Blood of the Highland Moon

Chapter 14: Challenge

Catriona's P.O.V.

Eallair followed me into the library and I whirled on him. Smiling, he stalked toward me. “You stay away from me you bloody mutt! You had no right to kiss me in front of them!”

“Och, lass, its not like they wouldn’t have found out within the next few days. I had to do something to keep them from thinking that you were trying to escape.”

“So, you kissed me?” I demanded.

“It was all I could think of.” He said crossing his arms but not losing his smile.

“You could have simply told them that you had it under control, you didn’t half to kiss me.”

“Stop your bickering, everyone knew, you reek of each other, that and Alex can’t keep his mouth shut about finding you in Eallair’s room.” Gwen said as she came in, her hands on her hips. “It’s time for the dinner, now both of you get to the great hall so that you can eat.”

I shot a glare at Eallair. “This is your fault.” I hissed and stormed passed him. His chuckled only made me angrier.

“Eallair, you should be ashamed with yourself, the lass has her dignity!” Gwen scolded.

“Dignity! She dumped ale all over my head in front of everyone! It’s about time I do something that she finds insulting!”

I whirled on him. “You deserved that and anything else I do to you, you bloody stupid mongrel!”

“For allowing you more freedom than your own father? You go back and forth between enjoying being away from that horde of leaches and hating it!”

“Eallair!” Madeline said in shock as she walked through the doors.

“You’re one to talk! You suck just as much blood as any of us! At least we don’t drag our asses and chase our tails!” I spat out, ignoring Madeline.

“I have never drug my ass and I don’t chase my tail! And as for drinking blood, it’s the fault of one of those blood sucking leaches!”

“That was before I was even born you dolt! What am I supposed to do about it! You keep throwing it up in my face that your mother was attacked and changed and that your father wounded to the point of dying, but there is naught that I can do about it!”

“ENOUGH!” Madeline shouted and put herself between us. “I've heard enough! I don’t wish to listen to any of this, do I make myself clear?” She shot a glare at me then at Eallair.

Ashamed, I nodded my head. Eallair shot a glare at me then approached his mother, “Forgive me Mother, you shouldn't have had to hear that.”

"Next time you’ll close the doors before the two of you decided to yell, then at least it won’t carry through the halls for all to hear.” She said in a cold hard voice. “And you should know better than to blame Catriona for what happened to us.” She turned to me. “Catriona, you should try to show a little more respect for him, he is a king after all.”

“With respect, Aunt Madeline, Eallair did capture her. She has a bit of right to be angry with him.” Gwen said tentatively.

“Yes, but that doesn't mean she can’t show him a bit of respect.” Madeline said, her voice softening a bit. “Now, let us all go eat.”

The four of us walked to the great hall in silence. My anger boiling just below the surface mixed with my shame for how I’d acted in front of Madeline. When Eallair pulled out a seat for me I shot a glare at him and sat in the seat after that, the one Alex usually sat in. I wanted someone between us, both so that I didn’t have to be close to him and so that I didn’t strangle him in front of his mother.

He glared right back at me but before he could say anything Alex had walked up and sat down in the seat he’d pulled out. “I think she’s a wee bit angry with you cousin.”

"No thanks to your mouth flapping.” Eallair shot back.

Alex faked insult. “Cousin, what would I have to say?”

“Plenty you shouldn’t.” Gwen said as she cuffed him on the back of the head.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“That was for leading people to believe that Catriona stayed the night in Eallair’s bed.” She hissed close to him so that none would hear but him. Only my vampire senses enabled me to hear what she’d said.

I shot a glare at Alex. “You are much too meddlesome for your own good.” I warned.

“Lass, the lad can’t help it, he’s always been that way.” Chuckled a man across the table.

“And what have you to say about anything?” Eallair snapped.

“That the lass reeks of you as much as you reek of her. Yes, she has the smell of a good tussle between the sheets and this morn the look of a well ridden one. Perhaps you didn’t do so well the second time.”

I pushed back my seat abruptly and shot a deadly glare at the bastard. “I don’t have to listen to this. I’ll be in my room.”

Eallair grabbed my arm before I could walk away. “No, lass, you stay.” He looked at the rest of the table. “That is enough, not another word from anyone.” He looked back at me. “Sit, you will eat something before I let you leave this table.” The hall fell silent as I sat, anger stiffening my spine, a glare set on my face.

Whispers began to break out as the food was set and drinks served. I gritted my teeth against them and struggled to ignore the comments on what had happened between Eallair and I. Eallair glared at group close to us and they fell silent. Bloody mongrels.

“In a few days they will have naught left to say about it.” He said in a low voice meant only for me to hear.

