I was on my knees.
Finally succumbed to the realization that fighting and struggling was useless. Two strong hands still grabbed my arms, though. Their claws digging into my skin.
Since after the bite, my senses had heightened. It was the only thing that proved that I was really bitten. That I was a Morsiani… or l could be.
Pain clung to my mind like a rope fastened on a bollard. Flares of it from my arm, my knees - as sand and midribs and lateral veins of fallen leaves pinched them and the most strangling of it all… watching Jordan.
He knelt also, his face squeezing in pain as a clawed hand yanked his hair. His glasses had long ago been lost in the tussle. I could feel his pain. I could sense and smell its acrid tang like a highly concentrated acid. Layering underneath, barely discernable was that faint scent of his love for me. His courage to go through hell for me.
Fairwoods seemed to be holding its breath as it watched. Towering ancient trees with branches like nature's own cathedral. Standing guard like sentinels. Beams of the grinning moon filtering through their canopy of shelter and secrets.
I could no longer hear whispers, the wind no longer ruffled or caressed. It was just… silence. A deafening stealth of stillness maneuvering around, occasionally broken by a whimper from I or Jordan.
The smell of blooming flowers, blood, decaying leaves, fresh and withering barks, damp earth hung thickly to my nose. But not as fierce as the hot metallic tang of Kyle's anger.
His features were heightened by the grimalkin smile of the moon. In his transformed state… or half transformed state since he was a Heridian, a Wereborn. And wereborns could transform into full-furred wolves. All four paws.
He stood tall, his body a majestic blend of human and wolf. His muscles bulged beneath his sleek brown fur, which shone like silk in the moonlight. His eyes burned with an intense, golden light, filled with a fierce inner power. His face, a masterpiece of lupine features, with a strong jawline traced with fine fur, a nose that twitched with every scent, and ears that perked up with every sound.
His body, a symphony of curves and lines, with broad shoulders, a chest that seemed chiseled from granite, and a torso that tapered into a lean, athletic waist. His legs, long and powerful, ending in paws that seem to barely touch the ground, as if he's always ready to spring into action. His tail, short and rigid, a majestic counterbalance to his movements.
As he moved, his fur rippled like a wave, shimmering in the moonlight. His very presence seemed to command the attention of all around him, hushing the forest and dulling even the lights of fireflies.
Looking at him, I was once again taken by his features. Even with every part of my heart beating for Jordan. I still found myself wondering how he could be so painstakingly handsome and very terrifying at the same time.
He was the devil that plagues dreams, yet his features were the rouser of wet dreams.
I was beginning to think Kyle just wanted to scare me, since he was yet to say anything, but I may have thought too soon.
His voice, low and menacing, sent shivers down my spine and his bared fangs sent me taking knee-backsteps.
"You'd rather consort with a human than embrace your new nature, Melrose? Instead of figuring out why you are yet to turn, you chose to associate yourself with this… filth?" He yanked Jordan's hair harder as emphasis.
Like a megaphone to my ears, Jordan's pounding heartbeats blared. His face turned redder and his hands gripping Kyle's hand on his hair, clung tighter as if it could stop the yanking.
I had to find a way to get him out, out of there, out of Fairwoods and out of it all. I just needed time to think and Kyle must be kept busy while I'm at it.
My voice was surprisingly steady when I said;
"I don't remember asking for the bite and have you forgotten that it was you who chased me out of the pack just because…"
" Just because you couldn't turn. What use are you if you can't even turn like a Morsiani, you couldn't even make it to omega rank? Maybe if you weren't so pathetic and weak, you could have turned by now!" He snarled, cutting me off.
I felt like I should say something, at least, a response, but my tongue was tied in fear. What do I say when it's been several full moons and I was yet to turn. The reason behind it still remains unknown, even to them. Two things are likely to happen after a bite, either one turns or fate takes its course, but never has it been heard of a between. A middle where none of these things happen. At least not fully.
"If not for the fact that those whom I had blessed with the bite in the past, turned or met their fate. Surely, by now the authenticity of my bite would be put into question. A weakling like you was never supposed to survive the transition, yet here you are, a puzzling oddity of the ways. Perhaps we could verify by blessing your human with a bite, that way we will know where the fault actually lies. What do you say?" His fangs were dangerously close to Jordan's neck.
My heart raced, my own fear and desperation surging like a river about to burst its banks. Drowning out waves of Jordan's, who had his eyes shut firmly.
