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First time Mary saw the British woman, it was at the end of a werewolf hunt.
Mary had hunted werewolves before, a lot before in fact. Her dad had dubbed her the “Wolverine” at age fifteen for taking down a pack. It was half a play on her achievement and half a play on her height. Mary had tried to explain to him that she was not that short at all - that she was actually quite tall for a woman, but he had not listened. It didn’t matter to her much anyway, she liked having a nickname, and she liked being good at hunting werewolves.
The town she was staying in was a small one just an hour out from Spokane, Washington. Even though Sam and Dean had explained to her for hours how to find hunts “on the internet,” Mary had found it by driving through the town. She had spotted a missing person report stapled to a telephone pole. It was not much to go off of, but she knew the right places to go, and the right questions to ask.
She was “The Wolverine” after all.
The den had been deep in a pine forest, next to a pond covered in algae. Surrounding the area was a heavy stench of blood, and the ground was covered in entrails, leading to a door with frayed hinges. The shack where the group lives was held together by duct tape and nails, the old wood rotting away on the walls. All she had to do was look inside, and she saw the pack hovering over a smartphone, the blue light illuminating their faces. It was clear that some of them were pure bloods, they sat with their teeth extended, even though the moon was only a crescent. The group had slaughtered several women in town, and many more had disappeared mysteriously.
Mary had the perfect shot. Bang. The first one fell to the ground, silver bullet in his heart.
The three remaining men shot up, looking around. Mary knew that this was her chance. Bang, Bang. Two more shots, one in the heart and one to the leg.
Half the pack was down, but this is where the challenge really began. The wolves moved fast, and were out of Mary’s eyesight. She shot a couple more bullets, but none hit. Groaning, Mary turned around and pressed her back to the spruce tree, its rough bark rubbing against her flannel. It might turn into a melee fight. She hovered her hand over the silver knife in her belt.
Then darkness overtook her. Large hands grasped at her wrists, pulling her to the ground against the trunk. She struggled against the weight, and fell deeper into the ground. Saliva hit her wrist.
Off in the distance she heard the sound of a snarl, and a large branch breaking. Her attacker heard her too. She took her chance, kicking into his stomach with her metal toed boots.
This freed her hands, giving her the chance to pull the black bag off her head, and pull the dagger out of her pants. She lunged at the wolf, using her body weight to throw him into the ground, and plunged the dagger deep into his chest. Panting, she pushed it deeper and deeper. It had been quite a while since she was fifteen, and she wanted to be sure he was really dead.
Mary sat straddling the body as his breath slowly stopped. Her back hurt. When she was younger she could’ve gotten two concussions and kept going, but at thirty-seven, one fight was enough to make her sore for days.
Another branch crack, and she jumped off the body. The one she had shot in the leg! Maybe her mind was going too.
The air was completely silent, then the crunch of leaves signaled foot steps. Mary pulled her gun close to her, and swiftly turned around to the other side of the tree.
But it was just a woman, an extremely well dressed woman, but just a woman. The lady gave a nod, motioning to the other side of Mary.
Mary swung around, to find the final man running towards her at full speed. She raised her gun, and pulled the trigger. And again. It wasn’t going.
Had she forgotten to reload? She pulled the trigger again, he was getting closer!
Mary heard the sound of a bullet wiz past her ear, and the wolf slumped to the ground. It fell right at her feet, the top of its head brushing against her toes.
She looked back at the woman, who had her arm outstretched, gun in hand.
“Thank- thank you.” Mary stuttered.
“Please don’t, I’m not here for you.” The woman spoke with a British accent. She strutted past Mary, with a gait that belonged in a corporate office, not in the middle of rural Washington. She walked up to the dead body as if it was a cup of spilled coffee, and removed its clothes as if sorting through paperwork.
“You're wearing heels?” Was all Mary could ask.
“Yes, do you like them?” The woman stuck her hand behind the man's neck, unhooking the necklace that hung around it. On the chain was a jade wolf pendant. “They are Chanel, brand new.”
After taking off the necklace, the woman took the time to do a little spin, showing off her pristine black shoes. Even though they were in the middle of the forest, there was not a spec of dirt on them. It was the first time Mary had gotten a good look at her. Her hair was cut down to her shoulders, with light brown highlights. She wore light makeup, just enough to hide her blemishes. Even through the concealer Mary could see the wrinkles starting to form by her eyes. They were probably the same age.
