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cowboydisaster · 1 year ago

Text

Lobo

reupload; originally posted on 14 february, 2023

read part two here

pairing: werewolf!Arthur Morgan x reader

word count: 5.2k

summary: You're on the run, hiding from the law. One night, your dog runs into the woods and comes upon a poor creature stuck in a bear trap. This isn't just some normal wolf... His eyes are the color of the ocean and he seems to understand you. The wolf continues to visit you, shifting back and forward between man and beast. He offers you his name, and eventually his heart.

a/n: this was originally a submission for the rdr events valentines exchange! This was my first ever werewolf fic and I was hella intimidated by it, but it was SO fun. I'm definitely down to do a part two if that's something people want. Let me know! Important things to know about this fic because everyone writes werewolves differently: - A werewolf's eyes glow red when they have found their mate, and after they've found their mate, their eyes glow red during very emotional/vulnerable moments. - A mating bite is just a way for the bond to seal between the two. It can be given by one or both parties -Arthur is a fully normal human being, aside from the fact that he can shift to a wolf. -Werewolves can shift between human and wolf at any time in this fic, not just on a full moon - The full moon makes a werewolf more primal. i.e. wanting to run, wanting to stay shifted as a wolf. It also makes the wolves more drawn to their mates and more protective

also as a little warning I am not well versed in werewolf lore, so if anything in this fic is way far off I apologize.

fic is below the cutoff

Your stallion's hooves slosh in the mud as you canter, riding towards a little area near Valentine that you’re planning to camp at for the night. The moon is full tonight, resting high in the sky and casting the night in an eerie, pale glow with dark shifting shadows. For the last few weeks you've been on the run, sleeping under the stars or in abandoned houses and buildings as you drift further and further away from Saint Denis. It wasn't your fault really. The man you killed? Well he deserved it. But every action has consequences… You’ve been drifting since it happened, never staying in one place too long. Parts of you miss your old life, the structure of society and sleeping in a bed. But the freedom that your current life offers is unmatched.

You've made it all the way up to the cliffs now. It would probably be safe to stick around, surely you're far enough away by now. But an itch under your skin urges you to keep running, to get far away so that they will never find you. Pushing the doubts out of your mind, you whistle, and hear a bark in answer from your Australian Shepherd, Marley. He's running beside your black thoroughbred, Ares, just as eager as you to set up camp for the night.

After some convincing that the law won't find you this far north, you slow Ares down to a trot, passing by a lightly wooded area along the train tracks. Beyond the trees is a small opening. It's big enough for you to comfortably set up a little camp, but wooded enough to protect you from the near constant drabble of rainfall, and more importantly any wandering eyes from the tracks. You deem the spot safe for the night, whistling for Marley to follow as you trot through the treeline.

It's been a tough few weeks. Your clothes have been growing a little looser around your frame, and your little stash of money from your father’s savings has depleted to nothing. You don't know how to hunt, you're from the city. With no means to get food, your options have depleted to two: steal or starve. There's already a bounty on your head and you don't plan on increasing it, but you know what they say about desperation. Twice now you've stolen saddlebags off of tethered horses in search of food or money. You've rationed your supplies enough to get you this far, but now? Well you're pretty well screwed.

Hopping down from Ares with a pat of gratitude, you reach into one of the stolen saddlebags in search of something useful. Something soft touches your hand, and you pull out some clothes. There's two shirts and two pairs of jeans. With a sigh, you shove the clothes back into the bag. They're of no use. They're way too big for you, but maybe you can repurpose the cloth later. You step around Ares’ backside to reach into the other side of the bag. Luckily, you find two pieces of salted beef.

“Well, we got dinner, boy.” You smile, tossing one up into the air and watching as Marley catches it in his mouth.

You don't have a tent, never got one after escaping Saint Denis, and you don't have a bedroll either. So as per usual, you opt to find shelter under a large oak tree, laying on your saddle blanket and resting your head on your saddle in the dirt. It makes a decent pillow, and it provides Ares with some relief for the night. After finishing your dinner, you eye your boys. Ares is lying in the grassy patch ahead of you, enjoying the subtle rainfall after a long day’s run, and Marley curls up in the grass at your side.

“Don't worry boys, we’ll find somewhere more permanent soon, alright?” You whisper to them, almost drifting to sleep. You try to stay awake to watch the night. The moon is so full, so bright, unlike any night you’ve seen before. It's equally beautiful and mysterious. The grass dances in the breeze, shining under the moon’s white light while being tapped by slow sprinkling rain. Your eyes slip shut… and Marley barks.

You know Marley. He’s your best friend, and Marley only barks at danger. Immediately you sit up on the saddle blanket, gripping the handle of your knife out of instinct.

“What is it boy?” You whisper, scanning the treeline to no avail. Ares has stood up, and is whinnnying, stomping his feet and tossing his head in trepidation.

Every hair on the dog’s back is standing straight up, and he bares his teeth towards the eastern side of the forest with a low growl. Your brows knit together, as you see no lights or signs of anything.

“Marley, what's the matter?” You coo, reaching out to calm the dog, but he's too quick. He barks, and takes off into the east side of the forest.

“Shit, Marley!” You yell after the dog.

With a sigh, you run over to Ares, not even bothering to put the saddle back on. You sit on him bareback, quickly urging the stallion into the forest after your dog. It's difficult to navigate the dark forest, but Ares needs no guidance as he weaves around trees and jumps over fallen logs after your dog. You have to hang on for dear life as he jumps a particularly large log, as it's much harder to sit without the aid of your saddle. Slowing Ares down to a slow trot, you stick two fingers on your lip and whistle as loud as you can. It's too dark to see anything, and the rain has picked up, soaking your hair and causing rivulets of water to drip into your eyes and drench your clothes.

You hear his returning bark, and you spur Ares in the direction of the familiar sound. After cantering around a few more trees, you spot Marley. He’s cowering on the ground, shaking with his head on the ground in submission. At first you’re afraid he’s been hurt, and you jump down from your stallion to approach the dog.

“Marley…?” You whisper, slowly approaching him.

The breath leaves your lungs when you hear it; The loudest howl you have ever heard. It’s mangled and painful, and so, so close. Your heart beats rapidly, time slows, and you can feel the moment its eyes are on you. Slowly, you turn around.

In front of you is the largest wolf you have ever seen in your life. Well, you’ve never seen a wolf other than in the paper but this wolf- there's something different. It’s a male, surely the alpha of his pack, if he has one. He has a sandy blonde coat, broad head and shoulders, and even standing on all fours, the wolf is almost as tall as you. But the most stark detail is his eyes. They are bright, a green-blue mixture that can be compared to the blend of the tide and the sky. There’s something so human about his gaze that you’re almost knocked to the ground by its strength. The wolf’s eyes are locked onto your own, and it tries to step towards you, but stops suddenly and cries out in pain. Your eyebrows draw together, and you step around the right side of the massive wolf. His eyes stay on yours, and suddenly you feel no fear. It’s like you’re supposed to be here, you're supposed to find him. It causes your breath to hitch in your throat, and a dull pressure to buzz in your chest, but you ignore it, continuing your observation of the animal.

“Oh, you poor thing.” You whisper under your breath upon the sight of his mangled, bloody back leg. It's caught in a particularly nasty bear trap, who knows how long he’s been stuck here. You eye the wolf carefully for a moment, and when you sense no aggression, you step forward. The trap is a pressure lock, and you can dismantle it with your bare hands. Determined, you wipe your hands on your jeans.

“Alright, now I’m gonna set you free, but you can't eat me, okay?”

You swear the wolf chortles at your comment, and you lean down in the mud, pressing down on the bear trap with all your might. It clicks a few times, meaning that it’s close to opening. You stop pushing the trap and gasp in shock when you feel the wolf press his nose into your waist, inhaling deeply as if he is savoring your scent. You stutter, and quickly continue pressing down on the trap until it fully snaps open. The wolf takes one full deep breath of your scent, and then throws his head up towards the full moon and howls. It's so loud that your ears almost hurt, but it's not nearly as strong as the pressure in your chest, the unfamiliar buzz that is threatening to rip you in two. You clutch at your rib, gasping in shock when the wolf brings his head back down to look into your eyes. The wolf’s blue irises have been replaced with two deep crimson circles that stare back at you. Your heart pounds in your chest, and you can hear it. But just as quickly as you found him, he is gone. He turned tail and ran, limping away on three legs. You’re left in shock, mouth agape, sitting against the wet forest floor.

— two weeks later —

You search through the bottom of the same leather bag that you’ve checked three times, foolishly hoping to find some food for you and Marley. You need to find something soon, or you’re going to have to venture into town, which may or may not end up with your neck in a noose. With a sigh, you toss the bag on the ground by your campfire. Tears threaten to fall as you pet your shepherd dog, apologizing for the lack of dinner. Ares is already laying in the grass, and you decide to hit the hay as well. Like every night, Marley curls up beside you while you try to fall asleep. His steady breathing, and eventually his snores almost lull you to sleep, but you’ve been having trouble sleeping. For the past two weeks all you’ve been able to think about is him. You know what he is now, you remember the stories that your Pa used to tell you. The legends of beasts in the west, far more dangerous than the outlaws inhabiting it. Well, they weren’t just stories. You think of him every night, wondering why he ran, why he’s this far east in the first place. Tonight is no different, in fact the ache in your ribcage is especially strong tonight. You’ve felt it ever since that night.

Eventually, you’re able to quiet your mind, blinking foggily as sleep overtakes your senses. Just as your eyes begin to flutter shut, two blue circles blink from behind the treeline, and then you fall asleep.

— the next day —

The evening sun wakes you up, surprisingly warm despite the cold day. The light filters through the trees, casting your face in a yellow glow. You'd slept almost the entire day, but you needed it. You haven't been sleeping well, too busy thinking of the wolf. You yawn, sitting up and stretching your arms before checking for your boys. Marley is chewing on a stick beside the charcoal left over from the campfire, and Ares has his head to the ground, grazing on some fresh grass. As you go to stand up, something fiery red catches your eyes and you snap your neck in its direction. About five feet away from your makeshift bedroll is a fox. It's been killed, perfectly hunted in such a manner that the pelt is in perfect condition. With your brows drawn together, you lean over and pick up the fox. Two neat, large canine teeth marks have punctured the animal's neck.

This was him.

You're overcome with relief at the fact that he's okay. After he'd run off you weren't sure where he went, or if he had a pack, and someone to fix his wound. You've been thinking about the man for weeks, wondering what he looks like, sounds and acts like, what his name is. Quickly you pull out your hunting knife, taking your time to skin the animal neatly. Every cut is articulate, something you learned from working for the trapper in Saint Denis. You know how to clean, cut and cook an animal, just not how to actually hunt one. You rest the red pelt fur down against the dirt to dry, and then get to work on your fire. Marley brings you back enough twigs and sticks to get a fire going, and before long you're placing nice cuts of meat over the fire, cooking a decent meal for the first time in a while. Marley seems grateful as well, coming over to the campfire to check on the food with his mouth watering.

It's a good breakfast, well dinner. You don't have much to season the meat with, but a few pieces of oregano manage just fine. You and Marley share the fox, saving the rest of it for the following days. With the day pretty much over before you've even started it, you pull out your journal.

Ever since that night in the woods, I feel this ache. It's like a rope. I don't understand it much, but… it's pulling me to him. I know it is. He left me a fox- first good meal we've had in a day. That's gotta mean something, right?

Your fountain pen stops on the paper, and some ink pools out of it, leaving an ink blot. Your eyes widen at the sound of a twig snapping, and the feeling in your ribs intensifies. You carefully close the leather journal, setting it down on the ground before pulling your knees up to your chin and smiling.

"Come out. I know you're here." You call out boldly, standing up from the ground and facing the forest in the direction of the snap. You can feel eyes on you, but you can't pinpoint his exact location. Behind you, Ares begins to spook, pawing at the ground and snorting in irritation. Marley growls, and you follow his gaze until you see the wolf.

He's even more beautiful in the daylight. Now you can really see the contrasts in his coat color, like brindle between tan and brown. His eyes are just as striking without the added glow from the moon, and now they shine bright blue. He steps out from the forest slowly, head down to placate you. He steps right up to you, almost eye to eye. The buzzing in your chest is so strong, like the rope is pulled so tight that it's on the verge of snapping.

"You ain't no regular wolf… I've heard the legends, but I didn't think there would be any of you this far east…"

The wolf's eyes close and he nudges his head into your side, one again inhaling your scent. You're not sure why he does it, but you don't mind. Hesitantly, you bring your hand up to the wide spot between his ears. You expected his fur to be coarse, but you're wrong. It's soft, like thick layers of silk. Your hand glides over his head, petting his ears while he leans further into you.

"Thank you for the fox." You whisper, smiling sheepishly at the familiar stranger.

Slowly, he turns around, going towards where your saddle blanket is laid out on the ground. He gently takes the serape blanket in his maw, backing up and dragging it with him until he's a bit away from you, hidden in the shadows of some trees. You watch on, confused, turning around a few times to coo to your animals. You can hear some growling, some uncomfortable joint cracking, and then to your surprise, the exasperated groan of a man. Your eyebrows dart up in surprise, and your jaw drops when he steps out of the shadows.

He's the most attractive man you've ever seen. His wolf form is a perfect match to his human form, he has tanned, sun-kissed skin, peppered with freckles. He's covering the lower half of his naked body with the blanket, but it doesn't hide his strong, chiseled chest. Clearly he takes care of himself. His build is muscular and broad. His hair is the same sandy blonde as his wolf's coat, and those eyes, they're just as beautiful now as they are as a wolf's. You don't realize that you're staring until he talks.

"You ain't afraid of me?" He questions, almost unbelieving that you haven't run away yet. His brows knit together just enough for a petite line to make itself evident on his forehead.

"No… you've been nothing but kind and you've helped me. Hell, you coulda ate me." You chuckle.

At the mention of that night, you remember the trap and his injury.

"How's your leg?" You ask. Your eyes move down his right calf and you see a freshly pink, rough scar marking the wound where only two weeks ago he was torn into. No human could ever heal that fast, it must be a werewolf thing.

"S'healed. Got fixed up in no time." He says, drawl low and deep. He moves over towards the fire and sits on the ground, you follow.

"What are you doin' out here anyway? Ain't safe, 'specially not by yourself." He inquires, making sure he's covered with the blanket as he looks to you for an answer.

You're not sure how you know, but you know that you can tell this man the truth. And yet you find yourself hesitating, so instead you rebuttal his question.

"I could ask you the same, mister." You quirk, smiling a bit as Marley trots over to sit by you.

"Well what's your name, then? Finally get to speak to ya, I should know your name." You ask.

You're shocked that somehow your manners slipped and you forgot to introduce yourself, but the introduction feels… odd. It's like you've known him for years. You tell him your name, to which he smiles, nodding his head like he approves, or is proud of it.

"My name's Arthur Morgan." He chortles. As if the situation isn't indecent enough, you just remember that you have an extra pair of larger clothes from the stolen bag that might fit Arthur perfectly.

"Oh, I have some clothes that might fit you. Don't even bother askin' how I came about these but- should be clean and hopefully your size." You say, standing up and grabbing the stolen saddlebag of clothes. Your boots squish in the wet grass as you bring the bag over to Arthur.

He takes the bag, and with no shame, drops the blanket to the ground.

Oh.

So apparently the part of his body that was earlier covered by the blanket was the best part. You can't help it, and he doesn't mind. You watch as he grabs clothes from the bag. There's a trail of soft brown hair that trickles from his chest hair and dips down to the base of his shaft. You gulp, closing your eyes and forcing yourself to look away from the absolute masterpiece that rests between his legs.

When Arthur is decent, you turn around, cheeks still flushed bright pink from shock and embarrassment. He hands the saddle bag out to you, which you take and toss back towards your saddle on the ground. Both of you glance to the west, realizing that the sun is setting and it will be dark soon.

"I better get goin'. It'll be dark soon…" Arthur whispers, as if there's something he wants to do or say but can't bring himself to. His eyes look to the ground, and he tips his head to you before turning around.

To his surprise, you grab his wrist. The tether between you two grows so strong that it hurts.

"Arthur, please don't go. Why don't you stay the night? Head back to wherever it is you go to in the morning." You practically whimper.

He doesn't even have to think, of course he'll stay, for you he will.

— four hours later —

The night is cold, very cold. The combined effect of your lack of coat and the slowly approaching winter doesn't help. You're curled into the tightest ball you can manage, hugging your knees and shivering. It's miserable, the type of cold that seeps into your bones. Arthur had shifted before laying down for the night, and you can hear his steady breathing behind you. He hasn't slept all night. You've drifted in and out of sleep, but he has stayed awake all night, watching you, protecting you, checking the perimeter a few times.

As soon as you begin to shiver, Arthur stands up. He circles you a few times, whining as if he is debating with himself over something. But as you whimper, miserable from the night's cruel nature, Arthur trots over. He lays at your back, and you practically moan at the relief. Arthur is so warm. You turn around, curling yourself into him. His fur is like the softest blanket you've ever felt, and his body radiates heat. It's cathartic.

