Small Towns 1x1

[ROUX]

"Alex wait," Jason said, taking a single step in her direction before thinking better of it. His sister has good reason to stay away from him and there was obviously no chance of him talking if he got too close. Instead he let his voice carry across the lot, since there was no one else in the area to overhear what he hoped would be said. He missed her, yes. But pack law stated that they were not even supposed to interact-though Jason had a feeling Alex still would refuse to speak to him even if that law never existed. He was the only thing she had left after their parent's death, and he had indeed chosen to leave. Somethings were more important than others...even if the consequences were slowly and surely tearing him in two. "Can we just talk? Please. I...how are you holding up? At least tell me that."


-----------


"Oh you'll see..." Damon smiled, and even more so when Quinton took his hand, and the older werewolf decided not to let go after he'd gotten off of the bike, instead threading his fingers through the others and leading him forward. He had noticed the other gazing over the landscape stretching beyond them, and he wondered what he was thinking. Damon didn't come out here often - or at least not as much as he used to, but it was just as beautiful if not more so than the last times he had.


"I used to come here when I was younger, when I still lived with your pack. I guess it was...sort of an escape. A way to get away from all the whispers, the stares, the shunning...and my father. But no one could touch me out here," Damon spoke, as he walked further downstream, now leaving the road behind as he carefully stepped down to the riverbank as the greenery brushed his legs. It was like relief ing a memory actually - maybe that was why he didn't stop talking. What his mind reviewed his words took shape around. He stopped at a certain point, crouching down and pointing across the water. Just barely visible behind the trees on the other side was a clearing, only a bit away from the beach. In that clearing however, were my h more than the simple plant life that grew where they were. No, there were wolves, normal wolves on the land, much like them but different at the same time. He spotted a few pups among them, scrambling over one another and playing as they went. Damon chuckled, moving over slightly to give Quinton a better angle before explaining. "Always amazed me, they did...watched the older three grow up too."

 

[BlueJae]

Had she not already crossed her arms she might have, instead, she just laced them tighter "Fine. I'm doing fine." She said, a bit flatly, and there were things she could've said- things she had said, actually, and whether or not they were in either catogory she wouldn't take them back. Nathin had told her everyone had different views, then smoothly added 'even if they're the wrong views' with a snort, but that aside, he was right. And she hated it, or rather, hated the fact that she simply couldn't understand those views which were not her own. In the end, she was as most were, and asked the same question 'What did it matter?'. Apparently, however, it mattered a lot- more than her side, apparently.





Quinton might not have noticed too much, what with the threading fingers that is, if it wasn't for how rough the other's hands felt. He let himself be led though, glancing around at the new area, head tilted towards Damon so he could hear him clearly. He'd never been told just what exactly led Damon to where he was today, bits and peices maybe, over time maybe if he wasn't so- oh what was the word? Sypathetically blind, if that made any sense, he might've been able to take those pieces and put the puzzle together. It was like this how he often got lost in thought, he did it about as much as Nathin did but he never got as deep into his thoughts as Nathin did and thus it was easy to catch his attention- like when they'd stopped. When Damon crouched he was more or less dragged down due to link of hands but his eyes quickly flicked to the other's finger and followed the inexistent dotted line until he hit their designated point of interest. Wolves. Normally, this might not have been so exciting- that is, unless you'd never seen normal ones before. They were much smaller than what he was used to, and they seemed so...Carefree, at least the pups did. Lucky them. Their packs weren't nearly as big as their own, but none the less, it seemed to work just as effectively. Head ever so slightly tilted to the left as Damon continued to speak, and he listened, Quinton could feel the corners of his lip tug. He wondered what it was like to watch a creature grow, yet never having actual contact with them.

 

[ROUX]

"You don't sound fine," he replied, though keeping his voice level and steady in contrast to the skeptical nature of the words he'd actually said. He was treading on eggshells with the other, h had a feeling he always would be a long as he was still part of the Nightshade pack. It wasn't as if he could turn back now anyway. If he had a choice, to stay or to go all over again...he wasn't sure what he'd choose, and that was the scary thing. If Alex did ever forgive him, for making the wrong decision, how could he ever tell her he wasn't even sure the decision was wrong? He knew the pack would raise her well, yes, nearly just as well as he or their parents could have. But the decision he made to go may have tainted her anyway, the exact thing Jason had tried to avoid. "What are you doing here?"


--------


As Quinton watched the wolves on the other side, Damon lowered his arm, his attention shifting from across the river to Quinton himself. He studied the other, half amused from the adorably messy helmet hair the teen was currently sporting, and half curious as to what exactly he himself was looking for by observing. It was interesting - he was interesting - Quinton appeared to be so...untouched, mentally and physically. Hell Damon, again, was an exact opposite of that even, being covered in countless scars, especially the one on his neck. His hair covered most of it really, but he avoided touching the marks his father's fangs had left on them. The other, however, looked as pristine as could be as Damon's eyes roamed his body for a third time. He wondered if the other had any scars of his own...He reached over with his other hand, putting it underneath Quinton's jaw softly and tilting it upwards, studying the other's throat, where he had squeezed so vigorously one time...he imagined the bruises that would have still been there if he'd had his way. He blinked, as if trying to decide what he was feeling, unsure if disgust, or regret, or both when he realized that he could have indeed killed the other unintentionally if Nathin hadn't stepped in.

 

[BlueJae]

"I told you, I'm looking for something I lost, so I'm checking the town whilst I've got the time." She said, thinking about where Quinton could be right now, it was getting dark and she really didn't want to freeze her ass off looking for him, and right now she wasn't doing anything but wasting time. Though, the first comment her brother made, it causing her fingers to twitch. If they weren't curled around her arms she might have curled them into fists. It wasn't his job to point out things she already knew, nor his job to care, that's simply not how this game went. This, this was all a sickening game to see who could best one and another, take the humans out and what were they really fighting over? Territory? Maybe, but what did that even matter? It didn't.


Quntion watched the wolfs move, not quite feeling the other's eyes on him as he was once again dragged into thought. He'd have to sketch this, too, the wolves moving among the treelines, living their normal lives without a care, he wondered what it would be like to live your life only worrying about food or survival, if that was the case then they would be living something much better than the torn situation they were finding themselves in now. When Winter hit things were supposed to get better but he wasn't so sure. Nothing could really save them from the shit situation they were in currently. It pricked him, though, knowing he might never know such a simple life like he would've strained to. Another reason he wanted to go to the High school, feeling human was just a plus, he wanted to see what they lived like and how easy things could be for them...And they still dared complain. He supposed if you never knew anything worse than what you had then sure, you could complain, but what brats they looked like to him. He would kill for their life, and they might kill for his, until they actually lived it. He blinked, realizing his line of vision had been altered, he was looking up, and he hadn't been, last time he checked. He could feel the light pressure under his jaw, not quite processing yet.

