Kierra

I can just imagine what others see when they look at the thick spider webbing of multiple scars layered over each other. Going from mid-neck down to the tattoo on my shoulder, reaching over to my back and bleeding down where my collarbone had been busted. Scars hadn't been too bad at that point, but no one seems to like my left side.

Seems whenever I'm bitten into or damaged in some way, it's to my left shoulder or left side period. The blow to my ribs on my right side being the one to mark 'virgin' flesh, the road rash isn't counted since it left no scars. They will fade more and more over time, would have even without the near-perfect healing of the wolf. My eyes open once more as I reiterate to myself that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, since it shows that I have survived through what would have killed someone else.

Cool fingertips trace over some of the thicker tissues. Hadn't realized he leaned in closer to me till I feel a wet touch to my skin. My body jerks at the contact then I try to move away.

Hard hands hold me in place even as the tongue stays gentle while sweeping over skin. There's no open wound there anymore, but still, getting licked by Benjamin is really weird. My heart thunders as my fear rises.

Granted he's doing nothing other than helping along the healing process, possibly even making the scaring less, but the last time a humanoid was licking at my shoulder was not a good experience. Sensory memory, it's a bitch. When he goes to kneel, I've had enough.

"Benjamin, stop. You can't."

"I can."

I grab his face between my hands just as his knees touch down, turning his glazed eyes to me while trying to slow my breathing enough to talk and not bolt. Thinking of something, anything, that'll get him to stop.

"No, you can't. Not with your blood. When undead blood mixes with mine..."

His eyes are finally starting to focus as he blinks at me. The color so near Asher's, just several shades lighter. His frown of confusion and cognition enough to help my heart slow so I can continue.

"I go wild, and not in a good way. Me as a person sinks within the mind of the wolf, leaving me in the dark of a blackout, before that happens though it can send me into a rage or some other not cool emotional fit."

He gives me a look of disbelief so I growl at him.

"That's why my sister couldn't help me more than she did. She put her life in danger to heal me, giving her blood as well as trying to heal the way you were just doing. Did you know your blood can be used to close wounds as well as your saliva?"

I ask it more or less to get his attention away from doing what he wants to do. One hand holding my shirt while the other has a hold of my hip to keep me from moving, I don't struggle, even though I dearly want to.

"Of course I know that, it just isn't a common thing to do since it can risk so many things. It's also seen as either a gift or taboo, depending on who it's being given to."

Sounds like himself again, but still looking at my body. This time looking grim as his fingertips trace the edges. Doesn't hurt, didn't last time, was just a shock.

It is, however, very uncomfortable to have a male friend kneeling in front of me like this. Let alone touching skin that is usually covered anyway because I don't like showing it. I'm a thicker girl and not one who likes to flash her belly around.

"Can you stand, please? You're kinda freakin' me out here."

Humor lights his eyes, but he stands, releasing my shirt. Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and evenly. The Vampire still watches me, but I'll take that over kneeling in front of me.

Keeping his mind off the fact that he could still use his saliva is going to be interesting if he keeps going on like this. Just as I don't want him bleeding on me though, licking my midsection is totally out of the picture.

"That amount of damage wasn't all recent. There's a layering of scar tissues."

I nod, shrugging my shoulder in an attempt to make my shirt less annoying now that the collar is torn wider.

"Tell me."

Jumping away from the tree onto the paved road, I glare at him again, feeling ten times better now that I'm not pinned to a tree. He smirks at me with a raised brow, the expression a clear statement that he could grab me again so my moving is no problem. I keep glaring as my arms cross again, legs splayed wide as I once again balance on the balls of my feet.

"You know, you should know me well enough to know that I don't take orders well, so I don't see why you find the constant need to do so. Asking would get you there a lot faster with less trouble."

"Maybe, but annoying you is highly amusing, you always rise to the bait."

My jaw clenches. Can feel the muscle jumping in my cheek as I stare him down. He's right, which just makes it all the more annoying. I growl as I turn my back to him.

Doesn't quite get me what I want as he steps up so close I can feel the faint warmth coming from him. The feeling of his body brushing mine once again causes hormones to go idiotic. Might not be so bad if he couldn't smell them doing so.

Turning, my palm presses to his chest and pushes him back. He goes back a step or so, but keeps hold of my hand, clasping it to him. I scowl but finally give in and give him his damn answer.