Mary stood up, and walked up to the woman. “Let me take you out to dinner, hunter’s honor, for saving my life.” She glances around at the bodies. “After we clean up, we can stop at some diner-“
“I’m not a hunter.” The lady saw the confusion in Mary’s eyes. “I’m somewhat of a freelancer. You're lucky I was here, and that the one attacking had the object I was looking for.”
“Hunter or not- us monster fighters gotta stick together-“
The woman held her hand up, then pulled a phone out of her jacket. “Yes- I have it, I just picked it up-“
Mary rolled her eyes. Getting interrupted by phone calls seemed like quite the common event in their modern era. Her own phone sat dead in the backseat of her car. She had forgotten to charge it again.
She answered with a few more “yeses” before putting the phone down. “Sorry, about that - my employer. He is very impatient.”
“Seriously, they are calling you now? Do they know you just killed a werewolf?”
The lady just shook herchuckled. It was the first genuine sound Mary heard out of her. “I try to tell them, a lot of things can be solved with a two line email. But they like to stay on top of everything.”
“Well they sound like a pain in the ass.” Mary said. “In this life, sometimes you got to live your own life-”
Mary froze. She was immediately plunged into her thoughts, of the memory of the last time she had seen Sam and Dean.
“Well, some things are easier said than done-” The lady paused, and looked at Mary, expectantly.
“Mary!” She realized what she was asking. “My name is Mary. And you are very right about that.”
“Bela. My name is Bela Talbot.” Bela responded.
The two of them did end up getting dinner together. Mary suspected it was because Bela was looking for information on a relic for her next employer. She kept name dropping important objects, asking about notable locations. Though, It became quickly clear that she was asking the wrong hunter. Apparently being dead for the last thirty years leaves one with limited information on monster news.
That’s why Mary was surprised they stayed at the restaurant so long. They had driven back to Spokane, and Bela found a sushi place. Mary had never had it before. Bela even seemed to even enjoy watching Mary discover the new cuisine, and hearing her thoughts on the different meals. Mary couldn’t help but wonder if Sam and Dean had even had Japanese food like this before-
Bela explained her work, she found important supernatural objects and sold them around the world. It was quite a lucrative business, as evidenced by her outfit and choice of restaurant. Mary had never met anyone like her before, and she was enthralled. It was a whole new world, not just because it was in the 2010s. The way Bela described it drew Mary in. Her tales of adventure were a combination of the hunter lifestyle Mary was so used to, but it also seemed, livable. No searching dead vampires for cash, no hot wiring cars. This woman even took vacations.
Mary hung onto every word, and Bela seemed to soak in the praise she offered. Bela was even happy to listen to her “Wolverine” story, about how she had killed th werewolves as a teenager. Mary couldn’t remember the last time she got into such a fun conversation.
The night ended later than expected, and they parted ways with a hug.
————————————-
Mary stood still in the middle of the sidewalk, staring at the buildings around her. She had never been to New York City before, and the skyscrapers astounded her. They blotted out the sun, and channeled wind that batted against her thin jacket. She had never seen such a densely packed place, with cars constantly honking, and so many people churning through the streets. This intrigued her as well, half of them were looking down into their devices, others had headphones in their ears. It was different from what she was used to.
Someone briskly pushed by her.
“Excuse me-“ a British voice spoke.
“Bela?”
“Mary?”
The two woman looked up at each other. Sure enough, it was Bela, wearing a pant suit. Mary looked at the other woman dumbfounded.
“What are you doing here?” Mary asked.
“I-“ Bela spoke, but her voice was blotted out by the crowd. She grabbed Mary by the arm and pulled her close, so she was almost touching her chest.
“I’m on a job. The real question is, what are you doing here.”
Mary looked at Bela, she was so close to her face. She was flustered for a moment. That was something she had not felt in a while.
“I’m- I’m sightseeing. You know after all this time, I have never been to New York City?”
Bela did not seem impressed. “You have never been to the city, and your first instinct is to go to the Empire State Building?”
Mary could smell Bela’s perfume, it was a sweet lavender. From this distance she could see the smoothness of her skin, the eyeliner she had applied. She was beautiful.
“You cannot just go to the Empire State Building when in New York. That is the most tourist thing to do.” Bela took a step back from Mary, and grasped her shoulder. “How about this, you help me out, and I really show you the city.”
