Welcome to the new Flare story!
Legal: I own nothing but the idea.
Important to know before reading:
*This is an A/U story and everything important you need to know about background will be in the story itself.
Hope you enjoy this werewolf romance!
Ch. 1 White Blood Soaked Fangs in the Black of Night
(CLARE)
Running.
Heart pounding.
Lungs burning.
Knees aching.
Can't slow down.
Can't stop, they'll get me.
"Keep running Clare. Keep running," I tell myself. I have to keep running, the wolves are at my heels, I have to keep running. I hear them growling, their paws in the dirt. I don't know how much longer I can run, but I have to keep going or they will get me.
I make a mistake, I look back. I look over my shoulder to see how close they are and I trip, landing with a hard thud on the ground. I bite back the yelp trying to break free from the pain in my leg. I turn around and the wolves are there. Three of them in a V shape crouched down and ready to pounce, growling, snarling. The alpha, large and black as a moonless night, looks at me, his eyes locked directly onto mine, there's something almost human in those eyes.
I know this is it, my heart pounding its last beats. My blood turns cold and I close my eyes preparing for the first bite and hope death comes quickly.
Four days ago…
I should be at the dance with my friends. I shouldn't be driving my car to find a remote place to think. It's Friday night, I should be enjoying the dance as the official start of March break. I shouldn't be seething and confused the way I am. I bought a new dress for the night and everything, and then Mom went and ruined it all. Mom and Glen ruined it all. Their announcement shocked me and I hopped in my car. Originally, I had planned to go to the dance, but as I began driving I just wanted to be alone and think. Having found a decently remote spot I park the car and hop out. For some time I just pace back and forth angrily and then I scream.
"I can't believe she's doing this! I can't believe she's serious," I huff as I pace near the creek. "Is she insane? She must be insane, how could she do this?" I question the late afternoon sky above me.
"Problem?"
The voice behind me is surprising but somehow I'm not scared by it. A boy steps out of the shadows in the trees. His spiky hair is the color of dark chocolate, with soft blue eyes. There's nothing menacing about him at all, he has a charming smile lighting his softly freckled face. Somehow he's out in the shadows of the woods on a chilly night with no jacket, but doesn't seem to be cold. There's something oddly comforting about having him here. I can't explain it but I feel safe with this boy I don't even know.
"Yeah, my mom just announced she's marrying a man she's only known and been dating for three months. I thought my father walking out on us would be when her mind snapped, apparently it was just the beginning."
"You don't like this man? I didn't like the man my mother re-married."
"It isn't that really, Glen is nice enough and so is his son Jake. I just don't think three months of dating is enough to decide to get married. They're both divorced, they both have kids, I thought they'd date a year or more. I just feel…" I pause, sighing deeply as I try to put my thoughts into words. "I don't know, I'm not sure of anything at this point."
"Maybe what you need is a distraction," the boy says, holding his hand out to me.
I look at his hand, hesitating for a moment, but reach out and take it with a deep breath. His touch is warming, almost comforting. He interlaces our fingers and we start walking. We go through the woods to what must be his car since he unlocks it and holds the door open for me. It's a rather nice car for a boy his age, not a luxury car but a leather interior and all the extras you would want with a slick black car. Far more expensive than any car my classmates drive, even the wealthier ones. His family must have money and I wonder if this is his dad's car. My car is new too, a sixteenth birthday present from my father, it's simple though and about practicality and safety.
"Where's your father?" He questions as he begins driving.
"Moved to Montreal with his mistress," I reply bitterly. Despite my father trying to get back into my life recently I still am not over his having an affair and walking out on us.
"Any other family?"
"A sister I haven't spoken to in over a year, her choice not mine. What's your name?" I inquire, realizing I'm going somewhere with him and I still don't know the boy's name.
"Everyone calls me Fitz, yours?"
"Clare."
"Just Clare?"
"Edwards, Clare Edwards. Is Fitz your first name or last name?"
"Derived from Fitzgerald, my last name."
