AN: So, this story has been re-written, and re-written time and time again. For the time being, I'm fairly okay with it. It's far from perfect, but it's far better than it once was. I hope you enjoy this, and as always, reviews are encouraged (seriously, the reason I'm here is to improve my writing, and I need all the help I can get). Thanks for giving my story a chance.

Blood
chapter I

The wind picked up, blowing the hood off of the woman's forest green cloak. She shivered slightly as her black hair whipped around her in the gale, a wolf's howl floating on the breeze. She scanned the forest with dark green eyes, searching for the end, knowing she would find refuge there. A smile curled onto her lips when she saw the edge of the trees. As she walked out of the forest, she could just make out the small village in the moonlight.

--

"G'night, Mr. Campbell, mind the step up on your way out!" Jonathan called out, grinning ear to ear as the last patron left Wolfe's Tavern.

Jonathan Wolfe enjoyed his work, despite being forced into it. At age eight, Jonathan inherited the tavern after his mother's death, one of many burdens he was left to carry after that one unfortunate night. The tavern remained closed until Jonathan was of age, and now, twenty years later, business was booming again.

Jonathan now stood an inch or two shy of six feet and looked every bit the working man. His face was generally not anywhere near clean shaven, and shaggy brown hair covered his head, fringe obscuring his now amber, once merely brown, eyes. He was dressed simply, in unadorned grey trousers and a plain cream-coloured shirt. He tucked a stray bit of hair behind his ear and walked over to where Daniel, his co-worker and friend, was locking the door.

Daniel Evans was a good few inches shorter than Jonathan, and looked far younger than the twentey-four years that he actually was. His long, fair hair was neatly pulled back into a simple leather tie, and pale blue eyes were currently focused on the many locks of the main entrance to the tavern. He too wore plain clothing, simple dark blue trousers and a white shirt, but with the added refinement of a light grey waistcoat.

"So, Danny boy, I'd say things went all right tonight," Jonathan said, clapping his hand on Daniel's back, causing the younger man to flinch slightly.

"Yes, only one fight tonight," Daniel replied with a roll of his iridescent eyes, handing Jonathan the ring of keys, his hand nearly glowing white in contrast to Jonathan's bronzed tone. "Honestly, I wish Natasha had not taken the night off, I'm sick of dealing with these idiots. I don't know how she does it," he replied, heading for the corner where a broom sat waiting for his use.

Jonathan chuckled, "Well, she just flirts her way, seduces the fellows into listenin' to her. You might be able to pull it off, just let your hair down." As he said that, his hand tugged at the simple leather tie holding Daniel's pale hair back, loosening it but not quite pulling it undone, before Daniel swatted his hand away. Starting to whistle a cheerful tune, Jonathan walked back behind the bar to start cleaning the glasses.

Daniel flushed slightly and glared at his friend. "I think you do enough flirting for the both of us, thanks," he said, fixing his hair then grabbing a broom from the corner.

"Aye, but do they listen to me? No, because they don't think I'm flirting with them. Why? Because unlike you, I've got a sort of masculine charm about me."

"Are you calling me girly?"

Jonathan gave him the once over, eyes taking in the form of his younger friend. "Yes. Yes I am."

The boys stopped their chatter and went to work. The air was cool now, no more rowdy men hurling insults and threats through the air over too much beer. Jonathan always loved this part of the evening. It was much more pleasant after all the crazed patrons had left merely because it was comfortable again. He loved people, and never really minded the hurried calls and constant orders from his customers, but there was something so peaceful about the tavern just after closing hours, just him and Daniel.

The tavern itself wasn't very large, a few sets tables and chairs spread throughout, and a bar along the back wall. There were two booths, one in each front corner of the room. Behind the bar was a door leading to a staircase that led up to Jonathan's flat above, and down the hall from the bottom of the staircase was a door leading out behind the tavern, backing onto the wood that surrounded the village of main room of the tavern itself was sparsely decorated, and its few windows almost always had their curtains pulled closed, leaving only flickering lamp-light to see by.