The job turned out to not be a monster hunt, but attending an auction. Bela lent her clothes to Mary, then simply asked her to sit in the audience and bid on objects, but not win anything. Mary watched as vases, paintings, and jewelry were sold to the wealthiest people she had ever seen. There was a small hiccup in the event, they were unable to bring out an old coin. Otherwise it went smoothly.
The two of them met at a rendezvous spot later, a fancy Italian restaurant Bela has mentioned.
“Thank you for your help earlier,” Bela said as she slid a handkerchief across the table.
Mary carefully unwrapped it, where an ancient Roman coin sat inside. She scoffed. That explained the missing object.
“But I don’t get it.” She asked. “Why did you need me, you could have done that on your own.”
Bela took the coin back, and put it in her purse “A magician never explains his secrets.”
Bela’s phone rung, but she simply pressed the off button on the side. It stopped ringing.
Mary narrowed her eyes.
“Working with others is easier, it allows more room for error. You're just lucky it went over so well.” Bela spoke with confidence.
Mary knew someone lying when she saw it. Bela was refusing to give up something.
“I know what it’s like to have hunts go wrong. Dodged my fair share of death.”
“Like last time ‘Wolverine.’”
Mary rolled her eyes. “Worse.”
“It’s not a competition.”
“That’s true enough.” Mary looked at the ceiling. “Every hunter loves to brag about all their close calls but fail to leave in the part where they were pissing their pants the whole time.”
“For sure. I think it might just be the testosterone though.”
Mary chuckled until it got quiet. “You know Bela, even though you do this for money, at least you're not like that. No dick measuring contests, just- just trying to survive in this fucked up world. Even though you do eat at fancy restaurants and make more than I could dream of.”
Bela simply reached across the table and lightly hit her wine glass against Mary’s. “That’s all it ever is isn’t it? Surviving. Though I think some of us deserve to thrive.”
It was chilly when the two of them left, and Mary stood with her shoulders brushing against Bela. Mary looked at her delicate and pristine face, contrasted against the rough streets of the city. Bela could have been anyone, but she was drawn in by her soft eyes, illuminated by street lights. It was dark outside, and Bela insisted she at least come back to her apartment for the night. She claimed the motel she was staying at had a bad reputation.
Mary slept on the couch. It was a beautiful sofa, but Mary couldn’t keep her eyes from drifting towards the closed door that Bela’s bedroom lay behind. She was feeling something she had not felt- she had not let herself feel- in a long time.
Her phone buzzed. It was Dean telling her about his most recent hunt, some demon attack.
——————
The third time Mary saw Bela was at the Canadian border. Her passport had gotten flagged.
Mary was sitting in the border office, planning her escape. There were two guards, but they did not look very fit. She could punch one in the stomach, and jump out the window and get her car. They had not taken her keys yet, fortunately. Mary turned over the smartphone in her hands. She could text Dean, tell her that she needed him, and he would drive however many hours to reach her. Then he would ask her why she was in Canada, where she had been.
Mary did not have time to make a decision on her escape, or texting for help. A woman strutted right by with her perfect posture. She turned towards Mary, and leaned down close to her.
“Is that the ‘Wolverine’?” Bela asked.
Mary looked up in shock. Half at the fact she was here at all, and half that Bela was an inch from her face.
“Seriously, what are you doing here? I’ve got my reasons.”
“My passport- It’s a lot different from when I crossed over last time.” Mary explained. It seemed a lot of things were easier in the 80s.
“Don’t worry about it, I have it handled,” Bela said, then swiftly pressed her lips to Mary’s cheek. “Just be more careful next time.”
Mary did not have a chance to respond before Bela moved away. She was released a half an hour later.
As Mary drove off, she kept waiting to see Bela again, in every car, around every bend in the road. She kept feeling her against the side of her face, and kept smelling her lavender perfume. Even as the sun set, the sky turned a dark blue, and the full moon rose above the horizon, Mary kept feeling that tug, that longing. Deep in the pit of her stomach, on the skin of her cheek, she felt the pull. She could not even think about what would have happened if she did not show up. All she could think of is what happened, how she touched her. How she saved her. Maybe she had misread the situation.
Mary did not see Bela in Canada.
——————-
A dance emerged between the two of them, the random appearances, the fancy dinners paid for by Bela. It was always as Mary had just forgotten about her mysterious friend. Then she appeared again, with her perfect outfits and tales of adventure.
