A Wolf's Prey

[Youko]

Long ago there was a pack of werewolves that roamed outside the village deep in the dark forest, the howling on the nights of the full moon striking fear in the hearts of many. Long ago actually wasn't as long was one would think. In fact, it was only twelve years ago. A werewolf was seen, but not by someone that one would expect.

A young child of the tender age of six happened to wander out of the village limits, considering his family lived just on the edge of this village, chasing after his loyal puppy. He wasn't nearly as fast as the canine, but he tried his hardest and ran as fast as his little legs would carry him, falling every now and then.

The sun was soon to set as the boy cried out to his puppy, his childlike voice rising slightly in fright trying to get the dog to come out of hiding. The sun set, and the beautiful full moon began to rise. The boy called out for his puppy once again claiming that he was going to get into trouble for being out so late. What finally came out wasn't his loving puppy, but a sleek black wolf, that appeared to be larger then an average wolf, stepped that out of hiding instead.

The boy didn't cry out however, mystified by the large animal as it slowly approached, something of a grin on it's face. It's emerald eyes seeming to captivate the boy.

Before the boy could so much as move, the wolf lunged and latched onto his shoulder viciously. The small boy cried out in pain and terror, finally understanding that this was not a nice creature. As if acting upon the boy's cry, the puppy leaped from the surrounding brush and latched onto the wolf's back leg trying it's damnedest to get it to let go of it's master.

The puppy succeed as the wolf released the boy and lashed out at the small canine before taking off, knowing that it better not stay.

The boy cried and cried as his wounds bled, and the effect of the bite seeped into his body and even into his soul.

He was found unconscious later that evening by his frantic mother and father, who knew exactly what had happened upon seeing the wound. From that evening on, on the full moon, the boy was locked away in the storage shed and away from prying eyes or helpless humans that might get in the way of the wild wolf, only the howls from afar keeping him company on those horrible nights.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he closed the book, amber eyes turning towards the bar keeper "Nonsense," he stated calmly, his voice smooth and quite convincing. "There is no such thing as werewolves, Peter," shaking his head he continued "and all this will do," he gestured to the book he had been reading "is scare the travelers."

"Ah, I know that, Judas, but I can't help it. Even you've heard the bone chilling howling on the night of the full moon." Peter said taking the book back and setting it behind the counter.

"Ever think it could be, I don't know," he pretended to be thoughtful, placing a finger on the end of his chin "real wolves?" he asked with a small smile. Judas shook his head once again before downing the rest of his drink.

"Come on, have a little bit of imagination," the bar keeper murmured before going off to serve another at the bar.

Judas eyed the empty glass with an expression that almost matched. "You have no idea," he murmured before lifting his gaze to the tavern, it was surprisingly empty this evening. The youth ran callused fingers though his straw colored locks, the shorter stands pulling loose from his ponytail and falling in front of his eyes, though he didn't seem to notice.

The full moon was just three nights away, and he was feeling a bit wild. Not that anyone ever noticed. He never allowed anyone to get close enough.

Truth was, Judas was that little boy from the story, he had the scar on his shoulder to prove it.

[Lin]

Twelve years ago, on the night of a beautiful full moon, the tantalizing scent of a young boy reached his nose. He'd been in the heart of the thick forest that surrounded most of the village, but that delicious scent had enticed him closer to the village than ever before. And when the young human boy had come in to view, calling out to a runaway puppy, that was obviously his pet from the worried tone of his cries. The thought of simply sitting in the shadows to watch the boy fled his mind, the scent of such young and tender flesh was far too tempting to pass up without a taste.

Giving in and allowing his senses to be overrode by the tantalizing scent of such tender flesh. Roan allowed his baser instincts to take control, he stalked forward from the thick underbrush. The moonlight catching on his sleek black coat and giving it a light sheen of blue. Emerald gaze locked on the innocent child, who seemed fascinated with his appearance and unable to realize the danger he was in now.

Mouth watering from the simple scent of such tender flesh, moving closer inch by inch, losing control to the beast within. He couldn't stop himself and simply lunged towards the boy, sinking his teeth in to the supple flesh of his shoulder while the boy screamed. Which honestly didn't bother him much, that is until that vile pest of a pup latched on to his hind leg. Causing him to let go of the boy in favor of putting the pup in it's proper place, which meant a little rough treatment on his behalf.

In the end, after roughing up the puppy that dared to attack him, though, he admired it's loyalty to it's master. He fled back in to the forest, though, he didn't go to far from where the boy lie. Silently making himself comfortable as he watched over the child, warding off other wolves that wished to take a bite out of the small boy. But once the child's parents had shown up he left.

Though, on every full moon that came to pass over the years after that night. Roan would make his way to the edge of the forest, watching the house he'd long ago found that the boy lived, answering every howl the other made when he changed forms on those nights.

