One

1896

The Village of Marbaden was blanketed with complete silence, the same as it always was after the sun began its ritual bow down for the moon to take its place in the sky. The bitter wind galloped through the village like wild horses, holding the title of the only thing moving at sunset, until it reached the forest where the snow covered ground was penetrated by light padded footsteps, along with the heavy drag of a red cloak that successfully hid the identity of the person who was daring enough to walk the forest where countless young girls had been murdered. The blood had long disappeared but the images of the bodies would remain. The entire village had landed on the theory that it was the wolves of the forest, but the person beneath the deep red cloak knew otherwise.

The cloak trailed its owner as it was forced deeper into the forest, weaving through the gaps between the large tree trunks until it was met with the opening where a large, yet cosy cottage resided, which resulted in the hood being pushed down by a slender set of fingers and long brown curls to be released into the wind. It was a girl.

Once the chocolate locks of her hair settled down the length of her back, the girl began towards the cottage only to be interrupted by a low snarling. Spinning on the spot causing her boots to ruin the untouched snow until her body made an entire rotation, her eyes searched the shadows and her dark brown eyes showed no fear or panic. Her back remained to the shadows created by the trees on the right side of the cottage where a creature silently emerged, her eyes occupied with their scan of the shadows on the opposing side also fighting to steal her courage. A low growl sounded from the white-furred wolf and she turned to meet it.

An interception of her intended following action caught her sight, her eyes widened and her body ran on instinct, rushing to the aid of the endangered party. There was a loud bang and time seemed to slow down completely, a bullet sprung forth from its gun and she knew it was only a moment before it pierced through the skin of the wolf, leaving it wounded or dead. In an act of desperation since she knew she wasn't going to make it to the wolf in time, a string of foreign words left her lips which succeeded in causing the wolf to abruptly turn and run back into the shadows of the forest. The bullet missed its aim, and instead became silently embedded in nearby crate stacked to the side of the lone cottage.

She turned back to where the bullet came from to discover two men now well into the clearing, each followed by a horse she assumed belonged to them, one held a gun she recognised as a Winchester rifle in aim of where the wolf no longer stood and the other held one very similar at his side. Both had an immaculate beauty, the one letting the rifle hang at his side had hair as black as midnight and eyes as blue as the ocean while the other, obviously responsible for the bullet being shot, had eyes the colour of the leaves in summer and hair a light brown.

"What are you doing?" The girl demanded.

"Saving you?" The blue eyed, dark-haired one answered while returning his rifle to its holster on the side of the black horse that obviously belonged to him. Funny, she thought. He had a horse whose fur matched his own raven locks. It was either extremely egotistical, or sweet. She wasn't sure which.

"From what?"

"That," The other man pointed in the direction where only moments ago the wolf had disappeared. She followed his gesture to find the graceful return of the wolf until it came to a stop at her side.

She bent to stroke the silk of its white fur. "The wolves are harmless."

Both men's brows furrowed simultaneously and the dark-haired one spoke up. "The last thing I would call a wolf, is harmless." He scoffed.

"That coming from a man who carries a rifle." She retorted.

"Your gratitude for our protection of you is really, too much."

"Maybe you're the one I need protecting from." Her smile was playful and her coffee-coloured eyes flashed as she stood from the crouch next to the wolf and turned on her heel, returning on her travel towards the cottage.

Her boots especially worn for the winter met with the steps to the cottage, the soft thuds sounding until she crossed the front porch and pushed open the door.

"Kat, I'm home." her voice bounced against each of the cottage walls until it found her twin sister in the kitchen and resulted in Katherine moving to the front of the house.

"Thank God, those wolves have been hanging around for hours." she huffed, her hands taking placement on her hips as she came to a stop in front of Elena.

Identical twin sisters Katherine and Elena Pierce had lived in the village of Marbaden for almost the entirety of their adolescence, desired by every man, envied by every woman for their immaculate beauty and charms. Originally from a quant, attractive house located in the middle of London, England, a place which both sisters equally adored and was more than reluctant to leave it behind when they passed their thirteenth birthday. Their resentful attitude to leave their beloved childhood home was probably the only thing they had ever agreed on. They had never completely seen eye to eye, because, well, they were as different as chalk and cheese, but they still loved, cherished one another as much as any siblings did who lost their parents. They tried to appreciate, and take care of one another, instead of wasting time being at each other's throats. It had been a fateful day for both girls, the day their parents were murdered. It had forced them to leave another place they called home and move into their grandmother's large cottage located within the village forest.

