Disclaimer: I don't know if this is necessary, but since I have never been near a ski resort in my life, and thus don't know how to ski I got these directions off http/ and http/ So yeah, no flames about being wrong please, because I really do not know the first thing about skiing, and for all you people who don't either, please don't just read online instructions and then go jump off the side of a mountain, because you thought you knew how to ski. and I do not own Blood and Chocolate. sorry it took so long to update!
Thanks again to everyone that reviewed: Jessica, silver. shadow. 23, wolfiebe, Davidian, NeonNissa (you're review made me laugh, thanks), MickeytheMouse and brooklyn06. To answer NeonNissa's questions:
no he doesn't have rabies
no Gabriel doesn't know this wolf, but should be hesitant about him because there will be future conflicts
And yes I do take French.
But I want to take this time to say that I received a very odd, disturbing review that had absolutely NOTHING to do with this fanfic and alluded to the fact that I worshiped Satan, WHICH I DO NOT! You know who you are, and I would like an apology, because in a way, I was hurt by your review, and if you are going to say things like that then please do not review again, writing things like that is severely immature, and severely hateful. I'm serious, don't abuse writers with crap like that, it is so rude, especially in your last review you said "I really like this chapter and can hardly wait for the next! Please update soon!" YOU HAVE MADE ME SO ANGRY!
Oh… and I don't own Blood and Chocolate, and I don't own Coldplay's "A Message." Onward with the fanfic! Talley-ho!
And what was the French man saying? Sorry for all you French majors if the translation is a little rough.
From the door of the cabin another man stalked out, cursing wildly in French, fuming that the spastic wolf had escaped from inside. Before the wolf could react, the French man roughly grabbed the scruff of his neck and pulled him back inside with no effort.
The wolf knew it was futile to resist against the man as he was dragged into a small room with only a bed. The man threw the wolf inside.
"Que faites-tu hors ici?"("What are you doing out here?") The man spat as the wolf crawled to the bed, whimpering as the foam continued to gather at his mouth.
"Faire ne pas tu me permettre d'attraper encore! Que si tu le morceau quelqu'un?"("Do not let me catch you out here again! What if you bit someone?") Then the man slammed the door shut quickly securing the lock.
The sick Loup-garou jumped from the bed against the wooden door, digging his claws deeply. For a time he paced back and forth, the foam dripping onto the floor as he snarled. The Loup-garou retreated to its bed, eyes red not from tiredness but from its disease.
Hours later the four inch high slot under the door was opened and a plate of large raw steak was pushed into the room. The wolf pounced on it, devouring the savory juices greedily. When he was done devouring it, the sun broke through the bars on the window.
He thought of the female across the resort, her voice sounded young, healthy. It had been a long time since he had been with his wife, now dead for the past few years. But his thoughts were not sentimental or grieving, he just wanted. And he wanted that girl. A hoarse laugh slowly came out. Julien was already planning on making her his mate.
(A/N: DUN DUN DAHHHHHHH! dramatic music playing in background)
"My nose feels like an ice cube on my face!" Vivian shivered, whispering to her mate. Gabriel shushed her, trying to listen to the ski instructor. They were almost done with directions and would soon start skiing, that is if Vivian would stop fidgeting.
"In classic skiing, as one ski moves forward, the pole on that side moves backwards. The opposite ski and pole meanwhile move in reverse. It's a basic, one-two movement, just like running where your arms counterbalance your legs. Now remember, the fall line is the steepest path downhill. If you aim your skis straight downhill, into the fall line, you will accelerate most rapidly. If you aim your skis across the hill (toward the side of the trail, not downhill), you will not slide. A shallow angle on the slope means that your skis are aimed mostly across the hill, and only slightly downhill. You'll start sliding, but not very fast. A steep angle means that your skis are aimed almost straight downhill, so you'll slide quickly."
Gabriel noticed that Vivian wasn't paying attention and gently nudged her arm. She looked up at him, with a dreamy look on her face.