 

[ROUX]

Jason may have realized that he had lost the right to care about his little sister the day he left her pack, maybe even lost the right to call her family - to her anyway, that was. Jason knew there would be no way he'd ever stop worrying for her, he never had, not throughout all they had been through. Even the first time the packs had fought, actually just flat out fought, he'd purposely twisted the plan so as to not hurt Alex, something she probably really did not appreciate at the time, and Damon was not all that happy to oblige to. Every single one of the nightshades knew that if they touched his sister, they would pay. It wasn't often that Jason's bad side came out, but the one wolf that had managed to get on his shit list had literally lost an eye. "I know you don't want to talk to me, ok, I understand, fine. But at least let me warn you," he pleaded, wishing she'd turn and look at him, just once. "There's something going on around here and I...I'm not sure what it is. But you and your pack need to watch your step, alright?"


-----------


Damon knew what he wanted to do. He considered their situation and had long since ruled it unacceptable, it was a sure way to end up with his head loped off, and he wasn't exactly how metaphorically he meant that either, knowing the two that were most protective of Quinton, not to mention the rest of his pack. And then there was his other side, the side that even he himself couldn't predict...the part that seemed to want to rip away and tear apart whatever he touched - and most of the time succeeded. It had been the same with Leon - he'd kept himself from ever coming close to harming the man...by murdering everyone around him. He couldn't do that with Quinton, even if he wanted to. So he'd have to find another way then, some other way...or take the easy route and cut himself off now. But it seemed he was stuck in the middle between the other wolf's allure and his own monster that he constantly fought when he was with him, promising the impending doom that would follow. His eyes lifted from Quinton's throat, ghosting over his lips before looking into the other's hazel eyes, his own pleading for the other to do something as he lowered his head until the tip of their noses brushed, no longer trying to decide himself, leaving that up to the other, begging for him to either send him away...or start him on the journey that would probably lead close to either damnation or salvation for Damon himself, one outcome fatal and the other promising worthwhile pain. He repeated quietly what he remembered himself saying the last time his mind had branched on this path, never breaking his gaze. "Can you save me?"

 

[BlueJae]

If looks could kill the dagger like glare Alex was now giving her brother would go straight through his heart "We'll be fine, we always are. How about you watch your's and quit worrying about mine." She frowned, having had just about enough of standing around she stomped off the other way. What a pain and waste that was, it irked her, as it usually did when she thought about her brother and his choices but talking to him? It was like every word was a needle to her ear and she didn't care to hear it. She was heading back, for now, ready to collapse in her room and just block out the world for about and hour or two with her music until she passed out somewhere in the middle of the night. Quinton would come home like he always did. He would. He had to.


Quinton blinked, once again, in surprise when his head was tilted back down, bringing them eye to eye, which was a pretty humorous way to put it considering their situation. Which, minus the 'suffocating' atmosphere, seemed quite similar to their first meeting. The question, which Quinton had spent the rest of that day asking himself trying to figure it out, was ringing in his ears once again, more intense than the last time. It was a yes or a no, but it really wasn't that simple, now was it? If you were looking at it from the outside, the question sounded like a long shot, if you were looking for the answer. What were the odds? To make it better they were going over probability as review in class, so really, what was the probablility that Quinton could? Three fourth? Two? One? None? Maybe he had all the capability, maybe he didn't and was gambling with his life here, but then again, hadn't he been doing that the past two times? The other wasn't trust worthy, and that wasn't being rude, it wasn't. There was a point where you lost control, Quinton was sure the other had hit that point many times. Maybe too many times, and that just might have been the problem, might've been exactly what was wrong. Quinton was just himself, not a hero. Just reckless, trying, striving, ridiculous Quinton. So, he might not have had it, and there was the chance that no one did, to help Damon. There was a chance that anyone who'd tried had gotten hurt, maybe gotten killed, and Quinton certainly wasn't any better than them, whoever they were. Certainly wasn't stronger, not smarter, and probably wasn't anything but less than them. He didn't have much going for him, and damn it he knew that, but he wanted to try. He wanted to so hard, he wanted to be something, do something, and this- this wasn't just some excuse for him to make something of himself. This was something he could do, despite throwing his life on the line, and get something out of. Something lasting, maybe, and if not well fuck it he did it. He would do it. He will do it, or he'd end it. He didnt have full confidence, he wasn't something special, and it wasn't just a simple yes or no. So when he decided on it, he was pretty sure he knew just what he was doing. Pretty sure he was now walking on thin ice, pretty sure that he was walking through a clustered hall with knives sticking out of the wall- but he was in it now. It was either this or the wrong side, and either had that likely possibility. Maybe someone had tried before them, and maybe they had met the end, but he guessed it was his turn- and he'd be damned if he didn't at least die trying. So, it might've been a joke, the other might've laughed in his face, but he was quite final in his answer "I can try."

 

[ROUX]

Jason had an objection on his tongue and he moved forward again, ready to voice it when he realized she was already gone from him. He'd lost her again. He didn't want to think of what other ways he could have lost Alex, he hoped whatever anger she felt towards him wasn't just...hate. He could deal with the anger, the label traitor, and the blame he deserved to carry, but he didn't know if he could take the true last part of his family hating him with every accusing bone in her body. He still thought that one day, maybe he'd be able to make it up to her, maybe he'd get the chance to explain his decision in a way that she'd understand...but today was obviously not that day. And with the rumors he'd heard, this season or the next would not be those times, not with what was expected to come. He started off back to where he'd come from, figuring his Alpha would make his appearance known when he was ready.


-----------


Damon blinked in shock, has hand dropping as Quinton's words hit him. If he'd expected the other to respond at all it was certainly not this way. An Incredulous expression maybe, violence - probably out of context for Quinton himself but nor for what Damon was asking him in general, and laughing would have been completely understandable, even if it would have pissed him off. Bur for him to give what Damon considered to be a genuine answer, for him to actually say yes..that was unexpected. He may have started off taking advantage of Quinton's vulnerabilities, but now, it was very much the opposite, knowing that no one in their right mind would have entered such a dangerous game. The same dangerous game Damon had been playing since the day his father attempted to put an end to him. But now? When someone like Quinton could maybe, just maybe see something in him worth saving, Damon was going to do everything available in his power not to let the dark side of him get to the other, never again. Because the part of Damon that constantly fought against the monster in his mind refused to let this werewolf be tainted, no not this one. This one was his.