"Why are you helpin' me? Bein' so kind?" You whisper, nuzzling your nose into his warm fur.

Arthur presses his wet nose into the crook of your neck, inhaling your scent once again. Just like the first night you met him, the color in his eyes bleeds to red. It's beautiful, and you look into them, curious about the change of color. You can feel that tug in your chest again, it's strong tonight, but you ignore it, pressing yourself into his frame until blissful sleep finally overcomes you.

When you wake up he's gone.

— twelve days later —

Arthur… I saw him up on the ridge above my camp today. I don't know if he runs in a pack, or why in the hell he's so far east, but… he keeps an eye on me. I swear I see those green eyes just beyond the treeline when I fall asleep. I can feel his presence when he's nearby, like something is pulling me to him. I have this drive to be around him in a way that I can't explain, like I need him… but I haven't seen him since that cold night.

You steady your hand, focusing on the old oak tree ahead of you. As you exhale, you release the knife, smiling as it lands directly into the thick trunk of the oak tree.

You trod over to the tree, bending down to pick up the few knives that you've lodged into the tree, and the two that landed on the ground. Marley barks excitedly, and you turn around to find the source.

Arthur…

He steps out of the woods slowly, head held down as he approaches you in his wolf form. He's breathing heavily, as if he was running for a while to get here.

"Been wonderin' why you haven't come to see me. Had me worried some hunter had you mounted on their wall." You joke, reaching out to pet Arthur's head. His eyes slip shut, and he pushes his nose into you, almost roughly, as if he needs this like a starved man. He once again inhales your scent deeply.

It's then that you notice something in his maw. Your eyebrows knit together as you hold out your hand. He opens his mouth, dropping a rolled up piece of paper and a wooden wolf into your hand. You're confused as to why he didn't just tell you whatever it is the note says, but you don't have time to ask as he turns tail and runs away, eyes red.

"Arthur, don't go!" You cry out to no avail.

The buzz in your chest grows as he runs and you ignore the ache, looking down to the items in your hands. The little wooden wolf is beautiful. It's been hand carved from a piece of oak and a knife. Tears well in your eyes as the ache in your chest grows, and you open the note.

I'm sorry. I can't stay around you. It's hard to explain, but it's better if I leave you be. That ache in your chest, like something pulling you? I feel it too, and more than anything, I wanna be with you, but it's not fair for me to do that to you, darlin. ‐ Arthur.

Rivulets of tears run down your cheeks as you sit on the ground, hugging your knees. You've been doing research, stopping into libraries to read books on legends of western wolves and lycanthropes. You've learned how they used to run in large packs, how they were hunted almost to extinction. But most importantly, you learned about their mates.

They can't choose their mates, instead they are pulled together by the moon. You think over the feeling in your chest, how many times you've written about the invisible tether that pulls the two of you to each other.

Is Arthur your mate…?

And if he is, why is he leaving you?

— two weeks later —

The moon is full tonight, and all you can think of is Arthur. You know he'll be out running tonight, and you hope that he comes by. You haven't seen him in weeks, and it's only made your ache to be around him stronger. Maybe the moon will alter his control, drive him to come see you. You’ve been stopping in at libraries in town, sneaking just enough to hide your face from the passerbys. Every book on lycanthropes that you've been able to find has been thoroughly analyzed. You know why he’s hiding. And dammit, if he would just come back you could convince him to stay. You rest a stray leaf in between the pages of your book to mark your page before setting it down on the ground. Marley trots over and you chuckle as he lays down on your bedroll.

It's late, past midnight as you stand up and start to dress down for the night. You’re not worried about wandering eyes, it's dark, and anyone who steps foot in your camp to look will be met with a bullet. You strip your jeans and shirt, standing bare in the grassy opening. You run your fingers through your hair, before reaching onto the ground for a clean shirt. Just as you go to grab the cloth, you hear it. A low, deep, growl resonates from the forest, it’s him. Through the opening in the trees you can see glowing red eyes, and relief washes over you. His crimson orbs are locked into the little wooden wolf that is tied around your neck.

“I know why you left, Arthur, why you think it would be best for me.” You whisper, extending your hand out as Arthur steps out from the woods slowly. His paws are massive, expertly stepping over the terrain as he inches forward.

“I've been reading and learning about wolves… I'm your mate, aren't I?” You say, barely above a whisper. Arthur leans in and licks your collarbone lightly. His eyes are so beautiful, deep red like roses.

“I feel it all the time. It’s like a tether, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

You sigh as Arthur just stands there, listening to what you’re saying.

“Be great if I could hear what you’re thinkin’.” You bite a little, irritated that you are always talking but can never hear him.

You watch as he shifts. It's a fluid movement, much more graceful than you would have expected, and in just a few moments he is standing in front of you. His eyes have returned to their soft blue, and you lean in to press your hand against his cheek. Both of you are completely bare before the other, and yet neither of you are uncomfortable. He looks to you with a question.

“You would tie yourself, you would mate to a stranger?” He asks, eyes glowing red for just a moment on the latter half of the sentence. You chuckle at his misconception. Arthur gently takes your wrist in his hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing the tender skin on the inside of your wrist. He doesn’t miss the way your breath hitches in your throat.

“Arthur, you’re not a stranger,” you chuckle, “In this time I’ve known you, you've shown me your character time and time again. I was hungry, cold, alone, and now I’m not.”

You both feel a buzz of electricity run through you, and Arthur groans deeply as he wraps his hands around your soft waist.

“Arthur, I- I need something, but I don’t know what it is. Please-” You moan against him, the tether clouding your mind. He presses his lips to your forehead, gently kissing down your temples.

“I know what you’re feelin’ and I can make it better, but darlin’ you know how this works, right?” He asks, squeezing your hips a little. Something comes over you and you can't feel anything but him, you need him.

“I want to be yours, Arthur.” You mewl, pressing your nose into his chest. Arthur growls so deep, it breaks you out of your trance for a moment. His blue eyes lock onto yours.

“You look at me. Don’t let the bond fog your head, you want this?” He asks, gripping you tightly.

“Yes.” You whisper with more clarity than you’ve ever felt. For the first time in your life, you feel at home. This is where you should be, what you are meant for.

He’s yours

Arthur’s eyes remain locked onto yours as he lifts your wrist up to his lips. Your breath quickens in anticipation as he gently bites down on the side of your wrist.

It’s unlike anything you’ve ever felt before. Suddenly you are whole. You are part of something bigger, you are with him. His other half. Your souls are permanently bonded and you can feel him all around you. You gasp at the raw emotion of it all. The tether between you and him pulls even tighter for a moment before it snaps and releases. There is no need for it anymore, as you are one. Tears fall down your cheeks as you lean up to kiss Arthur. Everything is right when your lips crash together. He moves against you as emotions sweep through you like a wave, crashing and swirling together.

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themournwatcher · 7 months ago

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SESSION ONE: WELCOME TO BAROVIA

This is the re-cap/write-up of our first session in CURSE OF STRAHD: HUNTED, a campaign run by our dungeon-master ONYX and played by a total of six people around the table. In this session the party first arrives in the plane of Barovia and meets each other, before heading toward the nearest village (also Barovia).

As a note, the character known as Luca does not show up in subsequent sessions as the player bowed out of the campaign and we brought in someone else to take their place in session 2.

View the cast HERE.

For now, though, here is the start of the STORY SO FAR. / (MOBILE LINK)

The session opens with everyone centering in on a clearing, in the woods just south of Barovia.

Melchior and Giselle had met earlier in the day; Melchior introduced himself to her as a werewolf hunter, and seeing that Giselle was lost, agreed to take her to the village of Barovia so that she could start to get her bearings. It's late, and they've just set camp. Suddenly, an elf bursts into the clearing--Lune--and only pauses for a moment to tell them to "run" before they move along, faster than anyone the other two have ever seen before.

Before Melchior and Giselle have a chance to decide what to do, there is another interruption. Falling from the sky is Crafine, the kenku, followed quickly by Vayagol, a cleric who lands on top of them. As the group struggles to get their bearings, with Melchior offering healing word to Crafine, they realize that Giselle has already run off after Lune.

Eventually, the party catches up and gathers together underneath a tree. Up in the branches, Lune is helping Luca (bloodhunter) and an injured hunter, Bernor, down from the tree. Luca is covered in blood down the front of his shirt, and Bernor is limping along with his crossbow.

Crafine's sense power ability reveals a mass of undead encroaching upon the group from every direction except to the north, so everyone heads north. The mists, which seem to be chasing them, funnels them over the bridge and into the village of Barovia. Although to outsiders, the edge of the town is dilapidated, with abandoned houses and shuttered windows, those native to the plane state that it is always in such a state. The party takes note of a mansion nearby, welcoming with warm lights in the windows, though Melchior is disinterested in seeking help there.

Luca goes to seek help in the inn (Blood of the Vine), but the locals are frightened by the encroaching mists and so no help comes. Despite Melchior's warnings, Giselle makes a run for the mansion and prompts the party to follow. They find themselves trapped within Durst Manor, as the fog closes in and gives them nowhere else to turn. Melchior and Luca hint that this might be by design, alluding to a mysterious baron, and the party goes inside to investigate what might be going on within the manor.

Just inside, in the foyer, the party encounters two children: Rose & Thorn. The two children inform the party that their parents are gone (but insist that they will return), and that a monster "lives in the basement, but is haunting them through the walls". Despite Melchior's reticence, the party agrees to help them out. They decide to leave the children with Bernor guarding them, armed with a crossbow in the foyer, while everyone else explores the lower level of the house.

A short rest is taken, and then exploration begins. It appears as though life has frozen in place: the kitchen appears to have been freshly used, a mess with food and dishware scattered everywhere, and there is a hot feast out and waiting in the dining room. No one partakes of any food, though there is some theft of the silverware after Melchior reveals that he is a werewolf hunter, and that werewolves are a threat in Barovia. He says that a table setting is unlikely to do much damage to one of the beasts, but thefts occur regardless.

Upon not finding much on the first floor, save a bungled attempt to open a locked cupboard and an aside that Vayagol might not hear from her god here, the party decides to head up into the second floor. Melchior recognizes the people in the painted portrait at the top of the stairs, and correctly identifies the face of Gustav Durst, the former master of the Durst Manor and whose family used to rule Barovia. He recognizes Elizabeth Durst, his wife, who is scowling down at the baby cradled in Gustav's arms. The two children in front of them, who he states seem to be Rose & Thorn Durst, are smiling unawares.

In the library, Lune discovers a secret passageway; within, they find runic books on the shelves (which neither Melchior nor Crafine had the time to try and translate). Also within the passageway was a skeleton, that had clearly been killed by acidic darts, clutching a letter. The letter reads as follows:

My most pathetic servant, I am not a messiah sent to you by the Dark Powers of this land. I have not come to lead you on a path to immortality. However many souls you have bled on your hidden altar, however many visitors you have tortured in your dungeon, know that you are not the ones who brought me to this beautiful land. You are but worms writhing in my earth. You say that you are cursed, your fortunes spent. You abandoned love for madness, took solace in the bosom of another woman, and sired a stillborn son. Cursed by darkness? Of that I have no doubt. Save you from your wretchedness? I think not. I much prefer you as you are. Your dread lord and master, Strahd Von Zarovich

Lune opens up the chest on which the skeleton was propped up, and retrieves several items: three identified scrolls (bless, protection from poison, spiritual weapon) and three more scrolls that have yet to be identified. In the study portion of the library, Melchior reads through the first page of an open journal that was left out near the fireplace, and locates a silver key within the desk emblazoned with the symbol of a windmill; he recognizes this windmill from his travels.

Across the hall in the music room, Luca effortlessly serenades Giselle with enchanting piano music while she dances along. Crafine and Melchior enter the music room to investigate, so Giselle steps outside to talk to Vayagol. While this is happening, Lune travels upstairs to the third level of the manor alone, triggering an attack on the party by animated armors that suddenly spring to life.

In the ensuing combat, much is revealed, such as: Giselle is capable of casting magic, despite her previous claims that she is unable to do much more than to cook or paint. Melchior spies Luca drawing his own blood in combat, and his eyes turning a bright electric blue. Crafine almost falls unconscious, but Vayagol dashes over to him to heal his injuries before he is lost.

the party calls for a long rest.

in the library, Luca reveals to Crafine the truth that he is a dhampir, and that his blood is electrified(?) He alludes to some fonder familiarity between himself and Bernor. the pair of them play cards with the children, teaching Rose & Thorn how to gamble.

in the servants quarters, Melchior is carefully embroidering red thread into a large sheaf of spare black cloth. he tells Vayagol that his mother taught him how to do, and gestures to the red flowers embroidered onto his shirt. he implies that the flowers are of traditional significance, and promises to teach her the art of embroidery at a later time.

in the hallway, Lune speaks to Giselle, who is sticking close to them out of fear from the recent attack and feeling safer with them. Lune learns that Giselle was not lying to the party, but she has only recently come into her powers. Lune ponders over the amulet around their neck before taking their meditative rest.

end long rest.

after the long rest, Crafine and Luca realize that Bernor and the children are missing. Alarmed, the rest of the party is quickly roused, and everyone agrees to ascend to the third level of the house. (Luca and Giselle first investigate the third floor, but Melchior writes them off and convinces everyone else to keep going). The third story is unlike the first two: it is decrepit and aged, walls peeling, cobwebs strung along corners and dusty furniture. Crafine locates a hidden stairwell hidden in the far wall. the party splits at this point.

Melchior, Luca, Crafine, and Vayagol enter the northern room. In this room, they find another dead body--a man, but no one knows whom. They tear this room apart with perception checks: Crafine locates a safe in the nearby wall, and Melchior locates the key locket hidden within the bed. Within the safe is a jewelry box with an expensive looking pendant and three non-magical rings; Luca takes the pendant, and Crafine tricks Melchior into handing over the rings. Vayagol reminds them that they are supposed to be looking for Bernor and the children.

Melchior notices that Crafine is additionally wearing a wedding ring.

In the southern room, Lune and Giselle open the door and are set upon by a specter who does not want to permit them entry into the room. Both of them attempt to calm the spirit enough to enter the room, but fail. They do get the specter to indicate that the missing children are another floor up, on the fourth floor, accessible only by the recently discovered secret passage.

On the fourth floor, the party locates the bedroom of Rose & Thorn Durst. It is discovered that the children they previously met on the first floor were not the real spirits, but an entity mimicking them. Through questioning the children, it is inferred that Strahd likely killed their parents at a dinner banquet, and the children were left to starve alone upstairs.

During this discussion, Melchior becomes visibly distressed and leaves the room; although he occasionally interjects with questions, he is mostly pale and sick-looking for a time.

The dollhouse in their room reveals that passages to the basement are missing that should have been there. The house is sentient, and was hiding the basement access from the party (either to protect us or to protect itself). Crafine wraps up the bones of the children to properly bury them; additionally, he and Giselle both allow themselves to be possessed by Rose & Thorn. Lune takes the dolls of the children at Melchior's behest.

Before they descend to the basement, Crafine and Melchior have an argument at the top of the stairwell. Melchior insists that attempting to fight the creature within the manor is futile, as everything within Barovia is subject to the will of Strahd Von Zarovich: their best attempt would be to flee and chance with the mist. Crafine argues that it is the coward's way out, and that there is no other way but to the basement. Despite his reservations, Melchior makes no attempt to leave the group.

During this argument, Melchior bares his teeth at Crafine, revealing sharp canines; Luca notices this and asks Melchior if he is also a dhampir, something which Melchior affirms. Luca shows off his ability to spider climb on the ceiling.

As they descend, Crafine moves slowly, allowing for some to get a chance to converse. Melchior and Luca discuss dhampirism (with a few interjections from Crafine), in which Melchior agrees that they are strange kindred, but does not reveal what he hungers for (Luca is revealed to be a classic bloodsucker). additionally, it comes out that Crafine is in his 40s, with two children between the ages of 20-23. Luca is revealed to be physically 24, but due to his dhampirism, he is also up into his 40s. Melchior is simply 24, Giselle is 18, and Vayagol is 19. Lune does not offer their age.

Melchior keeps getting tripped by Something as they continue to head down the stairs. Crafine is using his sense powers skill repeatedly, fretting over a consecrated presence that has repeatedly occurred. As it keeps showing up from behind, he begins to shuffle the party members in front of him on the stairs so that he can narrow down from whom it is coming. Surprisingly, the cleric, Vayagol, is not the source of this consecrated energy. It is narrowed down to either Giselle or Lune, before Melchior, now at the front of the group, is violently shoved down the stairs.

As he recovers and gets his bearings, the rest of the party catches up to him. Melchior accuses Luca, who had been behind him, of being the one to push him. Luca denies this and the two bicker until Crafine puts an end to it, saying they need to keep moving.

Melchior indicates the group should go to their right, and lead them to a crypt. Underneath the Durst Manor is the Durst Family Crypt, which Melchior notes with no small amount of alarm seems suspiciously empty. As they head south, they find the four empty tombs of the immediate durst family: Gustav, Elizabeth, Rosevalda, and Thornboldt.

Crafine puts the bones of the children into their respective tombs (and Lune lays their dolls to rest with them), and the spirits pass on. Crafine and Giselle are no longer considered possessed.

