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The slight clicking of heels hitting concrete echoed off the small closed-in space. A concrete hallway, deep underground that the little vampire made his way through, a happy little pep in his step. Fire torches were held to the walls in iron sconces. Each was spaced a few feet apart so the tunnel was well-lit. The red, oranges, and blues cause flickering shadows to play across the gray stone and the side profile of a young face. Galie Kit, a 500-year-old vampire. A sly little thing that always seemed to get his way. He was lord of his family house, after all, others had to listen to what he said.
It was finally the month of Halloween, which meant the werewolf fights would begin. Galie’s favorite part of the month. One would think that it was the ability to be out and suck the blood of mortals, with not as much as a question to his fangs or attire. The mortal celebration gave him plenty of excuses and the stupid humans would fall for it every time. Though Galie did love such luxuries, it wasn't what he was headed to do. What caused that pep in his step? No, it was because he was on his way to his prized possession, Axel.
Galie made his way further into the deep underground mountain pass. Slowly starting to come upon noises in the distance. Telling any human that this wasn't a place to be treaded lightly because those noises, those sounds did not come from humans. No, they came from werewolves. Snarls and howls. The scraping of claws on concrete floors became louder and louder, the closer he came to the opening he was headed for. Where he would find that vicious wolf he called, his.
The wall expanded out into a large opening. The ceiling rose only a few inches higher, but instead of narrow cramped walls, it was now a room lined with cell after cell. And in those cells held all manner of werewolves. The dungeon filled to capacity. Though only one belonged to the vampire who had come into this deep dank place. Lit only by the alternating torches hung in between iron cell doors. The bars were thick and absent of rust.
Deep at the end of the large room full of cells, Galie traveled, passing beast after beast. Ignoring their feral sounds of violence. Not giving any of them a single glance. No, he had eyes for that closed-off part of the room. It’s own separate hall and room. Holding the vicious and most fearsome beast these cells held. Galie’s personal beast took residency in that cell. And that's just the reason he had come down here, for Axel.
Galie halted in front of the expanse of the concrete wall, an iron door embedded into the thick rock. Galie raised his hand up to the smooth wall on the side of the door. No indicators pressed into the smooth surface showed that it would do anything. But within a few seconds, a small click sounded, indicating the door's unlocking. Warmth tingled the palm of his hand, Galie’s pink eyes looked down at it and smiled as he looked down at his overturned palm, loving that feeling of power.
Through the door was a small chamber and directly across from the entry door stood, the bars of the cage. The same thick iron as the other cells but instead of the door being connected to cold stone, a small wall of rounded iron bars met the door. A more open cage, half concrete, and half open-air bars. And in the corner of the much more open cell, than the others had, a silhouetted form slumped. Sitting down with their legs propped up and forearms rested on knees. Head dropped and hung low between.
As soon as the vampire entered, A low warning growl echoed through the space. Telling Galie not to take a step closer. As Axel stayed in the position he was in.
And Galie completely ignored it.
The slight heels of his shoes echoed off the walls and ceiling as he approached the cell. The growl turned into a snarl and joined the echoing sounds of the vampire's shoes. An eerie sound as it filled the small space.
Galie raised a hand to the bar, not an ounce of fear in his movements. “Hello, Axel, did you miss me?”
Galie received another snarl as an answer. Making the vampire’s smile widen, as his own response. Because now the wolf had lifted his head to glare at Galie. His mouth opened in a clenched snarl. Those sharpened canines glinted in the firelight.
“You must know why I am here. You wouldn’t be in such a grouchy mood otherwise.”
“Leave.” Axel's voice was gravelly and deep. The sound ripped through the air to exist in this space. Purely animal. A sound Galie loved fiercely.
Galie had gotten his hands on Axel about 10 years ago. So in the long lifespan that eternity was, for the vampire, it was barely scratching the surface of the time that the two would have left together. An eternity to play, bicker and fight. Something Galie did quite enjoy, so much better than the last wolf he had contracted to fight for him. He had turned docile and in Galies eyes, broken. No, he needed someone fierce to fight for him in the annual competition. The test of strength, agility, and pure brutal outrage. Something the wolf before him was very good at, and something that Galie knew he very much enjoyed.
