Clare

"Really? Because nobody came to inform me of that. You know what I think… I think you just wanted to stay home and fuck your boyfriend for two weeks. You snooze you lose! Now get your stuff and get out!"

"Corey I'm the best fucking writer you have! You are going to regret this!"

"Hate to break it to you but you ain't all that great sweetheart… Get out of my office before I call security."

I ripped the phone out of the socket. Corey looked scared. I chunked it against the wall and I began throwing things not even noticed that my claws were out until a horrible pain hit me. Am I changing right here in his office? Before I could react Eli waltzed in and walked me out. I was breathing heavily and growling…though in a human way. I wanted to rip Corey apart.

"Clare calm down."

"He fired me!"

"It happens. You don't really need the job."

"I liked that job!"

"I command you to calm down."

At first I ignored his command then suddenly a pain shot through my head and ears like no other I've ever felt before and I started having a nosebleed. So that's what happens when you don't obey the alpha's orders… We got into the car and he sat there for a few minutes while I stopped my nose from bleeding.

"I didn't mean to give you a command but you were about to change…people could have been hurt."

"I understand. I was just so mad."

"Don't sweat it. You can help me around the shop."

"Okay… I'll work in the shop but I'm a writer. It's what I do. What am I going to do now?"

"Write…you've wanted to work on a book."

"I'm not that good."

"Clare, I've read every single thing you've written in the past five years. You can pull it off. Why don't you start today?"

Eli's idea wasn't a bad one. He took me home and kissed me goodbye before going back to the costume shop. I changed out of my office attire and into some jeans and a hoodie. No need for a pencil skirt with heels anymore.

I planted myself at the laptop for a few minutes before figuring out that I didn't have any inspiration to write at the moment so I decided to go and visit Alli who seemed all better from the big show down. I was worried about her. I went to her boutique. She was hanging up clothes.

"Clare! What brings you over to the other side of town?"

"I was fired from the paper today."

"Oh honey I'm sorry…Another rule about being a supe… it's best to run your own business. No set hours."

"Yeah thanks for letting me know that."

"Plus…this gives you more time to plan the wedding and then you can just stay home with the baby."

"Alli he hasn't even asked me to marry him yet."

"It's coming… I know it. I feel it. Even if he doesn't there's still the baby."

"But I don't wanna just stay at home with the baby. I want to do stuff and bring in bacon… I don't want to be a housewife. Eli did offer for me to work at the store."

"Well there you go. That should be interesting. I can't even imagine what kind of freaks you get on a daily basis."

"Yeah… I know that part I just… I guess this is just going to be different."

"Well your first full moon is coming up in a couple days. That's exciting right?"

"Yeah… Oh and Eli commanded me today!"

"What? I can't believe he actually commanded you! Who does that mutt think he is? Um…no offense to you Clare."

"It was my fault. I was about to change and attack Corey and I didn't even know it. He commanded me to calm down, I didn't listen and it felt like I was dying!"

"I've heard horror stories… Well at least he isn't totally controlling. I just hope the power doesn't eat his brain."

"He's not that type."

"I know…."

After chatting for a couple hours with my best friend and drilling her on her supernatural abilities I went home. I'm so glad I can call this place home again…. I went into one of the spare bedrooms and I imagined it painted in blue and fitted with a cradle. It then hit me that I was going to be a mom. A werewolf mom. How will I take care of a newborn when I'm one myself? Why can't I transport yet!

I went to the shop because I had nothing better to do. When I got there Eli was making a guy look like a werewolf. I wonder if I should be flattered or offended. I watched him put the finishing touches on the guy and then I made my presence known…well at least I would have if he didn't beat me to the punch.

"Clare when are you going to say hello?"

"I didn't want to disturb you."

"What do you think?"

"He's… scary alright."

"Thanks."

After the guy paid and left it was just Eli and me. I lifted myself up and made a seat on the counter. At first he didn't allow me to do it but over the years he's learned to shut up about it… the counter even has my butt print grooved into it. Kind of like a favorite chair.

"Eli…"

"What is it?"

"The full moon is coming and I still can't transport!"

"You really want to learn to do it huh?"

"Yes!... Pleeeeeeeeaaassseee!"

He chuckled deviously before disappearing. I looked around and there was no sign of him then all of a sudden he tapped me on the shoulder. How does he do that?

"Eli come on! Teach me!"

"Okay okay. Be still… be quiet and just imagine yourself going there."

"Okay…"

"Be quiet! Now once you start concentrating on the place… it's going to feel like half of you is missing… the first time you are going to go slowly…. Just don't look down."

I opened my eyes and I looked down. My hands were gone! I started panicking.

"Eli where are my hands!"

"Clare… now you have to start all over again. Your hands were going where you were trying to go. Where was that?"

"Behind you."

"Oh… Well try again."

I concentrated on the place and I envisioned myself being there. I started to have that phantom-y feeling again but I didn't open my eyes and I didn't panic. I just let it flow. All of the sudden Eli was tapping me on the shoulder.

"What?"

"You did it…"

I squealed and jumped in place. I did it! I decided to challenge myself a little more so I envisioned going to the supply closet… I concentrated, felt like I was half a person and suddenly I was there. Only one thing I forgot…Eli locks the supply closet so I had to really calm down to get myself out. When I did Eli was standing right there by the door with a crooked smirk on his face.

"You are really enjoying this aren't you?"

"Yes! It's fun!"

