The Stories I Write

Winter cursed softly beneath her breath at the near fall and quietly thanked the stranger as she got her feet beneath her and straightened. Untangling her fingers from the mans clothing, she placed a hand to her chest to steady her racing heart. The adrenaline within her causing her animalistic hormones to pour off her in waves. Though the scent wasn’t detectable to anyone who wasn’t Other, of course.

As she looked up to thank her savior personally though, she froze. Her fingers curling in the folds of her scarf as she pulled her other hand, which had been casually laying on Niko’s chest, towards herself. “You!” She blubbered thoughtlessly, her composure slipping for a fraction of a second before she stilled herself.

Her chin raised defensively and she took a subtle step out of his reach and smoothed her coat over her torso. How could this be? He was suppose to have left town, at least, that’s what she had thought. In the weeks that had passed, and her pack scavenging the forests, none of them had caught a hint of the rogue wolf Winter had reported to them earlier that month. How could he have possibly remained in town? Undetected?

Just being this close to him, the wild nature of his scent overwhelmed her. However it didn’t feel as prominent as it had that first day. The stinging fresh scent of pine, the wet earthy scent of rain, the salty grime of sweat. It was the only way she knew how to describe it, but it was much more oscure than that. Unnamably wild.

“what are you doing here?” She asked, her eyes drifting from his out of instinct. Her wolfish nature recognizing the aura of an alpha or a higher ranking animal and looking away our of respect of that power. It was how she had been groomed, after all, to shrink in the presence of power.

Niko watched with amusement as Winter’s expression changed from shock, to gratitude and then to confusion. Amongst the kerfuffle he even thought he caught a scent of something distinctly wolf-y from her, but decided to keep it to himself. Last time he’d pried it hadn’t ended particularly well. 

“I heard that there’d been a few attacks,” he answered, noticing but not commenting as she dropped her gaze. Interesting… “I was curious if this town was affected and so I came back to, uh, visit.” 

She stiffened visibly, her arms going to wrap around herself as a form of self comfort. "Attacks?" She asked under her breath, eyes darting left and right as people streamed by. A couple of people have them a curious glances, but none lingered for more than a second.

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She hadn’t followed him, hadn’t stopped him, and she couldn’t help but think… What if?

It had been one and a half months since she met the rogue, and perhaps that was for the best. After that day, Winter had contacted her mate and he had picked her up and grilled her about what had happened, why hadn’t she contacted him? Why had she let him get away? But Winter said nothing, curled in the passenger seat of his yellow jeep, staring at her ragged relection, swallowing back her nausea. When they had gotten home, she had told Beck what had happened and he sent a pack out to investigate the perimeter. Winter didn’t bother to tell him it was no use, that the rogue was probably long gone, she merely slinked off to her chambers and went to sleep.

After that day, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. None of the pack had caught a hint of the rogue, well, nothing substantial that is. However that didn’t stop them all from being on high alert, poised for any unwanted visitors on their territory, sniffing the sidewalks of downtown.

Winter tried to put it behind her, but she couldn’t shake those eyes, that scent…

Winter’s head was tilted back, examining the heavy clouds that hung overhead. The sky had grown more grey as the autumn season drifted further away, and the winter season crept closer in. The wind picked up, sending a bite to her rosy cheeks and making her cringe as her stomach turned uncomfortably. It wouldn’t be long before the pack migrated deeper into the woods, as per tradition and one that Winter dreaded. So immersed in the sky and her own thoughts, Winter hadn’t been paying attention to where she was walking, her foot kissing the opening of a crack in the sidewalk and sending her flying into an innocent bystander. She gasped sharply as her ankle strained and her knees buckled beneath her, and she desperately clung to the person’s clothing to keep her knees and the rest of her from meeting the sidewalk.

After their encounter in the library, Niko had figured it was best that he leave. Firstly, he had come to learn when things were a lost cause, and secondly, there was no doubt in his mind that any other wolves in the area would be all too eager to find him. He only hoped Winter was ok.