The competition had been started for 2 reasons. The first and most important is to keep everyone safe. The humans, vampires, fae, and witches. Before, wolves had no control over their bloodlust and many died because of it. The werewolves themselves had been the ones to want to put a stop to it. The second reason being, the ability to get this fierce energy out. To use it in a safe and controlled environment instead of using their strength and blood lust to kill, maim and injure. The responsibility had been given to the vampires so it could all be carried out in a safe manner. So when the werewolves were too gone in the lust for blood and they couldn't control themselves, the vampires would take care of everything. A task that Galie loved to participate in.
Another growl came from inside the cage. A warning to leave or to be hurt. Galie knew neither one was happening.
“You are being summoned for your time to fight, my fierce little werewolf.” Galie’s words held a singsong tone. He was having fun with this. He always did this time of year.
“Come on, I will give my little puppy a treat if he behaves like a good boy.”
A loud bang sounded as Axel hit the bars of the cage hard. Having risen from his place in the corner to now stand before Galie, in a matter of moments.
The metal vibrated with the force of the impact. A snarl accompanied the loud bang, lips curled back and eyes glittering with a promise of violence, as Axel glared deeply at his master. The one who would control his leash in this month of fighting. Gold meeting pink. One hard and fierce, the other shining and full of sensual promise.
“There's my good boy.”
Another growl vibrated up from Axel's chest in answer.
Without hesitation, the vampire reached in through the bars and raised his small hand up to the furry head. Reaching up to scratch behind the gray ears that were pinned flat to the top of his head. Axel's obvious disapproval was shown and he made to bite at the arm outstretched between them. But then, at the last second, he stopped.
“See, what did I tell you? You’re such a good boy. My good boy.” Galie continued the scratches, trying to soothe the angry wolf. Axel didn't unpin his ears but he didn't try to attack Galie once more. He instead let the vampire have his fill in comforting the wolf.
Axel never attacked Galie. Not in the 10 years they had known each other. Not even when they had met with Axel tackling Galie into the hard, leaf-covered ground that dark October night. The look of a predator on his face, ready to strike his prey. But then at the last second, he stopped. Halting a hair's breadth away from sinking in his teeth into Galie's throat and ripping his immortal life away. The sharp teeth grazed the soft column of his throat as Axel's body tried to react and finish the job, but each time he tried to pierce his skin, to draw even an ounce of blood, his body halted. As if there were invisible hands controlling Axel to stop. And since that moment, Galie knew that Axel was going to be his. His, to place into the October fights and the one to stop him from hurting others. Axel would be the new fierce wolf he would be honorably tasked with.
“It's time for your first fight. Are you ready?” Galie purred, the cat in him coming out. Tail flicking behind him playfully. His small hands entangled with Axel's gray locks as he continued to scratch at the spot behind Axel's ear, he knew the wolf loved.
Axel snarled in answer, his upper lip curling to reveal his sharp canines. Almost identical to Galies but he also sported two, just as sharp, bottom fangs. Slightly smaller in size than the top two. The ears that had laid flat against his scalp began to slowly rise. Complete opposite behavior of the one he was currently displaying in every other part of his demeanor. Showing just how much Galie’s attention to that special spot, worked in calming the wolf down.
Galie pulled his hand away and walked the small distance to the right wall. On the wall hung a large, thick woven leash. Strong enough to control even that of an, overcome with bloodlust, werewolf. It gleamed a shiny crimson red in the flickering firelight of the torches. The color matched, the collar around Axel’s neck. Just as thick and made of the same woven material as the leash. The color, always reminded Galie, of the blood he drank so greedily from others. Perfect for the wolf that would also spill the color in this gruesome month.
“Show your neck to me,” Galie demanded of Axel. His words were slightly more firm than the playful purring tone it had been moments ago.
As if Axel could sense the more serious tone, he lowered his hands from the bar. Galie watched as he held them behind his back and clasped them together as if he was holding himself back. Axel's head turned away from Galie. Revealing his neck in such a submissive manner. Something so rare, that most vampires had to drug their wolves to make them safe enough to approach and move. But here was Galie’s wolf, one of the most vicious fighters the supernatural world had ever seen and he was bearing his neck to the vampire. It sent a thrill through Galie's blood at the sight alone. Oh, how this wolf of his was just so….perfect.
