Moon of Claiming

Chapter Seven: Accalia

        It was already light out by the time I crawled through the window and into the room I shared with Gwyn. Sweat dripped from me and my palms were bloody. My body was blood-splattered, the spare t-shirt I’d managed to drag on clung to my body as I took a few deep breaths. I groped at my blankets, trying to sit up enough so that I could climb up onto my bed. Gwyn wasn’t in her bed, which was unusual considering the fact that she wasn’t an early riser. I didn’t bother to worry about it as I sat on my bed covered in last night’s kill. I knew that I wasn’t allowed to kill on pack land because I was an Omega, but my wolf hadn’t given a damn. I’d given myself over to the beast inside last night, giving myself over to my true nature. It had been delicious; it had been what I’d craved for years. The sweet blood of a long night’s hunt was still fresh in my mouth. I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat and grimaced, hauling myself up onto my bed and laying back, curling up in the fetal position.

          All I could remember was the rush of grass beneath my feet, the feel of hot, wet blood hitting my tongue, the sound of my prey’s dying breath. The rest of the night was a blur, passing me by in lightning speed. I grimaced and ran my tongue over my teeth, tasting dried blood on them. I sat up with a groan, my muscles aching in protest as I stumbled over to the bathroom. I somehow was able to turn on the shower and get under the shower head, letting the warm water sluice over me, freeing the tangles in my hair and washing the blood and grime from my skin. I wrapped a towel around me as I got out. I ran my free hand through my hair as I walked back into the bedroom. I wasn’t particularly surprised to find Gwyn sitting on my bed when I got back. She didn’t even give me the chance to dry off and get dressed before she read me the riot act.

          “You’ve been hunting,” she accused harshly. “Dammit, Accalia, you know that you’re not supposed to go hunting at all! You know this! And yet, you were hunting. Are you crazy?”

          I shook my head. “I was just letting my wolf run wild for a little bit. I don’t see the harm in it.”

          Gwyn sighed impatiently and rubbed her hands over her face. I knew that she was frustrated with me because I broke a law or two, but it wasn’t like I was going to die over it.

          “You might,” Gwyn snapped sharply. I looked at her strangely, confused for a moment until I realized that I must’ve spoken out loud. I rolled my eyes.

          “I don’t think they’re going to kill me for it,” I murmured, putting on a pair of loose sweats and an oversized t-shirt.

          “They might,” was the reply.

          I sat Indian style on the bed and started pulling a brush through my hair. I must’ve been doing it too hard because Gwyn wrestled the brush from my grip and started brushing out my hair herself; although, she was still muttering fiercely under her breath as she did so. I sat still and silent as she smoothed out any remaining snarls and tangles, and began plaiting my hair in a long, damp braid. I blinked as she swung the braid around so that it fell down to my torso instead of my back. I smiled back at Gwyn who nodded in satisfaction and stood up slowly, uncoiling her body as a python would.

          “Thanks,” I said quietly, running a gentle hand over the braid.

          “No problem,” she muttered tersely. She jerked her head in the direction of the door. “Now, come on; you’ve got a visitor.”

          I tilted my head and followed her wearily, already knowing who it was without her having to say anything. Low and behold, there was Niall, sprawled across the couch like he owned the place. I hesitated at the end of the hallway, but I knew that whether by sight, sound, or scent, that Niall would know I was there. Gwyn made a hasty escape, practically running out the door while she muttered something about meeting Bella and Panthea at The Wolf’s Den. I grumbled at her retreating figure, disliking her in that moment for leaving me alone with Niall.