Chapter 2. Seducing the Wolf

"I can hear the animal inside. My resolve is weakening. Pounding at the doors of my mind. It's nearly overpowering. I cannot begin to describe the hunger I'm feeling again. Run if you intend to survive".
-Disturbed, The Animal

The new moon didn't last long, thankfully. The waxing crescent helped somewhat, restoring some of her wolf's strength. Not much, mind you, but she felt stronger. It was a perfect night to continue her search. She needed to find the one who set this curse upon her and kill them. Only then would she go back to being human. The wolf within would be silenced once more, and no more would Canis be at her mercy.

Keeping to the shadows was key now. She was changing, slowly but surely. With this phase, her eyes had turned from their human blue to a molten gold, wolf's eyes that she could see with acutely. Canis hadn't given Bane much thought, except that she expected never to see him again, which was alright in her opinion. She didn't need anyone or anything slowing her down. If her maker was out there, he obviously knew she was hunting him down, striving to kill. Still…her mind was full of thoughts about her opponent in the sewers. He was nearly as big as any werewolf she'd seen shifted and possibly just as strong. But he was also highly intelligent it appeared. One thing was for sure: the She Wolf was intrigued.

Canis knew she was being hunted herself, just not in a way that would get her killed. Well, maybe it could. But anyway, she knew Gordon was investigating her kill and so now keeping to the shadows was detrimental. He already had suspicions of a large dog, so she could imagine the trouble she'd be in if he found her with wolf eyes. Canis tried to avoid people, keeping the hood of shirt up to keep her eyes from meeting other people's.

Go back…go back to the sewers… The wolf insisted.
"No" Canis replied.
I wish to see him again. He made a worthy opponent. I'd love to sink my fangs into him…
"NO! Absolutely not!"
You know you want to see him again…Sarantha.
"Don't call me that!"

No one had called her by her human name in years. That girl was long dead, killed by the wolf, Canis Lupa. By not mentioning her, Canis had laid her to rest, leaving her memory to the back of her mind, but away from the wolf so she couldn't devour it. But now the She Wolf dared to try to bring her back.

Come now my human friend. We were quite a match for him. But still, he's human, like you. Weak without his wolf awakened. Just like how Sarantha was.
"ENOUGH!"

The She Wolf silenced and left her be. Canis had no desire to dig that hole any deeper than it already was. Funny…speaking of holes, now alone, she was surrounded by them. In her fight with the wolf, she unwittingly traveled to the cemetery. Quiet rang around her, even the snow fell quietly around her. In the silence, the familiar calm and quiet, Canis and her wolf were home. They were one for the first time in months. All the troubles they had before, even this argument that rose and ended a few minutes ago just disappeared, dying as the serenity took its place. Canis moved slowly amongst the graves, solemn wonder on her face. Taking a deep breath and feeling strangely energized, she looked up at the crescent moon and howled her own song to the moon, a song to those who were laid to rest here, and even to Sarantha Reynolds.

When the last note was carried away by the silence, that was when she finally sensed him. Behind her, he clapped slowly. Inside, the wolf's ears perked up and she jumped to face him. Bane…this time in a long coat. Her hood fell away but she hardly paid attention to it, once again caught up in his piercing gaze. They just stared for a moment, with Canis feeling slightly awkward. He'd heard her howl, he'd now seen her eyes…what would he do? What would he think? Most importantly: Why did she care?

"What are you doing here?" she finally asked.
"Listening to the wonderful music you make, Pequeña Lobo. You have quite a voice. It's hard not to hear".
"Did you follow me?"
"I'm surprised you didn't notice. Well, partially, seeing as how you were screaming at yourself".

Canis blushed with embarrassment. She feared someone would hear and well, he had. Although embarrassed, the She Wolf grinned. Her plaything was back and this time, she'd do more than leave a dry bite on his arm. She was hell bent on it. Canis twitched from the effort of holding her back, shuffling her feet or fumbling her hands in her pockets. Her mouth watered with venomous saliva and her fangs grew out instinctively.

"Now I know you truly are something beyond human. You are lupinotuum, werewolf".
"I know…what that means".
"You sound weak, little wolf. But yet…there's a moon".
"I'm not weak" it came out like a growl.
"I know" Bane stepped closer, and his scent caught the wolf's senses, "There's a part of you…an animal and it's trying to break free isn't it?"

He's asking for it! Let me bite him! I'll show the miserable pup who's weak!
"Quiet!" Canis thought, closing her eyes as Bane circled her some more.
"Don't fight it, lupinotuum. Set her free".
"I can't".
"I don't see why not".
"It's not a full moon…"
"But that doesn't stop the wolf" he moved closer, whispering in her ear like it was a secret, "Does it, Canis Lupa?"

She didn't answer, keeping a calm demeanor. But nothing could calm the race of her heart. Those eyes, that voice, and the constant movement of the wolf as she paced filled her mind. She closed her eyes, trying her hardest to resist and block him out, to keep the wolf caged. If she bit, he'd be turned for sure.

"Do you fear me, little wolf?"
"No".
"Do you think me evil? Do you see me as wrong? You've heard of what I can do, haven't you?"
"I have. I don't see you as either one".
"Then you are sorely mistaken".
"Those who are evil have a tendency to destroy things that they see as a threat or things they see that can get in the way of their plan. You have hardly yet to harm me" Canis looked down at his left arm where she had bit him under the coat, "How is it? The wound?"
"It is sewn and healing. How did you bite without turning me?"
"It was a dry bite, similar to what some snakes give their would be victims"
"You don't have the power to shift at will?"
"Not yet…but it won't stop me…"

Without warning, Canis hand turned into a large paw and she batted him away from her. The Wolf was free at last…somewhat. Bane quickly got up and she could see the smirk in his eyes.

"That's more like it, Canis. Let's see who's more dominant".
"Yes…let's".

She rushed at him, fangs out and now wolf claws replaced her gunmetal nails. Though she couldn't shift fully, Canis could still gain her forms natural weapons. Snarling savagely, she leaped up and dived for his throat, feeling strong like the wolf she was. Bane put his arms over his neck to protect his throat and allowed her to knock him off his feet. A repeat of their last encounter. It didn't matter, he'd defeat her this time. The animal would bend to him and him alone and at last, the mystery would be solved and his to control, to dominate. He kicked at her side, catching her off guard and then hit her in the chin and off her grabbed her by her neck and held her up in the air. She tried to squirm again, snarling and growling, her fangs gleaming white in the faint moonlight. Canis raked her sharp claws down the arms but it didn't even faze him. She tried moving her head to bite his hand, but his grip got tighter. She choked, feeling like her neck was being crushed. Inside the She Wolf's resolve weakened. She wasn't strong enough and neither was her human host. She'd have to submit…for now.

Feeling her air being cut off, Canis' vision became fuzzy. Soon her hearing went as well. Canis went numb and limp in his hold, passing out from the lack of air. She was dominated for now at least. Bane didn't just drop her like he originally planned. No, she was one of his most determined opponents and still had his respect for fighting until she couldn't anymore. He placed her limp body on the snow covered ground and put his coat over her.

"Find me, little wolf. It's your turn now" he walked away, leaving her in her unconscious state among the graves, looking forward to their next encounter.