Galie reached into the side of the cage with a hand poised at the clasp. Lifting the metal lever ever so slightly. Cold metal sliced over one another as Galie hooked the leash into the loop positioned at the center of the collar. Once secured, Galie slid the leash down his palm so he could grip the coarse woven material. The braided fabric, was scratchy against his skin as it slid across. Galie loved the familiarity of it. His body hummed with the promise such a feeling brought.
Galie’s other hand lifted to once more scratch at the ears of his wolf. “Good boy.” He cooed. “Who’s my good, good boy?”
Axel's growl was softer, not an answer, but also not in denial as he lifted his face back to Galie. The amber of his eyes showed flecks so deep and pure in the firelight that it looked as if real gold shards had been embedded into the surface. Permanently made to be a part of this magnificent creature before him.
“Mhm.” Galie hummed “Let's go shed some blood shall we?” Nothing but wicked delight was evident on Galie’s face. Like if he were to be the one to shed and take apart in the bloodletting. No, that honor all belonged to Axel tonight and Galie was going to enjoy every single part of it.
~~~~~
Galie sat inside the cage next to Axel while he tended to his wounds. No, tended wasn't the right word. Consumed and licked at his wounds. That was more accurate because that was exactly what he was doing. The fight had been just as brutal as Galie was hoping for. The other wolf fought long and hard, getting some good shots in before he was eventually taken down by Axel. The wolf still breathed, but barely.
As Galie watched, he saw how the last tether of Axel's self-control had snapped and he had completely lost it on the werewolf. Having to be stopped by a powerful magical shock from his collar. The only way he would have stopped.
But here was that powerful wolf finally calmed down enough to be tended to. Having expelled all that energy in the fight and now he had nothing left in him as Galie licked his lifeblood from the various small cuts and scrapes. Such a flavorful taste as it alighted on Galie's tongue. Sending waves of delectable shocks as they traveled down his throat and into his system. Galie's favorite blood is that of his wolf.
“How are you feeling?” Galie asked, after swallowing some more of Axel's warm, mouthwatering blood.
“Fine.” Axel's words were barely more than a grunt but he was actually able to use normal speech without all the snarling and intimidation.
“Oh, is my little wolf all tuckered out? Where’s that fire you know I love?”
Axel didn’t say anything to that.
Galie let go of the hand he had been licking the blood from his knuckles, to raise his hand to grasp Axel's face. Making the werewolf, meet his gaze. “You did well out there.”
“I almost…killed a man.” Axel's voice normally sounded as if any human spoke but now, in this month, the sound was more gravelly. Like he had been screaming for hours, even if he hadn't even spoken as much as a word that day. Horse and deep and purely animal. The sound always gave Galie goosebumps and made something in him twitch and answer that animal call.
“But you didn’t.” Galie soothed.
After each fight, this always would happen. Galie will be tending to Axel's wounds….drinking Axel's injuries and there would be a moment of melancholy that would settle over the cage Axel was locked in for a month. It was as if the human side of himself would finally be able to take control after the beast in him was too tuckered out and went to sleep. These were the moments Galie looked forward to, just as much as the violence. He got to see a magical moment happen that was so rare this month. He would watch the intensity in those beautiful gold eyes be replaced by something softer, more human. A reminder to them both, of the man behind the wolf. The man that would emerge at the end of this. The man with a heart of gold.
The dank cell turned quiet for long minutes. The silence was, not filled with bated breath or a thickness of unspoken words but instead, held a calm understanding. There was nothing words could say or do. Just the grim reality of what being a werewolf in the month of All Hallows Eve meant. Galie understood that. Axel understood that. What they would give each other during this time, would be each other. Company and understanding. That's what Axel needed right now.
While they sat, Galie had dropped his hand from Axel's face and instead interlaced his fingers with Axel's. The wolf’s clawed hands engulfed the smaller one with his just as deadly slightly pointed nails. Galie just looked down at them with a small smile. It was getting late and he should let his fierce wolf sleep but the greedy little thing would take a couple more minutes to just enjoy this. The feeling of his wolf's hand in his own, while he gave Axel the time he needed.
