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Chapter 12
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2020-11-13 02:43:30Chapter 12
>Lucas´ house. Living room. Day<
“I can´t believe it. Mom knew all this time and she never told me.” “You gotta give me something here, because I have no idea what it is that you discovered from the oracles.” “The oracles told me that I am a descendant of the First Wolf.” Lucas´s mouth drops open in shock. “Are you serious?” “She´s as serious as a heart attack.” I give Lucas a nod. “That´s intense. You´re kind of like a big deal. Wolves of your lineage were revered as the strongest. Granted, there´s probably only you remaining from that line. However, that only makes you more special.” “No wonder Patrick wants to mate with you.” I´m surprised to hear that Amelia knows about Patrick, so I turn to Lucas. “I filled her in while you were gone.” “Well, it appears that my mother was aware of my lineage all this time. It states in her letter that Stella must never discover who I really am.” Lucas appears to be ruminating on the things I just said. “But then again, could it be that Claire simply doesn´t want Stella to find out that you´re her adopted daughter? There´s a possibility that Stella may then use you against her.” I shake my head. Such an assumption doesn´t feel right to me. “No. I can feel it in my bones. Mom explained that she found me when I was a baby, although I feel like there´s more to it than that.” “I´m sorry that you have more questions that cannot be answered right now.” Nolan looked at me in dismay. “I just wish that all these secrets and lies would stop.” Lucas looks guilty. “I´m sorry.” “No, Luc. I didn´t mean that you should feel guilty. Let´s just put everything behind us. What we must concentrate on now is preparing for the impending return of Stella.” “Where is she now?” Amelia asked. “The oracles believe that Stella will have to bide her time before performing the final part of the ritual to achieve immortality.” Nolan answered. (Laura) “She needs an eclipse in order to power the ritual.” “That´s a few weeks from now.” “Which means we still have time to prepare. I need to train.” “We can help you with that.” “Thank you. Although for now, I think I´m gonna return to my place and the hospital, assuming that I still have a job. After everything that´s transpired, I need a semblance of normalcy in my life.” “We understand, Laura.” Lucas nod. “I guess, I´ll see you during training?” Nolan turned to me. “That depends. Are you prepared to get your ass kicked?” I joked. Nolan smiles his devilish smile that always seems to get me. “It will be my pleasure to be your personal punching bag.” I return his smile.
>Wolf Springs Medical Center<
I return to my work at the hospital the following day. The better part of my shift is spent dodging Dr. White, or avoiding looking in his direction. So, it´s back to Dr. White now, huh?
Following a consultation with Dr. Lydia Wilder, she pulls me to one side for a private word. “Are you sure everything is all right, Laura? You´ve been perennially absent over the past couple of weeks.” “I know. It´s just that I´ve been going through a family crisis.” “I understand your situation. However, your personal life is already affecting your professional life. You do understand that it also affects your coworkers, this hospital, whenever we´re short on staff? We have to prepare for these things.” “I really do apologize. Things have been really tough lately.” “Well, have you considered filling for a leave of absence? Perhaps you should take a sabbatical?” At that moment, I have no idea how to respond. “I guess I´ll have to think about it.” “Just do what you have to do. Don´t rush your decision. But if you want to be here, then be here.” Lydia walks away.
She may not express it, but I know my boss is mad at me. Fantastic.
I wheel around, only to discover Dr. White standing in front of me. “Dr. White.” “I would still prefer it if you would call me Patrick.” I avert my gaze from him. “I have to go.” “Laura, wait.” I move past him, but Patrick manages to intercept me. “Look, this is not a good time.” “Laura, I´m sorry. I´m sorry for what I did.” I stare at him. I don´t even know what I should feel right now.
“I know, I don´t deserve to be forgiven. But I need it.” I gaze into his eyes. I can see the regret behind them. “I need you to forgive me, Laura. I need you.” “This is what I´ve been afraid of. This is why I´ve been avoiding you all day. Because I know that once I look into your eyes, everything will be okay again.” A look of hope becomes perceptible in his eyes. “However, it shouldn´t be so straightforward.” “I´m willing to work for it. I will do anything, Laura.” I stare at him, studying his face. God, I miss that face. “We need to talk about this.” Patrick nods eagerly. “We will. How about we discuss things over dinner? We can have dinner at my place. I´ll tell you everything you need to know. No more secrets. We can start over.”
