I'm so glad people actually like the story! Just because whilst this isn't the first time I've written, it is the first of this class. So basically, my first werewolf story. I just hope I do it enough justice, ha.
Again, enjoy~

As if she were in a zombie like state, Clancy stumbled downstairs. Her eyes bloodshot, bags of underlining darkness hovered just under her eye sockets in a tempting fashion to receive more sleep.

She yawned midway and as she hit the bottom step, stopped.

Her uncle, who had occupied a rather hefty tray of food stopped shortly around the corner. Mild surprise on his roughened features.

"What happened to you? Looks like you had a fight, with yourself." He cringed and stood back to look more clearly at her. She returned a bitter smile and began trudging down until she swiftly turned towards the kitchen.

"How nice of you." She began her voice monotone. "But I couldn't sleep." Without turning around, she knew her uncle sported a look of pure confusion.

"And why is that?" Following her, he sat the tray on a near counter.

Mumbling the next part, she munched on a simple piece of bread. "I had dreams." Knowing her past history on such, he let it go. Shrugging he pushed the tray closer to her.

"Pick whatever, I made enough for all of us." At his words she jarred. That's right.

The wolf.

There was a caged wolf like creature in their backyard. How had that slipped her conscious? Especially since she had gone to sleep, with him on her mind.

"You mean, Barry?" The course words were said as clearly as could be while one was eating. A bemused look was exchanged from the man in front of her.

"Barry?"

"The werewolf, Uncle Ralph."

"I quite clearly got that, dear." He sighed, grabbing at the tray once more. "Barry? Really?"

"What? What's wrong with it?" Her brows knitted in amusement.

"Barry?" He sputtered once more, a roll of her eyes was her reply. "Why not just, I don't know, Rover? Or, Bud, even Spike would suffice!" He rushed out the several names in exasperation. "Why make him seem more human than he is?" She scoffed only her uncle.

"For now, unless I decide otherwise. I'm calling him, Barry." She smiled sardonically. Then noticed the glistening silver platter of fresh food. "That tray.." She gestured, an unspoken question lingering.

"Yes, I'm taking it out to him." With that, she could feel the exciting vibrate of her heart, and the racing connectives of her brain at work.

"I could, you know, to help, take it out to him?" Her offer was casual enough. But underneath, blood was racing and nerves were on edge. His response was the typical, Ralph, unsure with tense hesitance. Obviously fearing for her safety. "I'd be careful." She added, as though that would ease her uncle's worry.

Not a chance.

"I," His eyes darted from the door to her face. "It might be too early.." She couldn't help the eye roll this time.

"At some point or another, I will have to do this. What's the point in prolonging it?" The slight irritation and impatience in her tone was something she couldn't fake. Though a sudden wave of guilt hit her at the inconsiderate thoughts on how her uncle had really felt about this. All he was doing was protecting her, and she was too busy trying to jump into danger. "I'm sorry." She mumbled out at last. Head slunk to stare at the half piece of bread she hadn't finished.

"No you're right. I shouldn't have told you any of this only to expect you to keep at hands distance." He sighed, placing the tray gingerly upon the counter. "I guess it wouldn't hurt." He spoke more confidently than before. "But I swear, you come back with a missing digit, let alone limb, critical research or not, he's dying." Even though it was a prominent threat, she couldn't help the smile that broke out before she rushed forward to grip the tray.

"I promise, I won't let that happen."

"Who said you had a choice?" The joking comment did have some meaning when she really thought about it. No doubt this guy could harm her without a seconds notice. But what were chances without a risk?

"I'm guessing there's a key to this building?" Her curiosity was quickly quenched.

"He'd be long gone if there weren't." Ralph went on to chuckle as he fumbled for some keys. Clancy was actually mildly surprised he was so free willing with them.

"Here." He placed the clinking keys in her palm. She stared down at them, a bit miffed that these were the sole things keeping her from this new world of mystery. She spared her uncle a smile before heading out. Careful not to mess up the setting of the tray. For the distaste her uncle presented towards the misunderstood creature, he sure organized his food nicely.

She could only smirk, yep, that was indeed her uncle. The rough neat freak that was a little over protective at times, and too willing in others. A person that took a bit longer to warm up to, but worth it in the end when you'd receive nothing but their undying devotion.

Approaching the foreboding end of the estate, she started creeping. Sure it was perhaps more than a few acres long, more like fifteen. But once you started advancing on the end areas, it actually seemed as if it was a whole other lot all together. Whilst the front was pretty much bare of any trees and bushes, just grass and land. The back had more of a forest cottage feel. There were tall trees looming over work buildings her uncle would usually spend his spare time in when he felt the need to craft and build. Probably where he did most of his research as well, now that she thought about it.

Small rose bushes lined up a curved dirt path, one that led to three different small buildings, before leading to one just about as big as a barn. But looked nothing of the sort. She had to admit the trees were her favorite. Long and lanky, a few were larger, but still held the same curvature grace of the thinner trees, their limbs bowed as if hit by a slight wind continuously over time. But in truth had grown like that.

She had a feeling that the wolf was enclosed in the more secure buildings, so farther to the back.
These had a multitude of locks, and made either of brick, or just plain metal. Whatever the case, her uncle took extreme measures.

Inching closer, she soon left the shadows of the trees and emerged to a brighter part, aiming for the first safe building she could see. It being the main one of the few, she figured he'd be in there.
By the added lock panel and slight dents in the metal door. She had been right.

