen to you no matter what!”

“That’s enough! Don’t talk to your father like that!”

Allanna felt her animal instincts kicking in, but not to transform or fight this time. She felt herself kneeling down in front of her superior, whose voice was thunderous and menacing. One didn’t dare disobey the alpha. She found herself cowering in fear, her confidence shattered.

That was that. There was no way that she’d be allowed to see Xavier again. Her father’s orders were for her to stay in her parents’ house, which meant that the other wolves, under her father’s command, would keep watch of the house so she couldn’t try to escape. What a welcome home present.

Her parents stalked out of the room, leaving Allanna with her thoughts. As she remembered Xavier’s eyes, his chiseled abs, and his devotion to her (not to mention his talents in bed), she found herself sinking to the floor and bursting into tears. She should have known this plan would never work. Once, she and Xavier had been one, like the sonata of a song. But now, they were separate, two lovers forbidden to see each other because of grudges that had been established centuries before either of them were born. They would both just have to accept their fate and the reality of the situation – the war between werewolves and vampires would never cease.

Chapter 13 - Sanctuary

2012-01-11T15:30:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language, very graphic/explicit sexual content, and nudity (pictures included!).

They’d been driving for hours and the sky was already dark. Allanna was beginning to go stir-crazy.

“Where are we going?” she demanded.

“I know where we can hide out. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.”

“Well I have to pee. Can’t we pull over for a minute? I’m dying.”

“Don’t say you’re dying, it’s not funny.”

“Well seriously, I’m about to burst. Please pull over into those bushes or something.”

Xavier sighed before giving in. He hoped they were far enough away from Vegas by now. Still, he hadn’t wanted to stop until they’d reached his destination.

“All right,” he said as he pulled off to the side of the road. “Go, but be quick.”

Allanna hastily opened the door and bolted for the bushes. As he waited, Xavier thought about what all had transpired in the past 24 hours. Allanna’s birthday had been a success, and she’d thoroughly enjoyed it. He was glad for that.

And last night. Never before had he experienced such a steamy love-making session. It made him want to do it again.

But most importantly was Mortius’s arrival. He’d obviously teleported himself into their hotel suite, and who knows what all he’d witnessed. He hadn’t said anything about Xavier’s and Allanna’s rambunctious night together, but he’d seen it clearly in his mind. And he was now destined to suffer the same fate as his mother. Because he’d gone against his orders and taken the vampires’ prisoner of his own volition, and then slept with her and left with her again, the punishment would be death.

And yet, he didn’t care. He’d known that eventually he would have to get both of them out of that hotel suite – they couldn’t stay there forever and the concierge was getting suspicious – but he’d hoped for a better plan than having to hastily escape because Mortius showed up.

Finally, just as Xavier began to think Allanna had taken off, she came back to the car and got back in the front seat. She barely got her seatbelt on before Xavier began driving again.

“Better?” he asked her.

“Much. Now, where are we going? You never told me.”

“I originally planned to take you home where you’d be safe. But I’m afraid you won’t be safe there.”

“What? Why not?”

“I read Mortius’s thoughts. He’s ready to storm your territory in Duskwood. Since he doesn’t have you as leverage anymore, and he realized that it wouldn’t work anyway, he’s going to lead an army right through.”

“What?! Xavier, I have to warn the pack!”

“I can’t take you there, it’s too dangerous.”

“I don’t care! I’m tired of being on the run all the time. I haven’t seen my family and friends in months, and now I may never see them again because of your fucked in the head leader! You can’t tell me I can’t warn them!”

“Allanna, please try to understand. Even if you did warn your pack, what would happen? I’m sorry, but they don’t stand a chance against Mortius and his underlings. They’re greatly outnumbered.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. We’re not the only pack around. If one pack’s in danger, all the other ones will show up. I guarantee my dad’s sent word to the other packs and they’re going to help.”

“I don’t want to risk it.”

“Damn it, what’s there to risk? They’re my family! They’re all I have!”

Xavier glanced sideways at Allanna, who was on the verge of tears. Images of her pack flashed through her mind, but still Xavier didn’t give in. His original plan to take her back home was thwarted.

It wasn’t about getting her home anymore. It was about protecting her. Taking her home would only hasten her demise, and he refused to lose Allanna.

He wondered why he felt so compelled to protect her. She was still, after all, the enemy, but he was so used to having her around that he couldn’t imagine living in a world where she didn’t exist. Mortius would be pursuing them relentlessly in addition to storming the wolves’ territory. He wouldn’t rest until they were both dead.

At last, Xavier pulled onto a dirt road and followed it to the front of an abandoned-looking house. Shingles were falling off and it was in desperate need of a paint job.

“What is this place?” Allanna wanted to know.

“This is where my mother and Savek would meet. I find it pretty appropriate, don’t you?”

“This is on wolf territory.”

“Not quite. This area is abandoned. Savek lived in this house, and this area is known as Shadow Grove. No one’s lived here for years.”

“Oh, great. So I get to be isolated even more. I’m so excited.”

“Look around, Allanna. There’s a vast amount of running space for you.”

Allanna looked past the house and saw open fields decorated with wildflowers. A few critters scampered by, and she heard the familiar serenade of crickets.

“Fine,” she said, “but I’m going for a run first thing.”

“I’ll search the house and see if there are any clothes or supplies that can be salvaged.”

The two vacated the car and Xavier trudged up the front steps of the porch. Allanna went to the side of the house and peeled off her clothes before transforming.

It felt like such a relief to be able to run on all fours again. Her paws padded against the terrain as she embraced the sweetness of the night. She looked around as she ran and saw that Xavier seemed to be right – Shadow Grove appeared to be abandoned. This was their sanctuary, their safe haven, at least for now. Here, they could come and go as they pleased for the most part and not have to worry about being hunted.

Still, with Mortius’s powers, it was possible that he’d find them yet again.

At last, after she felt she’d exercised enough for a while, Allanna headed back to the cabin. She transformed again and put her clothes back on before going inside.

The place didn’t look too impressive. Stains dotted the furniture and some of the wood looked warped and chipped. The paint had faded over time and nothing looked modern. There was no TV, no radio, and probably, once again, not even indoor plumbing. At least it would be easier for her to relieve herself here than in her bar cage underground – she could transform into a wolf and use the grass. And Xavier, being a male, wouldn’t have any issues either.

“I know it’s not much,” Xavier said apologetically, “but it’ll do to keep us safe, at least for the time being.”

“I hope so.”

“But we do have one problem I forgot to compensate for.”

“Which is? No indoor plumbing?”

“Actually, my mother was here when indoor plumbing was available, so there is a bathroom. But I’m very thirsty. And I don’t know of anywhere where I can obtain blood or plasma around here.”

Allanna bit her lip. Now he was probably going to feed from her. But she did have one other idea.

“I’ll go hunt for us.”

“Allanna, there aren’t any humans here, and you don’t eat human meat anyway.”

“No, I’m going to get us some animals. I know you won’t like it as much, but it’s better than nothing."

“I guess I have no choice."

"You don't have to live on human blood, do you?"

"No, but human blood tastes better and makes us stronger."

"How's that?"

"It quenches our thirst better than animal blood, therefore making us more resilient."

"Uh huh. Well, tonight you're getting animal blood. That's all there is anyway."

"All right, but be careful.”

Allanna scooted out the door once again, and Xavier saw her strip off her clothes before shifting. He couldn't help thinking that, safe as they might be now, Mortius had found them once, and he’d probably find them again.

Still, he hoped this wouldn't be the case, because Malik had given him something to go on regarding their whereabouts in Vegas. Hopefully Mortius didn't consider this location, or he was too busy working on his impending Duskwood invasion to look into it.

Allanna returned after about 20 minutes carrying the carcasses of a rabbit, raccoon, and squirrel.

“Sorry there were no deer,” she said as she sat the meal on the counter. “It’s the wrong time of night for them, really. They tend to be out around dusk.”

“It’s all right. Now, how should we do this?”

“Easy. You drink the blood and I’ll eat the meat. I hope these things didn’t have to be alive for you to drink their blood.”

“No, the blood’s just warmer when they are. But don’t worry about it.”

Xavier grabbed onto a raccoon and sunk his incisors into its neck. There was a hint of garbage in the creature’s blood, but at least his thirst was being quenched.

When he was finished, Allanna finished the varmint off by skinning it and ingesting its pink flesh. The two were somewhat disgusted with each other’s eating habits, but that was to be expected since they were different species.

When they’d finished their meal, they realized that it was almost 11pm.

“Too bad there’s no TV in this place,” Allanna commented as she looked around.

“You forget, this was before such novelties existed. But there is one form of entertainment in the bedroom.”

“Wow, really? Again?”

“Not that. I was referring to the phonograph.”

“Oh, right.”

Xavier chuckled before asking, “Would you like to try it out? It might still work.”

“I suppose so.”

So the two migrated to the bedroom where an ancient phonograph was nestled in the corner. Xavier, being much more familiar with the thing than Allanna, approached it and placed a record on it before setting the needle on top of it.

Instrumental music floated through the bedroom. The phonograph was a little dusty, so Xavier wiped it off, and it somewhat helped the sound quality. He then approached Allanna and asked, “May I have this dance?”

Allanna found herself giggling like a giddy schoolgirl before taking Xavier’s hand.

“I’m sorry I got you into this mess,” Xavier stated as they sashayed to the music. “If I had never kidnapped you, none of this would have happened.”

“I don’t know about that. Mortius probably would have figured out some other way to get what he wanted. I think we would have had a war no matter what.”

“We’re not having a war yet, but I can feel a storm brewing.”

“So can I. My animal instincts are kicking in.”

As they danced, Xavier began to realize something. He knew what he’d felt for Scarlet, and he was feeling it now for Allanna, except even stronger. There was no denying it. But how could he tell her? Her mind didn’t indicate that she felt the same way.

Still, he didn’t want to keep it bottled up inside. He looked down into her beautiful eyes and said, “Allanna, I have a confession to make.”

Allanna looked up at him in bewilderment. “What?”

“I thought I’d known love before, but what I feel with you…it’s much stronger than that. I’ve told you before that you’ve intrigued me, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you for quite some time. Allanna, I’m in love with you.”

Allanna let go of Xavier’s hand and just gaped up at him. Unsure of what else to do, she vacated the bedroom and returned to the living room. Xavier followed her closely.

"I know you probably don't believe me," he was saying in an effort to console her, "but it's the truth. I haven't felt this way in such a long time, and I never thought I would again. I'm as confused as you are as to why. But love is something that no one can control. You yourself said that not so long ago, when I told you about my mother’s fate."

Countless thoughts were flashing through Allanna's mind, none of which made any sense. Her first instinct was to express how impossible such an emotion was. A vampire in love with a werewolf? Yeah, right.

But she couldn’t deny the own sensations she’d felt before. Xavier had saved her life, ensured her safety, and she felt genuinely happy and secure. And that wasn’t even counting the pleasure he’d given her last night. And she had made that assessment about his mother and her werewolf lover.

“So it’s safe to assume the feeling is mutual?” Xavier finally asked with a grin.

Allanna turned around and stuck her tongue out at him playfully before pulling his face down toward hers. Her tongue served a different purpose then as Xavier's brute strength pinned her against the wall, causing her to grasp the front of his shirt.

The kisses became more urgent and more dominating. Their clothes were practically ripped off as though Xavier and Allanna couldn’t stand to have them on a second longer. They didn’t even make it to the bedroom.

Their hands were exploring as much as their tongues, though Allanna did break away long enough to say, “I want to thank you for saving me again.”

“How else can you thank me?”

Allanna just winked before she got down to her knees. Then, her mouth went to work somewhere else. Xavier inhaled sharply as he grabbed the wall for support. Scarlet had never done this.

Allanna stood up then and Xavier grabbed her arms before spinning her around and ripping off her panties and tearing off her bra. He reached one hand around and cupped an ample breast as he parted her thighs.

Allanna gripped the back of the sofa for support as Xavier entered her from behind. He began digging his nails into her shoulders as he moved in and out. Any more pressure would cause him to break her bones. He then transferred one hand to her most sensitive area, causing her to moan loudly.

Forget that he didn’t have any canine genes in his rock-hard body – this guy was an expert at doggy style. He really knew what he was doing in bed (or, in this case, on the couch). Never before had Allanna experienced such great pleasure from a lover. The contrast of her hot skin with his ice cold skin made the sensation even more pleasurable, and the fact that this was forbidden was making the experience even hotter.

She spread her legs to allow him deeper entry, and she soon found herself sliding down the couch so that her butt was protruding.

Xavier stared at her nicely taught, round ass and went harder, much to her delight. She was screaming again, begging for it, wanting it harder. He happily obliged until they simultaneously found their release.

“Holy shit,” she gasped.

“I’m just giving the lady what she wants. I thought you might appreciate me doing you from behind.”

“You can take me however you want.”

“How about whenever I want?”

“If you think you can handle it.”