I consider it for a moment. “All right. How about tonight?” Patrick smiles. “Certainly. My shift is ending now. So, I´ll just pick you up following your shift?” “Yeah, sure.” “I´ll see you tonight then.” I smile softly. I watch Patrick leave. Perhaps I should give Patrick a chance. But am I doing the right thing?
>Patrick´s house. Living room. Night<
That night, Patrick picks me up from the hospital and we drive to his place. As I step into his house, I marvel at how beautiful his place is.
“You have a really lovely house.” “Thank you.” Patrick leads me into the living room, where we sit down on the couch. “I have chicken roasting in the oven, so we still have a little bit of time.” Patrick hands me a photo album that was lying on the coffee table. “These are pictures from when I was younger.” I open the album. It indeed contains pictures of a younger Patrick and his family.
“My late uncle raised me and my sister Maggie back in Red Haven. We had an aunt who lived here in Wolf Springs. Maggie used to visit her during the summer. Then she also passed away a few years ago.” Patrick shows me an aged picture of a couple. “These are my parents. Elisa and Curtis Grayson. I never wanted to spend time in Wolf Springs, because for me it is a place where horrible things happened. It´s where our parents were killed by humans during the war. I didn´t want to come back.” “Yet you did.” Patrick gets a faraway look on his face. “Following my sister´s death, I hunted down the vampire who killed her. I almost died during the encounter. The vampire left me for dead. But an oracle saved me.” I listen to him intently. “And who is this oracle?” “He never gave me his name. He only said that he´s been watching me. And he explained that he wanted the dame thing.” “He wants revenge on the vampire?” Patrick nods.
“I told him the vampire is too powerful for me to challenge. However, he suggested that there is a way for me to become more powerful.” “If you mated with me?” “Yes. He said that he´d seen you in his visions during one of the full moons. He told me that you are special, and that if I mated with you, I would become powerful enough to defeat the vampire. Using the details provided to me by the oracle, I was able to find you. And the rest, you already know.”
I stare at Patrick, as his story sinks in. “When I found out about the death of my sister, it broke me. She was my only remaining family. It didn´t take long before revenge consumed my emotions. And revenge had become the sole purpose driving me back then.” I place my hand over Patrick´s hand. I can´t help but feel sorry for him. It must have been difficult for him to lose the only family he had left.
“However, all of that changed after I marked you. You´re like this breath of fresh air. You made me feel alive again. And there´s something about you that makes me want to be a better man.” I reminisce about our moment back at the lake, when he voiced the same sentiments. Perhaps he´s telling the truth.
“As I became closer to you, I realized that I don´t want revenge. I want a new life with you.” I am speechless in this moment, thinking about the implications of his revelation. “Enough of all this!” I suddenly stand up. Patrick does the same thing. “Laura, what do you mean?” “I´m tired.” I turn to look at Patrick. “I don´t want to hate you anymore.” “You mean...?” “I don´t enjoy this feeling of being mad at you. It´s exhausting. Yes, Patrick, I forgive you.”
Patrick caresses my face in his hands. “You just made me the happiest man on earth.” I ´n his excitement, Patrick kisses me on the lips. I am taken aback by his kiss that came so suddenly. “I'm sorry. I just can´t contain my glee.” I smile at Patrick. “It´s okay. Now, how about that dinner?”
>Patrick´s house. Dining room. Night.<
As we sit down for dinner, Patrick keeps staring at me. I grow conscious of his gaze, so I retaliate by commenting on his cooking. “The chicken is a little dry.” Patrick laughs. “I´m sorry. I´ll do better next time. Assuming that there will be a next time?” “With this kind of cooking? I don´t think so.” Patrick laughs. “I´m just kidding.”
Patrick has this goofy smile on his face as he continues to stare at me. “What? Why do you keep staring?” “Nothing. It´s just that I feel so happy. I feel light. There are no more secrets between us.” I can´t help but return the smile. “I get what you mean. Thank you for this.” “Thank you for giving me another opportunity.” I just smile at him. Patrick returns my smile. The gratitude is evident in his eyes.
