"Ill be expecting it by tomorrow morning." Tonnie said, sliding into her well-furnished room and closed the door. I sighed and walked to Nates room and knocked on his door.
"Yeah what?" He said from inside. "Can I please come in?" I asked him. "Yeah," he replied as I opened the door. He stood there naked in the afternoon light shining though the window. I blushed and about faced.
"What's he got that I dont... huh?" I shook my head. "Please it isn't like that..." he went up to me and pressed my body against the door with his, his face close to mine. "I beg for you always and you wont... I even offer you money and you wont... why...?" He said, eyes burning with desire looking into mine. My eyes filled with tears. "You... wouldn't understand..." He released me and stepped back, about facing to hide his apparent attraction towards me. "I never will unless you open up to me..." I remained silent.
"Nate... he needs clothes. Can I please have some, I'll pay you back. I promise." He looked back at me over his shoulder as he was in his dresser. "Always promises..." He said, throwing a pair of boxers at me. He sighed and found a pair of torn up jeans and a tight black tank top. "This should do." I hugged the clothes to my chest. "Thanks...so much..." I said. He about faced again, and I nabbed a pair of socks and sneakers laying on the floor beside his door way and I went to leave.
"Im...always here... if you need me...for anything." He said sadly. I nodded and left his room, almost sprinting to mine.

When she came in, he looked up to see her face. It wasn't hard to tell what had just happened. The red in her cheeks, while the rest seemed a little paler than usual. "Are you alright...?" He asked. He didn't mention he had heard everything that had happened. Somehow that didn't seem right to say at this moment and in hindsight it might have been better to have changed into a wolf rather than give her a hard time.

I finally breathed and looked to him, a furrow in my brow. I threw the clothes at him. "Go get washed up in the bathroom... I'll meet you downstairs." I said, going to my dresser and looking through the clothes. I hid the pain i felt in my heart from him, having the want...the urge to just cry there on the floor... as I always did at least twice a week. I bit my lip as the silent tears fell to my hands and onto my clothes as I rummaged, finally finding a beat up envelope.

He caught the clothes before standing and starting for the bathroom. He stopped, thinking about something before he went into the bathroom. He quickly got dressed slipping into the shirt, boxers and pants. He didn't even bother putting on the socks as he just put on the shoes before going into Nate's room, giving a brief knock before closing the door behind him. "Hi there Nate." His voice was low, heel up against the door to keep anyone from entering or anyone leaving.

I looked inside the envelope and counted the ball of ones and fives. Only 178$... I needed 300$ for my part of the rent. I sighed, shoving it back in the envelope and putting it back into my drawer. I rubbed my eyes and grabbed my coat and headed downstairs, went into the fridge and downed 2 cups of pudding I had hiding in the back. I was starving and hadnt realized it since we were so busy.

Nate looked up from his phone as he lay on his bed in nothing but boxers and pajama pants, one arm up over his head. "What do you want?" He said, sitting up and closing his flip phone, placing it on the bed.

He shook his head, "Look I get that you guys really don't know what is going on here or what she just went through, but perhaps you can cut her some slack." He honestly couldn't believe he was sticking his neck out for a girl he hardly knew, for that matter a human girl. "Especially since you seem to have a fancy for her." he said calmly as he crossed his arms.

Nate stood up. "OH and YOU do know what she just went through? Get the hell out of my room. You have no business coming in here. I only gave her those clothes cause she apparently cares about you. And my fancy for her? Its only one sided, for you information. So go, have your fun with her, just keep her freaking safe." He said going to the window, looking out. "Leave." He said, not looking over at him.

I sat on the couch twiddling my fingers hoping he'd hurry up. More time wasted, more time Tina could be in danger. I needed to find her then earn some money somehow. All in one day. This... was gonna be a long day."

"I can't believe I am actually having this conversation.." he muttered before shaking his head, "Trust me, I heard. The walls are very thick here... Look, I think you need to hear me out first..." He said calmly, "And then perhaps you'll change your mind and help me out." he said quietly.
"I don't plan on doing anything to her, except keeping her safe. In fact the only reason I am still here is because I am best suited to keeping her safe for where she is going. I don't need her life on my hands." He said, "So you can rest your little head that I'm not trying to move in on your territory. Your kind isn't really my type." He said giving a pause, "All I am asking is you give her a break and instead of trying to pay her for something you want, give her the cash to keep something she needs."

Nate looked over at him and listened, staring at him intently. He furrowed his brow. "Who are you to butt in her life and tell me what to do. I barley make enough as it is to feed myself. And 'our kind?' What the hell is that supposed to mean? Just leave. Your date is waiting for you. Keep her out of danger." He said looking back out the window.

I grew impatient and yelled up the steps. "LETS GO WE HAVN'T GOT ALL DAY!!!"

He chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Who am I?" He moved away from the door opening it, "Do me a favor. If some men toting guns comes around here and asks if you seen a dog, don't mention Sophie. Tell them it bolted before you could get a good look at it." He said before walking out the room.

He moved down the stairs before stopping in front of her. "No need to yell... You know I can hear just fine." He said moving past her and out the door.

Nate stared at him as the door closed, wondering what he meant but nodded in agreement.

I saw him finally come down the steps. "What the hell took you so long? Jeeeze lets get out of here." I said, bolting for the door after him, slamming it behind me. "We need to get to the cage and see if anyone saw anything." I started to sprint, hoping he could keep up with me. "I hope she isnt hurt..." I said looking to the street now covered in snow.

He kept with her at a steady run, "Chances of the Cage being in ruins is high... either that or it is going to be infested with Hunters. You won't be able to just walk up to it and ask around. Most of your clientele and staff weren't human." He said.

I glanced over at him. "If they weren't human then what were they?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.

Finally we made it, the place was dark, and quiet. I looked around. Noone, not even the police had found this place yet. I breathed a heavy breath, my breath appeared in the air as it got colder. The sun was starting to go down. I was running out of time. "We need to find her... c'mon...." I started to go inside and I looked around. Bodies sprawled all around, human...animals... women, men... it didn't matter. I covered my mouth and went straight for the bar, waking my way through mounds of bodies and shattered glass, hoping to get to her hide away room... I prayed she was in there, and safe.

He followed her, not paying much mind to the bodies scattered across the area until he came to his kind. He froze, staring at the weres who were on the ground. The girl who had been dancing in the cage was on the ground, her veins swollen with poison from the silver. He knelt down, anger building up in his chest. "They didn't care who it was..." He sniffed the air, standing again and following her. "I don't think any of the hunters are here anymore... I can't smell them anyways..." he told her. He didn't mention that he couldn't smell anything other than death...

I glanced back at him and nodded, opening the creaking door to find Tinas room empty. I looked around, even in the closet and nothing. I went to her drawer and found the small key and put it in my pocket. I sighed and came back out. "She isnt here... everyones dead. I dont know where to turn. The woman you scared off at the warehouse was our only key." I walked over a few bodies and went beside him. My eyes were tired from the action and little sleep. The smell of alcohol, death and gunpowder filled my nose. I thought about looting the register... but that would be wrong, and karma would definitely get me back.
"Hey.." I said. "Do you think theres anymore animals here? Want to go check?" I asked him, kind of hopeful. "The arena and housing pens are upstairs. If.. you can stomach it." I said to him.

He stood there for a moment before giving a nod. "Very few of them were actual animals you know..." He said walking beside her. He knew the way to the pens all too well.

When they reached the pens upstairs, he stopped letting his eyes adjust to the light. He thought he knew what to expect, but the reality was much different. Cages were stacked atop one another along the walls, their doors open moving ever so slightly at the arrival of new comers. Several glass like cages were in the center blood smeared all over the inside and out. The floor was tile with blood pooling in areas. Several 'animals' had been slaughtered while others fed off of them. He could differentiate between weres and animals, but to humans it was all the same. He could feel the pang of pain in his heart as he looked around. They had taken advantage of their weakened state, wounded them and let animals feed off of them like a main course meal. "GET!" He shouted, hatred laced the growl that escaped his throat. The animals froze and looked at him before scattering. He stood there for a second as he took in what he was seeing, his hands curling into fists. Without making a sound he swung around and punched one of the cages, the bars curling in on themselves from the sheer force.

Something whined in the far back corner, out of view of them. It was female from what he could tell, and human. He held still before turning and moving around the glass cages and froze when he saw the small girl curled up in a pool of blood. He knees to her chest. The hot pink curls that usually fell around her face were dirty and limp. "Belle?"
The girl looked up at him, holding very still as tears welled in her eyes before she nearly tackled him. "K-KALE!" she cried hugging him around the neck.
"Belle... what the hell are you doing here?! Were you with them?!" He said pulling the girl off.
"N-No!... E-Ebony... S-she found m-me..." The girl was in tears, her body shaking.
"Where's Pixie? And the pack? Did Dameon's men do this?"
"N-No...I-I don't know..." She fell silent spotting Sophie before hiding behind Kale.
He turned around to see Sophie, before speaking to Belle "You don't have to worry about her, she's human like you... Sophie this is Belle, she's close to my Alpha. Belle, where is Emily? Is she close?"
Belle shook, "I-I don't know..." her voice was small and weak.

I looked over at him, weary eyed. "Apparently, I didn't know much...huh..." I responded, following close behind him.

