“I followed Marianna here.” she answered.
He lifted his thick eyebrows.
“Why did you do that?” He asked, blowing smoke into the air. She didn’t know that he was actually smoking to put his thoughts in order. Sitting there, with her tousled hair, her violet eyes staring at him with a raw intensity, her lips luscious and smeared with jam, her breasts straining hard against her white sleeveless shirts, he could actually see the outlines of those beautiful mounds, all these had got him going. When she was eating the croissants and he had seen her lick the jam from her fingers, he had wanted to take those hands away and shoved his mouth down on hers. “Where did you do it, Selena?” He asked again.
She lifted her eyes at him.
“You know my name?” She questioned.
He shrugged indifferently.
“A man has his ways of finding out things. But I will call you, Violet.”
“Why Violet?” She asked.
“Because of your eyes. You’ve got big, beautiful violet eyes. Never seen anything like it.” his eyes bored into hers.
Selena turned hot, then cold, then hot under his gaze.
“Thank you.” she said gladly.
“It's nothing. So tell me why did you follow Marianna here?”
She regarded him for a long moment. He was a man of few words. She was sure of it. And the question he was asking her, there was a part of her that wanted her to lie. She did not really know who he was. How could she comfortably tell him she had fallen in love with him? And that was why she had wanted to see him again. And right now, she doesn’t know how he was going to feel if she told him that she loved him.
“You know you can tell me anything. I won’t bite.” he assured her.
She nodded her head.
“Victor,” she began, “I don’t know how to say all the stuff in my head. I mean, I might not be able to put everything into words. But I will try my best,” she clenched and unclenched her fingers. “It all started at the church. I don’t know what came over me for that first time when I set my eyes on you. All I can say is that seeing you that moment got me really going. The only man I’ve ever desired in Fur Rivers, his Caesar,” she saw a glint come into his eyes at the mention of Caesar and she paused. He nodded for her to go on, and she went on. “My feelings for Caesar aren’t strong. I know that. I only wanted to get married to him for some personal reasons.”
“What are the personal reasons?” He injected it.
Selena licked her lips and bit hard on her inner lip.
“I’m sorry, I can’t go into those details now. But with time, when we get to know each other more. That’s if we eventually get to know each other, I will tell you.”
Victor inclined his head as he stubbed out the cigarette in an ashtray.
“Fair enough. You can go on, I am listening,” he said.
The sun had completely gone down now. The room was now dim, airy and quiet. Cool breeze was blowing in through the open windows. Selena heaved heavily.
“Victor,” she began. “How I felt when I saw you was so different. I’ve never really felt like that towards anyone. Also, when I was standing in front of Caesar and then I saw you. Seeing you opened something inside of me. It was like a door that had been locked for a long time and suddenly the door was opened. The instant I saw you, I knew I was going to make a grave mistake if I got married to Caesar. I knew I shouldn’t be standing there with him, inside that church, with that priest. Everything was all wrong.”
“Didn’t anyone try to talk you out of the wedding?” Victor asked.
“My father did,” she offered. “His name is Sam? Ever heard of him? He owned the only bar in Fur Rivers.”
“I know Sam very well.” Victor said evenly.
She squinted her eyes at him.
“You know Sam?” she said, startled.
“Of course! A man’s gotta drink sometime, you know,” he said as if that answered her questions. “He’s a mighty good man. A good man that he is,” he finished. “So Sam didn’t go along with your wedding plans?”
She nodded her head.
“He hated it. He told me he was never going to attend the wedding. And he wasn’t going to give me his blessing,”
“I’m not surprised,” Victor said, remembering the face of the old man when that man, whatever his name was, had told him and Sam of his daughter’s wedding. “If Sam doesn’t want you with Caesar, then he really means well for you,”
“I know.” Selena wailed. She was still thinking how stupid she must have been for the thought of marrying Caesar to have entered her head.
“What you did at the church was very brave. Foolish but very brave.” his eyes shone at her Selena’s cheek turned red.