“I thought you should know. We have a new enemy.” “Who?” “A witch called Stella.” “The witch who instigated the Secret War! My uncle told me about her when I was younger.” “She´s back, and we recently discovered that she has started a ritual to gain immortality. Apparently, I am the only one who is able to stop her.” “Because you´re special.” “Because I´m a descendant of the First Wolf.” “So that´s why.” “Yeah. So I was thinking perhaps you should rejoin the pack. We need all the help we can get to confront Stella. I´m not even sure whether I can do it alone.” “Laura, you know I would do anything for you. I´m just concerned that the other members of your pack won´t be too keen on the idea of me returning.” “It doesn´t really matter what they think. At this moment, Liam is gone, and only god knows when he´ll be back.” What about Nolan? He was so determined to push me out.” “Nolan was only looking out for me. He has this thing for me. Nolan believes that he´s destined to be my protector.” “Well, if you think I should return that that´s all that matters to me.” “Thank you for doing this.” “Anything for you, Laura.”
We continue to eat dinner, and I am thankful that I can always count on Patrick.
>Lucas´s house. Dining room. Night<
The following night, I decide to pay the Knoxes a visit. Upon arriving, I find them in them having dinner with another guest, a man in his fifties. Nolan stands up from his seat when he sees me. “Laura! Come joins us.” “Hey. I don´t mean to intrude. I didn´t know you guys were entertaining. I should have called first.” (Amelia) “Oh, stop it. You´re not intruding.” “I´ll go and set a place for you.” Lucas leaves for the kitchen as Nolan pulls out a chair for me. I sit right besides Nolan, across from their guest. “Laura, I´d like you to meet Jack. He´s an old friend of the family. I believe I have mentioned him to you before? We like to call him Old Man Lobo.”
“It´s nice to meet you, Laura.” “Nice to meet you too.” Jack reaches out to shake my hand. Upon touching him, the hairs on my neck stands on end. I get this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can´t explain. Who is this guy? Why does he have that effect on me?
Lucas returns with a plate and cutlery, placing it in front of me and interrupting my thoughts.
“I hope you don´t mind, Laura. But we filled in jack in regarding your true origins.” Nolan turned to me. “I assure you that he can be trusted. He´s the one who trained us when we were the MTV version of werewolves.” Lucas added. “That´s all right.”
(Amelia) “We´ve been telling Old Man Lobo that perhaps he should rejoin the pack. However, he´s got another serious matter requiring his attention.” “You know I would help you kids out if I could. But this matter is non-negotiable.” “And we understand.” “I´m just pleased that we get to see you again.” Jack raises his glass to Nolan. “Just be careful out there, kids. Stella isn´t your run-of-the-mill witch. You haven´t seen firsthand quite how dangerous she can be.” “Don´t worry, old man. We´ll be ready for that bitch when she resurfaces.”
“Luckily, she won´t show her face around here now that she´s so close to becoming immortal. She won´t risk being out in the open, because she´s still vulnerable. Does she know you kids are working with the oracles?” (Lucas) “I don´t think so.” “I would prefer if you guys were to stop associating yourselves with them, but we really can´t do anything about it once they interfere.” Amelia looks upset. “I really don´t understand why they should interfere in our lives. This is not their fight. Where were they during the Secret War?” Nolan, who´s been with the oracles previously, chooses to remain silent. “I think we should give them a chance.” “I´m sorry, Laura, but I just can´t agree with you on that one. Excuse me.” Amelia stands up from her seat and walks out through the doors that open to the garden.
>Lucas´s house. Gardens. Night<
I decide to follow Amelia.
“Excuse me.” I step out into the garden and spot Amelia sitting on a bench, several yards away. I saunter over to her side. “Look, I´m sorry. I didn´t mean to upset you.” I sit down beside her. “It´s all right. I just needed to get some air.” There´s a long silence that falls between us. “You know, you shouldn´t trust the oracles that much. These oracles are meant to act as guides, but somehow, they can manipulate people into acting because of this destiny bullshit. And that´s scary. I just don´t want someone having that kind of influence over my life.” “I understand what you mean, Amelia. And I promise you that I won´t let the oracles influence my actions. I don´t believe in that destiny crap either. But half the time I don´t even know what I´m doing with this werewolf stuff, and I´ll take every guidance where I can get it.” “Just always be careful.”