A low growl vibrated through the older wolf before he moved, pushing Quinton back, and the other probably would have hit the ground hard were it not for the arm that was now looped around the younger wolf's back, stopping him from hitting the ground outright as Damon leaned over him. No, this one was his, and even if he couldn't tell anyone else that at the moment...he was certainly going to let the other know himself. The growl wasn't one of anger or irritation this time, no. It was out of sheer protectiveness, and the promise that he was undoubtedly making to himself and his other as he descended upon him, his other hand stroking the back of his head before he pressed his lips to Quinton's, letting the action itself get his feelings across. Nothing would hurt him, nothing, not as long as Damon could still fight for what he'd been given - a chance. And he'd owe his everything to the Luna wolf, whether he knew it or not.

 

[BlueJae]

Nathin stirred, his eyes fluttered, feeling a sudden surge of irritation pass him- a distance away but the air hitched as it moved by. He knew the scent of his own pack, and he more than certainly knew the familiar anger that came off only one wolf of his. Was it not his job, self proclaimed of course, he might've ignored it. He got up slowly, shaking himself off, craning his neck to look back at Leo who looked like he was still sleeping. He'd leave him to it. Whiping his head to the right to crack it he padded off into the trees, disappearing into the dark only to appear again on the moon lit trail, a good distance away from the fuming human figure. She hadn't even shifted, obviously wanting to take her time getting home. Nathin made his way to her within a few stride, coming up beside her, but neither wanted to look at the other "Problems?" He asked, looking away to examine the scenery "Don't worry about it." She muttered, Nathin nudged her shoulder, it wasn't that easy to get him off the case, and she should've expected as much. Sighing, she seemed to spill on the way back.


Quinton might've thought he screwed himself over, might've, was he not nearly tackled seconds after the growl. It'd certainly caught him off guard, that was one way to put it. His first reaction, or instinct, was to grab Damon's shoulders so he wouldn't fall, not knowing of the arm that came around his back- and yet his hands still hadn't let go. Funny how the simple action could wipe that surprise and edge right off, as if it'd never been. He let his eyes drift close, for two reasons really. That was usually how you were supposed to do it and- well, even if it wasn't he would've been too damned embarassed to look. He'd, if he was thinking right, only ever gotten kissed by his mother and while that alone was sad he wasn't exactly...If he was looking at the right word, experienced, in things of this kind of sort. That was uh, probably his own fault, probably. To make matters worse, seemed they'd got a bit of a shock, though he wasn't sure how he'd expected Damon to act, or rather, react really. This, not on the list, but then again the other had been surprising him a lot, as of late. He might've loosened up, was it not for the fact that he'd never gotten tense in the first place, which was new for him in a situation as such. If his tail was out there was a chance, a single chance, it might've been wagging. Could this be counted as an achievement? Possibly. Winning over the enemies heart, if he could even call Damon that, though his mind seemed to refuse to put the two together. He certainly couldn't have been as bad as he was without reason, and that was something not many took into consideration. Quinton would have to make a mental note on remembering that.

 

[ROUX]

Leo woke at the sudden disappearance of the warmth he had leaned into to begin with - which, now that he was thinking about it probably would have made him blush if he was in his human form right about now. He watched drowsily as Nathin walked away, probably to attend to the other approaching scent that he wasn't sure to whom it had belonged to. It wasn't his business. He laid his head back down on his paws - he'd already been asleep and he was too tired to bother to move...and besides that, he could see why Nathin slept here so much. It was comfortable. If only he had someone to block out the cold...but for now it didn't matter. He had been successful in dreaming about nothing, and it was...peaceful. Because he knew he'd have to face all the crap later, but now, he could just let it all slip away. He shifted again once more, before falling back asleep, letting the calming darkness consume him as he rested.


-------------


At this point, Damon knew they were both screwed, and maybe it was his fault. He'd take the blame for it anyway, and he knew he wasn't going back the moment Quinton's hands grasped his shoulders, actually relaxing into the touch. He wasn't rough with the other in the kiss itself, just because of who he was kissing, and furthermore when he realized that this might actually be the teen's first. Even if it was, it was just as enjoyable to him as any other - actually, much more so. Judging by how the hunter was reacting - it was for him too, and Damon smiled against the other's lips before pulling away, his eyes just as light as they were earlier when he'd asked Quinton to come with him, and without the sun aiding their shine. He was aware that he was going to have some serious explaining to do back at the house, and Quinton more so to his own pack...but this was far beyond worth it. He'd probably risk Nathin's claws every day if he could see his hunter...and from what he guessed would happen next, that was exactly what he'd end up risking. But he didn't dare voice his concerns to Quinton, much rathering to end this night properly, on a high note before they did return to their normal lives...though Damon had absolutely no intention of giving this up, giving him up.


"Don't you tell me," he began, picking Quinton up as he stood, holding the other to his chest as he did so, carrying the teen bridal style as he slipped his other arm underneath his knees, walking with him like that back up the riverbank, his smile never disappearing. "That was your first kiss...?"

 

[BlueJae]

"You can't complain, technically he wasn't on pack territory."


"We aren't even supposed to be talking to each other Nathin! You're alpha, you should be upset."


"I really don't care for you're sibling feuds Alex, you're not hurt are you? No? Then you're fine."


Alex opened her mouth to object but Nathin flashed his eyes at her to end the conversation as they came up onto the camp. Looking around he rumbled "Where's Quinton?" He mused, Alex shrugged, probably passed out from another day of school. She only made the excuse to slip away, but Nathin wasn't falling for it, Quinton's scent hadn't even passed through here, or his scent would be fresher. That said, he moved and waited over by the entrance, staring into the darkness.


Quinton wasn't sure just how he was going to get Damon's scent off him, but he was pretty sure he could find a way between now and the time he got back- surely. Though, when Damon pulled away a more than obvious blush hit his face and he was less than pleased with it. He almost bit his tongue when he was picked up, like a girl no less, but he would try and ignore that part- he had to, actually, when Damon asked his question, and Quinton wasn't sure if there was hints of amusement in the other's voice or if he was just hearing things but either way he groaned, letting the side of his face hit Damon's shoulder blade "Mmmhm." He hummed, less than pleased with his own answer. He would never admit that the only person he'd ever kissed were his own parents but that part was probably already obvious. One of the lesser achievements in his life compared to the other things he'd done. He still needed to figure out what he was going to do with the now overwhelming scent of Damon all over him. He doubted Nathin would be as pleased with it as he was and the one thing he'd done his best to avoid all his life was pissing off his own alpha, and he was sure this would do far worse to the wolf's mind than 'piss him off'. God knows the reaction he might make if he'd ever really found out.