"When you run into a tree I'm going to laugh baby, because you're not paying attention." Gabriel's taunt took the look off her face. Angrily she slid over and focused intently on the instructor's words. She caught on easily to Gabriel's snicker.
"Unlike going uphill where you weight the backs of your skis, you want to keep your weight forward going downhill. If not, your skis will slide out from under you, dumping you on your behind. The proper downhill position, thus, is ankles flexed, knees bent, butt back, shoulders forward, and hands out in front of you. In fact, one way to get into this flexed-forward position is to reach out with your hands toward the tips of your skis. Make this a conscious movement every time you start downhill. Reaching further forward will lower your profile and cause you to move faster because of decreased wind resistance. But you'll be less likely to fall in this lowered position, and if you do fall, you're closer to the ground. You'll kiss the snow, not smack it."
"You can control your speed with subtle movements. Since lowering your profile decreases wind resistance, standing more upright and catching the wind will slow you. (Be sure to maintain your forward lean, however.) You can also shave some of your speed by dragging your poles. Since the snow often is slower outside the tracks, moving one or both skis into this softer slow will help you slow down. To really put on the brakes, you can place your poles between your legs and sit on them, digging them into the snow. They'll bend, but shouldn't break."
The lesson just dragged and dragged for the students, they wanted to just go and ski, not become Olympic champions. Everyone seemed to wake up when the instructor said, "have fun, and if you need help I'll be here."
"Come on little snow bunny." Gabriel teased her as he moved to the beginner slopes with skis in tow. Vivian followed beside him, her arm hooked in his.
"Just think tomorrow it will be Christmas Eve, and you can open my presents to you!" Vivian said as she laid her head on his shoulder. Gabriel didn't answer, because a large distraction hit his senses just as they passed another person going away from the slopes.
That middle-aged man did not smell human, but Gabriel didn't have enough time to be certain if the smell was loup-garou. Obviously Vivian hadn't noticed because she was still talking. He didn't want to cause her any anxiety, especially after her being so worried last night, so Gabriel remained silent. Next thing Gabriel knew was Vivian was at the bottom of the slope calling to him.
"What are you doing up there?" Gabriel laughed at her comment and skied down the hill.
"Just giving you a head start that's all." He replied.
"You wipe that smirk off your face! I bet I could beat you in an instant! Just you watch you hulking mass!" Then she uncharacteristically stuck her tongue out at him.
"I think not." He laughed with a playful growl.
For the next two hours Vivian and Gabriel tried as many slopes as their "skiing expertise" would allow them. After a while they lost count of how many times the other made it down the slope faster.
"I'm beat, lets go to the main building." Vivian said as she struggled to remove her skis. Gabriel shooed away her hands and undid the straps for her.
"Thanks." She smiled brightly as he helped her stand.
"Come on snow bunny before your nose falls off." He offered his arm and was eagerly received.
"I suppose you could never love a nose-less woman could you?"
"You're an exception, love."
"Good. I'm in the mood for some hot chocolate and a nice warm fire, how 'bout you?"
"I suppose." Vivian noticed this time that Gabriel was becoming distant, how his nose was raised to the coming wind, and Vivian caught the scent too. They stopped, trying to determine the direction that the smell was coming from. The smell of another loupe garrou permeated the air. Silently the two leaders moved to the source of the smell. Cunningly they ducked into the woods, taking a hidden path that would lead them circa to the ski lodge. Vivian pulled Gabriel down by his jacket so that she could whisper into his ear.
"Do you think it's the wolf from last night?" Vivian really hoped it wasn't. She didn't understand why she was so worried about another wolf; Gabriel was tough enough to deal with anything. But there was something different about the call of the wolf last night. Something dangerous, as if it was a rouge wolf.
"I don't know." Was all he answered. Taking a good grip onto her hand he led her out of the woods and slowly up to the lodge. The low keen came again, making Gabriel stop. When his lips curled back his teeth lengthened with a feral vengeance. Vivian pulled Gabriel back with as much strength as she could muster to drag his hulking frame.
"Tonight." She urged, "We can't risk anything now." Still Gabriel snarled at the invisible threat.