"They won't hurt you, I've told you before." Elena assured, keeping the irritation with her sister to a minimum and pulling at the tightly fastened bow that secured the cloak around her small figure and twisting around to hang it on the hook. She ran both hands down the bodice of her dress, feeling how it clung to her waist for dear life, effectively pushing up her breasts, putting them on show in a delicious manner. Her hands ran further down to smooth out the matching plain teal coloured billowing skirt, briefly catching sight of the wet hem at her feet which she could thank the snow for.

"I beg to differ." A silky voice interrupted from the doorway.

Elena turned to meet the intense blue eyes followed by a quick roll of her own while picking up on the small murmured 'wow' from Katherine. He's not that good looking.

"I'm sorry, is the big bad wolf chewing you in half right now?" Elena quipped with both hands on her hips.

Katherine held up a hand and chuckled. "Elena, don't be rude, we have guests." Nudging her to one side and slithering towards the man currently leaning against the doorjamb, the skirt of her peach coloured dress swaying as her hips did, Katherine held up her hand for him to take. "I'm Katherine." She purred as he accepted her hand and kissed it.

"Damon Salvatore." he revealed in his velvety smooth voice. "And this, is my brother, Stefan." He moved aside to allow the second young man access into the spotlight.

Stefan smiled beautifully, took her hand and kissed it, just like his brother had. "Pleasure,"

Elena noticed the predatory look on the face identical to her own and rolled her eyes for the second time, unaware of the intrigued gaze until she turned to her attention to the one who introduced himself as Damon. Blowing out a harsh breath and abruptly leaving the introductions ceremony, Elena set off towards the door at the rear of the cottage. She sighed into the cold air and kicked off the small boots as the door slammed to a shut behind her. Her stocking-covered feet ascended the steps that duplicated those at the front of the house, and met with the snow. This was where she did her thinking. She wondered if there was such thing as life after death, if her parents watched over her from time to time. She found it comforted her to believe they did. Maybe they were in the trees whispering to her, or the wind taking her hair in its current. Maybe they were the wolves, or the flakes of snow. With that in mind, she bent and took a handful of snow then watched as it dissolved onto her skin, leaving nothing but transparent liquid.

"You know you could catch a death of cold doing that." The silk voice penetrated the silence of the backyard, and she had no doubt his ocean blue eyes were sparkling with mischief.

"You miss all the important things by being too cautious." Elena replied, still lost in thought along with her feet still immersed in the snow.

"Like playing with wolves," Damon quipped smartly after a few seconds.

"They're better company than most people." She answered with disinterest.

"Does that include your sister?"

Elena turned now and watched him approach her with a lob-sided smile sexy enough to melt the snow that resided along the forest, or possibly the Antarctic. "I love my sister." She told him nonchalantly.

"That was rehearsed."

"No it wasn't." she said a little too quickly, watched the raise of his dark eyebrows and turned back towards the forest when realization told her she wasn't fooling anyone. "We're just different people."

"I can tell." He gave a soft chuckle.

Though trying her best not to look at him, it seemed irresistible. How did he do that? "It's not the wolves." Her attempt at changing the subject proved successful when his eyes flashed with curiosity, causing her head to turn away before she got lost in them while her determination to elaborate forced it back. "You are here because of the murders, right?"

"Why are you so sure it's not the wolves?"

"The bodies were drained of blood."

His brow furrowed while taking another step towards her. "Their bodies bled out."

"There's approximately eight pints of blood in the human body, there was only two of that of the ground."

Elena contained the urge to erupt into laughter at the sight of his face, how was it they were here to deal with the murders yet they knew nothing about them? Amateurs. She watched as he composed himself before asking the obvious question of; "How do you know?"

He was right to be confused that she knew such details of the murders, it wasn't exactly normal for a nineteen year old girl to know so much, especially not when it was to do with the murdered young girls from the village.

"I live in the forest, remember?" he wasn't buying that, she could tell, but she chose to power on. "So what's the plan; murder all the wolves of the forest?"