She was a secret idol for Mary to pray too, a small light in an endless tunnel of hunts, violence and disappointment. A woman who was able to scratch by in the horrible world they knew, keeping it together despite the roughness of everything. When looking at the atrocities of the monsters she hunted, or the horrors she had to enact herself, there was an idol to look at. Bela. Always in control, standing tall. A silent angel ready to swoop in and save her. She lived in Mary’s world and did not have to hurt anyone. Nothing like the real angels or any hunter she knew.
She was a breath of fresh air.
——————————
Dean 8:30
Yellowstone? Why Yellowstone?
Mary 9:45
I used to go there with my Father when I was younger, I wanted to remember.
Dean 9:50
We could come with you?
Dean 9:54
Dad took us to Yellowstone once when we were kids, it would be nice to go again.
Mary 10:34
I know you guys are busy with Lucifer, I don’t want to drag you away. I’ll be fine on my own.
Dean 10:50
Okay. Send pictures. Miss you Mom.
Read 10:50
Mary was sitting on the side of the road, phone in hand. The whole exchange had not been a complete lie, she was going to Yellowstone. She did not want to bother the boys, especially with their endless tally of important quests. However, she had never gone to Yellowstone with Father, she had never been to a national park at all.
Being at the bunker, the knocking on her door, the talk of demons, John’s hunter journal sitting out in the open for everyone to see and read. Sometimes she even smelt burning flesh, from whatever corpse Sam and Dean had dug up. It was too much.
So she picked up a book on notable travel locations, flipped to a random page. Yellowstone.
She could have brought Sam and Dean. Mary’s mind endlessly drifted back to the thought of her bringing them as children. She would have them look at the states on license plates, and buy them each junior rangers hats. She would kneel next to Dean and ask him questions about Old Faithful. The two of them would scream and cheer whenever the geyser went off, and she would smile.
Now Mary was staying at a small motel right outside of the park. She only vaguely knew how to take pictures with her phone to send. Dean had sat by her side countless times to try and explain the process of it, but never clicked in Mary’s head. He would grow frustrated, and then Sam would try explaining as well. Mary would lie and say she understood, and then they would move on, and Dean would ask her how she took photos as a child.
Mary tossed her phone into the back seat. She could at least try and enjoy the sights while she was here.
It was turning out to be quite a normal trip as well, at least until she saw her.
Bela had been out of Mary’s life for an unusual amount of time, even for their typical standards. The last time they met, Bela had taken her out for Korean BBQ in Los Angeles. They had ended their meeting with a kiss. That had been months ago.
This time, Mary barely recognized Bela. She was wearing sweatpants, a ripped up cardigan, and a tank top. More notable was where she was located, covered in dirt on the side of the road. She was not even standing, her body collapsed on the ground, her arms barely holding her up. Still, her pristine face showed through, staring at Mary as she drove by.
Mary immediately pulled over, not even sure what she was seeing.
“Mary-” Bela choked out in her British accent. “Mary what are you-”
“What I am doing here? What are you doing here? Its been months!”
Bela closed and opened her mouth. She looked exhausted, there were deep circles under her eyes, and her usually clean hair was a mess on her head. She grasped at the spot around her collarbone.
“Mary- I have to go- They took something,” Bela muttered.
Mary kneeled at the side of the pathetic woman. She took over her flannel, and putting it around her shoulders, and rubbed her back.
“What happened?” Mary spoke in a low voice. “Who did this to you?”
“I'm sorry, I can handle this.” Bela said. “It was just a job that went awry.”
“What happened.” Mary asked again.
“It’s fine. I’m fine. I can do this myself, it’s just part of the job.”
“Well part of my job as a hunter is helping out folks who need it. You are in a ditch on the side of the road. Obviously something bad has happened to you.” Mary said. “Which way did they go? Get in the car. We are going after them.”
“I can handle it- please Mary-“
“No. We are going together.”
Bela looked up at Mary, but she could see that there was nothing changing her mind. There was no arguing, Mary was not going to leave her. She helped Bela to the passenger seat of her car. She did not even notice their closeness, Mary’s thoughts were fully set on who had hurt Bela.
“Why are you here?” Bela asked. “I don’t get it-“
Mary struggled to think of an answer. “My father- we used to go to Yellowstone together when I was younger. I wanted to remember.”
“Go figure.” Bela shrugged.“You know you don’t have to help me. I would have figured something out.”
“Consider it payment for Canada.” Mary responded, then turned to Mary. “And- I don’t mind. Anytime. If it’s you, I’ll do it.”