"Tonight!" She demanded and he came reluctantly. When inside the rustic lodge they dispensed the down jackets on a coat rack, and Vivian guided Gabriel to one of the overstuffed chairs. She volunteered to return the skis, all the while keeping a close eye on her tense mate.
She came behind him, molding her hands over his tense shoulders, forcing them down as she massaged. Meanwhile Gabriel's eyes were fixated on a person across the room. Vivian watched this middle aged man as well, the same one who had passed them earlier on the slopes; following with her eyes his movement to the place where she just put away their skis.
The man was talking to a pale, too tall teenage boy behind the counter. The boy leaned over to speak into the middle-aged man's ear. A look of annoyance and fear crossed the man's face then he was heading toward the double doors that were crowded with returning skiers. It took him only a few seconds and only one apology to get through. But he was stalled enough just so that his scent invaded the mate's noses.
Loup-garou.
…………………………..
Later that evening Gabriel stood in front of Vivian and the roaring fireplace. She looked into the fire and then up into his eyes that reflected the flames. The muscles of his jaw twinged, his shoulders heaving in a sigh.
"I really don't want to go looking for that man." He finally said, averting his gaze to his mate.
"So don't. You promised me anyways that we would have nothing to do with any of our kind while we are here."
"I did."
"So come here." She stretched her arms to him, and so Gabriel lay down on the flagstones, his head in her crossed legs. Gabriel looked briefly over at the Christmas tree at the other side of the room, underneath presents.
Her strong hands stroked his more than stubble chin.
"I told you that you would look sexy with a beard. Don't shave." She tried to say with an authorities tone.
"Yes highness." Vivian laughed at his comment then bent over to kiss is mouth. Her tongue touched the scar on his lip. Her teeth sampled his chin before she kissed him deeply.
Without warning his hand wrapped around the back of her head, locking her mouth with his, no escape for her this time. They took their time, nipping and kissing roughly. Finally he let her come up for breath.
"All right." He said as they caught their breath. "You've convinced me, I'll stay in tonight." Vivian threw her head back and laughed. She didn't care if there were others here; they hadn't noticed Vivian and Gabriel's presence so they were fine. Its not like they were invading anyone's territory since the two were vacationing, not picking out a home.
My song is love
Love to the loveless shore
And it goes on
You don't have to be alone
Vivian rested her against the bricks beside the fireplace while running her fingers through Gabriel's hair. He enjoyed their moments like this together, when no one like Esmé would come barging in. Gabriel's eyes got lost in the fire again; he couldn't help but think back to the night the inn burned.
When he came out with the shrieking baby the inn collapsed behind him, and he and Bucky ran faster. He had not seen Ivan come in the crumbling edifice, assuming that only Bucky was the other man inside. Had Gabriel known, he would have gone back for his leader. His clothes were torn and burned, his face and arms covered in black ash. His longs heaved and long ragged coughs escaped, making the frightened baby scream even louder. Between coughs he did his best to cradle the baby.
Your heavy heart
Is made of stone
And it's so hard to see you, clearly
You don't have to be on your own
You don't have to be on your own
Before him had stood Vivian and her mother. Jenny Garnier took her baby from Gabriel who stood watching as Esmé held her heartbroken daughter in her arms, both crying to the Moon. All he needed was to hear Vivian scream for her father to know that Ivan had been in the building when it collapsed. He turned from them to the building, several other pack members were howling in fear together for Ivan.
And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
You're the target that I'm aiming at
Can I get that message home?
Quickly Gabriel was by their side, but Vivian had fainted from the shock, her cheeks drenched with tears.
My song is love
My song is love unknown,
Esmé was clutching at her daughter, trying to revive her. Gabriel placed his hand on the mother's shoulder.
But I'm on fire for you, clearly
You don't have to be alone
You don't have to be on your own
"Let me carry her." He said in a broken voice. Esmé nodded in agreement, but only let go when Gabriel moved away her hands.