 

[ROUX]

"Well...let's just say, I'm honored," he mused, answering the other just as they reached Damon's bike, the metal glimmering under the moonlight. He set Quinton down by it, grinning at the blush across the other's face before turning to retrieve the helmet. He hadn't meant to keep the other out this long really, it had just...happened. Though he supposed he couldn't complain about it, there was never a dull moment with this one, and every damn minute of this little expedition had been worth it in the end. Hell, given the opportunity, Damon probably would have stayed out here as long as possible, packs be damned if it wasn't for the little problem with the hunter. That, at least for Damon, was enough to make the usually rebellious and carefree Alpha uneasy, since it was a problem he couldn't just outright kill. Damn race were like the Hydra, kill one and two more would take it's place...though he'd have to multiply by about ten instead of two.


It didn't matter to him now. Quinton had the uncanny ability to cause Damon to write off everything terrible that he usually dealt with...and gave him something a lot more elating to focus on. He turned around with the helmet, leaning down and kissing the other lightly once more before placing it over his head, then climbing onto the bike and starting the engine. He supposed they probably should be getting back, it was late enough as is, though he was indeed dreading the fact that he'd have to leave Quinton to his Alpha. If the man gave the teen too much hell, he wouldn't have minded taking the fall for him, though he had a feeling Quinton would be against that whole idea.

 

[BlueJae]

Quinton was glad the helmet was put back on, he felt the stupidest grin dare to tug at his lips, forcing him to bite down excetionally hard. He got on after Damon, waiting to be taken home despite the troubles he would have to deal with but in the end, it was worth more than it cost. He could probably find a way to slip by without getting caught, only before he showered many times over. An alpha's scent was not something he could get off easily, or anyone for that matter.


It was only, of course, when he was dropped off that the real issue started. Despite the other insisting he tell him if anything went wrong, and him assuring him that it would be fine, it was not at easy as he was making it out to be sadly. Once Damon had gone out of sight he shifted, heading back towards camp. He'd dropped a few times and covered himself, or tried, in the scents of the forest. Hell, he'd even dropped himself in a freezing pond in an attempt to smell like anything but their enemy. That. That was more or less uncomfortable. Never the less he hoped that he'd lessened the scent because by the time that he'd gotten back Nathin seemed to arrive out of no where, his red eyes narrowed down at Quinton "Where have you been, Diaz?" He asked, blocking the hunter's path, Quinton tried his best not to flinch or tense "S-Sorry, I delayed the trip home a little."


"School got out hours ago, want to know how many?"


"It'd gotten boring just coming back home everyday, I wanted to explore a little." Quinton muttered, Nathin let out a low growl from his throat "And you didn't think to get one of?" He asked, his tone was as low as the growl, obviously not pleased "You're never around, Alex would've said no-" He ducked in time to miss the jaws aimed for him, lowering himself to stare at the ground "This isn't something you can just take so lightly, you'd do better to remember that, it's for your own good. I'm not dense, Diaz." Nathin backed up, still narrowing his eyes before he headed back, away from Quinton "Get to sleep, no objections." HE murmured, Quinton sighing in releif.

 

[ROUX]

"What do you mean they lost him? Where was he even going...? Are you sure it was just the one?" Damon asked in disbelief, something like dread etched into his facial expression. He'd been intercepted on his way in, trapped in the dining room with Jason, who was absolutely livid already with Damon's unexplained yet highly predictable absence, and then to be told that the hunter that had been sighted had crossed onto the other pack's territory. Normally, Damon would have been ecstatic, it wouldn't be his problem anymore and he probably would have hoped that the bloody figure would have killed a couple of his foes off. But now? Now he had more than one reason to have quite a lot of distaste for the discovery. He couldn't tell what was more disturbing, that the Werehunter had actually dared to travel alone, or that it had looked straight at one of his wolves and not tried to kill it.


"Yes, they lost it, not everyone is as damn fast as you, and not everyone is thick enough to endanger their lives at every little thing - or their pack for that matter," Jason hissed from across the table, crossing his arms where he stood. The Beta hadn't missed the scent emanating from Damon, or was unmistakably of their rivals, confirming his earlier suspicion and making him even more upset.


"Oh, what is that supposed to mean - "


"It's supposed to mean you should have been there. We needed you, we could have made a faster decision or anything really then just let him off, but you were too busy playing Romeo - "


"It's not like that!" Damon growled, his eyes glowing red as the other man quieted at the stare, though it did nothing to quell his anger. The anger that Damon scarcely saw, and honestly felt guilty about bringing out. Especially knowing that the other man was only upset because of trying to protect him, or at least get Damon to protect himself. "Look," he started, the fie in his eyes dying down as he stared at the other. "I told you. It the Argents come looking for me, or anyone else in this damned town, I'll put a stop to it. Even If it means that I have to go back. No buts, no arguing, however - I'm going to look into it in the morning. No way in hell I'm letting a Werehunter run around these times, I don't care who's territory I'm on."

 

[BlueJae]

"Quinton."


"Mmm."


"Quinton!"


The smaller wolf groaned, shifting in his small bed, only to cringe when he washit repeatedly with a pillow "Get. Your. Ass. UP!" Alex wasted no breath yelling at him, each hit harder than the last until he held him hands up in defeat "I'm up, I'm up, spare me!" He yelped, sheilding his face from the attacks, which ceased once he'd sat up "You are in so much shit, you know that? You're lucky Nathin's busy or he'd be having you by the tail." She said, almost sounding impressed "What?" Quinton had almost forgotten, almost, but when it did hit him it hit him hard and his expression gave way as he realized just how screwed he would be in Nathin ever found the time to question him properly about his disappearence, which of course Alex had taken up herself "Where were you really?" She mused, staring him straight in the eyes, he blinked, silence slowly rolling in like fog, it was only when she realized he wasn't going to answer she seemed to give him a lop-sided grin "That bad huh? Can't even tell me, and we both know you lied to Nathin, hell, Nathin knows you lied to him- you should've seen him bursting in my room last night, on a rant on your behavior. It's questionable, what's gotten you in such a bend, I wonder, that you'd break the rules then lie straight to the alpha's face. Tell ya what, I'm supposed to figure out what it is, but that's boring. No fun unless we figure it out the hard way, and we will find out. Sooner or later, scale of one to ten can you at least tell me how bad it is?" She pleaded, giving him a begging look, he made an uncomfortable look "U-Um, ten?" He said, a hint of question in his voice, Alex's eyes widened "Seriously!? No way, really? What the fuck did you actually do Quin?" Alex wasnt mad, no, she was laughing- hysterically "I never thought I'd live to see the day you did something wrong much less something this bad, and you're not lying about that? No? Holy shit dude, Nathin will have a fit if he finds out- whatever it is. Have fun, while you can." Alex snickered, patting him on the back before getting up "I'll see you around, then, I'll do my best to keep Nathin off your ass. Enjoy the peace while you've got it." She said, leaving him alone in his room, still uncomfortable even then.

