Prey of the Wolf Chapter 1/?? Rated R
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 6:41 pm
<b><u>Prey of the Wolf</b></u>
by the Black Rose
AN: This was originally supposed to be a PWP lemon based loosely on Red Riding Hood with Heero as the wolf. He's still a wolf. There's still a lemon. Or 3 (current count). It just has somewhat of a plot, now, to go with it. Wee. I've finished a rough draft of chapter 7 thus far. Due to my travel schedule for my new job (we are now officially saving up money so I don't have to go to a job anymore, and can instead just devote my time to writing), everything is SO behind. I've been working killer hours of late, but I'm HOPING it will calm down starting next week.
Thanks so much for reading! Love, Rose
Chapter 1
The wolf prowled outside the cottage in the dark of night. There was just a small light on in the back room. Her room. Decorated in frilly pinks and lacy curtains. The wolf grinned. It was a full moon tonight. She'd be able to see him too easily if he tried to break in now. And that grandmother of hers was still at home.
But in seven days...
Grandma would be on vacation. Heero had seen her tickets one afternoon during one of the women's 'treasured' grandmother-granddaughter walks around the lake. He had snuck into their quaint little cottage and stolen through the house that was as silent as the night was now, all around him.
Another time, he had heard her talk, rather animatedly, about how much she was hoping to see and do during her period of traveling, and about all the arrangements she had already made. The old woman was worried, though, about leaving her granddaughter all alone in the house.
As well she should be.
* * * * * *
<i> Heero heard the light crackle of autumn leaves underneath human feet. A florid scent reached with slender fingers to tickle his nose.
Her scent.
This meant they were her steps he could hear - coming closer. He slipped back into the dark shadows of the grove.
"Relena, you should not go out there alone, dear."
"I'll be fine, grandma!" Her voice sounded closer than it should have been. The echo between the arbors must have confused his hearing. She stepped into the middle of a wide patch of grass, fully visible now, even as he concealed himself in the thick shade cast by long, brightly colored branches.
The grove was a small, natural, clearing amidst a dense thicket of tall oaks and pines. Sunlight only managed to creep in at noon when the sun was at its highest point in the sky. The rest of the day, shadows sealed the clearing in darkness except for the occasional slivers of light sneaking in.
Just beyond the grove was a private pond. All of this land 'belonged' to her grandmother, if one believed that anyone could really own the earth. More than likely, she was on her way there. The autumn day was warm, and the sun shining. The pond had been where Heero had been heading, for a drink, before he heard her footsteps.
She stopped in the center of the grove and cocked her head to one side. She turned towards his corner, and he took a step back, pressing closer to the cover of the trees.
She started in his direction.
He glared at her as she came close. He felt the prick of dried pine needles underneath his paws and growled at the girl for causing the discomfort. She bent down; her yellow hair was caught by a breeze, and flipped up. Heero bared his teeth and warned her away.
'Don't come closer.'
"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Just...don't move." She moved towards him at a slow pace. Her knees touched the prickly ground. He crouched lower and shifted his weight to his hind legs.
"Don't!" Her voice rose.
He snapped at her and she flinched.
"Don't move. It's okay--"
He growled again. This girl was a threat. His back left paw slipped on the pine needles beneath his feet. He felt something cold, heard her voice, and felt air rush against his limb all at once.
"Stop!"
Pain bit his leg with ravenous teeth. He thrashed wildly and struck out at the likely source: Her.
Blood dripped from his claws where he scratched her. The sharp pain throbbed throughout his body. What had she done to him?
"Shhhhhhhhh. It's okay." Her hand rubbed down the length of his back; her touch dispelled the pain and left in its place a burning sensation along the skin of his leg. He scowled at her and turned to survey the damage.
A trap lay, overturned, a few paces away. Blood trickled down the side of his limb where the trap's teeth had caught and ripped his skin. He was fortunate that his leg had not been snared and broken.
"I can bandage that up for you. These horrible trappers..."
Long, red gashes had formed on the pale skin of her arm. He glanced up at her face as she continued to stroke his fur and talk in a soft, soothing, tone.
"It's okay. It's okay. Grandmother is always telling these people they can't trap on her land. I tried to warn you, but I understand..." She looked him in the eyes. "I promise, I'm not going to hurt you."
Her touch was pleasant. Her eyes... Were the same shade as the open sky. She had a pretty face, and yes, he did know a pretty face when he saw one. He had taken the shape of a human before.
When it suited him.
He pulled out of her reach, limping in the other direction from the trap. To his surprise, she just smiled at him.
