*LEON*

Beautiful ladies and ugly gents...*cough*  forgive me\, that is a phrase I have come to pick up from a friend of mine. That damn Crusty!  He is not a Werewolf but that foul mouth of his.

As I was saying, beautiful ladies and humble gentlemen,  as it is evident, I am nowhere in a good condition. My hands and legs are bounded by chains and my body beaten to a state that would have left most begging for life.

I am deep within the confines of the Poison claw clan prison and from the ache in my body, I have realized the true reason for the name poison claw clan. These people really had an appropriate name to match their tastes. The person's tears running down my battered beaten body as I hang loosely from these chains, is the princess of my dreams and attention, Pheobe.

In any normal circumstance, I would enjoy this much attention from her in bliss but right now, the pain from her tightly holding my beaten torso hurts a lot. It was not the first time these few days she had come here in an attempt to ensure I was still alive. But in all honesty, I wish she didn't come. She had too much on her plate to deal with.

This was not supposed to happen. The script pattern from those novels was quite simple really. You know... Hero goes to train, he comes back very strong, kicks the asses of all in his path and impresses all, takes the princess by the waist, gets a kiss and live happily ever after. But Me! a murderer? How? When? Where did it all go wrong?

Hahaha...*cough* Damn it. still coughing blood.

But I should warn you, This story is not mine alone...

.....

On the first verse of my mom's favourite song, Calvin harris said in his lyrics.

"When I met You in the summer,

to my heartbeats sound..."

Those are the only words I could ever use to describe the feeling my chest endured that day.

It happened three years ago. Summer was at its peak.

The heat of the day would usually endure till the deep of the night. I was never one to enjoy the hot weather but that summer was the reason I persevered.

Under the bright moon of a lonely dark night, I ran away from home. I had just heard the topic of 'a most controversial' argument between my parents. It was one I had hoped would never be, but destiny with her fickle fingers couldn't keep her claws to herself. It was about my DEATH.

No, no, no... I know what you are thinking but that is very far from the truth. You see, I come from a family surrounded by the lore of ancient history and Urban legend.  A family that believes death to be more of a salvation than it is the ceasing of life. A family of Vampires. But I myself, was not one. And so the first question would be how a human boy became the son of a ruthless blood draining family. But that is an answer I'll give later on as the story unfolds.

I ran away from home at the latest of the night. I had with me only a bag filled with food and some money I had taken from my mom's drawer. Straight out of the stash she specially kept from my father for her monthly Cuban cigars. It's not like she was going to notice a few hundred dollars missing from that much money anyway, or so I thought.

I had wanted to take the bus out of town but I feared for the influence my parents had in these parts. And so like any ignorant boy running away from home, I took a route I was sure was safe from their reach and would never be found. The forest.

I had walked for heavens know how long. Deep into the shadows of the huge unsuspecting trees. I had with me the full moon as my only source of light. I was becoming tired and decided to take a short rest on the big trunk of a tree that had that newly fell smell.

I brought out an apple and a sandwich stuffed with ham, I had meticulously prepared back home just for the reason of this escape. I had thought to eat it for breakfast the next day. Clearly, I had underestimated the tiring journey. I proceeded to take a big bite from my sandwich enjoying its flavour in my mouth as I smiled in bliss.

Unbeknownst to me, I was about to become another person's dinner.  Well hidden in the shadows of a tree were two wolves stalking prey and unfortunately, that unsuspecting prey was me. I had barely gone halfway with my sandwich when a big wolf landed directly in front of me.

It was big and black, with scissor like teeth that growled at me. Even though it stood on all fours, it gave the impression that I was before a mountain.

Yeah! I know right, so scary. I have come to know now that on that night, those two wolfs were actually toying with me. Just a little thrill of the chase before they enjoyed their midnight snack.  I ran through the woods, as fast as my legs could carry me. But no matter how much I ran,  I would always see them behind me whenever I turned my head to have a peep. I was already running out of breath. Oh! how I wished I took P.E classes more seriously. I could feel my legs getting heavier and slower, that was when I felt a hard pull on my left shoulder and a soft palm cover my mouth. Another lesson learnt on that day was that although wolves have good eyesight, they rely more on their sense of smell when hunting.