The two laughed out loud before they headed for the bedroom. Xavier remained sitting up while Allanna rested her delicate body on his chest, and he came to a realization – not only was he in love with this beautiful creature, but he never wanted to be apart from her. She was his essence, his new purpose in life. She was his soul mate.

Chapter 12 - Fugitives

2012-01-06T15:05:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language.

Allanna’s first instinct was to scream. A vampire had somehow gotten into their hotel suite without either of them noticing, and he was staring at them with blood red eyes filled with vehemence, though his expression was smug.

“What are you doing here?” Xavier demanded.

“I simply wished to find you to confirm my allegations. It appears that I was correct. For some unfathomable reason, you took our prisoner and fled with her. Finding you wasn’t difficult. Your good friend Malik told me how familiar you were with Las Vegas, not to mention the fact that your little friend has an accomplice who also works here.”

“And you came here with the intention of getting her back.”

“She’s the key to our plot.”

“The plot won’t work. Allanna told me all about it. Wolves travel in packs, and her father would never sign a treaty giving up his territory to the likes of you. Instead, he’d find some other way to rescue his daughter. Wolves, unlike some kinds, actually look out for each other.”

“What are you implying by that statement?”

Allanna could sense Xavier’s anger. His eyes glowed more than usual as he clenched his fists at his sides as he got in Mortius’s face.

“I’m talking about my mother.”

“Ah, somehow I knew this day would come. Xavier, your mother betrayed all of us. She sided with the enemy and was carrying an abomination inside her. She felt no remorse for her unforgiveable actions, and therefore she had to be dealt with.”

“She did nothing wrong. She fell in love, plain and simple. You murdered her, and because you did it, the rest of the clan had to follow suit.”

“On the contrary, I simply did what had to be done. Vivica had no right falling in love with a mongrel, much less breeding with one. Your own father can attest to that claim. I must say, I’ve never known someone to feel so betrayed in all of his existence.”

“Fuck you!”

Xavier then took a swing and punched the bastard’s face. Allanna herself was feeling exceptionally angry just watching this scenario unfold before her. The vampires fought with such speed and malice that all she could see was a big blur. She could hear punches and curses being thrown, and even a few bones breaking. But still they quarreled, and they showed no signs of stopping. Not until one of them was dead.

Allanna felt a strange sensation then. She felt compelled to help Xavier. He hadn’t treated her so badly, at least not in the past several weeks, and Mortius had betrayed his mother. As a member of a loyal wolf pack, she didn’t take kindly to anyone turning on one of its own.

She braced herself and felt the change begin to consume her. She welcomed it, but unfortunately she didn’t get that far. Because at that moment, Mortius somehow zapped from the brawl with Xavier to her side.

Oh, right. He could teleport. Great.

“Thinking of transforming, are we?” Mortius taunted. “Do your worst, but you’re no match for me.”

“Leave Xavier alone,” she retorted. “He hasn’t done anything wrong, and neither did his mother. You’re just a blood-thirsty leech who wants everyone to follow your rules, and if they don’t, you kill them. You’re sick.”

“I’m the leader of the Duskwood vampire clan. I make the rules, and if any are broken, there will be consequences. And Xavier broke a very important rule – he was to guard you and make sure you didn’t try to escape. How ironic that he helped you to escape.”

“That just proves he’s better than you are. He knows that what happened to his mother was your fault. He told me all about it, how you just tortured her by letting her skin rot off in the sun, and you threw shit at her and encouraged the rest of your clan to do the same thing. You’re a monster.”

Mortius didn’t look angry. For some reason, he looked downright amused. He shook his head before saying, “If there’s one thing I’ll miss about you, it’s your dry sense of humor. Xavier is right about one thing – your father never signed the treaty. We have all the time in the world, but you don’t. I wonder if he’ll surrender in guilt, knowing that he hastened his daughter’s demise.”

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Xavier roared from the corner of the room. He zipped to Mortius and punched him square in the jaw. Mortius teetered backward slightly, but Allanna didn’t get to see the rest. That was because Xavier quickly threw her onto his back and shouted, “Hold on!”

Allanna didn’t argue. She clutched her hands against Xavier’s well-defined six-pack and he grabbed her thighs. Now she did feel like she was in a scene from Twilight.

Allanna thought Xavier was going to run for the door, but instead, he headed for the window. Allanna screamed as he jumped right through it, shards of glass swirling all around them, a couple slicing her arms.

“Are you crazy?!” she yelled in his ear. “We’re at least 10 stories up!”

Xavier didn’t answer as they descended to the ground. But they didn’t hit the ground. Instead, Xavier landed on the branch of a nearby tree, then propelled himself off of it onto a higher tree. He kept doing this until he landed on top of the parking garage. Allanna could see, smell, and hear Xavier’s flesh scorching in the bright sun, but she didn’t let go.

Once on top of the parking garage, Xavier dashed down a couple of levels, Allanna clutching him the entire time, until they got to his Prius. But something caught Allanna’s eye before he could put her inside.

“That’s my car,” she said as she saw the familiar lime green Bug. “Take it. They won’t know to look for it – they know your car.”

Xavier didn’t argue. He made his way to the Beetle before he opened the door (which broke the lock inside since neither of them had the keys) and placed Allanna in the front seat. He was in the driver’s seat in a matter of seconds. He popped the ignition and inserted a knife he withdrew from his back pocket (when did he even manage to grab that?). They were off like a shot.

Allanna watched the city of Las Vegas flash by her, and then eventually disappear behind her. She tried to hold back tears as the seriousness of the situation dawned on her.

Xavier had not only defied Mortius, but he’d downright fought him, and now they were running away. They were now fugitives, running from a law that humans didn’t know existed. What would become of them now? Where would they go? And what would they do?

Chapter 11 - Unexpected Visitor

2012-01-02T22:20:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains very graphic/detailed nudity, strong language, and sexual content.

“I’ll tell you what that was,” Xavier answered in response to Allanna’s question about what the fuck that was. “That was amazing.”

Allanna was still huffing for air. No big bad wolf could blow down any house and need to gasp for air as much as she did now.

That was the kind of love making that Cynthia was always telling her about. That was how it was supposed to be. Xavier’s happy trail that she’d seen earlier hadn’t led to disappointment.

“I’m glad you think so,” he said smugly. “You weren’t too bad yourself.”

“I’ve never had anyone that good.”

“I have to say, the feeling is mutual. Though I must also add that I’ve never had anyone that loud, either.”

“Hey, I’m part wolf. We don’t howl at the moon, and I have no idea who invented that stereotype, but we can howl for other activities.”

“Technically, you didn't need to shout. I could have read your mind. But I found it highly amusing, not to mention sexy.”

“Thanks for sharing.”

“That was quite the imaginative way to thank me. I only wish I also had a gift to give you instead of just taking you out for your birthday.”

“Believe me, what you just gave me is all the gift I need. I just wanted it to be a kiss, but I guess we both got carried away.”

“I’m not complaining.”

“Neither am I.”

Xavier surprised her then by wrapping an arm around her naked body. She was sweating thanks to her spiked body heat, not to mention from the strenuous activity she’d just done. His cool skin felt very relieving.

Allanna felt her eyes beginning to close. Xavier had taken a lot of energy out of her. She finally gave in and let herself fall into a state of perpetual sleep. She felt Xavier do the same next to her, and she didn’t ask him to retreat to the couch tonight.

********************

Xavier didn’t fall asleep as soon as Allanna. His mind was too focused on what had just happened. He felt no regrets, and with his arm wrapped around what was supposed to be his greatest enemy, he felt a sense of caring and protection that he hadn't felt in a very long time.

However, when he did manage to drift off into unconsciousness, he was disturbed by images of a red-eyed vampire taking Allanna’s life, and he was powerless to stop him.

When dawn finally broke, he woke up and crawled out of the covers, then stared down at Allanna, sleeping peacefully. What was the significance of that dream he’d had? The red eyes had been unmistakable – he knew of only one vampire who had eyes that color, and that was Mortius. But why had he been killing Allanna in Xavier’s dream? And more importantly, why did that bother Xavier so much?

Yes, he was very fond of her, and he was extraneously attracted to her, but the way she made him feel, and the thought of that dream…did he feel something more?

Finally, Xavier shoved himself off the bed and threw on some clothes. He wanted to prepare a breakfast for Allanna. It wouldn’t be the same as her hunting a meal, but at least she wouldn’t go hungry.

Unfortunately, one thing their exquisite hotel suite didn't offer was a kitchen. But Xavier knew that there were some places downstairs to buy food. He rushed downstairs to get some ingredients, then headed back upstairs to prepare French toast. He did so as quietly as possible so he didn't disturb Allanna, who was still sleeping behind the open bedroom door.

As he prepared the toast, Xavier contemplated his dream. He had a hunch he knew what it meant, but he was almost afraid to admit it. Still, there was no denying how he felt, and the fact that he hadn’t felt like this since Scarlet. Was he really falling in love again? He’d swore that would never happen again, but here he was, feeling the same feelings, only this time perhaps stronger, and for a werewolf of all things.

But then again, his own mother had fallen in love with a werewolf. Maybe an attraction for the opposite species was hereditary. Unlikely, but that was beside the point. Was history repeating itself? Obviously it wasn’t impossible for a vampire and werewolf to fall in love, but it was pretty frowned upon.

Still, he wasn’t sure of Allanna’s feelings for him, and he wasn’t entirely certain that what he was feeling was love. He just knew that he thought he’d been in love with Scarlet, and this time the sensation was stronger.

If Xavier was in love with Allanna, that spelled trouble for both of them. It was unthinkable for them to even be civil to one another, but to be in love? It was downright forbidden.

Allanna then woke up, her nude torso sliding out from under the covers, tempting Xavier to jump back into bed for round two. Or perhaps to christen the hot tub next to the bedroom. Instead, he said, “Good morning. I made you some breakfast.”

“You did? You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s all right. Consider it a birthday breakfast.”

Allanna smiled before lethargically pushing herself out of bed and putting on some clothes. She walked toward the mini bar and sat down as Xavier put her toast in front of her.

“This looks and smells great,” she said with satisfaction as she dug in.

“I’m glad. One good thing about living forever, you get plenty of time to learn to cook decently.”

As Allanna ate, she asked Xavier, “So, I was wondering…do vampires physically age as they get older?”

“Well, it depends actually. If one is born a vampire, then yes, but it’s a very long process. It would take probably three times as long for us to age one year physically as it does five years for humans. I'm an example of that. However, Mortius turned himself into a vampire, so he won't age as he gets older.”

“And can you turn into bats and fly?”

Xavier got a good laugh out of that one. He literally threw his head back and replied, gasping for air, “No, I’m afraid not. That’s an old legend. We can move very fast, especially at night, and some elder vampires can teleport, among other things, but that’s it.”

“Elder vampires?”

“Yes, a few vampires are several hundreds of years old. Myself, I’m only a little over a century. But Mortius, he’s around 500. The older a vampire is, the stronger his powers are. The oldest ones can teleport and control the minds of others.”

“That sounds downright creepy. The mind-controlling part, anyway.”

“I guess it would, from the perspective of someone who isn’t a vampire. But now I must ask you – since we were underground, and therefore unable to tell if it was day or night, I’m not certain, but can you transform into a wolf whenever you want? Or is that restricted to night?”

“We can transform whenever we want to, but we always prefer to do it at night. There’s less chance of being seen that way, and hunters usually aren’t out at night.”

“Of course.”

“There’s one exception though – when there’s a full moon, we have to transform, and we can’t transform back into humans until the sun rises. That comes from when werewolves first came to be, since they’re said to have gotten their powers from the full moon. So we can’t control shifting on those nights.”

“What about Cynthia? She works at night; surely she has to work during the full moon.”

“Well, she makes a note of when the next full moon is, and she plans ahead to call in sick that night. She starts acting sick a couple of days beforehand, then calls on that day and says she won’t be in that night. So far no one has suspected anything.”

The two continued to converse as Allanna ate, both learning new things about the other. Eventually, Xavier sat down next to her and brought up the courage to ask, “Do you regret last night?”

Allanna looked up from her plate and said, “I thought I would, but I didn’t care. I’ll be honest, part of me was curious about what it would be like. You know, sleeping with a vampire. Although I guess now it could be considered sleeping with the enemy. But anyway, I was somewhat curious, but I really wanted to. I guess it’s just been so long…but, wow, you really know what you’re doing. To be honest, you’re a sex god.”

“Why, thank you.”

“I’m serious, Cynthia’s always bragging about what a good lay she had and how good he was, blah blah blah. I never knew that kind of pleasure until last night.”

“Would you be opposed to doing it again?”

“I don’t know…it should feel wrong, like I made a huge mistake, but…I don’t know, it still feels so…right.”

“It must have, if you were so adamant that we continue despite not having any means of birth control.”

“Oh, shut up. I told you, it’s been a while.”

“You were physically and sexually frustrated. No wonder you’ve been so cranky. At least now you got your exercise. Actually, you got both.”

“Zip it.”

The two chuckled together before a deep voice spoke from across the room, “How sweet.”

