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🔥Mature Content🔥

             Oh, the growing haze. The buzzing, the pulsing. Hearing more than you can bear. The moon was just about full, nor had it risen. Aida wanted to be cracked wide open, and devoured on sight by Mateo. He had gathered more than enough funds for their stay, she wondered if the moon helped him this time. 

             It had to be that. 

             He was so attractive to her currently, as she watched him eat all the way down to the pit of a mango, still sucking the fruit off as if he’d never eat another mango again. His hands were sticky, so he sloshed them in the wash bowl, then wiped them on his shirt. Mateo realized Aida was watching him still, and decided it was wise to make a move. 

            He got on his knees to be at eye level with her, he could tell her heart was racing. He didn’t want to explain himself, he was simply just present. Mateo’s hand slithered its way up her skirts as he continued making full on eye contact with her – and then he pierced her flesh. Slow at first, as she had sucked in to handle the sensation. But when her head cocked back and she moaned, that was his signal.

             Mateo moved his arm a little faster, hoping she would look up again. When she did, he grinned at her expression. She was in shock, but it was all too pleasurable for her in this moment. Then he stopped, only to push her skirts back, and lay her down. He was still going to take his time. He slowly and methodically kissed at her thighs, and rested his mouth where his hand had just been, sucking ever so gently – knowing that the coming full moon made all of this so much more enjoyable. Aida’s toes curled up, and she attempted to grab at his head. Mateo moved them away, pinning them above her, on the headboard as he continued his assault to her senses.

             Aida began to shake, and moan as if she were pleading with him…when she remembered the direct eye contact he kept making while he was eating his mango. That thought alone sent her spiraling, and she felt herself caving in – moaning loudly as she came. Mateo was more than just turned on now, and time was of the essence. The moon would be rising soon, he didn’t want to miss either occasion. 

             He quickly unfastened his pants, plummeting Aida further into madness upon entry. Certain she could handle him, he gripped her luscious, thick thighs and dug deeper and harder until the neighbors ultimately ended up banging on their wall. Aida was moaning so loud, Mateo thought perhaps it was too much. When he eased up, she glared at him, and snatched him back into her.

            “You have to be quiet,” he growled.

            “Mmm! No!” she growled back.

            That sent Mateo into a frenzy. He pressed harder, her right leg now dangling on his shoulder. He clutched the headboard, and laughed at their neighbors knocking again. 

            Harder, and deeper. Aida became louder, and she was becoming hot. Mateo was so close, as was she, but he was holding out as close as he could to the moon rising…

             Because it was simply better this way.

             The neighbors kept knocking, Mateo kept fucking, Aida became louder. Beastly. Her nails were digging into his back, drawing blood that was now staining the sheets…

             Then there was knocking at the door…

             Aida was staring intensely into Mateo’s eyes, the moon was rising…the sounds of pleasure were changing from moans to growls…heart stopping, unearthly growls.

             Aida had changed now, having came right with Mateo who changed as well. She let out an unhinged howl that halted the knocking from the wall and the door. In fact, the entire inn fell silent. 

             The manager, who’d been knocking, fell victim first, as Aida ripped the door from the hinges, and bit into his neck. She tore his throat and spine from his body, before ripping into the neighbors door to go after them.

             Mateo watched and waited before running off himself, smiling after he howled. 

             What he didn’t know, or couldn’t stop…was who Aida was truly after this full moon.

***

          Aida was unimaginably terrifying. She wasn’t the biggest, but she was fast, maneuvering with ease. Most heard her howl when she turned, and stayed in their homes. But some individuals made it to the streets, trying to kill her and Mateo off. 

           She slashed at whomever as she ran, she only had one person in mind. The dirt roads were slick from a quick rain, and she felt hot and angry. As she ran, she continued to pass others by – with Mateo stopping to occasionally kill anyone who may stand in her way.

