Poison Tree

Broken bones

     I was beyond furious. All I did was try to tell that asshole that breakfast was ready. He could've easily knocked on my door before he went to the gym "hey Tsar, I'm having company, wear pants!" That fucking easy! I yelled in frustration, tremors shooting through my body. I wanted to punch somethings. I wanted to punch someone.
Deep breaths. You aren't ready for a shift yet.
It'll have to happen one day.
He can help if you wish to shift.
Fuck him. My head snapped to the door after hearing three quite knocks on it. I just rolled my eyes before face planting into the bed.
"Tsar, I put the dvd in." Came a low and timid voice. My heart instantly pulled. I got up opening the door, hugging Yazmine.
"I just had to use the bathroom princess, now let's go watch some shirtless hotties shall we?" She grinned, taking my hands in hers and pulling me down the stairs. I was headed straight for the couch when I saw Giovoni sitting on the edge of the couch. He stood when he noticed that I was present and he walked over to me.
"Don't." I warned, watching as he stopped mid stride.
"Look, I apologize for my actions, it's just jealousy's a bitch, especially when your mate is as good looking as you. I kind of lost my temper because they were looking at what was mine when they shouldn't have." He said, running his fingers through his hair and blowing out a breath.
"I'm not your property! And you can't stop every pair of wondering eyes you see, people are gonna stare regardless! It's what eyes were made for. You can't use that as an excuse." I said, pushing past him and plopping down on the couch.
"At least eat." He said, half begging.
"You don't have to tell me anything, remember? And besides, this is your house, as well as your food. I'm not touching nothing of yours. You made it clear on where you stood, alpha." I said his name sarcastically, rolling my eyes and clenching my jaw. I plopped down on the couch and frowned when Yazmine did the same.
     "No princess, you go eat first, I'll be here when you're done." I said, nodding my head in the direction of the kitchen.
     "Well if you don't have to why should I?" She said innocently. I narrowed my eyes at her before glaring at Giovoni who was fighting a smile.
     "I see I've lost a soldier to the enemy." I grumbled before getting up and stomping my way to the kitchen. I stopped in the threshold and turned to look at her.
     "You coming? A bargain works two ways you know." I said, watching as she got up from the couch. I sat down at the table and ignored all of Giovoni's efforts to talk. I took mine and Yazmine's plates, washing them quickly before Giovoni could bring his. I dropped the rag back in the dishwater and pushed past him, grabbing Yazmine's hand and going back into the living room.
     "You can't ignore me forever." He said from the threshold of the kitchen.
     "How long is the average lifespan of a wolf?" I asked tilting my head.
     "Basically immortal." He said.
     "Oh yes I can." I chuckled.