Xavier’s back stiffened and Allanna jerked her head toward the source of the voice.

“Mortius,” Xavier snarled.

“Indeed. It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it, Xavier?”

Chapter 10 - Insatiable Appetite

2011-12-29T21:52:00.002-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language, explicit sexual content (pictures included), and nudity.

The first place Xavier took Allanna was a club called the Lucky Strike. At first, Allanna thought it was a casino, but it turned out to be both a casino and a high-end club. Xavier's wad of cash got them in without any issues.

Allanna was thrilled to be carded and actually be of legal drinking age for the first time in her life (Xavier had even called in a new ID for her, explaining that she’d lost her old one, which she had when she’d been abducted), and took full advantage of the situation.

Music played in the background, sometimes soft and sometimes loud, and the clinging of slot machines was deafening at times, but Allanna actually found herself to be having fun.

After a few drinks, she gazed longingly at the doors. Xavier followed her gaze and was about to take her outside just for a little bit when he spotted other patrons dancing behind them.

“May I have this dance, birthday girl?” he asked.

Allanna just stared at him. “Uh…why do you want to dance with me? Won’t I disgust you, being so close to you?”

“I don’t even notice your smell anymore. And I know you don’t notice mine.”

“I…I don’t know how to dance.”

“There’s nothing to it. I can teach you.”

Xavier gently tugged on Allanna’s wrist as she began to protest again, and soon found herself on the dance floor with Xavier’s right arm around her waist and his left hand on her right hand. He gently began swaying to the music, leading her body to do the same. Slow dancing was surprisingly easy. It just seemed so…formal for a werewolf. Dancing definitely seemed to be a vampire pastime. For werewolves, it was running and hunting.

“My mother taught me to dance,” Xavier explained. “She believed that every gentleman should know how to waltz at the very least.”

“It’s just so…amazing.”

“What’s that? Dancing?”

“No. I mean, look at us. We’re natural born enemies, we come from completely different worlds, and here we are, dancing like we’re…”

“In love.”

“My brain thought too fast. I didn’t mean to think that. What I meant to think, and say, was good friends.”

“I’ll buy that as well.”

Allanna felt her arm move up around Xavier’s neck and he drew her a little closer as the music slightly changed tempo. Allanna was beginning to feel something she’d never felt before, but she couldn’t describe what it was.

But she was sure of one thing – she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such a great evening.

When the song ended, Allanna decided to get another drink, as the dancing had spiked her body temperature. She and Xavier went back to the bar, and she was surprised to see Xavier order a drink also.

“I thought you only drank one thing,” she remarked.

“Mostly, but I enjoy a bit of alcohol every now and then. My other choice of drink, as you’re well aware, is the best thing for me. I can, of course, eat human food, but I still have to quench my thirst.”

The two finished off several more drinks before Allanna started getting tipsy. Xavier finally pulled her away from the bar and ushered her back to the suite.

Once inside the suite, Allanna said, “I thought the point of turning 21 was to get as trashed as you could because you can legally drink.”

“Perhaps, but I don’t want you to get that intoxicated. For all I know, it could mess up your wolf insides.”

“No, it won’t. That’s a fact. But I guess I should thank you for looking out for me.”

“You’re welcome. I know this wasn’t much, but I hope you had a good time.”

“I did, actually. At first, I thought it would be the worst birthday ever. But now, well, I have to say that it was one of the best.”

“Well I’m glad to hear that.”

“And…I want to thank you for tonight, and for saving my life twice, and for looking out for me, and for not killing me.”

“That’s a lot to be thanking me for.”

“Then I hope this will do.”

Allanna stepped closer with a determined look in those gorgeous eyes of hers. Then, surprisingly, she tilted her head up and touched her lips to his.

Xavier wasn’t sure what to do at first, but he didn’t put up a fight. In fact, he wrapped his arms around Allanna and returned the kiss with urgency. He could feel it in her mind as well as her tongue, and even more clearly inside his pants. It was obvious from the way her body was reacting that a lot of the reason why Allanna had been so moody lately was because she had a large amount of pent-up sexual frustration. She’d been wanting to do something physical, like running, before she went stir-crazy.

Xavier was about to grant that wish, but in a way that was much more enticing than running. They both had insatiable appetites that needed to be tended to.

Their tongues glided against each other and explored each other’s mouths as they moved toward the bedroom. Her dress hit the floor in a matter of seconds. It didn’t take long for his shirt and pants to follow, and Allanna was able to confirm that he did, indeed, have a "happy trail" as she'd called it in her mind. The kissing didn’t subside as Xavier reached around her and began to unclasp her bra.

Her breasts were perfectly round and firm, and he teased her when he inserted one into his mouth. A moan escaped from her lips before she reached down and practically yanked his boxers off. He could tell from her thoughts that she liked what she felt.

“I take it back,” she said breathlessly as she saw the most interesting part of his body, “if I stuffed that thing down your throat, you would choke, and very fast.”

Xavier just grinned seductively before kissing her again. His fingers explored the rest of her body, eventually finding her most sensitive area. She gasped as they entered her, teasing her until finally they collapsed onto the bed and she whispered, “Do you have a condom?”

“Fuck,” Xavier said as he realized belatedly that he didn’t have one. He hadn’t anticipated this happening, but he sure didn’t want to stop.

Allanna sighed. Her loins burned with desire. She’d been on birth control pills in the past, but hadn’t taken them in a while. Surely she could take a morning after pill, right?

“Just…pull out,” she mumbled to Xavier.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Just, do it. Give it to me!”

Allanna’s request was all Xavier needed. He got on top of her and teased her a little bit more with his fingers before she finally dug her nails into his arms and begged him for it.

This just turned him on even more. Parting her thighs, he entered her and she wrapped her legs around his back.

Allanna sucked in her breath as she took in his thickness. It completely enveloped her in a sensation the likes of which she’d never felt before. When he moved, she couldn’t control herself. One thing was for sure – she wasn’t the quiet type.

“Oh yeah,” she said as her voice got louder and louder. Xavier hoped the guests in the adjoining rooms didn’t hear anything. Hopefully they were downstairs gambling. How ironic, they were in Vegas, and he was getting lucky, and money had nothing to do with it.

“Oh fuck yeah,” Allanna yelled, “That’s it! Harder! Harder!”

Xavier happily obliged. He felt his impending release, but he wasn’t ready to let go yet.

Instead, he sat up and changed positions.

Allanna’s nails dug into his back, prompting him to move faster. Her boobs jiggled in his face as she bounced up and down, moaning in ecstasy.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screamed. Xavier’s ears didn’t pick up on anyone in the next rooms, which was a good sign because they surely would have awakened by now with all the ruckus Allanna was making. And yet, he didn’t care. This just felt too damn good to worry about the neighbors.

Besides, they were in Las Vegas. It wouldn’t be the first time a hotel suite was used for this kind of activity.

“Aaahh! Aaahh!” Allanna shouted, her breasts bouncing merrily. Her nails dug into his neck, which she’d wrapped her hands around, and he felt her clench as she felt her release. He could hold back no longer. He lifted her off of him and spun around to face away from her as his climax shot onto the floor and became encrusted in the carpet.

When he was finished, he collapsed back onto the bed, where Allanna was lying, trying to catch her breath. She looked at him and then said, “Shit Xavier, what the fuck was that?”

Chapter 9 - Opposites Attract

2011-12-26T13:40:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and sexual innuendos.

“Aren’t you going to do anything?” Lupe demanded of Darius. “It’s been four months now since we’ve seen our daughter, and you’re just sitting on your ass, doing nothing!”

“Lupe, I told you,” Darius said tiredly, “I’m not signing that damn treaty. Even if I did, they wouldn’t give Allanna back to us. Those bastards are using her as leverage to drive us out of Duskwood, and as soon as they have that piece of paper, they’ll rip it up to void it and kill her.”

Lupe just shook her head. “I don’t believe you. You’ve just been sitting at this table for the past four months trying to come up with some sort of elaborate scheme to rescue her, and it’s gotten you nowhere!”

“Will you shut your damn mouth? I’m trying to concentrate!”

“Darius, let me tell you something. If you don’t find our daughter, then I will!”

“Good luck. You’ll never get past the fog. There are probably traps and guards and all sorts of fancy shit to keep us out.”

“You act like you don’t even care!”

“Don’t say I don’t fucking care!” Darius stood up, angry now. “Instead of nagging me all day, why don’t you tend to the other three kids? Who knows what they’re getting into? Raquel’s starting to morph into a wolf more and more, and you know kids aren’t supposed to be in that form without an adult with them. I don’t want them running into traps or trying to hunt without supervision.”

“You are absolutely impossible.”

“Lupe, face facts. Eventually, there will be a war. But it’s been too long for Allanna. She’s probably…gone by now.”

Darius looked down as he said this. He remembered when Allanna was born, and then she was a child, then a teenager, and now a 20-year-old. In fact, she was going to turn 21 in a matter of days. Darius was beginning to accept that he wouldn't be able to see it.

“How dare you say that?” Lupe asked as she tried to fight back tears. “Allanna’s strong, and she’s a fighter. She won’t let some mother fucking leech get the best of her.”

She stormed off in a huff. Darius looked down at the table at his schematics. He knew that Allanna was strong, but was she strong enough?

********************

“I am sick of living like this!” Allanna screamed. “For four months, I’ve been cooped up in some sort of small space! All I’ve had to look at are four walls and a ceiling! I need some fresh air! I want out!”

“Will you put a sock in it?” Xavier demanded. “You’ll piss off the neighbors.”

“Fuck the neighbors! They haven’t had to live in isolation for four months!"

"Then at least calm down so you don't transform into a wolf! The last thing we need is a wild animal running around a Vegas hotel!"

"Do you realize I’ll be turning 21 in two days? Cynthia and I have looked forward to our 21st birthdays since we turned 13, and I won’t even get to see her for it! I’ll still be stuck with you!”

Xavier sighed and looked heavenward. Allanna had been having several mood swings lately, both inside and outside her head. They mostly consisted of frustrations of not being able to run freely.

But a few other things swirled around in her mind too. Even now, as she was screaming like a banshee, Xavier could see some of Allanna’s dirty fantasies. He chuckled despite himself.

“What could possibly be funny?” she barked.

“I find it highly amusing that you find me sexy and wonder what I’m like in bed, and how big my…”

“Shut up!”

Allanna covered her ears as Xavier started laughing. It was becoming one of his few pastimes, teasing her. She was so cute when she was mad.

“Stay the fuck out of my head!” she shrieked. “I can’t even think privately! Why do you still have me here, anyway? Why don’t you just take me home and leave?”

Xavier had to think about that one. He’d been debating doing just that for quite some time, but he could just never bring himself to do it. He tried to keep telling himself that there was no way he’d be able to safely return her home without being detected, or without her getting caught by any potentially lurking vampires. It was possible that neither one of them would get out alive.

He said as much to Allanna, but now that he really thought about it, he also realized that he didn’t want to be away from her. He was actually enjoying having her around.

“And in all honesty,” he added, “I really enjoy your company.”

Allanna stopped pacing and her mouth fell open. He could hear her thoughts, thinking things like, “Is he serious? He won’t take me home because he likes me? That can’t be!”

“I can’t explain it,” Xavier said as he sat down on the couch. “We’re natural enemies, born and raised to kill each other, and yet here we are, basically living together for four months, and the only damage that’s come to either of us was when I broke your wrist. Which, by the way, I’m sorry about.”

Allanna collapsed onto a chair. He had to be making this up, right? He didn’t really mean any of this, did he?

“I promise that I’m speaking nothing but the truth,” he affirmed, much to her annoyance. “I’m sorry about reading your thoughts, but I can’t help it. It doesn’t come with an on and off switch.”

“Why do you enjoy having me around?”

“I…well, it’s hard to explain. I feel…intrigued by you. I’ve felt fascinated with you, and your kind, for some inexplicable reason. The last time I was this mystified was…”

Xavier stopped to think and realized that he hadn’t felt this way since Scarlet. And that had been almost a century ago.

“To put it bluntly,” he continued, wondering what he was thinking, “I think the old saying is true. Opposites attract.”

Allanna’s heart skipped a beat. Was he admitting that he was…attracted to her? No way. She refused to believe it.

“You don’t have to believe it, but I truly mean it when I say that you’re very beautiful.”

Allanna just slumped down in her chair. Things were going to be even more awkward now.

********************

Two days later, Allanna was glumly lying on the bed of the hotel suite. Today, she turned 21 years old. She was of legal drinking age and couldn’t even enjoy it. She didn’t have her family or friends to share the occasion with. Ironically, the only one she could share it with was her arch enemy.

Her sexy arch enemy who’d called her beautiful.

Xavier had said that he had to run errands and had left about a half hour earlier. They were past the point of him having to make sure she didn’t escape. Where would she go, anyway? Not that it would matter; he’d just pick up on her scent, find her, and bring her back.

Still, it was hard to look out the window at the city lights knowing that Cynthia was working tonight and they couldn’t go out drinking afterward. Sure, Cynthia wasn’t of legal age, but she had a fake ID, and her looks alone could get her past any bouncer.