 

[ROUX]

Leon yawned, stretching with his paws out in front of him before he stood straight, shaking his fur out a bit. He'd gotten an adequate amount of sleep the night before - no, it was more than that. He'd gotten the most sleep than he'd gotten in an entire week, and it was, in a word, rejuvenating. For once he was relaxed, and he kept the light feeling as he trotted all the way back to his house, shifting halfway there so he could open the door. Except for the very odd fact that...his door had already been opened. What the hell...





"Hello?" He yelled, poking his head in. When he receive no answer and didn't pick up a scent, he continued, though beyond suspicious. Had he left it open when he left maybe? He couldn't remember, and nothing else seemed to be out of place...not for him, anyway. He wasn't exactly the most organized person around, and that was putting it nicely. There were piles of his junk everywhere, most of it music related, record covers and instrument cases galore, along with the occasional pair of headphones. He stepped around the mess and headed to his bedroom, putting his hand on the doorknob... and then ripping it away again as the flesh on his palm burned from the touch. "The fuck - " He growled, before stepping back, and forgoing the doorknob completely, ready to kick the damn thing down and ferociously attack whatever was inside when the door swung open on its own...revealing the face of the second to last person he ever expected to see.


"So you are a werewolf...shit. Things just got complicated."

 

[BlueJae]

Nathin cracked his jaw, yawning before he felt the connection with the back of his head and his mother's palm "Was there a reason for that or do you simply enjoy hitting me?" He asked, lazily looking over at her "I'm trying to wake you up, you know who's coming today, I can't have you lying around." She warned, Nathin straightened up, giving her an incredulous look "Would you like to repeat that?" He asked, voice dangerously sharp, earning a guilty look, he shook it off and moved away, he had time, at least, to go get some coffee. He needed coffee, did he ever, despite the fact that he didn't drink it all that often- wasn't good for his system, speaking personally, but it was necessary. He was surprised, though, when Alex joined him. Her grin that stretched from ear to ear made him wary, she didn't do that often, or at all really "It's too early to be looking so happy." Nathin noted, she only looked over at him "It's a ten."


"What's a ten?"


"Scale of one to ten, he said it was a ten."


Nathin squinted at her, he now understood what she was talking about but thing was, what specifically was she talking about? He felt his curiosity sink when she shook her head "He didn't tell me what he did but he gave it a ten, being the worst." She noted, Nathin mused, scratching under his jaw "Think he'll do it again?" He wondered, aloud really it wasn't a question meant for Alex, who answered anyways "I think he will." She said, feeling Nathin's eyes switch to him "Think," she said, tapping the side of his skull "when has he ever done something wrong? Never. Suddenly he's lying to your face. This, ten we'll call it, must be very persuasive." She said, laughing at her own tone, her good mood was uncanny or maybe that was Nathin just being his usual irritable morning self "And what do you suggest?" He asked, deadpanning when she answered instantly "Nothing." She shrugged, Nathin blinked, face void of anything, until he blinked himself back into reality "You what?" He narrowed his eyes "It's a ten and you want me to do nothing?" He asked, almost in disbelief as Alex held her hands up "Listen, he's easily scared, he probably jut exaggerated what he did because you scared him half to death." She said, raising her head as they breached the tree line, heading into town officially "I don't- Mmm." Nathin shut his own mouth, at some point Alex had to drag him in the right direction after asking where they'd been headed originally so that he could lose himself in thought.


Their timing, of course, had been interesting indeed. By the time they'd left the blue-eyed one, not of their pack, had made her way up and into Quinton's room where he'd yet to get up. She stared down at him coldly, examining him face down in the mattress, that was until the took the sheets and flipped him off the bed. He scrambled, in panic of course, until he finally got to his feet- only to trip himself in surprise when the beta turned, arms crossed looking down at him "Where's Nathin?" She frowned.

 

[ROUX]

Damon paced as the white wolf outside the rival pack's borders, more unsure than he had been of his willingness to cross over. Obviously he'd done it before, but now...he'd only gone once in a blue moon, never twice in the span of less than month of course. He could feel the chilly ground quite well beneath his stark black paws, as it was hardening with every day since, promising to freeze up soon under the snow that was sure to fall with the coming of the dreaded winter. He was near the northern realm of the Luna territory, loitering as he tried to make a decision. Jason had taken him to the spot where one of his wolves had seen the figure, unmistakably a hunter judging by what he carried, the lack of a scent, and the tattoos. The tattoos were very hard not to notice. When you saw the hunters mar, most wolves were taught simply to run the other way - depending on what it meant. If it was the seal of the promise of death, you might as well stay put, he'd never seen anyone escape a Creed's wrath. Only those who dared to try and evade it, ending up with only a much more painful death for their efforts.


His ears twitched as he raised his head to better scent the area. He couldn't pick anything, but he knew he had to be at least moderately sure. He didn't know if Quinton had manged to get the scent off before arriving home the night before - they'd have to find a way around that since there was no way Damon was saying away from the teen now - and if Nathin had been alerted to the previous day's activities, finding the rival alpha on his land would only make things worse. He had a feeling that he was treading on very dangerous grounds here with the other pack. If they found out about...this...relationship, all hell would break loose. Nathin had avoided fights with Damon ever since the one, and that was years ago, even before the man was Alpha - but if he discovered that Damon had claimed not only one of his pack members but a valued, trusted, and well protected one at that, the man just might decide to go back on his former reservations. He then realized that it wouldn't end well even if they did fought, and Damon came out on top...he supposed Quinton would have been like a brother to the man, or at least a very close friend, and Damon found himself unwilling to destroy anything close to Quinton, regardless of how much they would eventually want to destroy him.


As much as he wanted to just scrap all of his worries and saunter over onto their land again, he couldn't. And especially when he couldn't trust the other pack with the information just yet..well, most of the pack anyway. Maybe he could tell Quin...maybe he knew what the Werehunter was looking for in the first place. But he wouldn't even be able to tell Quinton what - or rather who, he thought the being may have been looking for, especially if he had come without a fight. Besides, he had no idea how he was going to manage to get o Quinton today, not with Nathin on his ass - even if he didn't know what was going on with his pack member, he still would have been angry for the unaccounted for disappearance the night before. Hell, Damon was risking it by treading so close to the other's territory, especially now. But he hung around there anyway, practically looking for trouble, maybe in the form of a border patrol - really anyone he could try and get information out of from the rival pack.


