It all seemed to happen in slow motion and all at once.
The sun fell below the horizon. A loud screeching echoed from the trees, as the full moon's rose in the night's sky. Henry was thrust between Graham, Will and Ruby as we transformed, the screeching setting us on alert.
Vampires came at us from the forest using their super-speeds, they flew down from the second balcony of the cabin, from all around. Where had they been hiding all of this time? Where had they come from? Who did they belong to?
Chaos ensued as the wolves as my pack were attacked and fought back. The human thralls scattered as wolves and vampires went at it, Regina threw herself into the fray, fire held in her hands.
I growled as I fell into my wolf-form, a vampire came at me, a blade outstretched in his arms. He was ready for a fight. He struck at me and I dodged, just barely, the metal singing through the air. I felt a ringing come off of the weapon. He came at me again, swinging the weapon in an arc, the weapon just making the slightest of contact across my foreleg. A burning sensation poured into the cut. I jumped back with a snarl and a howl. Silver, I realized.
I would need to stay away from the blade with everything I had.
I dived out of the way of the blade as the vampire struck at me again. I would not be defeated by something like silver. He swung and I felt a sting as a cut landed along my side. I snarled in response. A howl came from somewhere behind me. I could not be distracted. I zeroed in my focus.
I lunged at the vampire, avoiding a thrust from his silver sword. I went straight for where arm met torso on the inside of his sword arm with my teeth, tearing into his flesh. His sword fell with a clang! I growled as I held on and he attempted to claw at my fur, his nails sharpened, but futile in his attempts.
Teeth met teeth as I tore through his arm. I swept away from him. I tossed my head, releasing my jaw. It flew away, torn from its socket.
I surveyed the chaos. The vampire I had been fighting lay on the ground, groaning, holding his stump of an arm. Regina fought two vampires, wielding fire in her hands. Graham and Will fought off a group of vampires with Mulan at their backs. Where were Ruby and Henry?
A howl, the same one from before. Ruby, I realized. I looked for her. I found her with Henry, surrounded by at least five vampires. She was injured. She wasn't going to be able to handle them. We were too outnumbered.
A flash of light. The source, I would never have believed it if I had not seen it. Regina. She wielded it like a tiny beam of sunlight, streaming it from her hands toward the two vampires she faced, destroyed them with its intensity. How? She turned it on the vampires closest to her, the ones surrounding Graham, Will and Mulan, destroying two more before she collapsed in a heap. It must have worn her out to use such powerful magic. Magic a vampire should have been incapable of using.
Will, Mulan and Graham broke through the vampires that surrounded them. I rushed toward Ruby and Henry, but I wasn't fast enough. The vampires grabbed them. Henry howled, struggling. He really was a pup as I watched them grab him. A vampire taunted me, turning back to wave and smirk before using speed even I couldn't match to rush away with him. I chased after them, but it just wasn't enough. These ones were just too fast, and used jumps to get away.
I attempted to follow a scent but couldn't catch on one. I howled. I cried out, desperately. Henry. Henry. Ruby. They were taken. How could they be taken? How had this happened?!
My throat became raw and I stopped howling as it became harder and harder to push the sound out. I made my way back to the cabin, drinking water from a stream on the way. Will and Graham waited at the entrance as I approached.
Graham spoke up in wolf's speak as I approached, Regina is inside. The other human thralls caught a traitor. They're holding her as we speak.
Traitor? I wondered. Who could possibly betray us?
Just go inside and you'll see. Will remarked.
I nodded at him and made my way into the cabin. Mulan sat beside a high-backed chair. She leaned, wearily against the arm of the seat. Pale-olive fingers stroke absentmindedly through her dark fur. I padded over to the other side of the chair. The sight that met my eyes was not exactly what I was expecting.
Ariel kneeled between the other two human thralls Regina had brought along for the trip. Her red hair was a mess, a bruise was spreading across her cheekbone. One of the human thralls must have left it there when they were apprehending her.
Regina began to speak up from the seat beside me. I glanced at her. Her eyes were cold with rage. I felt my hackles want to raise, the hair on the back of my neck stood as I began to arch my back. My wolf instincts were catching up to me as my wolf responded to the feeling that my Alpha was distressed.
"Ariel. Of all the humans. I never thought you would betray me. Or could be capable. How? Why?" Regina questioned, a hard-edge to her voice.
The redhead merely bowed her head in response. I snarled. If Regina wanted answers she was going to get them, if I had to rip a limb from this imbecilic traitor of a human just to get those answers.
The light touch of Regina's fingers in my fur brought my attention to the vampiress. I looked to her. Her eyes held a look that told me to let her handle it. I whimpered, but dropped my head in acknowledgement. She had the voice right now, I should let her take the lead.