Allanna felt tears begin to well up behind her eyes. She forced them back into her head. She would not give Xavier Deitrech the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

Just then, she heard the suite door open. A few bags rustled before Xavier knocked on the bedroom door.

“What do you want?” she asked miserably.

“I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Oh, what? You’re going to strip for my birthday and give me a very happy ending?”

Not that she’d mind. Oh dear, why did she think that?!

She heard Xavier chuckle behind the door before he replied, “No, that’s not what I had planned. You turn 21 today, and that’s a big occasion. I realize you’d rather spend it with your friends and family, but I’m going to make sure it’s more fun that my 21st birthday was.”

“How? You could drink all you wanted and not get alcohol poisoning. You’re a vampire, remember?”

“When I turned 21, it was during the prohibition. Some friends and I ended up getting arrested.”

“Really?”

“Indeed. Now come on, let me in.”

Allanna sighed and finally gave in. She opened the door to see Xavier standing there, looking pretty good in a dress shirt that was unbuttoned from his neck down to the middle of his chest. She got a good view of the start of his rock-hard abs but didn't notice any chest hair. She wondered what lay underneath that shirt, particularly south of his belly button. Was there hair there instead of on his chest? She and Cynthia always referred to this as a man’s happy trail. And Allanna couldn’t help wondering what Xavier’s happy trail led to…

“You’re quite adventurous, aren’t you?” he said smugly.

“Damn it!” Allanna grabbed her head in a misguided attempt to thwart any thoughts from entering Xavier’s head. “I wish you could stop that!”

“Sometimes I do too. But I do find your imagination highly amusing.”

“What do you want?”

“I think it’s time we properly celebrate your birthday.”

With that, Xavier withdrew a bottle of wine and two glasses. He poured some of the red liquid into each glass and raised his in a toast.

“To you,” he said as Allanna raised hers as well. “Happy birthday.”

They clinked glasses and took a sip. Allanna was deeply touched. This wasn’t the ideal birthday she’d been hoping for, but it was better than sitting around moping.

“One more thing,” Xavier added. “I hope you have something slightly formal in your wardrobe, because we’re going out tonight for your birthday.”

“Out? Where?”

“That’s a surprise. Do you have something to wear, or do you need to buy a new outfit?”

“No, I have something. But…why are you being so nice to me? Why do you even care that this is my birthday?”

“As I’ve told you, I’ve grown quite fond of you. I haven’t had a real birthday celebration in years. I’d like to rectify that situation.”

Allanna looked down before finally agreeing to Xavier’s request. But it wasn’t a date. No, it wasn’t a date at all. It was just two…friends? Could they even be classified as friends?

She didn’t even care. She was surprisingly feeling superbly excited. She dashed to the closet after Xavier had left and began searching for the perfect dress.

Her 21st birthday. It didn’t have her friends, it didn’t have her family, and it didn’t have a male stripper. But at least it was something.

Chapter 8 - Losing Control

2011-12-22T14:02:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains brief violence, sexual content, and strong language.

Allanna was in the bedroom, but she wasn’t asleep. Instead, she was lying there with the lights turned off and staring at the ceiling. She was contemplating what to do next. Why didn’t Xavier just take her home and then run off somewhere? Why did he keep holding her hostage?

Still, she had to admit, she found her mind wandering to the handsome vampire. Sometimes she felt like she was so tired of seeing his face, but other times she’d think of how damn sexy he was.

Allanna turned over in frustration. Why did she keep thinking that? It had to be because she hadn’t been around hardly anyone else in so long, so of course she started to notice things about the person (though he wasn’t a person) that was with her the most.

Yes, that was it.

Sighing, she turned onto her side and closed her eyes, not bothering to cover up due to her high body heat. She did know that she’d be safe sleeping, since she’d managed to do so in her cage without any issues. Xavier had explained to her that the vampires needed her alive, so they’d best just let her sleep. At least she could take solace in a comfortable bed for the first time in three months.

********************

Finding a victim to quench his thirst was surprisingly easy for Xavier. The sorry bastard had been trying to steal a woman’s purse and then, based on his thoughts, he’d planned to take advantage of her. Xavier, with his lightning fast speed, had swooped down and grabbed the SOB, who then dropped his victim’s purse in surprise. Xavier then carried the punk to a secluded location to feed.

His blood had tasted acrid, tinged with beer and hints of marijuana. It wasn’t the best, but at least it was human. Finally, his thirst had regained control.

If a vampire went too long without drinking blood, they’d become very weak, sometimes to the point of a frenzy. The longer a vampire went without blood, the more frenzied it became when it came to hunting. It was best to never get to that point. Contrary to myths, vampires could control their fangs and make them elongate whenever they wanted, though usually they only did so when they fed on blood. Otherwise, they could blend in with humans by eating their food, though it wouldn’t completely satiate their appetite.

When he got back to the hotel suite, Xavier could hear Allanna’s steady breathing, indicating that she was already asleep. Vampires could read minds, but they were unable to see into the dreams of others. He wondered if she was a light sleeper. He wasn’t entirely sure how alert werewolves were while they slept, but he didn’t want to risk waking her up.

The plate that had held Allanna’s dinner was still on the coffee table. He picked it up and carried it into the bathroom, where he washed it off. He was feeling pretty tired himself, so he went back toward to the couch. First, he stripped off his clothes, revealing a pair of boxer shorts. He then turned out the lights and stretched out on the couch. He began to feel his mind drifting to the plate he’d just cleaned. Or rather, the creature who’d eaten off that plate.

Xavier’s mind filled with images of Allanna’s shirt earlier, and how well she’d filled it out. He also pictured her biting into her steak. As he envisioned this, Xavier suddenly began to have inadvertent fantasies of biting her. But not to drink her blood, although she’d probably have sweet, succulent blood pumping through her veins. He wouldn’t mind having a taste.

Just the thought of plunging his sharp incisors into her soft flesh was making him physically aroused. It made no sense, but there was no denying the hardening that was occurring inside his boxers. He then couldn’t restrain himself from imagining himself teasingly biting Allanna’s neck and lips in an erotic manner. That just made the situation in his boxers even more evident. Finally, he darted into the bathroom, lifted the toilet seat up, and finished himself off.

As he flushed, several thoughts and questions buzzed in his head. Why was he feeling this way? For the enemy? It was probably just the prospect of something different and unfathomable. It meant nothing.

At least, he hoped it meant nothing.

Or maybe, just maybe, it had something to do with his mother. He didn’t think of her that much, since his last memory of her was so tarnished, but perhaps her motives were brushing off on him. He hoped not, just because he didn’t want to suffer the same fate, but he had to wonder if it was possible.

Xavier felt like he was losing control of himself. First, he kidnapped a prisoner that he was supposed to be guarding, then he didn't take her home and kept her in his company, then he fed on a criminal rather than a random human, and now he was finding himself attracted to the very type of creature that he'd spent a lifetime despising.

And yet, at the same time, all his actions of the past 24 hours felt right. He didn't feel any regrets or remorse. Maybe he'd made the right choice after all.

Not wanting to think about it any longer, Xavier went back to the couch and closed his eyes. Before he drifted off to sleep, he tried to come up with a plan for what to do next. Allanna was right; they couldn’t stay in Vegas forever. He could always return her to her family and then go somewhere else, but where?

And for some reason, perhaps because he was so exhausted, he felt like he didn’t want to take her back. He was starting to enjoy her company, now that she was halfway decent to converse with. And after three months of being in the same room as her, he’d probably feel very alone if he took her home.

Too tired to think about it anymore, he finally rolled over and let unconsciousness consume him.

********************

A couple of days later, Cedric Halbred rushed to Mortius. He’d thought it would be a simple task, taking over Xavier’s guarding duties of the wolf bitch, thus letting Xavier get some rest. But he’d found the cage, and the rest of the underground room, empty.

How long it had been empty, he had no idea. But considering the lack of scent particles in the air, he was guessing for at least a day or two. Which would make sense, considering all the vampires who guarded the beast did so for a few days at a time before being granted a break.

Countless thoughts went through Cedric’s mind. Where had Xavier and the prisoner disappeared to? Surely they weren’t kidnapped, because who’d even be able to find the secret room? Had the wolf somehow managed to break free and take Xavier hostage? Surely not; Xavier wouldn’t be foolish enough to let that happen.

“My lord,” he cried as he knelt before his leader. “I have bad news.”

“So, they’re gone, are they?” Mortius replied, reading Cedric’s mind.

“I’m afraid so. There was no trace of them anywhere.”

Mortius gestured for Cedric to rise, and when he did so, he was surprised to see that his superior didn’t look the least bit troubled.

“I don’t think any of your theories are what transpired,” he said. “Fetch your son, would you?”

Cedric nodded, and then he hastened toward his house. If he were a stronger or older vampire, like Mortius, he’d be able to teleport. Only the elder vampires had the ability to teleport, and they also had the ability to control the thoughts of others. Many didn’t live long enough to receive those privileges, but Mortius prided himself on that.

All vampires could read each other’s minds, but only if the other vampire willed their mind to be read by the other party. But elder vampires like Mortius could plant thoughts into the minds of others as well. He could force others to think about him if he so desired.

Cedric and his son returned momentarily. Mortius was sitting in his chair like a king on a throne. He glared at Malik and began an inquisition.

“Malik, tell me. When is the last time you saw your best friend Xavier?”

“Just the other day, when I went to see him while he was on guard duty.”

“During that time, did you notice anything unusual about his behavior?”

“What do you mean?”

“Tell me how he behaved and what all occurred.”

Malik didn’t have to say anything. Memories flashed through his mind right to Mortius before he could say them aloud. Mortius saw them plain as day. Afterward, he said, “Very interesting. This leads me to believe that Xavier’s decision was a split-second one.”

“What do you mean?” Cedric asked, confused.

Mortius turned to look at him and replied, “It’s quite obvious what’s happened. Xavier, as I feared he someday would, has followed in his mother’s footsteps.”

Malik’s eyebrows went up as he asked, “What are you implying?”

“Don’t be naïve. There is no way anyone on the outside would have been able to find the location of Xavier and that animal. No one has investigated that room for a few days, which was the last time you, Malik, saw Xavier. There are no more traces of their presence in the air. This can only mean one thing. Xavier Deitrech has gone rogue, and he’s freed the enemy and is no doubt in hiding somewhere.”

“My lord,” Malik said, trying to defend his friend, “I truly don’t think that’s the case. Xavier blames that mongrel for what happened to his mother…”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Malik. I always had a suspicion that at least one of the Deitrech children would follow the path of their mother. Xavier has been more of an outcast since his mother sealed her own fate.”

Malik didn’t like the sound of that. He also couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Xavier, a traitor? It just didn’t add up.

But what other explanation could there be?

“Now, Malik,” Mortius continued, “think. If what I’m implying is accurate, which I’m certain it is, where would Xavier go?”

“Maybe he got thirsty and devoured our prisoner, and then he left because he felt guilty about what he did.”

“If that were true, the carcass would still be there. Hiding it would do him no good. Now answer my question.”

Malik thought for a moment before answering, “Xavier mentioned to me that he saw that wolf and one other one come out of a strip club in Vegas almost the same time every night. He’s familiar with Vegas. I don’t think he’d be that stupid, but it’s possible that, at least temporarily, he’d be hiding out there since he knows the place. He could also be planning to drop that dog off with the other wolf from the strip club.”

“A likely possibility. Thank you, Malik. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must make preparations to leave. I also must apologize to you.”

“Apologize? For what?”

“I’m afraid you won’t get to see your friend again. Because when I find him, and it turns out that I’m correct in my predictions, I’ll kill him.”

Chapter 7 - Unthinkable

2011-12-20T13:42:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains sexual innuendos.

Xavier rented a high-end suite at the Regency Arcade and Hotel in Vegas. He even paid cash to prevent anyone from tracing their whereabouts. He also doused Allanna in so much perfume that she felt like a cheap hooker. But he assured her it was to mask her scent just in case. He even applied a large quantity of cologne to himself.

“This is insane,” Allanna remarked as she sat on the card-backed sofa. The suite did indeed have a hot tub in it, and it looked like a gambler’s paradise with its décor consisting of cards, dice, and poker chips. Pretty appropriate considering they were playing quite the dangerous odds by breaking out of that underground prison.

“What’s so insane about it?” Xavier wanted to know as he also took a seat on the couch. “I believe I’ve just saved your life twice.”

“Saved my life? You’re gonna get us both killed! I’m glad you actually managed to see the light about your monstrous species, but do you really think kidnapping me again is going to help? Why won’t you take me home?”

“I’m attempting to figure out the best method to do that.”

“What? You…want to take me home?”

“I mostly wish to inform Mortius that he can’t control me any longer. I’ve been a fool all this time. Vampires aren’t meant to have leaders, they’re meant to be free. Why must we follow the path of someone else just because he thinks he’s of higher authority?”

“So you’re basically going rogue.”