"Yes." He answered.

"And if they're not responsible?" she pointed out.

"They are." Damon told her indefinitely, began his withdrawal from their conversation with a swift rotation of his body and with graceful strides, returned into the cottage through the back door.

Deciding he was probably right in pointing out she would catch a death of cold like this, Elena pulled each foot from it's nestle in the snow and climbed the porch steps to settle down on the top one. Who did he think he was? He had never set foot here before, yet he felt he had some unwavering insight into what went on? No.

She hadn't been convinced it was the wolves doing this from the beginning, and no beautiful, blue-eyed stranger was about to change that.

It wasn't until the sky became completely blackened and a fierce shiver ran through her did she decide on returning inside. But not before taking a glance at the moon, feeling relief when the blood red stain was nowhere to be seen. If there was one thing she'd learnt from a young age was that a moon stained with a red was never a good omen, and it should be a common expectancy of blood being spilled under it. She knew because the first time she had ever set sights on one, was the night her parents were murdered. The second was the start of the string of murdered girls. And as the blood continued to stain the glow of the moon, in the same night, there would be a murder within the forest.

Letting the door slam in her wake then turning to lock it, she gazed out into the darkness once more, catching a slight movement at the base of the pine trees that triggered a small smile on her lips. The wolves.

Every night they were there, pacing, watching. It made her think they were guarding the cottage, or maybe that's what she hoped, because of the murders. She didn't show it, but she was scared. The whole village was. No parent let their children out past dusk any more. And it displeased Elena. Somewhere that had been her home since she was born was now to be feared, and every young girl her age had to be cautious. How was that fair? She didn't want to have to be locked away, fearing her safety because there was some wild animal lurking the forest, draining girls of their blood. She didn't want to walk the forest, looking over her shoulder every time she hears a sound.

But unlike the rest of the village, she didn't believe it was the wolves. Not even a little bit.

She proceeded through to the living area, her brow furrowing at the multitude of voices coming from there. She reached the front room to find her grandmother, her sister, along with the unusual accompaniment of her two apparent 'saviours'. Or so they'd like to think. Or was it just the one who called himself Damon? The other, she couldn't figure out. He wasn't arrogant like his brother, but then again, he hadn't uttered more than a few words to her.

Why were they even still here? It had been hours.

However, the way her sister was giggling foolishly and leaning her body towards each brother, Elena could guess why. Typical Katherine- has to get her claws in any attractive man passing through. Elena rolled her eyes at her twin sisters shameless flirting with both brothers, a long slender hand that was identical to her own occasionally reaching out to run down a muscular arm or along a cloth covered broad chest. She noticed the brothers didn't resemble one another at all, yet still they yielded the kind of beauty that would make any girl melt at the sight of them. Except for her, of course.

"Evening, Grandmama." Elena kneeled down at the side of the large armchair where her grandmother was comfortably nestled into, leaning up to place a brief kiss to her cheek before settling back on her heels.

Her grandmother smiled wearily in acknowledgement. "Oh, my beautiful girl," She ran the tips of her fingers along Elena's cheek. "You shouldn't stay out after dark."

It was the same advice Elena had been given for three months now. From her grandmother, from Katherine, from the whole village. It wasn't that she blamed them; it was all still so... fresh. She felt as though everyone was looking at her, expecting her to be reckless with her life because she was the reserved sister. Unlike Katherine, she kept to herself. That was how she liked it.

"I was only on the back porch." Elena assured.

"I know. But still, I worry about you."

Elena smiled softly. "You don't have to worry about me, you know that."

"It's a grandmother's job, no matter what the circumstances." She replied with a smile and pulled back her hand from its caress of Elena's face and hair, letting it fall back into her lap with the other while Elena shifted to sit in front of the roaring fire, stretching her legs out in front of her in hope that the heat from there would dry her soaked stockings and feet. "Aren't they handsome?"

Elena followed her Grandmothers gaze. "Katherine certainly thinks so."

"Hmm."

"Why are they still here?" Elena demanded in a whisper, still watching them exchange flirtatious banter, along with not so subtle touching every now and then.

"Well we couldn't expect them to return through the forest, dear." Her grandmother pointed out.

Elena scoffed. "They have weapons."