I wanted to scream out of reflex, but the hand held my mouth tighter. Coincidentally, my left hand still had my sandwich squeezed tightly in it. The person grabbed forcefully the sandwich in my hand and threw it far into the distance. The next thing I knew, was that I was also flung in the air-but it was onto the shoulders. We moved with speed in the opposite direction of the thrown sandwich. One wolf went in the direction of the sandwich while the other one chased after us. I held on tightly to the body of my ride in fear. It was soft and warm all over, and the lingering scent of perfume from the smooth wavy hair already hinted to me that my ride was feminine. If not for the pressing situation, am sure I would have enjoyed the moment.

We had gotten to an impasse.  Before us was a cliff. We looked around with nowhere else to go, but my sharp witts for survival was at work. I spotted a big tree with a gaping hole in its trunk. I quickly pointed at it and before I knew it, we were squeezed together inside it. A few minutes after we entered the tree trunk, a big wolf arrived before us. It went sniffing all around the place to even the cliff but it did not find anything. It turned around and was sniffing towards the tree. I was wondering why the bad luck when a thought suddenly came to me.  I remembered my hand probably still smelt of cheese and that was probably how this animal was tracking us. My hiding complaining most have had the same thought as she took my hand and brought it towards her face. She immediately put my fingers in her mouth. I thought she was going to bite it but want was to happen next, was a feeling that still got me looking at my hand in a daze to this day. I could feel a small tongue meticulously going through my fingers. It felt like a very small immature snake was learning how to strangle its prey and was using my fingers for practice.

She licked them fast and thoroughly, and just before the wolf got close enough to the tree-it stopped. It turned around and retraced its steps again, sniffing with more attention to correct its mistake. But we were not out of trouble just yet. The wolf seemed to sense something wrong and proceeded back our way. It came close, very close. I had already started to regret my decision of leaving home and prayed hard to lady luck, making promises to her I knew deep down I could never keep. But Before it got close enough, she answered the prayers of her loyal son.

A howl in the distance stole its attention. it sounded like a wolf in pain. The wolf barely in front of us stopped and ran in the direction of the howl, giving its own as it ran towards its companion.

"Wow, that was so close," I turned to the person I was sharing the tight room with, expecting a reply. But to my surprise, all I got was the sound of light snores. She must have used a lot of energy just now. I was at a loss for words. I mean, Who just sleeps on a random stranger they just met out of the blue. But then the fatigue from all that running also hit me. My legs were tired and I soon found my eyelids heavy and also fell asleep.

And that was how we met that summer.

*LEON*

     A lot happened after that, but let me not bore you too much. I went back home... more like carried, but then again-who is keeping notes about such minor stuff.

Ahmmm... As I was saying,

It has been three years since that eventful day. We coincidentally attend the same school and yes, if you must know the same class. But our worlds still remain different.

How, you might ask?

It's simple really. It turns out my 'princess' in shining armour was actually a PRINCESS. Well, sort of. She is the eldest daughter of the tribal chief of the Poison Claw clan. A  powerful Werewolf clan with deep roots and very-I mean 'VERY' prideful ancestry. The fear and respect they enjoyed were not merely from this town but from the entire province. Their influence like a tree even branched far out. They are not a family anyone would want to test its patience. But their power declined when my family moved here some two hundred years ago.

Mom still tells stories of her great exploits back then. She said our coven moved here because of an emergency but the land already had its rulers. The war, both above and below the surface between the two families lasted for almost fifty years. A peace treaty was eventually signed to stop the bloodshed and the two have lived in very fragile peace ever since. The two families were never friends but in an effort to maintain the peace, schools were made to facilitate growth and development between both sides. In fact, the prosperity enjoyed today by the entire province is a result of the joint effort by both families.

They maintained peace between each other and joined hands on more than one occasion against external threats. This province has come to be called. 'Cordial falls'... and this place, the Twin City.

Okay, where was I?... Yes, I remember.

     Mr Mocib dropped me off at school today. It was usually my mom, but today according to Father was an important one and mother's expertise was necessary for the preparations.

Before you ask, NO! I don't know the details. After what happened the last time, there never had arguments or made important decisions in my presence again. All I know are little hints. LIke father kept on saying how it was finally time.

