Star's Notes: Revamped and Repost 10/16
Thank you xxCarpeNotemxx
Disclaimer: I do not own Mercy Thompson series.
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Runaway Coyote:
Let's Talk? Or Not!
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Life just wouldn't give me a break. After an agonizing week, I been working my ass off trying to do what I can for the guys and the first time I need them, they bail on me.
Traitors
Instead of sticking around, they leave me with Adam - the last guy I want to be alone with - in a small room. The room felt stuffy, hot, and tense because of Adam's wolf, who would become angry whenever I would flinch at his gaze. I guess it was something subconscious, the same thing that got me here.
Every time that happened, Adam had to turn away and tried to calm the wolf. This only prolonging what was to come, driving me crazy. My fingers would unexpectedly twitch at sightless noise, anticipating the worst. My instincts were on high alert, urging me to run. I was uncertain if it was to run to him or from him.
That didn't matter because I was too stubborn to go to him or flee. I had made my choice and I would not be intimidated by a big alpha werewolf. Damn it all, the only thing I wanted to do now was shift and disappear from here, forgetting about Jake and Adam.
I wouldn't leave so now I had to suck it up and wait for him to speak. The tension in the room lessened as he gained control of his wolf. I could feel his eyes on me just as quick. Surprisingly, I didn't flinch this time. Even now, I didn't dare look as his face knowing full well his usual brown eyes had a tint of gold.
"What in the world has gotten into your head Mercy? Leaving and then intentionally putting yourself in danger?"
I narrowed my eyes at him, irritated by his words. I knew what I done was reckless. Fairy drink or not, it had been my choice and I'll be damned if I let him lecture me about it. I did what I did and I was going to live with my decision. "What was I thinking? It's more than a little obvious what I was thinking at that moment. This doesn't change anything. Your words can't turn back time."
His fist slammed against the kitchen counter. I winced at the faint sound of cracking.
Careful Mercy, measure your words.
"Don't, Mercy. That's not going to get you out of this. Do you know how long I have been looking for you? Do you have the slightest idea how I felt? Did you even think of Jesse? Did you consider my claim Mercy or did you just run off the second I disappeared? You're my mate!"
Lowering my head, I glared at the floor grimacing at his words. He was right, for the most part. It had been a rush decision. I hadn't given myself time to think of anyone. Just the fact that I had to get away. Everything I had done was surrounded on that thought - the need to escape, the need to disappear, the need to start over. I never stop to consider anything or anyone.
"I don't need you to protect me!" I retorted back. I never needed Adam before. I had always been a very independent person, never needing anyone to take care of me. So why now, when I needed to prove to myself I was strong, did I find myself wanting to cling to him for help?
"Its not-" The phone rang cutting off Adam's words. Irritated, he answered with a scruff greeting.
"We found it" Warren answered. I could make a faint sound of screeching coming from the phone. He continued hastily "Were at the corner of Howard Street and 6th, by and old rundown apartment building."
Hearing Warren tell Adam the location of the crew's hide out made my blood run cold. Even though part of me somehow already knew it would be there, it didn't stop me from being surprised or to suddenly feel a wave of panic hit me as I found myself concerned over the thought of losing the kids I have grown to love these past months. I was already making my way to the front door when Adam had turned off the phone.
Snatching up the car keys from the table, I only managed to open the front door before having it slammed shut by Adam. Irritated I glared up at him to meet golden eyes and quickly my eyes darted down, the wolf was back.
"Please Adam, you can growl, scowl at me, whatever you want on the way there or stay. But I don't have time for this I am going."
My words seemed to bring reason to Adam as he yanked the door open, grunting. I thanked god for that. I feared for the worst. Not wasting another minute, I dashed off to the Rabbit silently praying the gang to be alright.
xXx
It really didn't take long to find the right place. After all, you can't miss people running away from trouble screaming bloody murder. Even before we had arrived at our destination, we could already see the destruction and chaos cause by the creature. Taking a left hand turn, I was caught off guard as the creature came into view. I shivered at the sight of it. It's body seemed to be releasing some sort of cloud that resembled smog.
It's attention was quickly drawn away from the pack and onto me as the Rabbit came into the creature's view. Fangs flashing at me, his crimson eyes locked onto mine. Without a warning, it launched itself at the Rabbit. Snapping out of my trance, I quickly swirled to the right in an effort to avoiding being hit. My attention was quickly drawn away by the sound of the door slamming shut.
Looking to the passenger side, I almost groaned at the sight of the empty seat. Adam was missing. I brought the car to a sudden halt and for a split second, I found myself on two wheels then back on four. Grabbing a hidden gun under my seat, I rushed out of the car in haste my eyes glued to the building.
Scorch marks littered the windows. Many of them were broken and part of the building was coming down. I could feel the panic starting to bubble up inside me. Before I could contemplate what I should do, I found my body moving on its own almost instinctively towards the entrance of the building.
Rushing by the pack and almost passed the creature, I was brought to a halt as it knocked me down, slamming my body against the pavement. I stared up at it. In response, it roared at me. I took this distraction as an opportunity to roll over dodging any further attacks.
I scurried back, trying to regain my balance. Looking up at the creature, I saw Adam collide against it, sending it crashing into the building. A part of the structure collapsed on it forming a cloud of dust and I shielded my face.
