More Than Human

Chapter 20

"Cheers," Puck and I sipped on our beers on a set of steps leading down to the edge of the Thames. The water lapped at the murky sand. "So what's new with you?" He asked scratching at the label of his beer bottle. I remain quietly looking at my own beer bottle earning me a little nudge. "Hey kiddo why the silent treatment?"
"You've probably met plenty of wolves in your time, right?" I took another swig.
"Yeah loads, why?" He cocked his head giving me a curious look.
Sighing I said "it's just have you know any that sexually, like aren't compatible with their you know mate." He raised an eyebrow so I continued by adding "like one is into rough stuff while the other.."
"Everyone is different I suppose. That's a strange question coming from you." He took another swig of his beer before asking "has something happened between you and prince ginger? You know you could tell me anything in confidence, not like I have many friends these days." Putting a hand on my shoulder he gave me a little squeeze.
I took a deep breath, "everything I say stays between us?"
"Yep, unless you are in danger. Alistair would kill me if he found out I could have -helped save you from any sort of danger."
"Puck I'm being serious," I groaned. Taking a deep breath I began to go through the events leading up to being marked and Harry's attitude towards me over it all. Throughout I could see Puck's expression change slowly to a mix of concern and horror. "So you see I'm confused as to what I really mean to him anymore. Like it's horrible to think after all this time what was supposed to be perfect and pure happiness is awful." My hands were visibly shaking by this point, I was falling apart.
After a moment of silence only broken by the lapping water Puck took one of my hands. He held it tight keeping it from shaking a little, "kiddo you know it's not right what he did, that I know for certain." I went to drink the rest of my beer but he snatched it away. "Drinking away the pain doesn't help, trust me" putting the bottle down he pulled me to my feet. He held my hand as we walked up the steps onto the main pavement.
As we reached the top I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up then a low growl echoed along the paving slabs, Harry was here and he was angry. "I suggest you let go of what's mine," he spat.
"Excuse you," Puck put himself between Harry and I. "Call Alistair to get you," he whispered taking my phone from my front pocket and forcing my hand to clasp round it.
Peering round Puck I watched Harry come closer, his eyes narrowed at Puck. Whispering back to Puck I said "it's okay, I need to work through this." He dropped his hands and stepped aside. Smiling at Harry I cheerful said "Puck and I were just having our yearly catch up but we are good now." I looked to Puck "I'll see you next year" then closed the distance between Harry and I.
Harry took my hands in his squeezing a little harder than normal, "I was worried about you my love." Leaning down he crashed his lips to mine, "come" it was like a command which my feet couldn't ignore.