"So stubborn. Just like a man."
He snarled in response. She tilted her head and just watched him for a moment. Then her face broke out into a wide grin.
"You understand me."
He took a step back. She was dangerous, and he needed to get away from her and bathe his wound. Heero turned and started off in the direction of the pond.
"My name is Relena."
He paused before putting his weight on his injured leg, and threw a glance back at her over his shoulder.
Then continued on his way.</i>
* * * * * *
Relena sat in her room and brushed out her hair before "going to bed". Her grandmother was very strict regarding when she could go out and when she couldn't, but the eighteen year old girl's blood seemed to be running unusually hot, and she itched to get out of the house, to run free under the stars.
She knew he was watching her. But she wasn't entirely sure how or why. He was a wolf. Wolves didn't protect humans, did they?
"I've finally gone crazy. It makes no sen--"
Knock knock! Her grandmother rapped against the door.
"Come in." Relena placed the paddle brush down on her vanity and turned to greet the older woman.
Grandma stood in the doorway, already in her long-sleeved fleece nightgown for the night. She was a large-boned woman who had never been considered small or petite, but she had always been active and alive. The skin of her hands appeared glossy, almost translucent in places as they twisted together at her waist. "Relena, I think I am going to cancel my trip, dear."
Relena shot up from her chair. "No! Oh Grandma, you've been looking so forward to going. Why would you cancel it?" The light in the room focused everything into bright colors and shapes.
"I'm worried, dear." The older woman's mouth turned down, and almost got lost in all the lines and wrinkles of her face. They were the sort of blemishes one didn't notice on the features of a loved one, but her blue-grey eyes seemed clouded and full of the worry she spoke of.
"I don't like the idea of leaving you here by yourself. If we lived closer to town, it would be different, but--"
"I'll be fine." Relena took a step towards her grandmother. "I'm eighteen and--"
"It has nothing to do with your age. I know you are responsible enough, Relena, but with the discovery of that man's body. I just..." Her brow pinched into a frown. "I just feel uneasy about leaving you here alone. There will be other chances for me to travel. I've waited this long." Her grey-white, shoulder length hair bobbed when she shook her head.
"Grandma, please. I'll be fine. Heero's here to protect me."
"Hero?" Her grandmother's voice went up an octave when she said the name. She frowned again. "You're not talking about that wolf."
"I know you think I'm silly."
"I think you're being foolish." Grandma raised one hand to point a finger at her granddaughter and shake it as she spoke. "Wolves are dangerous, Relena. It was a wolf that killed that man."
"I know." Relena looked down at the floor. "But he was trespassing, and found with a gun. I believe Heero killed him to protect me."
"To protect you?"
"Yes." The younger woman glanced up and met her grandmother's concerned gaze. "He's protecting me. That's why it's okay for you to go on your cruise, Grandma. Because I am responsible enough, and nothing bad can happen as long as my wolf is looking after me."
"Your wolf." A hint of a smile seemed to curve just one corner of the older woman's mouth.
Relena grinned. "Yes. He's such a beautiful animal, don't you think?"
The elderly lady sighed. "I wish you would find a nice boyfriend. But if you are absolutely certain you'll be all right--"
"I'll be fine. I want you to go on your trip. I could use the freedom, too, you know."
"Then I am definitely not going."
"I'm kidding." Relena's voice carried an exasperated sigh. She started to gently push her grandmother towards the hall. "You've not had a vacation in too long. Since I came to live with you sixteen years ago. You deserve to go. I love you, Grandma, and I want you to get out, see the world, and do the things you haven't been able to with having to raise me."
"Relena...." Grandma raised a hand to cup her granddaughter's cheek. "I do not regret a single day or any decisions I have made. I love you, too, dear, and if it really is that important..."
"Yes. It is that important. I won't let you cancel if I have to kidnap you and tie you into your seat on the plane." Relena put both hands on her hip.
The old woman chuckled. "All right then. Get some rest, dear." She tucked a strand of hair behind Relena's ear. "Good night." She turned and shuffled off towards the back of the house.
Relena waited for her grandmother's door to close at the end of the hall. She meant what she said, and wanted her Grandma to get out and meet people, see the world. Who knew how many years the older woman had to live or how many other chances she'd have to go?
"A nice boyfriend, huh? I wonder what Heero would think." She brushed her hair up into a ponytail and grabbed a light jacket. Her wolf, as she had been calling him for some time, had intelligent eyes. Almost human. She hadn't been the one to 'name' him, like she was sure her grandmother had assumed.
