I'll keep my rambling to a minimal. I wanna get to Alcide. ;D So, here's the third chapter of Blood Moon. Banner, please? I won't update unless I get some! Lol.
Of Wolf and Man
Bright is the moon, high in starlight
Chill in the air, cold as steel tonight
We shift
Call of the wild
Fear in your eyes
It's later than you realized
Howl.
The wolf started to run towards Eric and that's when Sookie fired her gun. I had forgotten she even had it with her. Eric turned towards Sookie and watched as the bullet flew towards the wolf, I gasped as he dove in front of the bullet. What the hell is wrong with him? He cried out as the bullet imbedded into his chest, Sookie called out his name, but I was keeping my eyes on the hell bent wolf, who had caught scent of Eric's blood. The wolf started to tremble, as if his need for the blood was just too much to handle and in an instant, he shifted back to his human, butt naked self. He dove at Eric with frenzy; Eric was able to hold him off, as he told us to stay back. "Don't shoot him. He knows."
I clutched onto Sookie's arm, as we watched Eric hold off the hungry beast. Sookie asked, "He knows what?"
"Who do you work for?" Eric demanded.
"Come on, give me a taste, fucker." The werewolf growled in eagerness.
"Who. Sent. You." Eric repeated, loudly, as he held the wolf back by his neck.
The werewolf couldn't speak, it just came out in gargles, as Eric squeezed his neck. I spoke out, "Eric, he can't speak!"
Eric slowly released the wolf, which in return, knocked Eric back and feasted on his blood, roaring in pain. Gasping in horror, I went to step forward, but Sookie grabbed my arm. The gross, naked werewolf through back his head and laughed in delight at the taste of Eric's blood; I grimaced in disgust, but I stayed by Sookie. The wolf went back for seconds, but Eric was ready for him this time and was able to throw the wolf off of him; he hit the wall by Sookie and me. Quickly, he started to take off, but Sookie shot him in the foot; he went down with a yelp. In no time, Eric was by him, gripping a handful of stringy, greasy hair. "For the last time, who is your master?"
Of course, when I'm trying to swear him off, he goes all hot and domineering. That bastard. I glanced at Sookie, who seemed to be concentrating on what he said; we had him. The werewolf was panting, blood coating his lips. He really was disgusting. "If I tell you, I'm as dead as you are. Might as well kill me now."
Eric pulled back the wolf's hair. "As you wish."
With both of our mouths gaping open, Sookie and I watched as Eric drained the werewolf, I saw the light go out of his right as Eric ripped his throat out. Eric, still crouched over the dead wolf, watched as blood flowed from his neck and onto the rub. With a chuckle, he glanced up at Sookie. "Hn, got your rug all wet."
Eric's grin was macabre.
Wolf.
Sookie and I stood by as Eric dug a grave for the dead wolf; I should have run upstairs for some pants. I'm surprisingly cold, which rarely happens in Louisiana. But, thankfully, I wasn't wearing a thong, but cute, black boyshorts. My feet were a lost cause, caked in dirt and speckles of blood. I'm going to need therapy after this. Eric grunted, as he hefted up mounds of dirt at a time. "Fresh graves are ideal in hiding a dead body. Ground's already disturbed, so no one will think to dig again."
"So much for keeping him alive, so we could question him." I commented, starkly.
Eric paused in his digging to give me a dirty look and say, "That wasn't planned."
"But, then you saw his brand?" Sookie asked.
"It brought back many memories, unpleasant ones." Eric said, softly.
"If you gave me half the chance to listen to some of his thoughts then we might have," Sookie began, but Eric cut her off.
"You have no concept of how dangerous werewolves are; they're virtually silent. No fear of death and when they have a bit of our blood, their strength can be a challenge, even for me." Eric admitted, grudgingly.
Sookie gave Eric a sheepish look. "Like I said, thanks for saving our lives."
I nodded in agreement. "Yes, thank you."
"How's your bullet wound?" I asked, curiously and a little concerned.
"Well, it would have healed a lot faster if someone would have," Eric implied; Sookie and I glared daggered at him.
"I will never fall for that trick again," Sookie insisted.
Eric only smirked, as he grabbed a wreath and put it on back on the stand. "Come, I'll walk you back."
As we were walking back to Sookie's, she asked, "Do you know anyone named Jackson? It's the only thing I could pick out of his thoughts."
"Maybe that's his master," I inputted; Eric shook his head.
"Jackson is where he lives. He had a Mississippi accent. Can't you people tell the difference?" Eric asked, mockingly. We both gave him dirty looks.
