As Maddie, drove down Main Street, she realized there was a league of bikes parked at Devin's –another bar on the far end of town near Linda's house. Most were without riders, but a few men were leaning back on their bikes talking. Something about that immediately reminded her of Aidan. They all looked young, beautiful and surprisingly intimidating. As she took advantage of the stoplight and looked on, she noticed the bar seemed quiet and oddly...civilized.

Perhaps I should've tried here first instead of Riko's.

Pulling up at Linda's house, Maddie blew her horn before she hopped out and got Comrade out the truck. Linda opened the door and froze at the doorway. Comrade paced and wagged his tail as Linda shrieked in happiness and started running down the sidewalk. Careful of his wounds, Maddie walked over to meet her, Comrade excited to the point of whining and growling on the lead.

"Oh, I missed him so much!" Linda sobbed as Comrade ran over to her. "Sandy will be so happy to have him back home."

"What the hell?"

Linda went stiff at Greg's voice from behind them. She turned to see him standing by the doorway. His face was dark and brooding, eyeing them both. Comrade growled at Greg standing his ground.

"I thought I made it clear that dog is off this property or didn't you listen?"

Linda held on to Comrade, who didn't take his eyes off of Greg. "He's mine, Greg. Sandra and I miss him. He's been in our family forever, long before you."

"I don't give a shit!" He yelled.

Linda jumped at his tone, which triggered Comrade to growl and bark.

Greg pointed to the dog, still frowning. "You see what I mean? He's dangerous, Linda! You want him around Sandra like this? What if he flips out and bites her?"

Maddie stood next to Linda, who finally rose to her feet. Linda's face held a stern expression, yet Maddie knew that behind it was a woman who was scared to death. It in turn gave her an extra boost of courage to help Linda reclaim her life.

"He's not dangerous, Greg. You are! He attacked you only because..." Linda's fragile, trembling voice trailed off. She shook her head, refusing to voice  all his sins. "He stays and that's final. I should have never gave him up. I should have...I should have let you go!"

Greg saw red. "What the fuck did you just say to me?"

As he lunged forward, Linda moved back, still restraining Comrade.  Maddie stood between them, her body shaking intuitively at the large man before her. Greg had to be at least 6 foot 4. His arms were like hunks of ham, thick and muscular, easily shadowing her. Despite her apprehension, she glared at him in warning, being Linda's shield.

"You should cool down Greg before you do something you'll regret."

Greg's eyes darkened. "Move."

The air between them was palpable and warm, echoing their tension. Maddie stood exposed realizing that Greg could very well strike her and it would be lights out. If I don't stand for her, who would?  "No." Maddie stood her ground between them, her face devoid of kindness. "Back away or I'll call the Sheriff over here. I have him on speed dial.  You don't want another arrest now, Greg."

Greg laughed maniacally at her threat, so much that it made Maddie's skin crawl. " He'll never make it here in time. Now move!" 

He pushed her aside onto the ground, then Maddie saw Greg rushed to the ground in front of her so fast she couldn't make out what exactly happened.

Flabbergasted, Maddie watched as the man that appeared out of nowhere grabbed Greg by his clothes and forced him back. She recognized that face though it was riddled with anger. It was none other than Aidan. Maddie cringed as fury lit Aidan's jade eyes. Part of her wanted to run for cover upon seeing this fierce demeanor of her gentle rescuer.

Greg tried to swing but hitting only air, Aidan's punch connected, forcing Greg hard onto the lawn. His breath heaving and his black clad body tense, he looked down at the bleeding Greg. Wanting to establish a mental connection with the Thesian, away from the ears of their human audience, Aidan realized his only option was to do what the Aristans called whispering. It was typically used to speak to each other when one of them was in wolf form.  A telepathic connection that was deaf to humans. He placed his boot on Greg's throat, and at that moment, Greg's eyes met Aidan's with horror as he heard Aidan's thick, accented voice creep into his head.

"You made a fatal mistake laying hands on the females. You're lucky I have an audience, Thesian or else you'd be doing your death howl right now you meathead bastard. You fucking coward."

Greg's dark eyes narrowed to thin slits. "Filthy Aristan. You keep sticking your damn nose where it don't belong and you'll find that us merciful Thesians will bite it the hell off!"

Aidan pressed harder on his throat and Greg grunted in pain, gasping for breath.

"Aidan, don't!" Maddie pleaded.

Aidan had no acknowledgement of Maddie, but glared down at the arrogant Thesian and shook his head. Thesians, mindless meat. No wonder Kieran found a connection with them. He kicked over stones with higher IQ than most of the Thesians he's met.