           The she-wolf stopped at a large house, and slid slightly. Then she howled again, and barged through the gates, smashing into banana trees, and ruining the front gardens. A shot gun went off, pelting her in her side. But the bullet wasn’t made from silver, the pain meant nothing.

            Aida burst through the front, ignoring the screaming maids, and butler, then she sniffed around as Mateo followed behind her. She snapped her head to the right, quickly running down the hall, and was met with blasts from a pistol.

            “Back!” Samuel Montoya yelled for his life, “leave my home now!”

             The she-wolf slowly moved to him, backing him into a corner. He continued shooting off his pistol, frightened by the sounds of Mateo ripping through the servants, as if it were for fun.

             Once pinned, Aida didn’t hesitate, as she crushed into the magistrate’s neck, and ripped his left arm off. Then, she pried off his head, and left his body to slump down the wall, before leaning back to howl in satisfaction.

             She saw his head, grabbed it up and bolted for the street, smashing into the high arching window. Ignoring the glass shards and cuts, she skidded onto the wet dirt road, and let the magistrate’s head roll for all to see. Emergency personnel had been making their way to his house after hearing about two rampaging werewolves tearing the town apart.

              Frightened, some stepped back, seeing Aida covered in blood, but she darted off in the opposite direction, as if that was all she wanted…to make a bloody scene of the magistrate.

              Mateo quickly scrambled behind her, as those who came to help still let off bullets that would have no affect. Among them was the bay marshal, noting he would have to tell Miguel that his fear had come true. 

***

           Justine had arrived right before dawn, when fawns and their offspring would roam for food, and try to remain out of sight for the day. She was nervous, because she wondered if Dorin would take this information in the wrong way. It was a cold night, spring hadn’t quite caught up with the landscape. Snow could be seen in patches, covering areas where tulips and buttercups were attempting to rise. 

           The cloak she wore was warm enough, but seeing her breath crystallize, and having to wait made it seem unbearably cold. She could hear the crunching of melted down iced over snow, and turned to admire Dorin as he approached. Every time she said she would get over him, she didn’t. Dorin had probably moved on in his own way. 

           He stopped so as not to be too close, and she could see him admiring her as he always did. She shook her head and turned fully to be face to face.

            Dorin would typically try reading her mind, but Justine had gotten good at hiding her thoughts from him. When he moved closer now, outreaching his hand, she hesitated, but allowed him to nestle her hands in his own. Her fingers were cold to the touch.

            Then they were staring into each other’s eyes, like Dorin had completely forgotten how much he swore he didn’t want her.

            “You’re trying too hard,” Justine admitted.

            “I don’t want to try…” he said softly.

             He seemed emotional today, which was unlike him. For as old as Dorin was, for as much as he had seen and his willingness to keep his emotions bound within, he seemed like he was seeking solace from her.

              The sun was beginning to rise, its light peeking glimmering streaks through the trees upon its ascension. Justine didn’t want this, but she realized maybe he was idling for a reason.

               “I’ll tell you what you want to know, if you offer me safety.” She was serious, but he smiled. Her nose was red from the cold.

                “I’m not sure having you around at this time is conducive to my goals at hand…”

                Dorin took a sharp breath in, as if admitting that hurt.

                “Is it because I’m a halfling, and you have been judged?” Justine couldn’t believe he said that out loud.

                “Or is it because I cannot contain myself in your presence, even as we speak. And somehow we’ve managed to trail off of this topic, because if I had my way-“

                 “You would have married me, Dorin.”

                 He smirked and looked away, because she always brought it up.

                  “You wanted a taste.” Justine got closer.

                  “I got it. And I always do.” He was staring down at her.

                  “And you can’t help yourself?”

                  “Clearly because I have yet to ask you what news you’ve brought…”

                  “My safety should include my own home then.”

                  “Wouldn’t you be safer with me?” He sounded hurt.

                  Justine looked frustrated, but she knew if she were to stay within the Wake, it came with being under Dorin. 

                  “Fine. We’ll discuss the details later. Tell me.”