"So, what's your first name then?"
"Let's stick with Fitz."
"Okay, Fitz, how old are you?"
"Seventeen, you?"
"Turned sixteen last month. Where do you go to school?"
"A small private school, you?"
"DeGrassi Community School."
"Where's that?"
"Riverdale," I reply. We've reached what appears to be a gated community. Fitz hits a button on his car and the gate opens. "Nice neighborhood," I comment as Fitz begins driving into the community.
"Thanks, it's very exclusive," he says but it doesn't sound conceited, he's just stating fact. Fitz drives to the largest house at the end of the cul-de-sac and opens the garage with another button in the car.
"Nice house," I remark. He parks in the garage and closes the garage door.
"Thanks it's been in the family for generations, remodeled a few times over the years," he tells me. He opens a door and we step into a very nice modern kitchen. Fitz takes my coat and hangs it by the door.
"Where's your family?" I query noting that the house seems very empty and quiet.
"My mom is out of the picture, my father and grandfather are dead, no one else will be coming home, it's just us. I inherited the house when my grandfather died, I live here alone now. Would you like something to drink?" He asks opening the fridge.
Alone in a strange house, with a strange boy I should probably be nervous. I should probably be afraid of what his intentions are, what he could do to me. After all, I left my car and I'm not even sure how to get back to it. I don't feel scared or nervous at all, not the slightest bit of apprehension or fear. I still can't explain it, but I feel oddly safe with Fitz.
"Sure, umm, not alcohol," I reply.
Fitz grins and starts a kettle, he makes us some hot chocolate and ice cream. We eat at the kitchen island, silent, but it's a comfortable silence. As though we've known each other for years and didn't just meet tonight.
"Can I see the rest of your house?" I question when he takes our empty dishes to the sink.
Fitz only smiles and takes my hand, he leads me to the dining room, then the living room. It is a very nice house, including a game room and media room. We go upstairs where there are four bedrooms, his is the largest at the end of the hall and when we step into it he kisses me. As soon as his lips find mine I respond to the kiss, my lips opening for him and welcoming his tongue with mine.
Fitz picks me up and carries me to his bed, I hardly even notice it but he gets my shoes off and my dress. I feel nothing but safe, nurtured and excited. I'm not a virgin, I lost my virginity to Eli a few months ago. With my mom acting like a teenager and Dad trying to be in my life again I was feeling scared and confused. In many ways it felt like Eli, my boyfriend at the time, was the only one there for me. I began spending nearly all my time at his house and lost my virginity to him over winter break.
Fitz goes down between my legs and his tongue slides into me. I moan, an erotic electric shock flows through me with his first lick. He seems to know exactly what to do and I'm soon moaning endlessly and begging him for more. As I'm orgasming I feel two of his fingers slide into me, I ride out the orgasm on his fingers. I feel Fitz lifting my leg and placing a bite on my inner thigh. I'm still not scared, in fact the love nip in the height of my orgiastic pleasure heightens the sensations.
(FITZ)
My teeth sink into Clare's flesh, her blood touches my lips and tongue warming them. I lick the blood from the bite. I didn't bite very hard and the blood is gone in a few seconds. I lick the blood from my lips before I start kissing my way up her body. Breathing in Clare's scent is like breathing in life. I remember picking it up this evening, as soon as I had the scent I had to see her, to talk to her.
I first picked it up on my back porch, faint but there. I turned wolf and ran through the woods to follow the scent, running at top speed to get to her. I saw her across the creek and returned home, driving to where she was. I parked near the main road so I wouldn't scare her by driving right up. As soon as I picked up her scent I had to meet her, to speak to her. I would have done anything, including walking across the cold creek, her scent was pulling me. However, where she was ranting was an easy drive from my house, as though her own instincts were drawing her close to me.
I knew as soon as I got her scent that she was my life mate. My grandfather always told me it would be instant and I'd just know. He was sure it would be another wolf though, but none in our community or I would have known by now. As far as I know there are no other wolves in the greater Toronto area. Clare is not a wolf, if she were I'd have seen some kind of sign by now. Her wolf and mine would be talking to each other.