Not that that was a valid argument, because Elena even ensured to have the knife that once belonged to her mother in the top drawer of her side mahogany bedroom table. Not that she had any use for it. Elena had once asked her mother why she had it, and her mother's simple answer had been that her father insisted she did keep it on her at all times, 'just in case'. Unfortunately, not even that worked in saving them from whatever attacked and killed them three months ago.

Then maybe her grandmother was right in having these strangers stay here. But for some unknown reason, Elena didn't want them here. Was it because she was being defensive? Or because it displeased her to see the way Katherine was looking at both men like they were a two course meal she desired to eat night after night? Either way, their presence here made her uncomfortable. Or to be more specific, she didn't like his presence. He was rude, arrogant, narrow minded, and she didn't like him at all.

As if somehow sensing her negative opinion on him, the dark-haired, blue eyed stranger named Damon turned to catch her gaze, a smirk creeping along his perfectly formed lips in response then just as swiftly turned his attention back to Katherine. Ugh, he was so annoying.

"Still, we have enough room." The sincerity in her grandmother's voice, along with a soft yawn, grabbed her focus. She was right. The cottage was big enough for a large family to live in, and the space was wasted on just them three.

"You are a much kinder person than I, Grandmama."

"Oh, you're just sour because they almost hurt a wolf." She chimed playfully.

"Typical men, tossing around their weapons like savages." Elena began with a huff. "It's not the wolves, Gran."

"The blue eyed one, Damon, revealed it was snarling at you."

Elena's eyes narrowed. So he had gone and tattled? Typical. "Yes, that was before it recognized me."

Her grandmother took a few moments, as if contemplating, and then finally spoke. "Just be careful who you put your trust into, even the most unlikely suspect can surprise you with bad intentions."

Unsure who her grandmother was referring to, Elena remained silent. She'd never let her grandmother know this, but every time she came across the wolves they would growl, or snarl at her, at least until they got close enough to realise it was actually her. They were just wary. Like everyone in the village was.

"Some people are not as they seem." Her grandmother murmured quietly, rose from the large velvet armchair with slight struggle due to the growing instability in her aging legs and began towards the door of her bedroom located at the end of the small, narrow hallway that passed the front door of the cottage. But before disappearing entirely, she turned. "I must retire to bed." Her announcement was louder than the hushed conversation Elena had shared with her only moments ago, and succeeded in catching the attention of the flirting trio in the corner of the room.

With graceful movements, both brothers crossed the room, coming to a stop in front of her grandmother, and in turn taking her hand to kiss it. A slight blush played across her grandmother's skin and Elena internally rolled her eyes. Seems she was the only one immune to their charms.

"Remember; you two can stay as long as you need to." Her grandmother reminded them.

"That's very kind, Miss Pierce." Stefan said with a smile that would make your heart still. A smile which her grandmother quickly returned, that was just as exquisite. She really was a beautiful woman, even at 64 years.

"Please, call me Rose."

Elena stifled the scoff that threatened to leave her mouth, and then looked over to Katherine, who seemed just as transfixed by them as their grandmother. Good grief. What was wrong with these two?

And with that, Rose disappeared into her room, shutting out the current party of people occupying the front room, all attention suddenly on Elena. Her gaze moved along each of them, passed Katherine's wicked gleam, to Stefan's beautifully sincere expression, and finally stopping on the arrogant, magnificent features of Damon. Why couldn't he just be unattractive? Or just mildly attractive? He was almost painful to look at. They both were. But Damon... his eyes, were... magnificent.

After a few moments of her subconscious screaming at her to get a grip, it gave up and dragged her from the depths of the clear blue and without a word, forced her to slip into her room that lay on the opposite side of the cottage to her grandmothers. She silently closed the door, her eyes catching with Damon's once more before they were physically sealed from one another.

She turned and leant her back against the door, letting out a harsh breath. What the hell was that? She hated him, didn't she? Not that she had any right to, because she barely knew him. But his arrogance infuriated her. So then why had she just literally experienced 'getting lost in someone's eyes'?

She huffed as her mind tried to coax her into a reminder of those eyes, pushed away from the door and hooked her fingers into the low neckline, making quick work of the buttons that ran down the bodice of her plain teal dress. Shoving the material down her body until it was bunched at her feet; she stepped out of it and soon felt the bitter chill of the air. Hurrying to the bed, she pulled back the covers and climbed underneath, her white chemise and stockings still intact. It was winter after all.

