Oh my pretties! You're so smart :)
This is rated T for language for now but that could change in later chapters. I haven't decided yet.
I don't own anything Twilight. SM owns it all, I'm just messing around! I hope you enjoy it.
My fox has this man's eyes. Sage green. This man's fox has my eyes. That has to mean something.
Oh crap
He's walking toward me. Naked.
I squeaked and backed up a step.
"My name is Troy Sauk. My tribe call me Pahoja for the color of my spirit animal. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner."
His voice was a smooth light bass. It caused gooseflesh to rise on my arms and I furiously rubbed them away.
"Why have you been following me? You...you've seen me naked! Several times!" I pointed my finger at his face from where I stood at the counter, frowning.
His large hands gestured toward himself. "Am I wearing clothes right now?" His sensuous lips pulled up crookedly. I tried like hell to keep my eyes on his.
"I hope your ass is clean mister or you're buying me a new couch." I griped.
Spinning on my heel I ran outside, tossing my shirt over my head, pushing my bottoms down, and shifted to Nidawi. I was angry and I wanted to cry. It was easy to be cocky when I wasn't sure my fox was a shifter but to have it proven so...blatantly. Shifting on my couch and scaring the crap out of me. I ran. I sprinted through the brush behind my house and I flew to Loess. I needed to think and I couldn't do that with Mr. Hunka Hunka in my livingroom.
Bright red and mahogany fur collided with charcoal and cream as Pahoja tackled me to the forest floor. We rolled together, folded into each other and now that I knew he was really a man and not a wild animal, it felt much more intimate. I growled and bared my teeth at him before shoving off the ground and sprinting away again. This time I ran toward home. If he stays fox, I'll go home and lock him out. I'll take a bath. I'll think.
Pahoja was right on my tail, literally. He snapped his jaws, thankfully only catching the fluff of my fur and halted me so fast that my paws lifted mid-sprint and I fell flat on my belly. He scrambled over me and locked his teeth around the scruff of my neck.
Fuck.
I felt my body go limp of it's own volition. His growl reverberated through me and he kept his teeth clamped on my scruff. It didn't hurt, but if I didn't stay limp and submissive, this could get ugly fast. I felt him shift above me and take his mouth away from my neck. I stayed low on my belly, panting.
"Shift." He ordered.
I didn't want to shift. He was naked. If I shifted...Well, you get the point. That scared the crap out of me.
He growled roughly. "Shift!"
I whimpered then shifted to my human skin. Tears flooded my eyes and I blinked to keep them in. Troy moved from above my body but I stayed on my stomach, hiding my front from view. I closed my eyes.
I felt his hand skim across my shoulders softly.
"I hope I didn't hurt you. We have a lot to talk about. You cannot run from this." His soft spoken voice was tender.
Keeping my eyes closed, prone as I was on the ground, a whimper escaped my lips. What do I say to this man?
"Come. Let's go back inside and redress. We can speak there comfortably."
Without saying a word, I shifted back to Nidawi and ran home. I was mortified. By my behavior and by his. I sprinted through my back door and straight to my small bedroom, nudging the door closed with my nose. Shifting back, I yanked on the closest clothing items to me. A pair of sweatpants and a long sleeved blue shirt. I used the bathroom and scrubbed water down my face before heading back to the livingroom to see a fully dressed Troy sitting on my couch with an easy grin.
"Where'd you find the clothes?"
"I kept a bag under a rock a half mile from here." He shrugged.
"How long have you been following me?" I asked, as I busied my hands making sandwiches for the both of us. I was starved so I was sure he was as well.
"I found you your first trip to Loess. I've been following you since. I'm sorry I didn't reveal myself immediately. I was curious." He seemed kind of shy admitting that.
Bringing the sandwiches over, I sat the plate on the couch between us and waved a hand toward the food in offering.
"Why didn't you just shift when Jasper was going to eat you?" I asked him as I lifted my food to my mouth. I was practically drooling I was so hungry.
Troy chewed thoughtfully, humming his appreciation for the food. Once his mouth was clear he said, "Well, I was about to, but when I met your eyes I was caught somewhere between fear for us both and morbid fascination wondering what you would do."
I gaped at him.
"So instead of shifting, you decided it would be a wise choice to wait and see if I saved your sorry hide?" I didn't mean to snap so harshly but I couldn't believe this man.
"What if I'd thought, 'Meh! I'll let the demon eat him.' and ran home to save myself?" I asked him incredulously.
"You didn't though." He pointed his second half eaten sandwich at my nose. "You have a good heart."
How could this man infuriate me and flatter me in the space of minutes?
