A/N: In honor of Halloween… I figured a little visit to the Otherworld was needed. Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing! Oh! And be prepared for what will follow… Hope you like!
Otherworld
Tinuviel Undomiel Prompted: Were!Gold and half-demon!Belle get together in a moment of passion and anger after an intense situation. (Rated M for smut, character death, torture, and child sexual abuse. How does that fit? You have to read.)
It had been forty-eight hours since Belle had seen Robert Gold. The only piece of communication she had from him was an abrupt voicemail that he would be out of town for Pack business. If his cell phone was on, he wasn't answering it or he kept it off… Either way, Robert was unreachable and during a crisis like this, things didn't bode well.
And he wasn't the only one. The other members of his Pack were not returning her calls either so Belle had no clue what the Hell was going on at the moment. All she knew was that there were Mutts zeroing in on Storybrooke and Gold was their target. But if he was gone then that would mean the fight was elsewhere, though even so, Belle was pissed he didn't inform her sooner or let her join the fight. After all, the Pack wasn't the only ones grieving.
Those sons of bitches murdered Graham and Leroy. On top of that Neal was kidnapped. God only knew if he was alive…
Robert was a mess when the news reached him about his son's disappearance. In hindsight, Belle should have known he would do something stupid like go after those Mutts. But as far as she knew, the others were with him so that helped somewhat. Yet Robert would tell her that it was his sworn duty as Alpha to protect his Pack, his family. No matter what the costs were to him. The Pack came first and foremost. Of course, Neal would argue it was the Alpha that should be first, but Neal wasn't here.
Nevertheless, Belle felt it was her fight too. Even though she wasn't a Pack wolf or any wolf for that matter, she was still welcomed into the tight-knit family despite her half-demon status. Plus, she had grown close to Graham and Leroy. They were the big brothers she never had, constantly goofing around and harassing her. Their deaths hadn't been easy, but to the public world, Belle French couldn't openly mourn their loss as much as she would have liked.
Hard to believe that this started several months ago when the chewed up body of Ashley Boyd was discovered near Dark Haven, Robert's estate. Naturally, the light of suspicion was tossed on Gold what with the rumors of wolves prowling the property and that he needed fresh blood for his pagan sacrifices. Regardless of whom you spoke to or what they believed in, most of the residents in Storybrooke believed Robert Gold had a hand in Ashley's death.
Thankfully, Graham was in control of the investigation and he could keep those accusers under wraps while the Pack did their own little investigation. In the meantime, Robert maintained his public façade and gave his full cooperation to the authorities. According to public record, Ashley's death was ruled as an animal attack. It wasn't too far from the truth. She had been mauled by a vicious beast but that vicious beast happened to be a werewolf. And it was not any werewolf either, but a Mutt. Belle quickly learned that Mutts were bitten werewolves, not hereditary born like Robert, and did not belong in the Pack. Of course, they were expected to abide by Pack laws, which was to maintain the secrecy and protection of their species. If a Mutt got too cocky, then it was the Pack's job to make sure it never happens again. Permanently.
The only problem was that the Mutt's scent on Ashley's body was new so they didn't know who was responsible. Not even Emma, who was the Pack's best tracker, could figure out which Mutt it was. Belle tried to help by allowing her ability for chaos to hone in on Ashley's murder so she could get a description of the wolf. Sadly, the chaos had been too much for her to absorb and Belle nearly lost herself to the pleasure of it. The snippets she did get, however, weren't as useful like she hoped since Ashley saw only the wolf and not the man beforehand.
But the trouble wasn't over. Hunters in Storybrooke were determined to enact their own branch of justice on the wolf. That meant stalking Dark Haven's grounds, which led to arrests for trespassing. One such loudmouth who was released was talking his ass off about how Robert Gold knew something and that he bet he sic the wolf on poor Ashley for his perverted pleasure. Maybe even jacked off to her screams while she was being ripped to shreds. Neal and Emma were in The Rabbit Hole canvassing for information or possible scents (Mutts do like a good bar for victims) when they overheard this. Incensed, Neal forgot himself when he confronted the bastard and punched him in the face for slandering his father's name. Emma was able to stop it from turning into a full-out brawl and dragged her ex-lover out of there.