"He's from Jackson? Do you think that's where Bill is?" Sookie questioned him. "Eric, we have to go like yesterday!"
"We can't. Not yet. Problems of the world don't exist on finding your missing boyfriend; you both shouldn't go by yourself either. These werewolves are looking for you, Sookie and it's only a matter of time before they find out about you, Isabella."
"How can you expect us to sit around when you have a lead?" I demanded.
"It'll be morning by the time you get to Jackson. For planning to rescue a missing vampire, I seriously overestimated your intelligence. Take the day to think it over." Eric suggested, as Sookie and I walked up the porch steps.
We shared a look before Sookie answered, "Fine, we'll leave tomorrow. But, I have to go; Bill would do it for me." Eric remained blank. "I don't expect you to understand."
Eric's eyes flashed over to me. "I understand very well."
"You'll feel if we get into trouble. How fast can you get to Mississippi?" Sookie asked.
"Probably not fast enough. Stay out of trouble, Miss. Stackhouse. Isabella, behave." Eric gave me a pointed look.
And then, he was gone.
"He still cares, Bella."
Moon.
While Sookie was away at Merlotte's to take some time off for our adventure to Jackson, I went upstairs to take a much needed shower. Sighing in contentment, I braced my hands against the shower wall and leaned my head down, letting the hot water beat down on my neck and back. It felt amazing. After feeling my muscles turn to mush, I grabbed my apple scented shampoo and lathered up my hair, massaging gently on my scalp. I think I moan aloud in pleasure. It felt like I haven't had a shower in years and that I've walked through mud to get to one. After, conditioning my hair, I shaved my legs and my armpits. I finally felt human again. Before I turned the shower off, I paused when I heard a noise. It sounded like a scream. Quickly shutting off the water, I grabbed a blue towel and wrapped it around my body. I stuck my head out the bathroom door and called out Sookie's name.
"I'm down here," she answered. "Bella, come here for a second."
Making sure my towel was in place, I wandered down the hall and then, jogged quickly down the steps and what I saw waiting with Sookie, nearly about made me keeled over. Standing next to Sookie was some guy. But, not just any plain ol' man, this was a man. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. He was every bit of tall, dark, and yummy. He stood about six five with thick, dark hair that fell in a tanned, angular face covered with scruff that brought attention his lips. This man was sex on a stick! Tall, muscular, and hot. Something about him was strangely familiar. Those deep, dark eyes of his were roaming my towel covered body and my long, wet legs. God, if he didn't stop staring at me, I wasn't gonna be responsible for my actions. There might be some biting and groping. Clearing my throat, I waved meekly. "Uh, hi."
"You must be Isabella?" Oh, god, even his voice was hot. Smooth like honey and deep. "Alcide Herveaux, Eric Northman sent me."
I raised an eyebrow. "What for?"
"Maybe this conversation is better when you're not naked, Bella." Sookie suggested. She then looked at Alcide. "Um, can you excuse us?"
He shrugged. "Sure."
Sookie smiled. "Great! Make yourself comfortable – I know the house is a mess. It's a long story."
Sookie grabbed my arm and dragged me up the stairs; I peeked over my shoulder to see him take a seat at her dining room table. We went into her room; she closed the door behind her, as I started to look for clothes. "Geez, Sook, what was that all about?"
"He's a werewolf and you should have heard some of the things he was thinking about. I was afraid he might have jumped you right there and by the look on your face, you would have loved for it to happen." Sookie rolled her eyes, as I shot her a wicked grin over my shoulder.
"Sookie, that man is sex on a stick. Did you see that ass? Nice and tight. Mmm, he's probably tight all around." I sighed, lustily, as I dropped my towel.
"Is sex all you think about? And, besides, he's a werewolf," she stressed, as I put on a red bra and matching underwear.
"So? Eric wouldn't send him to us unless he was trustworthy." I told her, as I pulled on a dark green V neck shirt and a short jean skirt. I sat on the bed and pulled on my tan cowboy boots.
"Still. We need to be careful. Until I hear only good things in his head, there will be no fraternizing with the strange man," Sookie commanded, as I rubbed a towel through my hair. "Do you understand, Isabella?"
"Yes, mother," I mocked, as I put some straightening serum in my hands and running it through my hair. I grabbed my favorite earrings – white and tan feathered earrings. I put them in and then, fussed with my hair a little bit more.
"Bella, you're gorgeous, let's go." Sookie snapped.
We went downstairs to speak with Alcide Herveaux, I went and sat across from him while Sookie went and got us some tea, his stare was intense. I shot him a cheeky grin. When Sookie came back, she placed a glass before him and walked around, he watched her with his eyes, Sookie said, "Yes, it's true."