I came out of the limousine and waved Mr Mocib as he drove back to the house all the while reminding me that he was going to come back by exactly lunch break to take me back home, Father's orders he said. I didn't mind because there was no need to. I would have been done with my plans by then. Today was a good day. A very good day. All because today was going to be the day. The day I finally told her about my feelings. I was going to crack out of my shell and sow on the wings of love. I would tell her what I had held back all these years we had met in secret.

I got into class and took my sit by the window. I had made sure I was early today. I wanted to do it before class started. I remembered she was always early to class, never a second later than the bell. And as fate would have it, I was right. There she was, walking into the class. For a second there, I could have sworn time partnered with my thoughts and slowed down.

My eyes were glued to every move she made. From the way\, her smooth wavy black hair caught the slightest of breeze\, to the aesthetic blooming of her smile. From the flutter of her buffer fly lashes when she blinked\, to the slight twitch her nose made when she smiled. From the quaking tremors\, her curves made in carelessness\, to the vibrant rhythm her steps made in confidence... Ahmmm *cough*

Sorry, I got carried away again. The bottom line is that I know a lot about her. I mean if you saw her, you'll understand why I keep getting lost in a trance. For crying out loud, just look at those eyes. And the way she taps her friend's shoulders...

     "WAIT!!! Tap her friend's shoulders?"

     "Oh Shit," I miss calculated a bit. As the daughter of 'The tribal chief, she naturally had a clique. A very fierce one at that. A group of girls from the werewolf clan of cause. There looked more escorts than there did friends. There was no way I could approach her now. Not with that crowd. If I dared, the consequences for me would be dire. Love confession was entirely a different topic. How could I a 'human' from a vampire family desire a girl of her status. Those tigresses would just cut off my legs before anyone came to my rescue.

I had known her long enough to know that she was not happy with the lack of personal space, but what was she to do? She was practically royal. I sat nervously in my chair.  Things were not proceeding according to plan and I was so excited that I never prepared a plan B.

In a class filled with unsuspecting humans, vampire acolytes and young werewolf cubs. I sat in my chair, oblivious of the world around me. My only thought was of how I was going to summon the courage to reach her. Although we had planned secretly to meet at the usual spot, I would have to cancel today. Obviously, whatever my parents were planning involved me.

     My brain went into hyperdrive and behold, like an excited rabbit, an idea sprang in me. "Why not leave her a note on her desk during chemistry practical class?" And so I did. The note was simple.

It read,

             "I have held it back for so long but I can't anymore.

              My heart beats for you, like the vibrance of summer.

               Meet me behind the locker room before lunch."

                                                       Yours truly, Knight in the woods.

See, I told you. Easy and simple. Not too much but not enough. Mom taught me that. She said women like to be railed in slowly.

I left it in between her chemistry note on her work table. There was no way in hell she was not going to find it. I went to the agreed location to wait for her, even missing most of the time for the class. I was just too nervous. My palms were sweaty and my legs kept on shaking from my knees downwards. I was an awful mix of emotions. I was afraid she would say 'no' or write me right off. I was afraid it would sabotage our friendship. Yet, a part of me remained excited. i have never felt such a rush of adrenaline before. It felt awesome.

I had wanted for a long time, and just when all hope was about to fade like a dying candle, I heard footsteps come my way. The dying candle suddenly became a burning forest. I immediately arranged my already well-ironed shirt in preparation, but when the steps came to a halt before my face, it was not her.

     In front of me stood Andrew. Two words popped in my head, "Oh shit!"

What happened was just lady luck looking away from her most humble son, probably because of all the times I made promises and never kept them. I had kept the piece of paper in between the pages of her book but due to a series of head aching coincidences I can't bother to explain now, one of her 'Tigeresses' found the note instead. She had wanted to come to teach me a lesson herself but instead gave the opportunity to this brute in front of me.

Andrew was a new generation cub. Rumours have it that he was brimming with enough potential to become Alpha one day. He had already awoken his first bloodline ability at the young age of thirteen and right now, He was challenging the second.