He had, in some inexplicable way, told her that was his name.
by the Black Rose
AN: This was originally supposed to be a PWP lemon based loosely on Red Riding Hood with Heero as the wolf. He's still a wolf. There's still a lemon. Or 3 (current count). It just has somewhat of a plot, now, to go with it. Wee. I've finished a rough draft of chapter 7 thus far. Due to my travel schedule for my new job (we are now officially saving up money so I don't have to go to a job anymore, and can instead just devote my time to writing), everything is SO behind. I've been working killer hours of late, but I'm HOPING it will calm down starting next week.
Thanks so much for reading! Love, Rose
Chapter 1
The wolf prowled outside the cottage in the dark of night. There was just a small light on in the back room. Her room. Decorated in frilly pinks and lacy curtains. The wolf grinned. It was a full moon tonight. She'd be able to see him too easily if he tried to break in now. And that grandmother of hers was still at home.
But in seven days...
Grandma would be on vacation. Heero had seen her tickets one afternoon during one of the women's 'treasured' grandmother-granddaughter walks around the lake. He had snuck into their quaint little cottage and stolen through the house that was as silent as the night was now, all around him.
Another time, he had heard her talk, rather animatedly, about how much she was hoping to see and do during her period of traveling, and about all the arrangements she had already made. The old woman was worried, though, about leaving her granddaughter all alone in the house.
As well she should be.
* * * * * *
<i> Heero heard the light crackle of autumn leaves underneath human feet. A florid scent reached with slender fingers to tickle his nose.
Her scent.
This meant they were her steps he could hear - coming closer. He slipped back into the dark shadows of the grove.
"Relena, you should not go out there alone, dear."
"I'll be fine, grandma!" Her voice sounded closer than it should have been. The echo between the arbors must have confused his hearing. She stepped into the middle of a wide patch of grass, fully visible now, even as he concealed himself in the thick shade cast by long, brightly colored branches.
The grove was a small, natural, clearing amidst a dense thicket of tall oaks and pines. Sunlight only managed to creep in at noon when the sun was at its highest point in the sky. The rest of the day, shadows sealed the clearing in darkness except for the occasional slivers of light sneaking in.
Just beyond the grove was a private pond. All of this land 'belonged' to her grandmother, if one believed that anyone could really own the earth. More than likely, she was on her way there. The autumn day was warm, and the sun shining. The pond had been where Heero had been heading, for a drink, before he heard her footsteps.
She stopped in the center of the grove and cocked her head to one side. She turned towards his corner, and he took a step back, pressing closer to the cover of the trees.
She started in his direction.
He glared at her as she came close. He felt the prick of dried pine needles underneath his paws and growled at the girl for causing the discomfort. She bent down; her yellow hair was caught by a breeze, and flipped up. Heero bared his teeth and warned her away.
'Don't come closer.'
"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. Just...don't move." She moved towards him at a slow pace. Her knees touched the prickly ground. He crouched lower and shifted his weight to his hind legs.
"Don't!" Her voice rose.
He snapped at her and she flinched.
"Don't move. It's okay--"
He growled again. This girl was a threat. His back left paw slipped on the pine needles beneath his feet. He felt something cold, heard her voice, and felt air rush against his limb all at once.
"Stop!"
Pain bit his leg with ravenous teeth. He thrashed wildly and struck out at the likely source: Her.
Blood dripped from his claws where he scratched her. The sharp pain throbbed throughout his body. What had she done to him?
"Shhhhhhhhh. It's okay." Her hand rubbed down the length of his back; her touch dispelled the pain and left in its place a burning sensation along the skin of his leg. He scowled at her and turned to survey the damage.
A trap lay, overturned, a few paces away. Blood trickled down the side of his limb where the trap's teeth had caught and ripped his skin. He was fortunate that his leg had not been snared and broken.
"I can bandage that up for you. These horrible trappers..."
Long, red gashes had formed on the pale skin of her arm. He glanced up at her face as she continued to stroke his fur and talk in a soft, soothing, tone.
"It's okay. It's okay. Grandmother is always telling these people they can't trap on her land. I tried to warn you, but I understand..." She looked him in the eyes. "I promise, I'm not going to hurt you."
Her touch was pleasant. Her eyes... Were the same shade as the open sky. She had a pretty face, and yes, he did know a pretty face when he saw one. He had taken the shape of a human before.
When it suited him.
He pulled out of her reach, limping in the other direction from the trap. To his surprise, she just smiled at him.
"So stubborn. Just like a man."
