You loudly “oof” as the staff swiftly strikes against your gut, you bend over from pain as you brace yourself against the ballroom’s floor. The sound of your own staff falling next to you echoes throughout the space.
The muscled woman lightly shakes her head as you groan, expecting better reflexes. Overall, nothing could have prepared her for a call asking her for a favor that required her to enter the home of the lady Dimitrescu or as she was known by her kind, the vampress. The surrealism of the situation was only heightened by the girl she was currently training, a girl she originally believed she’d never get to meet. Though if you were to ask her if the human slumped against the floor was who she imagined…well, she did admire the human’s tenacity.
“I told you, you can’t let your guard down.” A sentiment the woman knew could make the difference between life and death. A sentiment the teacher currently practices, painfully aware of how her student’s session is being monitored by someone other than herself. The woman chooses not to point out the voyeur as no signs point to it being malicious. Plus, what exactly can one say to the owner of the castle.
On a balcony overhanging above, the ends of a white dress are grabbed and hidden with haste. Its owner reacts to the teacher’s subtle side eye down below.
You open one of your eyes as you answer her slightly out of breath, “I didn’t let my guard down, you’re just that quick, Vera. You’ve been quick all morning.” The warrior sighs in response, her body deflates.
Her eyes roam over your fresh bruises and she can’t help but take pity on you. Pity that goes beyond this session. Bitter nostalgia fills her as your expression reminds her of a ghost from the past.
“Perhaps we should take a break.” She says calmly, masking her own need to recenter herself.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
[My word. I wasn’t aware you were so…defined, my dear] The matriarch zooms in on the human’s bare midriff with opera glasses.
The vampire originally decided to watch over the training session for reasons of caution. It’s one thing to allow a stranger into your home but to allow one from a powerful species only raised the stakes. Her caution comes less from the woman’s background and more from the idea of her companion being left alone with anyone who could potentially harm her.
Luckily, so far it seems Alcina’s nerves are in vain. Not only is the teacher patient and kind with the human but overall carries an air of stability to her. That being said, the vampire can’t shake the feeling the warrior is hiding something. The warrior’s gaze holds warmth whenever it falls onto the human despite only recently meeting her.
[What do you see when you look at her, lycan?]
Alcina’s mind eases as her binoculars fall back onto the human while she does a big stretch, the vampire gulps as muscles flex.
[I should look away. This is supposed to be a private session…]
The vampire’s mind starts to wander as her gaze follows the shape of her companion’s body. She feels her cheeks warm up as she imagines what it would feel like to have those legs squeeze around her waist…
Alcina’s head starts to swim as the woman in her fantasy flashes her a knowing smile with hooded eyes, her built arms gently separate the vampire’s legs. The air feels heavy as the human takes notice of the anticipation that’s pooled within the vampire’s core. The younger woman gives her a loving expression as she lowers her head over the matriarch’s center, Alcina feels herself spread her legs wider, almost shaking in anticipation. Her companion gives her dripping core a slow languid lick that-
“Mother?” The voice immediately breaks the vampire from her fantasy.
The startled matriarch drops the small binoculars. Luckily, the thick carpet absorbs its fall, helping keep the parties below ignorant of the watcher’s identity…well at very least one. The vampire was aware she had already been caught earlier by the teacher. Though unsurprising for her kind, she couldn’t help but still feel a bit embarrassed, embarrassment that only grew as she addressed her daughter…her very smiling daughter.
“Lena! I- hello my dear, is everything okay?” She loudly whispers, both trying to save face and still keep her presence hidden from the women below.
The brunette can’t help but be amused by her mother’s awkward bashful energy.
“Apologies, mother. I didn’t mean to disrupt your…well your stalking..” The brunette chooses not to mince her words as she goes to pick up the opera glasses.
The matriarch slightly sputters at the allegation, “s-stalking!? No, no. I’m simply….-“
The woman’s eyes look away as she thinks.
“…chaperoning. We don’t know this Vera and it never hurts to be too careful.”
Her daughter refuses to play along.
“Chaperoning, huh? That must be it. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the human wearing an outfit that exposes her midriff, arms and legs…need I go on?” She says while playfully moving the binoculars before her mother’s gaze.
The matriarch can’t help but sigh as she takes the glasses. Outside the castle she was the enigmatic Lady Dimitrescu, a reputation shrouded in wealth, legends and the supernatural. But within these walls she was simply a mother of three and to children as perceptive as herself no less.