     He had blond short hair with a little muscle here and there. He had never come anything other than first in any competition and was very athletic Most girls in school found him attractive. He was his own top boss. As a potential Alpha wolf, the elders of the clan thought it necessary to pair him up with her. 'My princess knight.' So, he had grown up with the mentality that she belonged to him.

     He came close and walked around me in a circle. His steps were slow and concise like a cat stalking an already trapped mouse. He went a few circles, all the while looking at me with disgust clear in his eyes.

     "Oh gods in heaven, why him," I thought, "I would prefer this much attention from the tigresses." My emotions were no longer in a mix, the only thing I felt was FEAR.

"So your heart beats for my woman?" that was his opening line. "Did You think a blood pet as you could come close to a jewel-like her?" He stopped in front of me and looked deep into my trembling eyes.

     I wanted to tell him yes. That I had come close enough and even held her body close to mine before. That I had beheld her smile, her true smile. Not the half baked thing she wears with those 'kitties.' But I also feared that if I did, it would probably be the last time I talked in my life. The moments I had with her are beyond abominable. So, I just stared.

     Stared at him?

Hell no! I stared at the more friendly ground beneath my feet.

    He seemed to get angry the more he looked at me and he finally couldn't hold it anymore and called to two of his lackeys I was unaware they were acting as lookouts. There came to him like submissive dogs and he only said four words, "MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD!"

You might ask why this was happening to me since I myself, am the Heir apparent of a vampire family. But the hided truth was that you are only truly acknowledged when you are turned. Other than that, all I carried was the name with no real power. In other words, I was replaceable.

I felt more pain that day than even the experiments father carried out on me. When there were done having their fun with me, beating me like a stubborn goat.  Andrew came close to my face and laughed. "You look better," he said. kicking me some more in the stomach. "let me teach you a vital lesson... Do you know where you wronged?"

     I shook my bleeding head sideways.

"It is not that you like her. That is not the crime, besides you are not the first to fall in love. She is indeed a treasure. The crime is that you are too weak. A frog that wants to eat swan meat. you are TRASH! and trash should know its place." Then he undid his zipper and urinated on me.

He and his lackeys left after there were done teaching their 'lesson'.

     It took about thirty minutes before Amos a dear friend of mine came looking for me and found me bleeding and stinking on the floor. I had told him about my plan earlier on. And even promised to tell him about the 'good news' during lunch.

      And yes, before you ask again. Amos is a werewolf. I know what most of you might be thinking, but he is not like that. He is kinda very weak. In fact, our weakness was one of the few things that made us best of friends.

      He helped me out of my predicament and made an early call to Mr Mocib who took me home.

      All the while to the house, those words Andrew said kept repeating in my head. I had made them my favourite tune. That day, I vowed never to ever see her again. Not until I acquired POWER!

*Pheobe*

    I opened my eyes to the sound of birds chirping in the morning. Oh damn! I did it again. I looked all around to my surroundings, I was in the woods. Father was going to be mad again. But I did not care. I slept outside so what? But I should really stop making this a habit of mine. Then again, at this point, I doubt I even possess the ability to stop.

The cool morning breeze blew dried leaves in my face. Please don't ask Why dried leaves fell in the middle of summer? I don't know. I also found it surprising too. but the dried leaves only came from one tree. Looking at that big hollow in its trunk, I can't help but remember that day.

It was five years ago...

I left home for the first time. I don't remember Why I did it, but I do remember feeling suffocated. I was tired of it all and just wanted a breather. So I hid from the pack and ran out into the woods. It was a night unlike most that day, a full moon-the last one of the month. It was always a tradition in the family to let the young cubs run wild and have fun on the last day of the lunar's fullness. But I was less than interested in running around with newly turned cubs and their enthusiasm towards a new world.

I mean seriously, I had my first transformation when I was seven. In wolf years I could already be considered an adult. My father was so proud. He said it was the earliest in the history of our family.  That the potential I displayed might even give the family enough strength to finally drive those bloodsuckers back to hell. And so discussions with the elders would arise regularly on finding me a mate as strong and pure a bloodline as mine.

Those sick old perverts, how dare they? What did they take me for? Do I look like a breeding dog to them? Those idiots had the guts to decide to make decisions about my body like it was some commodity. 'My own' body. The thought of it was so sickening and blood boiling that I had to bite on my hand several times, just to keep myself from transforming out of mere anger alone.