"Oh for crying out loud. You're impossible." I said, taking a huge bite finishing off my first and only sandwich.
Troy chuckled at me. "Thank you. Who's Sam?"
I expected this so I answered slyly. "He's a really good guy." Letting my eyes glaze over as if I were day dreaming of my far away love. I inwardly snorted.
Troy stiffened a moment before scooping up the empty plate and standing. He walked over to the small sink in the kitchen and placed the plate in the basin.
"You love him then. He's your mate?" He asked gruffly.
Curious and not really wanting to push him away I asked innocently, "Mate?"
Troy faced me and leaned against the counter furthest from my place on the couch. His black hair flowed enticingly over his shoulders, loose. His posture was still stiff and his thick dark brows were furrowed.
"Yes, mate. Your life partner. Your other half." Still gruff and irritated.
"No. Sam's not my mate. I don't have a mate." I told him softly.
His muscles relaxed and he walked toward me, sitting on the couch in the middle instead of the other end where he'd been previously.
"There's a legend in my tribe. Our spirit animals are created to destroy vampires. We are small and cunning. Unexpected. Our scent has no discerning stench to warn them since we keep our human scent when we shift. We protect our tribe's men and women from the vampires that seek to destroy us. It is said that when our spirit animal finds his mate, she will have the color of his eyes. The same as she will have his. This eye color is only particular to the spirit animal." He stared into my eyes while he spoke soft and lilting. His words flowed through me and a shiver swept over my skin. I had partially pieced that together. I'd noticed the eye color thing...But mates?
Without thought, I blurted, "Like imprinting?"
"What is imprinting?" He asked with confusion on his face.
"Crap. Well, okay. Let me tell you my story, alright? If I don't do that first you'll just have more questions than answers." I sighed.
Troy nodded then hovered his hand over mine that I'd propped on my knee. I stared at his hand, wondering if he was waiting for an invitation or seeing if I'd run away or maybe yell at him again. I just stared. After a moment, he slowly lowered his hand to mine. He didn't lace our fingers, just sat his palm on the back of my hand.
Hmm. That felt nice.
I took a deep breath and told him of my beginning as Nidawi. The convulsions and confusion, how Sam got me to shift. Then I explained that Sam was from the Quileute tribe in Washington state and skimmed over the legend of the wolves. I barely knew much myself but I told Troy even less. Simply that their spirit animals were wolves, created for the same reason we were. I told him of how Sam trained me to attack vampires, defend myself against them and how to interact with the wild animals around me.
"I had to change schools and I didn't know why at the time. As you heard yesterday, it was because the demons attended. When I graduated high school, Sam and I started dating." Troy started to pull his hand off of mine but I grabbed it back and laced our fingers together. I didn't know if he was reacting out of jealousy or respect, thinking I was in a long commited relationship.
"We dated for two weeks when a beautiful woman from Neah Bay came down to visit her aunt and uncle in La Push. There was a bonfire that evening and I was there with Sam. When my friend Jake introduced Emily to us, Sam imprinted on her."
"There's that word again. What is it?" Troy asked. His fingers tightened around mine.
"Imprinting is finding your soul mate. Your other half." I explained to him the best I could. The gravity pull, he would be anything for her, yadda yadda yadda.
"That must have been difficult for you." He stated.
I shrugged. "Sure our relationship flopped out but we still have a very strong friendship. Emily's great too. She's perfect for Sam." I said earnestly.
"This was how you were able to make me shift for you. You knew didn't you?" He asked amused.
"I didn't know. Not for sure and definitely not until I called Sam. The thought never crossed my mind. You were simply my wild fox." I told him.
His sage eyes darkened and he leaned closer to me, letting his shoulder touch mine. "I am a wild fox." He whispered, waggling his eyebrows.
I burst out laughing. Full on belly laughs as I tossed my head to the back of the couch. Turning my amused eyes to him I countered with a big smile, "So am I."
Without warning, Troy leaned forward and captured my lips with his. I gasped and he took advantage, licking my bottom lip then touching his tongue to mine. His large hands caressed from my upper arms to my neck where he tangled them in my hair and pulled me closer to him. I twisted my upper body toward him and placed my hands on his biceps, feeling the muscles jump.
A thought flitted through my head and I giggled against his lips. Troy pulled back and raised an eyebrow.
"My kisses are funny?" His eyes held humor but I heard slight offense in his playful tone.
"Your kisses are wonderful." I said, placing another one to his luscious lips quickly. "I was just thinking, all my first kisses have been on couches. Don't ask why that amused me. I have no idea."
