Here ya' go!
I need to thank the usual suspects, notanislaner, kleeklutch, norbertsmom and maria!
I think you will enjoy this one...
"Yes," she answers him. "You need to leave."
By now, his eyes are completely yellow, and his back is hunched over like he is about to turn. But he walks past her, and walks all the way to the door before he looks back. Their eyes meet, briefly, then he walks out.
The door knob clicks, echoing through her house.
She isn't sure how long she stands there, waiting. The shadows stretch across her living room before she notices anything. She blinks several times as if she is coming out of a trance before she moves to lock the doors.
Still not sure what to do, she does pause at the sink long enough to get a glass of water. It only satisfies so much. She reaches for the freezer door of the refrigerator to find the bottle of Wild Turkey there.
The first shot is to calm her nerves that are threatening to overwhelm her.
The second shot is in hopes to finish what the first one couldn't.
By the third shot, well, she is feeling a little better. That's when she lets the thoughts finally come. The memories of the wolf. The memories of Peeta. The memories of them.
The fourth shot, well she hopes this one will keep her heart from breaking. But it feels like its shattering anyway.
The fifth shot, reminds her that she hasn't eaten since this morning. There still isn't anything in the refrigerator, so she stumbles to the couch; barely making it. She watches dusk claim the trees in her forest, wishing that somewhere along the way her heart would be ok. But she knows that after tonight, she will never be the same again.
Somewhere in the house, her phone rings. She sits and watches the last of the fireflies dance by. Someone even knocks on the door, but she doesn't move. By then, she has stopped counting the shots, instead she holds the bottle like an old friend still sipping the smoky brown liquid. She supposes it is, after all this is what Daddy always drank. If it's good enough for him, it's good enough for her.
Daddy's old grandfather clock greets midnight with its chimes that Prim always loved. She still watches the dark through her windows and French doors. Her eyes want to droop and she almost lets them until a noise gets her attention. The motion lights click and she has to squint against the sudden light.
No one is there.
She refuses to be afraid, even though her heart is pounding, trying to run out of her chest. The sound of a deep menacing growl reaches her. Fear squeezes the air out of her lungs and makes her move.
The hall closet is the hiding place for the long bow her Daddy always preferred. It only takes her a moment to reach it, and gather a handful of arrows in her hand. She notches one, turns slowly, ready to defend herself.
All is silent.
With a silent tread, she goes to her bedroom. All would be dark in there too but for the missed call light blinking on her phone and the street light from halfway up her drive. She stares out the window, willing anything at all to move so she can see what is going on out there.
She steps into the room enough to see two shadows running past her house. "Shit," She swears, drawing her bow and steps closer to the window. The shadows must have run into the woods and while she wants to chase them to prove that she can take care of herself, wolves be damned, she isn't stupid.
What she does do is re-check the locks, even checking the locks on the windows. By now, the motion light has turn itself off. She can't hear anything outside, but she still has a tight grip on her bow.
She creeps towards her spot on the couch, but freezes when she hears the growls from the side of the house. There is a great commotion as the chaos circles the house. Her light flashes back on, as two huge wolves crash onto her porch. She recognizes Peeta's huge gray timber wolf, but it's the big red wolf grabbing at his neck that makes her cover her mouth, swallowing her scream instead.
Peeta slings the red wolf off of him, then they circle one another. Their snarling is so loud; it shakes the windows. Katniss wants to do something, but she doesn't move, afraid that is she does it will distract him.
They attack each other and for a wild minute it looks like the red wolf might be winning. Katniss is looking for a way to shoot an arrow without opening the door. Before she has a chance, Peeta has the other wolf pinned, with his mouth clamped on his windpipe. The red wolf struggles to get up, not willing to submit, so Peeta starts to shake him. The red wolf looks like a rag that a dog played with and she is certain that she can hear his whine.
Peeta drops him, and the other wolf finally shows Peeta his stomach. Peeta is still growling when he starts to change, but he doesn't change all the way. She has to take a step back at the growling, half man-half beast on her porch.
She isn't sure what happens, but in a moment, the other wolf turns back into a human. He looks to be as tall as Peeta, if not taller. she can't really tell anything else about him, because he is covered in blood. She sinks against the wall behind her, hoping that that is his blood, and not Peeta's.
She can hear the low growls coming through the glass. Peeta's wolf-man seems to be talking to the naked man before Peeta picks him up by his arms. Peeta starts to lead him away, but stops in front of the window.
Katniss' eyes lock with Peeta's and she feels compelled to go to him, but with him- like this- snarling teeth, blood covered snout, wild look in his still Carolina blue eyes, she can't help but feel her fear coming back. Something flashes in his eyes, before he leads the man off of the porch.