He hadn’t planned on coming back. 6 weeks had passed since he’d been in the area, but he had good reason to return. Getting a drink one night, he’d overheard a man explaining how the locals were reporting a resurgence of animal attacks lately. Instantly curious, he kept listening, hoping to hear more. His mind instantly jumped to vampires, wendigos, werewolves… And Winter. He wondered how she was, hopefully less ill now. The place where they’d met wasn’t far from his current location. Maybe her town was involved.

Now, here he was, making his way past all kinds of people as hunted for a good spot to find his bearings. Just as he thought he’d found somewhere suitable to stop, he heard a gasp and felt a sudden weight pulling him forwards. Instinctively, his brow furrowed and he went to grumble out a warning about paying attention, but he stopped, incredulous. What were the chances? Helping the woman to her feet and checking if she was ok, he held her shoulders in his hands as his face lit up with a smile.

As she looked up to thank her savior personally though, she froze. Her fingers curling in the folds of her scarf as she pulled her other hand, which had been casually laying on Niko's chest, towards herself. "You!" She blubbered thoughtlessly, her composure slipping for a fraction of a second before she stilled herself.

Her chin raised defensively and she took a subtle step out of his reach and smoothed her coat over her torso. How could this be? He was suppose to have left town, at least, that's what she had thought. In the weeks that had passed, and her pack scavenging the forests, none of them had caught a hint of the rogue wolf Winter had reported to them earlier that month. How could he have possibly remained in town? Undetected?

Just being this close to him, the wild nature of his scent overwhelmed her. However it didn't feel as prominent as it had that first day. The stinging fresh scent of pine, the wet earthy scent of rain, the salty grime of sweat. It was the only way she knew how to describe it, but it was much more oscure than that. Unnamably wild.

The man paused, turning to look at her. He also had some freckles splashed across his face, his eyes a strange, but brilliant light blue. He seemed surprised to see the woman, but something seemed to click as he glanced at her, then the herbs.

Ever the lady, Celia brought her hand to hide her mouth as chewed, “oh no! It’s very tasty, in fact I might have to steal some before I leave later.” She giggled, popping the rest of the sweet treat into her maw. “You’re quite the talented baker!” She murmured around a mouth full of cake.

He smiled, “Thank you~ I can give you the recipe if you’d like.”

The man paused, turning to look at her. He also had some freckles splashed across his face, his eyes a strange, but brilliant light blue. He seemed surprised to see the woman, but something seemed to click as he glanced at her, then the herbs.

Ever the lady, Celia brought her hand to hide her mouth as chewed, “oh no! It’s very tasty, in fact I might have to steal some before I leave later.” She giggled, popping the rest of the sweet treat into her maw. “You’re quite the talented baker!” She murmured around a mouth full of cake.

He smiled, “Thank you~ I can give you the recipe if you’d like.”

The man paused, turning to look at her. He also had some freckles splashed across his face, his eyes a strange, but brilliant light blue. He seemed surprised to see the woman, but something seemed to click as he glanced at her, then the herbs.

She Naga woman made a small and pleasant ‘oh’ as she had a look around. “Quite the lovely home you’ve got here…”

“Oh no, its quite alright actually. Believe it or not,” she started with a bit of an awkward chuckle, “I prefer this form over, ah, the other…” She glanced away, bringing the treat to her lips.

The man paused, turning to look at her. He also had some freckles splashed across his face, his eyes a strange, but brilliant light blue. He seemed surprised to see the woman, but something seemed to click as he glanced at her, then the herbs.

She Naga woman made a small and pleasant ‘oh’ as she had a look around. “Quite the lovely home you’ve got here…”

"Oh no, its quite alright actually. Believe it or not," she started with a bit of an awkward chuckle, "I prefer this form over, ah, the other..." She glanced away, bringing the treat to her lips.

Winter closed her shaking hand into a fist atop the table, forcing herself still. She was sure she still looked pale, but she was trying to collect herself as much as possible. Focusing on the scratch of plastic against her teeth as she nibbled on it’s edge. Her stomach felt weak, as if she needed to throw up, but she tried to suppress the sensation with the coolness of water that trickled down her throat with each swallow. 

