The bite that binds

His weakness did count for some form. He knew the brunette before him could move quicker than himself. He wouldn’t notice her walking up, but that wasn’t a weakness in his mind. He was better. He knew better than the average human. He strung a grin on his lips as she continued, only widening with each word that passed her lips. “I can’t even imagine what it’s like. But again, my curiosity stopped when you lose control of yourself to something as silly as a mist.” 

“Yup.” He wouldn’t admit it but he was glad that she had - if she hadn’t he wasn’t exactly sure what would have happened and for some reason that made his chest feel weird. He didn’t like it - couldn’t stand that he actually gave a shit and that he had spent most of the morning wondering what would have happened if she wasn’t a quick thinker with a quick trigger finger. If anyone knew they would laugh in his face and ask him what the fuck was wrong with him, and that put a scowl back on his features. 

Changing the subject he glanced at her, roving over her to look for the signs of damage. “What about you? Get a little furry and chomp on anyone?” He asked as though he were asking about the weather. The entire situation was far more bleak than he was letting on, but his job as an officer was now to track down who had done it and put them behind bars or six feet under. 

Her lips quirked into a smile at the clipped admission, more sure there was a story there by the tension he was holding. Alaina could imagine the scenario with the pieces she had, which was fun, but the truth was always more rewarding. Especially if it was something that Rhett didn’t want to speak about, she’d never pictured him as the type to be easily flustered. 

“Sure, tussled with one of you bloodsuckers,” Alaina rolled her shoulder, reminded it was aching. “I don’t exactly remember it, but I think there was more property damage that anything.” She’d been lucky it hadn’t been worse, but it had been so far outside her control Alaina knew she’d only drive herself mad if she dwelled. “You think they’ll figure out who did it?”

“How are they blind? Do tell.” Roy asked, tilting his head up to look at the werewolf clearly. She was surely arrogant. Each word breathed of someone power hungry. He wondered what she struggled under while she was mortal. There had to be something that made her so eager to praise the wolf. He shifted his shoulders against the brick, fully leaning back against the wall. 

“They? Count yourself dude,” Alaina said, smirking as she gave Roy a long, judgmental look up and down. “You can’t hear for shit, you might as well be blind in the dark, you have no sense of smell, and you don’t even know what you’re missing.” She ticked the reasons off on her fingers as she listed them. Alaina could barely remember what it had been like to be human, but she could remember how much of the world she’d felt like she was seeing for the first time after she’d been bitten. “Trust me, it’s a totally different experience.”

      The events of that night, the one so many feared to do so much as discuss, had instilled a sense of worry for her friend. What Mars had seen of Alaina… it wasn’t like her, to act like that. Not around her, anyway. She didn’t blame her for any of it —far from it, in fact. She just wanted to make sure the werewolf was okay; that she hadn’t been wounded by the vampire that had been at Patty’s at the same time, or anyone else. 

      She had forced herself to walk at a normal pace on her way to the pawn shop, to make herself feel like this was just any other visit. But when she reached the door, her hand froze at the handle. It took a few deep breaths, some reaffirming nods to herself, and a good minute before she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Alaina smiled at her, and she offered whatever she could manage in return, paired with a weak wave. 

      Before she had the chance to say anything, the other woman was showing her some treasure she’d found of late, and it was all Mars could do to nod. “They look dope… How much can you sell ‘em for?”

It was her first day back since that night, but things seemed to be slowly becoming normal again. The city was already odd enough that Alaina wondered if there was anything that could make a permanent dent on it’s psyche. Mars was one of the stranger people Alaina’d met since he’d ended up in New York. Mostly because she was human, and didn’t have any of the typical immortal bullshit as an excuse for her oddities. It wasn’t something Alaina minded, she considered interesting a high compliment.

“Fucking choke.” He retorted, bringing the cigarette back to his lips. He wondered for half a moment if he could convince her to give a fight a shot but she was wearing the look of someone who’d been forced to change. He couldn’t relate. One, because he wasn’t the kind of person to turn into a feral dog, but two, because Delilah had turned around and shot him before anything could go south. He had to admit that he was impressed with her quick thinking, even if the laced bullets had left a hole in his arm that wasn’t going to heal as quickly as he would like it to. 

“A riot. Don’t you end every night with a bullet hole?” He shouldn’t be a prick - he knew that one of the wolves had died but he hadn’t known him, and he couldn’t say that death came as any sort of surprise, no matter what kind of place they lived in.

It was easier somehow because the misery had been shared, diffuse, across the city. Even Rhett hadn’t been unaffected, though he was better off than most, and Alaina thought it was fair to say the pack had born the worst of it. One member in particular. She hadn’t known him well, but it was still an odd hollow feeling to have him missing, and she felt uneasy while the pack mourned, not sure it was really her place. 

“Not every night,” Alaina drawled, wondering if Rhett’s foul mood was anything but hurt pride. It stoked her curiosity, though if his night had been much like hers, Rhett probably didn’t even remember enough for a good story. A lifetime of full moons had made gaps in her memory routine, but Rhett likely wasn’t used to that kind of loss of control. It wasn’t an easy thing to reckon with. “Did they use your gun?”