She sits back down on the couch, not believing what just happened. The light clicks off, and she can't help but to wonder where did Peeta take that man? Not sure what she needs to do now, she starts to relax her bow when the light comes back on, making her jump.
Peeta is standing there in front of the doors. He is human again, but what makes her stand up and approach the glass is that he is covered in blood. After seeing the wolf he was just fighting, she knows that it's both Peeta's and the other guys blood.
Her gaze flits over him, trying to figure out where the blood is coming from when he steps closer. Her hand reaches for the dead bolt, clicking it before she reaches for the knob, springing the door open.
It swings open silently and she steps out of his way. He raises a bloody eye brow at her. She nods and moves out of his way. He comes in, and she closes the door behind him.
Her voice is hoarse from screaming earlier as she bids, "Come on." He follows her to the bathroom where she finally turns on a light. She diverts her gaze, not wanting to see his nakedness, but instead throws a towel at him. "Take a shower, then I can patch you up."
He nods, and she walks out of the room, shutting the door behind her. She hears the water start and she leans against the door. She isn't sure who she is asking, but she whispers, "Oh please help. I have no idea what to do now."
She refuses to stand there and listen to the shower, plus she is still a little woozy from the whiskey. So she goes to her kitchen, wanting something, anything to eat but she knows there is nothing there.
"I brought you some food," He says behind her.
She jumps and swats his arm. "You scared me to death!"
He gives her a small smile in the darkness. Then he walks to the kitchen door, the same one she heard the knocking at earlier. He comes back with a canvas bag and sets it on the counter. "Can I turn on the light?"
"Yes," her whiskey voice answers. The light floods the kitchen and she has to blink until her eyes adjust. Then she is unable to stop the gasp that escapes, "Peeta! your—"
He looks down at the bruising and bites on his torso. There is even a big one on his shoulder. "I'm alright. Brutus is much worse."
"Is he the red wolf?" Peeta nods, then grimaces. She asks, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I usually heal fast." He pauses and uncertainty flashes on his face. "But it still takes a day or two."
She goes to a drawer and opens it. "Sit down," She commands. He sits while she gets the first aid kit. There are only some bandages and polysporin, but she treats his deep wounds the best she can with what she has. "I don't think any of the scratches need stitches."
He doesn't glance down but stares at her. "I will be ok. Will you?"
She doesn't want to look into his eyes. "I don't have a choice," She whispers.
His hand hovers in front of her, like he wants to touch her, but doesn't dare. She finally glances up into his eyes, and her heart breaks at the pain she sees there. She wants to take it away, but isn't sure if she can. Or knows how. "I need you," He whispers.
She steps away from him, and goes into the kitchen. The bag is open on the counter and she grabs the loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. "Do you want a sandwich?"
He answers, "Yeah." It doesn't take her long until she is handing him a sandwich with a glass of water. They eat together in silence. She finishes up before him and sets her plate in the sink.
"I'm going to bed, Peeta." He crams the rest of his sandwich in his mouth to only be stopped at her doorway. "I'm going to bed alone. You can sleep in the other room, or on the couch."
She doesn't stay to see what he does, but closes the bedroom door behind her. She goes into the bathroom and gets ready for bed. She isn't sure what time he goes to sleep, but she can see dawn's early light before she is able to close her eyes.
The lock slides into place and drives another crack into his heart. He runs his fingers through his hair, jerking on the ends in his frustration. I really fucked this up, he thinks. A chorus of concerned voices echo in his head. "Shit," he whispers harshly. He didn't mean to send that thought to everyone in his clan.
One perk of being the alpha, after he sends that he and his mate, are perfectly aright, is being able to shut out the chorus of worried wolves.
He just hopes that he didn't just lie to everyone in his clan.
He hears the bed creak, and the covers being pulled up. He takes a deep breath, and wills for his bones to rearrange. Once he is on all fours again, he approaches her door. He sniffs the crack at the bottom. Satisfied that nothing smells amiss, he circles several times and lays down.
Every time she turns, he shifts too. She rolls over, he has to twist, feeling her discomfort too. Dawn greets him before she is still. Only then, he is able to close his eyes too.
The sun is so bright she doesn't want to open her eyes. She pulls the covers over her head, but her moving hurts everything too much. "Remind me next time not time mix whiskey and bitter, sad tears," she says to no one in particular.
She listens. Not sure for what she is straining to hear, but she is greeting by the quiet in her house. Her bladder demands that she gets up. When she sets her feet on the floor, she hears the creak from someone stepping in a certain place in the kitchen.