As they head further into the crypt, Melchior is attacked by a hidden creature referred to as a grick. Thankfully, it is quickly disposed of, with Lune making the killing blow.

END OF SESSION ONE.

#cos: the story so far #cos: hunted #session recap #session one #cos: crafine #cos: giselle #cos: lune #cos: melchior #cos: vayagol #curse of strahd #barovia #death house

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aspenonpawzzz · 3 months ago

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Enter the Wolves Den…..

[[[

L̶̶O̶̶A̶̶D̶̶I̶̶N̶̶G̶̶….

]]]

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[W̶̶ELCOME TO EXISTENCE: THE GAME. PLEASE CHOOSE FILE̶̶]

[FILE SELECTED]

[OPENING FILE: Canis-Constellation]

{̶̶{̶̶I̶̶N̶̶T̶̶R̶̶O̶̶ ̶L̶̶O̶̶A̶̶D̶̶I̶̶N̶̶G̶̶}̶̶}̶̶

“Welcome, welcome!! I’m Aspen, the host of the canis-constellation plural!”

[[[

ASPEN. (PRONOUNS: They/them/theirs, it/its/it’s (AGE: Minor) (ASEXUAL, OMNIROMANTIC, (DEMIGENDER-FAUN XENOHOARDER.) (RED FOX, AA WOLF, WESTERN COYOTE, AND TAN SABLE GSD THERIAN) (AUDHD, MADD, TRICOTILLAMANIA (TITLES: They the creator, The first being) ]]]

ⓐⓛⓣⓔⓡ ⓛⓘⓢⓣ

- briar 🪶🥀 |16| {They/Them} [ADHD] /Asexual Abroromantic\ ‘Grimwalker’ <sliver scout>

-River 🌊🐺|16.3| {it/they/wolf themed neos} [Autism] /omni ace\ ‘werewolf’ (in qpr/relationship with phantom) <none>

-Hunter/phantom🪶🐺⚡️{He/they/it/canine themed neos} |16| [Autism C-PTSD] /Biromantic Asexual\ 'shapeshifting grimwalker' <He who guards, The Golden Guard, It who transforms>

-Hycan 🐺🔩🔌 {He/it, } |16/17| [Autism] /aroace\ ‘human’ it does have a animatironic form but it prefers human form (credit to @wolfsnooze for AU) <none>

-Salem 🔪 🩸 |13.5| {it/Its, ok with masc terms} [Intrusive thoughts] /Aroace\ 'Void-kin' <death, it that comes for all, grim-reaper>

- Polaris 💫💦 |400| {They/them} [Madd] /Aroace\ 'divine being' <Sentinel of the stars, they the divine>

ⓕⓐⓥⓞⓡⓘⓣⓔⓢ

Turn off the lights (Panic! At the disco)

the owl house

green

All seasons

Wolf walkers

Oh geeez, not again, panic at the disco, marina and the diamonds, cave town

Spirit of the north, Zelda, Minecraft, grow home, and STRAY.

ⓣⓐⓖⓢ

#aspen yips: silly stuff

#aspen speaks (REAL): important

#aspen barks: alterhuman stuff

#aspen squeals: fandom/ hyperfixation

#aspen crows: neurodivergency

#aspen howls: creative

#[insert word or something] Au: AUs

#our pack: plural posts

#c.ai shenanigans: c.ai posts

#leaving the den: life updates and talking with mutuals

#pinned info: very important, stuff I’d like for every being to see!

#<3 stormy: my bestest fren in the whole multiverse

#EZRA! :IRL tag

#Tumblr relics : important Tumblr posts (EX: do you love the color of the sky)

ⓘⓝⓣⓔⓡⓔⓢⓣⓢ

the owl house (special interest)

Gravity Falls

Alterhumanity

Labels and stuff

Vulture culture

Oddities

Cryptids

Fanf (new to)

Norse mythology

TOH fictionfolk community:

Youtube: Aspen_On-Pawzz - YouTube

AO3: A_wild_angst_nommer_fox - Profile | Archive of Our Own

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Aspen_on_fox_pawz

pronouns page: https://en.pronouns.page/@Aspen_On_Pawzz

carrd: https://aspenonpawss.carrd.co

pronouns cc: https://pronouns.cc/@Aspen_On_Paws

My Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/AspenOnPawssss/

Besties Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/f1nst3rth3f3m/

Besites tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/stormyonpaws

ⓕⓐⓝⓓⓞⓜⓢ ⓐⓝⓓ ⓢⓟⓔⓒⓘⓐⓛ ⓘⓝⓣⓔⓡⓔⓢⓣⓢ

{special interests in bold, hyperfixtions in italics}

-Welcome to nightvale (newly found)

-the owl house. (I’m Hunter)

-Gravity falls (I be like dipper)

-wolfwalkers (favorite movie)

-FNAF (I look like Micheal 😭)

-stardew valley

-STRAY

-Minecraft

-the hycalon project (Fnaf / toh AU by wolfsnooze)

-cryptozoology and weird stuff

ⓢⓘⓓⓔⓑⓛⓞⓖⓢ

@canis-constellation (plural)

@phantom-w0lfbane (fictive/fictionkin)

@aspec-warriors (Aspec mafia)

@aspens-hoard (label hoarding/coining)

@yourlocalangstdealer (writing/ horror)

ⓜⓐⓢⓣⓔⓡⓛⓘⓢⓣⓢ

ⓓⓝⓘ, ⓡⓤⓛⓔⓢ,ⓐⓝⓓ ⓑⓞⓤⓝⓓⓔⓡⓘⓔⓢ

DNI:

anti-lgbtq+, people who ship canon (insert sexuality) with (instert gender that the person is NOT attracted to) ei, a lesbian with a male, anti-furry,anti-therian,anti-vulture culture,anti-quadrobics, 18+ or kink blogs, if you’re older that 18(unless I knew you before you turned 18, or pass The Vibe Check{stalk ur blog}) , ableists, racists, exculionist, anti-endo, The works.

PLEASE INTERACT:

Alterhumans (Therians, otherkin, otherkith, otherhearted, animal hearted,otherlink,copinglink, furrians[furry therians], holotheres, soul shards, phytanthropes, and ANY OTHERS PLEASE ) furries, TOH or gf fans, artists and writers and cosplayers and musicains, freaks and werdios, vulture culturists, quadrobists, mogia and liom, enbies and enbyfluxes, fictionkins and fictives, systems,LGBTQIA+and people with decency.

PLEASE DO NOT:

treat me lesser/younger than you, treat me like a child, call me human, or person/people, talk Abt politics ,or involve me in such matters, repost(reblogging is fine) my ideas.

RANDOM OTHER BLOG RULES

This is a "Ship and let ship" blog. only exceptions are "insert orenation" with "a gender orenation is NOT attracted to" , Minor with not minor, [age] with [ age more than 2-3 years apart] aroace with anyone, bully x victim (ie bochlow) villian x hero with in certain bounderies, ab#sive or toxic ships, or proships.

NO HATING/DISSING ON OTHERS SHIPS. ANY WILL BE BLOCKED.

any aggressive hating/ threats will be blocked. only z0()s, n3cr0s, p3d0s, and other harmful paraphiles are allowed to be hated on here. if you support/are these, find help and leave this blog. this is not for you. i want to point out that I’m pro-recovery. I want you to get better. But I will block any and all zoophiles and necrophiles, regardless if you’re in recovery or not. Sorry.

gatekeeping is not allowed. at all.

support of KOSA and other things like this is not allowed.

take your discorse and politics elsewere. this is a fun blog for fun stuff.

I am a minor, if +18 dni unless I, a trusted person, or a mewtual vet your blog.

I WILL SPAM LIKE AND REBLOG.

I use tonetags.

if you follow me, please follow (if dni allows) @justalexisfine, @stupidcav (FELLOW TOH KIN, REALLY COOL) @yourelocaltransdude @hex12345678910

my fren(I'm his caretaker): @stormyonpaws

other IRL: @no-braincells-ava

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chimcess · 2 years ago

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Birdie Shoppe || pjm (VI)

Pairing: Jimin x Reader Other tags: Werewolf!Jimin, Witch!Reader, Shifter!Reader, Shifter!Jimin, A/B/O Dynamics, Alpha!Jimin Genre: Supernatural!AU, Werewolf!AU, Angst, Mutual Pining, Fluff, Smut, Word Count: 5.5k Synopsis: Within the four realms of Lustra lay the Bangtan forest home to the Foxglove pack of the north and known as the “land of magic.” It is also home to the Birdie, a powerful witch from a cursed bloodline who is one of the sacred guardians of the forest. Y/N is the 123rd Birdie, a young girl who was given her position too early and asked by the goddess herself to fulfil a task none had ever done before- become the Grand Witch of the Foxglove pack. Now a woman, Y/N is revered as the most loved and powerful Birdie of all time, but hiding under the surface is a woman who has to battle between her duty and her heart. Warnings: Long-hair Jimin (yes, this is a warning), Cursing, ANGST, Crying, Heartbreak, kissing, tongue kissing, Tae is my sweet baby boy and I love him, pretty tame chapter... hope you’re happy... LOL (sorry in advance) A/N: Another fast update. I’m on a roll! This one was a super fun write for me- especially the end. I hope you all enjoy it! Thank you so much❤️❤️❤️

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“Y/N,” Auntie whispered, her fingers running through my hair.

The sun had just begun to rise, the sky was still purple, and I struggled to open my eyes. Stirring, I moaned and rubbed my face. My eyes continued drooping closed and I yawned loudly.

Aldara chuckled, “Wake up, sleepy head. I want to make breakfast together.”

Shaking my head, I flipped over the pancake. In the dining room, Taehyung, Jimin, and the witches were talking about the best fishing spots in Bangtan. Seokjin and Yoongi had decided to drop in this morning, and while I did not get a reason for the sudden visit, I assumed it had something to do with Wendy. Seokjin had seemed surprised about the wolves and asked if we could speak privately after everyone had eaten. I heard Taehyung asking how vegan pancakes tasted good and I laughed.

I had started a vegetarian diet after Aldara died. It was nearly impossible to get meat when I was unable to leave my home. I cut out animal products completely four years ago after I got closer with the animals in the area. It felt wrong to eat someone I could have known.

“They’re not that different from ‘normal’ ones,” I answered. “I just use oat flour, bananas, and flaxseeds mixed with water. Everything else is the same.”

I could not see the face the alpha made, but I knew it was similar to disgust. Taehyung emoted the same for several emotions. Confusion, disgust, and anger were all similar enough to take a guess. Yoongi laughed and it made me smile. The two of us were the most similar in terms of lifestyle choices, but he ate fish with Seokjin from time-to-time.

“Why would you mix flax seeds and water together?” Taehyung asked, his bewilderment coating his tongue.

Grabbing a plate, I flipped the fresh pancake onto my small stack before heading over to the table. Various jars of preserves and marmalades were out along with Yoongi’s homemade syrup he had sent to me. While I had always enjoyed honey on my pancakes and toast, after cutting out animal products, I started mixing and matching to find something I liked more. Peanut butter and banana slices have not been topped by anything else. However, I had used all of my bananas making breakfast and had to settle for syrup.

“It replaces the egg,” I explained. “You mix it with the banana and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken up. It’s something our friend Hyun-jin taught me. He lives in Moland and doesn’t get access to the market very often.”

“How do you get things from the market?” Jimin asked.

“I go very often,” Seokjin replied. “I always get things for Yoongi and Birdie when I go. Yoongi does the same as well.”

I hummed and nodded. “I have great friends.”

After breakfast, Yoongi invited the boys to go on a walk with him in the forest. Taehyung had brought up his new found interest in the beings that lived in Bangtan, and the witch had offered to show him a jackalope borough a few minutes away. Jimin offered to go so he could keep an eye on Taehyung. I knew they could handle themselves but I assumed Jimin wanted to give Seokjin and I space after the solar witch declined the offer. After they left, I began picking up the dishes with Seokjin’s help.

We worked quietly for a time. I washed while he dried. I knew whatever he wanted to say was on the tip of his tongue, his constant opening and closing of his mouth making that known, but I stayed patient. Jin was hesitating which was strange for him but I knew he was trying to collect his thoughts. Wendy threw him off kilter often and all of us were friends so it made talking openly challenging. Yoongi had the same problem but would only come alone if he needed to vent. Hyun-Jin was always his first pick since he was far removed from the forest.

After the dishes were done, I began to wipe down the table and put away the toppings. Seokjin lingered but did not help with this. Instead, he put away the dishes. It took a few more minutes before he spoke.

“Wendy wrote to me,” He said.

I hummed. I did not want to talk about her letter to me yet. I tried to respect privacy as much as possible and kept a lot to myself. We were all too close for comfort at times and overzealous. Wendy was the worst with this and Jin was unable to keep his mouth shut for forever, and so I tried to be someone reliable. Yoongi was better than I was but that was because he never gave much thought to other people. Their problems were not his and therefore did not truly matter.

“She said she wants to be with me.”

“Well,” I sighed. “How do you feel about that?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s… complicated.”

Lifting myself onto the kitchen island, I nodded.

“I’m sure I can keep up.”

“For as long as I’ve known her, I’ve liked her to some capacity. She’s never really liked me in the same way, at least, not as much as I liked her.” He reasoned. And that was true.

Wendy had always looked the other way, said one thing and did another, and never truly opened her heart to him properly. Sure, she admitted that she liked him but would run after Yoongi when given the chance. At first, I thought Seokjin was reading too much into things, but when I stopped to think about it, he was right to be upset. Wendy placed Yoongi on a pedestal and often ignored how much she hurt everyone else in the process. Even Yoongi.

“I knew she meant it when she said she liked me,” He continued. “I knew that she had feelings and affections, but the second she saw him it was like we were twelve again. How can I know she’s serious this time? She’s been away, hasn’t seen anyone in months, and decides she is in love with me. What about when she sees Yoongi again? Will it still be true?”

I felt sorry for Jin. He’s never looked away from Wendy, much like Wendy was never able to fully look away from Yoongi. I knew his heart was genuine, but I was also aware of how sheltered he was. Bangtan was secluded and meeting others was difficult. I was not sure if his want for Wendy would be the same if he realized that the world was much broader than this forest. Still, I was not foolish enough to think that telling someone that there were more fish in the sea would be helpful.

“I don’t want to get hurt again,” He whispered.

“I know,” I replied. “I wouldn’t want that either.”

“How can I trust her words?”

I shook my head. “I… I’m not sure. I’ve always thought you two were just stubborn. I can see how much you both care, but I’m not okay with the toxicity. As much as I want the both of you to be happy, preferably together, I can’t stand the tension.

“I think you should try it out- if you want to. See what happens. Maybe seeing her sister getting married changed something for her, or the time away- I don’t know. I do know that if you’re coming to me then that means she said something that sat with you. I would think about that and your own feelings.”

“She said that she loves me,” He muttered after a long moment of silence. “She said that after you two spoke- thank you by the way, that she felt more confident to talk to me. It was the first time I felt her apology was genuine.”

I nodded. “It felt that way for me, too.”

We had a long stretch of silence, the two of us just looking at one another, before Jin looked down. With a deep sigh, he ruffled his hair before asking to borrow a paper and pen from me. He knew where everything was so it was an easy yes. I was no more sure of what was to come than before, but hoped whatever it may be that my friends would be happy.

He sent off his letter soon after. I had started sweeping and making a schedule for the day in my head. There was a lot that I needed to get done. My absence had caused a large supply chain blockage to the sea coven and I needed to get on it right away. Shiloh was asleep, her schedule still recovering from her trip, but I would wake her up to make the delivery later. No one else lived close enough to justify the trip and with Wendy still gone I had no one to send it to magically. After some more thinking, I asked Jin if he could write Cordelia and ask if anyone would be willing to pick up the supplies. He agreed easily and got to work.

It was a rare moment of silence with the solar witch. I knew his mind was all over the place, and his anxieties were not helping the matter one bit. I feared the worst but knew he would speak to me about it when he was ready. I would give him his quiet.

“I rejected her,” He finally said, voice cracking.

“Oh, Jinnie,” I cooed, putting my broom down and gathering him in my arms. That was a hard thing for him to do. I was proud of him for doing what was best for him, even if I was hoping my friends could make it work for both of their sake. “I’m so sorry.”

He sobbed, “I can’t do it again, B. I just can’t.”

And I understood. I would deal with Wendy later, her own emotions probably bubbling over. I was sure Jin had alluded to being friends, keeping in contact- something that would give her hope like she had done so many times before. I knew he meant it and wanted the four of us to be like we were. I was no fool to think it would actually happen. Too much had been done and said for anything to be the same as it was. Still, I hope with time we could grow together. I loved my friends dearly and hoped we could spend Yule together like we had when we were young.

“I know. I know,” I whispered, rubbing his back.

Jin held me tightly and cried.