Then came body number two… the loudmouth hunter Neal attacked.
Now, the focus was on Neal. A wolf might have killed Ashley, but the hunter hadn't been ravaged. Nevertheless, it had been the same Mutt if the scent was anything to go by. Of course, it was more of a taunt since the body was practically gift-wrapped by leaving the hunter at the gates to Dark Haven. It was a set-up, plain and simple. But in a small town like Storybrooke where the only deaths to occur were due to natural causes… the people were getting antsy. Had Graham not been the Sheriff things would have been tough for the Golds to keep their innocence.
Until tragedy struck.
Graham's body was found several miles out of the town's limits near his patrol car. Robert could only assume Graham must have had a lead about the Mutt, but instead of informing the Pack about it he decided to pursue it himself. Not long afterwards Leroy was also found dead in his hotel room with his left hand missing.
Unlike Graham, Leroy didn't have any connections in Storybrooke so his death was able to be kept quiet. Peter was dispatched to clean up the bloody mess while his father, Midas, left to handle the damage control and tie up any loose ends that Leroy might have had. Emma told her that Midas was going to pose as a government official searching for Leroy about some possible illegal activity he might be involved in. This way it didn't leave too many questions about Leroy's disappearance or lack of appearance at his workplace. Any belongings of his was packed and destroyed as well as his banking accounts wiped out. It would be like he never existed.
It was harsh business but that was the facts of life in a Pack werewolf's world. You had to keep and maintain the Pack's secret so the whole world wouldn't see them as a threat. However, this Mutt was putting them at risk by breaking the rules in favor of a dangerous game. It was a challenge no doubt about it. The Mutt wanted to make the Pack sweat and test to see how strong they really were. With two Pack brothers killed… it could be seen by other Mutts that Robert's Pack was weak and could open Storybrooke to future attacks and deaths.
Eventually, they uncovered the Mutt responsible for this insolence was Killian Jones. It turned out he was biting escaped prisoners and turning them into werewolves. And worse, he was picking convicted murderers and rapists to do his dirty work. All this because he wanted revenge on Robert Gold. Neal shared how years ago Killian came to Dark Haven to challenge Gold for Alpha. It was a stupid move on his part but the Mutt thought with Gold's injury he would be no match for him. Instead, Robert bested him and removed his left hand as a warning to all Mutts who flirted with the notion of challenging his rule. Obviously, Killian was still sore about it even though it had been a fair fight. Killing Leroy and taking his hand was Killian's subtle way of telling Gold he was in charge now whether the Alpha liked it or not. But to make sure to drive the point home (and probably a courtesy in his demented way), Killian sent the hand to Gold all wrapped up for him.
But Killian wasn't alone in his crusade. There were his two human-now turned-werewolves August Booth and Keith Notting. Booth was in prison for murdering his father to collect his life insurance and Notting was convicted for raping and killing four girls all under the age of ten. Although, the real brains behind this operation were James Spencer and Jefferson Madden.
James was the twin brother to Pack member David Nolan. James and his father, George Spencer, left the Pack once Robert became Alpha after defeating Malcolm—the Alpha at the time and Robert's father. They didn't want Robert as their leader, believing he was a disgrace to the Pack for taking on a Mutt as his adopted son. David was friends with Neal and was a supporter for Robert so he was disowned by his family. That had been fine with David and he changed his name so not to be associated with them. Over the years, James and George had been getting too wild as non-Pack wolves and lived by their own set of rules. Gold admitted he should have handled them better, but being former Pack brothers and growing up with George, Robert decided they were not allowed on Pack territory, and if either of them should return, they would be executed. It did keep them away all this time, but James had got it into his head that he should be the Alpha since his father was Malcolm's Pack Enforcer. As for George, he had to be dead if his son was claiming rights to be Alpha.