“My mother defied the rules, and she paid the price for it. But as I recall, she died looking strangely peaceful. She was…happy. She had no regrets. I can almost swear that she was looking at me while her skin withered away.”

Allanna just gaped at Xavier. Here they were, two arch enemies, carrying on a normal conversation. Well, as normal a conversation as a werewolf and a vampire could have.

And that vampire was actually doing the unthinkable – he was going rogue, disobeying his superior. If a wolf disobeyed the pack leader, it would be severely punished. Not necessarily to the point of death, but pretty close.

“He’s not my superior,” Xavier declared with ire. “Not anymore. My mother may have fallen in love with the enemy, but my father never really loved her. If he had, he wouldn’t have ostracized her in such a manner.”

“Maybe he felt he had to do that, because he was afraid of Mortius.”

“No, because he showed no regrets and he didn’t hesitate before throwing stones. That remark about what she’d done to our family was unforgiveable. If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t have said that.”

Allanna looked down. This whole situation was so incomprehensible. Her hair fell over her face in an annoying manner before she finally stood up and said, “Well, I can’t stand my hair like this. I’m going to take a shower and chop it off.”

“Your hair looks very…lovely,” Xavier said with a hint of shyness, “at its current length. Why would you want to cut it?”

“The longer our hair is, the shaggier our fur becomes. It’s just easier to handle if it’s a shorter length.”

“I see. May I make a suggestion?”

“What?”

“Perhaps before you shower, we should go purchase new wardrobes. I presume you won't want to wear the same clothes every day, since we're likely going to stay here for an extended period of time.”

Allanna shrugged indifferently. Xavier withdrew another huge wad of cash from his pocket and began counting it. What he held in his hand was more money than Allanna would make in a month at her dead-end job.

If she even still had a job, which she doubted since she’d been missing for three months. Her bitch of a boss had probably replaced her after a day.

One good thing about Las Vegas was that there were plenty of places to shop. Another good thing was that several places on the strip were open all hours of the night. It didn't matter that the sun had gone down; many services still had customers coming and going.

Xavier bought them both whole new wardrobes and even offered to pay to have a professional stylist alter their hair colors. But they both vetoed that idea, since those they were trying to hide from could detect them by smell instead of sight, so altering their appearance would do no good.

When they got back to the suite, Allanna took a shower and then changed into one of her new outfits while Xavier changed in the bedroom. Allanna was so thrilled to have indoor plumbing again, and the bed looked very cozy compared to the squeaky piece of shit she’d had to sleep on when she’d been imprisoned. She'd also managed to talk Xavier into buying her some makeup so she could at least look halfway decent again. After cutting her hair to a much preferable length, she applied it.

At last, their new wardrobes complete, Allanna and Xavier ripped up their old garments and hurled them down the garbage chute. Allanna felt like a new person, though something else did cross her mind.

“Why did you bring me to Vegas?” she asked Xavier dubiously.

“Why not? It’s a very big city, and it was the closest place to Duskwood we could go where I could pay for a decent-sized suite in cash.”

“Right, well, aren’t you forgetting something?”

“Such as?”

“My best friend works here. What if she sees us?”

“I find that unlikely. Like I said, this is a very big city. Unless you were planning to pay her a visit at the strip club, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”

“I…oh, no.”

“What is it?”

Allanna felt a wave of depression hit her. She sat down in a chair and buried her face in her hands.

“We used to carpool here. I would drive her here to work. I don’t even know if she still has a job since she hasn't been able to get to it without my car. We can barely pay our bills as it is…”

Xavier sat down in the chair opposite of Allanna and asked her with what sounded like genuine concern, “What about her family? Wouldn’t they help her out?”

“It’s just her dad, and he’s got his hands full with her teenage sister. Ashlyn can be really rebellious at times.”

“So rebellious that their father couldn’t also take care of his older daughter?”

“They aren’t exactly on the best terms. Cynthia blames Adrian for her parents’ divorce. She’d be homeless before she went to him for help.”

“Werewolves can get divorced?”

“We live like humans, so yes. No one knows where Cynthia’s mom ran off to. Probably to join another pack.”

“I see. Well, there is one other option. Not to sound disrespectful, but what if she, or any other of your kind, just lived as a wolf? That way you wouldn’t have to worry about working, paying bills, and the like.”

Allanna looked up at Xavier sharply. “Are you nuts? First of all, there are a shitload of hunters who would go crazy to see all the wolves running around, and if we get shot and killed, we automatically turn back into humans. They’d know right away what we were, and that would put us all in danger. We don’t do anything to jeopardize the pack. You may go rogue, but we don’t. We just want to live normal. It’s easier to blend in with a crowd as a human, duh.”

“My apologies. I guess I don’t know as much about lycans as I originally thought.”

“Lycans? Wow, people still use that term?”

“Would you prefer canis lupus lupus?”

“No, that’s the scientific name for a grey wolf. And in case you haven’t realized, our fur colors are all different.”

“Would your fur color changed if you dyed your hair?”

“No, our fur color is based on our root hair color, deep inside our scalp. So I’d still have my original hair color.”

Xavier nodded, and as he sat there, he found himself staring at the creature across from him. He never really noticed it before, but she was actually very attractive. Even with her new hairstyle and wardrobe, she still had what looked like soft skin that was covering well defined muscles, undoubtedly courtesy of her thrill of running. He could see in her mind how much she missed just running in open fields under the star studded sky, especially on nights when the moon was so bright that the streetlights were a waste of energy.

Allanna also had very ample looking breasts peeking out of her low-cut shirt. Her muscular, trim figure belonged on a super model, and her eyes gave her the impression of having a look that could kill.

A low rumbling sound suddenly emanated from Allanna’s stomach.

“Damn it,” she said glumly. “I’m starving. Your disgusting meat scraps were hardly a meal.”

“Here, look at this menu,” Xavier said hastily as he tried to flush the images of her body out of his mind. “I’ll call room service.”

“We can’t just stay at this hotel forever and live off room service.”

“I’m already aware of that, but for now, this will have to suffice.”

“Whatever.”

Allanna skimmed over the menu and then requested a rare steak. Xavier chortled and ordered it on the phone.

“Aren’t you getting something?” she asked him.

“I’m afraid nothing on that menu will quell my appetite.”

“Oh right. You have to kill humans to eat.”

“I resent that.”

“Why? It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“You needn’t be so crude about it.”

Allanna just shook her head. “If you have to drink blood, here’s a crazy idea – why don’t you drink animal blood?”

“Are you volunteering?”

“Don’t be a smartass. Why don’t you hunt deer and rabbits and things like that, like I do?”

“I’m not into Twilight.”

“Very funny. It has nothing to do with Twilight. You know what I mean.”

“Well, that’s one thing about the movie they did get right regarding vampires – animal blood wouldn’t satiate our appetite.”

“Or it just wouldn’t taste as good.”

“Please, I don’t want to be rendered as a sissy vampire who sparkles in the sun.”

“Yeah I know, you don’t sparkle, you just scorch.”

“Don’t make light of it. That’s what killed my mother.”

“That, and Mortius.”

“Yes.”

Just then, there was an abrupt knock at the door. Xavier opened it and carried in the room service tray. Allanna dug right in, not even bothering to grab a fork. Typical animal.

As she shoveled the bloody meat into her mouth, Xavier tried to nonchalantly watch her. She was ravenous, which was to be expected of someone who had the heart and soul of a beast.

Still, she was so attractive despite that fact. Even her odor didn’t bother him anymore; after being her guard for three months, he’d grown quite accustomed to it. And he knew she felt the same way, thanks to being able to read her mind.

Allanna finished her meal, but Xavier was feeling parched. Still, he didn’t want to leave her here alone. She might try to escape. He’d just have to stick it out. He hoped to leave this hotel the next evening, anyway.

“Thank you,” she said, breaking into his thoughts and surprising him. He turned to her and her face looked sincere and modest.

“You’re welcome.”

Allanna stood up and stretched, which caused her boobs to protrude even further. If she didn’t watch it, she’d end up bursting a seam. Thankfully she couldn't read his mind.

“I’m going to bed,” she said. “And don’t even think about coming into my room. You can sleep on the couch.”

“I would expect no less.”

“Uh huh. Good night.”

Allanna shut the door to the bedroom, leaving Xavier alone in the grand room of the suite. He was so thirsty that he could hardly think. He’d never be able to sleep feeling this way. If Allanna was asleep, it wouldn’t hurt if he left to have a meal, right?

But for some reason, he had a slight change of heart. He wasn’t going to hunt animals, but he was going to try a new tactic for hunting tonight. He wasn’t going to hunt just anyone. Vegas was full of criminals, ranging from muggers to murderers. One of them would be his victim, and his meal, tonight.

Chapter 6 - Confessions and Confusions

2011-12-15T14:41:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language.

Xavier was surprised the girl had actually done it. She’d reverted to her human form. When he opened his eyes upon hearing her voice, he saw her standing with her arms crossed, fully clothed, as a young woman. Her hair was much longer than he remembered it being, but after three months, of course a werewolf’s hair would grow.

“Let’s start with something simple,” he said. “In all this time, I’ve never once found out your name.”

“What does that even matter?”

“Well, you know mine, and we’ve been here for months. Wouldn’t you rather I refer to you as something other than beast or dog?”

“Ugh, fine. I’m Allanna.”

“That’s surprisingly a pretty name.”

“Surprisingly?”

“For a wolf.”

“Shut up.”

Xavier chuckled. Allanna then said, “Now, answer my question. What’s up with your mother?”

Xavier’s face slightly fell as he remembered the last time he’d seen his mother. The memory wasn’t a pleasant one.

“My mother’s dead,” he said.

“As in, really dead? Or dead as in dead to you, like she was a crappy mother?”

“The former. My mother loved me, as well as my younger siblings, very much. I know you won’t believe this, but she had a good soul. Had we not been vampires, she would have wanted us to be transformed into them so that she’d never have to see us die. Her worst fear was to see her children perish before her.”

“But if she and your dad were both vampires, wouldn’t any siblings you had also be vampires?”

A sad shadow passed over Xavier’s face then. “Yes, any offspring between my parents would be vampires. But my mother was pregnant when she was killed.”

“I’m sorry. What happened? And, well, what does her being pregnant have to do with it?”

“She was burned to death for treason.”

“Treason? But…what did she do that could have been so bad that she was burned to death while she was pregnant?”

“Her pregnancy was the motive.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

Xavier thought about the last century that had been his life, give or take a few years. And he told all of it to Allanna.

When Xavier was 22 years of age, his mother had been cruelly taken from him, as well as the life of what was to be his younger brother, Dante. Vivica hadn’t deserved to die – she’d merely fallen in love.

Too bad the new target of her attraction hadn’t been his father. Dorian had been completely unsympathetic about Vivica’s death. He’d flat out declared, “The fucking bitch deserves more than death. I hope she burns in hell for all eternity for what she did to this family.”

It wasn’t that it was an act of infidelity. That didn’t qualify as reason enough for vampires to kill one of their own. No, Mortius had ordered Vivica to be destroyed for an affair with the enemy.

The enemy being a werewolf.

It irked Xavier severely to think of his mother’s untimely end. Her beautiful face had been charred at first, but then, to fully express his discontent with the situation, Mortius had put out the fire and instead tied Vivica to a pole in broad daylight, where the sun slowly and painfully ate away at her skin and her soul. It was the most elaborate form of torture Xavier had ever witnessed for a vampire’s punishment. As if that weren’t bad enough, the entire clan had witnessed this occurring, and they were actually condoning it. They threw stones and glass at Vivica as she’d stared down at the spectacle before her, betrayed by her own kind. Essentially, she literally had been burned to death.

As Xavier had watched this, his infuriation kept growing. He swore that he’d avenge his mother’s death one day. As for Vivica’s lover, Savek, he’d been hunted down and literally ripped apart by the angry vampire clan. Had he been human, they would have consumed his blood. But as it was, they didn’t even bite Savek – they just ripped him to shreds and hurled his body over a chasm and into a lake. Xavier had even been forced to help. Ever since then, a large cloud of turmoil had followed him around. He could never forgive himself for what had happened to his mother. He could have tried to save her, but he was too much of a coward to even try.

Astonishingly, Allanna stayed quiet the entire time Xavier told his tale, and just listened. She didn’t interrupt, she didn’t pretend to be listening, she really heard everything he said. In fact, if he was not mistaken, he thought he saw her eyes glistening.

“That’s a terrible story,” she finally said. “But you swore you’d avenge your mother. Why haven’t you?”

“What do you mean? I did avenge my mother. Savek is dead.”

“Um…Savek didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I concur, it was his fault my mother was killed.”

“Really? You just said that all she did was fall in love. People aren’t forced to fall in love. It happens naturally. Isn’t that all Savek did? It was Mortius and all of your kind who killed her. You said yourself that she had to endure a very vindictive punishment, one the likes of which you’d never seen before. Mortius ordered that execution. Savek was innocent. And for all you know, your mother never told him she was married.”