“It wasn’t foolish,” she protested, her eyes glittering at him. How could he have thought of her being foolish?. Fine! Fine! She knew what she did was foolish. But she just didn’t want to hear it from his mouth. He saw the angry look on her face and he smiled, revealing white perfect teeth. The contrast of his white teeth against his dark, sunburned skin was overpowering. She turned her face from him so that he won’t see the desire for him in her eyes.
“I didn’t expect you to run away like that,” He was saying. “I mean, no one did,” he paused and went on. “Caesar won’t forgive you.”
“I know and I don’t care.” she said curtly, still angry with him for what he had said earlier.
“You should, really. He struck me like a man who has some loose nuts in his head,” He pointed out. “Did you know we fought each other inside the church?” He was smiling at her now, but the look in his eyes told her he was serious.
“What?” She gaped.
“Yes! It was a messy one. We really clobbered each other,” and he went on to tell about what had happened after she ran out of the church, how they had fought, how Caesar had left, how Marianna had helped him into the car and brought him to the cabin hut. By the time he was done, there was a look of wild terror on her face.
“That bastard!” She snarled. “That blasted bastard! How could he do that to you? I’ll kill him!” and her voice went low. “Oh, did he hurt you? I’m so sorry.” There was this look of pity and affection on her face and it really touched Victor where he was.
“I’m perfectly fine,” he answered. “That fight was unavoidable. He was asking for it and I really needed to give it to him.”
“I’ve got a lot of things I want to say to that bastard when I see him.” Selena seethed out, still pissed off.
“No! You stay away from him,” he said, stabbing his thumb at her. There was a deadpan expression on his face.
“Why? You think he dared touch me?” She shrilled. “Caesar is full of ego. Someone needs to throw some sense into his skull. I will do it.”
“Violet,” Victor said quietly. “Stay the hell away from Caesar.”
The warning in his voice was palpable and it irritated her. Who did he think he was to tell her what to do? No one tells her what to do? No one! She makes her decisions. Her only!
“When I see Caesar, I’m giving him some hard words. That’s what I’m gonna do,” she said evenly, her violet eyes blazing at him “You or anyone can’t tell me what to do and what not.”
“I won’t allow you,” Victor said gravely. “I have a feeling Caesar is going to want to avenge what you did to him. Going to him he’s just like taking a goat to a hungry fox. He’s gonna eat you raw.”
She knew he was right. Of course he was! Does she think Caesar will just move on from what she did to him? She knew how wicked he was.….how merciless he was when he wanted to be. The thought of what he could do to her sent a cold spider of fear through her and she shivered.
“I’m still going to talk sense to him.” she said but the conviction in her voice was gone and he must have sensed it because he threw back his head and laughed. The sound was husky and pleasant.
“You are a fool! A beautiful fool! That’s what you are.” He said laughing lines on his face.
“Don’t call me a fool” she shrieked at him.
He stopped laughing and stared at her. He leaned back into the chair comfortably. Then he grinned at her ruefully and he looked so dead sexy and edible.
How can a man look this good? She thought, still annoyed with him. He must have women throwing themselves at him. That was why he had called her a fool! She was a fool! Just like Marianna! Just like everyone women that….. that have fallen in love with him and throw themselves at him. And she, Selena! was also part of those women. A bile of anger rose in her and she hated him at that moment.
“I can take anything Victor, but I won’t be disrespected.” she said looking at him coldly but the look on his face told her he wasn’t even bothered about the way she was looking at him or how she was feeling.
He moistened his lips with his tongue.
“Only foolish girls do stupid things. If you, Selena, ever go to Caesar, then you are a fool!”
An angry glint jumped into Selena’s eyes. She rushed at him, her palm opened, to slap that smirk off his face.
“Why you son of………..” she got to him and swiped her open palm at his face.