---------


"Noah - what are you doing here?" Leon gasped, already shocked enough at the sight of his former best friend whom he hadn't seen or spoken to in two years, and never thought he would do so again - but then the other whipped something from off his back and pressed the cold metal against his throat, he began to worry, and quite a lot for that matter. The other man studied him, the kind eyes he'd once come to recognize uncharacteristically malicious, as well as the intimidating looking markings that weaved their way up Noah's neck. The hunter glared at him, his actual intentions indescribable as he did so as he tried to figure out what to do. "You...that's why you left. They told us you were dead you know, but you'd just become....one of the monsters? I should kill you. The code says I should kill you, right here right now..."

 

[BlueJae]

"A-And you are?" Quinton blinked, finding it hard to swallow under the crushing gaze, her eyes seemingly void of anything close to warm. He knew Betas had blue eyes, but this was icy, cold, despite her rather tanned skin and black hair, curly, or some of it was anyways. She was tall, very, Quinton would say six two, six three maybe? She didn't smell like his own pack, she didn't smell like Damon's, she was foreign, hell she might've been out of state, he'd never known that scent before "I asked you first." She stated, meaning a question not the question, Quinton had already dealt with enough hard tones, this one was no different than Nathin's when he was angry, thing was the other seemed to be in their natural state and he didn't care to see her angry "He might be out. Um, you could wait until he comes back?" He offered, he just didn't expect her to wait on his bed, a moment of silence rolled in until she looked over at him "Are you going to get dressed or are you going to stand there light a deer in the headlights?" She asked, Quinton hurriedly found something to wear while the female stretched out "I didn't catch-"


"Asher." She said, rolling over to pick up one of he many books around Quinton's room, he blinked, and when she didn't get a response she looked back up "That's my name." She said, as if it was obvious, making Quinton feel less...Intelligent than usual "Ah, right, I'm Quinton." He said, debating whether he wanted to shake her hand or not but due to the fact that she seemed busy he avoided it as he messed around with the ends of his sweater that he put on in such a rush "Where are you from?" He asked, eyes never leaving the floor "North of here." She said, stopping on a page that had to quickly seemed to catch her attention "Where is-"


"What is this?" She asked, making Quinton jump when she threw her legs over the mattress and let her feet so quickly hit the floor with a hard thump as she held the book out to him and pointed. Her finger landed on a telescope, like those that pirates used in stories, an older model is Quinton was looking at it right, and he was "A telescope." he said, looking up at her, seeing the expectant look on her face when he stopped "Oh. Uh, it's used to see further than you normally can, it's an old type though, there are better ones now. You can see pretty far with them now-a-days, like into the stars and such." He explained, flinching when she got up seriously abruptly "Can you get me one?" She asked, seemingly out of no where, he blinked "I- m-maybe?" He had a hint of question in his voice, she put the book down and started dragging him out of the room "Let's go then, no wasting time." She said firmly, Quinton nearly had a heart attack "I can't leave camp, Nathin will kill me- wait, I still need to go to school, I can't be gone-"


"We'll go and tell them you'll be gone then. I can take care of your alpha, quit thrashing we don't have time to waste." He said, pushing him in front of her, Quinton let out a long whine "This isn't ok."

 

[ROUX]

Leon thought he was going to die - really. It would be most undesirable, of course, to die at the hands of his own best friend - could he call the other that anymore though? He looked as if he'd become something else entirely...a parallel to Leon himself. And what had he become exactly? The werewolf had no idea, but it was certainly not normal, his wolf clawing at the surface in fear. Understandable, seeing as the last time he spoke to Noah he'd been human, through and through. But this feeling he was getting, a feeling that told him he should be terrified, and especially from the ink on the other's neck, but right now, all he could do was try and reason with him. "You don't want to do this, to kill me. Yes, ok, I'm a...I'm a werewolf. But it's still me, the same person you knew over half your life -"


"Yes, yes, I have known you half of my life. And we...I trusted you - why the fucking hell didn't you tell me then?"


"I couldn't tell you!"


"Why not-"


"Because I was afraid I'd kill you!" Leon shouted back, causing the other to blink back in surprise, giving him his opening. He kicked the other square in the chest, sending him flying backwards into the wall. Though he'd distracted the other man enough to do so, the sword still dragged across the throat, leaving the blood to slowly gush from the wound, but Leon didn't have the time to think about healing. His wolf was in full on fight -or- flight mode, and with his wolf telling him to get the hell out while he could, he found himself running out the front door as fast as possible, shifting midair as he flew off of his front step, handing on all fours before sprinting. He didn't know whee he was going, he just ran, ran for his life, ran until he couldn't hear the other's footsteps behind him and then kept on running.


--------------


Damon had loitered around the edge of the territories for about an hour an a half now before deciding he needed a better plan of attack. And he needed somewhere to think....about everything...while taking the edge off. The edge of his hunger, that is - ha hadn't eaten in days, but ever since Quinton...every time his mind flitted to that little region, he felt a deep pang of guilt in his chest. He would tell the other what he did...somehow...sometime. But he wanted to put it off, and maybe, just maybe that was the problem. regardless, he didn't want to think about even doing that now, but because every time he thought about the need of the ravenous animal within him he thought of what he'd neglected to say, he needed something to hold it off for a bit longer. A good round of drinks sounded promising...or maybe a few rounds, if he was being true to himself. So he'd ended up at the bar, no big change for him anyway, even if he wasn't drinking himself into thought, it was just a place he liked to be. Now, however? Now he was definitely drinking. Jason would probably kill him, but his mind usually tackled things better when he was too knackered to care about consequences...unfortunately, he also would probably physically tackle anyone who pissed him off while he did drink, like the unlucky son of a bitch who was currently in the bathroom, no doubt nursing his bleeding and broken wrist after he'd tried to pickpocket the werewolf as he sat at the counter. He spun the glass in front of him around with a finger, stopping it between it and his thumb as he caught the reflection of one of his icy blue eyes, and he winced, dropping the damned thing and pushing it away, empty, before reaching for the bottle instead.

 

[BlueJae]

"Oh, so, then that's what you're doing here?" Quinton cocked his head, watching the Beta in front of him as she nodded firmly "Yes, and I can't do that until I find your alpha, Nathin is his name as I've been informed." She said, Quin confirming her statement "Though, what does getting a telescope have to do with finding Nathin?" He said, looking around, as being in the town didn't make him feel any better, as he wasn't supposed to leave without Alex or Nathin "If we can see farther, we'll find him easier." Asher said confidently, Quinton picked up his speed "I don't think you're thinking along the right- Actually, you know, sure, let's find that telescope." Quinton redirected his statement realizing this would be one of the few times he'd be allowed back into town "Where does the device lie?" Asher looked at him, eyes narrowed and glowing, he would have to teach her how things worked along the way "Probably in an antique shop, there's one further in. Um, you should probably stop that." He pointed out, Asher tilted her head "Stop what?"