Fear has been known as a motivator. The push we sometimes need to do the impossible or the stupidest shit. With a snarl, revealing my one sided fang, my voice carrying through the woods, echoing off the trees. I called, "Stop it already, Kyle! Let Jordan go, we both know who and what you want."
The clearing fell silent, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves and the heavy breathing of the werewolves. Kyle's eyes narrowed, his face twisted in a snarl, and… and his fangs drew blood.
Crimson drops that shone like ruby gems in the moonlight cascaded Jordan's neck in two uneven lines.
Fear has also been known to be a parasite, a blood-sucking organism that can attach itself to the mind and render the host powerless. When in full control, it leaves the host with barely any thoughts of his own, just the cowering, whimpering zeal to survive the danger by any means possible.
My fear gained full control when I saw his fangs sink deeper. I not only saw it, I felt it as Jordan's body tensed. Even with the chilly air, beads of sweat ran down his left profile. His heart palpitated, threatening to burst out of his ribcage.
I heard the slurp as Kyle's tongue licked the blood. Werewolves and wolves of E'der Pack may have a rule against eating humans, but like every carnivore, they weren't immune to the sight and taste of blood.
I heard lumps bob as the two binding me, swallowed. I felt them struggle to keep themselves on leash. From rushing forward and tearing Jordan apart with their fangs and claws like the wild beasts they were.
The intensity of my senses is another thing they don't know. I, myself, can make no head or tail of how a barely turned Morsiani could sense and feel even more acutely than a Wereborn. Then again, I'm an oddity.
"Please let him go, I promise to follow you… just let him go. You can do to me as you like so long as he goes free." My words were barely mine, they were echoes of fear. Syllables and stresses punctuated by the grip of fear as I watched fangs draw more blood. A few inches deeper and the boy I once knew would be no more.
" Interesting. But I must say, I'm not really surprised. For someone who was giving orders seconds ago, you are really all talk. Nothing has changed, you are still as pathetic. Still disgustingly weak. Claws to heart, I would never have come for you again if not for Ryker's insistence. Moon knows what he saw in you. Things will surely be different when I'm Alpha, weak links like you will most definitely be severed." He finished with a sneer, now standing beside Jordan.
His words should have hurt me, should have kicked something in me, but I have been hearing words like that all my life, so they were basically music to my ears.
He walked towards me as he continued, those gold beams locked on me;
" I will let him go on three conditions. One, he will be made to forget all this, including you. Two, you have to promise to let him go, find a way to sever whatever ties bind you two and the last, on returning to the pack you will be one of my thralls." A devilish smile danced at his lips as he finished, fangs in full display.
"No, no, no, I will do no such thing. I will never… ever be your thrall." Fear be damned, there was no way I was going to be his slave and pet.
Letting go of Jordan should have been the aggravating part of the deal, but I knew this was coming. In what world could a human be with a werewolf? And what's love, if not sacrifice.
" Have it your way then", in a blur of movements, he had his fangs on the same spot they once were. Speed was one of his abilities as a Heridian, but before those fangs could sink in, I screamed;
"Alright! Alright! I accept, just let him go." When he made no move to do as I asked, I added "Please."
He smiled as he rose, licking away blood that stained his lips and fangs. I hated him so much that I would love nothing more, but for a silver arrow to pierce his cruel heart.
One of my binders, walked up to Jordan and threw him on his shoulder as if he weighed nothing. That movement brought him out of his shock as he bellowed and thrashed.
"No! No! You can't take me away from her. Put me down this instant, you stinking boar. Mel, please don't let them take me away. Don't let them make me forget. Please, I love you, Mel. Mel! Mel! Mel!!!." The woods swallowed his shouts as the Turned pounced into the night.
Hot tears streamed down my dirt coated face. The one thing in my life that was normal is gone. The only one who truly loved me has been taken from me. Once again, I'm all alone, no one to love, none to care, just as it has always been.
Now, I had nothing to lose, no attachment to keep me checked, he had taken it all away and hell if I ever became his thrall. I would rather die than become his tool for pleasure.
Rage coursed through me, a lava of reds, oranges and yellows burning all over. Blinding my vision, rendering me senseless and damning the consequences as I yanked my hand free. Standing in full height, which wasn't really much, I declared,
"I, Melrose Mond Grove, challenge you, Kyle Clawson, son of Ryker Clawson, Alpha of E'der Pack to a plenilune duel."
With those words, I forever damned myself.