His movements were like that of a snake. He caught her wrist, spun her around so fast that she was breathless and sat her down on his thick thighs violently. His brawny arms were around her, holding her tight. And it felt like he had caught her in his arms before. Only this time, she felt suffocated. She began to struggle in his arms.
“Let me go,” she seethed out. “Let me go, please.” she was nearly sobbing with rage.
“Be quiet,” he said calmly. “What do you think you are doing slapping a man? You think this is one of those damned K-drama you watch?” his eyes were glittering at her; burning into her and it made her weak.
She was aware of sitting on his laps, her legs in the hollow between his thighs and she could feel the bulging weight there. The overall effect of everything made her body yearn for him.
Victor felt her heavy breasts against his arm. Her face was six inches from him. In the dim light of the cabin, her violet eyes seemed to shine like a cat at him. She was so goddamn beautiful. Unable to resist himself, he brought his head to her and kissed her on the mouth. She did something which shocked him. As he leaned in to deepen the kiss, she bit him hard on the lips. The pain shot through his body and he yelled.
“Ouch!” His face twisted with pain and anger. “What was that for?” He growled at her. He could feel his lips swollen but he did not taste any blood.
“That’s for you overreaching!” She snapped at him. “I don’t want your lips, Victor. Keep your lips to yourself.” she loved the look of pain she was seeing on his face. That’s good! She thought. Even though she wanted him, he must also work for it. She won’t throw herself at him like those other girls.
Victor stared at her, smoldering with rage. He wanted to throw her off his lap. But he had a feeling she also wanted him just the way he wanted her. So he relaxed. Play it cool! he reasoned. Just play it cool.
“You looked so beautiful! I just couldn’t resist kissing you,” he said simply. “I’m sorry for taking advantage of you. I apologize.”
She looked at him, totally stunned. She had expected him to be cocky, arrogant or brash. Wow! He’s so different from Caesar, she thought. Him apologizing to her didn't make him look weak. No one could look at him and even thought him to be weak. This behavior from him threw her off completely and she found herself feeling sorry for him.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry,” her fingertips went to his lips. She touched it tenderly. Victor sucked in breath. Her fingers felt so soft and warm against his lips and he wanted to take those slim fingers into his hand. “I’ve hurt you,” she said softly. “ Let me kiss the pain away.” and she bent her head and touched her lips.
Victor felt her body sag against him. They were like that for some time, kissing hard, thrusting their lips and tongue into each other’s mouth. After a while, she leaned away from him.
“We shouldn’t be doing this.” she said looking at him.
“Of course!” He replied, and his arm circled the small of her back, pulling her hard against him.
He kissed her hard and she kissed him back.
“No, please,”
Victor released her. He was panting. She was panting and shaking.
She touched her lips with her fingertips and looked into his eyes.
“Jeez, it feels so different to you,” she said and she then held his face in her hands. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Victor. But I just wanna take things so slow. Are you okay with that?” She was looking at him, her eyes searching.
Victor inclined his head “I’m fine with anything you want, sweetheart,” he said casually. “I must admit I’ve never felt like this with anyone before. So I’m willing to take my time.”
She was looking at him now, her face white with shock.
“Are you saying you love………”she gasped.
Victor shook his head, smiling affectionately at her and he looked handsomer than ever.
“I’m not saying anything, Violet. For now.”
Selena's face fell.
“Alright. I love you. And nothing is ever gonna change that.”
Victor beamed at her. He opened his arms. And she came to him, pulling him close. With his tongue, he licked her neck line up to the inner side of her ears. She shivered and hugged him tightly.
“Oh, Victor,” she purred. “Kiss me! Please kiss me” she was trembling in his arms now.
Victor brought her head close and touched his lips to hers.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx It was past nine, and Victor, feeling sweaty and restless, lit a Marlboro cigarette. Despite the dark, cool cabin, he still felt uncomfortably hot. Selena had reluctantly left, exchanging phone contacts with him before going home. He saw the sadness in her violet eyes; she didn't want to leave. But he had sensed the telltale signs of the full moon approaching. He had felt so amazingly good that afternoon. It was strange. Knowing the dangers of her being around him in case he turned, he had insisted she go.