Xavier frowned and clenched his fists. “How dare you…”

“No, I didn’t mean that. I just meant that you don’t know exactly what happened between your mother and Savek. But you do know what Mortius did.”

Xavier had to stop and think about that. All this time, he’d thought his mother’s death had been avenged with Savek’s death. But maybe Allanna, this natural enemy of his kind, was right. It had been Mortius who’d ordered Vivica to die for treason, and it had been Mortius who’d tortured her to death by exposing her to the sunlight until it burned off all her skin.

“That also doesn’t make sense,” Allanna cut in, “the part about the sun. I thought if vampires went out in the sun for even a split second, they’d turn to dust and die.”

“That’s just an old stereotype. We can be in the sun, but not for prolonged periods of time. Our skin will start to burn after a while, and the longer we’re in the sun, the more the burning will occur. That’s why we live here in Duskwood – the sun doesn’t shine that often, and it’s mostly concealed by giant willow trees.”

“Is that the real reason you want my pack to leave our homes?”

“I like to think so, but I’m sure it’s just an ego thing. I’m not feeling too fond of Mortius now, so I have no problem saying that owning all of Duskwood would probably just be something more for him to brag about.”

“He already has things to brag about?”

“Only the fact that he’s our leader, is one of the oldest vampires known to exist, and has the ability to both teleport and control the thoughts of others.”

“Sheesh, I wonder if he’d be as determined to flush us out if we were humans instead of werewolves. You know, there are humans living in Duskwood too. So he technically still won’t own the whole town.”

“Actually, he explained that he plans to have a victory celebration in the form of a feast after he seizes control of your territory.”

“Victory feast? You mean…you mean he’s going to eat the humans in Duskwood?”

“Not eat. Drink their blood. And the feast would be for the entire clan.”

“That’s sick! Let me out of this damn cage, I’m tired of being in here. I’m tired of not even being able to go to the bathroom without having a chaperone, I have no privacy, nothing to do…just let me the fuck out of here!”

Allanna lost control of herself then. Xavier watched as she shrieked at the top of her lungs and began flailing her arms about like a woman possessed, her calm demeanor gone. Finally, he stood up and walked over to her cage.

“Allanna,” he said, which ceased her craziness right away, since he’d never said her name before, “calm down. Your father will…”

“My father didn’t sign any treaty, I know it. Never in a million years would he sign a treaty giving up his territory to the likes of you guys.”

“Even if it meant getting his daughter back?”

“You don’t understand. Wolves work in packs. The death of one affects all of us. He won’t sign a stupid piece of paper to get me back. He’ll sniff you guys out and storm right through. There will be a war. They’ll bust me out themselves instead of trusting Mortius to just return me.”

Xavier furrowed his brow. Images flashed from her mind to his of how wolves operate. He knew they traveled and lived in packs, but Mortius had undoubtedly failed to contemplate a situation in which the pack leader didn’t play by the rules.

The rules set up by the pack leader’s arch nemesis.

That, combined with what he’d just learned about his mother, made Xavier do something incredibly rash, and so unlike him, that he thought he might be dreaming.

And that was that he shattered the lock on Allanna’s cage with his brute supernatural strength, causing its occupant to look at him with a bemused expression on her face.

“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded.

“You’re right,” Xavier explained. “There’s no way your father will play by Mortius’s rules. And he’s more to blame for my mother’s death than Savek. Now that I think about it, I’d never even seen Savek before, and I only saw him as a wolf. What proof did Mortius have that my mother had been unfaithful? Well, don’t worry about it now, we don’t have time.”

“Time for what? What do you think you’re doing? Hey, put me down!”

Xavier picked Allanna up like she was a doll, placed her on his back, and quickly shushed her.

“Be quiet. If I carry you, it’ll mask your scent.”

“Why are you carrying me anywhere? What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking that I’m tired of following Mortius’s orders. I’m getting you out of here.”

Chapter 5 - A Different Outlook

2011-12-11T12:35:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language, sexual innuendos, and brief partial nudity.

The note came in a week’s time. Cynthia had told Darius about his daughter’s disappearance and how she’d detected the stench of a vampire mixed in with Allanna’s. To say the least, Darius was pissed off.

When the unmarked letter arrived in his mailbox the following Friday, he scrutinized it with resentment.

I have your daughter. I will not harm her in any way, and you will get her back but only if you and your kind leave Duskwood permanently. Let’s not prolong this battle any further, shall we? Your daughter will be returned to you only after your pack has vacated the territory entirely. Don’t forget, we live forever, so we have all the time in the world. But your daughter doesn’t, for she’ll continue to age and will someday die. You wouldn’t want that burden on your shoulders, would you?

Enclosed is a treaty explaining all the aforementioned details. Just sign it and return it, and when my pupils have ascertained that you’re gone, you’ll receive information regarding your daughter’s whereabouts. Then, and only then, will you see her again.

Sincerely,

Mortius Caldwell

Darius crumbled the letter in his hand, his temper flaring. Those filthy blood-suckers abduct his daughter and use her as blackmail to confiscate his territory? He wouldn’t have it.

“This means war,” he declared to his wife, who entered the room looking frazzled. “Those monsters have crossed the line for the last time. Rally everyone you know. Send word to all the packs you can find. This isn’t just about Allanna, it’s about the fate of our species. It’s time to bring these vampires down permanently.”

********************

Three months later…

Three months was a long time to stay a wolf. Allanna only knew how long she’d been held prisoner because she’d used her claws to scratch days into the wall. She was sure her father wouldn’t give in to the tyrannical demands of the asinine vampires, but surely he had a plan to get her out of this hellhole, right?

Allanna hadn’t stayed a wolf the entire time. The leech who called himself Xavier Deitrech would occasionally leave the room for a bathroom break, though the bathroom in question was right outside the dungeon door. He would still be able to hear if she tried to escape.

But she didn’t dare try, not with the jagged silver spikes on the bars that enclosed her. She’d be dead within minutes if all that got into her system.

Xavier would also sometimes be replaced by a blonde-haired vampire named Malik, who she inadvertently learned was Xavier’s best friend. The two took turns guarding her in the unlikely event that she’d manage to escape and screw up their diabolical plot.

When her captors weren’t around, Allanna would revert to her human form just to stretch out her muscles, which ached for exercise. She wanted nothing more than to be able to just run freely, even if for a few minutes, so she didn’t feel so caged like…like an animal.

At least when Allanna was a wolf, she didn’t have to converse with anyone. If she were a male, she’d lift her leg and pee on Xavier’s fancy pants, just to show him what she thought of the situation. “Piss on that” it would be saying. As it was, because she was adamant to remain a wolf in the presence of her enemies, she had to resort to relieving herself in the corner, just like the caged animal that she was. This just made her even more infuriated.

Just then, the door banged open, causing Allanna’s ears to twitch. She looked up to see two vampires, Malik and a red-headed teenager, stride into the room.

“Mortius finally let us down here,” Malik said to Xavier in a gruff voice. “I hear she isn’t very talkative.”

“She’s not,” Xavier replied as he set his book down. “Hell, since day one, she’s been like that.” He gestured to her, indicating her wolf form. “I don’t even remember her human form, really.”

Allanna let out a growl, which caused the red-head to laugh maniacally. “This is the bitch daughter of the wolf pack leader? She doesn’t look so tough to me.”

Allanna let out a louder growl and got closer to the bars.

“Ooo, I’m so scared,” the red-head taunted. “She’s gonna try to bust through the silver bars and get me. What will I do?!”

“Shut up Jebadiah,” Xavier said in an annoyed voice. “Does Father know you’re down here?”

“He’s too busy taking care of Bianca, as usual. He doesn’t give a shit what I do anyway. It’s not like I’m out getting laid. I wish, though. I still don’t see why you don’t bang the shit out of Gloria. Man, that girl is fine.”

“Get out of here.”

“What crawled up your ass and died?”

“Nothing, I just don’t want to have to succumb to Father’s wrath if he finds out you were down here without his permission, and I allowed it. Now get out of here.”

“Whatever. Mortius said I could come down here to see you with Malik, so Father can't do anything about it. But do us all a favor, will you? I know you’re stuck in here with a wild animal all day, but whatever you do, don’t make the same mistake Mother did.”

Xavier’s face hardened as he stood up and grabbed Jebadiah’s shirt before warning, “Don’t you ever say that again, do you understand me? Don’t tarnish our mother’s name!”

“Dude, she tarnished her own name by screwing…”

“Get the fuck out of here!”

Jebadiah took a step back, flipped Xavier off, and stormed out, slamming the door shut behind him.

“Son of a bitch,” Xavier said to no one in particular. “I don’t need that damn kid down here causing problems. What do you want, Malik?”

The blonde replied, “I thought I’d warn you that Gloria’s on her way down here.”

“What the hell for?”

“Probably Daddy’s orders. And maybe she’s feeling sexually frustrated since she’s hardly seen you since you’ve been playing dog catcher.”

Xavier sighed. “I’m glad I’ve got you as a best friend. At least you can warn me. Every time I see her, she’s got perverted thoughts in her head. I think she cares more about doing me than becoming my mate.”

“I wish she’d look at me like that.”

“Please, once you get past her good looks, you’re past Gloria. She’s a shallow, spoiled brat and Daddy gets her everything she wants. She just can’t comprehend why anyone wouldn’t want her, and why she can’t have even one thing she wants.”

As Xavier was saying this, the door swung open again to reveal a female vampire with titian-honey hair, sky blue eyes, and a sultry half-smile. In her hand was a bag.

She also, Allanna couldn’t help noticing, had an ample amount of cleavage. It was blatantly obvious that she was trying to attract Xavier’s attention.

“Oh, hello, Gloria,” Malik swooned. Gloria nodded in his direction, but her gaze was riveted on Xavier.

“My father requested that I bring these for our visitor,” she said as she withdrew something from the bag she was carrying.

“Clothes?” Xavier asked skeptically. “What for? She’s a wolf, as you can see.”

“Yes, but it’s possible that she’s remaining in this form because otherwise she’d be naked. We should allow her some modesty. Besides, I’m sure she’ll want to speak when she hears the news about her own father.”

Allanna lifted her head and sat up, then regretted showing so much interest in what Gloria had just said. It was probably a lie, anyway.

“On the contrary,” she said, reading her mind (that got so annoying!). “Your father has finally agreed to get his pack out of Duskwood. You’ll be returning home soon enough.”

Could it really be true? Had her father, the alpha male of the pack, truly have given in to these leeches? He truly couldn’t think of another way to free her?

“Here you go,” Gloria said in a snooty tone, carrying a tank top toward the bars and leaving the bag next to the couch. Allanna growled, but Gloria ignored this as she placed the shirt on the floor of the cage. “Don’t be shy, let’s see how it looks on you.”

Allanna growled again before ripping the bright red garment to shreds.

“Well, what an ungrateful dog you are,” Gloria droned on. “That was terribly rude of you.”

A snarling sound emitted from Allanna’s throat, a warning that would cause anyone else to back away. And if they ran, it would just be a thrill – wolves loved the thrill of the chase. It made catching their prey that much more rewarding.

Prey. How long it had been since Allanna had even gotten to hunt! She was given scraps of meat, but they just weren’t as satisfying as a live deer or rabbit.

“Hey, if you’re a good little dog,” Gloria crooned, “I’ll give you a bone, and maybe it’ll have some pig meat on it.”

Allanna jumped onto her hind legs and snarled even louder. This time, Gloria did take a step back.

“Gloria, that’ll do,” Xavier interjected. “Just leave her alone.”

“Whatever you say. I don’t know how you can stand being down here all the time, Xavier. The smell alone is making me want to pass out.”

“I guess if you’ve been succumbed to it for three months, you grow accustomed to it.”

Gloria shuddered before staggering out of the room.

“See what I mean?” Xavier mumbled under his breath, loud enough for both Allanna and Malik to hear.

“Not really,” Malik replied.

“Whatever. Do me a favor, will you? I’m dying of thirst, go get me something.”

“Something, or someone?”

“Just give me one of the plasma juices. That’ll suffice for now.”

“All right, I’ll be back.”

Malik exited out the door. He was back in a matter of minutes. When he left again, Xavier turned to look at Allanna, his face looking tired.

“I know you’re tired of being a wolf,” he remarked. “Why don’t you swallow your pride and just put on one of these outfits? At least then you’d be able to talk.”

“What makes you think I want to talk to you?” she asked him in her mind.

“Ah, so you do want to talk,” Xavier chortled. “One way or the other, you’ll start conversing, or else you’ll go mad.”

“Leave me alone.”

“You’re just lucky that shirt you shredded wasn’t my mother’s. Then I’d have to kill you, regardless of my orders. Killing you wouldn’t do us any good, but if your father’s already signed the treaty, I guess it wouldn’t matter.”

“So that’s why you saved me that night in the alley. If you didn’t kill me, those thugs probably would have, which would have foiled your plans.”

“Exactly.”

Curious despite herself, Allanna found herself wondering, “Who was that teenager you got so mad at about your mother?”

