To The End

Conversation

It was around midday when Victoria returned. Jade was calm and relaxed, reclined in the cart. She sensed her coming but didn't bother getting up until her name was called. She sat up to see the young woman several feet away, her back to the cart. Jade smirked deviously, seeing a perfect chance. She quietly jumped from the cart and stalked closer on light feet. She instinctually growled right before pouncing. Victoria only had time to react to the ominous sound before she was thrown to the ground. Jade could hear the human's frantic heartbeat, her beast excited. Victoria struggled in Jade's firm but gentle grip until she was turned over on her back, Jade leaning over her. Brown eyes found hers and instantly she stopped fighting.

"I should have known," she said with a glare. Jade chuckled. Victoria shoved at her, and though it wouldn't have moved her, Jade relented and let her go.

"I kept my word," she mentioned.

"You did," Victoria agreed, getting up and brushing herself off. She looked at Jade, taking in her relaxed posture and features. She didn't seem so tense and on edge. What caused the change? Her calculative demeanor didn't go unnoticed. Jade had a feeling the young woman was on to her little hunting trip, but she still hadn't said anything about it.

"So, are we heading back or not? I'd like to be home before nightfall."

Victoria was more than aware of her clipped tone and decided to put a hold on her curiosity. For now.

"I brought only a few supplies this time. The cart was for Trina. She asked for a few things. I told her where to find it so we can just leave it here," she explained.

"You want to travel on foot?" Jade checked, already heading into the woods.

"Well, yeah. Is there a problem with that?"

Jade glanced back over her shoulder at the determined human.

"Is there?"

Victoria let out a frustrated grunt and Jade smiled.

"No, there's no problem."

"Okay," Jade shrugged. Victoria's frustration was clear as she stomped ahead of Jade's easy stride to lead the way.

"Do you know where you're going?" Jade questioned casually, still teasing just a bit.

"You aren't the only one who knows the woods. In fact, the route I took is one I know very well, thank you very much," Victoria retorted. Jade hummed, playing at unconvinced.

"Then you won't mind leading the way."

"That's what I intend to do."

"With no help whatsoever," Jade added. Victoria stopped so suddenly, Jade would have run into her had she not had superior reflexes.

"Do you take joy in irritating me?" she demanded, spinning to face Jade, her grip on the straps of her backpack tightening.

"Obviously," Jade replied, clearly entertained by the frustration emanating from Victoria. Messing with the human was like verbal sparring, fighting without violence. Victoria grumbled under her breath, turning away to keep their little journey going. Jade caught the words incorrigible and ridiculous. She smiled to herself. Victoria's anger was fascinating.

She didn't know how she could get so mad yet never lash out. Jade was interested in seeing her breaking point, what it would look like, what she would do. She hated how invested she was, but it was unavoidable at this point. Victoria looked back at her just then, concern overtaking the frown she wore. She realized Jade had gone quiet and saw that she seemed lost in thought.

"Are you okay?" she asked out of habit.

"I'm fine," Jade responded, only surprising Victoria a bit. She was sure Jade would just ignore her.

"I'm not angry with you, if that's what you're worried about."

Victoria slowed so that she could fall into step next to Jade.

"I'm not. It's just interesting," Jade corrected.

"Not getting angry is interesting?" Victoria repeated back to her, trying to make sense of her response.

"You're interesting," Jade corrected her once more. The statement was honest, sincere, and it made Victoria blush.

"Well, that's a good thing, right?"

"Very. It's also one of the reasons why you aren't dead," Jade answered bluntly. The human stopped abruptly, back ramrod straight. Jade slowed to a stop, watching her.

"You would have-"

"Yes. You're an easy meal. But you're different. Special. I wouldn't want to waste that," Jade told her. Victoria gaped at her like a fish, speechless for so many reasons.

"I'm not a danger to you. Shouldn't that be enough?" Jade continued. Victoria could only shake her head and walk away.

"You have such a way with words. Truly from the heart," Victoria muttered sarcastically.

"I don't make a habit of speaking to humans," Jade reminded her.

"Then why bother trying with me?" Victoria inquired, turning to face Jade once more, blocking her path and making her halt. Jade didn't give her an answer right away, but she waited for one.

"All I know is that for the first time since becoming a beast, I'm actually interested in socializing. You make it easy to do so. Sometimes you're just as annoying as any human, and I have to suppress my desire to listen to my instincts, but there's something about you that's just different. I don't know how to explain it. But it makes me want to try," Jade attempted to elucidate, yet she seemed puzzled. Victoria believed her. She had never heard her sound as truthful as she did now.

"Okay," Victoria whispered, stepping away with a nod. They continued on without speaking. Victoria had too much on her mind for that. Jade kept herself busy by watching their surroundings for danger. They didn't need another pack of wolves after them.

She was glad Victoria didn't keep pushing for a better explanation, because she didn't have one. She truly had no idea why she opened up to her. Possibly it was a dormant need for companionship, but she just wasn't sure. She exhaled heavily, frustrated with herself, and caught Victoria's attention. Her eyes seemed to ask if she was okay, all without saying a word. Jade nodded, placating the caring human.

Most of the way back was uneventful except for the small stop they had to make when Jade heard something suspicious. She made Victoria hide while she surveyed the area. Once she deemed it safe, she allowed her to come out. Victoria smiled gratefully at her, but Jade deflected it with an eye roll. Besides that, they made it back just as it was getting too dark for Victoria to see. They came out of the woods close to Jade's home. She stopped, prompting Victoria to do the same when she realized Jade hadn't moved.

"This is where I leave you. I'm sure you can manage getting home from here."

"All right. See you later, Jade," Victoria accepted.

"Not any time soon."

Victoria frowned.

"Then when?" she asked.

"I'll find you," Jade replied, starting to walk away. For a brief moment, Victoria worried that Jade wouldn't show up again for longer than last time. But then she resolved to not let that bother her. It might take a while for Jade to come around again, but she would eventually, and that was all that mattered. She glanced at Jade's retreating form and smiled. Hopefully, the time spent together would cause them to meet sooner rather than later. She could only wait and see if that was the case. She hurried home, optimistic.