chapter 15;
- hunter or prey;

THE BREEZE OF THE NIGHT RUFFLED LIKE A COLD HAND THROUGH HIS BLACK FUR. A bit tensed, the wolf sniffed. There was a strange fragrance in the air. It was bitter, almost burning in his nose. But Bleiz ignored it, even if his instincts told him to turn around and run. His stomach fought against this instinct, almost screaming. He needed to eat. He needed to gain strength back, to protect his mate.

A bit, he speeded up, still sniffing in the air. The bitter scent was covering nearly every other one. Frustrated, he groaned softly, but went quiet, after he has smelled a rabbit. In quick steps, he followed the slight trails, almost running. Fresh blood was covering the soft ground of the forest. Only the light noise, which the leaves made, every time, his way leaded above them.

Else, it was oddly quiet. A slight shiver was spread above his back, while he started to trot. Usually, some birds were singing, no matter, when he walked into the forest. But now, he finally realized, something was very wrong. His muscles tensed. His fur slowly rose. An old instinct of predators, to make themselves look even bigger. His steps went faster, as he followed the bright rabbit blood.

Bleiz growled, as he finally reached the corpse. It wasn't a human, who has killed this poor thing. Softly, he poked with his nose the – still warm – fur of the rabbit, to show it the last honor. Deep bite marks were on its' throat, just like claws everywhere. But since when did an animal kill their prey just for ... fun?

The wolf looked with his giant head around, feeling again a cold shiver spread on his back. Slowly, he looked back at the dead rabbit, taking a bite of it. He needed to eat it, even if he felt almost horrible. But this was the only hope for the soul of the animal. In his belief, the spirit of a senseless dead one would never find peace.
There was a balance of the universe, nobody should dare to disturb. The predators ate the prey to survive and after the predators died, they would turn to grass, which the prey needed. It was an endless circle and a simple rule. Only kill, if you must survive.

After he was done with eating, Bleiz still chewed on some bones, needing the Calcium. Slowly, his body started to relax, when the wolf suddenly heard a laughter. It was loud, high-pitched and full of hatred. Not even the Devil himself would laugh like this.

A soft wince escaped him, ears flat on his head. Soft growls escaped him, paired with a tiny whimper. "Who are you?", he asked quietly, out of curiosity, and because he wanted to know, who has killed the rabbit for fun. Not only fear was floating through his body. The heated feeling of anger hit him like a wave.

"Who I am? The question is, who are you wolf-boy?" The female voice was almost hypnotizing. Causing him to growl softly. His growl went louder, as a giant cat-like animal stepped out of her hiding place. Her eyes were yellow, and her fur a mixture between brown and a very dark green, like it was made to camouflaged her in the woods. "I can smell the bloodsucker all over your fur", she hissed, showing him her dagger-like teeth.

"He is mine. Don't you dare hurting him", Bleiz growled, taking a step forward. The other animal was big. Bigger than him. He had no idea, what kind of shape-shifter she was, where she came from, or something like that. But he didn't care. Nobody should dare to call Donovan like that. Deep growls escaped him again, tensing his strong legs. Somehow, he had the feeling, he wouldn't leave this forest without a fight.

"Not so aggressive, little wolf", the feline animal purred, letting her claws grown out of her paws. "I never liked the lupus much, anyway", she added, her mouth formed to a wide grin.
Bleiz couldn't remember a cat with so many, sharp teeth. Her muscular shoulders were tensed, ready to attack him as well. "Afraid, wolfie?", she asked with another, growling sound.

Before Bleiz could answer, she already jumped at him, her claws deeply buried in his shoulders. A loud howl escaped him, trying to reach with his head, her legs. He jumped and let himself fall on his back, so his whole weight was on her. "Get off of me, cat!", Bleiz growled, standing up again, as he felt, how her grip loosened.
His legs were shaking a bit, not really used to fight. Why should another animal attack a wolf? Normally, his species was somewhere on top of the food chain. But what is this for a beast? She wasn't a tiger, lion, or any other known species. He couldn't even sorter his minds properly, when she attacked him again.

Her sharp teeth bit through his fur, digging deeply in his flesh. Loud cries escaped him, trying to wiggle himself free of the merciless buried teeth. Warm blood ran down his black throat. Hard, he shook his head, raising his paw, to scratch her hard on the back. But instead of letting go, she pressed her teeth furthermore in his flesh, causing him to howl again.

"What do you want?", he hissed. Hard, he hit her with his paw in the face, but the feline only hissed as a response. Even if blood ran down her face, dipping her fur in a deep red color, she didn't let go off him. Instead, she pressed her claws deeper in his leg, causing him to howl and cry again.

"I was looking for you, Bleiz. I wanted to know, why our father was talking about you so often", she hissed, before she bit again hard in his flesh.
The metallic smell of his own blood made him cry again. Wide, he opened his eyes. "I don't know my father. He has left my mother and I, before I was born", Bleiz whimpered, feeling his body shake. Already, he could see some black spots in front of his eyes, causing him to howl softly. He didn't want to die. Donovan was waiting for him.