Regina returned her attention to the human girl kneeling before her.
"Look at me." Her voice had turned melodic. Ariel resisted, fought to keep her head down.
"Look at me." Regina insisted. This time, one of the human thralls forced her head up by pulling her head back, yanking on her hair. Ariel squeezed her eyes shut.
Regina stood. She towered over the human. Her voice grew more melodic, more dangerous.
"Open your eyes." She commanded in that tone.
Ariel gasped as she lost control, unable to fight the vampiric command.
Regina glared down into the redhead's eyes. She bore into her gaze.
"Now, you will tell me, how and why you have betrayed me when I have done so much for you, Ariel." She ordered.
Ariel's eyes watered. She struggled as if she fought to keep from speaking the words surfacing next, "He- he made me do it. I wanted to save him! To save my Erik! If I wanted him back safe, I had to do it! I didn't have a choice! I was forced to do it!"
Regina drew back. She eyed Ariel, like a predator watching prey. Her eyes were that dark red color.
"Who, Ariel?" She asked, her voice barely above an urgent whisper.
"Rumplestiltskin." Fell from Ariel's lips instantly.
Regina stepped back, as though she had been pushed. Ariel's eyes rolled back as she promptly fainted. A human thrall beside her bent down and felt her pulse.
"Mistress, she is alive, but just barely." The thrall told Regina, his voice lost in that hypnotized daze.
Regina nodded.
"Monitor her for the rest of the night. Take turns in shifts, you and Abby here. Put her in one of the cots down in one of the cells in the basement. We'll see to her tomorrow afternoon if she awakens." Regina directed the man. "Notify me immediately if she gets worse."
The human bowed his head. He and the other human woman maneuvered around to pick up Ariel from the floor. They lifted her and carried her from the room.
Regina breathed out a sigh. Her shoulders slumped in exhaustion. I whined. She turned to look at me.
"Oh, Emma…. What are we going to do?" She whispered, clearly distressed.
I glanced at Mulan. She bobbed her head. She understood my gesture. She turned away to leave as I padded my way over to the brunette. I butted my head against her hip. Regina ran fingers though my fur, seeking comfort.
I knew only one thing. I wasn't going to rest until I had Ruby and Henry back. No matter what I had to do.
Regina kneeled. Running her hands through my white fur. She wrapped her arms around me. I don't know why this seemed to affect her so much. Was it the stress? Was it the loss of Henry? Ruby? I knew why it bothered me. Perhaps it was the blood bond? I couldn't ask until I had my other form's voice.
I nuzzled against her shoulder as sunlight began to filter into the cabin. I felt my fur falling away, my bones jerking, crunching, aching and arching as I changed forms. I groaned as I felt my body adjust to its other side. My limbs, naked, human, not-quite-frail. Regina wrapped her arms tighter around me. Pulled me closer.
"Emma?" She murmured into my shoulder.
"Yes, Regina?" I whispered back.
"We will get them back, won't we?" Regina questioned me from around my shoulders.
"No matter what it takes." I told her softly, but determined in my words. Henry was mine. And Ruby was my packmate. I would have them back.
"Regina?" I whispered.
"Yes?" Regina answered.
"Ariel is probably not going to awaken for some time, if she does awaken, and… We should probably get some rest… We're going to have to come up with a plan." I sighed. I was exhausted. Regina nodded against my shoulder. The way she leaned her weight against me told me of her own exhaustion. I leaned back and pressed hands against the sides of her face.
Tears pooled at the edges of her chocolate eyes. Regina looked far more tired than I had ever seen her look. I pressed my lips to first one temple then the other. She closed her eyes as the tears ran.
"Regina?" I asked, softly. "What is it?"
Regina shook her head. She pressed her lips against mine.
"I'm just… So tired. Some magics do that to me." Regina told me, quietly. She swiped at her eyes.
"You mean like, light magic?" I wondered.
Regina nodded. She avoided my gaze. I reached out and ran fingers along her jaw, bringing her eyes back to meet my own.
"How?" I asked, I needed to know. "How can you, a vampire, use light magic?"
Regina shook her head.
"I-I'm not sure. Magic is emotion. It can be dark or light based on what drives it. Mine has been mostly light ever since I started the pack." She told me. "It's why I can use it to walk in the sun for periods of time, or wield it like I did tonight…."
I nodded. I understood. Perhaps it was the whole camaraderie within the pack, the sense of family, belonging that created that ability combined with the blood bond. It wasn't too much to wrap my head around, really.
I stood, abruptly, stretching.