Roy smirked at the question. Ah, but she had no idea that the bite wouldn’t affect him. He didn’t have the heart to dwell too far into his past. With teeth mashed against his shoulder, it was difficult to realize at the time why the wound festered instead of healed. It healed, but at the pace of a mortal’s rate. He shifted the cigarette from his lips and flicked the embers off. “No, I can’t say I’ve ever held an interest.” Roy said, glancing up towards her. “I think humans are powerful on their own – without the needed wolf steroids.”

“It’s not like steroids,” Alaina rolled her eyes, not sure she even believed he’d never thought about it. It seemed impossible to her, to not want that kind of power. Even if there was a price. “There’s a lot more than just a little extra juice. Man, it’s...freedom. And finally understanding in all the ways humans are totally fucking blind.” As much struggle as it had brought her, Alaina genuinely loved her werewolf nature, and that shone through when she spoke of it. “Even if being stuck in the city takes half the fun out of it.”

He snorted at her words, shaking his head slightly. He had always known that she was not the type to watch her words or the way that she said them. It was endearing to him - especially with the amount of time that he had spent listening to his military buddies speak just like she did, curses falling from their lips in no short supply. “Thanks, Alaina. What every guy wants to hear.” He grinned as he said it, letting her know that he was in no way offended by her completely accurate observation. “You’re not too far off. It was a car, though, not a truck. Small favors.”

“What, you want me to lie?” She arched a brow at Jamie, the teasing a relief from the terse atmosphere still lingering over the city. It probably helped he wasn’t another bloodsucker. Alaina’d met a few over the years she could tolerate, but even humans were typically better company, and James was easy to be around. “Wait, really?” Alaina’s eyes widened dramatically, then after a beat she raised a hand to cover a snort of laughter. “Shit, sorry. I pictured some poor fucker shifting behind the wheel and running his car off the road. I know it’s not funny.”

A fight was a fight. The stream of sweat, blood, and liquor reminded him of his teenage days. There was still a part of him that warmed at the old violence. Back when he was human, the subtle crunch of a cheek beneath his fist was both a comfort and a security. The fights were the only way they held a roof over their heads. Louie never questioned where the money came from. Part of him suspected, he always assumed, but he never acted upon his suspicions. “Fighting is easy.” He huffed out. He plucked the cigarette from his lips and flicked out the ashes. “Fighting with a werewolf, well, you might as well call yourself fucked.” 

“Some assholes think they get bitten and they’re the toughest motherfuckers on the planet,” Alaina said, an amused smile as she shook her head. Against humans, a werewolf was almost always the obvious victor, but there was no similar guarantee against their own kind, or the bloodsuckers that knew how to avoid snapping jaws. Roy didn’t seem like the type to just be bragging, but it made Alaina curious about where he’d learned to fight. “You ever think about it?” She asked him, head tilted curiously. “What it would be like to get the bite?”

Alaina smelled of cigarettes and sweat. It was never a scent she noticed before. Most of the time, her body elevated a certain perfume. She could never tell if it was rosemary or mint. Perhaps, it was the edge of the menthol cigarette that hung between her lips. Her figure wavered though Kat was fairly certain she stood still. Her hand grazed over her side as she searched for a lighter on her body. Nothing. She plucked a cigarette out from the pack and plopped it in between her teeth. The light came soon after, igniting the embers as she breathed in the smoke. Rather than sweat, the smell of smoke filled her nostrils. It was better, comforting even.

“Who told you?” Kat hummed out, plucking the cigarette from her mouth as a loose grin fell on her lips. “Honestly, I’ve been kinda enjoying it. The bartender was rad enough to give some pity drinks. Shit, I just realized I didn’t see the end of your fight, man. Did you win? I mean, you’re breathing so probably.”

“Told me what?” Alaina bumped her shoulder against Kat’s, glad her appearance had been welcome. She’d worried Kat would rather be alone, and would feel like an asshole for tracking her down. Still, Alaina’d felt somewhat responsible for Kat after inviting her out to a fight so soon after being bitten, and it had gnawed till she’d been driven to check on her.

“Yeah I fucking won,” Alaina sat up straighter, grinning around her cigarette as she raised it to her lips again. “But don’t feel too bad about bailing, guy was all show.” Alaina shook her head, then paused when rest of what Kat had said caught up. Her eyes went wide, and then narrowed into a curious frown, regarding Kat with interest. Alaina would be the first to say that the bite was a gift, but it came with a price, one that could be difficult to adapt to. “Took me a long fucking time enjoy any of it. The bartender’s a good dude, kind of a perv so it probably helps you’re hot.” 

