The scent of the interloper was something she thought she knew but still couldn't place. To be on the safe side, she remained vigilant. A lithe but strong looking dark brown wolf showed itself to her right. She bared her teeth at him, warning him to go away. He answered with a growl of his own. He moved forward on all fours, ready to fight her for the deer. She snapped at him and he dodged, spinning back around to charge into her. She yelped at the force in which he threw her. She landed on her back and he held her down with his claws digging into her shoulder. She lashed out at him, gashing him across the chest but he didn't back away. His jaws opened to attack but a grating roar froze them both. A burly black wolf burst forward and tackled the dark brown wolf to the leafy floor. He tried fighting back but the black wolf was clearly older and stronger, keeping him down with his teeth securely in the younger wolf's shoulder. His claws held down the body and his feet dug into the legs. When the dark brown wolf began to whine, the black wolf released him. The young wolf took off quickly without another look back.
"I'm glad I got here in time," a familiar deep voice echoed in her mind. A feeling of joy rekindled in her and she shot over to confront the big black wolf. His liquid topaz eyes softened at the sight of her, when previously they were cold. Her own, gold eyes scrutinized him.
"It's you," she responded, slightly surprised her thoughts flowed so easily. It felt like their minds held a steady connection.
"Yes, it's me. I decided to come back when I realized my guilt shouldn't cloud my responsibility to take care of what I created," he answered, ears held back, and body language asking to be forgiven. Carolyn growled and pushed him away.
"You think? I was looking for you ever since you left and had to accept you were gone. I only wanted to know who gave me this life and you bailed," she responded, baring her teeth.
"I know, but I'm here to stay. I've actually been here for a week or so trying to get the courage to meet you in person but I guess I'm too cowardly so I ran out here to find you as a wolf," he told her. She paced away from him and then back.
"Angelique is dead. You have no other excuse to leave. I don't want you thinking changing me was such a sinful thing to do either. I've embraced it and now, all I want to do is know you," she told him sternly.
"And you will. I'll contact you later and we will meet. As for now, I think you should eat and get back home before that pup comes back. I haven't seen him before but something tells me he knows you. Stay on alert," he cautioned her. Carolyn scoffed with a gust of air from her muzzle.
"He better watch his back," she said, giving him a look that clearly would have been her smiling had she been human.
"I'm sure. I have to get going now. I have my own hunt I must get to," he replied, standing to nudge her in the same way he had in the past. She returned the gesture and he galloped off through the trees. Carolyn watched him go and then returned to her meal. When she was done, she carefully explored further away from home. She was surprised to come across three seniors from school trudging through the bushes, pushing back low hanging tree branches as they went. She got as close as she dared and hunkered down in the undergrowth. A variety of thoughts raced through her head as their scent drifted to her. She couldn't help but think of them as possible food even though she had just eaten. She knew it was Christine, Billy, and some kid named Gabe. Then came the idea of scaring them away so they wouldn't come snooping again. Her ears swiveled to catch their conversation as they walked past her hiding spot not too far away.
"Haven't you guys thought this through? I mean, didn't you hear all the howling going on? There are definitely a pack of wolves out here. We could get eaten," Gabe told the other two, skittishly looking everywhere. He walked close to Billy who kept pushing him away to get some space.
"I only want to see what the heck is up with these people," he muttered in a harsh whisper.
"Will you two shut up?" Chris stage whispered back to the two boys. They nodded and continued their walk. Carolyn shifted intentionally to move a nearby bush. Billy immediately swung the beam of the flashlight around to see.
"What's up?" Gabe asked, his voice cracking.
"I thought I heard something," he replied, his own voice fighting to remain calm. He stared a little longer and then kept walking. Carolyn barreled across the space behind them and hid in the bushes once more. The three of them jumped and huddled together instantly.
"Did you hear that? It sounded big," Billy demanded, his voice raising an octave.
"Don't you mean did you feel that? Whatever it was, it was too close," Chris stuttered, backing into Billy. Carolyn crawled forward just enough to peer through the bushes. Billy pointed the flashlight right in her direction. They were visibly shaking at this point. Carolyn let out a growl and slowly showed herself. The three teens only glimpsed her glittering gold eyes and snarling maw before taking off, screaming as they ran.