“I’ll admit I was surprised by the lycan’s choice of clothing she brought for her.”
[though extremely grateful.]
“She said something along the lines of, her student needing the at most freedom to train properly.”
[and who am I to question such a process…]
The brunette shamelessly leans over the balcony as she studies the women below, “I must say, she is quite a sight to behold.”
Alcina happily sighs, “she truly is. I never knew she had such prominent stomach muscles…”
“…I was speaking about the lycan.” Her daughter says while flashing her mother a coquettish expression, clearly happy the matriarch fell for her trap.
Alcina’s face goes red, “Oh, yes- of course.” The woman clears her throat as she shifts her attentions back on the parties below, ultimately failing to escape her daughter’s gaze.
Lena decides to throw her a bone, “though I must admit, your companion has quite a nice shape to her, especially from behind.”
Okay, perhaps more of a bone for herself.
Alcina’s mouth hangs agape as she processes the sentence, only to quickly shake away her “processed thoughts” of the human’s rear end.
“Is there anything you’d like to add to that? I mean, you know her a lot more…personally than I do.” Lena speaks calmly as her undertone alludes to more, she catches the matriarch’s stunned expression in the corner of her eye.
Alcina attempts to take control over the conversation, mostly to avoid further embarrassment in front of the brunette, “I- enough of my personal matters. Was there something you needed me for, Lena?”
The brunette tilts her head amused, “you know eventually you’ll need a title for her besides personal mattersand if we’re to go off of how you look at her perhaps something along the lines of tasty morsel would fi-“
Alcina loudly clears her throat.
“Look, all I’m saying is in my experience women appreciate it when you highlight how you wish you could worship their bodies day in and day out. A little honesty never hurts if you want to remind someone you love of how beautiful you find them.” The woman finishes her sentiment with a small wink, ultimately ending with a genuine smile. Though the brunette enjoyed teasing her mother over her new partner, she would still be the first to admit the human’s presence has created a welcomed shift within the matriarch. The lady of the castle carries more vigor for life, her happy humming has not gone unnoticed.
Alcina takes the advice to heart as she notices the girl below flash a radiant smile while she talks to her teacher. The vampire refocuses her attention as her daughter asks her how they plan on celebrating her day of birth this year. Considering they had the addition of a new member celebrating with them. A new member she can’t help but think will change the course of this year’s festivities.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You down a glass of water before retreating to the floor. As you relax your muscles, you can’t help but notice how your teacher’s intimidating physique only increases from this angle. You attempt to crack through the warrior’s tough exterior. Hoping to bond with your teacher.
“So um…. how long until I have arms like yours?”
Your teacher releases an amused huff.
“Is there someone you’re trying to impress?” The warrior retorts lightly.
You’re a bit taken aback by how quickly the woman plays along, instantly matching your casual energy.
You place your hands against the back of your head as you gently lay against the floor, looking towards the ceiling as you process your thoughts.
“I do, very much so. Everything about her is…larger than life.” Your attention falls onto the brilliant chandelier that hangs above as your words echo throughout the room. The image of Alcina crying in your arms flashes over your mind, you furrow your brows as you’re reminded as to why you decided to start training in the first place.
(I need to get stronger.)
Vera’s voice is smooth and direct, “and how do you see yourself in comparison?”
The question strikes something deep within you. Dread and anxiety ripple through your body. Emotions tied to memories you wished to ignore and up to this point, was able to ignore fairly easily. You mask the question’s effect on you as you respond calmly with the slightest hint of defensiveness.
“I-I’m not sure why that matters, teacher.”
Neither of you move from your positions as you speak into the room.
“It matters because I notice a shift in your voice when you speak of her, whoever this woman is you care deeply for her.” Vera answers as she side-eyes the balcony, very much aware of whom you speak of.
“I do.” You almost whisper, answering her rhetorical statement. Your gaze stays glued to the chandelier; the conversation starts to become too intimate for eye contact.
Vera continues prodding, hoping to lead you down a necessary path.
“I’m glad you do but let me ask you again, how do you see yourself?”
You gulp despite staying stone faced.
“I-I don’t know, I’m fine I suppose.”
Your hesitancy isn’t lost on the woman. “Your answer worries me little one and I know it would worry your father”. Vera begins walking around with her staff, spinning it between her fingers with ease. You stay silent as she continues.
“Ever since you were young-“
Your eyes squint at the warrior’s slip up. (I’ve only recently met you for the first time.)