I know that it's extremely rare for a full wolf to have a life mate in a human. My father found his life mate in a human and that turned into a disaster. My mother, a human, ran off with me when I was very young. Hiding me from my family. My father never marked my mom either, told my grandfather he didn't want to do that to her. I wasn't taking that chance, I didn't want to scare Clare but I've marked her already, before she knows anything, before she can be afraid. My father also never attempted to turn my mom and I'm not making that mistake with Clare either. She's mine, I know she's mine, my mate for life and now that I've found her I will kill or die before I let her go.
My lips find hers as I enter her. I thrust slowly, enjoying every sensation, every centimeter of Clare's core that surrounds me. She tightens around me and I moan, deepening the kiss. She's not stopping me, not asking for a condom. She may not understand it but I know she feels it too. She feels this connection we share and she's giving into the feeling rather than running from it.
When I'm all the way in Clare moans my name and it's an incredible sound. A sound I want to hear every day for the rest of my life. I spend the next few hours making love to her slowly and passionately. I withhold my own pleasure to bring her to the peak of pleasure again and again. Every time she moans out my name in sensual elation fills me with a joy I've never felt before. Clare orgasms five times before I finally allow myself the release. When I pull out of her I bring her into my arms and hold her close, lightly kissing her skin.
"I should probably get home," Clare remarks when she can breathe again.
"Why?" I question, kissing her shoulder. My arms instinctually tighten around her, now that I've found her I don't want to let her go.
"I don't normally sleep with boys I just met. I accuse my mom of being insane and then I go and make love to a boy I've known for about ten minutes," she says in a way that chastises herself.
"About four hours now," I remark looking at my phone.
"You know what I mean, we just met, this isn't like me. I've had sex with one other boy, my boyfriend a…"
"You have a boyfriend?" I question with a growl cutting her off. My wolf is feeling territorial, protective and possessive. The thought of another boy kissing her, making love to her, that close to her is making us angry and I hold her tighter.
"We broke up in January. That's not the point, I really need to go, can you just take me back to my car please?"
She doesn't seem scared or nervous but she is insistent so I give in. I've marked her, but not turned her, she knows nothing still and I don't want to scare her off. With a lot of willpower and with extreme reluctance I release her.
"Get dressed, I'll take you back to your car."
She slips out of bed covering her body and takes her clothes into the washroom. When she has the door closed I get out of bed and dress quickly. I go down to the kitchen and get a glass of water, holding it out to Clare when she emerges from the washroom. She's fully dressed and put together now. She gives me a small smile as she takes the water and drinks the entire glass before handing it back to me.
"Thanks," she says softly.
I smile and take her hand bringing her to the first floor. I help her on with her coat and take her out to my car. We drive in silence, it doesn't feel uncomfortable, but she's looking out the window. I can't decide if she's nervous or scared now or just contemplative. It's a pretty short drive to her car though.
"Thanks for a great and crazy night," she says.
Before I can reply or say anything she jumps out of my car and into hers. She rushes off in her car quickly, probably not a very good sign. I watch her car until it's out of sight before I drive home. When I approach my home I see Owen, Bianca, Jay, Lucas, Tracker, Sean, Michael Dallas and his son Mike Jr. (who prefers to go by his last name), and Jeff and Dylan Michalchuk waiting on my doorstep. That's most of the pack, all the prominent families are represented. I park in the driveway, open my front door and everyone follows me inside.
"Fitz what the hell were you were thinking bringing a random stranger to our community? You brought her into your home, our alpha's home," Jeff Michalchuk snarls.
"I'm enrolling in DeGrassi," I reply. It's the only answer they're getting right now.
(CLARE)
My mind is swirling with what just occurred. I can't believe I just went with him. It's late now, but I don't want to go home. I find myself at Adam's, pulling up just as Drew and Adam are, they've just come home from the dance.
