Renegade luna

My anxiety always peaked towards the end of the shift. I knew I had to work when I could to replenish my funds, to keep me moving, but still, I hated it. I hated being around people, I never knew who I could trust, who might figure me out. I preferred staying off the grid, but I was running on empty, which pushed me here to Mountain Ridge. I never lingered in any lands that were claimed and never the same place twice, though, after two years on the run, I was beginning to run out of places to go. The city, at least, is neutral unclaimed territory, but the mountains and forests that surround it are home to wolves, which makes me nervous. Normally, when I lingered, I tried to get a job in a quiet place, a bookstore, or a dingy little cafe. I even did some fruit picking over the summer, but in a city as vibrant as this, and running as low on cash as I was, I didn't have many options to get cash quickly besides take my clothes off somewhere or pour drinks. I chose to pour drinks for all the degenerates that graced this dirty club. It was a dark club at least, with dim lights and thick smoke machines. None of the patrons seemed to be that interested in us bartenders, only in the bodies moving on the dance floor. Still, after eight hours of pouring drinks, and being in public, I worried. Even more so, now I am running so low on elixir. I checked my watch at 2:00 AM. I threw down my towel and made my way out the back to my locker. I never, stayed late past my finish time, no matter how busy the club was. None of the other staff seemed to care, more tips for them I suppose. As desperate as I was for cash, I had rules, I had boundaries, they had kept me alive this long, so I stuck to them. I rummaged in my backpack for the small bottle of elixir and examined it. There was barely a quarter of the bottle left. " Damn it", I cursed under my breath. I debated a sip but put it back. I knew rationing was dangerous, the protection it gave me would wane, but what choice did I have? until Cole touched base and gave me the name of a witch or warlock who could make me some more, or he gave me a pick-up place I had to make do. I checked my phone, but still nothing. Radio silence from Cole. I tried to shake off the fear that was growing more each day that passed without hearing from him. He was now a month overdue for contact. I just had to hope it was only due to him having trouble getting me more elixir and not from the risk of being discovered or worse... I shuddered at the thought of Cole being discovered and shoved my phone in my bag, slipped my jacket on, let my hair down, pulled my beanie on, ready to set off back to the Van. My van, the wheels I've called home for the last two years. Cole had helped me renovate it prior to me getting my license at 16. I was forever grateful he did it because it was only two months later that I had to run. I still don't know what I would have done without my van. It's given me the ability to hide and run these last two years. No reliance upon others, except for Cole helping me keep stocked on Elixir, and up to date on territories and travel routes. I never parked too close and never in the same place. Tonight's location was a little further from the club than I preferred, but the city was busier than usual, all the end-of-year gatherings I suppose, with the added bonus that it hadn't yet snowed for the season, so evenings out were still enjoyable. I passed Jacob, the club manager, on the way out, he handed me my envelope and we nodded silently. Jacob had pried when I took the job and insisted on being paid cash. I stood my ground though and he got the hint. We've had a pretty set routine since and an unspoken mutual agreement. I know that he has his suspicions about what I am, but I also know that he knows that I know he's a vamp. So, I say nothing, and as does he. The doorman, Steve, let me out, and I bypassed the line of eager party-goers wanting to get in. The cool night air made me shiver and pushed back the exhaustion that was starting to take hold. To get back to my van, I had to cross a large open courtyard that was filled with people celebrating. I hoped if I kept my head down, no one would notice me passing. To my dismay, a group of young men were sitting on the outside pub tables, laughing with their steins in hand. An ash-blond one was cat calling every lady that walked past, egged on by his mates. Dont make eye contact, look busy, I told myself. I hurried my steps and kept my head down, but it was no use. "excuse me, pretty, you got the time?" the man slurred as he smiled at me. "just past 2," I said bluntly and kept walking, not making eye contact. It wasn't enough though. The man and two of his mates jumped the barricade and started walking along behind me. I kept walking, playing dumb as if I wouldn't have noticed them following the way they carried on. I can't stand drunken idiots. " Hey miss, let us walk you home" he cooed. I ignored them. If I didn't engage, hopefully, they'd give up. As I rounded the corner of the pub to leave the courtyard, I walked into a crowd of people. One of the clubs had set up an outdoor area to house patrons. I huffed and set on, weaving my way through the party go-ers. It was slow going, I glanced behind me, and the men were still following me. I ducked past a group of giggling girls, who looked me up and down and laughed, likely comparing their dresses and heels and perfectly done makeup