As much as David hated his twin, he was fearful what would happen if James found out about Mary Margaret, David's girlfriend. She didn't know he had a brother and this wasn't how he wanted her to find out. So Robert ordered David to take Mary Margaret out of Storybrooke until the matter was resolved. It wasn't easy since David's loyalty to the Pack conflicted with his need to keep Mary Margaret safe. As part of the Pack, David's place was at his Alpha's side, but Robert assured him that this was an exception. James was dangerous and he wouldn't hesitate in killing Mary Margaret as a way to get back at David for not following them when they left in the first place. Belle was relieved that Mary Margaret was blissfully unaware of the danger she was in and was enjoying the exotic impromptu getaway that her boyfriend surprised her with.
However, the real shocker for the Pack was Jefferson's involvement and alliance with Killian and James. From what Belle could glean from, Jefferson was a Mutt who's been in good graces with the Pack by informing them of suspicious Mutt activity and where to find them so the Pack can dish their justice. Jefferson wanted territory of his own and the only way a werewolf can have territory was if he belonged to a Pack. Currently, Robert wasn't entertaining any Mutt additions, but Jefferson was on their radar just in case he tried to stake his territory without their permission. In fact, he was the one who alerted the Pack to Killian's actions and how he was planning on bringing the Pack down. It did seem a little farfetched that Killian would be the mastermind behind this, but his thirst for revenge was believable. It could explain why it had taken this long for Killian to strike.
Yet, Emma and Neal discovered Jefferson's participation along with James. That was how they learned about Booth and Notting. It was fortunate for the seasoned werewolves that the newborns still had the thought process of a human and didn't know how to properly cover their tracks. For example, Booth and Notting had a motel room on the second floor rather than the ground floor for easy entrance and exit if a Change happened on them or if they needed to escape. The other was that Notting had bottles of cologne in his room, which could really mess up the olfactory senses of a werewolf. Luckily, they were able to spot these two along with Jefferson and Killian when they pulled into the motel's parking lot. With their heightened sense of hearing, they were able to discern what was going on, especially catching James' name being unhappy with the bitten humans being too reckless.
They were almost caught when Jefferson got a whiff of their scent. Using the cologne to throw them off their trail, Neal and Emma made their escape while leaving the four werewolves coughing and choking. It was enough to put most of the puzzle pieces together, but Robert still had some unanswered questions about why the Mutts were doing this. Revenge was Killian's motive, glory and power for James, and territory had to be Jefferson's. Yet add them together and they were the unlikely trio to work together. There was more to the picture than what they could see, but it was Emma who cracked the code.
Keith Notting was actually Nottingham but Emma knew him as Mr. Ham when she was growing up. He was a neighbor to one of her foster families and he molested her at the age of six. He had a rabbit pen that he used to lure her and when she had tried telling her foster parents about what happened… they refused to believe her. It wasn't long that Emma was transferred to a new home, but she never forgot him. And to see him again now with the wolf in him… it was a deadly combination if he remembered her.
And he did.
The Mutts wanted Emma to be a part of their new Pack. Being the only female werewolf in existence to have survived the bite (females were not born with the gene) Emma was a prize all right. James wanted her as his mate so they could rule together and the Pack would be passed on to their children. Keith wanted to kill her but James promised she would be under his protection and if Keith should look at her in the wrong way… he would personally rip his throat out. Or if his new Queen wanted to do the honors, then James saw no reason why Emma shouldn't avenge herself.
However, there was another complication to the situation. Emma had another life in Boston and a boyfriend waiting for her to return once she was done with her family business. Neal hadn't been thrilled with the news when it came out, but he was waiting for her to come to her senses and realize that a normal life was not in the cards for her. Then again, Emma would have been normal if Neal hadn't bitten her in the first place and she still carried that resentment with her. She felt betrayed by him. He never told her about being a werewolf and she wouldn't have found out if she hadn't insisted on meeting his father before they got married. It was at Dark Haven when the fatal bite was committed and Emma's whole world changed in that split second. Yet, Emma was concerned for Walsh and if anything should happen to him…
Robert saw it necessary that Emma should return to Boston and convince her boyfriend to leave town. Just for a few days so they could put an end to the Mutts' scheme. He also sent Neal with her so she had protection as well. This order did not sit well for either of them—Neal wanted to stay by his father's side but torn in wanting to protect Emma too, and Emma didn't want Neal near Walsh for obvious reasons. Mainly because she didn't know how to explain Neal's sudden presence, and saying he was a former fiancé wasn't ideal either. Yet, it was an Alpha command and they both had to follow it.