“They have no right to say anything about it now. It’s naught any of their business.” I hissed, Alex somehow staying quiet as he sat between us.

“Perhaps if things were different, they wouldn't care so much, but you are the princess of our enemy and I am their king, they find you very interesting at the moment.”

“I don’t want to be interesting. I don’t want to be here. I don’t want my life, Eallair. You have no idea what it’s like to not fit where you are, to only ever be seen as half as good.” I said solemnly as I ate.

“Really? So, the fact that my kind is brought up to hate vampires didn’t make things a wee bit difficult for my mother and I?”

“They accepted you! I'm not even excepted by my own father! He treats me as though I’m as fragile as a human babe! The rest of the castle hardly talks to me, they stay away from me for fear that they will hurt me or disgust at my weakness!” I hissed. He fell silent and I gladly embraced the lack of conversation. Once the food was brought out and I’d eaten my fill I sipped the mead that had been given to me sorely wishing to dump it over Eallair’s head.

I leaned toward him and hissed. “Now that I’ve eaten I’d like to excuse myself from the great hall and any further embarrassment. And before you tell me no you should know that I am sorely tempted to dump something over your head.”

“And that should make me wish to excuse you?” He countered with a small smile.

“If you wish to avoid embarrassment, then yes.”

“And what will you do when you leave the table?” He questioned.

“I had planed on going to the library to retrieve a book.” I said through gritted teeth.

“Very well. I’ll come for you when I’m done here.”

“Bloody mutt.” I muttered as I pushed back from the table. “I’m not a bone to be fetched.” With that I stomped out of the great hall.

“Princess.” A deep voice said behind me.

I sighed and turned to see the mangy dog that had so boldly proclaimed that I looked well ridden. I glared at him. “What do you want? To say something more of how I smell of your king? Well guess what, I don’t want to hear it, so be gone, dog.”

“Now lass, there is no reason for you to insult me, I was but coming to apologize.”

“Save your whimpering for someone who cares. You’re naught but a bunch of flea ridden beast!” I hissed as my anger flared.

His eyes darkened. “You had best watch yourself, leach, I don’t have to be kind to you.”

“Leach, how original, I’ve never heard that before. Why don't you go and drag your ass across something with splinters.”

He was in my face in seconds. “You had best hold your tongue you little blood sucking whore.”

Before I could think better of my actions I had slapped him across the face. “You b*****d!”

“You’ll regret that.” He growled as he began ripping out of his clothes as he changed.

I took a deep breath and shoved my palms into his chest as hard as I could. He went flying back, snarling as he hit the floor. “You think I’m afraid of you? Why would I be afraid of a mangy mutt? I’m sick of people trying to scare me!” I yelled at him.

He stood, fully changed, his clothing hanging in shreds from him body. He growled and lunged for me. I shot out of the way just in time. He really wasn’t just trying to scare me! He was really going to try to kill me! I turned to run only to have him leap on top of me, knocking me to the ground. I grabbed hold of his jaws, holding them shut with all my strength. He shook his head, ripping free of my hold and lashed out with his claws, slicing across my arm that I raised just in time to save my face and throat.

I kicked with both feet, sending him off of me. I scrambled to my feet and began to run. “Eallair!” I screamed as I fled the werewolf who was hot on my heels. He snarled and snapped behind me. I risked a glance back, only to see him fall to all fours and pick up speed. A scream ripped from my throat as I ran. Somebody had to hear me!

Pain shot through my leg as he lashed out with his claws, tripping me. I rolled to my back and hissed, striking out with both hands to hit him in the chest as he lunged for me. His teeth sank into my arm and I cried out in pain. Then suddenly he was ripped from me. I shot to my feet and found myself face to face with Gwen.

I turned to see Eallair as a wolf tarring into the one who’d been trying to kill me. I looked back at Gwen to see her shaking, her fists clenched at her sides as she stared at the two wolves.

“Eallair, let me-“ She trailed off as he smashed the head of the other wolf into the wall and shot a glare at Gwen.

He looked back at the wolf who was now half unconscious and snarled. The other wolf looked up at him with hatred in his eyes and lunged for Eallair. Eallair got a mouthful of the back of the other wolfs neck and shook him, throwing him into the wall once again. The other wolf staggered to his feet, with his head hung he shook himself off. Eallair stood to the side snarling, visibly restraining himself from attacking.

Suddenly the other beast lunged at Eallair with a snarl. Eallair just stopped it from sinking it’s teeth into his throat. A growl rumbled up out of Gwen beside me and I looked at her to find she was changing into a werewolf. I stepped back, giving her room. I glanced over at Eallair and the other wolf, teeth snapping loudly, snarls echoing in the hall.