"I thought you were coming to the dance?" Adam questions when we get out of our cars.
"Yeah, well Mom and Glen announced they were getting married after only dating for three months and I wanted to be alone. I went to the woods, to go rant to no one, but I wasn't alone, there was a guy there, one I'd never seen before. I had sex with him Adam," I tell them in one breath.
"You what?" Adam exclaims. We had been walking to the front door but they stop and gape at me now.
"It's not like you to have sex with some random guy Clare," Drew comments. He unlocks the front door before any of us can say anything. "We're home, Clare is having a family crisis and needs to sleep over," Drew announces to his parents.
"Hello Clare, what's the crisis?" Audra asks.
"My mom and Glen announced that they're getting married. They've only been dating three months, I just need some time away from my mom right now."
"We understand Honey, you're welcome to stay here tonight," Audra says. She gives me a light hug and then she and Omar say goodnight and go upstairs. Adam, Drew and I go down to the basement. I text my mom as I flop down on the sofa.
"Explain to me how you just slept with some random guy in the woods?" Adam asks.
"We weren't in the woods, he took me to his house, a very nice house in a very nice gated community. I went out alone to rant about my mother going insane, getting married after dating only three months. Then I do something even more insane by having sex with a guy I knew for about ten minutes. I didn't even know his name until we were back in his car on our way to his house. I didn't even know that's where we were going at the time. I suppose I kind of got to know him on the drive, we made small talk. Though the drive was just long enough to exchange names and where we go to school."
"It's not at all like you to just go sleep with a guy you just met. The only guy you've slept with is Eli and that took months of dating and trust," Adam comments .
"That's the strange thing, I trusted him, from the moment he stepped out of the trees I wasn't afraid. I trusted him, felt safe with him, I can't explain it, but I did. I wasn't nervous at all when he brought me to his house and I found out we were alone. He inherited the house from his grandfather when he passed. We had ice cream, he took me on a tour, and we ended up at his bedroom and he kissed me, brought me to his bed. It was amazing, we made love for hours, so much better than anything with Eli…" I pause remembering the little love bite. Even that was sensual and sexy. "It wasn't until after we made love that I wanted to leave. I still felt safe, still trusted him, but it kind of hit me what we had done. That I was in a stranger's house and we just had sex and that I shouldn't be there. I asked him to take me to my car. He did and I came here. What did I just do?"
"Did he use a condom?" Drew asks.
"No, but I went on birth control when Eli and I became sexually active."
"You could still have an STI, we can take you to the clinic tomorrow," Adam says.
"Yeah, we'll take you to the clinic tomorrow just to be safe," Drew agrees.
"Okay, thanks," I smile at the brothers.
We stay up late watching movies. Drew offers me his bed but I tell him the basement sofa is fine by me. We wake up late the next morning and after a quick breakfast the guys take me to the clinic. I borrowed some clothes so I wouldn't have to go out in my dress. I tell them I'd like a full STI screening, they take blood and do a vaginal swab. After we're done we go to The Dot, the guys are hungry again but I just get coffee.
"I don't want to go home, I still need space. It's March break, I want to get away," I remark.
"Yeah, but the fact that it's March break is going to mean everything is booked or expensive. Though getting away does sound good," Drew agrees.
"You know, Glen and Jake do have a cabin at Eugenia Lake. I've seen pictures, it's pretty nice. We'd have to bring Jake, but I imagine he maybe wants some time and space too after last night's announcement," I tell them.
"That sounds like a fantastic idea," Drew says.
"Yeah, I wouldn't mind a few days at a cabin on a lake," Adam agrees.
"I'll text Jake," I tell them getting out my phone.
Clare: Drew, Adam and I were thinking of going to the cabin.
Jake: Excellent idea! We can leave in the morning, I'll talk to Dad.
"Jake's in, says we can leave in the morning," I tell the guys.
"Sweet," Adam grins.
"Awesome," Drew says at nearly the same time.