And so, I went out that night to enjoy a little fresh air. A little me and nature time to clear the fog in my mind. I had barely gone far when I saw two newly turned cubs stalking prey. Their tracking and hiding skills were so shitty, it made me feel the need to go down there and teach them how it was properly done. Besides I am still the first daughter of the chief-I do have a duty to the tribe. The thought of being a tutor had barely crossed my mind when it changed on whom to help.

The reason was quite simple. From the smell, I found that the cub heading the hunt was the son of Elder Gion. One of the old farts seriously pushing for my acquisition of a mate. I heard his son Andrew was the first to turn after me. But the slowpoke did it when he became thirteen. What a shame. An absolute lack of true talent if you ask me.

I decided to help the weak unsuspecting human instead. Just to spite the fool. Nothing hurts a wolf's feelings like taking meat from its jaws. I stole the human from their claws and ran deep into the night. Even though it was easy distracting the first wolf, it was not easy for the second. Am sure that was a bloodline ability. It kept following everywhere we went and to make matters worse, I could have sworn the human was groping me.

We found a place to hide but I could not take the 'cubs' persistence anymore, I had to activate two of my bloodline abilities. 'Clear Illusion' and 'Nature Concealment'.  I activated them in full force. The senses of a wolf were not easily deceived, and this took a toll on me. My head suddenly ached and the last thing I remember was feeling very tired.

I woke up the next morning in surprise at my surroundings. I was inside the hollow of a tree with a shirt over my body. I sat upright in a panic. I took the shirt to my face, the smell felt familiar.  A thought hit me and out of womanly reflexes, I checked my girly parts. I remembered saving a human male the night before and... damn, "What happened after that?"  I could recall nothing.

The deep-seated pride running in my veins did not allow me to give up on last night's pursuit and that cost me to activate two bloodline abilities at once. It was the first time I ever did that. I checked my clothes and all seemed to be well. at least am sure it was.

The sweet smell of roasted rat drifted into my temporary room and my stomach groaned in response to its allure. i hurried out of the tree to the makeshift campfire. There sat the reason for the roasted rat. I wanted to approach the meat but was too sceptical about the human making the delicacy. He turned to me and surprisingly offered me the biggest one by the fire. "You must be hungry, would you like one?" I wanted to refuse but my hand had already grasped the meat from his hand.

Oh! how embarrassing, the first daughter of the 'Great Poison claw' clan eating forest meat like a savage. It was not my fault, I was crazy-hungry. Bloodline abilities take a lot to activate, and even more to refill. And mine was incredible. If I concentrated hard enough, I could even deceive the chief-my father.

He looked at me and laughed.  "What was he laughing at? Was it me? How dare he!?" I was about to go slap the fun out of his face when he said it, "It feels good, doesn't it? the freedom... You look it. like something has held you down for so long and you are enjoying your escape."

I paused in the middle of my meal. "How did he know? Did I tell him in my sleep? How did he look into my chest and unwrap my burden?" These were the thoughts anchored in my mind. He laid on the ground and looked at me, "Me too." He said

As he lay\, I looked closely at his face. He was suddenly not looking just like a walking bag of meat anymore but a lot... Ahmmm. *cough* I mean\, a 'bit' more alluring. He had bold black hair and nicely carved facial features-the kind one would only see from the work of an unhurried artist.

He told me his story. And I thought my life was sad as it was, but this guy's life was a total disaster. But that is a story I'll tell another time. The bottom line is, we had fun that day. I, the proud princess of a werewolf clan and he, the human experimental subject of a royal vampire lineage. At least we did until members of the pack and the coven came looking for us.

Even more surprising was how he just happened to be in the same class as me at my new school. I remember my heart fluttering when I saw him just sitting there. Oh! what I did in the three years that followed just to have opportunities to see him more. We were forbidden from ever making contact and the stupid things I called my friends ensured the obedience of that order from father. The assholes were not aware that we met here, at the hollow tree at least once a month.

However, on the last day of school two years ago, the fragile thing that beats in my bosom broke. And my chest became hollow just like that tree. An empty abomination. I lost the only colour I ever knew. The world suddenly plunged into grey and more grey for me.