"We need to rest, Regina." I told the vampiress. I held out my hand, palm outstretched.
Regina eyed my hand, she placed her hand in mine and stood. She leaned against me as we made our way upstairs and into her room within the cabin. I felt my heart pang as I caught the fading scent of Ruby as I passed her now empty room. We would begin the hunt soon.
Regina and fell into the bed without ceremony. We faced one another. I gazed into her eyes, caressing her face as she wrapped an arm around my waist. Slowly, we began to fall asleep as the sun rose in the sky. We would awake at dusk.
Later, that afternoon, I stretched to find the bed beside me empty. I sat up in alarm. After the events of last night, I was on high alert.
"Regina?" I called.
When no answer came, I felt my heart rate increase. I jumped out of bed and pulled on the robe I found laid out on the lounge that had to have been put there while we had been sleeping. I sniffed out the air, attempting to catch on Regina's scent. Nothing, of course not. A vampire could cover their tracks with magic or death. Or blood, decay, whatever horrible means suited them.
I growled. I did not like feeling so out of sorts shortly after waking up. I listened for any indication of movements. I stomped over to the bathroom and flung the door open. It was empty. I shook my head.
Take a breath, I told myself. I was stressing for nothing. She had to be okay.
I brushed my teeth. Brushed out my hair and hurried out of my room. No point in pulling on clothing when we would be going through the change once more tonight, whther we wanted it or not.
I hurried down the steps and nearly barreled into Mulan.
"Woah, hey. What's the hurry, warrior?" The other wolf-woman wondered as she caught me before I could crash into her.
I slowed down, catching my breath as I took a moment to talk to the other wolf.
"Sorry, Mulan." I apologized. "Have you seen Regina?"
Mulan gave me a tiny crooked smile. "That bad, huh?"
I merely stared at her, giving her no answer in response. Mulan's smirk only widened.
"She's down in the kitchen, preparing dinner before we head out. Says we'll need it after last night."
Mulan frowned at that last sentence. She crossed her arms looking away.
"I think she might be a little hungry herself though." She told me.
My eyes widened at the implication. She was a vampire. And she did have needs. After all that had happened the evening before, we had been to exhausted but now…. I pursed my lips.
"Alright, well… I will definitely be sure to check on that." I told Mulan awkwardly.
Mulan nodded absentmindedly. She stepped out of my way and continued upstairs. I watched her go, thinking. Was she warning me in a way? Or simply letting me know so that I might, I don't know…. Feed the vampiress? I shivered at the implication.
I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen. Regina stood at a counter, her back turned to me. She carved at a large slab of meat. She wore an apron and a pair of long gloves. She also wore tight-fitting jeans and what would probably turn out to be a button-up shirt. I nearly moaned at the sight. This woman was a sinful sight in nearly anything.
I slipped in behind her and pressed against her back. I moved brown hair to one side of her neck, away from the shoulder I placed my chin upon.
"Hey." I spoke into her ear before placing a kiss on her shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her waist. This felt good.
Regina hummed contentedly. "Hey."
I nuzzled into her shoulder, breathing in her scent before I spoke up again, "So I woke up and somebody wasn't in bed with me…"
Regina set down the carving knife she was using as I pressed my mouth against her neck, then my tongue, my teeth.
"I-I know…." Regina began to trail off. I distracted her before she could continue, running my hands up her abdomen, to grip her shirt just below her breasts. She gasped. Okay. So maybe the vampiress wasn't the only one with needs. Maybe I had them too.
"Emma. W-what are you-?" Regina exhaled, her breathe coming out hard as I ripped at her shirt, pulling it loose. Buttons flew everywhere. Into the meat, onto the counter, bouncing around the kitchen floor. Regina gripped at the counter.
I felt my wolf roaring through me. I felt its feral need coursing in my veins. It wanted to protect and to convey its need, its desire for this person. This one being. The vampiress who was fast becoming my one, my only, my mate.
The need to claim Regina overwhelmed me as her exposed shoulder came into view. Her shirt fell, draped against her upper arm. I pressed my lips reverently against her skin. I lavished attention along her shoulder, her neck. I nuzzled against her jaw, fight against the wolf's desires that were surfacing within me.
"Regina." I murmured into her ear.
"Hmm?" Came Regina's reply. From the cold-heat emanating off of her skin, I had a feeling she wasn't entirely able to speak coherently.
My voice broke as I spoke again, "Regina, will you be my mate?"
Regina whimpered in response. I returned my attention to her shoulder lavishing kisses to the skin. I nipped at it. I wanted to do so much more. I felt that pull in my belly, in my heart, in my wolf.
Regina clawed at the back of my head.