I place a hand over Amelia´s. “I certainly will.” “I don´t want anything bad to happen to you, Laura.” Amelia laces her fingers into mine. We stare at each other in the near darkness. Amelia then leans in closer to me. She´s about to kiss me. I turn my head away. “I´m sorry. I don´t know what came over me.” “It´s okay. I´m not sure about what I feel either. I mean, I think you´re beautiful. It´s just that I´m still uncertain what to make of this attraction I feel for you.” “I understand.”
I smile at Amelia and we continue to hold each other´s hand in the near darkness.
>Lucas´s house. Living room. Night<
That night, Lucas provides us with libations spiked with wolfsbane. With the exception of Amelia who said good night to us and went straight to bed, we begin drinking in the living room.
Nolan sits behind the grand piano and starts to play. Lucas joins him as they both begin to sing along merrily. It´s good to see them getting along with each other for a change. As I watch, Jack approaches me. “Laura, can I have a word in private?” “Sure.” Jack pulls me to the side near the fireplace. “There´s something you need to know about the oracles, Laura. Amelia may seem to hate the oracles; however, her heart is in the right place. Laura, the oracles cannot be trusted.” “What do you mean?” “Just don´t trust them, Laura. Don't make the same mistake that I did.”
>Lucas´s house, Guest room. Day<
Having had too much to drink last night, I decided to stay the night at Lucas´s.
The following morning, I wake up and Jack´s waring about the oracles is the first thing that comes into my mind. There´s a reason why Jack doesn´t trust the oracles. He said he made the mistake of trusting them previously. Unfortunately, I wasn´t able to ask him further last night, because Lucas pulled me away to join him and Nolan. Now I won´t be able to ask Jack, because he already left last night.
>Lucas´s house. Kitchen. Day<
I head downstairs to have breakfast in the kitchen. I am surprised to see Liam standing beside the kitchen counter with Lucas. “Laura.” “Liam! You´re back.” “I am.” I am so taken aback by Liam´s sudden return that I am rendered speechless. “I can see I was not missed.” “No, it´s not that. It´s just your return is such a surprise.” “Well, aren't you pleased to see me?” “Of course, I am!” I put my arms around Liam in a tight embrace. “I am so pleased you´re back.” Liam hugs me tighter. “I´ve missed you, Laura.” “I´ve missed you too.” “Lucas filled me in about Stella. I know we should prepare and train you now. However, if you don´t mind I would spend some time with you alone. This weekend.” “Yes, of course. I believe I have the weekend of from the hospital.”
“Oh, so you still have your job there? I am impressed by your uncanny ability to get away with anything at work. Your boss is just amazing.” “I am in enough trouble as it is. My boss actually asked me if I considered going on vacation. I might have to take her up on her offer.” “Knowing you, you´re going to need your job as a safe haven. So, I recommend that you try your utmost to keep it.” I consider what Lucas said for a second. “Yeah, you´re right.” I turn to Liam. “Where are we going this weekend, anyway?” Liam gazes from me to Lucas. “Actually--Luc? Is there any way you can lend me your lake house for the weekend?” “Sure, man. You guys are more than welcome to stay at the lake house.” “Thanks, Luc.” Liam turns to me. “Looks like we´re going back to Brightmoon Lake House.” I smile at Liam. At that moment, Nolan enters the kitchen. “Liam. Back so soon?” “Nolan! You´re still here.” Nolan smiles smugly. “Last time I checked my name remains on the deeds to this estate.” “Good for you.”
Nolan turns to me. “Did you sleep well, little wolf?” “I did.” Liam observes our exchange with curious interest. Liam touches my arm, diverting my attention to him. “So, about this weekend?” Nolan is swift to interject. “What about this weekend?” “Oh, Liam is taking me to the lake house.” Nolan eyes Liam warily. “I see.” “Is there a problem, Nolan?” Nolan stands up a little straighter. “I just don´t think it´s wise to go off on a little vacation, what with Stella having us in her crosshairs and all.” “It´s all right, Nolan. Just like the oracle explained, or even jack, Stella won´t be making her move until she´s achieved immortality.”
“Lighten up, Nolan. Just let them have some time with each other.” Lucas then mutters under his breath to Liam, which we can all totally hear. “I got your back, bro. I´m totally team Liam.” Lucas winks at me.