To this day, I still asked myself questions. Why did he do that? He was smart. I know he was smart. He probably saw it coming, but why didn't he tell me? We could have run away together. Away from this hell hole. He just left me here, alone in this godforsaken place. And worst of all, Why did I believe it wouldn't end. I was so caught up in the moment that I did not notice the end of the story.

    It was two years ago...

    I came early to school like I usually did. No, it is not because of my love for education. Take a guess... don't worry I'll tell you anyway. It was because he always came late. And the sight of him walking into class did things in my head you'll only think possible in a movie. Oh! how I enjoyed it when he stole side glances at me as he walked past to his sit. I couldn't count how many beats my heart skipped in those short seconds. It always felt like a daring adventure.

But my adventure ended on that day. For the first time, he came early. How I beat myself till this day for not noticing this first sign of trouble. Next, was that barely at the beginning of chemistry class, he left. I did think something was wrong but I missed the problem by a long margin. I know humans could be so fragile. I mean, those guys could get sick like ten times a year. So I skipped the class too and made my way to the school nurse's office. I had Rebecca handle my books and workload and all that distracting stuff, and ran to check upon him.

I entered the nurse's office with the thought of first insulting his ever weak body then proceed to help the nurse give him a massage... Ahmmm. *cough* take care of him....*cough* I mean to assist the nurse. But on entering\, they was no one there. I wanted to leave but the thought of him walking through that door and finding me waiting here for him made me feel jiggle inside. "Did this count as waiting for him at home after work? Oh! my." If this was practice\, it would not be so bad you know. "Oh! what was I thinking? I haven't even told him I liked him yet and am already dreaming about being his wife."  I could feel my cheeks already turning red in embarrassment.

If I had continued daydreaming\, am sure some more inappropriate thoughts would spring out of my head. You know\, like him entering the office and seeing me in a tight nurse uniform. "Yeah\, maybe I should do that." ....Ahmmm. *cough* What was wrong with me today? My thoughts... I mean my throat. I should really drink more water.

I waited for more than an hour. It was already time for lunch. I was a bit disappointed. I mean, all that waiting for nothing. I left the nurse's office in annoyance. I had thoughts of giving him a piece of my mind today. How could he let me wait like that? Yes, that's what I'll do. Besides, we still had plans to meet by the hollow tree today. I did not know that morning was the last time I was ever going to see him.

I went to the cafeteria for lunch and scouted for him like I usually did. But he was no were to be found. What was stranger, were the murmurs all around me. My hearing has always been good. I mean, Hello! werewolf girl here!... The murmurs surrounded the topic of one person. Leon. My Leon.

The murmurs were all mixed up with a different version of the story. So I asked my faithful friend Rebecca. She said, "The Isaac familys' butler came to take Leon. He did not agree to go, so he was beaten and thrown into the car." Rumours had it that "the Isaacs were displeased with him. Everyone at school had heard of him trying to escape from the family several times. They were probably dissatisfied with him and thought it was time to put him out of his misery."

I felt my heart shatter on the spot. "How could they do that? What did he do wrong?" All he wanted was a little freedom. Freedom from this damn world. "Who did they think they were? What right did there have? There touched my LEON! my own Leon. What did that fragile soul ever do to them?" I ran to the nurse's office and buried my head in a bed in tears.

Questions created waves in my mind and the only conclusion I arrived at, was 'PRIDE'. Those useless, pride-filled bloodsuckers. They called him an heir, but he was just another bottle of blood juice to them. My Leon was gone and I didn't even get the chance to tell him how I felt. My Leon ripped away from my grasp. I would never see those blue eyes snick a peep at me again. Memories of our little time together came and went like the wind. But with its passing, a gaping hole was left in me. One so deep time only seemed to make it hurt more.

As far as I knew, this was all my fault. It was because I was too weak. I was weak, so they took him from me. Those daylight haters. They just hate anything that shines, so they took his bright smile from me. I wanted to kill myself several times after that, but I couldn't bring myself to end my own life. Not without revenge.

Revenge on all of them. On those bloodsuckers that took him, on those elders that advised my father to ensure we were separated, on my father for listening to them. On all of them!

What I needed was power, more power and I would use their blood to appease his soul.