"You're eyes are glowing."


"They do that naturally, they're not glowing, just reflecting light. You'll know when they're glowing." She said, making Quinton swallow hard, her voice sounded like she was promising him a threat. He quickly cleared his throat "R-Right, so, mind if I ask you some questions?" He asked, trying to keep pace and turn her in the right direction at the same time "I suppose not, what is it you require?" Though she was speaking to him she never looked away from the road in front of them "First off, what's your plan after finding Nathin?"


"I assure the safety of the area."


"Oh, ok, um, are you going back after that?" Quinton watched her shake her head "No, I stay here. Seems I'll be following you until further notice." The younger wolf blinked, processing that piece of information for a moment "Everywhere?" He asked, watching Asher shrug "Unless you have a preference for me not to." She answered, that was...Useful. He wondered, just for a moment, how Nathin would fare against Asher. She seemed like the vicious, quiet type "How well can you fight?" A completely off topic question, maybe, and the situation it would come in handy with was a long shot but he needed, or rather wanted, to know "I can hold my own, if that's what you're wondering." She said, her voice smooth with that hint of edge, Quinton would have to watch that well "Mmm. Well, is there anything you like, something we could get you to feel at home?" He asked, Asher raised her gaze, as if lost in thought, then shrugged "I smoke, I suppose." She said, actually making a surprised expression when Quinton hissed at her "That'll kill you!" He said, already concerned for the well being of this Beta "I haven't died yet no? It takes longer for the effects to set in, with us. You asked, I answered." She said simply, Quinton frowned at her "Such a bad habit." He said, Asher raised a brow "It is too early for scolding." She stated, Quiton rolled his eyes "Is the day so young?" he asked, now it was his turn to be surprised when Asher knew his reference "But new struck nine." She said, Quinton stared at her for a minute, skeptically almost "You knowthe story?" He mused, sounding halfway impressed "Romeo and Juliet? I do read, mind you. In love?"


"Out."


"Of love?"


Quinton's brows raised "You know it as well as I do, then." He stated, Asher made a nonchalante tone "I could probably recite an act or two." She said, only stopping when Quinton directed her into the shop "I will have to take you up on tht, some time." He stated, turning to face the amount of trinkets laid before them all over.


To be honest, he hadn't been expecting to actually find a telescope, but alas, they had. Asher was now wandering around staring at everything, Quinton chuckling behind her, they'd talked some whilst looking, it was always better to know those who surround you, as Quinton thought "What does your alpha look like, Quin?" She asked, Quinton blinked, he'd never really thought of describing Nathin, everyone already knew what he looked like "Um...Look for the intense looking guy?" He tried, hearing Asher snort ahead of him he felt a bit of embarassment- until she froze, cocking her head, then handed him the telescope "That one?" She asked, pointing Quinton in the correct direction, he nearly broke into a laughter, she'd actually found him lounging in a coffee shop with Alex, off his own description! When he assured her that was Nathin she dragged him across the street by his collar before breaking into the coffee shop as if she owned the place, striding over to Nathin, shoving a finger his way "Guild! I've been looking fucking everywhere for you, I've a message from Navita, are you so plain as to waste your time here?" Asher strode over to him, never once letting go of Quinton.

 

[ROUX]

Damon really really wished at this point that he hadn't come back from the lake, or at least had nothing to worry about that would make him do so. He would have spent the entire day and night with Quinton, weeks, months even. Was it immature of him to want to be with the man at every waking moment? Probably. Should he be focused on the threat at hand? Oh but he was, and all too well. He had not only his pack to worry about, but now his former mate, who even though most likely wanted nothing to do with him, he would protect at all cost and Quinton, who ha cared about so much, already - in fact, it was strange how he accepted it already, though he couldn't say the same for the other, not yet anyway. Quinton was his - he kept repeating it in his mind, his wolf had fused with him for once to agree, and anyone could see that Damon's affections would be a double edged sword, not just for the obvious reasons. He was still an Alpha, and the fact that the one he had all but officially claimed belonged to another pack...it bothered him. But then, he had made the choice, and he would have to love with it. But one thing was for sure - if anyone else tried getting close to him on anything but a platonic level, Damon would have words to deliver - and even on the said platonic level he'd probably be uneasy. He couldn't help it, it was just his nature, and the fact that...well, he was a bit territorial. Ok, maybe a little more than a bit - he didn't have many things that he cared about, and he preferred for no one else to touch them, lest they decided to up and leave him. He was spinning the glass again, the news catching his eye - the human police had found the human he'd killed and hidden a week before. They were getting better, damn them - either that, or Damon just needed to up his game a little more. He licked his lips as he looked at the damage he caused, getting a kind of sick satisfaction from watching the mundanes drag bits and pieces of the woman's body from the disturbed earth, the chunks obviously rotten with decay. He always remembered a taste...and she'd been sweet, like coffee - funny, she had worked in a coffee shop around here...snatched her right from her job, he did. It was easy too, as no one had been with her on her shift, and he'd inquired about it when he walked inside to talk to her, though knowing he would tear her to pieces later with his teeth, with her blood and flesh dripping from his jaws while the other parts slid down his throat. He wondered how the guy who'd ditched her for a late night party would feel now, after seeing what had been done to his would-be-partner...though Damon probably still would have killed them both if he'd been there. That was the difference, between him and others - he felt nothing when he killed. Nothing. No remorse, no regret, nor anger or disgust....just the nothingness when he did it, and the enjoyment before and after the kill.


No matter how hard he tried to quell that darkness within him, it always flared...and he hadn't minded after a while. He wouldn't have cared with Quinton when they'd first officially met, if it wasn't simply for the fact that the teen was like a white flame battling his own.

 

[BlueJae]

"I-"


"And she said that you'd need to make sure everything is in order because she refuses not to host a celebration when she arrives, also, have you prepared enough?" Quinton blinked, he'd never seen Nathin so...What was the word? Surprised? Scared? The face he had on was priceless. He never blinked as Asher started naming off all the things that he had to have had done byn now, and it was only the start of Fall. To be honest it looked like Nathin's will to live was being crushed by the second and they'd only been standing there for approximately fifteen minutes. Soon, when Asher was done, Nathin swallowed "A-And you are?" He coughed, clearing his throat "Asher." She said, arms crossed, she seemed expectant of Nathin, who had a blank look on his face "And...Is that all?"