Mary felt Bela’s eyes on her from the passenger seat. It was true though.
They had a couple more hours to go, and Mary slowly heard more of the story. Bela had been looking for another object in Nevada, a demon warding bracelet. Just as she was scouting a car swerved off the road, and everything went black. Bela did not know how long she was out, only that when she did it was now day outside. She had woken up just to be thrown out of a truck and into a ditch on a road in the middle of nowhere. The road Mary had been driving down.
All Bela had managed to grab from the car was a pamphlet for a small trailer park. The worn paper was barely legible, but Bela managed to find the location using Mary’s phone. They drove for several hours, even as the sun began to set. By the time they arrived, it was well into the night. They had spent the last ten hours in the car together.
“You can leave me here.” Bela said.
They were still a mile out from the campsite, in a deep forest. The only light was coming from the headlights or Mary’s car.
“I’m not just leaving you here,” Mary argued.
Bela let out a sign, and held the bridge of her nose between her fingers. Her eyes were shut tight.
“Please, just. I got this.”
“I drove you all this way, and you want to just abandon me?”
“Abandon you? I asked you not to come with me.”
“You wanted me to leave you on the side of the road?” Mary shook her head, and stopped the car on the side of the road. “I could not do that to you, I could not do that to anyone!”
“Well maybe I don’t want you here.” Bela opened the car door and stepped out. “Never have I met a hunter who needs to be saved so much. I can’t deal with another burden in this fight. Leave. Maybe we will meet some other time.”
Mary was taken aback. “Well you don’t really have a choice. I’m coming with you.”
She pulled the key out of the ignition, and walked around the car to where Bela was standing.
“I know my worth, and I know your in no state to fight-“
Mary did not get a chance to finish her sentence, as Bela lugged something at her skull. With a loud clunk, Mary fell to the ground, unconscious.
She awoke to the sounds of screaming. Mary was laid out in the back seat of the car, a tee shirt cushioning her head. It was almost pitch black outside, except for the full moon that hung above the trees. It was just enough light to cast dull blue shadows across the forest floor. It was all Mary needed.
She scrambled through the trunk, and grabbed a sawed off shotgun, and a dagger she kept between the seats. It would just have to do. She headed towards the yelling, deep in the woods. There was not a clear path to follow, but she knew she was heading the right direction as the yelling became louder. Mary did her best to move quickly, but the shotgun and thick overgrown slowed her down. Her thoughts were racing the whole time, thinking of Bela’s fragile frame, and the horrors of the world.
In the distance, Mary could see a flicker of light through the trees. The fire pit sat in the middle of a clearing, providing just enough light to illuminate a few blurry figures in the middle of an altercation. Whatever was happening, It was clearly not a fair fight. Mary could see one of the figures was dominating the rest. The dark figure hopped around the fire, covered in a large cape. They pulled one to the ground, and appeared to feast on it like an animal. When the other two approached it, they were thrown across the clearing, and slammed against a Boulder that sat in the forest.
She could not spot Bela anywhere. But wherever she was, all Mary could think was that she was in danger of being hurt by this thing. Or worse, that she had already been killed. Mary took her shotgun and fired into the clearing. Her bullet just grazed the edge of the creature's fabric, then it was gone. She fired again. Another miss, but this time, the creature stopped and looked right at her. Mary shivered, she had been spotted.
She threw herself to the ground. Mary still had the cover of the undergrowth, but she did not know how to kill her target. All she had on her was a dagger. Mary cursed herself for rushing into the forest, she had not even grabbed more bullets.
Even a tiny part of her hoped someone would swing in to save her. But Mary knew better, that wasn’t going to happen. And she needed to move .
She slithered through the undergrowth, doing her best to see where the beast was moving. Even with the bright full moon, it was hard to see. She crouched, and moved slowly through the leaves. The figure had left the clearing. From behind her she heard the swish of leaves.
Mary swiveled around, trying to see, but it was too dark. She squatted low to the ground, and pushed herself against a tree. At her feet she noticed something catch against the moonlight.
Mary felt something whisk against her, it was the fabric. She did not even give herself a chance to think. Mary sprung from her spot by the tree, and used her body weight to bring the monster to the ground, running the dagger into its heart. She pushed the blade deeper and deeper into its body. Even if it couldn’t be killed by it, Mary hoped it would at least give her a chance to escape, and hopefully, find her friend.
