Top of the Food Chain

If I told you the truth about me you’d back away, thinking I’m crazy. Why? Because people like me, we don’t exist, according to science and such.

But I am real. After all, I’m sitting right next to you at this bar. Go ahead, touch me.

See? I’m real.

The myths lie, you know. I don’t know where they come up with some of them, unless it’s just people’s need to control their fear and keep believing they’re at the top of the food chain.

You’re not. I don’t think you ever have been.

Oh, yeah? All it takes is the right situation to drive that point home. Lost at sea? Clinging to a bit of wreckage with a shark swimming a few feet away? Who’s at the top of the food chain then, I ask you?

The shark of course. Trust me on that.

What do I think I am? It’s not what I think – it’s what I am. You’ve no idea of the truth, and I’ve no idea whether I could trust you enough to tell it.

I can trust you? Sure I can.

Yeah, I could use another drink. Thanks.

I’m sure there’s more like me, but I haven’t found them yet. It’s lonely, being different.

How lonely? Imagine being the only one on a deserted island. Forever.

No, I’m perfectly aware we’re sitting in a crowded bar. All the noise is giving me a headache.

What? Sure, I suppose somewhere quieter would be nice, especially if I decide to tell you what I am. The real question here is: Are you sure you can trust me?

You laugh, because you’re a big, strapping man. That’s all right. I know your only plan for the night is getting laid.

Bluntness saves time. I’m not against the idea; you’re a good-looking guy.

All right, let’s go.

 Nice place. It’s cleaner than I expected from a guy your age living alone. You’re what, twenty-five?

Yeah, I’m good at guessing people’s ages. It’s a gift.

No need for fake affection, not with me. We can just strip and fuck. That’s fine.

If you’re any good, I’ll tell you what I am afterwards.

Oh, I think I’d give you a nine out of ten. You’re enthusiastic, aren’t you?

 Yeah, I did, and I will tell you. Well, I’ll show you.

 Shh…don’t scream, it hurts my ears. I told you I wasn’t crazy.

 Don’t do that.

 You’re a liar just like the rest. You said I could trust you, remember?

 I know it’s different now that you realize I wasn’t lying about humans not being the top of the food chain, huh?

 Bet you feel pretty alone right this minute.

 You know, maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you’re a ten after all. You certainly worked up my appetite.

 Don’t worry.

 I’ll make it fast. 

Small as she was, Shady’s weight on his hip might as well have been that of the whole world.

Cuddling his daughter, Tristan stared at the coffin as it descended into the grave.

Hope was gone.

She’d somehow fallen while going down the cellar steps. Betty discovered her, but it was too late. Knowing that it had been a quick death was of little comfort.

At least it hadn’t been Shady who’d found her. Tristan didn’t know how he would’ve handled their daughter finding her mother dead.

Dead. Dear Lord, why? Eyes closing against the burn of tears, he kissed the small head resting on his shoulder while hugging Shady a bit closer.

Briefly, Tristan thought of adopting her out to a Wolven pack. At least then, she wouldn’t have to finish her growing motherless.

Tristan hadn’t ever considered loving any woman but Hope from the first time he’d seen her. He didn’t know how to continue without her.

Better figure it out. Eyes opening, he gently set Shady down before leading her closer to the grave’s edge. The rose she held was crumpled, but he didn’t think Hope would mind that.

It fell, and through the painfully tight grip of his daughter’s hand, Tristan felt the shudder that wracked her. Head falling back and sinking to the ground, Shady howled.

The sound was thin, wavering and caused the short hairs on his neck to rise. Dropping to one knee, gathering his daughter close, he broke into sobs. 

***

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From Rift (Wolven Tales/draft):

The vehicles parked in the drive and at the curb in front of my home made it clear who was waiting for us inside: Tee’s parents, mine, Billy and our pack leader.

“It be all right,” Tee said while parking the borrowed car. The words weren’t enough as the enormity of what I’d done – we’d done – finally struck home in my mind.
I’d disobeyed my parents for the first time. Had ignored their decision and the agreement they’d made with Billy on my behalf.

We were in so much trouble.

No one came out, though they all had to have heard the car pulling in. Tee opened the front door to lead the way inside. Fear seemed to grab hold of my throat, making it difficult to breathe as we paused in the living room and all six stared at us.

Our pack leader gave no one else the chance to speak first. “Explain.”

From Hunter’s Edge (After the Fall/draft):

“I’m a pretty, pretty unicorn prancing on my way. A pretty, pretty unicorn enjoying a new daaay!”