"If you challenge me", Aidan warned, continuing to whisper. "Trust me, you will lose. And whether I have witnesses or not, I won't give a shit. I doubt anyone would miss you. Choose!"

Linda ran up to Aidan, her face ridden with shock while Comrade sat completely still, sitting watching Aidan. "Please, don't hurt him," she pleaded. "He isn't worth it."

Maddie nodded in agreement as she met his eyes. There was a heartfelt calmness to her eyes. "She's right. Let him be."

Greg interrupted them with his choking. Aidan eased his foot off his throat, and Greg rubbed it stiffly. "I'll leave. You'll never see me here again."

Aidan glared. "Not enough. What of the woman and her daughter and Comrade? You will never be responsible for any harm to them, ever?"

Greg shook his head. "You have my word."

Aidan accepted his submission despite the rather colorful choice words the Thesian shouted to him in his mind. "I'll accept your agreement, Gregory." He stepped back to allow Greg to stand up, looking around suspiciously. He didn't even make eye contact with Linda as he slowly walked towards his truck. It wasn't until he revved his engine and sped off did Linda take a breath of relief.

Aidan turned to look at Maddie, who still had her hands around his arms. He was surprised to see her bright brown eyes gazing into his rather admiringly. What was even more surprising was that the look didn't make him as uncomfortable as he thought.

"You okay?" He stepped back, taking a once over to check her. 

"I'm okay. Nothing a little tub soak won't cure."

His adrenaline coming down, he managed to soften his features a bit as he walked over to Linda still holding a calmer Comrade. "I doubt he will bother any of you ever again. Are you okay?"

Comrade whimpered and laid down in submission exposing his line of stitches across his belly. Aidan squatted down and stroked his coat gently. Comrade groaned and licked his hand. Aidan flashed his eyes at Linda, whose cheeks were streaked with black from her makeup. Maddie said everyone deserves a second chance. He hoped to Goddess, Linda would make good with her new found opportunity.

"He's a remarkable animal. Take care of each other."

Linda nodded frantically. "We will." She rubbed Comrade's ears. "Promise." Before Aidan could blink, Linda leaped over and hugged Aidan so forcefully, she knocked him back against the ground. "Thank you so much!"

His body frozen to the sudden rush, Aidan helplessly cast his eyes to a giggling Maddie. "Um...no problem."

Maddie had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing so loud. It had to be the cutest thing she ever seen. Aidan looked so lost at the gesture of gratitude, he appeared quite thankful Maddie was there to help Linda up.

Linda rose to her feet and gave Maddie a hug. "Thank you. I owe you."

"You don't owe me anything."

As Aidan got to his feet, everyone froze as sirens blared and a sheriff's dept cruiser pulled against the curb. He cursed under his breath as he recognized who got out of the vehicle.

Maddie swallowed hard at Sheriff McTiernan walking up to the sidewalk. She shouldn't have seemed so surprised as they caused quite a ruckus outside, but it worried her about Aidan. Explaining himself will just get him in trouble or at least blow his cover.

"Hi Sheriff," Linda waved nervously.

Maddie scooted closer and whispered to her. "Linda, follow my lead, okay?"

Linda simply nodded as Sheriff McTiernan approached her. "I'd got a call that there was a disturbance. Is everything alright?"

Aidan stood still looking at the Sheriff while Linda smiled at everyone.

"Yeah, everything's okay." Linda motioned to Comrade. "Comrade came home and Greg didn't like it, so he went to air out."

Sheriff McTiernan seemed to believe her until he turned and noticed Aidan standing there. Aidan tried not to glare back at the cop, as he knew they both shared a certain feeling of suspicion between each other. Aidan had to settle down as the cop started walking towards him. "Haven't seen you around here, sir? May I ask who are you?"

Not if you want to keep your arm, Aidan thought to himself. 

Maddie walked over to Aidan and hooked her arm around his affectionately. "This is my old flame from back home, Aidan, uh Addington," She stated gleefully. "Aidan, this is Sheriff McTiernan."

Aidan nodded and outstretched his hand awkwardly and McTiernan shook it briefly. "Nice town."

"Thanks Mr. Addington. The people here are what make it really. Good, wholesome people in this town.

Maddie briefly frowned at the suspicious tone McTiernan took on.

"How long have you been here, sir?"

"Just rode in this afternoon."

"Yeah, while I was showing Aidan around, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and drop Comrade off to Linda." Maddie expected her nose to poke McTiernan in the eye it felt so long. She dared not look into Aidan's eyes or deviate from the façade she was weaving. "Linda missed him so much."

As if on cue, Linda nodded eagerly. "Oh, heavens I did, but Sandra will be the one excited."