She snuggled down and cast her hair over her shoulder to fan out behind her, then closed her eyes, images of the intense blue haunting, enticing until she fell into a slumber, where they also managed to creep.

"Elena..." a soft, eerie whisper interrupted the silence of the cottage. Its second call stirred her awake, and she sat up, blinking a few times before scanning the gathered darkness of her room. She strained her ears, wondering if it had been her imagination, or her minds inability to realize the difference between her intense dreams and reality. But it came again. It was rasped, yet unthreatening. It had quite the opposite effect on her. It made her feel...safe, somehow. Like her instincts knew what was calling to her, would do her no harm, that it needed her to follow it. And she felt she had no choice but to do exactly that. Therefore, she slid out from under the bed covers and forced the white chemise to a successful cover of her body before leaving the safe confines of her room.

She peered around the front room, finding nothing out of the ordinary. It was empty, and she could only assume Katherine had seen to that both Salvatore men had been shown to the spare rooms, or possibly Katherine's bed. Rolling her eyes, she continued on her journey to the back of the cottage, once again, somehow knowing this was where she was meant to go. Silent pads of her feet took her across the threshold of the back door as she pushed it open and the night was laying a cool blanket around her bare shoulders while the only light was cast from the glow of the flames within each of the lanterns hung at either side of the back door.

"Elena..." The whisper was louder, yet she still felt no fear. It comforted her. How was that even possible? You hear a strange whisper in the middle of the night, it should make you wary, scared even, and it surely shouldn't be approached.

Scanning the forest across the clearing, she lifted a foot to take a step forward when a new presence sounded from behind, forcing her movement to be put on hold and her body to twist around to meet the arrival.

There they were again. Those eyes. Clear and blue as the sky in summer. But this time, they were tired, and held a growing darkness as they took in her appearance. What was that? Desire? She had seen it before, of course she had. Many men from the village had looked at her like that, with want, with raw desire, most likely because of her resemblance to Katherine. But never had she expected it from someone of his beauty. Wait, he did know she wasn't Katherine didn't he?

He smiled. That same arrogant one-side smile that didn't show his teeth. It annoyed her, made her blood boil, yet made her heart pick up speed. Something that was foreign to Elena. No man had ever had any effect on her, they hoped for it, and in some cases so did she. But it never seemed to happen. Maybe she wasn't ready, or maybe they just weren't right for her. And what? He was? This arrogant, annoying, impulsive man that she knew nothing about, was?

"Saving wolves, wandering out in the middle of the night..." Ah, yes he did know who she was. Her gaze went to his mouth as he spoke and she realised it was just as magnificent as his eyes. Possibly more so, because, well, she could actually, physically get inside that, explore it, every crevice, every taste- Wait. What was she doing? Fantasizing about kissing this strange, annoying man? Oh no, no, no. That couldn't do. That couldn't do at all.

Though, internally she was screaming at herself to stop, her eyes had other plans as they continued on their thorough exploration of his magnificent form. The fitted black waistcoat he'd had on earlier was now nowhere to be seen and through the thin material of his white shirt, she could just about see his impressively muscled torso. It was open at the top, revealing a tantalizing image of his clean-shaven, broad chest and was un-tucked from his tight black trousers while his feet rested in a pair of black boots he must've quickly stepped into to follow her outside. Her eyes leisurely returned back up, and stopped once again at his mouth. That mouth.

She felt a growing burn within and a strange flicker of each lanterns flame caught her attention. Uh-oh.

She looked back at him, this time finding his eyes, and just like every time before, she got lost in them, and it triggered a rapid increase in the flames flickering. Flames she could've sworn were lit within her, not the lanterns. How was this even possible? She barely knew him. Not even barely. She didn't know him in the slightest. How could she be so... affected by him? And why was he unfazed by the bizarre flicker of the lantern flames? He briefly took a look at them, and then returned to stare down at her.

Strange. He was very strange.

Forcing her eyes away and taking a deep breath, she forced a reminder of why she was actually out here into her wits then scanned along the forest once more, the whisper now returned to her thoughts and on a constant replay. "Did you hear it?"