It was during their time in Boston when Neal was kidnapped. The Mutts also attacked Emma's boyfriend, wounding him severely, but at least he was safe in the hospital for the time being. Emma came back to Dark Haven with the bad news and Robert almost lost it. It took her and Peter to restrain Gold from going out after the Mutts at once, but as soon as Robert calmed, he knew he had to act rationally if he wanted his son back.
Belle had been present during this manic episode and the waves of chaos that radiated from Robert were too tantalizing for comfort. It was when he started to Change that Belle was able to snap out of it. He was a wild animal with his dilated pupils, frantic breathing, and his hands turning into claws was terrifying. He did scratch Emma and Peter good, but they held him until he got his breathing under control and his hand reverted back to its human shape. He apologized to Belle for his behavior, but she understood his anger. His son was in the hands of the enemy and there wasn't much he could do about it until the Mutts revealed their terms.
It was then he told Belle to leave Dark Haven for the time being. Her place wasn't there at the moment and they were fortunate so far that the Mutts didn't know about her. Or if they… they hadn't mentioned it or the very least threatened her. Belle refused to go. Robert and the others needed all the help they can get, and while she may not be a werewolf or a fighter like them, she had other skills. She knew if she fed from the Mutts' chaos she would be able to channel it and become stronger, even an equal to their superhuman strength. Plus, the Pack was her family now. Graham and Leroy were her brothers and Neal was just as special to her. She couldn't abandon him, not when there was the chance of bringing him back home.
As she stood there and fought Robert on this, she never noticed Peter behind her and everything went dark. When Belle woke, she was back in her apartment and her phone had the voicemail from Robert saying he would be gone.
Alone. They left her alone and there was nothing Belle could do to go after them. She had no way of tracking the Mutts or Robert or the others. She was stuck in Storybrooke to fret and worry about them and their well-being.
And no one else knew.
Belle knew moping around wasn't going to bring them back quicker so she put on her game face and went about as if everything was honky-dory. She did check her phone frequently for any updates or news from Robert or anyone about Neal, but her phone remained silent for two days.
It killed her she had no one else to speak to about her concerns. Not even Ariel or Ruby knew what was going on, but she felt they could sense something was up. When they did question her, Belle had lied that it was Regina again in her latest way to undermine her authority at the library. They bought it and chipped in their own Madam Mayor bashing to make Belle feel better. It did for the moment but Belle couldn't help but wonder where Robert was and what he was doing.
And if he would come back alive.
Then as if the Gods heard her prayers, Belle found Robert standing by the library's front desk. He was exhausted and haggard, his limp was a little more pronounced than usual, and he had some bruising around his eyes and lip. Other than that, he was in one piece, which was great but Belle had a score to settle with him. And she couldn't do it in the library where anyone could waltz in on them.
"My apartment," she said in no uncertain terms or to be argued. She got up and locked the library and strode purposefully to her apartment. Robert followed behind with little resistance on his part and unspoken words.
Good. She didn't want to hear his excuses right now.
Once they were securely inside her apartment and away from any potential eavesdroppers, Belle whirled on him with fury like no other.
"You have a lot of gall to show up unannounced like that," she started, her blue eyes glittering dangerously. "Three days Robert. Three days! Do you have any idea how worried I was? I get that you had to leave—I knew you would, but at least give me the courtesy to return my calls or answer the fucking phone! I had no idea what was going on or if you and the others were hurt or killed or anything. Do you have a clue what it's like to pretend to the whole world that all's well when you have friends that could possibly be dying and you have no power over it?
