Blood Moon

Blood Moon

Chapter 8: Backfire

Eva blinked for a moment, caught off guard for a second. She quickly recovered, laughing lightly and punching his shoulder. "Had me there for a second, man. Vampires," she scoffed and took another sip of her beer, "As if."

"Don't play stupid, William knew you'd be here," Alex took a gulp of his beer and flicked his eyes towards the table where he'd been sitting before. Sure enough, the older man was keeping an eye on them while speaking with the young pack at the same time. Eva cleared her throat and glanced around again for Elaine. Still nothing.

"Vampires don't exist, so I don't know what you're on but I think it's time I left," Eva went to stand up, but the pup quickly grabbed her arm and jerked her back down. She glared at him, but he shook his head slightly.

"You leave, he'll know I told you and your little plan goes out the door with us," he said calmly, gesturing at her drink as he took another gulp. His hand had returned to his own space, but Eva could still feel the sharp pressure of where his unusually hot hand had gripped her.

"I don't know what you're planning on doing, but I'm warning you to let me go," Eva growled and clenched her hands into fists in her lap. She figured playing innocent was through, and flashed her fangs at him in a short hiss.

Alex laughed at her, flashing his white teeth and fangs of his own. Smaller than a vampire's, his were just as deadly, and they weren't a wolf's only defense. When needed, they sprouted claws too, and if really threatened, they changed into their more animal forms. "You know not to attack me in the open like this," he teased, "besides, why attack someone who's helping you?"

"And how are you helping me?" she scoffed, glancing at Victoria, who was still dancing away with the other pup. Once again, she couldn't see Elaine.

"Well for starters," he took a sip of the half-gone beer, "I told you."

Eva looked back at Alex and glared. "Why did you tell me then?"

"Because you're not the average vampire," he grinned as he motioned out towards the scene of Victoria and the other pup, adding, "and your friends are. Also, I told you this before. I like you."

"Wolves don't like vampires," she snarled, "What're you planning on doing? Killing the vampires here? Good luck." She moved to stand again, but Alex jerked her back down quickly as before, glancing at William's direction.

"We're just making sure we get in safely," he smiled. "Your friends have been killing us off for long enough, so William decided to take a defensive step finally."

"Oh please. We never kill wolves, and William knows it," Eva scoffed and glanced back at Victoria to warn her. She was too busy working though, and didn't even notice Eva's glare.

"Maybe not your family personally, but it's still happening. Lia makes sure of it," Alex glanced at the crowd, "Who do you keep looking for? Backup, maybe?"

"I'm only keeping an eye on Victoria, seeing as how you pups are planning on killing us before the night's out," Eva hissed. Elaine was still nowhere in sight.

"I never said we'd kill you," he said softly, making her turn to face him again. He was watching William's table again, almost waiting for something. After a moment, he seemed to see what he was looking for and stood up. "You'd do well to follow me," he suggested then grabbed her arm and began leading her through the crowd, keeping taller people between them and William's line of sight.

"Like hell I'm gonna let you lead me to my own execution," Eva growled and tried to snap her hand back, but his grip was stronger for the moment. As he led her through the large room, she tried to see Victoria or the others, but Alex jerked her around too fast for her too see much other than the bodies around them.

They practically ran through a small black door and found themselves outside. Alex didn't stop, however, but he kept going further, heading for the denser forest not far behind the building. He dragged her into a run and they sped a few miles before stopping in a clearing. Eva took the break to jerk her hand back, pushing him away at the same time. She turned to run back, but he grabbed her arm again, gripping harder this time.

She whipped her head around and said softly and dangerously: "Let. Me. Go."

"Would you stop trying to run back there if I swore and oath not to harm you in any way?" he glared back, his grip on her arm not flinching.

"Still leaves plenty of chances for your buddies who're probably just waiting beyond my vision," she spat, pulling at her arm, but was unable to budge it from his grip.

"God, you're stupid. I swear on my life that no harm will come to you while I still stand here with you," he promised softly. Eva continued to glare scathingly at him for a long silence, and then he loosened his hold slightly. When she didn't immediately try to run, he released her, sighing.

"You have ten seconds to explain yourself before I kick your sorry ass and run," she hissed, not blinking as she glared harder at him.

"I just helped you, if you're too wrapped in your own ignorance to notice. I brought you here for a reason, so just shut up and listen," he growled back. When she didn't answer, he continued, "Now if your fellow bloodsuckers don't attack a pup, they'll be fine too. All William wants is a guarantee of safety for his offspring. When your coven notices that you're gone, they'll leave too, and they'll be safe. I just saved your family."

"Excuse me if I don't cry out in relief," Eva snarled, "but I doubt you did this for free. Besides, who knows if William didn't put you up to this just to reduce the number of vampires he'll have to face?"

"Wolves aren't as aggressive as you think; you stupid vampire," Alex huffed and straightened, "and I'm asking nothing of you, except to leave the incoming pups alone from now on. I'm sick of the blood spilled on both sides, as I'm sure you are too."

"We don't kill pups, what part of that didn't you understand!" Eva yelled and a few nearby sleeping birds startled awake and flew across the space between them.

"Bullshit! I've seen bodies come back that couldn't have died other than a vampire attack. A cruel, vicious, heartless vampire attack!" he screamed back. Eva was about to scream back, but froze when she felt a presence in her mind.

Where the hell are you? Elaine said, Elizabeth's having us look for you, but you're nowhere near the club!

Elaine, go into the forest from behind the club, heading east. We're in a clearing.

We?

Just get here. Fast.

End Chapter