Unable to ignore her bladder any longer she eases into the bathroom. When she is done, she eyes her shower longingly, but the noise demands her to go and see what is causing it. She slowly opens the door, grabs her bow and listens for any movement. She hears nothing, so she continues on down the hall.
She pauses at the corner, and peeks around. Much to her surprise, no one is in there. After a quick look around, she notices she is the only one in the cabin. She checks the kitchen door, and the dead bolt is still turned, so she goes to check the other. On the way, she sees a note on the dining room table.
It only says:
Haymitch called. He was wondering what to do with Brutus. I'll be back later— if you will allow it.
-Peeta
She starts to crumple up the note, but lays it back on the table instead. Looking around, she sees the food from the canvas bag, but none of it appeals to her. She heads back to the bedroom, puts her clothes back on, glances in the mirror to make sure she doesn't look too frightful, and grabs the keys to the Jeep.
It's not until she is buckling her seat belt, that she has the fleeting thought that maybe she should leave a note for Peeta. "No," she mutters under her breath as she starts the SUV. "I need to get out of the house and I need food."
She is backing up the Jeep when Peeta comes walking out of the forest. He looks at her, and even from the fifty or so feet she can see his brow raise in question. Their eyes lock and she is unable to look away. His jeans are hung low on this hips, his navy shirt is rumpled, but the red plaid flannel looks warm and cozy. His shoes are untied, and his curls, oh it's not until she sees them all mussed and messy that it hits her how much she misses him.
Her mouth is dry as he approaches the Jeep. She rolls down the window and he leans in. She still can't tear her gaze from his face. There are faint bluish smudges under his eyes and she says, "You look like you didn't sleep either."
He reaches in for her hand. Instead of holding it, with a feather-light touch, he brushes the back of her hand. "I don't think I can sleep without you anymore."
"Peeta," she pleads. "Don't say stuff like that."
She hears his shaky breath. "I know I can't live without you."
"Peeta," her voice no louder than a whisper, "I'm not sure I can."
Her heart breaks to see the tears in his eyes and they gather in hers. "Katniss—tell me what to do to fix this. I-I-I- don't know what to do."
She doesn't even wipe her tears, but she can feel them falling. "I don't know what to do either, Peeta." She grips the steering wheel intending to look away, but his sweet Carolina blue eyes swimming in his tears breaks her. "I-I-I—"
He tears her door open and somehow, she puts the SUV into park before he pulls her out. His arms are around her and she is pressed up against the Jeep so quick it makes her head spin. With a growl, he bites at her lips, and with an exhale she gladly welcomes him.
One hand sweeps her back all the way down to her bottom. He cups her bottom so he can push her into his hardness while his other hand finds her waves. He grips her hair and tugs hard enough so she moans against him.
He still kisses her, not leaving any part of her mouth undiscovered. He breaks the kiss only to trail his lips along her cheek to her ear. After a nibble on her lobe, he follows his familiar path until he gets to the bruises on her neck.
She feels his nose nuzzling it, sending short electrical waves of want through her. He grinds slowly against her, sending those impulses to her core. She gasps against his onslaught, "Peeta! what are you doing?"
"Showing you that you are mine," He snarls against her mark, making her knees go out from under her. He doesn't give her time to think as he slides his hand down the front of the yoga pants she threw on before coming outside. His fingers thump against her clit and she sinks against the side of the Jeep. He holds her up when he pumps his fingers in her. She buries her nose in his chest and her moan vibrates through him.
The wave of everything crashes over her as she comes apart in his arms. She still can't stand up when he wretches open the back door of the Jeep and lays her down, face first into the seat. She hears him unzipping his jeans and with a swoop, he drives into her balls deep.
She pushes against him, not to unseat him, but to get him deeper, if that was possible. That is when he begins the move inside of her, making her hold on to the seat. When he starts licking her back, she moans. When he grabs a fistful of her hair and growls, "Who do you belong to?"
She pants, knowing what he is asking her, "You, Peeta- I belong to you."
He doesn't slow down his assault. "Are you going to stop running from me?"
"Yes!" She grinds against him. "Fuck me Peeta!"
He bites her shoulder, and she shivers as he mutters, "As you wish."
Her pleasure comes fast as does his and they both come with a shout. He slides out of her long enough to fix his pants and to pull up hers. Then he picks her up and carries her back into the house.
She is still floating from her endorphins when he sets her down on her bed. He rips off his clothes. When he is naked, he starts pulling her shoes off. She supposes she should protest, but for some reason, this, Peeta here with her right now, feels so right.