"But he was watching over you. Over his precious pup. You're his favorite, because you're like him. A wolf", she hissed against his fur, biting even more down in his flesh. Her teeth felt like a knife, which cut his leg open.
But he didn't beg to live. He was a predator, not a dog, which begged. He squeezed his eyes shut, knowing, he wouldn't have a chance against her. "I'm sorry, Donovan", Bleiz thought, his body shaking.

Already, he was about to say goodbye to his life, when he suddenly heard a shot and her grip loosened.
Wide, Bleiz opened his eyes, looking at the dead body of the cat on top of him. With his last strength, he pushed her off, slowly standing up. Soft winces escaped him, looking at his hind leg. A deep wound was exposing his flesh, blood dripping down and covering the dark ground with an even darker liquid.

But soon, loud voices were catching his attention, so he tilted his head. Two men were standing a few feet away from him. They were looking with wide eyes at him and the dead, strange cat. One of them was holding a shotgun, probably the one, which has killed her.
A deep, loud growl escaped Bleiz, lowering his head, to look bigger. He had no idea, if he was able to win a fight against two men with his injured leg, but he would attack them, if they won't leave him alone.

Neither of them was moving, looking with shock at the wolf. Their loud heart beats and the smell of fear and sweat were filling his senses. A loud, deep growl escaped him, gnashing his teeth. "Go away!", he wanted to say, but in their human ears it must sound like an aggressive growl.

The men were shaking a little, probably not prepared to see a wolf in a small forest, next to Los Angeles. With a soft grunt, Bleiz slowly moved backwards, turning around. He lowered his head, to take some bites of the dead body. He knew, it would take a while, until the hunters would decide, if they were about to attack him or not.

A soft whine escaped him, as he leaned with his weight on his wounded leg. Still, the blood was streaming down his fur, causing him to whimper slightly. The wolf ate a bit faster, needing the strength of the flesh. Bleiz just wanted to go back. His mate was waiting for him. His body was shaking, when he let go of the body. The hunters weren't worth enough for him, to look back at their still surprised and scared faces. Without even thinking about them anymore, he quickly disappeared in the forest again.

Even if he was walking on only three legs, he was surprisingly quick. But he knew, he wouldn't make it, if he changed his form now. So, he simply grabbed his clothes with his teeth, trotting in the direction of the hotel.

He blinked a little, as he stepped out off the forest, looking quickly around. Some people were looking at the giant "dog" with wide eyes, kids pointing to him and tugging on the clothes of their parents, who were pulling them protective against their body.
As if they were so interesting for him. Almost annoyed, Bleiz shook slightly his head, slowly moving towards the Cortez. Donovan was the only person, who was interesting for him. And maybe Liz. The wolf grunted softly, as a kid dared to walk closer to him. Immediately, the child jumped, quickly turning around and ran away.

The wolf trotted a bit faster, almost running, still the clothes in his snout, ignoring the curious and frighten looks. Maybe, he should hurry anyway. Or else, a person would get the idea to call the police, or someone of the animal welfare. Bleiz quickened his pace, slowly leaving the crowed streets behind. Only the blood trail was an evidence, he has been even there.

As soon, as he finally could see the hotel, he started to cry softly, feeling the weakness and pain again. Even more intense than before. Softly, Bleiz whimpered, limping behind the containers. The place, where he usually changed his forms. Slightly squeaking, he laid down on the cold ground. He had no idea, if he can make it through his form changing. It costed him so much energy every time, besides the painful bones cracking. He winced again, knowing that Donovan was waiting for him. He had no idea, what to do. If Bleiz will enter the hotel as a wolf, he would get thrown out immediately. Well, dogs were not allowed.

A loud gasp let him look up, ears flat on his fluffy head. One pair of dark, wide eyes were looking down at him. Liz.
A bit, Bleiz wagged with his tail, happy to see his friend. But cried out because of the pain. His blue eyes searched for the look in Liz' face, seeing curiosity, just like fear and worries. "Go", she said, almost coldly. "This isn't a place for wolves." She took the broom by its' stick, coming dangerously close to the animal. Deeply, he growled, but didn't want to attack her. Bleiz wouldn't forgive himself, if he will hurt her.

The wolf squeezed his eyes shut, focusing. He needed to change back. With a soft cry, he could hear his bones cracking, stretching and forming back.

A light huff escaped him, as Liz was about to hit him with the broom, catching quickly the stick. "This counts as animal abusement, my dear", he muffled with a slight grin, but quickly kept his mouth shut. Blood was running down his leg, causing him to close his eyes again.

"Bleiz?", she asked surprised, letting the broom fall. Carefully, Liz wrapped her arms around his upper body, so he wouldn't hit the ground, because he slowly sank back. "I-I-I didn't know, you are a werewolf ...", she started, but was cut off by Bleiz.

