Bites & Bruises (ManxMan)

Twenty Seven

^^^ Killer! ^^^

Marius hasn't touched me for a week.

It was the only thought that wouldn't leave my head, it was constantly there, nagging away at me and yet I couldn't bring myself to confront him. Every time we spoke I noticed the way his jaw would twitch, his eyes darkening and his voice becoming gruff.

It was as if he couldn't stand to be in my presence and that hurt more than anything.

Leave, Delilah is safe now. The monster whispered low and a shiver ran down my frame. We can start again, leave this place behind.

A soft growl escaped my throat as I shrugged out of my jacket and then headed into the woods, hungry and agitated. I couldn't get the image of Marius' face out of my head, his dark eyes darkening further, the way his jaw tensed when his gaze wandered down my scars.

Were they really that bad?

I shivered and pushed that thought away, no, I told myself firmly, I wasn't about to regret doing what I did. Delilah was alive and well and safe again and that was all that matters, I would do it all over again if she was in that situation again, no matter how broken and beat I was after.

Dragging a hand through my hair I ran my tongue over my aching gums and headed deeper into the woods, a soft gentle breeze sending the familiar scent of the she-wolf in my direction. My nostrils flared and I slowed my pace just in time to hear a twig snap and quickly bent before a blur of white went over my head.

My fangs were out yet the wolf yipped and rolled around the dirty forest floor, showing her belly to me like an over excited puppy.

Realizing that I wasn't about to get attacked I straightened out and watched, in fascination, as the wolf began to shudder and growl low in their throat before it's white fur disappeared and kneeling before me on all fours was a very naked Delilah.

She was covered in mud and sweating. She blew a strand of hair out of her face before holding out her hand, "Help me up will you?"

Snapping into action I lurched forward and pulled her to her feet. She gripped my hand, legs wobbling as she let out a heavy, reassuring sigh and then flashed me a grin.

"Here." I held out my jacket and helped her put it on. It was so big it went down to her knees and she almost purred in satisfaction. "What are you doing out here? Apart from being a creeper."

Delilah laughed. "I'm no creeper, I'm just curious." She gestured to behind her, "Some of the pack is out and about doing things and I was suppose to go hit the gym but saw you stalking into the woods so thoughts I'd come see how you were doing."

She smiled brightly at me, her golden eyes glinting in the moon light and I forced myself to relax and counted to ten before softly muttered. "Things are okay."

"Now, now, now, you're a rubbish liar." She cocked her head to the side, "What's wrong?"

I chewed on my lower lip for a moment and wondered how much to tell her. She had gotten closer over the week of being together, very close but I wasn't sure if she would understand the situation I was in. Slowly, I shrugged.

"Marius is avoiding me..."

"What? Why?"

My cheeks burned. "Uh, n-not avoiding me pursay, but avoiding touching me..."

A look of knowing flashed across her face and now it was her time to mutter a quiet, "Oh." Before breaking eye contact and looking down at the floor, toes digging into the mud.