                  “Isabella has been practicing blood magic and necromancy. She has three or more unknown entities that constantly follow her around, and some of the soldiers claim they do her bidding.” Justine looked to the sunrise.

                  “Alright, nothing strange about that. Mateo Cervantez ruined her when he impregnated her-“

                  “Leo Ramos married her, apparently.”

                  They stared at each other, Justine knowing what Dorin was going to say next.

                  “They are recruiting humans as you suspected, and threatening business owners and families to comply. None of the captains or generals are originals or old bloods. The youngest was very young – only twenty. Leo had run out of good wolves because of his daughter, Monica Ramos. Who has vanished into thin air-“

                 “She’s biding her time to go after her father. I’m glad she’s not like him…”

                 “Isabella Montage married to Leo Ramos is bad. The Guild has information on the Wake, the Wilderness, everything. While they’ve never really had a witch on their side, the fear she instilled in the wolf who witnessed what she could do is more than enough…”

                 “This is Isabella’s doing. Leo isn’t wise enough to find someone who does blood magic. And necromancy…she wants to build an army.”

                  “Wolves don’t die they hibernate…”Justine added.

                 “Werewolves closer to the bloodlines of the Wilderness hibernate. Those who have been turned in recent years will definitely decay from all of the human meddling.”

                  “So then…Miguel and Mateo are doing what then? Their family comes from a long line of wolves, due to their mothers heritage.” Justine was confused. “It’s not like they’ll kill each other.”

                  “Then you intervene with the likes of Miguel, who could rip a tree from its standing place simply because he could? Or have a knife in your back before Mateo has his way with you. No one is interfering because it’s similar to the gods fighting. However. Nia isn’t going to let Mateo chase them all over the world. Miguel is strong and loyal…but Nia will not tolerate their fighting too much longer.”

                  Justine didn’t have enough information to respond, she just knew Nia was Dorin’s niece. 

                  “If you can stay with me, I would prefer it. We have visiting elves-“

                  “I’m not interested in any of them.” Justine glared a little.

                  “It puts my heart at ease…”

                  They were staring helplessly at each other.

                  He took her hand, and kissed it, staring into her eyes. Then he turned as they walked back to the entrance of the Wake. He didn’t want to hear how she felt, or if she were upset. The world was changing outside of the safety of the magical barrier. Dorin wouldn’t say it out loud, but he would die inside if anything ever happened to Justine. 

                  He’d already lost her once before. 

***

Boriken 

            Miguel was reading his paper across the mahogany table from Nia was beading a necklace that broke. He took a sip of his coffee, and peaked over the paper, hoping to catch her attention. Her lips were pursed together, and he couldn’t tell if she were upset or not. When her large, almond shaped eyes fluttered up, he smiled, causing her to do so as well.

           “I have been thinking…” Miguel started, shifting in his chair, “that we should attend Carnival…”

           Nia frowned, more so because the needle she was using pricked her finger. She looked up to Miguel, who was staring at her with a straight face. Nia put her finger in her mouth to catch the slowly pooling blood then she shook her head.

             “You want to see if Mateo will show himself…”

             “I want to be proven wrong,” Miguel admitted.

             Nia looked outside at the tree grove near the end of the veranda. This was better than running or hiding. However, she didn’t like Miguel’s approach. 

             “Carnival starts tomorrow evening,” Nia noted.

             “And you need a dress,” Miguel said, sounding defeated.

              Nia smiled to herself and sipped her tea. Miguel had been so busy with his political friends, he didn’t notice her frequent trips to the seamstress. He was smiling at her reaction, waiting for her to answer.      

               “The seamstress showed me your Sol jacket, so I at first had a pure white gown. Now it is royal blue…she dyed it. And it has silver stars embroidered on it…it’s…”

               A knock came from the door, and Miguel sighed so deeply, Nia could smell coffee from his breath. They both stood, he waited to hold her hand as they walked to the front together. Milo was already waiting to open the door, and as he did, Miguel and Nia were greeted with the early morning destruction written on everyone’s face. 