Jonathan wiped a cleaned glass with a cloth to dry it, smiling to himself. Putting the glass down, he glanced up at Daniel. Daniel's hair was still pulled back into a low ponytail as he swept the floor, albeit a little messy from Jonathan's earlier teasing. He watched as Daniel worked, managing to make even sweeping look graceful. Jonathan sighed quietly, catching Daniel's attention.

"What?" Daniel asked, meeting Jonathan's gaze.

"Nothing, just watching you."

Daniel flushed slightly at this remark and let his eyes drop back to the floor he was sweeping.

"You're just so… lovely. How you move, I mean… Christ, sorry, I didn't mean…"

Daniel smiled, his cheeks still tinted pink, "It's okay, Jon… I suppose it's the Elven blood… supposed to make me seem… er, "lovely," as you put it, to humans."

Jonathan sighed again, and turned back to his cloth. Dampening it, he started to wipe the bar down, slowly, carefully. "Except I'm not human," Jonathan murmured almost inaudibly.

"Jon? You all right?" Daniel asked, having picked up on the often heard phrase falling once again from Jonathan's lips.

Jonathan glanced up to a genuinely worried looking Daniel and let a small smile find its way to his lips. "Yeah, I'm fine… it's just…"

"Yes?"

Jonathan opened his mouth to say something then closed it again, rethinking his words. "It's just… Elizabeth, I guess… she's been gone for too long."

"You read her letter yet?"

Jonathan nodded, "Sounds like she's having a ball. I hope she brings this Stallia girl with her next time she's home."

"Yes, I'd like to meet the girl who managed to catch Lizzie's attention for more than five minutes," Daniel replied with a laugh, moving to continue his sweeping.

"I miss her."

Daniel nodded, "I do too. Always sort of thought of her as my little sister."

Jonathan raised his eyebrow slightly. "She's the same age as you, Dan."

"I know, but you and I were inseparable… still are, really, and she was – is – your younger sister so I guess I felt…"

"Yeah, yeah." Jonathan let his thoughts drift to the letter he'd received that day.

Dear Jon,

Everything's fine on my end, I suppose I should visit you back home soon. Only send letters through Reid and Lilian if possible. I'll be back there soon enough. Or maybe not. You see, I met this girl, woman really, Stallia, and she's amazing. Charming, sultry and a brilliant cook (and don't even try to tell me you're all that too.) I might stick around here for a bit. I'll keep you posted.

On that note, have you found yourself someone yet? What about Daniel, why haven't you gone for him. Or have you? He hasn't said anything, but he would… I mean, most people like the whole blue eyed, blonde hair thing. And you two are almost always together anyway, and do not even try to tell me you're not interested in him, the attraction between you two is too bloody obvious!

But, really Jon, I am worried about you.

Daniel tells me everything that you refuse to, you know that? His letters always give me the details you leave out… he says you've been moping a little. So what is it, brother? I'm having a grand time, but… I worry about you, as does Daniel. You may be older, but you always were more… well, I have no idea. Words, they're all there but never when you need them.

Anyway, I should finish this letter up, as Miss Stallia probably wants me to stop my mindless chatter as I write this.

Yours always,

Elizabeth

"Jon?"

"Yeah?" he replied, snapping back to the present.

"Did Lizzie mention anything about me… in her letter?"

Daniel waited for a reply, having stopped his sweeping, tension thick in the air, but Jonathan merely gave him a confused look. "I only ask because… well, I guess it's not important."

"She'd said you're worried about me," he said, eyes back to the counter as he wiped it clean.

Daniel sighed, leaning on the broomstick. "You've been moping about when we're not working, and when we are it's just that persona you put on… something's wrong, of course I'm worried about you."

"I'm fine."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "No, you're not… and it's not about Elizabeth, is it?" he stated. He was greeted with silence in return and Jonathan refusing to look up from the bar. "So you're just going to ignore me now?" More silence in reply. "Fine, I'm going home, see you tomorrow." He paused before exiting out the back door. "G'night Jon."

"Sleep well, Daniel," Jonathan murmured, his eyes never leaving the counter.

--

Instead of heading upstairs after finishing up in the tavern, Jonathan went out back and looked up at the slightly waning moon. Perhaps a good run would get his mind off of this mess. He quickly relieved himself of his clothing and ran into the woods.