Others began to come down the hall, Alex among them, just as Gwen launched herself into the mix. She tackled the other werewolf into the wall, her auburn fur a fiery streak next to Eallair. “Bloody hell!” Alex muttered as he came up next to me. “Come lass, get back before you get hurt.”

“Eallair’s going to kill that other wolf, he won’t stay down and-“ I trailed off as Eallair snapped at Gwen then pinned the other wolf before ripping its throat out. Blood sprayed the hall as the lifeless body slumped to the floor.

Eallair turned toward me and snarled, he stood on his back legs and stalked toward me, teeth bared. I stumbled back only a step before I stopped myself. I stiffened my spine, putting back my shoulders and inching up my chin. I wouldn’t be intimidated by him. “Don’t you growl at me, its not my fault he was too stupid to back down. You gave him every chance, he was challenging your position. He was also trying to kill me, and for stopping him I thank you, but don’t growl at me.” I said firmly.

“I don’t think he’s growling at you so much as he is at me.” Alex said as he stepped away from me. Eallair snapped at Alex and then pushed me with one of his clawed hands. I stumbled forward, shooting a glare back at Eallair, then began to limp down the hall, not making eye contact with anyone.

Eallair snarled and scooped me up in his arms and began to stalk down the hall, growling. “What do you think you’re doing? Put me down this instant! I can walk!” He snorted and continued down the hall. I glared up at him. “You’re covered in blood, I do hope someone thinks to prepare a bath for you.” I glanced at myself. “Now I’m covered in blood too.” I screwed up my nose. “And I smell like dog.” I sniffed Eallair. “No, that’s just you.”

He shot a glance at me with his very human eyes, eyes that said I was crazy to provoke him now. “When have I ever held my tongue around you? Do you really expect me to start now?” He rolled his eyes and growled at the same time. “You know this growling at me is getting old, so do be a good dog and stop. You could do with some training.”

He looked down at me with those glowing human eyes in that wolf face and before I knew what he was about, he licked me across the face with his big slobbery tongue! “Ahh! That’s bloody disgusting! I don’t want your drool all over me! Why on Earth would you lick me? Eallair! I will make you pay for that!” I screeched as I swatted his chest. I didn’t want to make him drop me, that would hurt. And if I hadn’t known better, I would have sworn he snickered, as much as a wolf can.

He stopped at his door and looked down at me, then at the door. “What? You think I am going to make this easy on you? Not after you licked me.” I crossed my arms and smiled up at him. He growled at me and jerked his head toward the door. I began to examine my nails, I wasn’t about to open the door for him. He snarled and threw me over his shoulder, holding me with one hand/paw. “Hey! You brute! Did you ever think about putting me down?” I pounded my fists against his back as he opened the door somehow.

I continued to beat his back as he packed me into the room, kicking the door shut behind us. Then he flopped me down on the bed and stepped back from me. Breathing heavily, he closed his eyes. “I don’t weigh that much!” I complained before realizing that his features were changing. “Oh.” I watched as his face twisted back into place and all the hair left his body, except for on his head.

He staggered and groaned as he changed the rest of the way back. Within moments he was standing in front of me, naked and battered. Blood smeared his face, chest, and arms. He glared at me. “What the hell do you think you were doing? Are you alright? What happened?” He said at once as he began to check over my injuries.

“You’re hurt.” I said as I shook him off and reached for his chest, which was bleeding feely from claw marks.

“Bloody hell, I was just in a fight, did you think I would be clean and in perfect health? You are the one I’m concerned about, now hold still so I can look you over!”

I snatched back my hand and glared at him. “I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“Is that why you are limping? Or how about when you called out for me? Now hold still.”

“I was caught off guard when he attacked or I never would have called for anyone, except to dispose of the body.” I said as I looked away.

“Yes, you would have killed a werewolf all by yourself. You were running like a frightened pup.”

“Pup! I'm not a pup! I am a vampire, remember that dog!”

“I remember.” He leaned in, bracing himself on either side of me. “You remember that I killed a werewolf for you tonight, and that I am their king.”

“Yes, king of the dogs, that won't be hard for me to remember. You are the pack leader, the big bad wolf, you get first pick of the table scraps.”

“Bloody hell.” He growled as he grabbed the back of my head and pulled me to him and began kissing me. There was a knock on the door, he growled against my lips. “Go away!”

“You have to the count of ten before I open this door!” Madeline’s voice commanded through the thick wood.

“Bloody hell.” He muttered and pulled away. “Give me a moment.”

“One!” She began counting. He cursed again and snatched a kilt out of the chest at the foot of his bed. “Four!” He wrapped it around his hips and glanced around the room, looking for something. “Six!” He rushed to the washstand and grabbed a belt off the top. “Ten! I’m opening the door.” She said as she indeed opened the door. Eallair was just securing the belt around his waist when she entered the room.