The cape was covering the figure's body, with the knife pinning the fabric to its chest. She ripped the cloth off, only to see sweat pants and a tank top underneath. She ripped off the rest to reveal the attacker's face.
Her eyes were narrowed like a cat, and her canines were long and sharp. Blood covered the lower half of her face, and clumps of clots lay around her lips. But it was unmistakable, it was Bela?
The monster was foaming at the mouth under Mary, whimpering and unable to speak because of its teeth. It simply motioned its hand behind her, to the metal glint that had caught Mary’s eye earlier. Half buried in the dirt was the chain of a necklace.
Bela let out garbled noises, and somehow Mary got the message to pick up the silver. Bela grabbed the jewelry from Mary’s hand, At once her face transformed, her fangs shrunk and pupils became round. Mary struggled to see in the light, but she was sure this time, it was Bela.
She peered at the chain Bela had grasped at, off of it hung a Wolf Pendant. The one Mary had seen the first time she met Bela. The pieces started to click together in her head.
It didn’t matter what conclusions she jumped too, an instinct kicked in. The same drive from when she found Bela, all Mary could think to do was wrap her in her arms, and kiss her forehead. The clearing was full of blood and unconscious bodies. But that didn’t matter to her, she just drew Bela closer to her, so she could feel her warmth through her clothes. The two of them stayed like that for a while.
————————-
The two of them struggled back to the car. As soon as they sat down, Bela opened her mouth to speak.
“I have two sons.” Mary said.
“What?” Bela opened her mouth in shock, her previous thought temporarily forgotten. “But you don’t- did you-“
“No, no, they are older now. Adults. They take care of themselves.” Mary sensed Bela’s confusion. “I’m a little older than I look. I just, I always worry about them, and they are an important part of my life. If
we- keep meeting each other, I guess you should know.”
There was a long, awkward pause.
“I had no idea.” Bela said, and then stopped for a moment. “I guess it’s a night for secrets. I’m a werewolf.”
Mary was shifted back into reality, remembering half an hour before, when she had cradled Bela close to her chest. It seemed like a different world.
“Those men,” She spoke carefully. “Did you lie about them? Did they really throw you in their trunk?”
“Yes, what I told you was more or less true,” Bela said. “I knew who they were though. I have been dodging them for months. This isn’t the first time they have stolen from me, or even kidnapped me.”
Mary turned the keys in the ignition of her car, and drove off. Bela’s whole tone was different, it was not the playful voice she usually put on. It was much more serious.
They drove in silence for a while.
“Are your sons- hunters too?” Bela asked.
“Yes.” Mary said. “I didn’t want them to be. But they are.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Bela clearly did not know what to say. “How old are they?”
Mary went still, hands grasped tightly on the steering wheel. There was no way to explain her situation.
“Where should we stay tonight? I am not sure if they’re are any hotels up to your standards around here.” Mary finally interjected.
“You want to stay with me?”
Mary gave a quick glance away from the road, to look at Bela. She did not know what to say.
“I don’t like to stay in hotels alone on full moons. Even with my pendant- it’s a werewolf blocker, allows me to eat real food as well as hearts, I do my best to keep out of harm's way.” Bela said. “Force of habit.”
“How about a Motel?” Mary thought for a moment. “And, you won’t be alone.”
Bela smirked, “Well I have never stayed at a motel before.”
For another stretch of the road, they drove in silence. Mary had not even turned out the radio. The only sounds that filled the car were the drum of wheels on pavement.
There was another long pause.
“I don’t eat human hearts. I only eat animal hearts. Even when I first turned, I could control myself.”
Mary rolled her eyes, “You know, I have had a bunch of creatures say that to me before.”
“Mary- I know I did not tell you- but how was I supposed to? You're a hunter. I have lied about what I am. But I would not keep seeing you if I didn’t have to.“ Bela reached out and placed a hand on the outside of Mary’s thigh. “ My life is dealing with men like the ones we saw earlier, who want to corner me and take my one lifeline. It’s dealing with people who will use me, then leave me high and dry. You know how rare it is to meet someone who is not like that? All the hunters I meet are men set on demonstrating their power over me. Every hunter except you.”
The hand at the top of Mary’s hip was barely there, simply the back of Bela’s hand lightly brushing against her. But It was a silent comfort, and softened her whole posture.
“We can find a Motel.” Mary said. “And for what it’s worth, I do feel similarly.”