She took cautious glances at the man who sat across from her, leaning uneasily back into her heavy wooden chair. As nice as the gesture may be, she still didn’t know this man. Not to mention, he had to have followed her out of the coffee shop to be here now. Plus, she couldn’t shake the scent that followed him, the scent that got her here in the first place. 

At that thought, she felt the gentle weight of his hand settle over her arm. The touch startling her so that she jerked back, plastic cup slipping from her hand and bouncing off her thigh onto the carpet. The water that had still been inside soaking her jeans, though she was thankful she had drank a majority of it before this. She clutched her arm to her chest, gripping her wrist with the hand that held the cup. She didn’t mean to be so jumpy, but she couldn’t help it. Her, and her wolf, were on high alert. The paranoia rolling off her in waves as her other half prowled around underneath her skin, begging to be let free. 

Winter eyes locked on the man’s hand, pushing her chair back a fraction of an inch further, “I-” her voice cracked, and she swallowed. Blue eyes flicking up to meet his, heart racing with her nerves. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean, sir.” 

Niko reached out instinctively as he watched the cup of water go sailing, feeling guilty that he’d shocked her so much. He could sense that she was highly uncomfortable, and he could hear her heart racing, both things reminding him of the creatures he hunted, realising they were out of options. Normally it was a feeling that filled him with ancient, bestial delight but in this case it was the opposite. The last thing he wanted to do was prey on her. 

Continuing to watch as she inched away, anxiety emanating from every inch of her being, he couldn’t help but frown. Standing up and pushing his chair in, hands now resting on the back, he looked her directly in the eyes before speaking.

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She hadn't followed him, hadn't stopped him, and she couldn't help but think... What if?

It had been one and a half months since she met the rogue, and perhaps that was for the best. After that day, Winter had contacted her mate and he had picked her up and grilled her about what had happened, why hadn't she contacted him? Why had she let him get away? But Winter said nothing, curled in the passenger seat of his yellow jeep, staring at her ragged relection, swallowing back her nausea. When they had gotten home, she had told Beck what had happened and he sent a pack out to investigate the perimeter. Winter didn't bother to tell him it was no use, that the rogue was probably long gone, she merely slinked off to her chambers and went to sleep.

After that day, she couldn't stop thinking about it. None of the pack had caught a hint of the rogue, well, nothing substantial that is. However that didn't stop them all from being on high alert, poised for any unwanted visitors on their territory, sniffing the sidewalks of downtown.

Winter tried to put it behind her, but she couldn't shake those eyes, that scent...

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Vincent had to hang back, but he watched her take her first, unsteady, steps on the sand. He hoped she’d be alright, especially since he was stuck out in the water right now.

It eventually came to him and he called out to Fish, to follow him along the shore. If luck was on their side, they might be able to contact Oliver from one of his many houses, and if Vincent recalled correctly, one of them was actually nearby.

Fish did as Vincent instructed, following along the shore, as close to the water as she felt comfortable, crouched down as she followed Vincent.

Fish glanced uneasily towards Vincent, his reassuring tone and gently concerned eyes easing her suspicion into something forming into trust. Taking careful steps towards the door, Fish paused again, this time with a question.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Vincent had to hang back, but he watched her take her first, unsteady, steps on the sand. He hoped she’d be alright, especially since he was stuck out in the water right now.

It eventually came to him and he called out to Fish, to follow him along the shore. If luck was on their side, they might be able to contact Oliver from one of his many houses, and if Vincent recalled correctly, one of them was actually nearby.

Fish did as Vincent instructed, following along the shore, as close to the water as she felt comfortable, crouched down as she followed Vincent.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Vincent had to hang back, but he watched her take her first, unsteady, steps on the sand. He hoped she’d be alright, especially since he was stuck out in the water right now.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Feeling something solid now beneath her, Fish took a minute to catch her breath. Her body felt like it weighed a million tons, she felt responsible for limbs she didn’t remember having a second go and the humid, sticky, wet feeling made her… uncomfortable.

