Overall Content Warning: sexual activity, gore, matrecide
He swore internally as Jax dodged his hand for the umpteenth time that day. Frustrated, Alex flattened his silver-furred ears to his white-silver hair, his striped tail flicking. Sharp nails bit into his palms at his side as he fisted his anger, holding back. Barely. A tiny hiss escaped his lips before Alex turned on his heel and stormed away.
Hopping up on a fence, he glared out across the fields where the village's communal herd grazed in peace. Rough wood bit into his palms as he clutched the rail, grounding himself and forcing calm. As evening settled over the valley, the relative quiet plucked at Alex's thoughts, releasing the flood of anxiety of the past few days.
Ever since Jax and his family returned from the city after burying some relative or another, his best friend hadn't been the same. Alex expected a little bit of difference, a somber demeanor, or quiet contemplation.
But Jax wasn't Jax.
Dodging his hand only touched the tip of the iceberg. The shifty eyes, begging off from hanging out, ducking out of chores, avoiding touch from even his family—
Jax couldn't be Jax. Not his Jax. Not the Jax he grew up with.
Swinging his legs, Alex dropped his gaze to the swaying grass just a foot from him. He nibbled on his lower lip as he thought, his brow furrowed as his sharp fangs dug into his soft flesh.
He had to sort this out. He couldn't leave his best friend like this.
Growling, he spun where he sat and hopped off the fence, glaring daggers at the small village where they lived. Marching back down the road, his tail puffed and his ears flat to his head, Alex straightened his back and swore he'd help Jax.
It didn't take him long to sniff out his best friend. Sitting on a stump at the edge of the forest, the hulking figure of the young man stared into the dark depths. The big man sat with a straight back, his broad shoulders relaxed. His head tilted slightly as if listening. The angle exposed his neck and the nasty pink scar from Alex years ago stood out from the man's tanned skin. His large, pointed ears twitched, the dark fur rustled slightly in the gentle breeze. His long tail snaked over the stump and curled on the ground behind him. Alex didn't bother trying to creep up on him and stomped right up to him.
"Jax! We need to talk!" Alex shouted.
Jax's shoulders twitched, and the young man slowly turned—
Alex stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide, as he caught sight of the pure-black eyes staring back at him.
No white sclera showed contrast with the black. A chill ran down Alex's spine, straight to his tail, causing it to curl and tuck between his legs.
"J-Jax—"
Suddenly, Jax pushed off the stump and sprinted into the forest, his long dark hair streaming out behind him.
Alex gaped, blinking in surprise. He couldn't seem to get his legs to work until Jax had disappeared between the trees. Forcing himself to swallow, Alex smoothed his suddenly sweaty palms over his pants.
"R-right..." Alex muttered to himself, "that's... not normal."
Shaking himself, Alex started after Jax, picking his way through the forest and following the familiar scent. His eyes darted through the shadows, shuddering at every snap, rustle, and shriek. The spot on his back between his shoulder blades itched as if something watched him from the shadows.
As evening turned to night and the shadows lengthened, no moon rose in the sky—and Jax was nowhere to be found. Swallowed into the forest, his scent had disappeared. No matter what Alex tried, he couldn't sniff out his best friend. Slumping down on a fallen tree, Alex leaned back and stared at the dark canopy high above. Through the trees, stars glittered overhead, bright and cold.