His eyebrows shot up. "Holy shit." He looked at me. "And, I hear you can move thing with your mind. Is that true?"
With a smirked, I pushed back his chair a couple of inches. "It comes in handy when I'm too lazy to move."
He chuckled before taking a sip of his tea. "Well, what I don't understand is if you both have Eric Northman's blood and all, why he can't look after you himself."
"He sent us a babysitter?" I snapped.
Sookie shot me a look. "Hush, Bella. It's not like that, I'm not his. Bella used to be, but they're going through some rough times at the moment."
"I wouldn't exactly call it that," I growled. "More like he used me and now I want nothing to do with him."
"How'd he rope you into to taking us to Jackson?" Sookie asked, suddenly. I sent her a thankful look.
Alcide looked uncomfortable. "My old man's got a construction company in Caddo Parish, got a little short on cash and went to Northman for a loan."
"Wouldn't be my first choice," I admitted, Alcide's dark eyes met mine.
"You take what you can get. The only reason I'm here is to help him get out of debt. I don't do favors for vamps, plus I know the pack is sniffing around. You ain't getting' nowhere without an in."
"Are you friends with them?" Sookie asked, hopefully.
"I wouldn't call them friends exactly. My ex is banging their leader," Alcide bit out.
I offered him a small smile. "Sorry."
"That pack is a cancer to our kind. Weres have lived in Jackson for almost two hundred years without a single human knowing it. Now, these sons of bitches come to town and there's a crime streak a mile wide." Alcide griped; his eyes dark and hot with anger.
"One of them came after me last night," Sookie told him. "In here."
Alcide glanced over at the spot where the werewolf died. "Northman mentioned that. It looked like a hell of a fight. You'd be ready for more of that in Jackson?"
"They took someone I love from me," Sookie said, heatedly. "I don't know about you, but I was raised to fight back."
"Here, here," I agreed, slapping my hand on the table.
Alcide hid a smirk, as he took a sip of tea. "Why do I get the feeling that you're gonna get me killed?"
I grinned at him, as Sookie stood up. She gestured for me to follow her. "Come on, Bells, let's pack."
Canis.
"She's passed out," Alcide commented, as he glanced in the rearview mirror.
I looked over my shoulder. "Good. She's barely slept since Bill's been taken. She's gonna run herself dry if she doesn't slow down."
Alcide was quiet for a few moments before he asked, "How'd you get mixed up with Northman?"
I sighed. "Well, I got a job at his club like over a year ago. He was a good boss; he let me off early on weeknights, so I could spend time with my little sister. Then, one day, Sookie came by Fangtasia and she told Eric that she couldn't read my mind, so he was intrigued. Then, he found out I was telekinetic, which I didn't even know, and he brought me along on his quest to save his maker, Godric. During that time, we got close and got together. It wasn't like a relationship, really, it was just sex. He used me and I let him. Now, I no longer want anything to do with him."
"Did you love him?" Alcide asked, quietly.
I laughed. "No, but I did care for him. I wouldn't have slept with him otherwise. I already went through my slut phase."
Alcide shot me a questioning look. "Slut phase, now I'm curious."
I turned in the passenger seat, so I could face Alcide, as I hugged my knees to my chest. "Oh, yeah, I was a wild child when I was teen. My dad left me and mom, he only came around when he wanted to and they'd have sex and he'd leave her heartbroken. One of the times, she got pregnant, hence my little sister Kaylee. Well, my mother is full blooded Italian and her parents are old school. No pre-marriage sex, always have God, that sort of thing. My mother died giving birth to Kaylee, so we lived with Nonna and Papa, who hated me. I was a half breed, a drunken mistake. They were so strict on me, so I acted out. Slept around, drank, did drugs. I'm not proud of it, but I don't regret it. It opened my eyes to the real world, you know? I used to be the user, not the other way around. But, Eric has had a thousand years to perfect it."
"I'm sorry, Isabella." Alcide said, deeply.
"Please, don't call me Isabella, Eric does and it pisses me off," I growled.
Alcide snuck me a quick look. "Okay, Isa, then."
I paled when I heard him say Isa. It was him! The mystery guy from my vision. Well, damn, I do pretty good. Alcide must have noticed my face, because he glanced at me wearily. "Are you okay, Isa?"
I cleared my throat. "Um, yeah. Sorry."
He was about to say something, but my squeal cut him off. "Oh, Waffle House! Can we stop? I have a serious craving for pancakes."
Alcide chuckled, as he slowed down and flicked his turn signal on. I shook Sookie awake. "Come on, Sook, we're gonna stop for some food."