Eventually, the time did come when Axel needed to get to sleep. Needing to regenerate the energy he had lost in today's fight so that he had enough for tomorrow. Galie rubbed his thumb over the rough skin on the back of Axel's hand, before finally standing and pulling away. Galie looked down at Axel and gave him a once more playful smile. Showing just the smallest amount of fangs.
“I will see you tomorrow, my fiercest of warriors. Make sure you get some sleep so you can kick even more ass tomorrow.”
Axel looked up from where he had been gazing intently at the floor. The words and sight of that mischievous little smile lit those amber eyes ablaze. The sight of the animal returned to control once more before he went to sleep for the night.
“I look forward to the warmth of blood on my hands. Especially if you are there to witness the carnage I will leave in my wake.” Axel promised. That deep voice echoed the words off the walls.
“And I can't wait to lick the blood of your enemies and your own, from those hands.”
~~~~~
Axel tugged fiercely at the leash, holding him back from hurting the others as they made their way to the ring where Axel would be fighting soon. The coarse, thick material dug into Galie's skin but it didn't bother the vampire one bit. Instead, he was focused on keeping his wolf from hurting any other than the one he was meant to fight tonight.
When Galie had come to Axel's cage earlier that evening, he had found the wolf pacing. The pent-up energy electrocuted through the air with its force. Galie instantly felt waves of the thick, vibrating air hit his skin. Sending the hair on his arms to stand up and gooseflesh to rise. With only one look at him and Galie could tell tonight would be a good fight. Possibly too good of a fight, and someone might end up dead. So Galie would need to be very, very careful because the vampire didn't think that even the spelled collar would be enough to stop him.
“Someone's a little fiery today,” Galie commented calmly, trying not to rile up Axel even more.
It was the middle of the month now and with each day Halloween grew near, the more on edge Axel would become. It was common for this to happen, like clockwork, every year. But right now with how worked up Axel was, this was odd. It was too early for him to be this worked up. Galie would need to try and find a way to be able to calm him down. Even if just a little bit. But what could the vampire do against the need for blood Axel was feeling other than to fight him? Something no one wanted.
“Let's go over here,” Galie instructed as he had to basically drag Axel into a small forgotten hallway. A place that Galie felt was safe enough to pass the time until Axel's fight.
“Come on boy, let's calm down a little bit shall we.”
This seemed to get the wolf's attention as Axel's head snapped to look at Galie. That murderous expression now trained on him, in a way it had never been before. Not even that first time when Axel had tried to kill Galie. The vampire's blood, which was just a moment ago thrumming with pride and pleasure that came with seeing Axel so out of control, turned cold. That look sent ice-cold dread through Galie as the leash became slacker and slacker as Axel now stalked for Galie. Intention, written, all over his face.
“Axel?” Galie managed to squeak out as he made small retreating steps in time with Axel's advancing ones. Galie's ears slightly pinning in fear.
Axel managed to make it right before Galie, chests almost touching, before Axel stopped himself. An arm propped up against the wall as if he needed it to hold himself back.
“Axel?” Galie risked, again. His voice was not the one of the cocky vampire of his house but that of a frightened boy.
This seemed to completely snap Axel out of whatever was just happening. He blinked a few times as if he was clearing the fog from his mind and his eyes became more clear. Less took over by that murderous intent.
“Sorry I…” Axel got out through thick words. As if that anger still coated his insides and he only had enough self-control to get that out.
Galie's hand rose tentatively. Though fear had been there, it slowly was melting away. Turning into something else.
Axel was trying.
Axel had stopped.
There was nothing to be afraid of with his wolf after all.
Galie's small hand slipped up Axel's muscled chest -the shirt slightly catching with each inch gained with his hand- and lifted to snake around to the back of Axel's neck. Meeting the soft, spiked gray strands of hair there. Galie gripped the thick column of Axel's neck and pulled him closer. Chest lifting and meeting to connect with the hardness of Axel's.
A large hand slipped around Galie, landing on the small of his back. That hand, a hot brand as Axel pulled Galie even closer to him. Fierce gold met the brightest of rose. Both have something else stirring under the surfaces now. If Galie knew any better, he saw lust in the eyes that just read with murder intent moments ago.