He lifts up her shirt, and she lifts her arms to help. Instead of pulling it all the way off, he uses it to tangle her hands and pin them above her head. She wiggles a bit to see how much give he lets her have and he gives her a disapproving look. "Don't move."
She nods, unable to say anything because he is lapping at her nipples through the satin of her bra. Impatience shows on his face as he wiggles his hands under her and releases the clasp. He eases it up and down her arms adding to the tangle around her hands.
Under his gaze, she can feel her desire rushing through her veins again. she whispers, "Peeta?"
In a flurry of movement, he secures her hands to the headboard, then he sits back on his haunches. "You look quite tussled up, Kitten."
His eyes are almost black as he takes off the rest of her clothes. She quivers, mesmerized as he strips her, unable to look away. When she is as bare as he is, he crawls in between her legs. She pulls against her bindings and loves the way her own shirt and bra hold her tight. He leans forward until he can put his nose on her stomach. She can feel him inhale and she wonders what he smells. Then he slowly exhales as if he is unwilling to let her scent leave him. When he inhales again, his nose is well below her belly button, at the top of her mound. She squirms, feeling their come in between her legs. "Peeta, I need to go clean up."
He shakes his head. "I like the way we smell together." He licks his lips. "Besides, I'll clean you up."
She only has time to lift her head when he is in between her legs. "Peeta! what are you—" her words trial off when she feels his hands on her knees, pulling apart her thighs. Her voice cracks, "I need to go wash—"
He shakes his head interrupting her. His hands caress her, touching her everywhere. She watches his expression, intent on what he is doing as he finds her center. He plunges his fingers into her again and she shudders feeling her want pooling again.
Her eyes drift shut and all coherent thought leaves her head as his touch swallows her. Her clothes are ripped off of her hands and she opens her eyes to Peeta supporting himself above her. The desire she saw in his eyes is nothing compared to the need she sees now. "Touch me," he pleads.
Her arms are heavy as she embraces him, pulling him close to her. Her hands grip his shoulders and he kisses her nose. She can feel his hardness and tries to open herself up even wider to welcome him in. When he begins to move, it's not the hurried pace he had set outside. It's instead a gentle, timeless dance that leaves them both trembling.
Their needs soon demand more as he pumps his hips faster. She shudders around him, encouraging him to come too. They are both spent as he sags beside her, pulling her close to his side.
He is almost asleep when he hears her say, "I never did get anything to eat."
He pulls her closer and licks the mark on her neck. "We'll go to the store in a minute."
"I don't think I can move."
"Mhmmm," He hums. "I love you."
He hears her take a deep breath and she squeezes him tight. "But—how? How can you love me?"
He tips her chin towards him so he can look into her eyes. "We aren't human. Many things work differently for us than they do for you. A wolf recognizes its one true mate instantly and the feelings that follow are immediate." The entire time he talks, his hands never stop roving over her. He is also losing the fight with his wolf who wants to finally be able to claim her and to be able to give her the bite that will bind them together forever. "What are you afraid of, Kitten?"
He watches the confusion flit across her face, wishing he could do anything to make it better. She answers, "I'm not sure. I guess in a way I feel like I'm having to give part of myself up."
The silence fills the room. She won't meet his eyes, and he isn't sure what to say so he pulls her tight.
He groans, gritting his teeth against the pain. His feet slide on the floor as he tries to regain his footing as he struggles against the chains. Normally, he would be able to rip them out of the wall, but the silver constantly burns his flesh leaving him weak. His breath hitches as he inhales, but the scratches she opened his chest wall with make that near impossible.
He opens his eyes.
His gaze is focused down and he watches the paws of his hybrid-wolf slide in the thick liquid on the floor in Clove's dungeon. The drop of blood balances delicately on a tuff of wet hair as it gathers weight waiting to drop. It slowly begins its decent to join what is already waiting on the damp concrete. That is when what is left of Gale Hawthorne wonders if he will ever see the light of day again.
Eat his Mama's biscuits again.
Hug his sister again.
See his mate's smile again.
The wolf inside whines when it sees her returning. She smacks him again before she grabs his muzzle so he has to meet her glare. "I should have killed you long ago and stop that fucking whining. You belong to me. I could kill you if I wanted to. However, if you help me to kill your," the contempt in her voice makes him struggle anew, "friend and capture Peeta, I might let you live and even have your mate."
Somehow, he feels so broken but he still finds the will to growl. She slaps his nose again, and he lunges at her. More of his blood runs down his wrists and there is fresh blood on his ankles as he struggles. She walks away from him, her evil cackle filling the room.