A howl threatened to break loose as he began to change, as bones shifted and cracked, clicking into place, and a brown coat of fur began to grow, sprouting up from every patch of skin. When completely changed, the 'wolf finally let loose a howl, the thrill of the change and the run filling him with inexplicable joy. Jonathan ran into the forest, not really paying much mind to where he was going, it just felt good to let go.

He was stopped in his tracks upon nearly running right into a large auburn-furred werewolf. The 'wolf started toward Jonathan and growled aggressively, teeth bared ominously. Jonathan backed away slowly, his head down so as to avoid confrontation; the other 'wolf was easily twice his size.

The larger 'wolf continued to stalk toward him, despite his show of submission. Jonathan continued to back away, tail between his legs, and was surprised when the other 'wolf’s relentless progression toward him did not cease. He tried to call out mentally to the other, a slight whimper escaping his muzzle as he pleaded for the other 'wolf to leave him be.

The larger 'wolf continued to growl, and crouched slightly, ready to spring forward in attack. Fortunately, before either 'wolf could move, a near-white 'wolf stepped between them. Her eyes, he noticed as she shot Jonathan a brief glance, were a bright blue; a strange feature considering the usual amber colour of most werewolves' eyes. She growled at the auburn 'wolf. His eyes, the same amber as Jonathan's, narrowed but he slowly turned and started in the other direction, in a bit of a huff, it appeared. The white 'wolf turned and nuzzled Jonathan affectionately, her scent vaguely familiar to him, then scampered away after the other wolf.

Jonathan stood, slightly confused for a moment, then turned and hurried back home.

--

When Jonathan finally headed up to his flat above the tavern, wearing just his briefs and carrying his shirt and trousers, it was nearly dawn. The flat was small, consisting of three rooms: a small kitchen, a main sitting area, and a bedroom. The kitchen had a stove with a small kettle sitting on top and a few pots and pans strewn about the counter space. The sitting area had an old couch, a desk and a chair sitting under the only window, and a small cabinet. He sighed, pulling the curtains shut on the window and walked unhurriedly over to his desk to re-read the letter from Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, always sticking her nose where it didn't belong. Jonathan should have been used to it by now; her constant prying used to be annoying and he had thought the one benefit to her travelling would be to be rid of her inquisitive nature, but she managed despite that.

He shook his head, and walked into his bedroom. The room was small, with only three pieces of furniture in it: a chest of drawers, a small wicker chair with a blanket draped over it and a single bed with a cosy quilt strewn across it. He crawled under the sheets and pulled the quilt up to his chin, then promptly fell asleep.

--

The next afternoon, Daniel and Jonathan were discussing Jonathan's strange encounter from the night before, whilst finishing up what chores they’d neglected the night prior. Jonathan was wiping down the table in one of the booths while Daniel mopped the floor he’d swept the night before.

"Honestly, I didn't think there was a she 'wolf for miles. And those bloody eyes… she was gorgeous, Dan, but I have no idea who she is… or who he is. I couldn't get into their heads."

"Was it love at first sight, hmm? Too shocked to read their minds properly?" Daniel asked jokingly.

"No, I didn't mean it like that… but there was something… familiar about her, like we'd met before. She seemed to know exactly who I was. And the other one must have been her mate because that's the only way he'd listen without question, not like I was much of a threat to him."

"So it wasn't love… Whatever happened to Ella? You never did say why you two broke up. I kind of liked her too, sweet girl, she was."

"Lay off it, Dan. You're nearly as bad as Elizabeth."

"You've dated half the girls around here and still haven't settled down for more than a week or two. Wait a sec, you're not into the girlies, are you Jon?"

"I said lay off."

"So then, what about men? I always figured as much…you know, from the way you're constantly trying to get my attention. Should I go looking around the bar for you tonight?"

"Shut it."

"Or what about me?" Daniel ducked and laughed as a wet cloth came flying at his head. "Okay, all right, I get it. I was just fooling with you."

"Were you, now?" Jonathan asked as he walked by Daniel to retrieve the cloth.