"Idiots," she thought with a heavy gust of air from her nose. She had no desire to let anyone in on her recent game of stalking. Why bother when she knew both her mother and Barnabas wouldn't like it. She circled back towards home now that the effects of the moon was beginning to wane. By the time she reached the edge of the woods leading up to Collinwood, she had twisted back into her human form and sat kneeling in the leaves trying to catch her breath. The scent of her blood caught her attention and she raised a hand to the five markings on her shoulders. The young wolf's claws had cut deeper than she thought.
"Carolyn, are you ok?" Victoria asked from a distance. She looked up to see her aunt briskly walking over to her with her robe in her pale white hands. She nodded and got up on shaky legs. Victoria rushed over and helped her into her robe.
"What happened? You're hurt," she said, moving aside the robe to see the cuts.
"I'm fine. It will heal eventually. I may not be as quick as you and Barnabas but I'll manage," she teased. Victoria smiled.
"As long as you're ok. So, how was tonight's adventure?" she asked as they walked back to the mansion. Victoria held Carolyn close to her with an arm draped over her shoulder. Carolyn fiddled with the tie of her robe before answering.
"I met another wolf. He tried stealing my prey," she replied with disdain. Victoria observed Carolyn's bloody hands and slightly bloody lips before replying.
"But you got it back," she stated.
"Yeah, that black wolf that turned me appeared again. He says he's staying this time but I don't know," she told Victoria, her uncertainty clear. Victoria tightened her hold in an attempt to comfort her. Carolyn shared with the family that she knew who had bitten her on orders from Angelique. She also told them that she didn't blame him, once Barnabas flew into a speech about protecting them and catching the man who dared harm a member of his family. Everyone couldn't help but wonder what that would be like, but Carolyn was quick to dismiss it. Only with Elizabeth and Victoria did she ever admit that she saw the wolf as a type of father figure. Victoria sympathized with her and Elizabeth made sure she didn't hold in any pain from her real father walking out on them. Once the black wolf left and she accepted it, she only grew more determined and didn't complain once about her situation.
"So he should be contacting you soon. That's good news. What about that other wolf? I think everyone would agree that it isn't a good idea to fight him off every time. As strong as you are, he could be stronger," she warned.
"I'll have the black wolf run with me just in case," she told her concerned aunt. Victoria sighed but let it go.
"Let Elizabeth and Barnabas know just in case," she advised. Carolyn nodded and Victoria opened the door. They entered and Carolyn rushed off to take a bath. She only had a few hours to sleep before she would have to get up again for school. She was just glad it would be Friday. She managed a quick breakfast which didn't really fill her up and then she ran out to jog into town. At school, she felt like the day was wearing on her. By the time break came around, she looked for Daniel who didn't seem to be anywhere. She even caught a bit of his friends talking about him, wondering where he was too. By the end of the day, her mood had plummeted.
She was willing to forget her tired run if she was able to see him today but he was gone when she needed him the most. She trudged through campus but stopped when someone unexpectedly blocked her path. Her temper flared and she glared up at the obstacle in her way to see it was Daniel. He looked beat, with shadows under his eyes. He held his body stiffly and it was then she smelled the blood. She scanned him to find a bandage peeking out the top of his shirt on his shoulder. Her cuts tingled as she analyzed him. She had her mother wrap her up after her shower. She saw the worry and concern in her mother's usually strong eyes and had to reassure her that she was alright. Daniel seemed to have been injured as well.
"Daniel, what happened to you?" she demanded, forgetting her usual nickname for him at the sight of his injuries. He lifted his hand to touch the bandage on his shoulder and winced.
"We decided to go out hiking and I took a nasty fall down a steep hill in the woods. You see, once in a while we go out there to try and hunt some game for fun. My brother wouldn't stop laughing even though I could have broken my neck. You should have seen my mom. She was a wreck. My dad told her we wouldn't go out again for some time just to calm her down," he said with a small laugh and a tired smile.
"That must suck. Are we not going to see the town then? I'd rather you sit that out," she told him, unable to mask her concern.
"No, I think some good old exercise would help. Besides, I already packed my stuff in my locker and fought my mom tooth and nail this morning to be able to see you," he explained. Carolyn looked away shyly.
"What are we waiting here for? Let's take you on a tour," she said, brushing past him to lead the way. He followed behind her. Daniel waited for her in the garden just as before and then they returned to town. On the way in, a man came up to her. She was immediately on alert until he held out an envelope with her name scrawled on it. Daniel glanced from her to the man with furrowed eyebrows but said nothing. Carolyn took the envelope and ripped it open. A folded paper inside was signed Banks and across the paper was the same scrawl on the front. Certain words caught her eye on quick inspection and she hurriedly folded the paper and tucked it away in her pocket. She would have to read it fully later.