"For now. If you don't mind, I'll be taking your hunter until further notice." She said, holding Quinton up by his collar, the two seemed to tense but neither moved, well, other than Alex getting halfway up "Objections?" Asher asked, her eyes flashed this time, Quinton knew they did- thing was Nathin had no power over her and he surely didn't know what she was capable of "Very good" She said, putting him down before heading out for the door, Quinton following as quickly as he could "And...We're going where?" He asked, Asher looked back at him "Smokes. I need some." She said bluntly, Quinton frowned but obliged, only because he apprechiated the fact that neither Nathin or Alex seemed to scare her, or had any hold over her like they would anyone else. It would be...A useful task, he could use her, but it made him feel guilty if he was doing just that- so he would befriend her in the process. That sounded much better.

 

[ROUX]

Leonardo stormed into the coffee shop, looking a mess, clothes rumpled and his hair perfectly matching his tattered mindset as he pushed open the door. Thank the gods there wasn't a line, he didn't think he would have been able to wait that long - tea, it was his comfort drink, and he certainly needed both that and the caffeine from it right about now. He ordered the largest cup of Chai he possibly could, blushing self consciously as the woman working the counter's lip curled in distaste at his state of dress. He reached up, pulling his jacket closed over the shirt he'd warn yesterday, leaning against the counter as he waited, turning around, the words of the local news channel making background noise as he kept one hand clutched to the zipper, which he'd pulled all the way to his throat as he closed his eyes, breathing in and out slowly - and again catching that damned scene that he couldn't seem to get away from...though he wasn't exactly afraid for his life of it now, but still fairly wary of the Alpha. Who seemed to be with someone...another wolf. He gaped, before turning around to face the other way, praying they wouldn't see him, and that the lady would hurry up wit his drink, so he could find another niche in the town to bury himself in until he felt comfortable to return to his own house...chances looking pretty bleak right now. His heart was still pounding in his chest at the thought of it, and it was only then that he realized he'd forgotten to heal...explaining the full extent of the woman's expression as the coppery scent of blood filled his nose, almost blocking out Nathin's. He kept his head turned, hoping the other was too busy with his Alpha-ness to recognize the scent of him, even with the blood. It wasn't like he was a friend, he was just...some guy. Even if the Alpha had called him his responsibility, Leon still fumed at the word 'pet'. And then there were the lies about Damon...he really needed to just get out of there, he was too worked up to heal, and he was too jumpy for his own good.

 

[BlueJae]

"I don't like her."


"I can tell."


"And you?"


"If she's Navita's choice then I have no say in what to do with her, and, if she wants to look after QQuinton I suppose that I'll let her. There are worse things to worry about."


"You mean like you stressing about new preperations."


"Percisely."


The two seemed to make small talk about their visitor and preperations despite the time ahead of them, and the fact that it was still very, very early. Nathin ran a hand through his hair "She seemed so unreal." He muttered, Alex cocked her head "The way she acted, I mean. It was...Off." Nathin watched Alex roll her eyes "He says as he lets our friend run off with her." She sighed, reaching to hit him on the head, to which he frowned "Would anybody else like to take a shot?" He sighed, muttering it to himself as he looked around, and he might've missed it was it not for the wavering smell of iron "Do you-"


"I was waiting for you to notice."


The two seemed to narrow their eyes at the back of the other's head, exchanging glances, daring the other to go make the first nudge. Eventually, Alex actually nudged him towards the other towards him. Nathin got up, stretching, before heading over to Leo, cocking his head "Got yourself into more shit?" He said, crossing his arms despite the fact that Leo's back was to him.


"So do you drink?"


"No!"


"You don't cuss much either do you?"


"I...No."


Quinton frowned looking up at Asher as she lit up a cylinder, blowing smoke above him, to which he cringed "Have you ever tried alcohol?" She mused "I'm not even-" he was stopped by the sudden look she gave him, pure amusement "We can fix this no worries." She shrugged, Quinton looked her over in disbelief "Tell me you're not an alcoholic." He said, she frowned "I drink once in a while, its been three years. Pretty sure I've got a right." She noted, Quinton just sat there "I'll get you some, so you don't have to worry about the legal thing, this way." She said, tugging him in another direction, he let himself be drug along though as the slightest curiosity pricked at him.

 

[ROUX]

The Omega debated whether he should answer the Alpha, or just pretend he had been to immersed in his own thoughts to hear the other - which he had been, until he saw the man. He decided to go with the former to avoid irritation from the other, and though he couldn't at all accurately say the same for himself, at least his own fear and confusion weren't caused by Nathin. He breathed out in a rough sigh, turning slowly to face the other. Nathin looked tired, or at least he did to Leon, and he wasn't sure if it was really his business to be noticing this but he did. Perhaps all of those naps in the middle of his path home hadn't been enough...Alas, Leon couldn't talk himself, he looked even worse - probably for different reasons. His throat stung and he pressed his hand down on the wound harder, he realized he'd have to try and cover up the way the blood had seeped through the collar whenever he finally got what he'd ordered.


"I...probably did," he admitted, rather vaguely so for a reason. His voice wavered as he spoke, he was never a very good liar, and especially not to Alphas...not to this one. He wasn't going to tell the other exactly what had happened, not yet, and definitely not who. It wasn't like Nathin would have the right - and maybe not the will either - to be angry over it, however, he didn't want to set an angry Alpha after Noah until he figured out exactly what the hell was going on. Even though the man had attacked him, he still felt like he owed it to the other to hear him out - as long as he didn't have to have his throat slashed to do it. His eyes slid away from Nathin's again, instead fixing themselves on a spot over his shoulder. He didn't know what it was about the other, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something was just...off about him. That wouldn't have been so strange itself, but paired with Nathin's natural intensity factor, and that scent that regardless of him being off his heat just seemed to never go away - he was like the entity in a horror movie that the characters knew they shouldn't seek, but somehow were just pulled in. And the last thing Leon needed was to be pulled in - by anyone, ever again for that matter. There were reasons he kept to his life of solitude, that was for sure.


---------


Damon was on his third bottle by the time he actually bothered to look at the clock, head spinning appropriately, but it wasn't like he didn't know how to hold his liquor. He had texted Jason an hour ago with his plan, and the other had begrudgingly agreed, though Damon knew for a fact that any subject he brought up to Jason involving Quinton would be a sore one. Sure he knew that the other was right, that he shouldn't be taking chances with their rivals, but he knew the price he'd pay if they were found out by Quinton's Alpha. It was worth it. The question was, did he think the same? It was hard to put labels on what they were, what they wanted it to be...but Damon would wait for him, that was for sure.