When we're done at The Dot we return to the Torres house. Adam and Drew talk to Audra about going to the cabin. She says as long as it's alright with my mom and Glen it's alright with her. I stay at their house until Mom texts that I need to be home for dinner and that Glen and Jake will be joining us.
"My mom might be the hardest to convince. I'll text you later so you know when to be at my house," I tell the brothers.
"Cool," Adam says and Drew grins.
I grab my dress and get in my car driving home. Jake and Glen's trucks are here when I park. When I come in the house Mom is just getting dinner on the table.
"Glen says you two want to go to the cabin for break," Mom comments as we begin eating.
"Yes, with Adam and Drew," I nod.
"Yeah, Clare and I need some space and some time to come to terms with your recent announcement. Plus, it'll be a good chance for us to bond, but with Adam and Drew there not too awkward," Jake says. I grin at him because that's the perfect way to sway my mother.
"I think it's a good idea, just watch out for each other," Mom says.
Jake and I exchange a smile and happily finish eating. Jake and Glen leave after dinner. I text Adam for them to be here at nine tomorrow. Then I shower and pack for a week at the cabin. Jake shows up as I'm eating breakfast the next morning and gets my bags in the back of his truck. When the Torres boys show up Jake gets their bags in the back of the truck too. Some of the roads up to the lake can be rough so we're all taking his truck. I let Drew have the front seat and sit in back with Adam.
It's a two hour drive out to the cabin and we stop in town first for a week's worth of groceries. That in itself takes nearly an hour as we argue about what to buy and what to make. Jake says they have non-perishables in the pantry but we need everything else for the week. Then we grab lunch since it's that time, so it's nearly noon by the time we're at the cabin. After getting in touch with our parents we start bringing in our bags and get the food away.
"Come on, I'll take you on a tour," Jake says once the food is away. "Kitchen obviously, living room, dining room, the bedrooms are back here. The master is at the end of the hall, Clare you can take that, there's a washroom in the room. Here's my room," Jake tells us, showing us a room with bunk beds. "This is the guest room, well I guess when we're all up here it's Clare's room now," Jake remarks, showing us a smaller room with a full bed.
"Clare take the master this time, I'll bunk with Jake, Adam take Clare's room," Drew says.
"Cool, let's unpack and I'll show you the lake," Jake smiles.
We unpack, change into swimsuits and Jake takes us out to the deck. You can see the lake from here but the cabin isn't right on it. It's a short walk down to the beach and Drew jumps right in, he comes up screaming because it's cold and we laugh. Jake, Adam and I get in slowly so we're not as shocked by the cold. We spend a couple hours swimming before returning to the cabin. After we all shower we make dinner, play a couple of board games and make s'mores on the deck before going to bed.
Monday we're at the lake as soon as we've eaten breakfast. We spend all morning swimming and return to the lake after lunch. The guys BBQ chicken for dinner while I make salad and corn on the cob. We eat on the deck enjoying the sunset, sounds of the lake and the evening light.
"I'm going to go back to the lake for a bit," Drew tells us when we've cleaned up from dinner.
"I'll come with you," Adam says.
"I think I've had enough swimming," I reply.
"I'll stay here with Clare, take a lantern, it gets pretty dark," Jake comments. Drew and Adam smile, grab a lantern and fresh towels and leave through the back. "So, we're going to be sibs soon," Jake comments.
"Yeah, in June, another three months. Three month courtship, three month engagement. Let's hope the marriage lasts more than three months," I reply, unable to keep the sarcastic cynicism out of my voice.
"Yeah, I'm a little worried about that too, does seem that they're rushing into things. We're moving in with you, if they're marriage fails, and let's face it they're both divorced, then we have to move again. My dad went through a bad phase after he and my mom divorced. If a second marriage fails I'm worried what it will do to him."
"Yeah, finding out my dad was having an affair and walking out on us was really hard. I don't want to go through that again, if my mom goes through it again it might break her."
"They seem pretty sure about getting married. Maybe after their last experiences they really do know that they're in love and are happy," Jake comments.