"But that could have been avoided if you hadn't pulled the stunt that you did," Belle accused, her fists clenched tightly at her side as the vein in her throat throbbed. She was so livid she could blow a fuse and the demon inside her was cajoling her to do some bodily damage to the Alpha. And it would be so easy to do with her own chaos pumping through her blood, making the tiny woman a force to be reckoned with, and it would be oh so rewarding too. "I can't believe you left me behind like that. And worse… you got Peter to do your dirty work to keep me from tagging along. I thought I meant something to you Robert, to the Pack. I know I don't fall under the club's criteria, but I'm otherworldly like you and that should have at least made me qualified to help you guys. But oh no… you tossed me aside like some weak damsel to go about gallivanting with these killers who want you dead. I may not be like you and your kind, but I have my own tricks up my sleeves. There's a reason why people are frightened by demons and I could have been an asset if you just let me come."
Belle paused to take a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose to calm herself. If she lost control because of her temper… there was no telling what damage she could do if she didn't had full control of her faculties. Then in a softer tone, she continued:
"Robert, you guys are like family to me. For years I always thought I was the only one of my kind and that I would forever be lonely. Then you barged into my life and now there's this whole new world out there with people like us and with other talents and abilities… For the first time, I felt like I did belong to this world. That I wasn't an abomination or a mistake. You accepted me. And not just you but your Pack too. This has been seriously the best year of my life getting to know you, Neal, Emma, and everyone. And when the shit started hitting the ceiling… it wasn't you and the Pack hurting, it was me too. But you purposely kept details from me and you kept me from your plan. I found out what I could from Emma and Neal and when he went missing… I didn't want the same thing to Graham and Leroy to happen to Neal too. I wanted in and you ordered Peter to knock me out so you could make your escape with your tail between your legs. Don't give me that look. You took the cowardly way out and kept me in the dark. Tell me… how does that make you a good Alpha?"
It was a low blow but Belle was pissed and she wanted answers. She deserved that much since he abandoned her. But as soon as she called him out on his ability as Alpha, the look on his face went from solemn to anger in a split second. "If you want me to admit I made a mistake when it came to Graham's and Leroy's safety… then yes I wasn't a good Alpha. I should have known better. I should have been more cautious. And I will carry that guilt for the rest of my life. But I am no coward—" Robert took a staggered step forward and his leg almost gave out. It was the knuckle white grip on his cane that kept him from falling over, but Belle realized that the injuries must have extended more than just his face.
"Oh my God! You are hurt!" Feeling awful for chewing him out while he stood, Belle began to move towards him, but he waved her off and managed to limp his way over to her sofa.
He hissed in relief as he sank down on the cushion. "Fucking Mutt kicked me in the right spot. At least I was able to get a few good licks in before I went down." Robert bitterly chuckled. "For once James used his brain in a fight."
"James… David's brother did this to you?" Belle asked quietly as she perched herself on the armrest of her chair.
He nodded. "Aye he did."
"As a wolf or—?"
"No. There was no time to Change. They had Neal and God knows how long it would have been before they decided to kill him. Turned out… I didn't have to worry about that."
"What happened? Is Neal…?"
"Alive. He's alive," Robert said with a curl of his lip. "We found him—well, I should say Emma did. She got there before Peter and me and already did a number on Nottingham and Booth." There was pride in his tone at her actions. "They were very sick, and thankfully, not walking around anymore to do more harm."
"That's good news." Belle meant that sincerely. Those two were horrible what they did to their victims that she didn't feel bad for them. "And the other Mutts?"
"Killian fled. James is dead. As for Jefferson…" Robert rolled his eyes. "He had a change in heart. The plan wasn't going like he thought it would when James convinced him to join this little rebellion. Apparently, he had been against biting Nottingham and Booth, but James believed he could control them once he helped them through the stages. It's not too far off that it could happen. The Change is brutal and it can a kill person before it's done. If you're helped… then that person becomes a savior to the bitten. Not always but it happens time to time. Anyways, James thought it would work so Jefferson stayed against his better judgment. Although it would be easier if he wasn't so much of a flip-flopper."
"Why? He betrayed you and the Pack."
"Yes but when the time came to it… he fought with us. He even kept Neal in one piece. The others… they would have cut him up, but Jefferson persuaded them that Neal was better alive and altogether than barely alive and missing parts."