"First set was from when I was first attacked, he'd bitten into my shoulder before moving down to bite into my collarbone while claws played at gutting me. Made worse when I was drugged and left for three days without any kind of attention. Re-breaking and knitting when I shifted the first time, then a rogue Werewolf had grabbed me, then a Vamp bit into me with the intent of ripping out my throat, then of course this last time when it was bitten into while getting a hole punched into my body. Happy?"

By the glittering of his eyes, I'd take it he's the opposite of happy. Well, he asked.

"And where are they now?"

That gets me smirking, pride welling in myself. All but one.

"First attack was by the one who made the most recent. He's the one that was killed in front of people, spinal cord snapped while ripping out his throat. Vampire died in my front yard, which by the way, was really trippy."

He snorts but eyes me.

"And the other? The rogue?"

Shrugging, I rub my arms. Not from being cold, but of the knowledge that he's still out there and knows where to find me.

"He ran after almost getting near castrated and eviscerated. Turns out he was one sent to kill me by the bloodsucker who held my sister. The second was the Vamp."

So not going to tell him about the third, 'technically first', but I'm pretty sure he'll be able to figure it out in time. Benjamin nods with a smile, a proud look about him. Cool, I guess.

"Which brings up a question. Will your leader be seeking the one responsible for his death? Or coming for my sister?"

Okay, so it's two questions. Need to know both though, so I leave it. Benjamin's eyes go thoughtful as he looks over me.

"Doubtful to the first, as it was his own stupidity that got him killed. As for your sister... I'm not sure."

Can feel my eyes harden and go yellow, muscles clenching hard all along my frame. He sees it and just gives an apologetic shrug.

"There are so many rumors going around about the two of you that there really is no telling. Right now he isn't in town, so unless someone calls or goes for him, doubt he will hear about her for a while yet. Even if he does, he will want to talk to probably both of you, but he won't just send someone after you without a proven reason."

Well, that's sort of a relief. Seems there are a couple 'good' Vamps here and there, but I don't want to jump the gun, so I'll just stay wary, thank you. Nodding to him, I tug at my hand to remind him to let me go.

Still not inclined to, he's gazing off into wonderland. Scowling harder, I snap my fingers in front of his face. Blinking, he looks down at me, his thumb sliding over the back of my hand.

See? Males are confusing.

"Have you been able to learn anything more about the other stuff I asked of you? Is the clean-up all finished at the neighbors?"

His eyes directed themselves to my mouth as soon as I started talking, and seem stuck there now. I sigh in frustration. If I didn't know better I'd say his touching me is making him drunk.

That actually makes me stop and really think about things. He started acting like this after I became a Werewolf, yes, but also after I called his tiger. Have I done something to him?

My expression must have changed, because he looks back to my eyes with a small frown.

"I'm so sorry Benji."

He looks startled and confused. I had also called Xavier's animal, but he doesn't act like this. This shit needs a damn operating manual. Going around screwing up friends' brains is not a good thing, don't know who decided it was.

"Why are you apologizing?"

My head shakes, but I feel horrible. I want the old Benjamin back, I don't know what to do with this new one.

"You going to answer any of my questions?"

He watches me for a moment, trying to read what's going on. His hand drops mine as he whirls around faster than I can blink, crouching down, and looking up the driveway. Faline is walking towards us with Asher next to her.

Dressed in blue jeans, a light-colored knit sweater, and also barefoot. Her thickened sunset-colored hair lays over her shoulders, longer than it had been a few weeks ago. Right now she's a picture of grace as she softly walks up all pale and wide-eyed.

Her eyes go from my torn shirt to the male in front of me with rising anger. Does look pretty bad, as I can even feel Asher's escalating emotions as well. Moving, I stand in front of him and catch their gazes.

Shaking my head, I hold out a hand. I've seen too many movies where someone goes and says 'It's not what it looks like' and it being too late or some other issue.

"Faline, you know Benjamin, Asher I don't think you two have met, but he is a friend."

"Doesn't look like a friend from my angle of things."

The whip in my head has me glaring at him, so I retort with something just as frivolous.

"That's because you're so low to the ground."

Get the impression of a raised brow from him as his eyes lighten. Looking to my sibling, she's still scowling hard.

"It was either tear my shirt or take it off, I'd rather it torn. Chill out and listen before assuming. Do either of you really think I would be standing here calmly if he assaulted me?"

That finally gets through to them that everything's at least okay. The Vampire at my back rises as he looks at Faline in confusion, he seems to be confused a lot lately. She looks from him to me.

"The tiger, yeah?"

I nod, which has her smirking with a mischievous gleam. My eyes narrow at her in warning. She, of course, does not heed it.

"So, you're the one my sister says is huge."