“Well, I guess my voice is going to fall on deaf ears, given I´m not the Alpha of this pack. Speaking of Alpha, I thought you should know Liam. I am rejoining the pack.” A menacing smile then spreads up on his lips. “And once you return, I am challenging you for the position of Alpha.” Liam gives Nolan a hard stare. Lucas appears to be confused. “But you are not a potential Alpha, Nolan.” “Or am I?” Lucas is about to say more, but then Liam speaks out. “I accept.”
>Brightmoon Lake House. Living room. Day<
The couple of days that pass are uneventful. As the weekend comes, Liam and I drive up to Brightmoon Lake House. I drop my bags on to the living room floor and flop onto the couch. “It´s nice to be back here. Finally. We can have some peace and quiet.” “Would you like to take a walk outside, get some fresh air?” “Sure, Liam.” “Let´s go then.”
>Brightmoon Lake. Day<
Liam and I walk towards Brightmoon Lake. I hold hands with Liam as we walk side by side. Liam gives me a smile. It´s great to see him smile after what happened.
“We have so many memories of this place from when we were younger.” Liam points to a tree beside the lake. Lucas broke his arm when he fell from that tree. His grandmother was furious with all of us. I thought she was going to turn and eat us. She´s a scary old lady.” “I can imagine.” “However, she´s really kind.” Liam smiles at his recollection. “When my aunt passed away, she offered to take me in. But I was already eighteen by then. So I decided to live on my own.”
We walk towards the tree by the lake. Liam shows me the carving of the names in their pack. “Nolan carved this a long time ago.” “What happened between you and Nolan? Why do you appear to despise him so much?” “Have you met Nolan? Although seriously, it´s because he´s been a dick ever since I become Alpha.” “And now he´s challenging you for the position.” Liam nods. “Yeah, I guess we can settle our pseudo-rivalry once and for all.”
I touch the carving of Maggie´s name. “What happened in Midnight Harbor?” “I visited her favorite waterfall where her ashes had been scattered. I´ve made my peace. And it´s all behind me now. There´s nothing to worry about.” “It´s not that I´m worried. I just want you to find solace in the knowledge she´s moved to a better place.” “I´ve found solace. Right here with you.” I stare deep into Liam´s eyes for a moment. I feel like I am going to drown in them. Liam´s face inches closer to mine, our lips now barely touching. Liam pushes back a stray lock of my hair, his fingers brushing against my cheek. I hold his hand that is touching my face. “I´ve missed you so much.” I whisper. I nuzzle his hand. The touch of his skin fires me up with desire. “I want to kiss you so badly right now.” “What´s stopping you?” “Because I´m afraid that if I do, I won´t be able to stop.” “Then don´t stop.” Suddenly, Liam kisses me on the lips. It is a hard and passionate kiss, full of heat. Liam pulls away to look at me, with his eyes ablaze with lust. “Damn, you´re so beautiful.”
Wrapped in his warm embrace, Liam presses his searing body against mine as he kisses me with the same intense heat. My senses are in overdrive. His scent fills my sense of smell, and his touch electrifies me. “Oh, Liam.” I realize how I´ve longed to feel him once again. “Please don´t ever leave my side again.” “I won´t, Laura. Not anymore.”
Our kiss grows increasingly passionate with every brush of our lips. Liam´s tongue pushes its way into my mouth. A moan escapes as I suck on his tongue, and Liam grunts in pleasure. Liam purposefully make me feel his erection, and I reach down to grab his crotch. “I want to taste that cock of yours.” Liam smiles naughtily. He takes off his shirt, revealing his muscular build. I´ve been craving for Liam´s tight body for so long. I want to taste it as well. I lean forward to lick his hard chest, trailing kisses all over it and sucking each nipple.
Liam removes his pants, with his massive cock brushing against my body. My mouth plants kisses on his abs, all the way down to the smattering of hair above his cock. I kneel down on the ground and begin licking the head of his throbbing phallus, teasing it. I taste his precum. Liam moans and leans his hips forward, eagerly wanting to get inside my mouth. “I want to fuck your mouth, Laura.” Giving his head a final lick, I swallow all of him. I´ve missed the taste of his cock.
The back of my throat caresses his head, as my lips slide down to the base of his cock. I ease up and slowly begin bobbing my head back and forth. “Damn, Laura. That´s amazing.” Liam grabs my head and he begins slowly fuck my mouth. Liams moans in pleasure with each thrust of his hips. “I´m almost there.”