"How come?" she frowned.
"A deal," Robert replied. "They knew Neal and Emma have history. It's no secret among our kind. When there's only one female werewolf in existence and she's claimed… well, news travels fast. And they also knew she wouldn't come willingly unless they had some kind of leverage. Neal was their ticket for her to join their Pack."
"Wow." Belle could only imagine how Emma must have felt being the target. Despite the blonde werewolf's complicated relationship with Neal Gold, it was clear she cared for him even though she had another life with someone else. "How's Emma dealing?"
"As much as it could be expected. She hasn't left Neal's side. He didn't come away completely unscathed so she's tending to his wounds. I don't know if she intends to go back to Boston, but I wouldn't be surprised. She has a life there and with that Walsh fellow. But even that might be in jeopardy."
"Why?"
He sighed. "We have a strict rule—don't ever be caught as a wolf. Emma arrived at the apartment and snuck into the bathroom while Booth and Nottingham were fighting Neal. Walsh dragged himself to the bedroom and before Nottingham could finish the job… Emma attacked him."
"She Changed."
"Aye. Walsh saw it but he passed out, Emma said. She stayed with him but the Mutts got Neal. She went to the hospital before she came back to Dark Haven. All I know is that when Walsh woke… he refused to speak to her. She's stressing out about it but she knows how to school her features. Right now, her priority is making sure Neal's all right. When it's time, she will do what's best for all parties. As for Jefferson, it is maddening what he has done. I want to kill him but at the same time he made it possible for my boy to return and I'm grateful for that. Alas, I'm stuck at a crossroads."
"So… what will you do?"
Robert shrugged. "Right now I have him locked up in Dark Haven. We will have a conference once David and Midas return to decide his fate. Ultimately, the decision's mine as Alpha, but it needs to be just since Jefferson has helped us before in the past. It's the least I can do given his cooperation. Then we will launch a search for Killian. I want that bloody hook he uses as a hand to be mounted over my fireplace. It will teach all Mutts not to do something this idiotic ever again."
There was no denying the hatred and fury in his tone and facial expressions, especially how his eyes had fire leaping within their depths. There was more to his loathing for Killian than what happened, but the fact he was responsible for hurting his family and taking his son… It made the hook more of a prize than anything. Belle shivered glad she wasn't on the Pack's wrong side. Then again, she didn't know what side she stood on with the Pack after all. Robert's actions made sure she wasn't part of the team and she couldn't forget that.
Robert met her eyes and his previous display of passion had dissipated. "Belle, I would like to apologize for my actions but I can't. Those decisions were justified whether you liked it or not. I told you before when we met for tea the first time—my Pack comes before anything or anyone else. I am the Alpha and I have my loyalties and responsibilities to them. That being said—"
She couldn't bear to hear anymore. "Don't tell me. I think I do," she muttered, fighting back the tears. Of course. She shouldn't have been surprised but hearing it from Robert did sting a lot. Hoping she was wrong was too much to ask for and now she knew exactly where she stood.
"No you don't," he interrupted.
She glared at him. "Don't presume to tell me what I think Robert! It seems pretty obvious that I'm not part of your Pack. Come to think of it… I don't know why you even bothered befriending me. Clearly I don't mean anything to you or the others." She jumped to her feet and moved to stand behind the chair, her nails digging into the fabric, as she shook her head, her dark tresses falling across her face. Right now, she couldn't look at him not when she was blinking back the tears that blurred her vision.
"Hold on now…" he started but she beat him to the punch.
"I get it. I'm different. I'm not a werewolf. So, please, don't take this the wrong way if I'm not as eager to continue our tea get-togethers or visits."
"God bloody damnit woman!" Robert growled. "You didn't let me finish!"
Belle held her breath as she stole a glimpse to see him on his feet. You know what you have to do, she told herself. Just do it and get it over and done with.
Pushing her hair out of her face, Belle looked at him long and hard. "I don't have to. Look, I'm happy Neal's been found and he's alive and safe. I really am but I honestly don't want to deal with your bullshit right now. You can see yourself out."