“Hello Madeline, how are you?” I asked calmly.

She glanced at Eallair, who was glowering next to the washstand still, then at me. “The two of you are a mess!” She hurried over to the washstand and shooed Eallair away. “Go order a bath to be brought in for yourself, you are covered in blood, and fresh washing cloths as well as drying ones.”

“Mother, with all do respect, I can take care of the lass.”

She turned with a wet cloth in hand and glared at him. “Yes, but you can’t order a bath and take care of her and yourself all at the same time. Now go.” Without another word to him she crossed to the bed and clucked her tongue. “What on Earth happened?”

“It’s nay that bad, really.” I glanced at Eallair as he grumbled his way out of the room. I laughed. “You seem to have irritated him a wee bit.”

“Yes, well I needed a moment alone with you.”

At her words I stiffened. “What do you need?”

She sighed and began wiping the blood from my leg. “I wanted to know what happened.”

“Oh. Well the werewolf who attacked me was the same one who insulted me at the table in the great hall earlier. We had a few words and he got just a wee bit angry and attacked me.”

She glared at me. “Tell me the entire story.”

I sighed. “He followed me out of the great hall, I’m guessing, and I turned around and told him I didn’t want to hear anymore of how I smelled of his king. He told me he was just coming to apologize and I told him I didn’t want to hear it. Then he called me a leach and I told him to drag his ass across something with splinters. The next thing I knew he was in my face calling me a blood sucking w***e, so I slapped him and called him a b*****d. He changed and attacked me.”

She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have provoked him.”

“I was just a wee bit angry from dinner. I still am.” I said as I crossed my arms then winced at the pain it caused and put my hands in my lap.

"You have to remember, nearly everyone here is a werewolf and they all have quick tempers.”

“You don’t sound very angry.”

She met my eyes as Eallair walked in. “He attacked my son with the intent to kill.”

“And now a man’s dead because of me.” Eallair said as he walked to the bed. He rested a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Thank you, Mother. Would you excuse us, I need to talk to her now.”

She stood. "Yes, but be easy on the lass, she’s lost some blood and will be needing to drink, so will you.” She kissed him on the cheek and left without another word.

Once the door was closed he walked to the washstand and picked the entire thing up. He brought it over and sat it next to us then sank to his knees and pushed my skirts to my knees before re-cleaning the wounds on my leg. “Catriona, what happened? Why did he attack you?” His voice was horse, thick with emotion?

As I told him what had happened he cleaned all the blood from me. “Maybe I shouldn’t have told him to drag his ass across something with splinters.” I said absently.

Eallair chuckled. “You are a sharp-tongued little wench.”

“Wench! You haven't any right to call me that! And I was angry, I still am!”

“Easy now lass, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Don’t ‘easy lass’ me! I’ve had quite enough of your orders dog!” I snapped.

“Catriona, would you not insult me for a moment?” He said, anger tightening his voice.

“Or what? You’ll attack me too?”

He stood, clutching the rag tightly. “I had no choice but to attack him, he would have killed you, all because you couldn’t keep your bloody mouth shut! Now because of you one of mine is dead!”

“He deserved it! I’m not going to feel guilty about his death when-“

“Enough! I’m getting bloody tired of your attitude! You can tend to yourself, I don’t bloody care!” He yelled as he stormed out of the room.

Eallair’s P.O.V.

I stormed out of my room, too angry to concentrate. I was fighting changing, trying to remain in control. My chest burned where Liam had attacked me. Liam, who had always been one to fight, always the one causing problems, even when I was little, he’d fought.

I could feel my claws growing as I thought of Catriona’s wounds. Liam had attacked her after taunting her. He’d always been one to taunt others into the first strike that way he could claim he hadn’t started it when Gwen or another was bandaging a youngster who hadn’t known better. A growl escaped me as I drug my claws along the wall, trying to let out my anger and gain control.

“I have to clean that up you know!” Gwen berated as she rounded the corner in a new dress. “And where is Catriona? I need to check her wounds.”

“Shit.” I muttered. “I haven’t taken care of it yet. I will.” I turned to go back to my room.

“Eallair, you mustn’t be angry with her, Liam deserved it. He challenged you and wouldn’t back down. He tried to kill you, had planned to all along.”

My eyes narrowed in realization. “That is why you lost control.”

“Aye. He wanted to kill you and become king, take Catriona for his own, and move to kill the vampires.” I felt myself snarl more than heard. Gwen held up her hands. “Calm yourself and go back to he, the lass may not act like it, but she needs you now.”