He schooled his features to look stern. "Just how many first kisses have you had, anyway?"
"Just two, including yours." I smiled.
I stood and held my hand out to him.
"Wanna go for a run?" He grabbed my hand and we went out to strip and shift. There was no point in being shy over our nakedness. He had seen me plenty and he didn't seem shy in the least.
We spent the rest of the evening running through Loess Hills playing with the wolf pack and a few actual wild foxes. The size difference was so obvious to me now, I am surprised at myself that I didn't realize sooner that Pahoja was a shifter.
Once we got back to my house, Pahoja licked and nuzzled my muzzle and took off into the night. I knew this wasn't the last I'd seen of him. We still had a lot to talk about. I assume he is Omaha Native but we hadn't delved into that yet.
I crawled under my comforter completely exhausted just as it started to rain and dreamed more of my gray fox.
Early the next morning, my stomach turned with dread. I had to meet Jasper today. I was really hoping he would come alone. I wasn't sure I could handle being surrounded by demons. Hopefully we could come to a decent boundary line agreement so that my wild friends and I could keep Loess Hills State Forest to ourselves. However, Loess was teeming with wildlife and if the demons really did only eat animals, I didn't hold much faith that a fair agreement - to me - would be reached.
After my shower I chose a light blue fitted scoop neck tee and matching short sweatshorts. I didn't bother with underwear or a bra and I left my feet bare since I was going to shift soon anyway. I sat at my kitchen counter on the couch's arm after pushing it close so I could have a seat while I worked. Opening my laptop and pulling up a map of the area, I checked out all the large wooded areas nearby to give myself some ground to stand on with the demons. After searching the map, I closed the laptop and scrounged up some breakfast.
Pahoja hadn't come around yet so I only made some toast with peanut butter for myself and settled in to wait a few hours. I read a few chapters of a book that didn't really hold my attention and then did the dishes and straightened up my bedroom. I'd been tossing my dirty laundry wherever I pleased and it was starting to accumulate. After tossing a load into the stackable washer in the small bathroom, I checked the time.
Sighing, I went outside, locked the door to the house and jogged barefoot the two miles down the road to the Fulton intersection. Stripping in the bushes, I shifted to Nidawi. I shook out my fur, grabbed my clothing in my jaws, then trotted on my toes off in the direction of the stream I'd bathed in two days prior. About halfway into my reluctant trot, Pahoja joined me, bumping into my side and nuzzling my cheek. I swiped at his head playfully with my paw and bounced circles around him. My mood lifted immeasurably now that he was next to me. His beautiful dark gray coat ruffled against mine as we trotted to our destination. He gave me strength. I didn't feel nearly as timid about this meeting now.
When the stream came into view, and I set my clothes down carefully, we both lifted our noses to the air. Scenting for the vampire we were meeting with. His shirt still hung on the branch so I knew we hadn't missed him. Perhaps we were early.
Pahoja must have had the same thought because suddenly he reared back on his hind legs and using his front paws, shoved me sideways into the stream. Popping my head out of the water, I unhinged my jaw and cried loudly at him. His ears flattened and I gave a foxy grin. He opened his mouth wide, screamed his own call and I ducked underwater quickly.
Holy crap
He's got a loud fox call!
He jumped into the stream with me and we jumped around each other playfully, swishing our tails in the water. An unlucky minnow or two got swallowed and ears got nipped as we flirted. Knowing he was a man made this playful time seem much different to me. I wonder how he felt since he knew I was a human from the start.
Sometime later we heard the ruckus of the demon headed our way. Pahoja and I slipped out of the stream and shook our fur out before sitting prettily on the hollowed out log my fox had used the other day. I was hoping it was only Jasper but my cone shaped ears picked up a second set of footsteps.
Man, these guys are loud! Aren't they supposed to be ultra silent to surprise their prey?
Slowing their steps, the two demons walked up to the stream with smiles on their faces.
"How'dya do ma'am." Jasper said, tipping his imaginary hat at me.
I gave a much quieter fox call than the first time I'd met him to greet him.
"Bella, this is my coven leader, or father for all intents and purposes. Carlisle Cullen." Jasper waved a hand towards Carlisle.
He was a tall golden blonde haired man with kind eyes and a wide smile. His pink lips stretched open showing minimal teeth, but they still sparkled dangerously and sent a chill up my spine. His pale demon skin almost glowed in the light under the thin cloud cover and I idly wondered what would happen if the sun shown fully. He wore a plain white tee shirt and dark jeans. He was barefoot. Jasper wore a black beater tank top and a pair of light blue jeans. He was also barefoot. I guessed none of us supernatural creatures needed shoes in the wilderness.