What started off as fun turned into something else really quick. Eli looked down at me and his eyes flickered in a weird way. All of the sudden my feet were off the ground and I was being carried into Eli's office. He kicked the door shut behind him. My shirt was the first thing to go. He pulled it off roughly tossing it behind him. Next was my bra. He bit right through the straps. I guess I can always get a new one. I didn't notice but I was doing a number on his shirt…ripping it right off his back. This is new. He kissed my neck and lips passionately and aggressively. He also allowed himself the freedom to be animalistic…he growled and I growled in response. Next to go were my jeans. He yanked them off along with my panties. He pulled out his hardness and he pushed into me roughly… it was a new and enjoyable sensation. He lifted me up from the desk and held me while I grinded my hips against his thrusting erection. Soon the growling gave way to something more human… moaning. The closer I got the more intense the feeling of impending bliss seemed to get until finally I was immersed in it. Eli followed suite seconds later and we lay across his desk.

When I got back to myself I realized that my thighs were bleedings slightly… and Eli's back was bleeding too.

"What happened to us?"

"Love marks… It happens during sex."

"Oh…"

"They'll be gone in a few minutes. I can't believe you growled at me."

"You growled at me first…We'll settle this later. I think you have a customer."

"Shit!"

I was funny to see him get dressed in such a hurry and run to the front all out of order. I got dressed in everything except my totally destroyed bra and I went to tend to the other customer who'd walked in… which happened to be Adam.

"Adam, what's up?"

"Nothing… oh my god you two just had a total fuck fest in this place."

"Shhh… keep your voice down and it was not a fest it only happened once!"

"Sure, tell me any old lie."

"Adam is there something in particular you need today?"

"I came by to invite you two to dinner tonight. Fiona is cooking."

"She ea…"

"Yes she eats… the uh other stuff is only half her nourishment."

"Ohhh…. Well we'll be there."

Eli

Today with Clare was amazing. I haven't let myself go completely in that way since Julia. I'm just so glad I didn't lose Clare to that hunter like I did Julia. I don't think I could have pressed on had she died that night.

After we cleaned up and closed down the shop we went back to our place where we got ready to go have dinner with Adam and Fiona. Vampire and Werewolf relations have gotten better since the battle but we still bicker. I guess it's just in our nature to pick fun at each other and be total asses about it.

After we changed we went to the Coyne castle…though it's not actually a castle it could be because it's so massive. The man at the gate let us in and we went to the door with the wine Clare made me stop and pick up. Fiona answered and greeted Clare. I got a cold smirk as always.

"Fiona, you're looking kind of pale…"

"Eli you're kind of hairy lately…"

"Alright guys that's enough… Eli be nice."

"Yeah Fi… be nice to my friend."

"Adam he started it."

"She didn't say hi Adam… my feelings were hurt."

"Hello Eli."

"Hi Fiona."

After Clare and Adam made us promise to get along we went into the dining room. I must admit the food smelled good. Once everybody was situated we started eating.

"So Eli… When are you going to pop the question to Clare?'

"Fiona! Don't pressure him!"

"Dude I'm with Fiona on this…it's been five years and she's pregnant… That's like automatic grounds for proposal."

"How do you guys know I haven't already proposed to Clare?"

"Because she would have told me."

"Well fine… how about… you know what? I will propose to her when I get ready."

"Fine… but don't be all surprised when another guy comes and sweeps her off her feet."

"Fiona, Eli please… can we enjoy this nice not burned…incredibly tender steak that Fiona has prepared and just be pleasant to each other?"

"Okay."

The vampire does have a point. I should be asking Clare to marry me. I guess the thought just never occurred to me since we already live like we are married… That little official slip of paper would be nice though. Then that would tell the world that she was legally with me. I have some thinking to do. I probably need to consult the relationship guru.

After the dinner and a few laughs we went back home where Clare was dead on her feet. Today has been rough on her. I know she really loved that job. I made sure she was tucked in and cozy before I went to the radio station to consult Bullfrog. He was on the air but as soon as it went to commercial he signaled for me to come on in.

"What's up son?"

"Dad… I think Clare's getting itchy… at least her friends and Adam are getting itchy for her."

"What do you mean because this sounds kind of freaky."

"I mean… Should I propose?"

"Oh… that! Yeah of course you should propose. I married your mom straight out of high school… We were on our honeymoon in some rat trap couple's hotel with magic fingers in the beds when she went into labor with you."

"How come I've never heard this story?"

"I don't know…"

"How was the labor and delivery?"

"Quick and easy… except you did had a big head… Oh we're going back on the air."

"Oh okay. Thanks dad…see you later."

"Okay…"

He started the show back up and I left out with a mission. I know what I have to do now but I don't like having to do this. I called Declan.

"Hello?"

"Declan this is Eli."

"Eli… what's up?"

"I need a favor."

"I'm listening…."

"Could you open your shop for a few minutes tonight? I need to do some late night shopping."

"Looking for a ring? I heard Fiona and Adam socked it to you."

"Yes… A ring."

"Great. I'll be there in ten."

Declan's car was outside when I arrived. I knocked on the door and he buzzed me in. I started looking at all the rings… gold, platinum, silver, rose gold, white gold… The one that struck me was a ring with a platinum band and a solitaire diamond… It was classic and beautiful just like Clare.

"This is the one."

"Nice choice…four thousand… Plus taxes and a random hours fee… I'll say you're looking at 4300."

"You're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Eli just remember… It's for Clare."

"Fine. Wait, I don't even know her ring size."

"It's 8."

"How do you know?"

"Fiona measured…Would you like it gift wrapped or will the velvet box simply do?"

"The box will be fine."

I reluctantly handed Declan my card and he rung me up with a cheesy smile plastered on his face. Now I have a ring but I have to decide how I'm going to give it to her… It has to be special and thoughtful…not too cliché but not too off the wall. Now I have to plan but maybe it can wait until after the full moon. I always get my best ideas on the day after the shift.

So no battles in this chapter just some comedy and lemon… What'd you guys think? Suggestions, questions? Review please and thanks for reading!