Trissk scrubbed both hands over his face as Mary finally ended the song she’d created for herself. He wished he’d chosen another name for the ship, instead of selecting one from Linzi’s fantasy creatures she’d described to him when they were both kits. “Very nice. Status report?”

“All’s quiet on the western front, general. Sir!” she reported. “So, Fuzzy, you excited? We’re almost there.”

“We’re still two and a half hours out, Mary. I’m going to take a short rest.” They’d made the trip in record time for a Carrier class ship; Trissk had gone without sleep for two days, too busy anticipating seeing Linzi again. In the flesh; not on recorded messages. That had been a mistake because he was now so tired, he was afraid of falling asleep the moment he set foot on the station.

“Yeah, you do that. I’ll wake you in two hours, and you can take a shower. Hate to tell you this, Boss, but that ‘fuzzy’ crack? Your fur’s in some saaaad shape,” Mary told him. Rolling his eyes, Trissk made a mental note to ask Linzi to check the AI’s code. She was beginning to rub his fur the wrong way.

“I’ll do that,” he replied.

“Good. You want to look your best for her, right? Right. Because you’re in looove with the girl. Hey, are you going to kiss her the second you can get a grip on her? Because if you’re going to, can I watch?”

“No!” Trissk called over a shoulder while leaving the command cabin. He grinned as the AI’s voice followed him.

“No? No, I can’t watch, or no, you’re not going to kiss her? Boss? Hey!”

Chuffing, the young Katarr entered his onboard quarters and fell face down on the bunk. His tail waved briefly before falling limp.

Dark Dawn (Moon Children/draft):

The truck was twenty yards away when the awareness of a Moon Child filled my senses. Turning, I wondered why Rance would be riding with a stranger while it began slowing to a halt. The sunlight sparked off the front windshield, preventing a view of the interior. Once it halted, all four doors opened and my world shattered.

“Hello, Chelsea. It’s time to come home,” Malachi told me with a nasty smile.

Shocked, it was only the sudden surge of terror that prodded me into motion. Spinning, I began running for town. If I could reach town, Rance would be there. He’d sworn he wouldn’t let them take me; not from him, nor from Will. I had to reach him.

The snow and panic worked in tandem against me. I went sprawling face down as a heavy body slammed into me; Caleb’s scent filled my lungs as he flung me over. Panting, he mashed his mouth to mine, counting on the craving to subdue me.

I wasn’t sure who was more surprised when it didn’t work; him or me. The craving, which I felt constantly around Rance, and had once felt constantly around them, failed to surface at Caleb’s taste or touch. I continued fighting, snapping my teeth closed on his tongue as he forced it into my mouth, tasting blood as he yelped in pain.
He was flung aside and I scrambled, trying to regain my feet so that I could run again. A fist struck the side of my head and I fell before I was half way up, dazed and blinking. Malachi bent, grabbing hold of me, then heaved me to his shoulder.

“She bit me!” Caleb cuffed my ear. “You bit me, you little bitch.”

“Enough. We need to get her into the truck before someone comes along,” Malachi ordered. Hearing the words, I went wild; striking out with both hands at Caleb as talons erupted from my fingers. I kicked out at the same time, back arching, hoping to force Malachi into dropping me.

Once in the truck, I’d be at their mercy – and they had none.

“Chelsea, don’t make me hurt you,” Malachi growled, pinning my legs to his chest by throwing an arm around them just above my knees.

“She needs to be punished,” Caleb snarled as I levered myself up, talons shredding the parka covering Malachi’s back. The last thing I saw was his fist speeding towards my face.

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Feral Intensity v2: Prologue -

A yelp of pain escaped when his fist smashed into my face. Knees hitting the ground, I caught a heavy blow to the temple and collapsed face down.

My arms were yanked back and wrists cuffed.

Man, Maureen’s going to be pissed in the morning. Fortunately, my hair hid the spreading grin.

Maureen’s my Girl Friday and best friend. She thinks I work too much and has made it a personal mission to regularly drag me out to clubs for fun. Her order is always the same: Leave work at the office and relax, Shady.

Tonight, I’d failed more spectacularly than usual, but the consolation prize was the shocked expression she’d worn, watching me leave with him. Maureen, or Reen as I call her, has an unhealthy interest in my sex life.

Okay, my lack of one.

My attacker began dragging me up the steps of an old farmhouse. His name was Charles Watson; Number Five on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, due to his hobby of rape and murder. The last count I’d seen put the number of victims at twenty-seven. He had stuck to his M.O., which was a club pick up and a drive out to a secluded location.

Too bad I was his choice for tonight’s menu.

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