“That’s my younger brother. I don’t take kindly to anyone saying anything against my mother.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I fail to see what business it is of yours.”

“Fine, I’m tired of being quiet. A little conversation would be nice, even if it does have to be with you.”

“That’s better. But on one condition – I want you to revert to your human form for us to talk. It feels more normal.”

“We’re not normal.”

“No, but it would be a refreshing change of pace. Besides, when’s the last time you had a bath and a haircut? You can’t do that in your current state.”

Allanna frowned, though that couldn’t be seen under her shaggy fur. It had been a while since she’d gotten to bathe, and she was very tired of the grungy feeling she could sense on her fur. Plus her hair just kept getting longer.

“Fine, but you better not look.”

“I won’t give you the pleasure of looking.”

“Whatever.”

Allanna sighed as Xavier tossed another set of clothes from the bag toward her. She carefully squeezed a paw in between the bars and pulled them closer to her, luckily without scraping anything on the silver spikes. When she saw that Xavier had his eyes closed, she turned her back to him and began the transformation.

It was all a matter of the mind. She envisioned herself as one form, and thus became that form. Her bones contoured to the appropriate shape and size to conform to her new body. She’d learned to do this at a very young age, as children could also turn into wolves.

The only exception was pregnant werewolves – a fetus couldn’t grow if its mother’s body kept shape shifting. It was made and designed to grow inside one type of body and that’s it. Changing forms while pregnant would more than likely kill the fetus.

Luckily, Allanna didn’t have to worry about that part.

When she finished transforming and put the clothes on, she crossed her arms and said firmly, “All right, you want to talk? Let’s talk.”

Chapter 4 - Purgatory

2011-12-06T14:09:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and sexual innuendos!

Cynthia’s shift ended at 3 in the morning. Before that time, she’d been ogled, groped, cat called to, and even dry humped by some drunk douchebag. It was a relief to get out of there.

Allanna always met her at the door, and then they’d walk to her car together and head back home to Duskwood. But tonight was different. Allanna wasn’t at the door.

“Maybe she’s running late,” Cynthia wondered to herself, ignoring more cat calls from behind her (some of which were for her, while most were directed at the new girl on the pole).

Still, Allanna had never been late picking her up before. And she would have called had she known. Cynthia’s animal instincts were kicking in, and she started to get a bad feeling.

After 30 minutes, Allanna still hadn’t arrived. Calling her cell phone just sent Cynthia to voice mail. Something wasn’t right.

Exiting the Strip Tease, Cynthia headed toward the parking garage where Allanna usually ended up parking. The early morning air was a little cooler; perhaps she’d decided to stay in the car.

But why wouldn’t she have just called and told her that? Maybe her cell phone was dead.

The scent hit her like a bullet. She could smell Allanna. Cynthia scurried toward the source of the smell, and found herself staring down the same alley where she and her friend had almost been assaulted just last night.

Turning down that alley, Cynthia then caught another whiff. The pungent, acrid aroma of a blood-sucking vampire. Its stench not only matched the one of the vampire they’d encountered last night, but it also seemed to copulate with Allanna’s scent.

Breaking into a run, Cynthia hurried toward the parking garage, trying not to transform into a wolf so she’d move faster. When she found Allanna’s car still parked in the garage, she was certain – Allanna had been abducted.

Not wasting any time, she hurried back to the alley to keep the scent fresh in her mind, then grabbed her cell phone and started dialing. Darius needed to know about this.

********************

“Well done, Xavier,” Mortius said with pleasure as he stared at the young woman lying on the old bed. “You finally managed to capture the beast that’s eluded you for quite some time.”

“Patience is a virtue, Mortius. Remember, good things come to those that wait.”

“I’ve many years to wait, but I still get impatient. I want those things extinct, permanently.”

“If this plan doesn’t accomplish that, nothing will.”

The two vampires burst into loud guffaws. Xavier had been assigned to abduct the bitch daughter of the werewolf pack leader, and he would guard her to make sure she didn’t escape. Mortius was going to use her as a bargaining chip to get those filthy mutts out of their territory. Duskwood rightfully belonged to the vampires, but those savages refused to leave. If they wouldn’t listen to reason, then perhaps they’d listen to ransom.

Xavier had been chosen to perform both the kidnapping and guarding duties because he, apart from Mortius, was one of the strongest vampires of the Duskwood clan. He was also one of the youngest, only a little over a hundred years old. That made him even more agile for the job, despite not having as many mind tricks as an elder vampire.

Mortius left, leaving Xavier alone with the pack leader’s daughter. He couldn’t suppress a smile as he stared down at her, knocked out cold. The plan was to use her as leverage to get the mutts out of Duskwood, but the joke would be on them – they’d never get the chance to leave Duskwood, because they’d be wiped out entirely. There wasn’t room in this world for two mythical species. One of them had to go.

********************

Allanna could hear the voices in the back of her mind, but she thought she was dreaming. When she opened her eyes at last, she found herself staring at filthy walls, and she felt like she’d been run over by a truck.

Her head swam as she sat up, blinking profusely. The room was faintly lit and the smell wasn’t appealing.

The smell…Allanna jerked her head toward the door and saw the source of that grotesque odor.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, her voice hoarse.

The leech just smirked and said, “I’m just sitting here.”

“Where the hell am I?”

“You’re safe, in this nice little haven. Consider it a suburb of Duskwood.”

“You’re really stupid to have brought me here, you know that? I’ll just rip your guts out and get out of here.” Allanna jumped off the bed.

“I don’t think so,” the blood-sucker said as he withdrew a pistol from inside his shirt. “I’ve got plenty of silver bullets to go around. You try to leave, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

Allanna growled. She could transform into a wolf, but that wouldn’t do her any good if silver was involved. The only known way to kill a werewolf was the traditional silver bullet, but any amount of silver would do the job if enough got into the bloodstream. If a werewolf was killed in wolf form, they’d revert back to their human form. However, if one was killed in their human form, nothing would happen, but they were weaker as humans because any weapon would severely hurt them.

But werewolves had advanced healing powers, which resulted in their bones and tissues repairing themselves almost instantly if they were hurt. Of course, a shot to the head or anything that severed the spine would be an instant death, and the rapid healing would be futile.

Silver was the worst. It spread through the bloodstream too quickly for her kind’s healing powers to be effective. How did that even happen, anyway? It didn't even matter that she wasn't tied up - she was still bound here by that threatening gun, trapped here in a makeshift purgatory, held captive by her arch enemy. But for what purpose?

“It’s it obvious?” the annoying cretin said dubiously. “Your kind won’t accept the fact that Duskwood rightfully belongs to us, therefore you’re reluctant to leave. I think a little old fashioned ransom threat to the pack leader regarding his eldest child might get the message across, wouldn’t you agree?”

“You bastard. How did you even know that?”

“We’re very intelligent creatures, us vampires. We observe things. Besides, it wasn’t hard to find out about your grandfather.”

Allanna ground her teeth together. “Fuck you, you son of a bitch. It’s because of you blood-sucking assholes that my grandfather’s dead. That land was his and he fought for it, and he won it.”

“He didn’t fight for it, he found it and tried to steal it. Duskwood rightfully belongs to us.”

“Bullshit!”

Allanna jumped off the bed and ran toward the smug looking urchin, her body beginning to transform.

“Oh no you don’t,” he said as he grabbed her wrist in lightning-fast speed and squeezed it so hard she felt a bone break.

“Damn you!” she yelled as she teetered backward, cradling her broken wrist in her hand.

“You’re lucky that’ll heal up easily thanks to your kind’s mending powers. But if you’re going to be that way, I think we’d best find a more suitable location for you.”

The irksome vampire then grabbed Allanna by her other wrist and pulled her toward a trapdoor in the floor. He hurled her down it, then jumped in after her. He then shuffled her through a tunnel despite her protests and curses, finally ending up in front of what looked like an old dungeon door.

He pushed it inward and beyond that door was a large room, in the corner of which was a sealed off area full of silver bars. That area had a small bed in it but nothing more. There was a worn-out sofa on the outside of the bars and shattered dishes were scattered across the floor.

The vampire threw Allanna into the silver cage and snapped a lock shut. He still had the gun in the back of his pants, and he used a small water pump to fill a filthy looking bowl with water before placing it inside Allanna’s makeshift cage, slamming and locking the door shut once more before she could escape.

“Here you go,” he said with an amused look on his face. “The doggy needs water.”

“Go to hell.”

The vampire threw his head back and laughed. “You could have stayed in that nice little shack, but you had to cause a fuss. Now you have to stay here. We had this room made especially for you. I think it suits you well.”

“I swear, when I get out of here, I’m going to rip your dick off and shove it down your throat so far you’ll choke on it. Of course, it’s probably so small, that wouldn’t work, so I’d have to make you suffer some other way.”

“Oh trust me, if you stuck my bad boy down my throat, I’d be dead in seconds.”

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

The leech just laughed again, pushing Allanna over the edge. Since he found her so amusing as a human, maybe she’d be less entertaining, and more menacing, as a wolf.

She knelt down on the ground and let the transformation take her. Doing so shredded her clothes, but she had no desire of turning back into a human until she was out of this hellhole, so there was no need to worry about being seen naked.

Allanna jumped onto the bed and put her head in her paws. The vampire expressed more amusement when he saw her transform, and he was obviously reading her thoughts about her now useless clothes since he had a snide grin on his face.

How was she even supposed to think with that thing sitting so close to her, and with the ability to read her thoughts? More importantly, how was she going to get out of here?

Chapter 3 - Abduction

2011-12-03T15:03:00.000-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language and sexual references!

“Welcome to Stop and Shop,” Allanna said in a cheerful manner, though inside she was thinking, “Kill me now.”

That was her typical day at Duskwood’s little convenience store. The Stop and Shop store had almost everything anyone needed, with the exception of food, which had to be bought at the grocery store across the street. This job was the only one that Allanna had been able to obtain, not having any college education (there was no way she’d be able to afford it, and her father’s construction job made too much money for her to qualify for a grant).

The days were so tedious, with people coming in, Allanna greeting them with a fake smile plastered onto her face, all the while wearing a hideous orange and white uniform. Plus, an hour before the store closed at 9, she had to do all the heavy-duty work while her boss sat on her fat ass and did nothing. She had to sweep the floors, clean the bathrooms (sometimes rubber gloves weren’t even provided for some asinine reason), and mop the entire store. If she weren’t so accustomed to running for pure pleasure, she’d probably be so out of shape that she’d get overheated and pass out.

Her boss was a real bitch, thinking she knew everything when in reality, Allanna was ten times smarter than she was. Yet she was making the big bucks as the supervisor. It was so infuriating, but Allanna couldn’t do anything about it. If anything, her boss saw her as a threat, and took this phobia upon herself to make Allanna miserable, probably in an attempt to make her quit out of spite. But Allanna had nothing else she could do, so she was stuck.

The door chimes tinkled, signaling the arrival of another customer. Allanna looked to see her mother and father there with her three younger siblings. Lupe had been married to Darius for only two years when Allanna had come along. Then came Byron, Raquel, and little Lacey. There had always been the inevitable sibling squabbles, and even some occasional domestic fighting, but all in all they were a good family.

Darius headed to the auto section of the store while Lupe approached the counter.

“Hi, honey,” she said to her oldest daughter, “how are you?”

“Oh fine, except I hate my job, my best friend has to work as a stripper to make ends meet, and last night we almost got raped by two guys.”

“Mom, what’s rape mean?” Raquel wanted to know.

“Byron, take your sisters,” Lupe said hastily as she handed Lacey over to her only son. Byron rolled his eyes, muttered something under his breath, and took his sisters, the older of which was still asking for a definition of the word rape.

“Are you insane?” Lupe wanted to know. “Why did you say those things in front of your siblings, especially your little sister?”

“Oh please, kids these days know all about sex. Girls are getting their periods when they’re 10, and Raquel’s 8.”

“I don’t care, she doesn’t need to hear that. And what do you mean you were almost raped? What the hell happened?”

Lupe had to step aside as Allanna rang up a customer on the cash register, pretending to be enthusiastic the whole time. When she finally turned back to her mother, she said, “Oh, just two horny perverts jumped us in an alley last night, but we got away.”

“You didn’t…you know…”

“We didn’t give into our animal instincts,” Allanna confirmed, keeping her eyes on the human shoppers. “We didn’t have to. Some guy actually saved us.”

Allanna almost slapped herself. Why did she tell her mother that? As she suspected, Lupe’s eyebrows went up and her eyes got a bemused tint to them.

“What do you mean, some guy saved you?”

“Just what I said. But I can’t talk about it now, I have to work.”

“Fine, but I’m telling your father about this, and we’re going to have a talk later.”

“Whatever.”

Lupe then went off in search of her other kids, leaving Allanna to continue scanning and bagging items for customers. She was smiling so much, she felt like her cheeks were going to burst. She was sure she resembled a Barbie doll.