I feel Liams body start to convulse as he orgasms inside my mouth. I suck on his cock, milking every last drop of him. I withdraw from him, getting up to kiss him on the lips and give him a taste of his own juice. “Now I want to taste you.” Liam undresses me.
He begins ravishing my neck, biting it gently. “I just can´t help myself. I want you, Laura.” “You can have a taste of me.”
Liam cups my naked breasts in his hands, as his mouth find its way down to my nipple. He kneads them as he bites my hard nipple gently. This delicious act elicits a moan from me, firing up my entire body with a burning desire. Liam pulls me down and lays me on the grass. He looks at me hungrily before going down on my female mound. Liam teases my pussy with kisses, breathing into it. “Shit.” “He then licks my butthole and up to my wet slit, pushing his tongue inside me. His tongue teases the folds as he inserts a finger and works my clit. I pinch my nipples as Liam fingers and slobbers all over my pussy. Every atom of my body is lit up with pleasure, and my head is spinning in ecstasy. “I´m coming, Liam.”
I reach a hand out to grip the grass, and brace myself as a powerful orgasm hits me. “Liam!” I come into Liam´s face, coating his skin with my juice as he continues to devour me. “Oh, shit!” Liam pulls away with a satisfied grin on his face.
My hunger for him still hasn´t been sated. I need to have him inside me. “I want more, Liam. I´ve missed your cock inside me.” “Good. I´ve been aching to fuck you since I saw you again.
I spread my legs as Liam positions himself on top of me, teasing the fold of my pussy with the head of his once again hard member. With a single thrust of his hips, he´s inside me. He begins to fuck me, hard. I can feel his hunger with every thrust.
My moans are then muffled as he claims my mouth with his, giving me a taste of my own juice. I am overwhelmed with pleasure. I feel the mounting pressure threatening to devour me. My pussy tightens around his cock, clasping at his phallus. “Oh, shit!” I claw to his back as he continues to fuck me harder, then a wave of orgasm hits me. “Oh, yes, Liam!” “I´m coming. Fuck.” I can feel Liam orgasm inside me, mixing his juices with mine. I moan in absolute pleasure. “Oh, ma. Liam. That was intense. I loved it.” Liam kisses me in response. He lays beside me on the grass, panting. “Come over here.” Liam pulls me over to his naked body. “I think we should go inside. Someone might see us.” Liam smiles. “Yeah, I think we should.”
>Brightmoon Lake House. Dining room. Night<
That night Liam prepares dinner. Nothing romantic. Just a normal home-cooked meal. “I have to say. Your cooking is really great.” “Well, you haven´t taste my specialty yet.” “And what is that?” “I´ll cook for you again some time and then you´ll know.” “We might not get another opportunity in the future.” Liam places a hand above mine reassuringly. “Believe me, Laura. We´ll get through whatever is coming, and we´ll have better days again.” Liam stares at me. “I´m sorry for leaving you just like that.” I shake my head. “It´s all right, Liam. I really do understand. I know how much Maggie means to you.” “Meant. She´s gone. And she´s not coming back. I can´t dwell in the past any longer. I must live in the present. And look forward to the future. A future with you.” “Liam. I seriously don´t know what to say.” “I know. You still have to decide whether you want to mark me. However, I´m ready to mark you. I know that now. Laura, I--” “Don´t say it. I´m not ready yet to hear those word from you.” “I´ll wait for you.” I hold Liam´s hand. “Thank you.” He gives me a soft smile.
>Lucas´s house. Kitchen<
It´s been a wonderful weekend spent with Liam. When we get back to the Knox´s house, Nolan is the sole person there. He´s in the kitchen. “Hey, Nolan.” “Laura. Hi. How was your weekend getaway?” “It was fun.” “We´re just here to drop off the keys to the lake house.” “You can give them to me. Lucas is at the bar, so is Amelia.” Liam hand Nolan the keys. Nolan eyes Liam with a sly smile. “Would you like to have some chocolate cake? I have some in the fridge.” “Oh, no thanks. I´m good.” “Well, I´m having one. How about you, Liam?” “No, I´m good.”