Never missing a night. Attempting to repent for the terrible mistake he had made during a moment of lost control.


But that was twelve long and lonely years ago, and he had yet to take a proper mate. He didn't understand why he'd turned so many potential mates away, there was always this or that which he didn't like about them. So, he remained single and to himself for a majority of the passing years, enjoying only a few one night stands to take the edge off of his sexual hunger.

Now, as he entered the tavern and paused to look around, taking note of the few occupants of the place. Before starting forward once more and heading for the bar, taking a seat a little ways away from the obviously younger man present. Resting his arms on the bar top and slumping forward, hissing slightly at the sudden ache in his calf, the exact area where he'd been bitten years ago.

Heaving a small sigh and sitting back a bit, Roan reached down to massage the old scar to ease the pain. Thick strands of cobalt falling in to his face, hiding his emerald eyes as he pushed up the leg of his black pants. Revealing the puckered flesh just enough so he could easily massage it.

"Damn that puppy.."

[Youko]

Judas, who had noticed the new comer right away, merely ordered another drink. Soft amber eyes rested upon the pained stranger for a moment before turning his attention to Peter, he had thought that he knew the scent of everyone who came to this tavern. This new man was probably be a traveler. As the man behind the bar set his new drink down, he spoke.

"Hey, I know a girl that would be perfect for ya," he stated proudly. Judas only rolled his eyes, he knew that the bar keeper knew that he isn't interested in females, but he just keeps bringing them up.

"I've told you before, I'm not interested." Judas said before downing half of his drink, setting the glass down, he smiled slightly "Thank you for trying though, Peter, it means a lot."

"You just always look so lonely, you should find yourself someone Judas, you'll be happier."

The blond seemed to think about it for a moment before nodding slightly "I'll keep that in mind, thanks." He said before gesturing to the man a little ways away from him "You have a new costumer, you should get his order." With that he went silent as he watched Peter approach the traveler.

It wasn't at all that Judas had a hard time getting a date, actually he found that everyone had a harder time getting him to agree then not. He is a handsome young man, his long straw colored locks pulled back into a modest ponytail, the shorter strands falling loose and framing his face almost perfectly.

He was clad in a pair of tight cotton pants the color on earth that seemed almost like a second skin, but not in an uncomfortable way. The cream colored velvet-like shirt hung loosely on his thin frame, the ties remaining untied revealing his pale chest just a bit though the thin strings. The long sleeves seeming to protect his arms from harsh elements when he worked, the faint scar on his shoulder, however, was clearly visible, but no one ever thought much of it. On his feet he wore plain brown leather boots that were normally worn by those who worked for a living.

The blond's amber gaze drifted back to Peter for a moment; he always meant well. The elder man was merely worried about Judas since his parents left him four years ago.

"What'll ya have?" The bartender asked as he watched the man curiously, attempting to gauge if he was a threat or not.

[Lin]

Roan was taken by surprise as his nose twitched slightly, picking up a relatively familiar scent close by. Pushing the material of his pants down again, and glancing around discreetly. Taking in the various forms of the other patrons, but becoming rather stumped on where that scent was coming from. Frowning slightly to himself as he straightened, pushing the hair from his eyes while shifting a bit on the stool.

Looking up at the bar tender when he appeared before him and asked for his order. Gifting the man with a slight smile, "A tankard of honey ale," he replied easily. Discreetly taking in the man's scent and quickly dashing the possibility of him being the grown version of the boy he'd bit years ago.

But what that cursory sniff had revealed was that the scent assaulting his sensitive nose was coming from the man a few stools away. As he waited for his order, Roan ran a calloused hand over his face, especially his tired eyes. Before propping his elbow on the bar top and resting his chin in his hand, looking around him lazily as cover to check out the other man a little ways off.

Taking note of straw blond hair, rich amber eyes and pale skin. Roan was momentarily breathless, the blond seemed to just be a taller and more mature version of the boy he was accustomed to seeing. The sight of the scar on his shoulder served to reaffirm his suspicions, since it was rather easy for him to recognize his own teeth marks- even in the form of a scar.

'Looks like he's grown up rather well... From cute little boy to quite a handsome young man..'

[Youko]

Peter rose an eyebrow at the traveler's order, but said nothing as he nodded lightly and went to prepare the drink.

Judas watched the bar keeps reactions calmly before his amber gaze rested on the half emptied glass sitting innocently in front of him. The liquid seemed as if it were mocking him as he stared at it. The young man knew that he wouldn't even get buzzed unless he drank seven of these, and it was the strongest drink in the bar. He would never allow himself to get drunk though, seeing as he probably would do something that he'd regret when he found out about it.