Over the next three days, Jimin and Taehyung started to venture out of the house more often. I had not heard from Wendy or Jin, but Yoongi wrote daily to make sure that I was alright. He was worried I would get another unexpected visit from the wolves. I was not sure if that was the case, but I was prepared to speak to someone eventually. I had a feeling Hoseok was staying away in order to keep the peace. When Jimin and I spoke about him it seemed like he was trying to make Namjoon change his mind. So far that had not been the case. Taehyung was becoming more resolute to the possibility of a fight and had been training with Jimin for when the time came.

Shiloh had woken up earlier and earlier over the course of the last few days. Not as early as I was used to, but I would take noon over eleven at night. Taehyung and Jimin were still getting used to my late mornings. After staying up well into the night I was not out of bed unless absolutely necessary. My magic was stronger than it had been but I could feel my body was still adjusting. Ever since I was child my magic drained the life out of me. Using defensive magic used even more than anything else and the Namjoon incident had thrown me for a loop.

Aldara used to worry about my fainting spells after our lessons. She said that it was unnatural for a witch to become so overwhelmed by their own magic, but after many years of self reflection, I realized that my body was always using magic. Unlike other witches who could control their output, my gifts left me vulnerable and weakened. The constant possessions and lack of self control were two of the biggest downfalls of my own power. However, a small outburst would no longer make me as depleted as it once had. The last time I had a fainting spell had been the night I found the cottage on fire.

Flipping through my grimoire, I tried to find the potion I made that reduced anxiety. Wendy was returning tomorrow and Cordelia asked if I could send some to Syrena. I had only made this particular recipe twice and was still too unfamiliar with it to make it from memory. It would be Wendy’s luck that I sent over a shifting potion rather than a mood stabilizer.

I was worried about her. While it was normal to go weeks without talking, I was afraid she may be upset with me over Seokjin. I was sure she was suspicious we had spoken and probably thought I told him what to do. That, or she had convinced herself that Yoongi had something to do with it. Wendy had a difficult time seeing things for what they were, and while I felt empathy for her, I would never choose between my friends. I loved and respected them both and wished I could get out of the middle of everything. It was her who told him about our conversation in the first place.

Unable to find it I grew frustrated. I hated being so unorganized. Everything was sprawled about and jotted down in sloppy, rushed writing. Half of it hardly made sense to me and I pitied my successor. Poor girl will have to learn how to read hieroglyphics before she could understand half of what was written. Giving up, I slammed the book shut and decided to write Hyun-Jin. He was the only witch I knew that would have something like this on standby. Carefully rolling the paper, I began to chant a new spell I had learned after reading Birdie Pippa’s grimoire, and blew. The paper turned to ash and was gone.

Pippa was by all accounts a whackjob. She had the most unorthodox methods of any witch I had ever read or heard of. Even looking through her countless spellbooks made that abundantly clear. She drew many of her spells in a step-by-step fashion that was somehow more difficult to follow than normal. Every spell and potion had strange ingredients that you would never put together and yet worked. She was brilliant. Aldara always made fun of my adoration for the woman, called me the next “nutcase,” and teased me about my own muddled grimoire. Still, no one could deny how talented Pippa was. This spell in particular was one of my favorites I learned so far. It was simple, used hardly any energy at all, and was extremely effective. I was happy my days of door drawing were gone- even if I invented that one.

The front door slammed open. Screaming, I felt my heart speed up and my vision flash black and white for a moment. Composing myself, I shot daggers at Taehyung as he strolled into the cottage. Jimin bowed, his apology clear, before following the younger alpha inside.

“It’s such a beautiful day!” Taehyung exclaimed, rolling onto the couch.

My eye twitched.

“Try that again,” I demanded.

The man shot up. His confusion was clear. Jimin just glared at him without a word.

“Try what again?” Taehyung asked.

“Walking into my house like a civilized person,” I deadpanned. “I swear, you act like you’ve never learned manners a day in your life. First putting your dirty, disgusting, muddy boots on my counter and now this? Thin ice, Alpha. Thin ice.”

Taehyung scratched the back of his head and did as I asked. This time he gently opened the door and shut it. Satisfied, I hummed before going back to looking at my spellbook. I really needed to buy a new one just to fix how ugly it all looked. I wanted to slap the little girl who thought this system was going to work. Groaning, I stood up and decided to take my work to the cellar.

“What are you looking for?” Taehyung asked, face glowing when he realized where I was going.

The wolf enjoyed taking trips with me and looking over my shoulder. I knew he hardly understood anything since most of it was written in Latin, but I knew it meant a lot to him. His curiosity never seemed to lessen or change. Jimin had not asked to come but I had a feeling it was his way of not being “rude.” I wished he would.

“I need to find a spell for a friend,” I answered. “I have one but I wrote it when I was twelve and did not care if I could read it again. Such a childish thing to do.”

Taehyung laughed and was by my side without another second passing. Both of the wolves enjoyed hearing about my childhood. Tae had said it made me more human, but Jimin always told him that everyone knew I was. I wondered about their own childhood days. Jimin had been brave and reserved when we first met, just as he is now, but there was a sweetness there that was no longer present. This innocence that he could never get back. I knew that he could say the same about me. Seeing him again after all of those years had been a shock to my system. It was almost like our time in the forest had been completely erased from his memory. I was happy to see the gentleness within him again.

“May I join you?”

Pausing, I looked up at the alpha. Taehyung had already gone down the stairs and I could hear him shuffling through things. Jimin smiled at me and I nodded. I was still riding high after the other night. We had not talked about it but I knew something had changed since then. Jimin was more willing to be near me, his eyes ever so slightly softer, and his voice was like clouds. It felt like the wall of ice he had around himself had melted and I was able to feel his warmth once more. Jimin followed behind me closely.

After lighting the sconces on the walls, I found Taehyung curled in a corner of the room with a book in his hand. It was probably another one of Aldara’s monster books. She had seen so much in her long life. Before she took her place as the Birdie, Aldara had been a monster slayer. The first person in the world to defeat a Quietus, and was so good at it, she chased them out of Bangtan. All the ones that remain are in the southern part of Moland and rely on lost travelers for food. The book Taehyung held were the short stories Aldara had written about her adventures. She was far cooler than me at that age.

“It’s bigger than I thought,” Jimin whispered.

“It grows whenever we need a new bookcase,” I replied.

Jimin did not ask for clarification. He did not ask as many questions as Taehyung did, which I also chalked up to the etiquette training he received when he became an alpha. Taehyung had barely started those before being exiled. I thought about Namjoon and my letter and sighed. I still had not heard back from him. Jimin said my name, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Who was the first Birdie?”

Shaking my head, I smiled. “Her name was Rosette.”

“How did this family thing even start?” Taehyung wondered out loud.

Taking a breath, I sat down at my small desk and gestured for the two men to sit. I recalled the first time I had heard this story. Back then, Aldara was less rigid and tense. Her hands were so much bigger than mine, and I remember her cooing at the dimples where my knuckles should be. I had been entranced by the blonde woman she had spoken so highly of.

“Rosette was from the Foxglove Village. This was many years ago when the town was home to all the shifters in Lustra. She was the daughter of a merchant and grew up surrounded by people who adored her. Life in Bangtan was hard but calm. That’s when the tales of the Quietus started to spread down south.”

Quietus were soul eaters. Their human facades hid their true form, a large, shadow-like body that could see through you. They are dangerous, deadly, and most importantly- impossible to kill. Jimin’s face told me he knew of them. Taehyung was still lost in the fairytale. I sighed before continuing.

“These creatures were unheard of. No one in the village had heard of them before. Quietus were the original people of Northorn who had been defeated by the elves that wished to conquer the land. Bangtan was the only place they could go, and they found the perfect meals in the people of Foxglove.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Taehyung interrupted. “Shifters are strong.”

“Yes,” I agreed. “Your ancestors were strong people who lived through the century war and found a home here. However,” I pursed my lips. “These were times when your kind were not fighters. The foxes that were there to protect the city were no match for the Quietus. It was said that no one but one made it out alive.”

“Rosette,” Jimin muttered.

“Yes, Rosette,” I nodded. “She was a beautiful girl. Her long, blonde hair and bright green eyes made her stand out in a crowd. She was a bird shifter who was in love with a fox in town. She was only 16 when the attack on the village began. Of course, she was not the only survivor. She, her sister, and a lucky few were able to escape.

“Rosette was the oldest and was familiar with military strategies from her time with the fox boy. She told them all to split up and find their way to safety. Rose found herself in this very clearing when she called out to the sky to help her. She asked Lilith for help. Suddenly, she was surrounded by warmth despite the the fact that she was caught in the middle of a blizzard. She knew it was Lilith, she never knew how she did, but it was a feeling, and the wind around her asked what she wanted.

“Rosette asked for her sister’s life to be spared and in exchange she would do whatever the Goddess wanted. Lilith accepted this offer. In exchange for her sister, Rosette and her bloodline would be tasked with being a guardian of the forest. That was the day we lost our freedom. She woke up the following morning in this cottage, her leg chained just as mine is now, and magic she had never had before. After being alone for over 100 years, Lilith sent her Jordana. We never know when we’ll be sent our pupil but when it happens we have 16 years left. It’s our duty to train them, raise them, and prepare them before our ascension to the spirit world.”

“Why can’t you shift as you please then?” Taehyung asked. Jimin smacked his arm but I waved him off.

No harm in asking.

“Our transformations are directly tied with the moon and sun. Lilith loves to see us dancing, whirling, and twirling through the sky. We’re lucky we were able to keep that part of ourselves in the deal. Magic and shifting is simply unheard of outside of these woods.”

“Is it the same for genuine werewolves?” Taehyung asked. “The sun and moon thing?”

I laughed, “No, silly. Werewolves are cursed to be compelled by the full moon. They’re practically animals after their first transformation. No one comes back from that and they usually die three months later. Nothing like what you and I are.”

Taehyung seemed placated by this. He often called himself a werewolf much to Jimin’s chagrin. I could understand why the older alpha would be offended. They were born what they are and their bloodline is strong. A werewolf has to be made and their species is dying out in the Ozryn Mountains from starvation. The last werewolf outbreak was decades ago and was swiftly dealt with by the dwarves in Idris.

After the story was over, Taehyung went back to reading Aldara’s book and I got to look around for that stupid potion again. I had yet to hear back from Hyun-Jin and assumed he was busy. He was awful at writing back.

Jimin walked around the cellar and traced all of the books. It was astounding just how many were in here. Aldara alone had written over forty grimoires in her lifetime, and she was known to only figure out defensive magic spells. Rosette had 120, Jordana had 205, and Griselda had the record for the most with 223. I could not imagine having so many ideas. I have only finished three so far and was working on my fourth. I came up with more spells in my youth than I did now. I had a lot more fun with my magic then, too. Feeling bad about myself, I decided to take a break.

“Your aunt was so cool,” Taehyung said.

“Yeah, she was the coolest,” I grinned, my voice growing quiet at the word “was.”

It was late. The three of us had spent the day in the cellar. Jimin quietly skimmed through the books and was happy when I pointed him towards the diaries on the small shelf in the back. Taehyung had enough stories to last him a few more years. I flipped through Pippa’s spell books and made small talk with Taehyung. He always had something to say and it was nice to have someone fill the silence around here.

Taehyung had gone up to take a nap over an hour ago leaving Jimin and I alone in the cellar. He was hunched over a book, eyebrows knitted in concentration, and tongue sticking out ever so slightly. I was sure he knew I kept stealing looks but chose not to comment on my ogling. It was rare to see him so closely and relaxed. Shiloh had let me know she was visiting Morla to give updates on Wendy. Mumbling under my breath, I watched as the pen and ink I had brought down earlier wrote in my spellbook. I caved and let them do the work for me.

While reading over the other grimoires and books within the cellar, I had made myself a few notes of things I could experiment with. It was not as fun as Pippa’s nor as straightforward as Griselda’s, but I was happy to have thought of anything in the first place. Most of my experimenting went to the wolf pack and it was nice to have fun for myself. Aldara would be happy to see my creative muscles flexing again.

“Birdie?” Jimin called, voice soft and smooth.

I hummed and looked over. His hair looked dark gray in the candle light and I eyed the messy flyaways floating around him. I wished I could brush them down. Jimin regarded me with the same stoic face I had come to love. I knew it was only a small facade put in place for the sake of his people. They needed a strong, dominant leader around them and no one else wanted to fill that role. I saw the ghost of a smile graze his lips and relaxed further into my chair. Those were only reserved for a chosen few.

“Why don’t you have anything here?” He asked.

“Everything that I own is upstairs,” I replied. “It would be far too much effort to come here anytime I needed to write or look over my work.”

He chuckled, “So, you do have a diary?”

Blushing, I nodded.

“All of us do. It’s the best way to keep records for our successors.”

I would not allow him to read mine. It had far too many thoughts that I never wanted to reenter my mind. There was a particular time where I wrote daily and thus created five separate books detailing my misery. I would be mortified if Jimin or anyone for that matter got their hands on those. They held my deepest fears, darkest desires, and above all- my name. I was always the most open in my writing and never felt the need to keep anything hidden. No one had ever noticed them on display or bothered to care much for them at all.

“Yours must be very interesting.”

I shook my head, “Not really. Mostly the angsty ramblings of a teenager. Nothing more.”

I sounded convincing enough. I heard Jimin shuffling around but refused to look his way. Deciding that I was done for the night, I began closing and stacking the grimoires I had taken out. I will sort through them later. Glancing at the walls, I could not tell what time it was but knew it had to be close to sunset. I needed to get to my room soon.

Going to turn, strong arms found themselves resting on either side of my waist. Shocked, I turned my head to find Jimin standing directly behind me. He chest pressed against my shoulder as I turned to face him. He had never been so close to me before.

I could count the small, individual freckles that dotted along his nose. His eyelashes were longer than I thought they were and flared out accentuating his eye shape. Everything about him was overwhelming and his scent hit me like a freight train. Hands gripping onto my desk, I struggled to speak.

“Jimin?” I managed to get out.

“Can I ask you something?” He whispered, getting closer.

Our chests touched and his hands moved behind my back. I felt his arms wrapping around me but his hands stayed on the table. Nervously breaking our eye contact, I glanced behind me to see his hands sitting one on top of the other. I was shaking and had a hard time breathing. Jimin called my name and I snapped back to his gaze.

“Can I?” His eyes were as black as coal.

A deep shiver went up my spine. Unable to form a coherent thought, I nodded. I swallowed thickly and reminded myself to breathe. Jimin smiled at me.

“Do you enjoy my company?”

Again, I could only manage a nod. Jimin’s face drew closer to mine. I took a sharp breath and held his eyes. I was searching for the meaning of this but found I could not read him anymore. This was a different man from the person that had been reading moments ago.

“Do you like being close to me?”

“Yes,” I replied breathlessly.

“Do you want me to stop?” He whispered, his breath brushing my lips.

I knew I should have pushed him away and told him that this could never work. Our lives were too different. It was far too complicated. He had a mate out there waiting for him. He would forget about me soon enough. Even knowing all of that, I shook my head.

“No.”

It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. Jimin’s lips were soft and warm and lit my body on fire. The kiss was searing and I felt the flames so deeply they licked at my bones. Hot shots of electricity licked my spine and I grabbed a hold of his chest without another thought. Jimin’s arms encased me. Everything that I feared, wondered, and regretted did not matter anymore. None of it matters. He was here and he was mine.

Pulling away, I opened my eyes and saw him already gazing down at me. His eyes were so soft, gentle, and kind. Everything about him made me feel safe. He bent down and nuzzled his nose into my hairline.

“Thank you,” He whispered.

Dazed, I only nodded before seeking his lips out again. Jimin cupped my face and drew me impossibly closer. Any tenderness was gone the moment my tongue accidentally grazed his bottom lips. With a small growl, Jimin licked his way into my mouth and roughly grabbed a hold of my hips. Using his leg, he gently pried my legs apart and lifted me onto the desk. My hands had a vice grip on his shirt.

Suddenly, I felt a cold shiver run through my body and yanked away. Jimin took a few steps back. I could see that he understood what was happening. After choking out a “go,” I stood up from the desk and screamed. Jimin was out of the cellar before the first feather broke through my scarred skin.

Taglist: @greezenini @adventures-in-bookland @kthstrawberryshortcake-main @zae007live @jimin-neverout @nikkiordonez12 @canarystwin @yamekomz @chimthicc

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ghostinthelibrarywrites · 1 year ago

Note

Absolutely on the edge of my seat for your werewolf fic. I'm waiting so patiently but also like, vibrating in place whenever I think of it.

Progress for Howling at the Hollow Moon (formerly known as Not Another Geraskier Werewolf AU) is coming along slowly but surely! I'm still trying really hard to keep to my new rule for long fics where I need to finish them before I start posting them, but it's hard.

