Taken By A Werewolf

IV

"I'll have a vanilla cappuccino with oat milk, please."

The barista put in her order and looked at Ares questioningly. After a silence that lasted just a little bit too long, Indy sighed.

"He'll have something dark. To match his soul."

The boy behind the counter looked amused, but the same could not be said about Ares. Obviously. When Indy proceeded to get her wallet from her backpack, Ares beat her to it and fished a ten-dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to the barista before walking away. The gesture surprised Indy. Did he just buy her coffee?

"I guess that means you can keep the change," she said to the barista who handed her their drinks.

She walked up to Ares, who had sat down in a corner. Looking at him from a distance, she had to admit that he was uniquely attractive. That is, if you were into the serial killer-vibes he was giving off. His dark hair was kind of messy like he hadn't tried to style it at all, but it was just naturally perfect like that. His eyes were a deep brown that could have been described as warm, if he hadn't had that icy look on his face all the time.

"You know, your face would be half-decent if you smiled a little," Indy joked while sitting down and handing him his coffee. Ares sent her a deathly glare that made her rethink her comment. But who was she kidding? He was the closest thing to perfection she had ever witnessed. She sat back in her chair and sipped her coffee.

"Thank you, by the way," she held up her cup. "Next one's on me."

Ares nodded his head curtly. That was the first attempt at communication she had received from him. A confirmation that he had understood every word she'd said until then. Including the time she called him an asshole. Well, he deserved it.

A familiar face walked into the coffeeshop and noticed Indy. She waved at Cooper and he walked over to their table after collecting his coffee order.

"I see you've started strong this year, ditching first period. I'm starting to rub off on you. Well done, Johnson," he greeted her and held up his hand.

"Coop, always a pleasure," Indy replied and answered his high five.

"So, who's your friend?" Cooper's friendly smile was now directed at Ares, who, naturally, didn't reply.

"Oh, we're not friends," Indy brushed him off.

Cooper laughed.

"What are you, then?"

"Lovers, can't you tell?"

Ares had just taken a sip of his coffee, and choked on it.

Indy leaned forward and patted his back.

"Take it easy, sweetheart," she teased him. He coughed some more.

"Why do I have the feeling I should be jealous?" Cooper asked semi-seriously.

"You definitely should be," Indy said, trying to keep a straight face.

If looks could kill, Ares would have sent her straight to hell, but Indy didn't care. She winked at him instead. His glare stayed in place.

"Right," Cooper stated, "then let me start winning you back by inviting you to the beach."

"Now?" Indy asked.

"We're already skipping class anyway, so why not?" Cooper shrugged.

"You're skipping class, Coop. I have permission." Indy laughed. She knew Cooper had a bad attendance record, but the first day of school seemed extreme, even for his doings.

"Of course you have."

"Can we get back by lunch?"

"As you wish."

Indy thought about her options.

"Well," she said, looking at Ares, "I guess I'll see you later."

Silence.

"Unless you want me to stay, of course," she said, feeling a little bad for ditching him.

Not even a blink. Well, then, she tried the best she could. Indy stood up from her chair when Ares grabbed her wrist. His hold was firm, but not painful. Indy was shocked and could only stare at his hand.

"Are you coming, or what?" Cooper was getting impatient.

Indy looked at Ares for an explanation, but he was looking at the table with his jaws clenched. She tugged her hand, but his grip was relentless.

"Or what," she simply told Coop and sat back down.

"Guess I'll see you later." She smiled apologetically at him.

"Are you serious right now?" he asked, disbelief written all over his face.

"I told you you should be jealous," she shrugged.

Cooper just shook his head and took off. Indy wasn't worried about him, he wouldn't be mad for long. What concerned her was the fact that Ares still held onto her wrist for dear life and no reason.

"You could've just asked me to stay," Indy stated.

Ares gave her a pointed look.

"Yeah, no, that doesn't sound right."

He finally let go of her wrist. It instantly felt cold.

"It's just," she continued, leaning forward in her chair, "I didn't think you cared much for my company."

Indy was no longer counting on a reply from his end, but couldn't help but share her thoughts.

"You kind of act like you hate me, which is fine, but now I'm just surprised, that's all."

Ares' face was set in stone, but now he looked at her.

"Not that I care, mind you," she warned him.

Ares slowly sat forward, not losing eye contact. Indy could feel the electricity in the air. For a moment, her breath was caught in her throat and she couldn't look away from his mesmerizing, piercing gaze. He slowly slid his coffee cup across the table, brushing his fingers against hers.

"You promised me coffee."