Rolling over onto her stomach, Fish lifted her head to peer back at the water, and at the thing that had lifted her out of it. Her own panic and confusion coming to a stern halt,

Her feathers were white and almost holographic when the light found them through the cracks in rock. Her paws her white as well, though appearing grey due to the water that soaked them. Her beak curved menacingly downward and the feathers around her face were fluffy like a baby chick’s despite the water dripping down past her murky green-blue eyes that remained the same as before if not bigger and more menacing. Her tail moved on its own accord curling and thumping against the wall of rock around her.

Fish’s feathers fluffed up as she adjusted herself again against the sand and rock, feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Feeling something solid now beneath her, Fish took a minute to catch her breath. Her body felt like it weighed a million tons, she felt responsible for limbs she didn’t remember having a second go and the humid, sticky, wet feeling made her… uncomfortable.

Rolling over onto her stomach, Fish lifted her head to peer back at the water, and at the thing that had lifted her out of it. Her own panic and confusion coming to a stern halt,

Her feathers were white and almost holographic when the light found them through the cracks in rock. Her paws her white as well, though appearing grey due to the water that soaked them. Her beak curved menacingly downward and the feathers around her face were fluffy like a baby chick’s despite the water dripping down past her murky green-blue eyes that remained the same as before if not bigger and more menacing. Her tail moved on its own accord curling and thumping against the wall of rock around her.

Fish’s feathers fluffed up as she adjusted herself again against the sand and rock, feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Feeling something solid now beneath her, Fish took a minute to catch her breath. Her body felt like it weighed a million tons, she felt responsible for limbs she didn’t remember having a second go and the humid, sticky, wet feeling made her… uncomfortable.

Rolling over onto her stomach, Fish lifted her head to peer back at the water, and at the thing that had lifted her out of it. Her own panic and confusion coming to a stern halt,

Her feathers were white and almost holographic when the light found them through the cracks in rock. Her paws her white as well, though appearing grey due to the water that soaked them. Her beak curved menacingly downward and the feathers around her face were fluffy like a baby chick's despite the water dripping down past her murky green-blue eyes that remained the same as before if not bigger and more menacing. Her tail moved on its own accord curling and thumping against the wall of rock around her.

Fish's feathers fluffed up as she adjusted herself again against the sand and rock, feeling cramped and uncomfortable.

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Feeling something solid now beneath her, Fish took a minute to catch her breath. Her body felt like it weighed a million tons, she felt responsible for limbs she didn’t remember having a second go and the humid, sticky, wet feeling made her… uncomfortable.

Rolling over onto her stomach, Fish lifted her head to peer back at the water, and at the thing that had lifted her out of it. Her own panic and confusion coming to a stern halt,

Fish had been lazily floating around with a school of fish through the maze of underwater tunnels and caves, on her back watching the sunlight flicker and shiver underneath the water when she felt something…. Pop.

And crack, and the school of fish vanished in a blink. The water moved with a ‘WOOSH’ around her and the fragile coral bridge she had been beneath cracked as she rose up above the water. Flopping about in the water, Fish’s head spun as she rose higher out of the water and the currents she was so use to feeling on her smooth skin and scales suddenly felt… uncomfortable.

Squaking, limbs feeling heavier and more clumsy that Fish was use to feeling she flopped backwards in the once calm lake. “Vinny!” Fish squealed, roared? Calling the first name that came to her in her panicked state. Something slim and long wriggling behind her back and making obnoxious splashes and slaps against the water.

Feeling something solid now beneath her, Fish took a minute to catch her breath. Her body felt like it weighed a million tons, she felt responsible for limbs she didn't remember having a second go and the humid, sticky, wet feeling made her... uncomfortable.

Rolling over onto her stomach, Fish lifted her head to peer back at the water, and at the thing that had lifted her out of it. Her own panic and confusion coming to a stern halt,