Here's a snippet:

“Come on.” Priscilla grabs Jaskier’s hand and drags him towards the trees. “We’re parked a little ways down the mountain.” Jaskier lets her pull him several feet before he remembers that he’s twice her size and digs in his heel, bringing them to a stop. “What are you doing here?” She gives him a look like he’s speaking nonsense. “Oh, we just thought this was a nice time of year for a hike. Saving you, obviously.” “We?” “Your Aunt Heidi is here.” “What? Where?” Jaskier can’t imagine Heidi waiting in the car and sending Priscilla to fetch Jaskier. “She’s going to create a distraction,” “A distraction? No.” Jaskier yanks his arm out of her grasp. “Look, I’m perfectly safe here. They’ve been lovely.” “They kidnapped you!” “My family kidnapped me. The Kaer Morhen Pack just had me foisted upon them.” “If you’re going to escape, I wouldn’t go down the north side of the mountain,” a voice calls. “Coën saw a bear down that way yesterday.” Jaskier turns to see Renfri sitting on a fence nearby, eating an apple. Priscilla, much to his shock, reaches under her jacket and pulls a handgun out, pointing it directly at Renfri. “Don’t come any closer,” she says in a voice that only shakes a little. “This is loaded with silver bullets.” Renfri carves another piece of apple and pops it in her mouth. “That’s not going to do you much good, since your safety’s on.” Priscilla curses and fumbles with the weapon. “No, here.” Renfri leaps down from the fence, takes the gun from Priscilla, turns off the safety, and returns to where she was just sitting before Jaskier and Priscilla even register what just happened. Looking between them expectantly, she adds, “You can continue threatening me now. That was adorable.” Priscilla’s mouth falls open. “Does this mean you and Geralt are splitting up?” Renfri asks Jaskier. “No!” Jaskier steps between Priscilla and Renfri. He’s ninety percent sure Priscilla won’t shoot, but he doesn’t want to take the chance. “Listen, Pris, I’m sorry I didn’t write, but—” In the distance, there’s an explosion, followed by the sound of shouting. “I think that was the distraction,” Renfri says mildly. Jaskier looks up at the sky. “Fuck.”

WIP Ask Game

#the witcher #not another geraskier werewolf au #i feel like this is growing a priscilla/renfri subplot which i wasn't expecting but here we are #ghost's writing

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mistresskayla-blog1 · 6 months ago

Text

Tooth First Into Her

Characters: Ray Levine x OC werewolf Jesula Paul

Lyn's Writing Event - Challenge Days - Day 30 (late submission)

May 30th: Challenge Days: Chupacabra

Characters: Ray Levine x OC Haitian Fem werewolf – Jesula Paul

Fandom: Richard Armitage – Ray Levine – Stay Close

The character of Ray Levine was created by Harlan Coben

The character of Jesula Paul was created by Kayla B Crowe

Word Count: 1.9k (P1)

Warnings: werewolf, shapeshifting, potential smut, chupacabra, blood thirst, full moon, goat death,

Location: Haiti, Caribbean (Insulated fantasy timeline)

The Chupacabra legend dates back to the 1980s when they were started to be seen in Puerto Rico, but many accounts from the local’s date earlier, as well as farther reaching. All through the Caribbean and even as far south as Chile, and as far north as Maine. The legend states that sightings of a dog like creature that fed off the goats, draining them of their blood like a vampire. Ray caught a whiff of this legend, and like many other expeditions he had been on, post Callie, he wanted to see this thing for himself. He booked a flight and headed for a sighting a message board said was “fresh” and “hot” in Haiti. Ray knew whatever he found down in Haiti would be worth the trip.

The message board accounts talked about likelihood during a full moon, so Ray made sure he landed and stayed for the duration of that event, four days in the warmth, sun and spirit of the islands. It was mid may in Haiti, the full moon fell on the evening of the 22nd. Ray flew in that afternoon from Newark, and about a day later he arrived in Port Au Prince, to a balmy 90 degrees, making him shed everything but a t-shirt when he got off the plane. And furthermore wish he owned more than 2 pairs of jeans. He popped into the shop and grabbed some cargo khaki shorts and kind of chortled at them, remembering the last time he wore khaki, in the desert with Simona. Glad to be out of the fray, and into something else, even if it was a wild goose chase by all accounts. Ray didn’t mind, he wanted to find the truth of the mysteries, stir up the natives and see what his lens could pick up.

Ray checked into his hotel room and dropped his stuff, looking out to the sea. A bar sat along the edge of the beach, so he took a little walk down to it. Music was playing an island tune, the kind that made you want to pull someone onto a dance floor and hold them close. Ray looked over at a young couple, doing just that, he snapped a couple shots and smiled in kind. The girl’s young face was etched along the chest of her lover’s shirt, framed in the light of the sunset. The sky against the lapping shore was bigger than he had ever seen in New Jersey. The night fell fast and after a few beers Ray could watch the moon rise from the sea like a Goddess just missing her lover in rendezvous. He caught what he could with his lens, and then just stared out into the reflections, and listened to the waves crash against the shore.

A women came into view, she was clad in skirts, and a hair wrap, that made her head billow against the moon sitting on the water. Her shadow, an etching upon its face. Ray started snapping again, from afar. Hypnotized by her form as it trailed farther and farther down the beach, until she was just a spec against the looming darkness of the jungle. He swears he could smell her on the wind, as it came towards him. Some kind of rich, earthy scent, that mixed with the sea breeze in an heady manner. It electrified him away from the bar and down the shoreline to the water.

---

Jesula decided to take a walk on the beach that night, her hunger sated from some fresh local fare, she had found in the Port, by a little shack. It was getting late and the moon was rising. Another opportunity to test her mettle and see if she could change. She had become a loner because of her tribe’s rejection, and Jesula wanted more than anything to just know her true power, so she could go back to them. The life of a werewolf could be a lonely one, if you didn’t have your tribe to fall back on. Jesula wore her head wrapped, to conceal, as her ears started to punch through her thick black hair, when the moon rose to its place above the water. Her tail protruded from under her skirts, and started to sway with her hips as she walked.

She had the hunger that was for sure. In more ways than one, but Jesula had not been with anyone, since she was born into this awareness. The thought of laying with another werewolf terrified her, would she like it, would he lose control? She had heard stories, but what about if it was a human man? What if she changed him, then would it be easier? Could it be controlled? Too many questions and not enough answers. Jesula kept walking down the shoreline, focusing on her thoughts, and the taste of blood still in her mouth. She knew no matter what, men would taste different than goats.

---

Ray trailed after her a little while, until he reached the edge of a rock face, and did not see her anywhere, but that scent still lingered in the rustling of the palm fronds. Hitting his senses and motivating him further. Ray walked into the jungle’s edge, in the dark, barely enough light from the resort to help him. The streetlights were further away, and as the scent drifted away, he felt himself fade as well. Ray stopped and shaking off his wanderlust, he turned around and headed back to the hotel.

---

The next morning, Ray was, as usual passed out in his clothes in his bed, face first like a teenager. He rolled over, the breeze from his room coming through the natural windows. It was already humid today, and Ray peeled himself off his sheets and stumbled into a shower of cooler water. A little shave, and a fresh shirt, shorts, and oh lord, a pair of sandals. He was looking like a tourist for sure now, he chuckled to himself. “Oh if Fester could see me now” he said aloud.

Ray went into the hotel shop again, looking for some snacks and a map of the area, and stumbled upon a little semblance of bottles on a quaint display. He pulled one out, and read the label, “Vetiver”, he said as he read the bottle. He opened the stopper and took a whiff, yep, that was what he smelled last night on his patio. It flowed in the air as he watched the full moon rise. It was lemony, woody, and earthy with a smoky undertone, bred from the grounds, the rich earth of the region and just as potent as anything else he had imagined before stepping foot here. Just as potent as that woman on the beach last night, her siren’s call that propelled him down the shoreline to her. He hoped her ran into her again, at some point, even if its only at night. Ray paid for the map, some crisps, and the bottle, and headed down the streets towards a village called Petion-Ville.

Ray walked for about an hour, taking in the bright buildings, people and culture. His camera a flurry of clicks as life happened all around him that morning. He found an art gallery and stepped inside. The Galerie d’Art Nader, is a local gallery of artists. Ray looked around at all the fabulous local color, all the art and feeling inspired, he attempted to leave the Galerie and smelled the woman from the night before. This time he heard the lilt of a woman to the scent, and when he turned towards that sound, he saw her looking right at him. She was talking to someone else, but her sharp lavender eyes against her chocolate skin took his breath away. She didn’t smile at him, not right away, just held his gaze. She finished talking to the other woman he assumed was the owner and stepped towards him boldly.

“Is there anything that interests you?” Jesula asked.

Ray was momentarily stunned, he looked down at his camera, and then back up to her, “Oh, um, yes, but no. I wouldn’t have a place to put it. My walls are already full, but everything here, (he looked around before his eyes landed back on her) is beautiful.”

Jesula felt the heat on her neck when he locked eyes with her again. Something about him was different. She smiled a bit, “Thank you, my friend, owns this place, she is very proud to have so many local artists here.” She pointed to his camera, “Are you an artist as well?”

Ray looked at his camera again, putting the cap back on, “Oh, yeah. Of course. But I don’t paint, that is different type of creation. I am more of a documentarian. Observing life and then capturing it”. He thrust his hand out in the traditional fashion, and she took it, softly in her own. That electric motivation surged when they touched, and both of them felt it. They both visibly twitched and then retreated their mutual hands. “My name is Ray”, Ray said, Jesula looked up at his gaze again, “I am Jesula.” Putting her hand to her chest, fumbling with an amulet around her neck.

Ray found his boldness again, and asked curiously, “Are you working here, or can we, get a coffee?” He kind of chuckled because he wasn’t sure if he was messing up a custom or anything.

Jesula nodded, “We can go get some drinks, sure, let me just let her know I’m leaving.” Jesula walked away, her skirts swooshing, he noticed then some other bells were jingling on her hips. She made music as she moved, that was very attractive to his senses as well. Jesula swished back, and Ray put his hand out to escort her out. She giggled at him, lightly amused, and led him across the streets to the café. They sat down and engaged in conversation for a while, musing at each other, and the heat grew between them as the day grew warmer around them.

Leaving nothing up to chance, Ray asked her out to dinner later in the evening. Jesula accepted and offered to meet him at the bar by the Marriott where he was staying. Ray left her at the café and went back towards his hotel, taking a taxi this time. Jesula had given him some pointers on the best way to use a taxi in Port Au Prince. He was grateful when he was dropped off efficiently and with most of his cash still in his pocket.

Ray logged into his computer when he got back to his room and checked the message boards. Sure enough, someone had been tracking him, and said, “did you see the goat deaths in the area are higher during the full moon? Maybe that’s the connection.” Ray spoke out loud to the screen, “So I’m looking for goats?” he laughed. He typed that as he said it. The message chimed back, “No, but where they have loss, you will be on the trail to catch the infamous Chupacabra.” They are known to feast on the blood of goats, its what started the legend. Fay nodded, “I’ll let you know what I find.” He logged off and closed his laptop. Ticking his hands on the desk. He looked around the room, checking the time on the bedside clock. “So now what do I do?” he said to an empty room.

Part 2…planned. dripping in soon.

Taglist:

@middleearthpixie @legolasbadass @scariusaquarius @sweetestgbye @lathalea @riepu10 @evenstaredits @amylupotter @linasofia @enchantzz

Thanks to all the great writers that supported me through this challenge and those who commented and those who liked my work.

#fanfiction #lyn's writing event 2024 #romance #richard armitage #monster x human #smut #ray levine #stay close au #harlan fan #werewolf #full moon features #oc is a werewolf #haiti #chupacabra

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bracketsoffear · 3 months ago

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Hunt Leitner Reading List

The full list of submissions for the Hunt Leitner bracket. Bold titles are ones which were accepted to appear in the bracket. Synopses and propaganda can be found below the cut. Be warned, however, that these may contain spoilers!

Blackwood, Algernon: The Wendigo Boucher, Chris: Last Man Running Brooks, Max: World War Z

Christie, Agatha: And Then There Were None Connell, Richard: The Most Dangerous Game Crichton, Michael: Jurassic Park

de France, Marie: Bisclavret Dostoevsky, Fyodor: Crime and Punishment Doyle, Arthur Conan: The Hound of the Baskervilles/Sherlock Holmes series

Fletcher, David: Hunted: A True Story of Survival

Household, Geoffrey: Rogue Male Hunter, Erin: Warrior Cats

Kavan, Anna: Ice King, Stephen: Cujo

Lem, Stanisław: The Hunt London, Jack: Call of the Wild

Mallory, Thomas: Le Mort D’Arthur Manifold, John: The Griesly Wife Melville, Herman: Moby Dick Messingham, Simon: The Doctor Trap

Nisneru, Alexandra: Hunt

Ólafsson, Bragi: The Pets Orczy, Baroness: The Scarlet Pimpernel

Perkins, Stephanie: The Woods Are Always Watching Perrault, Charles: Little Red Riding Hood Pierce, Tamora: Huntress Pinkwater, Daniel: The Werewolf Club Povey, Jeff: The Serial Killers Club Pratchett, Terry: I Shall Wear Midnight Pratchett, Terry: The Fifth Elephant Preiss, Byron: The Secret

Schenkel, Rudolph: Expressions Studies on Wolves Sheckley, Robert: The Seventh Victim Shusterman, Neal: Red Rider's Hood Sin, Damien: The White Tiger of Kalimantaro Stine, R.L.: The Werewolf of Fever Swamp Stoker, Bram: Dracula

Takami, Koushun: Battle Royale Thompson, Hunter S.: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Traditional: Actaeon

Van Allsburg, Chris: Jumanji Vega, Danielle: Survive the Night

Yoshitomi, Akihito: School Ningyo (School Mermaid)

Blackwood, Algernon: The Wendigo

In the wilderness north of Rat Portage in Northwestern Ontario, two Scotsmen – divinity student Simpson and his uncle, Dr. Cathcart, an author of a book on collective hallucination – are on a moose-hunting trip with guides Hank Davis and the wilderness-loving French "Canuck", Joseph Défago.

While their Indian cook, Punk, stays to tend the main camp, the others split up into two hunting-parties; Dr. Cathcart goes with Hank, while Défago guides Simpson in a canoe down the river to explore the vast territory beyond.

Simpson and Défago make camp, and it soon becomes clear that Défago senses – or at least thinks he senses – some strange and fearful odour on the wind. That night, Simpson wakes to find Défago cowering in terror from something outside the tent. Later Défago runs off into the night, forcing Simpson to go and look for him. He follows his footprints in the snow for many miles, realising that Défago's are not the only set of tracks. The larger set of footprints are not human, and gradually it seems that Défago's own tracks have metamorphosed into smaller versions of the larger set. Eventually, both sets of tracks vanish, and Simpson believes he hears Défago's distant voice calling out from somewhere in the sky above: "Oh! oh! This fiery height! Oh, my feet of fire! My burning feet of fire ...!"

Simpson finally manages to make his way back to the main camp, where he is reunited with the others. Dr. Cathcart and Hank go back with him to search for Défago, and when camping once more out in the wilderness, Défago – or some hideous parody of Défago – appears before them before vanishing once again into the night.

Conflicted and disturbed about what they have witnessed, they return to the main camp to find that Défago – the real Défago this time – has made his own way back, suffering from delirium, exposure, and frostbite. He dies soon after, and the three men are left in a state of bafflement and uncertainty about what has occurred. Punk alone could have explained it to them, but he fled home as soon as he caught the terrible odour that Défago carried with him. As an Indian, he instantly understood that Défago had seen the Wendigo.

Boucher, Chris: Last Man Running

Synopsis: "Eager for solitude away from the TARDIS and the endlessly inquisitive Leela, the Doctor steps out onto a benign-looking planet. But the apparent tranquillity hides a terrifying secret...

The TARDIS has arrived on a world of violence, where hideous creatures hunt and kill endlessly, vying for supremacy at the top of the food chain. But is evolution on the planet natural or engineered by some higher power? And why has an aggressively suspicious alien police force sent a secret mission here?

With no one safe from the planet's tireless predators, Leela's warrior instincts are tested to the full. The Doctor, meanwhile, begins to suspect that there is a scientific purpose to the planet — one married to a sinister intelligence.

Whatever the data being collated from the planet, the Doctor soon realises its usage may have far-reaching consequences for all humanity... "

Why it's Hunt: The TARDIS has arrived in what essentially amounts to a supersoldier training ground, where everything in the environment is hostile and out to kill them.

Brooks, Max: World War Z

Zombies will chase humans for as long as it takes to catch them. A zombie will chase a human into the sea, over a cliff, into a raging inferno, it doesn't matter. A zombie will go after any living prey that it can find, and eat it to death. In the chapter where the astronaut from the International Space Station is interviewed, he mentions one zombie that chased after a small animal in the desert. When the animal burrowed under the sand, the zombie started digging for it, even as sand continued to pour back into the hole, filling it just as fast as it was dug. The zombie was digging nonstop for five straight days before it apparently lost the animal's scent and gave up.

Christie, Agatha: And Then There Were None

"First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. (...) When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion."

Spoilers: So this book's plot is the last great hunt of a Hunt avatar: Judge Wargrave. Who did the typical hunt avatar thing of joining the law to get his feel and now lets himself go all of springing a trap on his prey and playing with them like a big cat.