Not giving him another look or chance to speak, Belle turned her back and began heading to her room. The tears returned to cling on her lashes but she didn't dare start to cry. Truthfully, he wasn't worth crying over since he didn't seem to care how his behavior affected her.
She hadn't expected her arm being grabbed, or her back colliding against the bedroom door. And she hadn't expect Robert Gold to be standing there, seizing her wrists and slamming them next to either side of her head, his body blocking her from an escape. His lips were drawn back into a snarl, his teeth gleaming sharply, while his brown eyes were cold and hard as they bore into her, keeping her in place. Staring back, completely stunned at the sudden force, Belle's chest heaved as she regained her breath and the touch of chaos caressed her. Waves of anger and frustration were rolling off him and under it all was something deeper, something else that pounded between them.
Something primal.
"Listen to me, sweetheart," he murmured dangerously and ever so calmly. "If you stopped jumping to conclusions and interrupting me you would have heard that as my duty is to protect my Pack… I need to do it in different ways as I see fit to each person—werewolf or half-bleeding-demons."
Her heart stopped as all the air vanished from her lungs in that split second. This must be what it feels like to have a coronary, Belle thought idly.
"I made the call for you to stay because I knew you would be safer here. I don't doubt your skills at all, but Belle, I was more concerned what might have happened if you faced Nottingham or Booth or God forbid James. There is no telling what chaotic vibes you could have gotten or if it would have immobilized you from fighting. Yes, I know there is a chance that the likelihood wouldn't happen, but I couldn't risk it or you. You have told me that your ability is unpredictable and after reading Ashley's body… you were oblivious with her chaos that any Mutt could have approached you and snapped your neck. So you can stand here and preach all you want about me being a bastard, a liar, a betrayer—whatever you deem fit to categorize my actions. I won't apologize for it. I have nothing to regret. And I honestly don't have to stand here and explain my reasons, but bloody Hell Belle… How else can I get through to that thick skull of yours? Why can't you listen and accept my orders like everyone else? You're so infuriating and a pain and—"
Belle didn't know what happened. One moment Robert was giving her a scolding of her life, which she should have fought back (she isn't a child), but the close proximity combined with his masculine scent, deepening brogue, and his ever increasing hot body pressing against hers… Belle's brain melted. It was the only logical explanation that could explain how during his diatribe she bridged the short distance and captured his lips with hers, cutting all speech off from him.
She could also blame Ruby and Ariel for their insistent lewd comments about her and Gold. They were the ones who continued to bring up that he could have been looking for sex that it had been on Belle's mind more often than naught. She maintained they were only friends, but lately she had been thinking what it might be like if it wasn't so platonic… She would be a fool and a liar to say Robert Gold wasn't attractive (he certainly was very handsome) and Belle had wondered what it would be like to kiss him.
Well, take that and throw in the heated argument and a heighten sense of danger and you have the recipe for Belle's mental shutdown and her subsequent meeting of lips with one hot-tempered Alpha werewolf.
It clearly caught him off-guard too since he stood there… frozen, his lips unmoving. Her eyes snapped open and Belle realized she crossed a line without even thinking there might be a line. Just as she was about to pull back (and claim it was due to a sudden fainting spell), Robert was pushing her back into the door, tilting his face so he had full control as his jaw moved powerfully in a demanding kiss. There was no time for further thinking as she broke free from his previous grip of her wrists and tangled her fingers into his thick and soft dark mane, kissing him back with all the force she could muster.
A burst of white light went off like a bomb behind her eyelids, and instead of making her pliant as it might in the past, Belle was consumed with the need for more. With each deepening angle and mastering stroke of his lips—fuck so incredibly soft lips—Belle tasted the pouring of emotions running through Robert, reaching out and touching her down to her core. She felt his anger and anguish when he heard the news Neal was missing, to the sorrow and pain of losing his brothers in arms, to the driving hunger for revenge as he lunged at James… It quickly became a stabbing pain as he collapsed from the blow to his bad leg—the humiliation and brief moment of helplessness that filled his mind before Neal pounced on James and wrestled him to the ground, allowing Robert a chance to escape. Then the argument with her—the insufferable petite woman poking the silent beast, the concern for her welfare and rising ire for her brash conclusions… To finally the liquid hot lust pulsating through his veins and coiling around her.