“… you’ve always been a force to be reckoned with. Though that’s unsurprising considering who your parents are.”
You immediately question the woman’s statement.
“Vera? Have we met before?” The staff abruptly comes to a halt as realization covers the woman’s face. The warrior tightly grips her staff as she speaks.
“I’ve known you since before you were born, little one…in a way, you could say we are…related.”
You instantly sit up as you look up at her. Mixed emotions cover your face as up until this point, you believed your father to be your only kin.
“I don’t understand, I…have more family?” Your father has always been more than enough and yet you can’t help but feel hope swell within you, hope accompanied by more emotions you have difficulty pin pointing.
Vera flashes you a small smile, “outside of a traditional sense, yes.” You can’t help but feel strangely comforted by the response.
The warrior continues, “a lot of what I’m about to say may be shocking but I feel you deserve to know.”
(Can’t be any more shocking than half of what I’ve experienced within these walls) You give her a curt nod, signalling her to go on.
“I’m sorry to bring this up but how much has your father told you about your mother?”
“My…….mother?”
Vera crosses her arms as she continues calmly, “As expected, not much at all then. Though I can’t really blame him.”
“….I know she left but he never told me why.” A blurred image of the few remnants you have of your mother enters your mind. She is now only pieces of a distant memory. She’s reminiscent of a dream you can’t quite piece together after waking up.
Sadness fills Vera’s eyes. “I assure you; he was only trying to protect you. But I understand it’s also not easy for him to discuss…for good reason.” Anticipation fills the air as the warrior takes a few seconds to choose her words carefully. Vera assumed she’d never be having this conversation, so it feels more dream-like, only for the concern in your eyes to quickly solidify its weight.
“Look little one. Your mother…she’s a lycan and so I am…”
(Lycan.) The word echoes through your mind as you feel weight in the pit of your stomach.
(does that mean…)
The woman suddenly points the end of the staff in front of your face (breaking you from your thoughts), you hesitate as her eyes lock onto yours. The Warrior’s demeanor is guarded but not callous as she seems determined to continue at all cost. You quietly gulp before composing yourself, you tightly grasp the staff and give her a curt nod. The woman returns your nod as she supports your weight while you lift yourself off the floor.
Your voice comes out quieter than you intended, “lycan. Lycans…if she was one and you’re one..does that mean- I mean..am I?” The woman gently nods before you can finish your thought process.
“You are a hybrid. The offspring of a lycan and a human.”
It feels as if someone has punched you in the gut, instantly knocking the air out of you. Your face scrunches up as millions of questions fill your mind. When finally, you decide on one.
You invade the woman’s personal space, “Why did my father keep this from me? There has to be a reason.” You wince at the desperation and panic in your voice. Your teacher softly covers your shaking hands, her calm energy grounds you.
“He wanted you to live a normal life, free of the dangers associated with our world. They are akin to those of your lady vampress-“, your eyes widen at the warrior’s insight.
(gods I’ll pin that for later if I’m still conscious after this conversation.)
“It’s this very life that took his true love away from him. I grew up with your mother, we were part of the same pack…well we still are. Your father fell for her the instant he laid eyes on her and I know she quickly came to love him- Luther is one of the kindest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her true nature didn’t scare him, it just became another piece of Maya for him to love and embrace.”
You feel yourself immediately transported to a time you never belonged too as the woman looks at you with nostalgia.
“We were all so excited for your birth…to the point that your father seemed to adopt the pregnancy symptoms more than your mother – It’s the only time I’ve seen someone weep at the sight of dessert.”
(…I am truly that man’s child.) The warrior smiles as your acknowledging nods.
“Once you were born your parents glowed. Your father proudly paraded you around to everyone he met. I remember what a happy time it was…but then your mother’s true nature took over. She..unfortunately imprinted on someone..who wasn’t your father. Your father didn’t fight it, seeing how it tore your mother a part..but we all knew how devasted he was. We considered Luther family far before your birth so we promised him our pack would always look after you from afar.”
You fight back tears at the thought of your father dealing with such pain.
(you old fool, you could have told me. You didn’t have to deal with this alone.)
(All these years I thought she left me…but really, she left him. I never even got to know her.)
Vera’s voice brings you back to the room.
“But in reality, you are part of our pack, by blood and by bond. Little one, you have a beast deep within you but this it is not to be feared. The beast is not to be tamed but to be respected. It can often be triggered when we are most passionate, when we are willing to lay down our life, whether it be for survival, a cause or for those we hold most dear.”