"I'm not a werewolf. And I will explain some things later to you, but ..." Another cry of pain escaped him, as he tried to move his leg a bit. "I need to take clothes on first", he whispered with a shaking voice, grabbing his hoodie.
"You need to get in the hotel. Quick", Liz muttered, looking with wide eyes at his open leg. With all her strength, she lifted Bleiz a bit up, so he could take his boxer shorts on. She took his other clothes in one hand, wrapping her other arm around his shoulders, trying to support him. "Donovan is already worried about you. And it seems like his instincts are right." Her eyes widened even more, as she saw his blood trail all over the streets.

"I can't move!", he cried, falling on the ground again. His body shook like crazy, small tears running down his face. His whole body felt numb against the cold street, only the streaming blood felt warm.

"I'll call 911", she said, wanting to take out her phone. "No. They can't do anything", he whispered, holding her arm. "They don't have the kind of blood, which they'll give me", Bleiz admitted, whimpering softly. "I only need to lay down. And something to eat and drink." Still, his body was shaking. "You're going to bleed to death here!", Liz snapped, trying to pull her arm away.

"No, he won't." The sharp, strong voice made Bleiz look up. One arm was wrapped around his shoulders, the other one underneath his knees, lifting him up in bridal style. "You've promised to stay by my side", Donovan whispered and kissed his temple. The almost honey-sweet taste of his blood made him hard to focus, just like the burning sun on his skin. But that was alright. It was alright for him.

"Liz, go in the hotel and prepare some stuff. We first need to make his bleeding stop", he ordered quietly, opening his belt. Still, he pressed Bleiz with his other arm tight against him, kissing sometimes his head. He didn't even realize, that Liz was already heading in the Cortez.
Quickly, Donovan wrapped tightly the belt below the open wound, causing a soft cry by Bleiz. "Psh, my little pup. I know, it hurts. It will get better, okay?", he asked him quietly, quickly entering the hotel. He pressed his mate even tighter against his body, like he was scared, to let him drop, or something like that.

"I'm sorry, for letting you wait", Bleiz whispered, cramping a little in his arms. His face was buried in the broad chest of Donovan, hiding in the silk of his shirt.
If he wasn't so worried, he would've even laughed a little. All Bleiz was worried about, was, that he got home so late. "It's alright, pup. I just want you to get healthy again, okay?", Donovan whispered and kissed his head again. Deep down, he sworn to himself, he would Bleiz never leave the Hotel by his own again. The world was too cruel for his loved one.

His steps were fast, but still too slow in his opinion. Without even knocking, he rushed in the room of Bleiz, laying him carefully down on the mattress. Protective, he sat next to him, holding his hand. The loud, unhealthy fast heartbeat felt like a knife in his heart. No, Bleiz couldn't die. And he neither wanted him as a ghost. He wanted him alive and warm. And being able to leave this damn hotel. "Don't go, please. I beg you", Donovan whispered, pressing soft kisses all over his forehead. A slight smile was formed on Bleiz' face.

"I won't. I promise you, I'll never leave you, my vamp", he whispered, gently squeezing his hand. He hasn't even realized, that Liz was already there, cleaning the blood of his leg and laid a pillow under it.
Smiling, she watched the couple. She hasn't thought, Donovan would care about anyone with so much passion and emotions. Especially not, that he would beg someone, to stay by his side. Either, he was still a bit traumatized how the Countess has mistreated him, or he had a deep bond with him. Carefully, she cleaned the wound of his leg.

"Has somebody stabbed you?", Donovan asked quietly, tensing a bit. Even if he was only able to leave during nights, he wouldn't hesitate, to kill everyone, who hurt his little angel. His eyes wandered back at the deep, long wound on his thigh, which trailed down to his knee. His blood smelled so sweet ...

Quickly, he blinked, shaking his head a little. No, he would never forgive himself, if he will bite him, drinking his blood and hurt him. It would kill himself. His dead heart seemed to cramp, as he thought about it. His sweet angel. Again, he pressed a kiss on his forehead, resting with his cold lips on his warm skin.

"No. It was an animal", Bleiz whispered, raising his arm, to stroke above his muscular back. "You don't need to kill anyone for me. I'm not worth it", he added, snuggling with his face in the bow of Donovan's neck a bit.

"Oh, sweetheart. You're worth enough for me, to kill galaxies", the vampire whispered, kissing his cheek along and pulled him closer by his shoulder. "So please. Please get better. I don't want to live without your warmth. Without your beating heart and your innocent eyes", Donovan begged quietly. He could feel, how a single, cold tear was leaving his eye, making its way down his cheek.

"I will. I will live for you, I promise." Gently, Bleiz whipped his tear away, stroking above his smooth skin. With a soft breath, he let himself fall back in the mattress again, closing his eyes. Still, he could feel the strength and presence of Donovan, while his other senses slowly numbed.

"Keep your promise, Bleiz", he could hear the soft, almost despaired voice of his soulmate. "Please wake up again. Please." There was a long pause after that and Bleiz could feel, how he gave in to the darkness. He wished, he could decide, what would happen after that. He didn't want to die. He wanted to live. For his vampire. But he will sleep now, focusing on the voice of Donovan, which guided him to the land of dreams. He just needed to come back later. A slight feeling of fear entered his body, but faded away, as his mate started to speak again:

"Because I love you, my little pup."

I love them.