The Bite That Binds [Kaylor] ON HOLD

[ open my heart ]

2k views???  You all are so great.  I'm having such a great time writing this fic, and I'm so happy that everyone is enjoying reading it!

-------------------------------------

Taylor knew she should have been absolutely terrified.  There was a massive wolf standing in front of her, pressing its nose against her.  A set of gigantic, sharp teeth were so close to her throat, an instant away from tearing her open.  But for all of its obvious power, the creature was gentle, nuzzling against her with a tenderness that was honestly incredible.  She wanted to scream, but somehow she couldn't find the earnest fear to inspire the sound.

When the wolf pulled back slightly, large eyes met Taylor's.  She stared into them, and she felt her breath grow sharp and catch in her throat.  She would recognize the deep swirls of brown and green anywhere, the forest compacted into a single stare.  Quivering, Taylor reached out her hand, fanning out her fingers.  She swallowed thickly, found her voice hiding in her larynx, "Karlie?"

The creature gave a soft whimper, and a cool, damp tongue slipped out to gently run over Taylor's palm.  The singer felt herself relax.  Maybe when the adrenaline wore off she'd be more frightened.  Maybe when things all sunk in she'd be scared and confused and angry.  But instead, she just let out a slightly hysterical laugh, "You're really a fucking werewolf."

Wolf Karlie dipped her head, as though she was ashamed, and Taylor wasn't sure what to do next.  How does one react in this situation?  By running and screaming, probably.  But she just felt stiff, her head cloudy, thoughts muddled.  She wondered if she was in shock.  Because everything just felt...subdued. 

Karlie was a werewolf.  Karlie was a goddamn motherfucking werewolf.

And somehow, she was entirely okay with that in the moment.

Yeah, god, she had to be in shock.

Taylor reached up and ran her fingers through the fur on a cheek, feeling how soft and downy and warm it was.  Then her hand trailed downwards, feeling the way the golden brown coat grew thicker and heavier along Karlie's neck and shoulders.  She could feel muscles pulled taut beneath skin, and they quivered beneath her touch.

It would be so easy for them to compact and expand as Karlie lunged forward and ripped the flesh from her throat.

The thought was enough to knock her senses back into function, and Taylor yanked her hand away.  She shook her head, not sure what to say.  Finally, she managed it, her voice high and strained, "I'm gonna go back to the car, okay?  You uh...you...do your thing, wolfgirl."  She made finger guns and waved them around awkwardly, feeling a little bit like she was going to pass out.

Wolf Karlie made no move to follow her, simply watching her go.  Taylor managed to stumble back through the underbrush, flashlight guiding her.  She climbed into the car, flipped off the light, and kicked off her shoes.  She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

All she could see was Karlie, out there in the form of some sort of supernatural creature.  All she could feel was confusion, and a heavy ache in her chest.  She closed her eyes, trying to tell herself this was all a dream, some sort of twisted nightmare.  But if it was, it didn't appear she was going to wake up anytime soon.

Taylor opened her eyes again, staring into the inky darkness of the woods around the car.  In the back of her head, a single thought chimed: what if the paparazzi get a hold of this?

Something about that one little question brought everything crashing down.  It felt like the entire universe was splitting open and falling on the top of her head.