When there was a slight pause between customers, Allanna looked heavenward and asked herself if this was all her life would ever be. Was this her destiny, to be a part of a species that was becoming extinct due to vampires all over the world trying to destroy them? And to spend her human hours working at a dead-end job that wouldn’t pay one rent bill on its own?

Sadly, that’s how it appeared.

The hours dragged on, and finally at 9:30, Allanna escaped the hellhole that was her place of employment. She had to rush back to her place and pick up Cynthia, who had a late shift at the Strip Tease. She felt so bad for her friend, having to parade around like some whore in order to make money. What’s worse, she did the most demeaning work but made more money. There had to be something Allanna could do.

After she dropped Cynthia off at the Strip Tease, Allanna decided to test her luck at a nearby casino and hotel, called the Regency Arcade. Knowing her luck, she’d spend much more than she’d win, but it was worth a shot.

The casino had several different slot machines, as well as a bar, lounge areas, poker tables, and even hot tubs in the hotel rooms upstairs. Several patrons were already playing the slots and table games, but there were still a lot of machines still available.

Allanna approached an Aces Gone Wild machine. She inserted a quarter and pulled the lever, crossing her fingers. Not surprisingly, it did no good.

“Stupid piece of shit,” she grumbled as she put in another quarter. After about 12 of them, she finally gave up in frustration. If she had enough money, she’d pay to have the entire pack moved to some chic neighborhood by the woods where they’d be safe and free.

Unfortunately, she doubted that would ever happen.

As she was walking back toward her car, Allanna thought she felt another presence close to her. She turned around but saw nothing. Wrapping her arms around herself, she kept trudging toward the parking garage, where she’d once again been forced to park her car.

She passed the same alley where the two men had grabbed her and Cynthia so few hours ago. She wouldn’t let that scare her, so, after debating for only a few minutes, she turned down the alley to take the shortcut.

She’d deeply regret that decision, which she found out when a dark shadow appeared before her and a strong arm wrapped around her neck.

But before she submerged into unconsciousness, there was no mistaking the stench of a vampire.

Chapter 2 - In the Shadows

2011-12-01T02:27:00.002-06:00

WARNING: This chapter contains strong language, sexual content/innuendos, and nudity!

Xavier Deitrech cursed himself the whole way home. The one night he’d finally managed to locate the bitch (quite literally, as she was essentially a female dog) in a dark and secluded area, and some other bastards had beat him to her.

As he parked his car and entered his house, he knew right away that she was there. She was always there, making her attraction to him blatantly conspicuous.

Plus, he knew her father had sent her for a report.

There she was, bathed in the moonlight of the dark living room. Gloria.

Gloria Caldwell, daughter of Mortius Caldwell, the leader of the vampire clan of Duskwood. Many men were enraptured by her beauty, captivated by her mere presence, but she only had eyes for one potential mate.

Too bad he wasn’t the least bit interested.

“Gloria,” Xavier said.

“Xavier. Have you acquired her?”

“Is that your inquisition, or your father’s? And does it look I’ve acquired her?”

“Surely you jest. Of course my father wishes to know if your efforts were futile or not.”

“A phone call would have sufficed.”

“You are too precious, Xavier. I simply had to see you in person.”

Xavier stifled an irritated sigh. Gloria may have come here on her father’s orders, but she had something else on her mind – he could read it as though she were saying the words aloud.

“Gloria,” he said as he walked closer, “we’ve discussed this.”

“Yes, but you know I’m a very persistent woman. Need I remind you that whichever mate I choose will ensure the future of the Caldwell vampires? We are, as you know, the last of that bloodline.”

“I’m aware of that, but there are many others who would be better mates than I. They would be able to fully appreciate you.”

Gloria stood up then, her expression agitated.

“What must I do to get past that cold exterior of yours?” she demanded. “Why is it that the one mate I want is the one who won’t have me?”

“You mustn’t do anything. It’s not something I can control.”

“Perhaps I can convince you to control it.”

Before Xavier could respond, Gloria’s mouth pressed against his with fierce urgency. Dozens of her thoughts flooded his mind as her hands began to wander south of his belt.

Xavier grabbed Gloria’s hands and stepped back.

“Gloria,” he said as she gaped at him in astonishment, “I think you’d better leave.”

Gloria’s brow furrowed. “Only a fool refuses a woman who offers herself to him. And only a complete imbecile would refuse the advances of the daughter of the clan leader.”

“Then I’m a fool.”

“Damn you!”

Gloria slapped Xavier’s face sharply before she stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her. Xavier rubbed his cheek where her heavily manicured nails had scratched it, then headed for his bedroom.

This just wasn’t his night. First he’d failed at abducting that dog, then Gloria had once again tried to seduce him, and then she’d slapped him and left in a huff when her efforts had failed. Knowing her, she'd probably run off to tell Daddy.

Xavier changed into some silky pajamas before lying down on his bed, exhausted. He looked at the photo that sat on his nightstand. Scarlet Rivera’s sweet smile looked back at him. She hadn’t deserved to die any more than he deserved Gloria’s advances.

Scarlet had been the first woman he’d ever loved. They’d met in 1902 and it was love at first sight. They spent as much time together as they could, which for them, being vampires, was limitless. They planned to get married and had given their virginity to each other.

But cruel and twisted fate had taken Scarlet from him. The fate was in the form of a vampire hunter, a human with stakes, holy water, crucifixes, the works. He’d managed to take Xavier’s lover, though Xavier had avenged her death by driving one of the hunter’s own stakes into his heart for a good taste of karma. But after he lost Scarlet, Xavier swore that he’d never fall in love again. It just didn’t seem possible, and no one else had ever come close after all these years.

It was said that vampires were originally humans who participated in a blood ritual, where they drank blood and gave their souls to a higher power in order to gain immortality. This happened centuries before any of the Duskwood clan’s time, except Mortius. He had been one those vampires, and his wife and daughter had followed his path. All vampires could read minds, and of course they had their extra keen senses, but Mortius also possessed the ability to force others to think about him or anything he desired. He could also control the actions of others as well as teleport at will.

It was because of this that several vampires began worshipping Mortius as their master, and so the clan was formed. It wasn’t called the Duskwood clan back then. In fact, it didn’t even have a name back then. But that was how Mortius came to be the leader of that particular clan.

Xavier’s parents had come along around 50 years later, and Mortius had allowed them to join him and his loyal followers. Xavier had been born a year after that, bearing a striking resemblance to his mother. Vampires, contrary to superstitions, were fully capable of breeding. Their children were born just like a human child, except of course it had glowing eyes and fangs. And it fed off blood. The aging process for vampires, however, was exceptionally slow. Xavier himself looked about 22 years old, while his father didn’t look a day past 40. Mortius himself, being almost 500 years old, could pass for someone who was in his 50s. This really helped the vampires blend in with humans.

But Xavier harbored no desire to blend in with humans after Scarlet’s demise. Of course he had to hide the fact that he was a vampire, but that didn’t mean he had to act cheerful. Still, he’d take humans over werewolves any day. At least humans were mostly easy to deal with if they pissed him off.

At last, Xavier retired and fell into a deep sleep. Unlike the legends, vampires didn’t sleep during the day, nor did they sleep in coffins. In reality, vampires were staked to death and laid to rest in coffins in an attempt to seal away their powers. While living, they could sleep like any human.

Any human that didn’t become a meal, that is.

********************

The light of the full moon shone overhead. Crickets chirped a serenade as Allanna discarded her clothes on the ground in front of her and Cynthia’s small shack. She knelt down and gazed up at the sky. Her spine elongated into a tail as she embraced the sweet night under the light of the full moon.

Her eyes taking on a glow, Allanna ran through the tall brush. Stars studded the black sky as a gentle breeze swept the land. Leaves rustled and sticks cracked, and still Allanna didn’t stop. She was on a quest – a quest to feed, and a quest to burn off some steam.

The deer grazed in a meadow, lurking dangerously close to…their land. If she dared cross that invisible barrier, especially in her current state, it could be the end of her.

But she needn’t have worried. The fight was short, the kill swift. Allanna sunk her teeth into the deer’s neck, tasting the acrid flavor of blood. But it wasn’t the blood she was after. It was the meat. The sweet, tender, delicious meat. Rare meat was the best.

As she dug her incisors into the deer’s tender flesh, her mind was focusing on that monstrous cretin in the alley. How dare he! She and Cynthia could have easily defended themselves, even if they didn’t transform into wolves. Why had he bothered saving them anyway? And why didn’t he just kill them after dealing with their perverted captors?

Maybe he’d realized he didn’t stand a chance against two werewolves at once. Yeah, that was it.

After she finished her meal, Allanna looked across the water. The town of Duskwood, like usual, was shrouded in mist, but that was good – she wouldn’t have to inadvertently gaze at one of those abominations that were trying to force her kind off their land.

Just the thought of those tyrants made Allanna growl. She pounded her paws across the dirt as she continued to run through the wolves’ territory, the moonlight shining on her back. The thrill of a run, even if it wasn’t for a meal, was hard to compare to.

By the time she got back to her house, Allanna was standing on two legs, her hair falling across her back in tangled mats. Naked as a newborn, she retrieved her clothes from the ground and put them back on before going inside.

One thing about being a wolf – if you wanted to keep your clothes intact, you had to shed them before you transformed. Still, there was nothing comparable to the thrill of transforming into one of nature’s most beautiful creatures.

“How was your run?” Cynthia, who was sitting on the couch, asked as she flipped through channels on TV.

“Great,” Allanna replied as she sat down next to Cynthia, “I needed to blow off some steam.”

“You smell like meat. I didn’t know you were so hungry.”

“I know, I just felt like I had to kill something, and that deer was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“We have plenty of meat here. Why didn’t you just eat it? It’s already rare.”

“It was a split second decision, otherwise I would have just been running. Besides, it really helped me work off some frustration.”

Cynthia just shook her head with an amused look on her face. Then she asked, “What was up with that dickhead who fought our battle for us back there, anyway? Damn filthy leech, I don’t care who might have seen us, I wanted to rip his throat out.”

“Tell me about it. I’m guilty to admit it, but I thought he was hot before I smelled him.”

“Hey, he was kind of hot. But I’d never let him do me. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.”

“Totally.”

“Speaking of which, this sucks. I’m a stripper, I’ve got guys staring at me constantly, but is one of them good looking? Hell no. They’re either old geezers who probably can’t get it up anymore or needy college guys who hope to get their rocks off easy. Do you realize it’s been three months since I got laid?”

“Hey, don’t look at me. I don’t swing that way.”

“I don’t know why you don’t like Ace. I’d do him in a heartbeat.”

Allanna rolled her eyes. Ace Phalen was a guy that her parents were trying to fix her up with. He had a bright future ahead of him, plus their parents were great friends. Although, for a werewolf, Ace was sure a goody-goody. He was all about following rules and being in control. He never broke free and just went wild. Allanna had a soft spot for bad boys.

“Ugh, what is up with this shit?” Cynthia said in a disgusted voice as The Vampire Diaries flashed across the TV screen. “How many TV shows, books, and movies do we need about vampires? Why are people so obsessed with them? There’s this show, True Blood, Twilight, and Interview with a Vampire. Why is there hardly anything for werewolves? They’re a far superior species, plus they’re the ones that kill those damn leeches.”

“I have no idea what the attraction is. Yeah, vampires get those shows, and we get…Blood and Chocolate and Wolf Lake. The book as okay but the movie was horrible. And that TV show, I fell asleep after the third episode.”

“Tell me about it. I’ve not once seen a decent werewolf movie, and that book you mentioned is the only good one out there.”

When she and Cynthia went to bed, Allanna lay awake thinking about the bad boys that she seemed to fall for. She’d only been with one guy, her best guy friend Devan Vika, and he hadn’t been very bad. In fact, Allanna’s only definition of bad boys was what she saw on TV, and from a few that Cynthia had described to her.

Allanna, Cynthia, and Devan had all been friends as kids, and when they had turned 13 and got “the talk” from their parents, they’d spent hours talking about the various things their parents had told them about hitting puberty. They were all very curious, but they never went further than talking. At least, not until Cynthia turned 15 and got her first boyfriend, much to the chagrin of her father since the boy in question had been a human, so the relationship didn't last very long.

But when Allanna and Devan had turned 16, they’d developed crushes on each other and decided to try being more than friends, and they eventually went all the way. To Allanna, it wasn’t what she’d thought it would be. She’d found it to be excruciatingly painful, not to mention very fast. She was told that the more one did it, the better it would feel, but she hadn’t had that satisfaction.

Cynthia, on the other hand, being drop-dead gorgeous, had had several boyfriends over the years, and since she turned 15 and had her first, she’d been telling the envious and curious Allanna all about what she’d been missing. The two were both 20 years old now, but their schedules didn’t have a lot of room for relationships, even one-night stands.

At last, Allanna burrowed herself under the covers. Her eyes fluttered shut and she drifted off to sleep, wondering if she'd ever experience the type of love, or at least love-making, that Cynthia had experienced. But instead, her dreams were filled with sandy-brown-haired men with hard muscles and glowing icy eyes.