After a few moments, his gaze drifted to the stranger, taking in his appearance. There was something slightly familiar about the man, but he couldn't quite place it. Amber met with emerald for a moment before a light surge went though his body causing him to advert his gaze. That had never happened before. Quite suddenly he wanted to leave as to avoid the man, but of course, he made no move to do so. Judas was not one to give into his sudden urges.

The bar keep returned with the stranger's order and set it down in front of him. Peter smiled slightly when he noticed the other's gaze falling upon Judas more then once.

"I'm not sure if you should bother with him," he stated softly, so as to not catch the blond's attention, it was well known that his hearing was nearly superhuman. "He turns down every offer without even thinking it over. The poor man. He wont let anyone close to him..." With that, he left the stranger alone, going off to serve another customer.

[Lin]

Beginning to have that all to familiar feeling that he was being watched, the bluenette shifted slightly to discourage his watcher. But it didn't seem to work, so on instinct he looked towards the source, realizing with surprise that it was the one he was currently watching. Eyes widening an almost unnoticeable fraction, Roan allowed himself to meet the other's eyes, refusing to be the first to look away- it went against his nature.

And like predicted the blond was the first to break eye contact, though, he had been close to doing it himself. The sheer intensity of the surprising shocks that assaulted him as they stared at each other, had almost been enough to make him. For a moment longer he watched the other man, silently studying his body language and taking note of any change in his scent. And for the first time, he actually had to fight against the urge to bark, just to see if it triggered any memories in the other.

But as the bar keep set his large mug down before him, effectively drawing his attention away from Judas. Roan raised a brow at the man's comment, but smiled a bit and nodded. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he replied absently, watching the man wander off to tend to another customer before picking up the tankard.

Taking a moment to smell the contents and appreciate the light liquor, taking a long sip before getting up with the large mug in hand. Giving the air a cursory sniff once again, then proceeding to move over a couple stools, being sure to leave one in between himself and the blond. Silently taking his seat and setting the tankard down, pushing his hair from his face absently. "Good evening."

[Youko]

Judas turned in slight surprise as the man suddenly decided that sitting closer to him was the best idea he has since entering the bar. Amber eyes watched the traveler curiously for a moment before turning to his own drink. He said nothing for a long while as he attempted to will the other to leave and to figure out why he had reacted to the other's gaze in such a way.

Suddenly it didn't matter.

With a light sigh he smiled slightly and turned to the stranger, not quite looking him in the eyes, and spoke softly "Good evening," he replied calmly before taking a long drink, nearly slamming the glass onto the bar once again. Judas had to stop himself from growling at himself; why the hell did he reply?

He wasn't normally one for conversations with strangers, so upon hearing his reply to the stranger's greeting, Peter was slightly shocked.

Maybe Judas wont be so alone after all.

[Lin]

Running his finger along rim of the large mug, feeling the droplets of ale dampening the calloused skin slightly. Roan was quiet for a long time, waiting for the other's reply and frowning inwardly at the oddness he was sensing. Before glancing over calmly and returning the slight smile, taking note of how that slight smile on the blond's lips had lightened up his expression a great deal without the other even noticing the change himself. Soon realizing he was staring, even if it wasn't directly, the bluenette was ashamed of himself for being rude. Self consciously straightening up on his stool, pulling his hand away from the tankard's rim and wiping the bit of moisture clinging to his finger on his pants.

"Mind if I ask your name? Can't have a proper conversation with someone unless you know their name. I'm Roan, by the way," he said lightly, calmly introducing himself to the blond before taking a sip of ale. Glancing over at the other again from the corner of his eye, letting his gaze wander to the exposed scar on the blond's shoulder. Finding himself frowning a bit internally at how it looked, because quite honestly it was rather ugly and it was his own handiwork.

His mind automatically racing with the possibilities of how a proper mating mark would look on someone- if his regular bites were anything to go by they'd be ugly as hell. Well, he'd have to be more thoughtful when that time came and right person appeared as well. Oh well, that was a topic to be further thought on later he concluded, rubbing his arm a bit instead of clawing at his skin to rid himself of the itch.

[Youko]

Judas watched the other's finger, almost mesmerized by the movements. His mind was reeling with questions he couldn't seem to answer himself. Why did this man seem familiar? Why was he so compelled to be involved in a conversation with him when at the same time he wanted him to leave? What was the point when Judas knew he was probably just passing though? Why was he suddenly bothered by that idea? And finally, Why did he find his finger so interesting? The blond was pulled out of his thoughts when the stranger pulled his hand away from the mug.

Blinking for a few moments he turned to the other once again "It's a pleasure to meet you, Roan," he began softly, his gaze falling to the other's shoulder instead of looking into his eyes like he was taught "My name is Judas..." he said before turning and taking another drink of his strong liquor in an attempt to calm his mind down just a little. He just kept surprising himself this evening. He rarely gave his name out to a complete stranger. Even though he didn't really feel like he was a stranger. That puzzled Judas more then anything.