@alainaeisler / 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒

The werewolf shifted in her spot. Parts of gravel stuck beneath her thigh as she ran a hand over the skin. Finally, she was calming down. The invitation was supposed to be a kind gesture – a way to move forward in their budding closeness. Kat fucked it up. Her fingers laced around a friend she was never aware she didn’t tolerate and almost near the end of her friend’s fight. Rather than stay afterwards, she managed to stumble and drink whatever the bartender would offer her. They glanced at her scar, acting as if she didn’t tear through the place only a week prior.

She didn’t see the door open at first. She didn’t expect to see Alaina for the remainder of the night, but as fate would have it, she walked through the door with a cigarette at hand. Kat reached up and tugged on her shirt. Sweat still glistened from her cheekbones. The fight must have been intense. Her fingers curled at the edge of her t-shirt and tugged once more. “You should let me bum one off of ya.” Kat said with a hum.

After scouring most of the bar for Kat, finally managed Alaina to follow Kat’s scent outside, relieved to find her also alone. “Sure,” she shot Kat a crooked smile, digging the rumpled pack out of her pocket and passed it towards her. “You need a light?” Alaina asked, but she was already pulling that out as well, flicking it open and crouching down beside her to hold the flame out to Kat. Alaina gave her enough time to take a few drags before she said anything else, though it was probably the sense memory more than any actual nicotine that would help. 

“So, you doing okay?” Alaina broached finally, raising her own cigarette to her lips. She knew Kat was a big girl, but Alaina also knew trying to chase a high as a wolf was only the road to disaster. “I’m probably an asshole for inviting you here, right?”

He was never one to linger outside a fight. In an attempt to avoid his ex, the traveler turned abruptly around the corner. Cigarette ash burnt his nostrils, but at least it was better than being present inside. He needed the space. Or at least time to clear his own mind. Another side of his brain reigned for reckless behavior. Thrash, trash, and dominate the place. Ah, but he was missing one key competent. Motivation. Boredom reached the edge of his jaw as he stretched his mouth open.

He couldn’t help, but catch a girl’s gaze as he clenched his teeth back together. “You know, you could do a better job of not staring.” He said, accent thick on his tongue. Christ, he needed to get better at speaking. It was difficult enough to blend in New York without the stretching Alabama swing on his tongue. “You did a good fight.” He said, adding in a bit of chime to his otherwise bitter introduction.

She normally got to enjoy the high of winning longer, but the fight had ignited the things it was supposed to temper and when the crowd had become too much, Alaina’d fled outside. The solitude had been welcome, but she looked over for approaching footsteps when they told her it would be broken, and was relieved when it wasn’t anyone she’d been avoiding.

She was too caught up in her own head to realize she’d been staring until he called her on it. Alaina snorted. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she said, tapping her cigarette as she turned, the bricks digging into her back. Roy speaking again surprised her, and Alaina tensed for a moment until she realized the compliment and disarmed, flashing Roy a grin. “Thanks. Don’t think he’d been in a real fight before.”

The bell rung above the door, and Alaina’s head popped up, palms on the counter as she surged up to see across the store. A familiar face made her grin, and she fell back to her feet  “Hey, give me a second,” Alaina yelled, waving hand towards Mars, then her attention  narrowed back to the customer in front of her.

“Alright dude. I don’t know where you’re getting 50 from, I said I’d do 20. We’re nowhere near in the realm of 50,” she spoke slowly, leaning one arm on the counter. “And honestly this really isn’t worth all this for me. Take it or leave it.” Her eyebrows raised, she let the offer hang between them for a moment, then he snatched his record off the counter and pushed past Mars as he stormed out of the pawn shop.

It was easy to realize the vigor that rushed through the wolf’s veins. Her breathing was ragged as her lower back arched towards her touch. Her lips against hers was a familiar taste. She barely recalled the last time they made out, though she was inclined to believe there was booze involved then. Back then, a few beers actually rattled her brain. She didn’t bother with a cautious or gentle touch. Her fingers left her waist as she scooped beneath her thigh. At the shaking mention of her roommate, the brunette offered a growl in response. Hoisting the brunette rather easily off the counter, she nudged her legs to tighten around her waist as her lips hovered over hers. The strength was definitely a perk. She began to walk to her room, lazily kicking the door behind her. Rather than place the girl on the bed, she pressed Alaina against the back of the door and sunk her lips against hers. It was as if she needed her touch to breathe. A frenzied sigh escaped her lips as her hand slid up her thigh.

“Jesus,” Alaina said with a high, surprised laugh, curling her arms around Kat’s neck as she was lifted. She wasn’t used to that sort of treatment, but relaxed after another moment, and wrapped her legs around Kat’s waist as she leaned down to kiss her. “Okay, this is kind of hot,” she spoke against Kat’s lips, catching the bottom one briefly between her teeth. 

“I don’t think about it like that.” Kat twirled her fingers on her inner thigh, not grazing anywhere close to be mindful of her wishes. She brushed her nose over the werewolf’s. It was difficult to not slip her tongue back in her mouth. Her doe-like eyes wavered on her lips for a bit too long. It was more than a desire though the hesitation had her reeling back. She tilted her head back to glance up at her. “Would it make it weird for you? Because if so, I can stop. I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything.”