Woman Put Your Weapon Down

Between Her Hungry Trigger

Samuel

Samuel could not keep focused for most of the night at work, it was too close to the full moon and he was itching for a hunt. Adam had briefed the wolves this morning after Mercy had Zee check out the mysterious fae that Warren had encountered. Zee said that no fae in Walla Walla fit the description of the lady, putting all the wolves on watch until he said she had made herself known. Samuel did not take well to orders from Adam, his wolf bristled at being told what to do by such a young wolf, but if it worried the old Gremlin, he would suffer through it.

His shift was coming to an end, and his stomach was eating itself from hunger. It took more energy to hold his other half at bay when he was working than he was used to. Samuel clocked out a bit early after checking on his patients, and walked down to the near by diner, Albert's. The smell of frying bacon and stale coffee assaulted his nose and he smiled. Victoria sat him in a booth near the back corner, his usual spot, and brought him his much needed coffee. As he sat checking his emails on his smartphone, he noticed a sharp scent, fresh but fading fast. It smelt of desperation, relief, and the zing of metal. If he didn't know any better, he would think that Tad bad been there only a few minutes ago. But he did know better, Tad was in college, across the country. His wolf jolted awake at the thought of the curious fae having showed up on his territory and preened at a chance to hunt. But Samuel knew the repercussions of startling his prey could be disastrous. He sat, pondering what his next move would be; he knew he needed more information, he needed to know what her next move would be. After a few minutes of contemplation, Samuel threw a few bills down on the table for his coffee and left, hoping to pick up the trail before it became cold.

Brennan

The drive back to the motel was bittersweet for Brennan. She was plagued with thoughts of the man and could not revel in the relief of finding steady work. When she walked back into the stale room, she forced herself to forget him and relax since she had much to do tomorrow. Hoping to enjoy the night since it was a bit warmer than the night before, Brennan changed from her frilly blouse and into a much more comfortable tee-shirt. She locked the door and went on a search for something more sustaining than pancakes. Brennan vaguely remembered a fast food restaurant a few blocks over began in the direction. The walk did not do much to quell her thoughts and paranoia and she could feel the familiar panic of being hunted. Her pace quickened, as she glanced around, looking for the tell-tell signs of her normal pursuers. She didn't see any of the usual suspects, but that didn't easy her worries. It didn't take long for her to reach the restaurant at her speed, and she was quite thankful for that. As she opened the door, she glanced behind her out of habit. The parking lot was relatively empty, but she still felt a presence. As she turned around to walk in, she swore she saw a flash of white. Brennan chalked it up to stress and lack of sleep, or at least that is what she was going to convince herself it was.

The walk back was just as stressful but Brennan made it back alive. With a full belly and a bit of stress removed, she allowed herself to relax. Sprawled across the bed, Brennan closed her eyes, hoping to release some anxiety. With her sense of sight temporarily removed, her other senses increased. She let herself get lost in the sounds of running water from next door and the cricket outside her door. She was jolted out of her peace when the heater kicked on and started to rattle incessantly. Her fingers twitched in annoyance and her shoulders tightened. Five minutes of the ruckus and Brennan could not handle it anymore. She launched off the bed and stomped to the unit, a look of pure frustration plastered to her face. With a strained ear, she located the persistent clattering and placed her hand over it, palm down. With her eyes closed, she flexed her hand, imagining a small thread that connected her hand to the machine, weaving between the cracks until it attached to the loose screw. She slowly twisted her hand, willing the thread to do the same. With a bit of force, Brennan managed to tighten the screw just enough to stop it from shaking with the vibrations. When she opened her eyes, nothing had changed but she still felt the the goosebumps rise on her arms and down her back from the magic. She stood from her crouch and ran her wrist over her forehead, it was damp with sweat. She had forced a bit more than she used to, but she was getting better with her metal-bending.

Samuel

He had changed to his wolf in the darkness behind the diner, his nose was better when he was on four feet. Thankfully it was easier since the moon was almost to her peak and he was about to start a hunt. He trotted through the shadows with his nose to the ground looking for anything to find his mystery fae. He did not need to go far. In the parking lot sat an old car in the far back corner. It was drenched in the woman's scent. She must be near, Samuel thought as he stalked around the car, committing her scent to memory. His ears perked up at the shrill chime of the door. He backed himself into the shadows of the near by buildings, but still caught a glimpse of the fae. She was a fragile looking woman, barely reaching his shoulders as a man. Her hair was a deep auburn brown from what he could see under her knitted hat. Her skin was pale and glowed under the light of the moon. She had a slim figure, but he could easily make out her womanly curves. She curled into herself, hoping to brave the relentless wind. He watched her as she climbed into her car and drove away. Samuel breathed in deeply, enjoying the rush of a hunt before he took off after her, letting himself glide from shadow to shadow using skills and a bit of magic to conceal himself from onlookers and his prey.

After a few miles, the car pulled into one of Finley's less desirable motels. Samuel hid himself across the abandoned parking lot in one of the few patches of brush. He settled in, thinking it would be a long night of babysitting. Adam wouldn't be too happy with Samuel if he left her to her own devices and didn't keep an eye out. On any other day, he would be happy to irritate the young wolf, but this was important plus his wolf wanted a bit of fun "hunting." It wasn't long before she was back out, this time on foot. The wolf preened at her mistake, thinking she was naive to not use the one thing that could out run them. He followed behind her, careful to avoid her watchful eye. She's an attentive one,Samuel's wolf noticed. He watched as she walked near one of those awful greasy fast food joints, and the doctor in him couldn't help but cringe. During his internal rant of the long-term damage to her health, he failed to notice her turning around. His wolf jumped into control, throwing them into the darkness once again before giving Samuel control again. Samuel studied her reaction, looking for any shock or fear. He relaxed when she turned back around. His wolf let the man know of his irritation of nearly being caught. Samuel ignored him and continued to wait for his prey.

Samuel kept a longer distance between the fae and himself since he knew where she would be sleeping that night. She vanished into her room and he settled himself a bit closer to her door, choosing to lay low under her car. He could easily hear her shuffle across the room and settle onto the bed. He was lulled into a light slumber by her calm breathing, but was jolted awake when the heater jumped to life. After a few moments, the bed squeaked with sudden movement and Samuel's head cocked in confusion. He waited until suddenly his nose scrunched under the zing of magic rolling from her room. The heater no longer rattled. He was shocked. He never heard of a female Gremlin. Certainly not a half-fae that could bend metal to their will. Samuel took one last look at the door before backing out from under the car. He needed to get a hold of Zee, and if he didn't have the answers her was looking for, then he would call his Da.

This had become an interesting hunt. One that Samuel couldn't wait to pursue. He was, after all, a patient hunter.