***

Ten people, trapped on an island, all of them murderers who escaped justice. They are slowly picked off one by one as judgement for their crimes, causing them to search desperately for the killer before turning on one another, evoking themes of paranoia and betrayal akin to MAG 176: Blood Ties. {Spoilers: The killer was the judge, who had gone into law enforcement to sate his desire for killing and punishment, much like Daisy Tonner did)

Connell, Richard: The Most Dangerous Game

A ruthless hunter named Sanger Rainsford is stranded on Ship Trap Island and meets General Zaroff. Zaroff, a hunter who is bored with hunting animals, hunts Rainsford for sport.

***

Big-game hunter Sanger Rainsford and his friend Whitney are traveling by ship to the Amazon rainforest for a jaguar hunt. Rainsford falls overboard while investigating the sound of gunshots in the distance and swims to Ship-Trap Island, where he finds General Zaroff and his manservant Ivan. Zaroff, another big-game hunter, knows of Rainsford from his published account of hunting snow leopards in Tibet. Over dinner, he explains that although he has been hunting animals since he was a boy, he has decided that killing big game has become boring for him. After escaping the Russian Revolution, he purchased Ship-Trap and rigged the island with lights to lure passing ships into the jagged rocks that surround it. He takes the survivors captive and hunts them for sport, giving himself handicaps to increase the challenge. Any captives who can elude Zaroff, Ivan, and a pack of hunting dogs for three days are set free; to date, though, Zaroff has never lost a hunt. Rainsford denounces the hunt as barbarism, but Zaroff replies by claiming that ‘life is for the strong.’ Zaroff is enthused to have another world-class hunter as a companion and offers to take Rainsford along with him on his next hunt. When Rainsford staunchly refuses and demands to leave the island, Zaroff decides to hunt him instead. Rainsford uses traps and cleverness to outmaneuver Zaroff, killing Ivan and one of the dogs before jumping into the sea. Disappointed at Rainsford's apparent suicide, Zaroff returns home, but finds Rainsford waiting for him, having swum around the island to evade the dogs and sneak into the chateau. Zaroff offers congratulations for defeating him, but Rainsford prepares to fight him, saying that the hunt is not yet over. A delighted Zaroff responds that the loser will be fed to his dogs, while the winner will sleep in his bed. The story abruptly concludes later that night by stating that Rainsford enjoyed the comfort of the bed, implying that he killed Zaroff in the fight.

Crichton, Michael: Jurassic Park

Big hungry dinosaurs vs. small tasty humans. Muldoon commented that the raptors were cruelly intelligent and liked to hunt for sport as much as for food. It was actually justified because (as Malcolm realizes) the raptors discovered that humans are an easy meal and become a favored prey. Meanwhile, the Tyrannosaur seemed to be stalking Dr. Grant and the kids in particular, even leaving behind a Hadrosaur kill to pursue them down a river. At one point it's even waiting at the bottom of a waterfall with its jaws open, hoping they'll fall inside.

de France, Marie: Bisclavret

Covers several common themes of the Hunt -- loyalty, betrayal, and werewolves. Bisclaveret is a werewolf trapped in his lupine form by his wife's treachery, and is hunted by his king, who does not know his identity.

Dostoevsky, Fyodor: Crime and Punishment

The whole book is about feeling certain that your crimes are about to be uncovered, always looking behind you for the pursuing policeman, the hand of justice that is sure to catch you at any moment.

Doyle, Arthur Conan: The Hound of the Baskervilles/Sherlock Holmes series

As per this post: "I know he's already been in the Eye Poll, but trust me, he's such a Hunt guy. All of his observational skills aren't Eye (he'd probably think that was cheating), but the result of a finely trained mind and keen, Hunt-enhanced senses. He's relentless in his pursuit of criminals, trekking for miles through city and country alike to track down a suspect. He gets bored and listless without the thrill of the chase, as Watson has so often remarked, as though something was sapping his energy. Feed your god, or it will feed on you."

Fletcher, David: Hunted: A True Story of Survival

The author is pursued for the entire book by a furious mother bear after he kills her cub in a series of escalating cinematic attacks and escapes.

Household, Geoffrey: Rogue Male

A bored, upper-class British sportsman is found on the grounds of an unnamed European dictator's residence with his hunting rifle in hand, and subsequently arrested. His claim, maintained under torture, that he was stalking the dictator purely as an exercise in the skill of the hunt and that he had no intention of firing is so audacious that it is almost believed — but nonetheless he cannot be allowed to live. To execute such a well-connected Briton would cause an international incident, so his captors decide to kill him by throwing him over a cliff so that his body will show injuries consistent with accidental death. Though badly injured he survives and manages to make his way to the Channel and from there back to England. Where he discovers that home does not mean safety, nor an end to the pursuit.

Hunter, Erin: Warrior Cats

this book series has inspired children for year after year to run around pretending to be feral cats on the playground. it's hunt.

***

This book was made for The Admiral

***

The concept of your housepet running off to join a feral cat society just feels Hunt-y to me.

Kavan, Anna: Ice

The book follows a male protagonist who feverishly pursues a young nameless woman from country to country as society collapses due to a beginning of a new ice age. People flee their cities to go south, so a lot of the scenes take place in the wilderness and the forests. The protagonist often fantasizes about the woman being torn to shreds by wild animals as she flees a pursuer, and often compares her to prey animals.

King, Stephen: Cujo

A formerly friendly St. Bernard turns into a killing machine after being bit by a rabid bat.

Lem, Stanisław: The Hunt

A runaway is chased by humans with dogs. As the story evolves, it becomes clear that it is a robot, an intelligent machine, one of many created by humans to be hunted. For this reason it was endowed with wit and strength and an ability to be afraid, so that it would run away and make a hunt interesting: "... a tangled plot full of surprises, a forest strategy, a duel of cunning, of tactics, including laying double trails, dodging, looping the scent back on itself, crossing white-water streams and aerial bridges formed by fallen trees". A little girl helps him to hide, but eventually it turns out that her goal was to lay her hands on a gun and shoot the hunted robot herself. It is well known that Lem was ruthlessly burning his unpublished works, and the researchers were puzzled why Lem kept this one. Stanisław Bereś attempts to explain this as follows. Lem never wrote and seldom spoke about his life during World War II in Nazi-occupied Lwow. However one can decipher subtle hints about his experiences of that time in various Lem's works of fiction. Bereś points out an obvious parallel of the runaway's hopeless struggle for his life from The Hunt story, with the experience of the Jews during the Holocaust, including Lem's own. Therefore Bereś suggests that Lem felt overexposing himself in the story, therefore he set it aside and eventually wrote another, a more entertaining version and possibly forgot about the older manuscript.

London, Jack: Call of the Wild

The story follows Buck—a mix of St. Bernard and Scotch collie—throughout his journey as a sled dog. Buck’s story begins at the house of Judge Miller in Santa Clara, California. Here, Buck is a beloved domesticated pet, living comfortably. However, after gold is discovered in the Yukon territory of Canada, Buck is stolen by one of Miller’s gardeners as the demand for sled dogs increases. The gardener sells Buck to dog traders and makes a profit, and Buck is soon shipped north, abused and beaten as he goes. Along with a sweet, unassuming dog named Curly, Buck is sold to two government couriers, François and Perrault, who put him to work as a sled dog. Buck is soon overwhelmed by his surroundings, particularly when he sees a group of huskies attack and kill Curly. As Buck is forced to adapt to the wild, his primitive instincts begin to surface. It is during this time that he makes an enemy of the lead sled dog, Spitz. The two fight a number of times, and Buck consistently undermines him in the hopes of diminishing his authority. After a final, decisive battle, Buck kills Spitz and appoints himself as the new lead dog.

Mallory, Thomas: Le Mort D’Arthur

Large portion of it is about the Quest for the Holy Grail and how all the knights keep setting out to find it and failing

Manifold, John: The Griesly Wife

A poem in which an abusive husband chases his new wife through the snow -- until she changes into a wolf and turns the tables on him. http://mohammadmirzaee.blogfa.com/post/527/Poem-The-Griesly-Wife-By-John-Manifold

Melville, Herman: Moby Dick

Ahab goes on a mad, doomed hunt for a white whale that may or may not be an eldritch abomination and represents God/nature/life, despite the numerous signs that he should give up on his quest and live a fuller and happier life. Unsurprisingly, everyone except Ishmael gets killed by said whale, with Ahab getting tangled in his own harpoon line and dragged down to the depths (in an ironic echo of his own words about how a drowning creature stays down the third time).

Messingham, Simon: The Doctor Trap

Sebastiene was perhaps once human. He might look like a 19th-century nobleman but in truth he is a ruthless hunter. He likes nothing more than luring difficult opposition to a planet then hunting them down for sport. And now he's caught them all - from Zargregs to Moogs, and even the odd Eternal...

In fact, Sebastiene is after only one more prize. For this trophy, he knows he is going to need help. He's brought together the finest hunters in the universe to play the most dangerous game for the deadliest quarry of them all. They are hunting for the last of the Time Lords - the Doctor.

Nisneru, Alexandra: Hunt

Monsters are real. For Emily and Jeremy, the price of this truth was extremely high. Ten years after their mother's death, they hunt these creatures. But every once in a while, they become the hunted. When Emily finds herself in trouble, who will save her?

Ólafsson, Bragi: The Pets

Back in Reykjavik after a vacation in London, Emil Halldorsson is waiting for a call from a beautiful girl, Greta, that he met on the plane ride home, and he's just put on a pot of coffee when an unexpected visitor knocks on the door. Peeking through a window, Emil spies an erstwhile friend - Havard Knutsson, his one-time roommate and current resident of a Swedish mental institutionon his doorstep, and he panics, taking refuge under his bed and hoping the frightful nuisance will simply go away.

Havard won't be so easily put off, however, and he breaks into Emil's apartment and decides to wait for his return. Emil couldn't have gone far; the pot of coffee is still warming on the stove. While Emil hides under his bed, increasingly unable to show himself with each passing moment, Havard discovers the booze, and he ends up hosting a bizarre party for Emil's friends, and Greta.

Orczy, Baroness: The Scarlet Pimpernel

"They seek him here, they seek him there / Those Frenchies seek him everywhere / Is he in heaven, or is he in hell?/ That damned, elusive, pimpernel."

Perkins, Stephanie: The Woods Are Always Watching

Bears aren't the only predators in these woods.

Best friends Neena and Josie spent high school as outsiders, but at least they had each other. Now, with college and a two-thousand-mile separation looming on the horizon, they have one last chance to be together—a three-day hike deep into the woods of the Pisgah National Forest.

Simmering tensions lead to a detour off the trail and straight into a waking nightmare; and then into something far worse. Something that will test them in horrifying ways.

Perrault, Charles: Little Red Riding Hood

You know why

Pierce, Tamora: Huntress

Corey wants to fit in with the cool kids at her school and ignore her family's oddball religious practices. However, the group of popular kids that Corey has befriended regularly hunts people for sport. They try to hunt her when she refuses to participate, only for the Goddess that Corey's family worships to appear and hunt them instead.

Pinkwater, Daniel: The Werewolf Club

A boy whose parents raised him to be a dog inadvertently joins a club of actual werewolves.

Povey, Jeff: The Serial Killers Club

When our unlikely hero runs into a murderer, he ends up killing the killer. Then he goes through his attacker's wallet and finds another shocker: an invitation to a party hosted by Errol Flynn. Errol Flynn? Isn't he dead? Intrigued, our hero crashes it - and discovers the Serial Killers Club. Its mission: share thrills and make sure members don't target the same victims. With aliases from old Hollywood, they include "Tallulah Bankhead", "Richard Burton", and soon, "Douglas Fairbanks Jr.", our hero himself. But "Dougie" isn't going to waste the innocent. Instead, he plans to knock off the "stars" one by one. And when they notice their numbers dropping, he'll have to answer a killer question: is he one of them - or not?

Obviously there are some strong Hunt element here, killing killers, questions of morality, becoming the monsters that you kill, etc. But also, "Okay, I know how it sounds, but Murder Club wasn’t supposed to be like this."

Pratchett, Terry: I Shall Wear Midnight

The villain of this novel is the Cunning Man, the spirit of a witchfinder who sows suspicion of witches among the people of the Disc in hopes of reigniting the witch hunts.

Pratchett, Terry: The Fifth Elephant

"The Scone of Stone, an ancient dwarven artifact, has been stolen, and without it, the new Low King of the Dwarfs cannot be crowned. It's up to Sam Vimes and the Ankh-Morpork City Watch to travel to Uberwald and unravel the dark conspiracy surrounding the theft. Also, Vimes fights werewolves."

Not the strongest contestant, but Vimes does spends a chunk of time being hunted down by werewolves

Preiss, Byron: The Secret

This book contains 12 gorgeous, detailed paintings. Each painting contains clues to the location of a treasure box. Originally published in 1982, only 3 of the treasure boxes have been found. For over four decades, people have been possessed by obsession with finding the treasure boxes, a hunt being passed down by parents to their children. This is very reminiscent of the Hunt ritual we see in MAG 133: Dead Horse. The promise of a treasure pulling people in to a neverending hunt.

***

The Secret is a treasure hunt created by Byron Preiss. The hunt involves a search for twelve treasure boxes, the clues to which were provided in a book written by Preiss in 1982, also called The Secret. These boxes were buried at secret locations in cities across the United States and Canada that symbolically represent events and peoples that played significant roles in North American history. Anyone who uncovered one of the treasure boxes was entitled to exchange it with Preiss for a precious gem; after Preiss died in 2005, his estate assumed the responsibility of honoring the terms of the treasure hunt. As of 2024, only three of the twelve boxes have been found. Preiss kept no record of the treasure boxes' exact locations before his death, leaving it a possibility that the remaining boxes may never be recovered.

Schenkel, Rudolph: Expressions Studies on Wolves

This is THAT study. The one that was conducted on a tiny sample of wolves in captivity, yet so quickly taken up by pop culture? The one that gave us the Omegaverse, but also a whole new hierarchy for toxic dudebros to measure themselves up against.

Sheckley, Robert: The Seventh Victim

Takes place in a world in which society that has eliminated major warfare by allowing members of society who are inclined to violence to join The Big Hunt, a human hunting game in which participants alternate between being a "hunter" and a "victim". The protagonist is surprised to learn that his intended victim is a woman, something which he has never heard of. As he tracks said victim down, he begins to fall for her -- but will love or death rule the day?

Spoiler: It's death. But not hers!

Shusterman, Neal: Red Rider's Hood

In this second entry in Neal Shusterman's Dark Fusion series, he twists the familiar fairy tale of Red Riding Hood into a brooding story about a city plagued by gangs. Red, a boy famous for cruising around in a blood-colored Mustang, takes on the Wolves after they rob his grandmother He decides to beat them by joining them to learn their weaknesses After a while, however, he finds himself drawn to the pack. At the next full moon, will Red take up their murderous ways or will he take them down?

Sin, Damien: The White Tiger of Kalimantaro

Two retired ex-cops travels to the Indonesian jungles to hunt a divine white tiger, only to realize the tiger to be old, mangy, lice-ridden and ready to die of age and disease. They kill it anyway, along with several other animals that they encounter along the way, in gruesome detail. Then the real white tiger shows up, and it turns out to be a god-like entity the size of an elephant possessing supernatural necromantic powers, given how it resurrects the old, slain tiger into a tiger zombie...

Stine, R.L.: The Werewolf of Fever Swamp

There's something horrible happening in Fever Swamp. Something really horrible. It started with the strange howling at night. Then there was the rabbit, torn to shreds. Everyone thinks Grady's new dog is responsible. After all, he looks just like a wolf. And he seems a little on the wild side. But Grady knows his dog is just a regular old dog. And most dogs don't howl at the moon. Or disappear at midnight. Or change into terrifying creatures when the moon is full. Or do they?

Stoker, Bram: Dracula

Dracula is all about the hunt and the hunted. Dracula hunts the innocent for their blood, stalking them and draining them to turn them into hunters in their own right. The protagonists, in turn, hunt Dracula. A Leitner version of this book would probably turn anyone who read it into another Trevor Herbert.

***

Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to move from Transylvania to England so he may find new blood and spread undead curse, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

Dracula has been assigned to many literary genres including vampire literature, horror fiction, the gothic novel and invasion literature. The novel touches on themes such as the role of women in Victorian culture, sexual conventions, immigration, colonialism, and post-colonialism.

Takami, Koushun: Battle Royale

From Goodreads: "(...) a class of junior high school students is taken to a deserted island where, as part of a ruthless authoritarian program, they are provided arms and forced to kill one another until only one survivor is left standing. (...)"

I mean, the concept of hunting each other until only one person remains in video games did get named after it, so it's a prime Hunt candidate for me.

Thompson, Hunter S.: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Gonzo journalism featuring Thompson and his Samoan lawyer on the hunt for the American Dream by way of semi-biographical of a road trip, reporting on a biker race, a lot of booze and drugs, and deliberate confusion.

Traditional: Actaeon

(Summary via Wikipedia) Artemis was bathing in the woods when the hunter Actaeon stumbled across her, thus seeing her naked. He stopped and stared, amazed at her ravishing beauty. Once seen, Artemis got revenge on Actaeon: she forbade him speech – if he tried to speak, he would be changed into a stag – for the unlucky profanation of her virginity's mystery. Upon hearing the call of his hunting party, he cried out to them and immediately transformed. At this, he fled deep into the woods, and doing so he came upon a pond and, seeing his reflection, groaned. His own hounds then turned upon him and pursued him, not recognizing him. In an endeavour to save himself, he raised his eyes (and would have raised his arms, had he had them) toward Mount Olympus. The gods did not heed his desperation, and he was torn to pieces.