"Hear what?" he followed her stare into the trees.

"There was this..." she stopped herself from going any further, realizing honesty may earn her the label of being insane, so instead, settled for; "This noise, I heard a noise."

Elena stepped languidly off the porch and down the steps, her bare feet reuniting with the snow. Something she relished in for a long moment before setting off towards the forest.

"For someone who falls into the category of the wolves prey, you surely don't seem worried about roaming the forest." Damon called after her.

"It's not a blood moon." She murmured, transfixed by the shadows between each great tree trunk.

He appeared at her side, his piercing gaze on her face that made her flush hot and intense. "What?"

"The moon," she gestured upwards with her chin, avoiding turning to look at him. "It isn't stained red."

"So?"

"So, there's not going to be a murder tonight." She said as if it was obvious. "I could wander the woods as I please, and not worry."

"But you don't anyway, do you?"

It wasn't a question. It was an insinuation. And it was probably right. Elena said nothing, only stared into the night, refusing not to directly meet his eyes. She couldn't afford to have him realize that against her better judgement or control, she found him attractive. Very attractive. But wouldn't any girl? She couldn't be shunned for being attracted to someone who was attractive as he was, could she? She wouldn't act on it, not now, not ever.

Having that settled, she relaxed.

"You wander the forest at dusk while every other person in this village cowers away behind bolted doors of their home, you come out here at night, you're not in the least bit afraid of the prime suspects for all these young girls' deaths and you stand barefoot in the snow."

Elena knew how it sounded, and just like everyone else, he had come to the conclusion that she was some reckless spoiled girl who was crying out for attention by putting herself in danger, or that she was so sad due to her parents death, she could care less about her safety, or her life. And just like the entire village, he was wrong.

"I'm fortunate enough to have certain..." she paused to consider the right choice of words. "Abilities."

Yes, that was good.

There was a moment's pause. "Certain abilities such as being able to force a wolf to safety from a bullet..."

Elena's eyes widened but she quickly forced composure upon herself. What was he saying? Had he found her out? Or was he just passing comment? Still, she could sense his smile and couldn't resist the urge to look up at him through her eyelashes. His smile was smug, just like she imagined it would be, and his bluest of blue eyes flashed with a mischief and succession. He was good.

"I didn't force-

"You used an incantation." He cut her off.

"How did you-

She was in both awe and bafflement of him. She could deny it, claim she had no clue what he was talking about, but somehow, she doubted he'd believe it.

"How did I figure it out?" He finished for her. "Well, first of all, animals only understand simple commands, and what came out of your mouth, was the furthest thing from simple I've ever heard in my entire 24 years."

Twenty-four; not bad.

Focus Pierce, for goodness sake. Her conscience scolded with distaste. He's basically just found out what you are in a matter of twelve hours, and you're thinking about how compatible your ages are?

"Not to mention what you did with the lanterns."

Elena flushed scarlet.

"What was that, you trying to scare me?"

A wave of relief washed over her, it was better he think she was trying to scare him than know the real reason the flames were doing an erotic dance. Well, it was apparent he knew no specifics. And why would he? The only way he would know specifics would be if he was one himself, and that wasn't possible, she would've sensed it. But then again, she hadn't touched him. She quickly averted her eyes and found safe haven on the ground. What the hell was going on with her? She only had to think of touching him and it made her a flaming, flustered mess? Get a grip, Pierce. He can't be trusted. She crammed the reminder onto high alert. It was something she needed to remember. Now more than ever. He couldn't just come in here, with his big blue eyes and hair like midnight, and mess everything up for her. She needed to be on alert. And around him, it was a more than difficult task. Just like any normal person, she had to keep her weaknesses close to her chest, she had to protect herself. She would never be vulnerable, not to anyone outside her blood. It was too dangerous, especially to someone like her. She had always been warned to be careful who she trusted because she was 'special', and people would want to take that from her. Her power, her strength, it would change people. Man was filled with greed, and tempted with what she held within, it was much too seductive to someone with an uncontrollable desire for power. And that was the majority of mankind. So, keep it to herself she had to.

Therefore she forced a smile and painted on a wicked expression that she could only manage to fake for a few moments. But luckily, he seemed to buy it.

"How did you know?" She asked after a pause.

"Me and my brother, we've been around witches our whole lives. I recognised the language."