"No, I'm madly in love with you," Daniel replied with a roll of his eyes, hoping Jonathan would ignore the slight blush that betrayed Daniel's flippant tone.

"Shame, I was going to take you up on that offer," Jonathan murmured, wrapping his arms around Daniel's waist from behind him, stopping the younger man in his tracks.

"J-Jonathan?"

"Yes," he whispered, then gently kissed Daniel's neck, causing him to flush scarlet.

"W-what are you doing?" Daniel squeaked, dropping the mop.

"Seducing you.”

Daniel groaned, rolling his eyes. "You're joking, right?"

"Maybe," was the reply he received, Jonathan’s lips ghosting over his skin.

"Then why haven't you let go of me yet?" Daniel asked.

"Because your mind is racing and you're blushing and I think it's hilarious," he replied, finally letting go of the blond with a chuckle. "God, you're easy to embarrass. And, you know, some of those fantasies scurrying through your head might just come true if you play your cards right," he added with a wink.

"You're insufferable!" Daniel yelled, tackling his friend to the ground, avoiding the fallen mop.

"Hey!" Jonathan yelped as he hit the floor and started to wrestle back, as if they were young boys again.

"You boys are adorable!" came a loud shriek from the doorway.

Both men stopped their brawl to look over at the curvaceous blonde in the doorway. Her blue eyes shone with laughter, and her high cheekbones emphasised by the slight smirk on her lips, as she stood watching them.

"You two make a perfect couple. So other then you two finally getting together, what did I miss while I was gone?"

"Bugger off, Natasha," a blushing Daniel muttered as the two untangled themselves from each other.

Natasha giggled. "I missed you too, Daniel, and you're blushing! Better watch out, Jon, looks like someone has a crush on you. Oh wait, you must already know that, hence the tangled limbs, but I always thought Daniel would want more privacy than–"

"We didn't… er…" Jonathan paused for a moment, seeing a few things in her mind that he hadn't wanted to, or, at the very least, hadn't wanted to know about her thinking them. "We didn't, Nat. And have you forgotten that you work for me? Most people don't treat their employers with such… callous? Is that the word? Whatever. Why are you here so early anyway?"

"Oh, I came here to quit."

"What?" both men shouted in unison. It was a well-known fact that patrons tended to tip Natasha well and the tips were all split at the end of the night between the three of them. Not to mention the amount of work there was splitting it between the two men alone.

"Mmm-hmm. You see, my husband hasn't been too pleased with me lately, hates that I work here, and normally I wouldn't quit my job for his sake… But I've got another offer, the Crowley Inn needs a cook, and that's really more fun than serving drinks anyway."

The two stared at her as though she had gone mad.

"I know you want me to stay, hell, I bring in half the tips, but I need to go."

"Where am I going to find another server!?" Jonathan asked. "And hold on, what on earth do you mean he doesn't want you working here?"

"Well… Viktor is very… possessive, and he's a bit, er, jealous… of you, Jon."

Daniel and Jonathan gave each other a look before Jonathan replied, "Sorry, but me? Natasha, he must know I'm not interested in you, I wouldn't even dare-"

"I know that, you know that, Daniel really knows that," she added with a wink, "But he feels threatened by you, I haven't a clue as to why."

"I only met the guy once, Nat, and he is not the kind of fellow I'd seem threatening to… hell, I don't think there could be a fellow he'd find intimidating."

She sighed again. "Just drop it… It's not like I'm even needed here. The two of you were running it fine before I came along, and you manage the three days I leave each month to visit my mother. Besides, if you want more tips just dress Daniel up like a girl. Let his hair down and borrow a dress of mine… or I can make him one!"

"He's certainly got the figure for it," Jonathan murmured looking Daniel up and down.

"No way in hell!" Daniel exclaimed indignantly. "I am so sick of you, both of you, going on about my bloody "figure." It's not my fault I look like this. It's not really to fair to pick on a fellow just because he's too pretty, and I don't appreciate it any more than you would! So just, stop it, both of you, before I–why are you both giving me that look?"

Jonathan and Natasha glanced at each other briefly before bursting into laughter.

"It's not bloody well funny!"

--