"Thank you. Tell him I'll be there," she told the silent man. He nodded and left. She continued walking like nothing happened.
"Who was that?" Daniel asked.
"A messenger," she responded curtly.
"From?" he continued to question.
"It isn't anything you should worry about John Doe," she replied, giving him a light smile. He nodded but kept looking at the pocket she hid the letter in. Carolyn quickly showed him the best spots, diners, and hang out sites and then they settled for something to eat. The town was too small for them to take too long looking around and they both were dying for some food. On their way out, they made the mistake of crossing paths with Billy Nolan. Their talk focused heavily on why so many parents seemed to hate the music their kids listened to that they didn't notice until Daniel crashed into him.
"Watch it Levine," the older boy sneered, shoving Daniel back by the shoulders. He winced and held a hand to his injury. Carolyn could practically smell the blood running fresh. Her temper flared and she moved forward without a second thought.
"Watch yourself Nolan," she growled, shoving the older guy back. He stumbled in surprise at the strength she displayed but managed to catch himself.
"Why you-" he ground out.
"Call her a name and I swear I'll pound your face in," Daniel stated fiercely, his lip lifting in a way that reminded Carolyn of a dog baring its teeth in a fight.
"You don't seem to be in any condition to put out threats Levine so I suggest you back off," Billy advised, stepping up to stare down Daniel. Tension sparked between them before Daniel swiftly closed the space between them and sank his fist in Billy's stomach. He doubled over and grabbed his pained torso.
"Get lost," Daniel demanded, pointing over his shoulder sharply with his thumb. Billy coughed and complied, hurrying to put distance between them.
"There, that should keep him away for a while," he said with a grin. Carolyn smiled, shaking her head at the idiocy of it all but glad she wasn't the one to have to send the jerk running. They walked on down the street. Carolyn looked to Daniel. He was looking ahead with his hands in his pockets. He had a content smile on his face.
"You should be getting picked up some time soon right?" she questioned him. He nodded.
"Let's go sit out by the docks then. I like watching the water," she suggested. He reached out and took her hand in his and she led him out towards the water. They sat with their legs dangling off the dock, barely skimming the water with their shoes. Carolyn leaned back on her arms and Daniel followed; his hand landing on top of hers. She looked at him to see he was staring back sheepishly.
"Uh, sorry," he apologized, moving to shift his hand away but she shook her head and he relaxed.
"It's ok," she assured him. The nervousness in his expression lessened.
"We should do this again tomorrow," he suggested, looking out at the slowly darkening sky.
"I can't," she replied, her smile faltering. He looked at her, brows creasing.
"Why?" he asked.
"It has to do with that letter. I'm going to visit a family friend. I haven't seen him in a while and it's important to me that I do," she answered carefully.
"Hope you get to then. As for me, I think I'll sleep all day. A good rest should help me heal faster right?" he said, his tone lightening up from his previous curiosity laden one.
"Yeah, get some sleep," she told him, slipping her hand out from under his to get up. A car engine drawing close made her turn to see the Levine's car.
"And here's your ride home," she stated. He chuckled and stood.
"See you later then Carolyn," he told her, reaching up to shyly tuck a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. His hand drifted down her cheek to rest on her shoulder where it weighed heavily on the cuts underneath. She smiled through the agitated injury and he returned it.
"See you," she replied. He nodded and then turned to go. She watched him walk down the wooden dock and up to the car waiting for him. He looked back once and waved before getting in. Carolyn watched the car drive off and then let out a sigh. Her hand rubbed the cuts gently as she set off for home. The first thing she did the minute she stepped in the door was take out the note Banks had given her. She was already excited to know his name. She sat on the couch in front of the fire and began to read.
'Dear Carolyn,
Seeing you again has made me realize that my choice to stay was a good one. I wanted to send this letter along with my assistant to tell you where I'm staying. There is a small hotel at the edge of town by The Blue Whale. My room number is B6. Bring your family if you must. I want them to know I'll be watching over you just as much as they are. I made you what you are and I should take responsibility. Let's meet tomorrow around seven. Hope you can make it.
Sincerely,
Banks'
She looked up from the letter, smiling at the turn of events, but it quickly fell when Barnabas suddenly leaned over her shoulder with a calculating hand on his chin.