And I'm not gonna take it back
And I'm not gonna say I don't mean that
Gently so as to not awake Vivian, he cradled her to his chest and carried Vivian to the car with Aunt Persia inside. Esmé followed right beside Gabriel crying to no end for her husband, her grip on his shirt faltered once in a while so he had to stop to make sure she was still following. Gabriel placed Vivian in the back seat, strapping her seatbelt in place.
A shot rang out a hundred feet behind them. Esme screamed. Gabriel whipped around at the sound and saw a sniper trying to pick off some members of the pack. Renata and her husband were running for cover as the sniper continued to shoot at them. Gabriel roared with furry, and in a split second his clothes exploded off him as he Changed. The smoke filled air stung his eyes as he charged the sniper. THe man could only turn his eyes before Gabriel jumped him, knocking away the gun. The man tried to scream but Gabriel's jaws sunk into his throat, ripping, shredding, tearing the soft flesh, tasting the sweet blood and adrenaline. His claws dug into the snipers chest, and when Gabriel moved, there was little recongition of the man to be noticed.
Quickly Gabriel looked around for other snipers, but seeing that Raul was taking care of the last one just the same, he went back to the car. He pulled on what was left of his jeans. Blood covered his chin, chest, and hands. Esme, Vivian, and Aunt Persia were in the car, Gabriel jumped into the drivers seat, Persia riding shotgun. Esme had put the seatbelt on the still unconcious Vivian and herself, she had her arms wrapped around Vivian, moaning and crying for loss of her mate.
Without a word Gabriel started the engine and tore down the road, only stopping to pick up Renata, her husband, and Gregory who squeezed in uncomfortably to the back. Gregory slid under Vivian who was now half awake, holding her in his lap as she trembled. Gabriel looked back briefly at her heartbroken face. He wanted to tell her that he would get her to safety, unfortunetly he didn't know where safety was.
You're the target that I'm aiming at
And I'm nothing on my own
Got to get that message home
"What are you thinking about?" Vivian's words brought him back.
"Just about the first time I carried you."
"You mean by the stream?" Vivian thought he was referring to when she almost killed herself.
"No. During the fire, you passed out and I came to you and your mother, and then I carried you to the car."
"Oh. How come I didn't know about that before?"
"I knew you wouldn't appreciate it."
"But I do now." She said. Gabriel lifted his head, flipping over to his belly with both hands straddling Vivian. His nose rubbed against her long neck, his hot needy mouth touching her lips before rubbing noses. Then Gabriel was rolling their bodies away from the fireplace till Vivian lay underneath him.
She sighed as his teeth nipped at her shoulder and neck, followed by his tongue. She growled in pleasure before her mouth was captured again. Vivian tugged at his lips with her teeth, curling her long fingers into his thick hair. Gabriel's tongue tasted her fully he became intoxicated with her wild scent.
And I'm not gonna stand and wait
I'm not gonna leave it until it's much too late
On a platform, I'm gonna stand and say
Too soon they pulled back, desperate for air. She did not need the fire to keep her warm while Gabriel kept her close. After a moment Gabriel pulled Vivian from the floor and placed her on their bed. They began to kiss again, with a wild abandon that made the room unbearably hot. Anyways Gabriel wrapped his arms tightly around her torso so that one hand grasped her hips and the other held her shoulder. Gabriel needed the comfort of her neck as they fell asleep.
That I'm nothing on my own
And I love you, please come home
Vivian was still surprised that she had wasted so much time with Aiden when the one she wanted, though he was really full of himself at times, was always in front of her. Gabriel's strong hold on her tonight told her exactly that.
My song is love, is love unknown?
And I've got to get that message home.
…………………………………
Sigh, so pretty. It's important to bring Gabriel's ego back to earth, and heavens how I love this song! Please review and give me your thoughts, I only strive to please. If there are any requests to what you want next say it! One of the next chapters will be during Christmas and I desperately need ideas of what Vivian will give Gabriel, I mean really, what do you give guys? I asked this guy in French class what he got for Christmas, and he's like just money. That can't be it! So I know you wonderful reviewers would love to give me some ideas! Oh please oh please
love,
Dahlila