After a few moments, he noticed the other's gaze on the nasty scar from his somewhat secret and slightly dark past. Without thinking, he covered it with his hand to keep it from Roan's gaze. He felt self-conscious under the bluenette's emerald eyes, though he said nothing to deter the other's staring. Perhaps he didn't mind?

[Lin]

"Judas.." he repeated to himself, rolling the name over his tongue several times to get acquainted with the syllables of his name. Inwardly smiling as he tucked away the other's name for later reference, along with a multitude of other seemingly unimportant details that would help him to identify the blond later on. But after a moment he straightened up once more, pushing the stray strands of cobalt from his eyes as he turned to face the other a bit. "Likewise, Judas," he replied simply, smiling lightly as the other seemed to chose to look at his shoulder instead of his face. Which made him want to growl in approval, but forced himself not to so as not to frighten the blond.

Watching silently as the other turned away from once more, taking a drink out of need it seemed rather than want. Which greatly intrigued him but he didn't say anything about it, only shifted on the stool and thought for a moment. Raising a brow as the other covered his shoulder, it made him wonder if he had somehow upset the blond by observing the scar. "That must of have been a rather large dog," he commented softly, trying to make light of the situation.

[Youko]

Judas appeared startled for a moment after Roan guessed what had bitten him, and was rather accurate. Tilting his head slightly to the side, he smiled slightly "Yeah, you could say that," he replied calmly before removing his hand from the scar, no longer willing to reveal to the other that he was bothered by it. It didn't matter much anyway. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

After a few more moments of silence he spoke again, for some reason he felt the urge to try and engage Roan in a more permanent form of conversation. "So, what brings you here?" he asked softly. He rested his chin in the palm of his hand, his amber gaze focused on the other almost intently.

He seemed to be going against his very nature by talking to this traveler, but then again it was probably good for him to make new friends.

[Lin]

Unable to stop himself he commented, "Hopefully it wasn't the trusted family pet." Wanting to distract the other from his comment or at least attempt to do so, Roan picked up his tankard and took another sip. Though this time he didn't return it to the bar top, simply kept it in hand for easy access in the future. As Judas removed his hand from his shoulder, Roan lightly smiled trying to show he wouldn't push the subject.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly as the blond's gaze came to rest on him more permanently, a little surprised as the other decided to engage further in conversation. Though, he was highly pleased with the turn of events even if he was surprised by it. "Decided to stop being a hermit and give people a chance. And while I'm here in town I'm going to be selling some jewelry and furs that I don't really need."

[Youko]

Judas tilted his head to the side at the other's rather curious, yet slightly offensive, comment, though said nothing in reply. The blond glanced over to Peter for a moment before turning back to Roan, a small smile forming on his lips once again. Despite the fact that he felt a little odd talking to someone new, he found it somewhat enjoyable if not a bit... refreshing.

"Jewelry and furs?" he repeated curiously before he took another drink and set the glass down once again, it was almost empty anyway. "What kind?" he asked finally. He couldn't help but think there was something familiar about this man. Judas was sure he had never seen him before a few moments ago.

It was his eyes that told him he knew Roan. Not that he thought much about that.

[Lin]

Roan didn't miss the curious tilt of the blond's head at his odd comment, but he was thankful the other hadn't replied. Because he honestly wasn't sure how he'd react or rather respond to him on the subject without giving something away. As the bluenette lifted his tankard once more, taking a long and slow sip of the richly flavored ale, noticing the small exchange between the blond and bar keep. Before he was generously graced with a gentle smile from Judas, which momentarily stunned him and he almost choked on his drink.

Yet he recovered quickly and set the large mug down, almost at the same time his companion had returned his own drink to the bar top. Roan then shifted a bit and leaned against the lip of the bar, a light smile playing his lips as he replied, "Well, the furs range from meat eating wolves and foxes to their prey like rabbits and deer. But I also have some nice thick beaver furs that are sure to fetch a high price. As for the jewelry, well, it's mainly made up of bone and wood beads, along with teeth and claws. And a few wood and bone carvings for extra decoration."

[Youko]

"Wolf furs?" he asked curiously, tilting his head once again, though he refrained from asking where the other man had in fact gotten those furs. Amber eyes continued to watch his companion for a moment before he realized that he had been staring. A light flush formed on his cheeks before he tore his gaze away, focusing on the glass in front of him in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. Why had he been staring? This was going to bother the youth for some time.

Peter approached once again, a small knowing smile on his lips "Refill?" he asked before actually refilling the glass after seeing the blond nod his approval. Glancing over to the traveler for a moment he nodded slightly as if approving of him. Judas seemed to be more comfortable around the bluenette then anyone else the bar tender had seen him around.

Taking a drink out of his newly filled glass, Judas sighed softly, his confusion attempting to take over.