Other versions of the myth suggest his fault was bragging that he was a better hunter than Artemis, not seeing her naked.

Van Allsburg, Chris: Jumanji

A Leitner version of this book would cause the jungle to manifest physically in your home, with new animals escaping to hunt you down with every page turned.

Vega, Danielle: Survive the Night

Julie lies dead and disemboweled in a dank, black subway tunnel, red-eyed rats nibbling at her fingers. Her friends think she’s just off with some guy—no one could hear her getting torn apart over the sound of pulsing music.

In a tunnel nearby, Casey regrets coming to Survive the Night, the all-night underground rave in the New York City subway. Her best friend Shana talked her into it, even though Casey just got out of rehab. Alone and lost in the dark, creepy tunnels, Casey doesn’t think Survive the Night could get any worse . . . until she comes across Julie’s body, and the party turns deadly.

Desperate for help, Casey and her friends find themselves running through the putrid subway system, searching for a way out. But every manhole is sealed shut, and every noise echoes eerily in the dark, reminding them they’re not alone. They’re being hunted.

Trapped underground with someone—or something—out to get them, Casey can’t help but listen to her friend’s terrified refrain: “We’re all gonna die down here. . . .” in this bone-chilling sophmore novel by the acclaimed author of The Merciless.

Yoshitomi, Akihito: School Ningyo (School Mermaid)

A horror manga / anthology series by Akihito Yoshitomi about Japanese school girls who really want boyfriends. But rather than going through the trouble of getting the attention of a boy, talking to them and just being themselves, they decide on a much quicker way to do so... By hunting mermaids in their school and eating their flesh.

#leitner tournament #reading list #hunt poll

6 notes · View notes

slashyrogue · 1 year ago

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Stories You Can Only Read on My Patreon

Hannigram AU: Heat Partner - 2/?

tags: omegaverse, season one divergence, omega will, alpha hannibal, fake mating, friends to lovers, eventual mpreg, pining, friends with benefits, not a cannibal hannibal, jealousy, misunderstandings, heat sex

Will unexpectedly goes into heat when he's at Hannibal's house for dinner and exposes himself as a hidden omega who's been on blockers for as long as he can remember. When Hannibal offers to be Will's heat partner to help him regulate his heats to normal again, it's hard to resist his invitation even if he inadvertently told Jack they were courting.

Can they pretend to be fake mating while keeping their instincts at bay, even as each heating month grows more and more carnal?

Or will they finally admit what they both knew all along?

Hannigram AU: Plaisir - 1/?

tags: omegaverse, true mates, sex worker will, voyeurism, breeding bench, brothels, hypersexual will, doting alpha hannibal, eventual kidnapping but like in a nice way, best customer hannibal, knotting dildos, paddles, additional tags to be added

The moment he stepped into “Plaisir” Hannibal knew it was unlike other clubs of its kind.

You had to pay to play.

When "The Toy" is first revealed to the crowd he's desperate to be the first to pleasure the omega inside the box. He knows "The Toy" is his, and if this is the only way to please his omega, then so be it.

But soon he can't be satisfied with just watching.

He has to be the only one.

So he takes what he knows is his.

Can he get 'The Toy' to see he'll do anything for him?

Or will he be destined to pine for his true mate forever leaving him not satisfied enough?

Hannigram AU: A Pleasant Surprise - 3/?

tags: omegaverse, mpreg, surprise daddy, omega hannibal, alpha will, artificial insemination, surprise sperm donor will, friends to lovers, season one divergence

Hannibal unexpectedly announces he's pregnant at a dinner party, Will is at first jealous but then quickly realizes that Hannibal may have somehow gotten hold of the sample he was told wasn't viable when he lived in Louisiana. He vows to be there for Hannibal even if it's not his baby, but desperately thinks it is.

As their instincts make it hard to resist each other it's hard not to fall into each other's arms.

But....Will they last?

Hannigram AU: The Gift - 5/?

tags: omegaverse, season two divergence, kidnapping, mpreg, pregnant omega will, alpha hannibal, alive abigail, true mates, pining, eventual murder family

Hannibal kidnaps and takes him away after finding out his lies and Will refuses to kill Jack because Will is pregnant with his child. He tells Will he won't kill him but will not let him go. As Will fights against his deepest instincts he can't help but crave Hannibal more and more.

Soon it becomes hard not to want to give in.

Would it be so bad to be happy with his true mate even if it means becoming the monster he never wanted to be?

Spacedogs & Hannigram AU: If You'll Be My Star, I'll Be Your Sky - 4/?

tags: werewolf mage nigel, werewolf hannibal, temporary character death, literal star adam, former wendigo will, mage darko, angst, true mates, pining

Nigel's brother gives him a job to kill someone who's taken his former wendigo mate who every thought was dead, Will Graham. When Nigel comes upon the house in the North Woods he doesn't expect to find a literal fallen star named Adam with more power than he can handle that Nigel knows is his true mate, and a completely human Will who vows he doesn't want to return.

He vows to stay with them forever, and ignore Hannibal's needs but soon is thrust into a war and may lose Adam forever.

Fantastic Creatures Au-Gust Continuation - 2/?

Keeping this one under wraps till the day that the snippet comes out.

Spacedogs AU: Until the End of the World - 1/?

tags: omegaverse, omega antichrist adam, human alpha nigel, pining, true mates, murder, religious imagery, protective adam, powerful adam, additional tags to be added

Adam has spent his whole life waiting for Nigel.

When he finds him things don't go according to plan, but he's determined to make Nigel see they belong together.

But if he can't?

He'll let the world burn.

Spacedogs AU: Mine to Keep - 4/?

tags: kidnapping, forced sex work, submissive adam, attentive nigel, manipulation, gaslighting, forced public sex, dubious consent, nigel is a bad guy but he's nice about it, crying

Adam Raki is kidnapped and forced to work off his father's debt to Nigel, a mob boss his father gambled with. Nigel promises he'll let him go when his debt is paid, but in reality has no plans after seeing how pretty he is when he cries.

Hannigram AU: Eat, Prey, Love - 1/?

tags: serial killer hannibal, bartender will, eventual bottom hannibal, smitten kitten hannibal, will has secrets too, jealous hannibal, doting will, lots of sex

Hannibal stumbles into The Doghouse, a bar he normally would not be caught dead in, hoping to find someone to kill. He meets a very handsome bartender who seems interested but keeps pushing him away.

What is Will hiding?

And can he get him to give into their growing attraction without his own anger making him kill the man who makes him ache?

Hannigram AU: Instinct - 3/?

tags: omegaverse, cheating (together not on each other), true mates, omega will, alpha hannibal, angst, pining, heat sex, lots of sex, additional tags to be added

Will's father dies and his mother unexpectedly comes back into his life, and when he goes to meet her for the first time he's shocked to find out the alpha she's living with is his true mate.

He begs Hannibal not to tell her, and they decide to meet in hotels and other places to indulge in their growing want.

How long can he hold back his need?

And Will Hannibal be able to keep the secret as long as he wants him to?

Hannigram AU: Enceinte - 2/?

tags: omegaverse, season three divergence, angry pregnant omega Hannibal, desperately in love alpha Will, kidnapping, angst, mpreg, additonal tags to be added

Omega Hannibal finds himself pregnant after running away with Bedelia and leaving Will and Abigail bleeding out on his kitchen floor so he runs from her, hoping to ignore the ache in his chest begging for his alpha, but soon decides the best way to curb the pain is to kidnap Will and keep him until he's no longer necessary.

Will has other plans.

Spacedogs AU: OmegaYouHorny - 2/?

tags: omegaverse, omega nigel, alpha adam, surprise heat, surprise mpreg, cam boy nigel, some angst, mostly fluff, bottom nigel

Adam hears about an omega called 'OmegaYouHorny' and becomes fixated on the omega's live shows, quickly only being able to get off to him exclusively.

He's more than surprised to see him at an ATM and compliments him, sparking Nigel's anger, but soon they grow heated and have sex as they get trapped in the ATM vestibule when the power goes out.

A few months later OmegaYouHorny starts looking sickly online and when Adam meets Nigel again he gets the surprise of his life.

Nigel's pregnant, and Adam is the father.

Can these two strangers navigate their attraction while trying to do what's right for their child?

Spacedogs Untitled Reincarnation AU - 2/?

tags: reincarnation, immortal nigel, human adam, strangers to lovers, absentee father nigel, internalized homophobia, misunderstandings, pining, additional tags to be added

Additional characters: Nigel's elderly daughter Greta

Nigel has spent the last two hundred years watching the love of his life die after he finds her again and again. When twenty years pass without seeing her, he decides there's no reason left for him to live.

A beautiful blue-eyed man interrupts him, and unbeknownst to Nigel just might be the one time he gets to love without watching them die in his arms.

If his daughter will let him.

Hannigram AU: Nanny - 4/?

tags: age gap, eighteen year old will, older hannibal, kidfic, alive mischa, serial killer hannibal, emergency room doctor hannibal, slight sugar daddy, pining, strangers to lovers, live in nanny will, additional tags to be added

Will's father tells him he has to get a job the minute he turns eighteen or be thrown out of the house, so when he stumbles upon an ad looking for an experienced nanny he lies and gets an interview.

But little does he know that Dr. Hannibal Lecter is more than just the caring brother to his younger sister, and the plethora of nannies who 'quit' may have not been given a choice.

Hannigram AU: Stray - 10/?

tags: fluff, some angst, cat lover hannibal, dog lover will, serial killer hannibal, oblivious will, some murder, strangers to lovers, eventual murder husbands

Will is out hunting for stray dogs when he comes upon Hannibal, who does the same for stray cats. He's instantly smitten, as is Hannibal, and soon they're meeting on their hunts. Though Will has no idea Hannibal doesn't just hunt for strays, and sometimes he doesn't wait until they have no owners.

Hannigram AU: The Design of Desire - 8/?

tags: sci-fi, futuristic, robot hannibal, human will, fluff, some angst, violence, bottom Will, additional tags to be added

Will is a lonely mechanic who fixes things for a living: food systems, ports, but mostly robots. When he comes upon a robot with no standardized number and no model name, he brings it home with the intention of fixing and selling it.

The robot has other ideas.

Spacedogs AU: Starry Eyed - COMPLETE - 20 chapters

tags: kidnapping, love at first sight, fluff, angst, pining, strangers to lovers, violence, some blood

The first time Nigel met Adam was by accident.

Or rather, it was because he was breaking into his apartment.

When he begins to grow obsessed with him, sending gifts and stalking his apartment, it draws the attention of his rival LeChiffre who threatens Adam so Nigel decides the best way to keep him safe is to kidnap him and take him into a remote cabin in the woods until LeChiffre's attention goes elsewhere.

Adam does NOT agree.

Hannigram AU: A Husband for Christmas - 39/?

tags: fluff, hallmark movie-ish, kidfic, billionaire Hannibal Lecter, single dad Will, pining, first kisses, pining, some angst

additional characters: Beverly Katz, Brian Zeller, Jimmy Price, Duncan Vizla, Will’s daughter

Will Graham is a high school teacher who is struggling with money to give his five year old daughter Emma a decent Christmas. He takes her to see Santa at the mall one busy Saturday and after standing in line way too long Emma needs to use the bathroom.

Which is when he meets Mr. Hannibal Lecter, billionaire CEO of Lord & Lecter stores, who lets them use his private bathroom and gives Emma a special private session with the mall Santa.

Will is extremely grateful, and very attracted to the man entirely too out of his league. He leaves expecting never to see him again.

And wakes up on Christmas morning to a mountain of presents outside his door. Soon he’s seeing much more of Hannibal than he ever thought possible, and desperately trying not to fall in love.

Hannigram AU: Bon Appetit - 2/?

tags: waiter will, serial killer hannibal, best customer hannibal, love at first sight, sugar daddy, age gap

Will is a struggling waiter who has been eager to see, Dr. Lecter, the "best" customer of Bon Appetit since he started working there but the man never seems to come in when he's working. He takes the Valentine's Day shift and is excited when his coworkers announce Dr. Lecter has arrived but is in his friend Bev's section. When an unexpected accident leaves him taking Dr. Lecter's table, he's suddenly asked to spend the evening with the man and soon learns that there's much more to the "best customer" than he ever expected.

Hannigram AU: Worth the Trouble -

Book 1 - 21/21 chapters - COMPLETE

Book 2- WIP - 6/? - WIP

tags: talk of abuse by parent, panic attacks, talk of past trauma by parent, pining, slow burn, younger man/older man, mafia type au, hannibal extended universe character appearances, alternate universe, animal injuries, other addtional tags to be added - WILL POV

additional characters: Nigel, Beverly Katz, LeChiffre, Duncan Vizla, Adam Raki

There was an unspoken rule no one talked about in Wolf Trap, yet everyone knew.

If you need help, go to Dr. Lecter.

Which is why a broken, bloody, nineteen year old Will Graham goes directly to him kills his abusive father. From that moment forward Will Graham pledged his allegiance to Dr. Lecter, even as he pined deeply to be closer to him and kept himself at a distance.

He had no idea that ten years later he’d be part of Hannibal’s inner circle, and in his bed.

The story of how he got there, well, that’s a very interesting indeed.

Hannigram AU: Emboite - 7/?

tags: omegaverse, omega hannibal, alpha will, age gap, ballerina hannibal, mechanic will, true mates, rut at first sight, slight angst, bonding, mpreg

Will Graham was thirty one years old, unmated, and shockingly…unpresented.

It made for a very bleak dating history, mostly people who wanted to trigger his presentation and ended up extremely disappointed or angry they didn’t.

So when he decided to just give it up for good and live his life alone he was a little sad but resigned to his fate. Then fate pushed him in another direction when in the midst of seeing the debut of prima ballerina Hannibal Lecter, the most gorgeous omega he’s ever seen - he goes into a rut and presents as alpha.

Will can’t stop thinking about Hannibal, aching to see him again, and knows it’s not possible he ever will.

Until he goes to get coffee and there with car trouble is Hannibal.

Is this fate?

Or is the universe just playing a cruel joke on him?

And....is Hannibal an omega way out of his league or...his true mate?

Hannigram AU: The Unexpected Donor - 3/?

tags: omegaverse, mpreg, omega hannibal, alpha will, fluff, murder fluff, smitten kittens, heat sex, courting, flustered hannibal, strong alpha will, manipulation gone wrong, enventual happy ending, change of plans, additional tags to be added

Hannibal chose the father of his child by three categories: intelligence, attractiveness, and family lineage. He had many men in mind, strong candidates of all kinds, and was quite ready to lure one of them, Cam Winston, into bed for what was to be little more than an insemination.

Then, of course, as he pulled into the gas station only mere miles from Cam Winston’s home at just after nine o’clock, he saw the most beautiful alpha he’d ever seen in his entire life.

Hannigram AU: I See You - 29/?

Tags: singer will graham, serial killer hannibal lecter, younger man/older man, additional tags to be added, love at first sight, phone calls, kisses, eventual murder husbands, gaslighting, murder

Like any good love story, this one starts out with a mistake.

Hannibal’s mistake is changing the radio station in his car on the way home from a hunt, and landing on a rock station. CNBL 201.3 is not his preferred listening genre, but the voice coming through the speakers is haunting.

Soon he’s listening to all “This is My Design” has ever recorded and falling in love with the voice of the singer, a beautiful young man named Will Graham. When they share a chance encounter it changes both their lives in more ways than one.

Spacedogs A/B/O AU: For Your Arms Only - 6/?

tags: omegaverse, possessive Nigel, forced sex work, forced breath play, non-con, talk of past abuse, spanking, domestic abuse, talk of forced abortion, talk of underage assault (not between mains), choking, trauma, consensual breath play, submissive adam raki, heat sex, crying, age gap, scars, eventual happy ending, additional tags to be added

The breeding house sends alpha Nigel Ibanescu, fresh out of losing his intended omega, an invitation to a viewing and he sets his eyes on omega Adam Raki and decides to put all his anger on using Adam in every way possible. But soon he finds himself torn between his instincts and his plans.

Hannigram AU: For Your Eyes Only - 11/?

tags: omegaverse, possessive Hannibal, forced sex work, forced breath play, non-con, domestic abuse, consensual breath play, crying, talk of underage assault (not between mains), choking, violence, traumatic pelvic exams, trauma, age gap, scars, talk of forced cutting, serial killer hannibal lecter, heat sex, eventual happy ending, additional tags to be added

The breeding house sends thoroughbred alpha Hannibal Lecter an invitation to a viewing and he sets his eyes on omega Will Graham and decides that the cure to his boredom might be breaking this omega apart. But soon he finds himself torn between his instincts and his plans.