He snarled in response. She tilted her head and just watched him for a moment. Then her face broke out into a wide grin.
"You understand me."
He took a step back. She was dangerous, and he needed to get away from her and bathe his wound. Heero turned and started off in the direction of the pond.
"My name is Relena."
He paused before putting his weight on his injured leg, and threw a glance back at her over his shoulder.
Then continued on his way.</i>
* * * * * *
Relena sat in her room and brushed out her hair before "going to bed". Her grandmother was very strict regarding when she could go out and when she couldn't, but the eighteen year old girl's blood seemed to be running unusually hot, and she itched to get out of the house, to run free under the stars.
She knew he was watching her. But she wasn't entirely sure how or why. He was a wolf. Wolves didn't protect humans, did they?
"I've finally gone crazy. It makes no sen--"
Knock knock! Her grandmother rapped against the door.
"Come in." Relena placed the paddle brush down on her vanity and turned to greet the older woman.
Grandma stood in the doorway, already in her long-sleeved fleece nightgown for the night. She was a large-boned woman who had never been considered small or petite, but she had always been active and alive. The skin of her hands appeared glossy, almost translucent in places as they twisted together at her waist. "Relena, I think I am going to cancel my trip, dear."
Relena shot up from her chair. "No! Oh Grandma, you've been looking so forward to going. Why would you cancel it?" The light in the room focused everything into bright colors and shapes.
"I'm worried, dear." The older woman's mouth turned down, and almost got lost in all the lines and wrinkles of her face. They were the sort of blemishes one didn't notice on the features of a loved one, but her blue-grey eyes seemed clouded and full of the worry she spoke of.
"I don't like the idea of leaving you here by yourself. If we lived closer to town, it would be different, but--"
"I'll be fine." Relena took a step towards her grandmother. "I'm eighteen and--"
"It has nothing to do with your age. I know you are responsible enough, Relena, but with the discovery of that man's body. I just..." Her brow pinched into a frown. "I just feel uneasy about leaving you here alone. There will be other chances for me to travel. I've waited this long." Her grey-white, shoulder length hair bobbed when she shook her head.
"Grandma, please. I'll be fine. Heero's here to protect me."
"Hero?" Her grandmother's voice went up an octave when she said the name. She frowned again. "You're not talking about that wolf."
"I know you think I'm silly."
"I think you're being foolish." Grandma raised one hand to point a finger at her granddaughter and shake it as she spoke. "Wolves are dangerous, Relena. It was a wolf that killed that man."
"I know." Relena looked down at the floor. "But he was trespassing, and found with a gun. I believe Heero killed him to protect me."
"To protect you?"
"Yes." The younger woman glanced up and met her grandmother's concerned gaze. "He's protecting me. That's why it's okay for you to go on your cruise, Grandma. Because I am responsible enough, and nothing bad can happen as long as my wolf is looking after me."
"Your wolf." A hint of a smile seemed to curve just one corner of the older woman's mouth.
Relena grinned. "Yes. He's such a beautiful animal, don't you think?"
The elderly lady sighed. "I wish you would find a nice boyfriend. But if you are absolutely certain you'll be all right--"
"I'll be fine. I want you to go on your trip. I could use the freedom, too, you know."
"Then I am definitely not going."
"I'm kidding." Relena's voice carried an exasperated sigh. She started to gently push her grandmother towards the hall. "You've not had a vacation in too long. Since I came to live with you sixteen years ago. You deserve to go. I love you, Grandma, and I want you to get out, see the world, and do the things you haven't been able to with having to raise me."
"Relena...." Grandma raised a hand to cup her granddaughter's cheek. "I do not regret a single day or any decisions I have made. I love you, too, dear, and if it really is that important..."
"Yes. It is that important. I won't let you cancel if I have to kidnap you and tie you into your seat on the plane." Relena put both hands on her hip.
The old woman chuckled. "All right then. Get some rest, dear." She tucked a strand of hair behind Relena's ear. "Good night." She turned and shuffled off towards the back of the house.
Relena waited for her grandmother's door to close at the end of the hall. She meant what she said, and wanted her Grandma to get out and meet people, see the world. Who knew how many years the older woman had to live or how many other chances she'd have to go?
"A nice boyfriend, huh? I wonder what Heero would think." She brushed her hair up into a ponytail and grabbed a light jacket. Her wolf, as she had been calling him for some time, had intelligent eyes. Almost human. She hadn't been the one to 'name' him, like she was sure her grandmother had assumed.
He had, in some inexplicable way, told her that was his name.
).