"Mom is very happy, and she does seem to be in love with your dad. She was never like this with my dad, not in my memory. Which either says something about my parent's marriage or how my mom feels about your dad, maybe both."
"Yeah, same with my dad. So, are we okay with this?"
"Do we have a choice?"
"I doubt it."
"So, the real question is can we accept the fact that our parents are getting married and look at this as a positive experience?"
Jake looks at his hands a minute before looking back at me, "I think I can. Your mom can be a bit intense at times but she's nice. Most importantly she makes my dad really happy, I've never seen him like this and it's good to see him happy. My mom hasn't been in my life for over a year, having a maternal influence again has been good. Plus, I think I'd make a pretty awesome big brother."
"Yeah," I smile, "you probably will. Having an older brother around would be nice, considering Darcy hasn't been around or contacted us in nearly two years. My mom has been really happy and that's been good to see. Your dad has been a positive influence on her in many ways. This wedding is a good thing, I still think they jumped into it, but it's a good thing."
Jake smiles and we grab some dessert sitting on the deck. We can hear the sounds from the lake and the brothers return from the lake while we're still eating dessert. Tuesday we wake up late and make breakfast. As soon as we've cleaned up we're down at the lake. We spend the morning swimming and return to the cabin to make lunch. When we return to the lake after lunch there's a group of three girls swimming nearby. Jake and Drew immediately begin flirting with two of the girls. The third girl gravitates to me and Adam as she's feeling like a third wheel at the moment. Turns out she has a boyfriend, which is good because Adam has been dating Jenna since she and K.C. broke up. She is a musician though and loves Dead Hand so she and Adam bond instantly.
Tired of swimming and now feeling like a seventh wheel I return to the cabin. I shower and start some dinner, either the smell of food or their hunger soon brings the guys back to the cabin. Though they tell me that they made plans to meet the girls after dinner. We eat and clean up and the guys get ready to meet the girls near the lake.
"You going to be okay? Abby and I could come back here," Adam offers.
"That's okay, I'm just going to relax on the deck, you two talk about music and Dead Hand to your heart's content," I reply.
Adam smiles and leaves with Jake and Drew. I make myself some tea and go out to the deck. I sit and watch the sky turn to night, finishing my tea and setting the empty cup on the table. The peace of the night is disrupted by growling, a low growl like a dog's but more menacing. I look around and see three wolves crouched low and coming up onto the deck. I back up slowly as the wolves start up the steps. They're coming for me, they're looking right at me, crouched low ready to attack. I turn the handle of the back door, but it's locked! I don't remember locking the door but now I'm trapped.
I do the only thing I can do, I leap over the railing landing hard on the dirt. I start to run and I can already hear the wolves coming for me. I've heard of lone wolf attacks by starving wolves, but these three are together. They don't look injured or rabid or sick, so I don't know why they're after me. It doesn't matter, I start running, as fast as I can. I run in the direction of where I believe the boys are, but I don't hear them and now I'm lost.
Running.
Heart pounding.
Lungs burning.
Knees aching.
Can't slow down.
Can't stop, they'll get me.
"Keep running Clare. Keep running," I tell myself. I have to keep running, the wolves are at my heels I have to keep running. I hear them growling, their paws in the dirt. I don't know how much longer I can run, but I have to keep going or they will get me.
I make a mistake, I look back. I look over my shoulder to see how close they are and I trip, landing with a hard thud on the ground. I bite back the yelp trying to break free from the pain in my leg. I turn around and the wolves are there. Three of them in a V shape crouched down and ready to pounce, growling, snarling. The alpha, large and black as a moonless night, looks at me, his eyes locked directly onto mine, there's something almost human in those eyes.
I know this is it, my heart pounding it's last beats. My blood turns cold and I close my eyes preparing for the first bite and hope death comes quickly. I won't go out without a fight though. I may be knocking on death's door but I won't just lie down and let the wolves maul to death without trying to fight for my life. I grab a stick and swing it but the one looking at me bites my arm, the teeth sink in and I scream!