              Thomas Nettle, an American born man, stood back a little with his hand on his hip. He was the bay marshal, and it seemed he was still trying to gather what to say. 

              “The magistrate…has been killed.”

              Miguel wasn’t surprised at all, especially suspecting Mateo had returned.

              “It wasn’t your brother who killed him. This was a smaller werewolf. But Mateo was with them…”

              “Nettle, opening ceremonies start tomorrow evening…” Miguel was using his serious tone now, “is the devastation visible?”

              “We’re working on overturning the blood soaked marks on the dirt road. Montoya’s staff have all left the house, at least all that’s left. They basically killed everyone except two people.”

               Nia was watching Miguel as if she were aching. Her expression was worried, she could feel Miguel’s tension and anxiousness. Feeling a little helpless, she continued to stare at him until their eyes met, and she instantly felt a little peace.

               “Fine. He’s made himself known. We will pay whatever respects to Montoya tomorrow. Cancelling Carnival will only proliferate the fear that’s been set…” Miguel answered wisely.

                The entrance to their home had two lanterns that stayed lit all night. An early morning breeze was flickering them about in such a way, that Nia was certain Miriam’s predictions about the weather were correct. She wanted everything to be over with, and did not follow Miguel out as he hugged Thomas Nettle, who burst into tears. She knew what he witnessed, maybe not first hand. But she could see the magistrate’s head in his mind, laying in the road…eyes wide open.

                 Once Nettle and his team left their property, Miguel stepped inside and slowly closed the door. He was shaking his head immediately, as if he were waiting for Nia to say something he didn’t want to hear.

                 “If you dealt with him now-“

                “No…” he said as calmly as he could.

                 “Miguel please!” Nia shrieked, grabbing at his arm as he walked, “I can’t live like this anymore!”

                 He turned quickly to face her, with an expression she wasn’t anticipating. He continued to shake his head as her hands cupped his face and brought him even closer.

                 “The only solution is to kill him…” Nia said softly, “otherwise, he will continue chasing you around until he kills you. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose you.”

                 “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I agree with Nia. You have to end his life, Miguel.”

                 Milo had walked from the kitchen with his littlest son in his arms. He stopped to look down quickly, then back up to assert himself.

                  “As for me, and hearing this news. Maria, the boys and I are leaving…tomorrow.”

                  “What?” Miguel asked immediately, “why?”

                  Milo looked around as if he were finding the perfect thing to say, then he smiled and looked down at his son who he was still coddling.

                  “I’ve been all over with you, Miguel. We’ve seen many things. But my life has changed. I’m married and have children. And I’m tired of fighting him when he should be killed. So I will pack up my family and go state side in the morning. We have family in Florida – we’ll be alright there. And-“

                   Miguel had made it over to him, smiling warmly at his baby, then looked sadly up to his dear friend he had known for centuries. Miguel walked away to an open door, then quickly came back out with an envelope that had Milo’s name on it. It was old and tattered, nearly falling apart.

                   “This is the sum of many years of you threatening to leave and me setting money aside to make sure you’d be okay whenever it was you left. Now it’s become a reality-“

                   “Miguel I couldn’t.”

                    Miguel was close to tears now, giving Milo the money anyway, and walking off to be alone. Nia nodded as she passed Milo, then stopped and turned to hug him. When the bedroom door slammed, Nia knew it was best not to enter, but she was grateful Milo finally spoke up on her behalf.

                  “Will you be alright?” She asked Milo.

                   He nodded, making eye contact with Nia.

                   “And you?” He asked in return.

                   “Now that he is aware of my intentions, and has heard someone else say it…yes, I’ll be fine.”

                   “He was never going to do it,” Milo admitted.

                   “I know. It’s time for me to hope I find where that silver sword is. Whether Miguel wants this or not.”

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