I hopped off my log and trotted over to my clothing, picking the bundle up and hiding behind a thick shrub near the stream. Shifting, I clothed myself and emerged to greet the demons. I petted Pahoja's head as I walked past him.
He shot me an irritated look and I stuck my tongue out at him.
When I looked back to the vampires they were smiling.
"Hello, Jasper. Dr. Cullen?" I asked.
Carlisle nodded. "Yes, please call me Carlisle. May I call you Bella?"
Nodding my own head, I sat back on the log next to Pahoja and he curled into me, lying his head on my lap.
"Who's your friend, Bella? I thought you were the only shifter." Jasper said somewhat accusingly.
I bristled slightly and said, "I thought I was. Until yesterday I did not know I was not alone." My tone was sharp. I didn't appreciate him insinuating that I was a liar.
Jasper's and Carlisle's eyes widened.
Carlisle stepped closer. "I apologize for Jasper's behavior, Bella. Please forgive us." Jasper rolled his eyes at his leader and snorted softly.
"How could you not know?" Jasper asked. Carlisle shot him a look which he ignored.
"I'm dense." Was all I said.
Pahoja snorted this time and rumbled what could have been a laugh.
Jasper smiled and folded himself onto the bracken by the stream. Carlisle followed suit.
"It's nice to meet you." I started, my tone much lighter than before. "I took the liberty of checking out the surrounding areas and was hoping we could come to an agreement of sorts."
"What kind of an agreement is that, Bella?" Carlisle asked. His face was open and he seemed as kind as his eyes portrayed. I hoped this would be easy.
"I am new to this town, I start a job just down the road in a little over a week. Loess Hills is literally in my backyard and I would like to be able to claim it as my territory." I told the vampires.
Jasper's eyes widened in disbelief but Carlisle remained passive.
"Carlisle, we live right on the F-Twenty. Loess is literally in our backyard." Jasper said, shooting me a look. I made a face at him.
Before Carlisle responded I said, "Can you not run at the speed of light? Surely you could hunt in Preparation Canyon State Park. These are my woods, my animals, my friends." I said pleadingly while I raked my fingers over Pahoja's fur. His chest rumbled in contentment.
Jasper's eyes softened when he realized this was about more than just territory. I wanted to protect my friends, wild or not. Besides, if I didn't know Pahoja was a shifter, surely there could be more in the area.
"Of course, dear. Preparation and Loess are similar in acerage. We will agree to that. I admire your heart. Acting as spokesperson for the wildlife shows your compassion." Carlisle told me. These creatures were so nice to me, it was hard to hate them. They definitely seemed a far cry from the Red Eyed demons I'd heard about.
"So who is your friend, Bella?" Jasper asked again, nicely.
"This is Pahoja. I caught him following me after I met with you." I said, my voice soft...almost loving.
"You really didn't know he was a shifter when you protected him from me?" He asked.
"No. Not at all. I figured you should be full after that deer and something told me I had to save him from the Demon God." I said matter-of-factly.
Carlisle laughed softly and said, "Yes, definitely full of compassion." Jasper nodded.
"We'd love to speak with you more, Bella. Can I talk you into coming to our home and meeting my family?" Carlisle asked. It was almost impossible to say no to him, I found.
I was apprehensive though. Would I have to go alone? I wasn't all that confident that these vampires wouldn't hurt me. Maybe not these two, but the others may.
"You've got nothing to worry about, darlin'. I wouldn't let anything happen to you." Jasper told me.
"Why? Why would you protect me if I needed it?" I asked him curiously. He had no reason as far as I could see.
"We don't hurt humans and shifter or not, you're human. Don't hurt us, we won't hurt you." He said simply. Strangely enough, I believed him.
"Could Pahoja come with me? I'm not comfortable going alone into the lion's den." I didn't want to offend them but I had to be careful. The stories of the Red Eyes kept circling in my head. Pahoja snuggled deeper into my lap and I caressed his large ears.
"Of course! He's welcome to come along. Is he your mate?" Carlisle asked.
I made a face and looked down. Was he my mate? I had a feeling we were destined, with the whole legend of our eye colors but there was no soul pulling mumbo jumbo. I was drawn to him but it wasn't infinite.
"I think so." I said softly to my lap which coincidently was also to Pahoja. He gave me a soft foxy grin, his whiskers tickling my thigh.
I'm still debating whether I should make this rated M. I kinda want to but I want your opinion first
Pahoja: Pah-ho-wah
The meaning will be explained later.