                   |~~~~~~~~~~|

     I had finally managed to get a snoring Yazmine from my now numb legs. I stood from the couch wincing as my joints popped. I really had to use the bathroom and I did not feel like running back up stairs. I stood in one of the many halls, confused as ever. Why would anyone ever need this many rooms? I knew better than to just go and open random doors. He was a wolf, as well as a Mafia leader, who knew what laid behind these doors.
     "GIOVONI!" I shouted. I turned around and screamed when I came face to chest. He looked around frantically, scooting me behind his back.
     "What happened, you ok?" His breathing was labored as if he had ran here.
     "Where were you? And I was just looking for a bathroom." I frowned at him.
     "I was dealing with things," he said glaring at me angrily. "And please don't ever scream like that unless you're in danger." He said, walking down the hall.
     "Well, my bladder is in danger of bursting so I say that counts." I said, following behind him. He stopped and pushed open a door before side stepping to let me in. I rushed passed him and all but slammed the door shut. After I was down relieving myself, I walked out of the bathroom, not bothering to look for Giovoni. I figured he'd disappear while I was in the bathroom.
     "So how come no reports or anything has been filed for you yet?" I screamed at the sudden intrusion of his voice. I turned and glared daggers at him, his tall frame leaning against the wall next to the bathroom.
     "Well, reports have to be filed by someone. They can't really be filed if there isn't anyone." I turned back around to go back into the living.
     "So you mean to tell me that you don't have anyone who'd notice your disappearance?" He stood in front of me blocking my way.
     "Nope." I said popping the p and sidestepping him.
     "Parents?"
     "Couldn't tell you."
     "Relatives?"
     "I think I have a brother."
     "What about the diner owner? Surely he'll know that an employee is missing."
     "I had already handed him my resignation." I rolled my eyes at the sudden attack of questions.
     "Who are you running from Tsar." It wasn't a question. It was a demand. His whole vibe seemed darker.
     "Not running." I dragged my eyes from his and tried once again to get past him.
     "I know when someone's running. Ive been in this business for far too long." I heard the restraint he was using to stop himself from growling.
     "Tell me who and I can take care of it." He took a step towards me, causing me to take a couple back.
     "Look, I told you already that I ain't running from anyone!" I said letting out a breath of frustration which caused one of my curls that fell into my face to blow out.
     "So you're telling me that after you turned in that resignation that you wasn't gonna jump towns?" He asked with eyebrows raised.
     "What's it to you?" I growled out.
     "You shouldn't have to live your life in fear." He growled back.
     "Oh you mean like now?" I asked laughing. I watched as his body went rigid and he clenched his jaw.
     "I scare you?" He asked softly.
     "You play a variable in the equation, yes. But you aren't the only variable." I frowned to myself before succeeding in walking past him.
     "I think it's time we have a chat." He called after me. But before I could turn and give him a response, I heard the front door bang open. Both me and Giovoni ran towards the living room. I rounded the corner with wide eyes, looking for Yazmine. Giovoni came with claws and teeth bared. I growled when I saw a very disheveled Derick.
     "We're being attacked." He said panting.
     "Mafia related or wolf?" Giovoni grabbed my hand and practically dragged me with him.
     "It seems that the rogues have teamed up with some of the other gangs." Derick said matching Giovoni's pace fairly well. And then there was me. Giovoni picked Yazmine up, carrying her while yelling at me to follow him. We were back in the same room as when we were playing hide and seek. He took her all the way to the Back and laid her down gently before turning to me.
     "Stay here, don't come out of this room, or house no matter what." He turned to leave but I stopped him.
     "You can't just expect me to just sit here and wait for them to find us!" I whispered yelled.
     "You expect me to just let you out there when you don't know how to shift, OR use the abilities that comes with being a wolf? You know I never took you as the comedian type Tsar." He turned to walk out again when I stopped him.
     "You can't keep me in here." I stated, crossing my arms. He turned around, an eyebrow raised and a slight smirk on his face.
     "Go back over with Yazmine, and do not leave this room." I growled as my body started moving involuntarily over to Yazmine. When I was close enough, I turned to glare at him.
     "Good, now sit." He was fighting hard to keep from laughing. I sat down with a huff. When he saw that I was seated, he blew me a kiss and left.
Kick his ass or I will.
     Just waiting on him to leave, and then we can get this party started properly. I waited until the door was closed probably before breaking a finger. In order to break an alpha's command, theres two ways. You could inflict pain onto yourself, which is fastest, or you could summon enough strength to physically break it, which was draining on both you and your wolf. I made sure that Yazmine was safe and secured before I left The room. I walked cautiously into the the halls, making sure the house was empty.
They're coming.
How many?
Listen.
I don't here anything!
Concentrate. Just. Listen.
I squeezed my eyes shut, ears straining to pick up on the slightest of sounds.
Deep breaths, calm your heart.
     I growled and did as I was told, a small gasp escaping me as I heard three men talking.
     "You sure his house is out here Jace? It's kinda nothing but Forrest."
     "That's kind of the fucking point Matt, he is a werewolf after all."
     "Keep that in mind when you remember that my house is bigger than you and your families." One of the men called.
     Smell them. You can tell whose human or not.
     That would help if I knew what I was sniffing for.
     Humans tend to smell of the city. Wolves are strange smells that you wouldn't dare find on a human. All wolves have a distinctive scent of mud, or as you humans like to call it, wet dog.
     I sniffed through my nose, scrunching my nose when I smelt a mixture of gross things.
     Human.
     They smell that awful?
     Concentrate.
     If it's that strong, I'd say two have to be muggles.
     Ha.
     So one wolf and two humans. Can't be that hard.