Wane.
Alcide was about to shit a brick as we walked towards Lou Pine's bar; he was adamant on us not going, at least not tonight, but Sookie went off on a speech about Bill and how they might know something. He was even more pissed at what I was wearing, saying that he was gonna have to break a bunch of necks. And, I told him that guys are more likely to talk to you if you're in a tight, little black dress; it never fails. Sookie looked innocent and pristine in her white long sleeve and jean skirt. I was going as the temptress and she was the ditzy, blonde. Alcide held the door open for us, Sookie slipped in first and then, me and Alcide. He murmured to us, "I know it don't look like much, but Lou Pine's is the oldest were bar in Mississippi."
"Charming," I muttered.
A black werewolf greeted Alcide. "Alcide, it's nice to see a face from the old pack."
Alcide looked at the bar. "Hn, I figured the new wolves were drinking enough for all of us."
Alcide's friend noticed us. "They're civilians."
"They're cool," Alcide assured him. "They're friends.
Sookie looked around. "Am I not dressed properly?"
His friend gave Sookie a meaningful look. "You look like dinner."
I smirked. "Well, that's comforting."
"And, you little lady, are gonna cause a riot. You better watch her, Alcide," he warned the tall, brooding werewolf.
Alcide's eyes were on my form. "I plan to."
Alcide stepped aside and let us walk in front of him, while he gave his friend a look. Sookie's hand found mine and I squeezed it reassuringly. I could feel Alcide's heat at our back, as we looked around the place; he was warm and comforting over our shoulders. He leaned down to whisper, "We have to split off. Seeing me, they ain't gonna talk."
Sookie looked up at him. "Where are you gonna be?"
"With my guys," he said, gesturing to the bar. "I'll be watching you and make it quick, for your own sake."
Sookie headed into the crowd, I went to follow her, but Alcide stopped me. I gave him a questioning look. "What's up?"
"You're staying with me; Northman told me you tend to piss people off. I'm not taking any chances. You're trouble," Alcide murmured slightly above my ear, his warm breath tickling my temple.
I knew it wasn't negotiable, so I followed him to the bar. He greeted him friends and quietly introduced me, they leered at me, but they were harmless. One werewolf gave me a saucy wink and said, "Baby, I'm better than this pup. I can show you what it's like to be with a real wolf."
I chuckled, as Alcide pulled out a bar stool for me. "Oh, honey, I can do things that would make your tail curl, but I am way too much for you to handle – Alcide seems to be doing real fine."
His friends howled in appreciation, as Alcide gripped the back of my neck and growled, "Behave," in my ear; I elbowed him. Alcide leaned against the bar, keeping his watchful eyes on Sookie, his body a warm reminder on my side. Suddenly tired, I laid my head on against his arm; my eyes fluttering shut, as he gave me a quick look. I was halfway asleep when Alcide straightened up, jolting me from my near slumber, but then I saw why. Sookie, being led into a backroom by some creepy, biker werewolf, who was ready for some loving it seemed. I hopped off the barstool and nearly teetered over on my heels, but Alcide was there to steady me; he half dragged me and half carried me over to the back, just as Sookie screamed.
"Stay here, Isa," Alcide growled, already charging into the back room.
I stood there, gaping, as I heard Alcide charge the other guy, both of them grunting. Next thing I know, the biker's flying out the opening and landing on the floor; Alcide stalked over to him and pulled him up by his lapels before punching him right in the nose. The crowds were cheering, as Alcide went to take another punch, but some had stepped forward to grab him and restrain him, as the biker got up. He punched Alcide in the stomach and I was pissed, as he repeatedly punched him in the stomach. My anger fueled through me and I felt a wave of energy, as I narrowed my eyes at the douche bag. He flew across the room with a howl. The ones holding Alcide let him go to go to their fallen friend; Alcide looked at me in surprise. Sookie peeked out from behind the back.
Alcide stalked over to us and growled, "We're going. Now!"
I watched as Alcide's friend from the door came over, looking at him in pity. "She ain't worth it."
"I barely know her," Alcide told him.
"I mean, Debbie."
Alcide glared at him. "What about Debbie?"
"Ah, shit, man. Uh, Debbie's getting married to Coot. The party's tomorrow night; here. I'm sorry I gotta be the one to break it to you."
Alcide huffed, as he glanced at Sookie and me from over his shoulder.
So, what do you think? I'm not that proud of it, but it's not that bad. I still want more banners, even though someone AMAZING made me one; Jessieboooxx. I'll put it up on my profile. Send me more, please! I'll love you forever.