Nolan takes the cake from the fridge and places it on the table. He retrieves a knife from one of the drawers and proceeds to slice a piece. “Oww!” Nolan has just cut his finger. Blood is dripping from the cut. “I´m such a klutz.” I get a towel and help Nolan wipe away the blood. “Look at all that blood.” I notice Liam looking away. His breathing is erratic. “I need to leave.” Liam rushes out of the kitchen without even looking at me. “Liam?” Yet he´s already gone. “What´s gotten into him?” “I have no idea.” Nolan wipes away the blood with the towel, and his wound has already healed over. “I guess that cake´s no good now. Would you like to have a drink instead?” “Yeah, Sure Nolan.”
>Lucas´s house. Living room. Night<
Nolan and I move into the living room. “What´s your poison?” “I´ll have bourbon. Thank you.” “Certainly. Make yourself comfortable.” I sit on the sofa, staring at the fire in the hearth. “That was really weird. Liam, I mean.” “Yeah. He sure was in a hurry to leave. Do you think he´s--?” “Jealous?” I was doubtful initially, although now that I think about it, that could explain his attitude. “I never pegged him as the jealous type, however, it´s possible.” Nolan joins me on the sofa. “Werewolves can be very territorial, after all.” “And you´re not?” “Oh, it is in my nature, yes. But I don´t allow it to control my actions. Most of the time, that is.” Nolan gives me a meaningful smile. “I wish I had your self-control.” “Well, it is good for your soul when you surrender to your primal instincts once in a while.” “You mean, like lust?” “Yes. That´s something you shouldn´t deny for yourself. I know I don´t.” Nolan edges closer to me. “The whiff of a scent.” Nolan´s scent invades my senses. “That piercing gaze.” Nolan stares deeply into my eyes, searching. “That inviting voice.” His voice pervades my head. “The touch of the skin.” Nolan´s fingers traces a line on my arm. I tremble at his touch. “The warmth of a naked body.”
I can feel his warmth through the layers of his clothing, because he´s so close to me now. I feel this urge to kiss Nolan, to claim his lips in mine. Yet I have to resist. “Stop! I know what you´re doing. You´re seducing me.” “So what I am? I know you feel it too. That urge within you.” “Not today, Satan. Not today.” “The night is young. We can hit Knox Bar if you want? Unless, of course, you want to stay here?” “I think going to Knox Bar is a great idea. I miss hanging out with Lucas. And Amelia´s there, I want to see her too.” I think about Liam. Where could Liam had gone?
Suddenly, my phone rings. It´s Robert calling. I press a button to ignore the call. What does Robert want now? Whatever it is, I want to hear nothing about it.
I turn to Nolan. “I´m sorry, that was Robert. I don´t know why he´s calling. But I´m just not in the mood to talk to him right now.” “You know, if you no longer want that guy to bother you, simply give me the word and I can arrange it for you.” “It´s all right, Nolan. Robert is pretty much harmless.” “Your last encounter with him suggests otherwise.” “I just can´t deal with him right now.” “Fine. It´s your decision.” I smile at Nolan. “Let´s just go to Knox Bar. I need a drink.” “Knox Bat it is.”
>Knox Bar. Night<
Upon arrival Knox Bar, Lucas is there with Amelia, drinking at our usual table. “Laura. Nolan.” “Hey, Luc.” “I see you´ve been hanging out with the straight and slightly less handsome version of myself.” Lucas is evidently a bit drunk. “Well, I came here to hang out with you guys. You know, before we begin our training.” “I assume you have all of your affairs in order?” “Yeah, I´m ready.” “Hey, your roommate was here a while ago. But then she disappeared. I guess she went into the back.” “Better check on Cynthia. Party girl is drunk as a skunk.” “I´ll go find her.” I turn to Nolan. “I´ll be back.”
>Back alley. Night<
I follow Cynthia´s scent to the back alley of Knox Bar. As I step outside, I catch a whiff of Liam´s scent as well. Liam´s here. Is Cynthia so drunk again that Liam is helping her? I continue walking down the back alley. And then I see them. I can´t believe the scene I´m looking at as it is unfolding before my eyes. Liam is hunched down over Cynthia, kissing her neck. He has her pinned against the wall. “Liam! What the fuck?” Liams turns to me. The shock hits me a second time as I take a good look at his face. His eyes are red and his fangs are out. Blood is dripping from his mouth. I look on in horror as I gaze at Cynthia´s pale face. Liam has just bitten her!