with my black jeans and bomber jacket. I rolled my eyes at them, I didn't envy them, despite knowing what was considered "normal" for girls my age. I got to see the world beyond clubs and working 9-5s. That was the only blessing that came from my situation. Past the girls, I got stuck behind a line of people waiting for the bar, I tried to make my way through but the wall of bodies was dense and tall. my 5"2 self would barely be noticeable. " There you are pretty" the blond guy cooed, and I turned to face him. His two friends moved on either side of me. They had me circled. I had to think fast. They seemed friendly enough, and we were surrounded by so many people, surely it would be fine? "Hey guys, appreciate the enthusiasm, but I just knocked off an eight-hour shift, I'm done for the night". I smiled sweetly. "I thought that was you!" the blond beamed, throwing his arm around my shoulder. He reeked of beer. "it was... enjoy your night guys" I smiled, slipping out from under his arm, but his demeanor changed, and he grabbed my wrist, stopping me. I stood my ground, reminding myself that we were in a heavily public area, and surely he wouldn't do anything to harm me. "not so fast" he slurred. "what about a goodnight kiss," he smirked. I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened. "Let me go!" I hissed, kicking him in the shin. His eyes changed to dark and his smirk changed to malice. I suddenly realized I was in more danger than I realized. They weren't just any drunks. He pulled my wrist up to his mouth and sunk his teeth deep into piercing the flesh. Pain seared down my arm. He pulled away, my blood dripping down his chin. "That will teach you, you dumb pup," he spat. I pulled my arm back towards my chest, cursing under my breath at the pain. The other two began to close in around me, but like a swift breeze, they all shivered and separated, dispersing into the crowd. This was my chance. I turned and hurried, shoving my way through the crowd. My heart was hammering in my chest, my blood was running cold. Wolves. They had to be wolves. I cursed myself for not taking the elixir before leaving work. Pup is what he called me, which meant he could smell me. I ducked behind a pillar of an older brick building, my heartbeat hammering in my ears. I took a few deep breaths, trying to slow my heartbeat, but I couldn't. I looked at my wrist, it was still bleeding and oozing. I gritted my teeth and stepped back out onto the street. I only had two more blocks to make it to my van. " There you are!" I jumped. The wolf that bit me was just a few feet behind me. I started running. Weaving my way through the slowly dispersing crowds, my lungs burned as I pushed myself harder than I ever had. It was no use though. The wolf was after me. I felt him grab my backpack. I slipped my arms out as he ripped it from me, throwing it on the ground. I kept running, hopefully, I could double back for my bag once I lost him. I had to get back to my van and go. Cole would have to catch up with me elsewhere. But without him, I didn't know the next close unclaimed area to hide in. A loud growl told me the wolf was angry. I glanced behind me, but he was no longer following. Another man had grabbed him and they were in a scruff. I rounded another corner, I could see my van right at the end of the street, in a car park by a row of restaurants. When I had parked, they were all filled, but now they were closed, it was just me. I hurried to the van, checking my pockets for my keys. "f**k!" I snapped. They had been in my backpack. I knelt down to check for my hidden emergency key, but something stopped me from reaching for it. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck, and a scent filled the air I couldn't describe. Deep, earthy, and warm. Like mulled wine by a hot fire or pine needles after the rain. Then I heard it, a voice, a sound, that I couldn't quite make out but somehow knew what they were saying. Something, someone was calling me. I couldn't understand it. All I knew was I had to find the source. The world around me began to slow and I felt the pull. My feet started moving on auto pilot, back down the street, past the row of restaurants, and back around the corner. My backpack was lying on the concrete, with no wolf in sight. The smell was getting stronger; cinnamon and ginger. Slowly, the pull getting stronger, urged me onwards. I went to my bag and reached for it with my un-injured hand. "Hey pretty girl", a different, warm voice said, from behind me. I spun around to face the new person, only they grabbed my injured wrist. I yelped in pain and felt my knees buckle, but the man swiftly scooped me up, as a black SUV across the road, turned on its headlights, and did a u-turn, stopping in front of us. I began to thrash and fight, but he was too strong. He placed me in the back of the SUV, and snatched my backpack from the ground before jumping in the backseat next to me, and slamming the door. The SUV took off at speed. I looked at my captor, confused. The scent was strong in here, it was dizzying. I wanted to be angry and fight and scream, but I also wanted to find the source of the scent and bury myself in it. He handed me my backpack, and it gave me a moment of clarity. I quickly unzipped it. It was damp, the elixir bottle smashed, and the little remains had soaked through my few belongings. "s**t!" I hissed. Making all the eyes in the SUV look at me. "what's