“Thank you.” Bela responded. “I’m sorry I disappeared for so many months. It was work related, but I never stopped hoping I would run into you. I am so glad you found me.”
Mary reached out and brushed her hand across Bela’s cheek. She didn’t take her eyes off the road, but could feel the woman sink into her touch.
They ended up staying at the first motel they saw, and immediately booked a room. It was not until the two of them unlocked the door that they realized there was only one bed- but they did not even mention it. The two of them just flopped down on top the covers, without even changing their clothes.
After they were settled in, Mary opened her mouth, about to ask a question.
“I became a werewolf eights years ago, if that’s what you want to know.” Bela answered, as if she had read Mary’s mind. “It was not by choice, but it saved my life. I was on the run from hellhounds looking to drag my soul to hell. They stopped trying after that, no more hiding with hex bags, or lining every room with devil draps. I don’t know where I’m going but it’s not hell.”
“Purgatory,” Mary turned on her side, so she was facing the other woman. “That is where the souls of monsters go.”
Bela was laying on her back, looking up at the ceiling. In the dim lighting Mary could just see the outline of her nose bridge against the window. The bed itself was small. It had not occurred to her until this moment how close they really were. She yearned to close the gap. All she could do was reach her hand halfway across the blanket.
“You're not the only one to dodge death.” Mary spoke quietly into the silence. “I was supposed to die, but I am still here. It’s why my sons are older.”
Bela shifted her body over, so she was facing away from the window and towards Mary. Her face was completely hidden by shadow, but Mary felt a hand grasp hers. She squeezed back, and pulled the forearm into her chest. It was warm, and Bela wiggled closer, nestling under Mary’s chin. Mary wrapped her arm around the other woman’s back, pulling her closer, and kissed her ear.
Bela pushed into the touch, and slipped her hand up Mary’s loose shirt. Her fingers landed on Mary’s ribs, where she ran them across her skin.
“Wait,” Mary said.
Bela immediately pulled back. “I’m sorry- I must have misread the situation-“
“No it’s not that-“
“No this is too much- I understand.” Bela sat up. “I shouldn’t have pushed.”
“No, it’s just-“ Mary grabbed Bela’s arm towards her, bringing them back together. “I want to. But I haven’t slept in God knows how many hours and spent the whole night running through the woods. It’s a lot, and I need to rest. But it’s not a no.”
Bela let out the quietest of chuckles, and Mary pulled her closer.
“How about tomorrow?” Mary asked.
“Yes,” Bela curled into Mary’s chest, “That sounds brilliant .”
Mary giggled, she didn’t think Bela could get more British.
——————————————-
Mary woke up to banging on the door, and her hunter instincts immediately took over. Before Bela even realized Mary had moved, Mary had grabbed her gun and planted herself behind the door. She tried to check through the peephole, but it was raining outside, leaving their one view outside clouded over.
“Who is it?” Bela asked, groggy from just waking up.
Mary put her two fingers up to her lips, the universal signal to keep quiet. Bela perked up, and quickly got out of bed to stand behind Mary.
“Mom! Open the door, it’s me!”
Mary recognized that voice. She lowered the gun and creaked open the door. It was Dean on the other side.
“Listen I’m sorry for just showing up, but we got some information about Lucifer, and we tried texting and calling you but you weren’t picking up. Then we looked at the location of your phone and you were all over the place, and not any places with cases-“ Dean was speaking fast, all while looking at the ground. “We wouldn’t have tracked your phone, but we weren’t sure-“
“Oh shit! I forgot to charge it again.” Mary opened the door a little more, and shook her head. “It’s okay, I’m fine, just got distracted by a hunt.”
“No I get it- did you at least get to see Yellowstone?”
“Yeah, a little bit.” Mary glanced to the side, where Bela was standing completely still, in shock. She had almost forgotten she still had her over. “Listen Dean I’ll catch you up, over breakfast? I saw a diner we could go to-“
“Yeah, that works!” Dean leaned in the doorway.
“I think it was called the Mirage di-“
She did not get to finish her sentence, because Dean had lunged across the motel room and behind the door. He pulled out a knife, and pinned Bela to the wall behind the doorway.
“You motherfucker!” Dean growled, pushing the blade threateningly against her neck. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
Any sense of fear or shock immediately left Bela’s body, and she transformed her expression into its typical cunning look. She slid her eyes towards Mary, and then back at Dean, with the slightest of smiles.
“Well technically, we were not going to fuck until tomorrow.”