Victor glanced at the bed where they had spent hours talking and grimaced, but he knew it was for the best. During their conversation, she asked about how he knew Sam Wesley, prompting Victor to recount his arrival in Fur Rivers and how Sam had helped with a place to stay. As Victor finished recounting his story, Selena revealed that on the same night he arrived in town, she was almost attacked by a werewolf in Sam's bar. Caesar had saved her. This revelation gave Victor a clearer understanding of why Sam's bar seemed so chaotic when he first entered.
Though Sam had recounted his experience, Selena's vivid retelling gave Victor a clear sense of her deep disdain for werewolves. He realized she didn't just dislike them; she despised them. It was a reality he had to accept if he wanted to be with her. Not every girl could be like Marianna, he reasoned to himself as Selena spoke, unaware of his internal struggle. Marianna loved werewolves, but Victor's heart belonged to Selena, despite her hatred for his kind. It was an ironic situation. They would have gone on talking if not for his sudden restlessness.
As he lounged in his chair, smoking and pondering, he couldn't help but wonder how Selena would react if she discovered his true nature. He pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the uncertain path ahead. With a heavy sigh, he rose to his feet, discarding his cigarette and reaching for a beer. But as he tried to open it, he noticed something strange - his hands looked different, his thumbs longer and thicker, and his face felt rough with scruffy hair. What the hell? the transformation was beginning. Sooner or later, he was going to change. Then his phone rang, The sudden rock musical sound of his ringtone hit his eardrums. A strident noise jarred on his nerves and his chest suddenly seemed to expand. He screamed; it sounded more like a bellow of growl. He fell to the ground on his knees and held his head. There seemed to be a kind of heavy pounding going on inside his head. His cellphone continues to ring and it adds more to the insanity going on inside him. His face began to shift, broadening and expanding. His body was filling out like a balloon. Suddenly, the seams of his shirt and pants began to burst out just like the stuffing from an old sofa. His blue eyes had changed to a shade of gold-green. His finger sprouted out claws and his boots busted out, revealing big, hairy wolf feet.
Few moments later, Victor, now fully turned werewolf, bounded out of the cabin hut.
High above, the moon was hidden somewhere in the dark, fluffy clouds. But he could feel the power. He let out a roar of triumph and blundered into the thickets. He ran on his paws and feet, growling and snarling. As he ran he looked towards the sky.
The moon was white and big.
He let out another howl, feeling the power of the moon surging through him. He didn't know where he was running to. He just wanted to release the energy inside of him. He must have been running for some minutes when he suddenly stopped. He stood motionless on his wolf feet and cocked his flattened ears. He had heard something. He was sure of it. He listened again. Then he heard it. It was a howl. Not the howl of wolves but that of a werewolf. His furry head glared around the woods. Then he let out a howl, a powerful one. From somewhere in the woods, multiple howls of triumph roared back at him.
There were werewolves like him in this part of the woods.
Victor released another howl and bounded towards the direction where the howls had come from. He ran, and ran and ran, screaming and howling.
Few moments later, he got to a cliff. Down the slope, right ahead of him, he saw a big campfire.
He stood motionless, heaving heavily, hot air coming out from his huge nostrils. He could see humans; man and woman, and also werewolves, just like him. They were all gathered around the campfire. The werewolf lingered around. Every now and then, they let out a roaring howl, ran around the campfire and stood still. The men he was seeing looked familiar; smelled familiar.
Victor, still in his werewolf state, utters a questioning grunts that sounded human. He let out a rolling howl. The men, women and werewolves stopped what they were doing and looked towards his direction, shocked. Victor shambled down the slope towards the campfire, his eyes hot, wild and wary.
When he got there, he was startled when he saw Jack Axgorn and his Blood Rebel pack members.