Elena nodded once, successfully hiding her surprise. At least she could feel comforted in the fact that her acting skills were apparently unaffected by him and his... charms. But she had to question; if he had indeed been around witches his entire life, shouldn't he know their power was deeply connected to their emotions?

"You're not surprised?"

She almost grinned in pride at her succession. "No." She replied simply.

"Why not?" The curiosity in his voice was obvious. "Witches aren't exactly... common."

"No, we are not." Elena murmured, still gazing across the clearing while the effect his presence had on her continued to overwhelm the natural and supernatural senses within. He made her uncomfortable, and on edge. Because she disliked him, because she was attracted to him, or were they both tied? Did she hate him because she was attracted to him, or was it the other way around? No, that wasn't it. She wasn't attracted to him per say. She found him attractive, yes. She appreciated his beauty. But her dislike for him came from his arrogance, and how he had so mercilessly sentenced a wolf to death with just a simple pull of his trigger yesterday evening. That was why she hated him.

With the wolves in mind, she turned to him. The quivering idiot side of her scared to look him in the eyes in case the cottage set on fire quickly pushed aside. "It's not the wolves." She emphasized with an edge to her voice that seemed to trigger a smirk to pull at his lips and her brow creased. Did he purposely do that to flare her temper?

"We'll see." He also turned, putting them on even ground. Well, except for him being taller, and all. They just looked at each other. Her expression frustrated while his was amused.

"What are you even doing out here?" She demanded.

"I'm a light-sleeper." The smile remained. "And when I saw you coming out here..."

"You decided you would save me when it was once again, unnecessary."

A chuckle escaped him. "Do you even know how to be grateful?"

"Grateful for what? You were jumping to the rescue when it once again wasn't necessary."

He paused. "You not believing it's the wolves killing these girls, doesn't make it the truth."

"I know these wolves." She bit out.

"They're wild animals," he returned in a growl that took her aback as well as replacing the heat of her anger with once of intense arousal. He stepped even closer to her and she gulped, instinctively leaning as far away from him as she could without actually moving. "They're unpredictable," he said in a low and husky tone. "They're primal," his breath fanned her face and her breath caught. If she didn't break away from whatever this was, she would explode, or something else would. "They're feral, they're predators," She was screaming at herself to do something, anything. Look away, move away, create safe distance between them, but she couldn't -or didn't want to- cooperate. "They live for the hunt, they find their prey..." the words rolled off his tongue and caressed her, everywhere. How did he even do that? "They stalk them..." were they even talking about the wolves anymore? "They find a weakness, and they take what's theirs."

Take what's theirs? What the hell does that mean?

She leaned up, and marked the way his gaze instantly went to her lips. Was he attracted to her? He certainly looked like he wanted to kiss her. But why? Was he imagining it was Katherine doing this? The thought angered her more than it should. Therefore she set her determination into stone and remained where she was, not moving any closer, even with the strange desire urging her to close the small distance and press her lips to his. She wouldn't do that. He would not be her first kiss, not her first anything. "What you're describing... isn't a wolf." His eyes remained on her lips. "It's just a regular man."

Surprise flashed across his face and not allowing him the chance to say anything further, Elena retreated down from the close and intoxicating proximity then turned on her heel to head towards the cottage. She climbed the steps and pulled open the back door. She twisted around with her hand on the door, preventing it from closing, and found Damon still stood in the position he had been moments ago. Lost in thought? Angered by her teasing? She wasn't entirely sure.

Obviously catching on that the door hadn't slammed in her wake, Damon turned, and the electricity was there, again. Oh, this was going to be an inconvenience. Elena thought begrudgingly. Still, she had to keep a chilly ambience.

"If I want your help, I'll ask for it." She told him with a clipped tone. She turned into the house, finally letting the door slam into place behind her as she returned to her bedroom, shutting the door tightly and finding solace against the back of it for the second occasion in twelve hours. She hadn't had to do such a thing once in the three months she'd lived here, and now she'd done it twice, both times because of him? She needed a good talking to.

She got back into bed, determined she wouldn't think of him, or his eyes, or his lips, or any part of him. But that wasn't going to prove successful, was it?

She grumbled and rolled over, burying her face into the pillow. Stupid, blue eyes.