Spacedogs AU: Marry You - 19/?

tags: strangers to lovers, surprise proposal, love at first sight, fluff, some angst, stalking (not my mains), additional tags to be added

Additional characters: Gabi, Darko

Adam Raki brings his girlfriend Beth to a fancy restaurant with the intention of proposing but gets there very early, sitting at the bar where he meets a very attractive bartender named Nigel. Nigel is very nice, nicer than Beth really, and when Beth drags him away Adam is sad when Nigel looks angry. He’s very nervous still and runs to the men’s room unable to get inside so he goes outside instead where he sees Nigel again smoking. Nigel questions his intentions with Beth, and Adam gets angry running inside to propose. He’s shocked when she leaves him there, and Nigel drags him to the bar where he suggests that Adam ask him.

So, he does.

And Nigel says yes.

Can two complete strangers find a happily ever after?

Hannigram AU: Marry Me - 18/?

tags: strangers to lovers, surprise proposal, love at first sight, not a cannibal Hannibal Lecter, fluff, so much fluff, literally the tiniest amount of angst, additional tags to be added

Will Graham brings his girlfriend Molly to a fancy restaurant with the intention of proposing when he first sees Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal is the best looking man he’s ever seen, and the most attractive person in the room, but he tries to focus on the task at hand, nervous enough that soon he runs into the “hot guy” in the men’s room dropping the ring and snapping at him when he questions if Will wants to marry Molly at all. When he returns to propose and Molly rejects him, Will is stunned and gets pulled to Hannibal’s table where to his shock Hannibal suggests that he propose to him, a complete stranger, instead.

So, he does.

And Hannibal says yes.

Can two complete strangers find a happily ever after?

Hannigram AU: His Father’s Eyes - COMPLETE - 47 chapters

tags: omegaverse, cheating (together not on each other), true mates, devil hannibal, human will, mpreg, omega will, alpha hannibal, murder, graphic depictions of violence, cults, rosemary’s baby au, antichrist, manipulation, gaslighting, trauma, child death but not theirs, eventual happy ending

Additional characters: Beverly Katz, Matthew Brown, Mrs. Komeda, Bedelia Du Maurier, Alana Bloom, Margot Verger, Mason Verger

A newly married couple gets an apartment in an exclusive building and the unstable omega meets the charismatic alpha doctor from the top floor who may be more than he seems.

Hannigram A/B/O Regency AU: Mr. Lecter - 16/?

tags: omegaverse, mpreg, regency au, movie au, mistaken identity, pining, angst, lots of angst, age gap, true mates, additional tags to come

additional characters: Adam Raki, Lechiffre, Matthew Brown, eventual Nigel

Will Graham finds himself rejected from the alpha who bred him and is shown kindness by a newly mated couple of wealth, but after watching them both get murdered by highwaymen he wakes up in a fancy home where everyone is calling him by the dead pregnant omega’s name.

So, he tells a lie hoping to give his child a better life, but to his horror realizes that in order to keep his ruse he must reject his true mate.

Can he keep up his life?

Or will his instincts cause him to lose everything he’s worked so hard for?

Hannigram AU: A Bump in the Night - 12/?

tags: human/monster romance, gaslighting, murder, pining, codependency, monster under the bed hannibal, college student will

Will had, for as long as he could remember, always heard a voice.

It began quietly when he was young, almost a whisper.

Hello.

He answered the voice back, curious about why it was there, and that’s how his relationship with Hannibal began.

Just one word.

Hannigram AU: Grave Fate - 10?

tags: omegaverse, true mates, serial killer hannibal, omega will, alpha hannibal, mpreg, murder husbands, abusive relationship (not with mains), matthew brown, murder, hannibal lecter to the rescue, good alpha hannibal, trauma

Omega Will Graham crawls out of a shallow grave after one last meeting with his abusive ex-alpha Matthew Brown and falls at the feet of an alpha in a plastic suit covered in blood who tells him his name is Hannibal Lecter. Hannibal takes him home, vowing to kill the person who tried to kill him, and soon Will starts to realize that maybe, just maybe, the perfect alpha for him might be a serial killer.

Hannigram AU: Fresh Meat - 10/?

tags: serial killer hannibal, kidnapping, forced loss of body part, eventual murder husbands, pining, forced murder, chains, cannibalism, movie au

Will is driving home late when he realizes he needs dog food so he stops at a strangely open fancy supermarket and gets kidnapped by Hannibal Lecter, a serial killer who sells human body parts to the upper class. Hannibal tells him he’s next on the menu but soon he realizes the only way to survive is to endear himself to the man who wants to kill him. When playing at murder begins to blur Will wonders if he really wants to go, and if the ache he feels with Hannibal isn’t fear but possibly might be....love.

Hannigram AU: The Alpha Next Door 37/?

tags: physical and verbal abuse by parent, mentions of rape by parent but no actual rape by anyone, alpha beta omega, mpreg, younger man/older man, gaslighting, serial killer hannibal, emergency room surgeon Hannibal, sad younger will, praise, unhealthy attachment, consensual urderage relationship, murder

Additional characters: Beverly Katz

Seventeen year old Will has not yet presented but can feel it coming soon and knows that he’s going to be an omega. His abusive father hates omegas because of his mother who left them, so Will isolates himself away from any alpha influence hoping to stretch out his first heat until after he’s turned eighteen. It’s just his luck that a good looking, single alpha doctor moves in next door and he’s immediately drawn to this stranger even before meeting him. His urges and slick begin to worsen as he stays away from this alpha until a chance encounter throws everything into a tailspin.

Hannigram AU: The Baby Bargain - 28 chapters COMPLETE

tags: pining, age gap, omegaverse, mpreg, pining, murder husbands

Eighteen year old college student Will loses his scholarship on his first day of school and goes to his counselor who tells him there’s nothing she can do. He runs into another student by chance who tells him about “Omegas Wanted” where omegas offer themselves as surrogates to couples who can’t conceive for money. Will puts himself up there because he really doesn’t want kids and it seems an easy way to make the money he needs. He gets a reply from Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is a single alpha that wants to have a child. The minute Will meets him he’s drawn to the older alpha and yet he says yes. As the months progress Will begins to realize he’s made a huge mistake and yet he knows he can’t say anything to Hannibal. He can get through this, right?

Hannigram AU: Donor 12 chapters COMPLETE

tags: pining, mpreg, season one au, mpreg, omegaverse, heat sex, surprise love confessions, crying

Season One AU

Omega Will mentions he’s had his monthly appointment where he’s been told his last fertile years are almost at an end. Alpha Hannibal offers to donate sperm so Will can have the child he desires. When he fails to get pregnant by insemination during his heat Will gives into the growing need and tells Hannibal he needs more. After Will realizes he’s finally pregnant his upset about the whole thing only grows because he’s pining for someone who doesn’t want him. Can he get through the next nine months without telling Hannibal how he truly feels or will he face possible rejection?

#masterposts #patreon exclusive #my handy dandy lists #yeah it's a LOT lol #also I have a new thing for kidnapping?#hannigram au #spacedogs au #long post #my fd up sons

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hallowgracie · 9 months ago

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The werewolves are another of the prominent races in Vertumnus, but they are not so populous as the witches or as cloistered as the elves. While they certainly have their tight-knit communities and packs, they prefer to live in the suburbs and rural villages, away from the cities. They are tied to nature as the elves are—but the elves dislike them for their ties are not to the sun and the spring, but to the moon and the winter winds.

Therefore, they frequently disagree with the elves on how to protect the balance of nature, and what that even means. It is their belief that the sickness of the world started much earlier than the Mage Wars, citing the lack of a winter, the last one being recorded in myth and legend, and a few freak accidents.

They also believe that the apocalypse will be heralded by a figure of legend, Fenrir. A werewolf with a dark strength and command of the northern winds, this big bad wolf will usher in the next age when his visage is spotted in the lights in the sky found at the furthest point north.

The shape of the wolf has been seen in the northern lights seventeen years ago. Fenrir lives again.

#werewolf #werewolves #fantasy #fantasy world #fantasy worldbuilding #worldbuilding #writeblr #wip #my projects #house of apocalypse

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lianabrooks · 1 year ago

Text

'tis spooky season in North America and that means it is time for another All I Want For Christmas book, your horror for the holidays!

Pack your bags and come with Iris Muhly to stunning Seoul! She's an American ingenue way out of place and about to lose her job. Can the resident villain save the day? Maybe!

Watch this space for pre-order links and news!

https://www.lianabrooks.com/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-gargoyle/

Opening pages below the break...

Need a book to read right now? All I Want For Christmas Is A Werewolf All I Want For Christmas Is A Reaper

Opening pages from the unproofed ARC (because my editor is still fixing things and I wanted to share today!).

Everi1/ShatteredEndings: Longtime lurker, first time poster, I’m really torn on how to vote for Shattered 5. I’m a Z-wysh shipper, but I don’t know if I can forgive Iris for dumping Jihun! - @ValL0vesM3 @MaxIsBae53 – You can’t come back from that. @xxUwUxx23 – SAME @EveriReader – Jihun would tell you to follow your heart. Until Our Darling says he wants Iris gone, don’t believe the gossip. The eighth reel is the one set up by the original author, and that means keeping Iris.

A decade or two ago my dark, chocolate brown hair might have drawn some attention as I got off the bus near Gongdeok Station in Seoul. My skin was a little too pink to be native, my height still a few centimeters taller than the average Korean woman's, my eyes double-lidded and noticeably western European. Today, no one seemed to notice. A few teens glanced at the bedraggled black and purple wig in my hand and the water-damaged fan sign for the hit TV show Shattered, but if they thought anything it was probably that I was a fan who'd gone to see the cast in their final appearance of the penultimate season four.

Absolutely no one shouted out "Wysha!" as I passed, even though that was the name of the purple-haired, mortal-turned-immortal I'd played since the season three finale. Even fans would have struggled to remember my legal name - Iris Muhly - simply because I was, as they said in Hollywood, an ingenue.

Unknown.

A random extra who wound up playing a major character for one season and was destined for a gruesome on-screen death if I didn't get things fixed.

Bitter cold winds rushed ruffled overhead holiday banners lining the alley as I hurried to my Yeonnam-dong apartment. It had been another very long day, with a four am call time so the principles of the cast could do a six am morning show followed by the teaser trailer for the upcoming fan vote. I'd escaped that at ten and rushed to the salon to get my poor, bleached hair treated, re-colored back its natural brown, and then headed home as the sky turned dark. It was only a little after five in the evening, but it was a bitingly cold December day and the sun was setting.

Somewhere over the sound of rushing cars I could hear someone learning that sound doesn’t carry well when it’s -20C outside. No, not even for cheery Christmas carols or romantic pop ballads about first kisses stolen between snowflakes. The winter weather this year consisted of a freezing drought, brutal winds, and none of the romantic snow the Koreans were all expecting.

"Fine by me," I muttered as I eyed the frozen blue sky. I had a plane ticket for a red-eye out of Incheon airport heading straight back to the good 'ol US of A. Home sweet... spawn point?

It was less about going home to somewhere good or safe and more about being in a place where my work visa wouldn't expire as soon as I was fired. Because my first acting gig was rapidly going from Going To Get Fired to Going To Get Fired And Blacklisted.

Hugging my black coat around myself against the cold I glanced both ways along a narrow street and dashed across the street in a way most likely to 1) get me hit by a passing car and 2) get me fined if any of the CCTV cams were working. Which, they weren't. The agency I'd signed a twelve-month contract with was paying for the apartment here in Seoul and they weren't springing for a luxury penthouse for someone who wasn't an actual star.

I ducked past the shops lining the ground floor - convenience stores, noodle shops, and pharmacies - fighting the wind with each step. Plastering myself to the side of the building I tugged off a thin gray glove long enough to punch in the six-digit door code.

The tinted glass door slid open with a soft whoosh of warmer air.

For the first time all day I could almost breathe easy. Granted, there were fourteen CCTV cams pointed along the entry way for the apartment building and two more doors to get through to get to the communal mail hall, but at least I was safe-ish when the doors locked behind me with a click.

It sounded delusional, but for the past week or more I'd felt like someone was watching me.

I'd pushed it off as a delayed response to eighteen-hour work days on set in front of cameras. Compared to the last fourteen months of filming and promotions this past week had been comparatively easy. The cast had split the interviews and appearances, I'd only been in six of the fourteen live things, done four signings, and only been physically threatened, oh, maybe a few thousand times.

With a glance at the heavily tinted windows I went through the next set of doors to the common area where a bank of TVs displayed everything from the local weather channel and the stock exchange to the celebrity news.

The same picture was on half the TVs: a Korean man so handsome my breath caught even though I’d spent the past fourteen months in close proximity with him. “Michyeosseo,” the word slipped past my lips in an angry huff and I wasn’t sure who was crazier, me or the fans on screen screaming "J'aime Max!" and "Max Kang, je suis délicieux! Épouse-moi!" and the old stand-by, “Sauve-moi, roi des gargouille!”

I wouldn’t stand out in the cold to wave purple and black dragons at a camera for an anyone. Not even in Paris where all the rosy-cheeked teens were. Not even for pay.

Okay, well, that was a lie. Because I could unreservedly cheer for Max Kang for pay and absolutely had during at least one alternate-universe scene this season.

Shattered, the multinational television show that let viewers write the ending to the universally acclaimed series that started with the novel All These Broken Seasons, was all about merging alternate universe and looking at what could have been. The whole premise was two realities collided and the death of some fey[1] princess meant the people in normal Earth suddenly were confronting the people from a magical Earth.

Max Kang, easily one of the hottest men on the planet, played the big, bad villain: Zjarr Aabo. On the screen of the lobby TV Max was seated right next to the breathlessly hungry host who was eyeing his thin, black silk shirt with the undone buttons as if she could make the others fall off by wishing alone. He probably wasn’t currently sporting the chiseled Abs of Treason he flashed at least once a season, because getting that definition involved extreme dieting and dehydration that wasn’t healthy to maintain, but most of the audience didn’t know that.

Not that Max needed chiseled muscle to make him delicious.

He was a man who’d built his fame playing classic bad guys, and one of the highest grossing Korean actors. Black hair that somehow always looked sexily tousled, wide set black eyes, heavy eyebrows, a broad and expressive face, and the muscles of a man who spent every spare hour in the gym or with the show’s fight trainer. The fact that he could dance and sing was just icing on the slice of Hallyu Wave perfection that was Max Kang.

Light loved him.

There was a glow, and a natural presence that survived even the camera’s harsh glare. When Max stepped into a room every head turned. His dramatic baritone voice was rich and low enough to send a shiver up anyone’s spine.

The evil demon of a man certainly didn't need to look directly into the camera with his ridiculously incomparable dark eyes and wink as his lips curled into a perfect come hither smile that all but melted everyone in his line of sight.

No, he didn't need to do any of that.

But he did.

I rolled my eyes as I pushed the button and waited for the elevator. All of this was to sway the vote. No, make it The Vote. With sparkly letters and fancy fonts and everything.

All These Broken Seasons was the best selling fantasy series of the mid-21st century but it had a little problem... the ending didn’t exist.

Years ago the author had rudely died, or run away, or been kidnapped by Bigfoot. Something like that. One day they were in full contact and posting daily teasers for the untitled final fifth novel, and then they vanished. The jury was still out on what really happened.

Shattered was the answer.

Some studio had the rights, the author’s sudden disappearance gave them an opening, and they ran with it. Four, big budget seasons followed the books with a gratifying amount of accuracy[2] and now the fans got to vote on which ending we would shoot.

Since most the fans currently wanted to shoot me, the ending that promised my brutal death on screen was winning with eighty percent of the votes. Angel Xi, Shattered’s leading lady and the primary love interest of the hero, had oh-so-not-kindly told me that in Cantonese the word Four sounds like the word Death. Angel’s a sweetie like that.

The elevator opened and was empty, thank goodness. I stepped in and stabbed the close button before anyone could hop on.

Most of the building’s residents were polite enough to pretend they didn’t know me. Koreans weren’t fans of small talk as a rule, especially in Seoul, but things had been tense since the tabloids snapped pictures of Kim Jihun crying.

Tears weren’t the problem. Men could cry, and Jihun often did as the tortured, lovelorn hero of Shattered. The problem was that the tabloids had been snapping pics of me and Jihun hanging out for the past year and the world was convinced we were dating. If Jihun was smiling, I’d done something to make him happy. If Jihun was angry, it was my fault. If he was crying, I ought to die for hurting The World’s Darling.

Despite all the tabloid rumors, Jihun and I had never shared more than heartfelt glances on screen. He was my type, but I wasn’t his, and I was smart enough not to chase a man who didn’t want me.

[1] Fae? Fairy? Whatever. She was the typical All Powerful Magic Girl and she died at the end of the first book.

[2] I hadn’t read the books until after I’d been cast, and I really didn’t appreciate how much work went into adapting a book into a screenplay until I met some of the script writers. Suffice it to say, they deserved all the awards they kept winning and the full adoration of the fandom. Other fandoms wish they were this lucky.

#All I Want For Christmas Is A Gargoyle #Christmas Gargoyle #Liana Brooks #booklr #books #books and reading #set in #Seoul #South Korea #RoK #forced proximity #American Abroad #Secret Identities #You Had Me At Hello #He Falls First #Kdrama #Bad Boy Loves The Good Girl

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