As if on instinct, Galie began to slowly rise on his tiptoes. The heels of his shoes came further and further off of the ground. But before he could say anything else, soft, hot lips were suddenly pressed hard to his own. Axel's kiss started off slowly and then it threw Galie through a whirlwind, as it deepened.
The kiss broke with heavy pants from both Axel and Galie. Foreheads pressed firmly together and eyes closed as both of them tried to control their breathing.
“Whats…What's going on? You don't break from your animal control this early?” Galie's words came out in pants. Elation tingled the ends of the words but confusion and worry now mixed in.
“I'm not sure,” Axel answered before placing his lips back onto Galie's. Galie took him back just as fiercely and accepting as before but this kiss was a lot shorter as Axel broke apart once more to finish answering. Galie followed him to try and continue the kiss but stopped as Axel continued. “This morning I woke up feeling different. More out of control than I normally do. I think….I think I had a nightmare about you getting…''Axel swallowed hard and then finished. “Getting hurt.”
Galie's eyes went a little wide but let Axel continue. Not wanting to interrupt.
“I have been growing wilder and wilder with each passing hour. Almost so, that when you ordered me around just now, my animal side almost took control completely.”
Axel's head was back to resting on Galie's as he spoke. “I am so sorry for scaring you. I think both sides of me needed to attack the threat to you. Even if there hadn't been any. To release those feelings caused by my nightmare. Seeing everyone as that man I saw in my dream. But you, my love, broke me out of it.”
Galie smiled at this nickname he normally heard 11 months out of the year. This month, being the only exception to that. The only month it was never uttered from Axel's lips. But even if Galie was so lucky to hear it so often, he always missed it during the long month stretch. Wishing he could hear it once more and now that he had, a little kick had started in his chest.
“But the anger is still snarling and growling inside of me. I will lose myself too far if I let him take over. I need your help, Galie. I need to release this energy in a different way before I can go out there. Or I am going to kill someone.” Axel's words were almost a wine of desperation and a plea for Galie to agree.
Galie instantly knew what Axel was referring to and it sent a shiver down his spine. His heart increased in pace. Because Galie would always, and he meant always, be willing to have sex with Axel. No matter the place, time, or who was near. As long as it was just the two of them, then that's all that mattered. But they had never had sex in the month of October. It was never a feasible option until now, apparently.
“If you can't-”
“Ok." Galie interrupted. "But we got to be quick. You have to go to your fight soon.” Galie didn't let himself think of the worries or what-ifs. No, he wanted Axel now. If he had the opportunity to be taken by his mate and husband, now when normally it wasn't possible and having been without it for so long, he wouldn't waste another second.
Galie's lips were back on Axel's in an intense need that showed Axel beyond words that Galie was completely ok with this. That he needed this. The next moment, Axel lost himself to that primal side and completely devoured Galie. No anger or the intent to hurt in his actions, only need and want. Shoving his mate up hard against the wall. Galie was quick to lift himself up and wrap his legs around Axel's waist. The hardness of Axel was already there to greet him. Greedily pressing into him.
Both of their movements were needy and rushed. Shedding clothes one after another. Starting with Axel's shirt then Galie's. The vampire reached between them with a fevered intent and clumsily tried to get Axel's pants undone. While Axel had his way with Galie's neck. Biting, sucking, licking, and claiming what belonged to him.
For 5 years of the 10, they had known each other, they had been together. Falling in love, mating, and marrying. Every time they were together, it always felt like the first. No matter how many times, no matter if it was hard or sweet lovemaking, Galie would always enjoy and want this, as if they had just told each other they loved one another yesterday. The feeling, was just as fresh and new. The warmth in his chest was always the same because he loved his man. Loved him, man or wolf, sweet or vicious.
So when Axel finally took him, hard and animalistic against that wall, he told Axel. Over and over, he told Axel just how much he loved him and that he never, ever wanted anyone other than him. Just like the first time they had become one and Galie knew that many times after he would continue to say it. Because even if Axel had to forget him for one month out of the year to his animal side, Galie would stick through it with him. Because the rest of those 11 months in the year were nothing but close to perfect. If not perfect. Because everything with Axel was perfect and Galie wouldn't want it any other way.
The End.