The blod stained floors and cages made this place more of a reality. I never came up here unless the boss ordered me so. Then when I did, I never looked at the horrors I could not help. The smell of death was too putrid to bare. My stomach flip flopped and ran off to a corner to spew out my guts. My body shook. I didn't want to be here anymore. Humans were one thing... But animals had a special place in my heart as my only source of friendship growing up. Tears filled my eyes as I spit the rest and looked back, seeing Kale with this small frightened girl. I waved weakly to her and went over to them.
"Are you alright?" I asked her, looking her up and down.

Belle grabbed hold of Kale's arms and peeked out from behind him. When Sophie asked her the question she shook her head. "W-We were out looking for a couple of the Knights, and then... E-Ebony found us. S-She's gotten stronger..."
"... How many others?"
"I-I don't know... Ebony brought me here... She... she bit me..." She muttered the last bit looking down at the floor holding her neck. Kale froze, briefly becoming a statue before turning to face her. "You didn't drink her blood did you?"
"N-no..." Belle said.
"Sophie... Let's go." Kale said turning away from Belle.
"Kale! P-Please! Don't leave me!" she cried, her voice breaking from fear while trying to follow him as he started to walk out.

I listened to their conversation intently then jogged to cath up with Kale. "We're not just leaving her here are we?" I looked back at the frail girl as I grabbed his arm. "Shouldn't we call for help or something???" I felt so helpless, and like I had helped this massacre... I wanted to run away and never return. "Kale???"

Kale stopped and glared down at Sophie. "And have a vampire tag along? That seems like a smart idea." He said, his voice dark.
"I'm-I'm not a vampire!" Belle cried. "I-I promise I didn't drink it!" she added running up to them.
"Shut up!" He said turning to Belle, before turning on Sophie again "You want to find your friend... then we need to find the hunters... Not try and find shelter for a deathdealer."
"I-I'm NOT a vampire!" She nearly shrieked before clasping her hand to her mouth silencing herself. Tears welled in her eyes before she spoke again, "I know where they went... I heard them talking... please! P-Please don't leave me!"

I stared up at him. "Vampire? Oh you're being ridiculous Kale she's a little girl! She needs help!" I looked back at her and tightened the grip on his arm. "How do you even know she's turned into a vampire? How can you be so sure???" I said pointing to her. "She can help us find Tina!" I was growing desperate, mind fogged by the putrid smells, hunger, fatigue and exhaustion. Not to mention I still needed to make money and it was nearly nightfall.
"Please kale, let her help us..." Tears flooded my eyes. "We're running out of options, unless you can track them...but If you could I'm sure you would have brought that up by now..." I sighed, wiping my face on my sleeve.

He stood there for the longest time. "Lead... we'll follow." he finally said, looking at Belle. It was hard to read his emotion, but it was between hatred and livid. He watched the small girl knowing that if she made the wrong move he'd snap her neck without thinking twice.
Belle read it just fine, and nodded slowly before she started to walk.
He looked to Sophie once Belle was a good few feet away, "If she's dangerous and she bites you, I will kill you as well. Just keep that in mind." He said before slowly following Belle.

The look on his face was the look of a killer; a wild beast. I know Belle sensed that too, and the viciousness in his tone as he spoke brought fear in my heart. I brought my cold hands to my chest, and I nodded silently, falling in line some distance behind him. I started to fear what he could do to others... To me, if I angered or got on his wrong side somehow. I trembled. The cold air was getting to me as we were led downstairs. I stopped, looking back. "Kale, should we release any of these animals?"

"And let them feed off my brethren?" He growled. "I won't... you can." He said as he continued to walk.

Belle stopped occasionally to see if they were still following. She was shaking like a leaf as her body trembled in the cold wind. It was then that Kale really noticed what she was wearing. A small one piece decorated just enough to accent what curves she had. "T-they said that they wanted to go back to their hideout... Mentioned it was between a hotel and a strip club."
"How original..." Kale growled.
Belle gave a weak smile to his comment before it shattered at his look. "I'm not a vampire..." she muttered and it was hard to tell who she was trying to reassure. Herself or Him.

I let them take the lead as I went back to tend to the animals. Some continued to feed, some slept and some trembled in fear as I approached. "Now now... Im here to help" I said to them as I knelt on the ground. A bunch ran over to me, tails wagging, panting. They probably thought i was going to feed them. I pet a few and unlocked collars all around. After the collars were off and clanged to the floor, some ran off to the downstairs and outside. Some stayed. I couldn't force them to leave.
I went to the still locked cages and released more dogs, some pups, some massive looking wolves, like Kale, and unlocked their collars. I even found a small frail cat; probably used as bait; in a cage all alone. It trembled as I put my hands in to pet it. It was cold to the touch and tears flooded my eyes. Her pure white coat was dirty and matted. She stayed a frozen ball as I held her in my arms. Surely if i left her here, it would be her end. I brought her with, putting her under my huge coat for warmth, catching up to Kale quickly.

I fell in line with them again and stayed quiet in the back, following slowly and quietly.