McTiernan slowly shifted his eyes back to Linda. "So, everything's okay then?"

"Absolutely, now that Comrade's home." Linda smiled. "Sorry if we caused the homecoming to be such a ruckus."

"No, no. I'm sure it's fine. I'm glad he's all better. He nodded at Aidan curtly. "Nice to meet you, sir. Enjoy your time here and be safe."

Aidan simply nodded at the wired Sheriff. If he didn't know any better, he's sworn McTiernan meant to threaten him. Something stunk.

As McTiernan turned and headed to his car, Aidan turned and looked over to Maddie, who was still wrapped around arm. "Addington?"

"Shhh." Maddie said. "Whaddya expect? I told you I was a horrible liar."

"I sound like a children's book character, or an asshole--take your pick."

"Well, we both know you're quite far from either of those, so let's not kid ourselves." She replied through clenched teeth. Waving, they watched Sheriff McTiernan drive off.

With a sigh, Maddie smiled at Linda. "Thanks Linda for covering, we've gotta go. Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"No worries, Maddie. You have a sweet and amazing guy there, thanks for helping you two."

Before Aidan could interject about Linda's misperception of their relationship, Maddie stepped in front and gave Linda a hug. "No problem."

Maddie grabbed his hands and inspected them. "Are you okay? No more gashes?"

Aidan pulled his hands away. What was it with her and his hands? "I'm fine, Nurse Nan."

Maddie folded her arms at his defensive attitude. "Fine, be bitchy about it. What were you doing here anyway? Are you stalking me?" Cause that would be super.

Aidan didn't answer right away. Was it ridiculous to let her know he was worried about her when had smelled a trace of Thesian scent on Comrade? Probably so.  "Why's it you attract so much trouble, woman?"

"Why's it you dodge my questions by asking a question?" she asked leaning against the car. She smiled at him knowingly and nudged him. "Thank you. I'm glad you were here."

Aidan shrugged it off, giving a curt grunt. "I did nothing spectacular. He had no right to touch any of you. Don't worry, he won't be around again."

"I'm sorry. I honestly didn't expect it to come to that, Aidan."

"Which unfortunately is the reason why I'm here." Aidan walked past her and looked around before meeting her eyes again. "I always expect such a thing to happen. You don't expect it because you're good-natured and kind."

Maddie smiled as she realized he gave her a rather sweet compliment in the process of explaining himself. But even then, he sounded as if her kindness was unwarranted. It sounded like an accusation almost as if he envied her. "So you were worried about me?"

Aidan did a double take at Maddie as she came to her own conclusions. "What?" Before he knew it his face started to heat in a flush that was hard to calm down.

"Umm hmm," She replied upon seeing his cheeks darken.

"You're totally capable of handling yourself, so I have no idea what you're implying."

"And I can," she reiterated to him, walking up to his drastic height. A normal woman would be intimidated at such a man, full of fire and strength. He seemed dangerous, calculating, but he kept giving her glimpses of his softer side. "Lemme give you a lift and Nurse Nan can take care of that hand. I got lollipops this time." She gave him a wink.

Aidan shook his head. "It doesn't hurt. And I can't expect you to patch me up every time I get hurt. I have work to do tonight, so I'm afraid I have to be on foot."

He opened the car door and let her in. Aidan tried to ignore the worry in her eyes, but it was no use. "Maddie, it's best I disappear tonight. That Sheriff knows something. And whether it's about me or who I'm after, I can't get you involved. "

Though Maddie wanted to protest, she respected his need to keep her out of danger. He shouldn't have to be alone all the time, being a single-handed hero. Though so far their relationship, it was one consisted of him clobbering jerks and her patching him up, she was already getting quite attached to him. "Okay. I'll let it go this time. Be careful."

Aidan's lips quirked up to a smile. "Worried about me?"

Maddie's mouth gaped open at his question.  If she didn't know any better, she would have thought he was flirting. "Of course not! Why would I? You practically go looking for trouble."

Aidan merely answered with a grunt. "It's late Maddie, please tell me you're heading home. I really need you to be safe."

She answered with a start of the engine and smiled. "Yes sir!" She snapped a salute and made him smile. This time it was a brilliant smile that nearly stopped her breath. "See, I knew you had teeth Aidan...what's your real last name?"

Aidan looked away.

"Hey, you can trust me, I promise." She crossed her heart. "I won't tell a soul unless you want me to."

He sighed in defeat. She was right. She was indeed trustworthy... and brave. She really deserved that much, if not a lot more. "Bloodlocke."

Maddie smiled. "Aidan Bloodlocke." She let his name roll off her tongue.  "It suits you. Kinda gothic last name, but I like it. Belongs in a vampire movie or something."

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