Robert's chaos was all over the place, yet Belle strongly picked up the ardor that matched hers (he's been holding back for a long time) and sent her own frustrations and desires as she took the lead and bit his lower lip, sinking down and sucking it into her mouth to soothe the sting.
That only fueled him on as his hands twisted and curled in her long hair as he devoured her in that same frenzy before he ripped away from her, his breath hissing as he gulped in mouthfuls of air. Belle's breathing was as ragged as his, her heart pumping ten miles an hour, and she knew that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. This dance had been going on for some time… namely the moment they first met when Belle had an orgasmic episode at her fundraiser event. She got a mere echo of his chaos from a kill he made in his wolf form that she had no time to prepare herself. Of course, she hadn't known what he was until she did see him as a wolf, but for that year since she known him… There was no denying the mutual attraction or the sudden urge that swept over them.
All Belle had to do was a give a slight nod and a hoarse, "yes," and that was all it took for Robert's restraint to be unleashed.
How they managed to enter the bedroom remains a mystery to Belle, but in they were and both fell on top of her bed with mouths fused together and hands groping the other. There was the brief praise to God for her decision to wear a dress as Robert flipped her on her back and yanked the zipper down, exposing the ivory skin and delicate curve of her spine and ass. Belle tossed her head back, arching, as she moaned in pleasure with Robert kissing down her back with the open-mouth dragging of his lips and scratching of his teeth. As he reached the spot where the material still covered her ass, he pulled back just enough so he could flip the skirt of her dress over so he could continue his exploration, fingers rough as he squeezed the flesh and let out a groan.
"You—you don't have no fucking clue how much this drove me wild," he panted. "That impertinent little swish when you walk… drives a man and the beast crazy."
Through her foggy haze of lust, Belle realized what he was talking about and fighting back a smirk, she lifted the object of his maddening thoughts and gave it a little shake. He growled deep in his throat and gave her a slap on the rear for teasing. Then without warning, he rolled her back over so he could gaze on her face.
"I'll get you later for that," he warned her.
With an anticipated swipe of her tongue across her lips, Belle lowered her lashes. "I hope so," she muttered. "But right now… you're all bark and not enough bite."
He laughed—a throaty, delicious sound—and he proceeded to show her that he had plenty of bite.
Foreplay was forgotten—there was enough of that already—and their clothes were shed off them and lying in heaps all over the room. Belle straddled Robert, her nails digging into his shoulders, as she rode him hard—taking and giving as she squeezed him with each plunge downwards. It had been too long for her and it all felt so good and it was wonderful that Robert wasn't bothered by her or freaked out. But then again… they were unique.
She was getting closer, she could feel it, and as she moved a little faster, Belle was instantly surrounded with a rush of unalarmed chaos. Her jaw dropped as she rode it out—feeling Robert all over, his warmth and protection, his admiration and annoyance—but it was the center of it all that swept Belle over and across the pinnacle as she cried his name.
He stiffened underneath her and arched up as he let out his release not long afterwards, following Belle to a state of relaxation and bliss as she curled up at his side.
Catching her breath was a momentous thing for her to do, but Belle tenderly touched his chin as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she said. "You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to," he told her, catching and holding her hand. "I thought you would appreciate that little memory."
"How could I not?" she teased, her eyes glimmering with the residue of that chaos. "You did save me from that nasty fall."
"I always will," he vowed.
Sighing happily, Belle tucked her head beneath him. "You know… this changes everything."
"Of course. You won't hear any complaints from me. Or anyone else," he added.
"My friends might have something else to say, but they think we've been going at it for months now." His chest rumbled with mirth and Belle couldn't help but giggle too. "But," she went on. "This doesn't change the fact I'm still mad at you."
Whew… There you have it! I hope this was enough to sate your appetites for a while. Or… for another prompt. Hee hee. Don't forget to review!