Before the dust could settle, the sound of the creature's roar filled the air. I stood shakily and my eyes darted around me trying to pin point its location. I flipped back at the sudden motion of air landing a few feet away from where I stood.
Looking back, I saw crimson eyes boring into me and fear filled me. Gulping down the fear, I glared at it, raised my hand and aimed at its head. Part of me hoped that this would cause it to retreat, while the other was ready to fight if it did not. This only cause it to snarl at me, displeased and infuriated by my actions.
With jaws extended, it stalked up to me and I stood my ground, waiting for it to be close enough to fire. I knew there was a silver bullet in one of the pistol's chambers but the problem was would I have enough time to fire that bullet?
One
Two
Three
Bang!
I shot at it once, twice and trice the bullets had no effect on it. Instead, they were absorbed into its body. Terror filled me and I stepped back, almost stumbling over. I prayed silently in my mind as I shot it once more. What happened next was not what I expected. Unlike the bullets before, this bullet had managed to penetrate through its head and just as quickly, its body burst into flames, the ashes of it raining down on the scene.
Thank God
Relief washed over me in a torrent. I had been lucky this time around but luck doesn't last forever. Just acknowledging that very thought made my knees grow weak. Slumping down, I stared motionless at the spot that had once been occupied by the creature. I was dumfounded by my good fortune.
Blinking I found my eyes wondering up, watching the ashes cascade around me. Taking deep breaths, I snapped myself out of my daze. Forcing my legs to work, I pushed myself up and staggered to the building. A strong hand grasped my arm, jerking me back before I could enter the crumbling building.
Glancing back, I met Adam's golden eyes, boring into me. My own eyes automatically fell to his lips, swaying slightly from the alpha magic that flowed out of him. Tugging at my arm and panicked at the thought, he noticed my reaction releasing my arm tentatively. All I could do was reprimand myself for looking at him.
Looming over me, he spoke. Anger flowed out of him, his voice strong but neutral as he tried to hold that anger. "Mercy what is wrong with you? Do you have a death wish? Rushing into danger like that. You could have been killed. Is the thought of being with me so damned scary that you'd want to kill yourself?"
Anger filled me making me forget about what had occurred. Brushing away my fear, I looked back at him. My own magic rose and push against his.
"Conceited much, Adam? This has nothing to do with you! Not a damn thing. It might surprise you but my world doesn't revolve around you. I wasn't rushing into danger. I was saving your butt. Do I have to remind you that I don't need you to protect me? I survived just fine without you in the past five months. I was fine before I met you. I never needed you then. What makes you think I need you now?"
"You need me, Mercy. No matter what you do, you'll always need me. We are part of each other Mercy." Adam's words were soft and I knew his words spoke truth and he knew that.
"I don't have time for this, Adam. If you're done, I have to look for my gang." I emphasized strongly on the word mine.
"No, not this time, Mercy. I told you before that no matter where you went, I would find you and bring you back. I meant every word. You're not going to brush me aside like nothing. We need to talk."
"About what, Adam? You left, then I left. It's that simple."
Growling, Adam hauled me to the wall. "It's not that simple, Mercy. You know it. I know it. Now, if you could just shut up and listen to what I have to say, then everything would be better. I love you Mercy. I have loved you for too long now and I am not going to give you up that easily. I know why you left, Mercy and I don't care about that. What I want to know is what's keeping you away?"
I was speechless as his words. I did not expect to hear Adam admit something like that. I guess, for the most part, I kept fooling myself that all we ever had was a sexual attraction. I never stopped to think of what Adam felt or let him know. I had only been thinking of what I had done and what I felt. I was being unfair. Even though I couldn't answer his question, part of me wouldn't let allow me to tell him what I felt.
Shoving him back, he allowed me to fix my shirt and continue on my way. Funny, part of me expected for him to not let me down till I answered him. 'Expect the unexpected' seemed to be the right thing to expect right about now.
I almost groaned as I noticed the pack watching me, judging me. Oh god. I hated that it made me feel like I was child again back in Aspen Creek. Glaring at them, I shuffled into the building trying to avoid debris falling from the ceiling.
The sight of broken walls, torn pictures and scorch marks made my heart break. I had spent most of my time here with the crew and to see it all destroyed made me want to cry out in pain. It took me a while to reach the underground floor that had been designated for safety. After all, an old well built bomb shelter is the best place to hide.
What I saw caused me to close my eyes and swallow the sudden need to cry, my throat constricted in protest to this making it difficult to breath. The room was empty. No one was there and everything had been knocked over and destroyed.
I sniffed, moving around the room trying to catch a trail but just as quickly broke out into coughs. The room reeked strongly of anger and hatred. I tried once more but the only scent I could make out was the lingering trace of fear that gave me a bad aftertaste.
The sting of realization that I was too late hit me at full force. The tears I had work so hard to keep back were now flowing freely down my cheeks. My legs buckled beneath me. The stone floor was cold to my touch. The feeling was drowned by the numbness that seemed to over take me. The pain of losing the gang was immense. Even then, I refused to cry out. Instead I laid there waiting for my grief to subside.
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Star's End Notes: Small changes make a huge difference.