"Claim me already." She demanded, her voice laced with desire and heat. I felt wetness pooling at my core.
I growled in response as I let go of control. The wolf in me burst through, I felt my canines grow, the teeth elongating, my jaw becoming wolf-like. I wasn't gentle. Not at all, as I bit into her shoulder. Regina cried out as I bit into her skin. I bit just hard enough to leave my mark, to scar her forever and always as she had done me. Blood spilled into my mouth. Her blood met my tongue. I licked it up as I pulled out my jaw out, careful, so as not to rip away. I felt the my mouth return to its normal shape. I watched as the skin healed, but not fully, leaving a shiny, wolf's-bite scar. I ran fingers over the skin as Regina twitched, her knuckles white as she gripped at the counter, hard.
"Regina?" I whispered, suddenly anxious. Had this been to soon?
Suddenly, the vampiress whipped around. She gripped my shirt, pulling me in for a hard teeth-gnashing kiss. I groaned. This woman would be the death of me.
Regina slipped her hands onto the inside of the robe I wore. She gripped at my backside, tugging me into her. I groped at her breasts, slipping a hand into her open shirt. I ran a thumb over nipple as she held our kiss.
I gasped as I pulled back, panting for air. I gazed into her eyes to find them laced with not just desire but something more. And it nearly terrified me. I felt my heart race at the thought of what it was. My stomach filled with butterflies, warmth flooded my core, my chest, it filled me from head to toe. It was such a heady sensation.
Regina leaned her head against mine. She still held onto my ass, but she no longer seemed to driven to devour me.
She exhaled, her eyes rich with that same heady emotion. That need, that want, that more than unnamable desire.
"Emma, I think- I think, I could be… I could be falling for you." Regina confessed to me.
I slid a hand into her brown curls. We were so doing this backwards, weren't we?
"I know, Regina. I feel the same." I felt my traitorously truthful mouth reply. I closed my eyes at the admission. I felt my knees go weak. I was more afraid than she could ever know.
"It's okay, Emma." Regina reassured me. She squeezed at my buttocks. "Open your eyes."
I shook my head. I didn't want her to see the weakness I was feeling in this moment. The vulnerability.
"Emma, please." Came her plea. Then as she fondled at me, I suddenly gasped. My eyes popped open as I glared at the vampiress.
She smirked at me, evilly. I continued to glare. I crossed my arms. What a trick!
"Oh, don't be like that, Emma. It's okay, you know. It's okay to feel." Regina told me, before she nipped playfully at my jaw.
I attempted to resist her. It only seemed to spur her on. We had gone through so many emotions I the last 24 hours, and now I stood here, being playfully seduced by a vampiress I had just claimed. Regina kissed and nipped along my jaw and neck until she came onto a stop at my pulse point.
She relished her attention there. She laved and kissed and nipped, preparing me. I only threw my head out and to the side. I knew what she needed.
Regina pulled back and looked up into my eyes. The look int them told me what she wanted; she was asking for permission. I nodded, quickly. Then she was back at my neck, and I felt her, nuzzling as she prepared herself.
Sharpness, and then, warmth. No, not only warmth. Happiness, admiration, joy, fulfillment, fear, trepidation, loss, her emotions were chaotic. Desire. Lust, then… That other thing. That one thing we hadn't quite spoken out loud but I was beginning to feel it, to see it in her eyes. It probably had been there from the beginning. I moaned as it overwhelmed me. It flooded my senses, filling me from head to toe. My knees buckled unable to support me, but Regina held me upright in her arms. Regina pulled at the blood in my veins, then I cried out as she sent a filling sensation straight into my core. I cried out as she gave me the sensation of an orgasm without having touched any part of me other than what she already held. I shook as the wave of it passed through me and she held on, her teeth still sunk into my neck.
She gave another suck and I felt myself losing it. I wasn't sure if I could hold on to my consciousness for any longer. Then with a slurping sound she pulled away. She licked her lips as she leaned back against the counter. I whimpered at the sight.
I attempted to step away from Regina but found myself too weak to do so. Regina held on to me.
"Emma. Stay with me." Regina insisted, softly. "I'll take care of you."
I nodded. Then I leaned against the brunette for support, no longer caring if I looked weak or vulnerable. In my current state, she had made me that way.
"I think, we're going to have to pass on that Pack Run tonight." I told her, nuzzling into her chest, weakly.
Regina nodded above my head.
"It would probably be for the best." She agreed. "We still have to play good vampire, bad wolf with that damned human, anyway."
I growled, low in my chest. I wish I could forget about that. That the night before had only been some terrible dream.
"Yeah, we do."