You remember how your mind blacked out when that hunter attempted to strike Alcina, a second later the man fashioned an arrow in his shoulder – an arrow you must have shot.
“I can teach you to control it, to activate it when you need it most. But remember this, the promise we made to your father still stands, more so now that you’re aware of your true nature. If you need us, call and we will come to your aid. You are not alone; you never have been.”
You can’t help but smile through your newly formed tears at the woman’s sentiment, you wipe your nose against the back of your hand. A question suddenly enters your mind.
“Wait, Vera. Does this mean I will also imprint on someone?”
“No. You are not fully lycan and therefore are free to choose.” The woman says as she once again looks up. Vera couldn’t help but be impressed at how well Luther knew his daughter, she recounts the man highlighting the sparkle in his daughter’s eyes as they fell onto the lady of the castle. He knew this “position” would take him daughter from him and yet he still chose to tell her. He knew it was time for her to live the life he always wanted for his “pup”, a life where she was free to make her own decisions.
You immediately feel yourself relax at the revelation. The warrior’s sudden serious tone catches you off guard.
“Now, I ask you- who do you fight for, little one?”
You answer without thinking, “for my loved ones.” You say strongly, confident in your response as it was genuine to your soul.
The staff smacking near your toes makes you jump back.
“Wrong! We must first fight for ourselves.” Vera says sternly.
“I-I don’t understand, you want me to be selfish?”
“No. There is a difference between being selfless and self-sacrificing. You are more helpful to those around you if you ensure your survival first. It is easy to fight for others, choosing to fight for yourself is tougher. Which is why I asked you earlier what you thought of yourself- you will never truly be strong if you allow self-doubt to hinder your process. We must train our minds more than our bodies. This is not an easy journey, but it is a worthy one. Now, before we continue allow me to clear the room.” Vera ends casually.
You look around the ballroom confused, only you and your teacher fill the space.
Vera loudly claps her hands together and projects her voice throughout the large area, “may all eyes please clear the room so my student can train privately, please!” The lycan asks politely yet firm.
You suddenly hear shuffling above you and a pair sprinting away from a nearby door. You hear the familiar voice of Daniela as she runs off, “….goddamn wolf.”
The teacher is amused by your bewilderment, “I promise I’ll eventually teach you how to do that one day. Now, I want you to strike me as someone who fights for themselves- show me how much you matter.” Vera assumes a defensive position.
You take a deep breath in as you close your eyes. You slowly open them as you exhale, the grip over your staff tightens.
(I’m going to get stronger, at all cost)
Your energy shifts as you run towards your teacher, adrenaline pulses through your veins as you drastically swing your staff back while releasing a guttural yell. Your yell echoes throughout the castle.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You find Alcina after showering, she sits in front of her vanity as she greets you with a smile. The vampire speaks but her voice is drowned out by your hazy mindset. Training left you feeling a myriad of emotions; from feeling overwhelmed, to tired, to more confident than you have in years. Alcina’s presence was immediately breaking through the day’s exhaustion. You feel yourself craving her and the comfort she brings you. Your appetite fills all of your senses.
You hear the vampire ask you if you’re okay, but you ignore it as you walk up to her with purpose and immediately capture her lips. Though at first the matriarch is caught off guard, it only takes a few seconds for her to kiss you back.
Alcina matches your affections as heat pulses through her, your bold initiation makes her head spin.
Static fills the air as exploring each other is both natural and electrifying.
Your kisses quickly become heated as you feel her gasp against your mouth. Your hands explore her hair as she pulls you closer. You give into your instincts as you gently bite the vampire’s lip, her moan awakens something deep within you. Desire ripples throughout both your bodies. The vampire decides then and there to abandon her inhibitions.
You mewl as you feel hands squeeze your behind, quickly lifting you with ease. You wrap your legs around the matriarch’s waist as she pins you against the wall. Heat pools within your core. Whimpers fill the air as your both desperately explore each other’s lips. Finally, the vampire pulls back, her eyes are full of frenzy as gold burns into red. Before you can react, Alcina ferally latches her mouth against your neck, not enough to pierce skin but enough to mark. Euphoria fills you as you allow her to claim you.
Sounds of carnal desire fill the air as the beasts within take control. After years of repression, you both finally release them. Unafraid as each of you are no longer alone.