wrong?" my captor looked at me with genuine confusion. I shook my head. Tears were welling in my eyes, but I refused to let them see me cry. He took the bag back from me and examined the broken bottle and soggy contents. "I'll replace this, don't stress it" he shrugged, putting it at his feet, and reaching for my hand. I pulled back away from him. I moved away from him, wrapping my arms around myself. I didn't look at him, or the two in the front of the SUV. I didn't fight, it was pointless and my head was still fuzzy from whatever smell was radiating around me. Instead, I fixed my eyes out the window, willing myself to try to remember how to get back. The car was leaving the mountain ridge and heading for the hills. The city lights disappeared behind us, as the SUV turned down a highway into winding forest roads. Between the treetops, i caught glimpses of the stars and the moon. Bright and full. My stomach churned. "full moon," I thought out loud. "sure is my Luna" my captor agreed, his voice was warm and bright, but still I couldn't look at him. I knew what he was, a monster in human form. I kept my focus out the window, thankful none of these wolves cared for my rudeness, at least for now. As I watched the trees fly by, It started as a niggle behind my eyes, but soon the pain erupted in my skull. I couldn't help but moan as I clutched my head. My breathing became heavy and ragged. My bones felt as if they were on fire, and I needed it to stop. My back arched and I cried out in pain. My captor grabbed my shoulders, looking me over. " What's wrong?" his voice panicked. I shook my head. I wouldn't tell him, not that monster. "f**k!" the driver exclaimed, right before a loud bang hit the SUV, sending it swerving momentarily. "Pull over!" my captor ordered and the SUV came to a skidding halt. The front two men stumbled out. My captor looked at me with a torn expression. "'ll be back, stay here" he sounded as if he was pleading with me as he jumped out of the car, leaving me alone. Now was my chance, as pain radiated through me, and my head span, I scrambled out the back door and stumbled my way towards the woods. I was overcome, my legs gave way and I hit the grass. I could see now the scene was taking place behind me. The source of the bang was the wolves from the city. They had followed me, their car was now engulfed in flames, and the figures fought each other through the smoke haze. The figures of men one by one changed, their silhouettes showing their true forms. Wolves. Howls erupted, as a wolf fell, the other two, crouching before turning and running into the forest. The remaining wolves returned to their human forms, a sight that made bile rise in my throat. The man who caught me came running towards me. He was shirtless but had pulled his jeans back on. I hurried, trying to crawl away. It was useless I was in too much pain and he was too fast. He dropped to his knees next to me and cradled my torso, cupping my face to look at him. I took him in, his hard jaw, his messy brown hair hanging around his face, and his blackened eyes that confirmed my deepest fears met mine. Terror coursed through me, but looking into his eyes, confusion ebbed its way through as I looked into his evil black eyes. He didn't show malice or hunger like I was always told they would, but fear and concern. "Where are you hurt?" his deep voice was laced with panic as he looked at me. Seeing the blood dripping from the sleeve of my jacket, he slipped it up, exposing the deep throbbing wound. "Why arent you healing?" he hissed in panic. But I stayed silent, my heart pounding in my chest and ears. " What's your name?" he asked again, his eyes pleading with me. But I shook my head. I couldn't tell him who I was. It would mean my death. The pain began to rake through me and I moaned, my eyes rolling back in my head. I arched my back and writhed, it was excruciating. Gently, he laid me on the grass but kept hold of my hand. "Lucas!" he screamed, as another man came rushing towards us. I rolled over as another wave of pain racked my body. I buried my face in the damp grass as I screamed, trying to make the pain go away. "What's happening to her?!" my captor demanded of Lucas. "Alpha, I don't know" he too sounded panicked. "Do something!" He snapped as I vomited out in front of me, and clawed the earth. I felt hands, touching my back lightly, my forehead, my pulse, every touch against my body was hell and I moaned and screamed and cringed away from them. I felt on the verge of rupture. I was dying, surely. "Alpha I think... she's trying to change but something is blocking her." I rolled back onto my back, my hair thick with sweat sticking to my face. I looked at him, the alpha, with terror. " Please, make it stop", I begged him, screaming as my spine tried to rip through my skin. I was ready to die if it made this pain stop. He looked from me to Lucas and back, and then he did what I prayed my entire life would never happen to me. He bent down, and sunk his teeth deep into my neck, letting out a deep growl from his chest, declaring to the world that I was now his. He released his bite, and moved back, lingering just over me, our noses lightly brushing. I was panting, the pain begging to subside. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, he was the last thing I saw, and the last thing I heard as my world turned black, as he said the words confirming it and sentencing me to death. "mine."