"Hello?" No reply. But what was she expecting from a sound proof room? Even though she could've sworn he'd have sensitive hearing, but maybe she was being stereotypical. Then again, there was a greater chance he was just ignoring her. Waiting for her to enter thinking it safe, only to strike. "Calm down, Clancy." She breathed deeply. Slowly but surly gaining enough courage to put key to lock, doubtfully hesitant to go any further, she stared down at the unopened lock.

Trying one last time, just hoping he'd spare her and just simply answer, she offered another, albeit cautious, hello.

Calm silence.

Gritting her teeth she found confidence and went on until she heard the click she had been dreading and at the same time anticipating.

The door creaked open ever so slowly to reveal a dark abyss. One she was completely unwilling to enter. The thought of just laying the tray down and walk away was more than tempting. But that would be defeating the purpose of whatever she had been waiting for.

"I have food here." Yeah, as if that would have made him any happier to see her.

Taking the chance she had been preaching not long ago, she walked in and shut the door. Careful to lock it behind her. Now it was time to find light. Something of which she hadn't thought about until now.

Walking with extreme awareness, she searched the side of the wall. It was great luck that she didn't have to look long before hitting a switch. One she assumed was none other than a light. Flipping it on, she watched as several beams lit mechanically perfect in symmetry. All lining the center of the room. They kept flipping on until it hit the last one. Then she got a good look at the inside.

It hadn't really been something she wasn't expecting, looking like a normal shed like interior, just white and decorated with metal tables and strategically placed cabinets unlike the wooden décor of any other work building.

At the back, it was wider and roomier. With a door that led no doubt to the subject. Now she was somewhat nervous. But fighting it down anyway, she headed back and opened the door, certainly not the barer of patience any longer.

She knew she shouldn't have been shocked to see that he was indeed bound by something. Mentally slapping herself she moved closer, placing the tray on a bench not far from the man.

Turning to gain an appropriate visage of him, she realized why her uncle had claimed him a complete animal.

A nicely threaded chain laced his wrists and neck against the wall, only a good yard separating him from the worn brick. His head was low in a manner she'd assume was sleeping, but by the way his chest heaved, as if he had been running a while didn't escape her. Her eyes drew closer, taking in better detail.

For the petty clothes they had given him, showed how little they cared. Old jeans and a loose T. By the way the shirt had hung off his frame, and the jeans that barely fit snug to his hips, had showed how ill nourished he was. She could see where the clothes had little care to them, as they were tattered in various places. Proving he had been through it.

If he were in a normal setting, there was no doubt he'd be considered naturally lithe and lean. Lanky limbs were strewn about, not seeming to care where are how they ended up. For a person that seemed almost skin and bones, she couldn't help but to notice his body was oddly nicely built. But it still disappointed her how little the people cared for him. Or had cared for him. Making her almost ashamed her uncle associated with them. Refusing to believe that perhaps her uncle was part of the issue..

Moving further up, through the messy locks of amber like hair that had unnatural shades of night grey mixed in, lay a rather peaceful yet contorted face. Like he was in a continuous pain he tried to hide. His hair was long enough to cover his face up to his high cheekbones, and probably not long before it grew to just above his chin, she couldn't see much but from what could be seen, his face had a slender but strong build to it. How the two mingled, one could only guess. But it suited him. She almost couldn't wait until he lifted his head to face her. Which brought her to the realization that he hadn't even spoken to her. Maybe her theory of him sleeping was right?

But out of pure impulse, when she went to reach forward, his head lurched up. Soft hair flying about in sudden movement. His eyes were wide with feral instinct, having her jerk her hand away in time of his releasing a low threatening growl. And here, he did seem more animalistic. Almost wishing he were back to resting, she stood up and backed away a bit. Eyeing him hesitantly.

Getting a full visual of his face, she wasn't disappointed. He was quite interesting to look at with expressive eyes fueled by whatever rage he felt at that moment. It actually aided her in getting a better description. Not only was the color of his oddly colored hair something out of the ordinary, his eyes also fit the same pattern with a dark color of maroon. If the iris wasn't so prominent with color, and the whites of his eyes clear, she'd assume they were blood shot.

He ground his teeth at her absence, which quickly brought her back to the seething male in front of her.
His face was as slender as she assumed, giving him an appearance more tranquil. From what she could see though, to balance the delicate features, a strong jaw, no doubt full of extremely dangerous teeth, and an overall masculine appeal won over by far.

When she got a full over on him, it was obvious he was on edge, neck muscles tensed in warning, and if she had to guess any, worry? How could he not? He was tied to a frickin' wall!

"I'm just here to feed you." She tried the nonchalant approach. Easily waving him off before going over to gather the tray. He followed her with trained eyes, the growling and teeth baring subsiding just the slightest. "No need to get pissy." Apparently he didn't like to be mocked, because at that he let out another low growl. She rolled her eyes, picked the tray up and walked over to where she knew he couldn't reach her if he had tried, but close enough to lay the food down and scoot it closer if need be.

"Now eat up, Barry." She smiled in triumph at the clearly displeased look he placed upon her.

His gaze traveled to the food that looked more than edible. All Clancy knew was that if he didn't eat it, she would. Crossing her arms, she tapped her foot impatiently. Knowing full well she was getting more and more on his already worn nerves.

Staring back at the food once more, he spared her a glance that if she hadn't known any better, would be equivalent to, 'Bitch, please.' Before his head turned promptly towards the wall to the right. Clancy could only stare in shock.

"Are you honestly snubbing me?" The incredulous question went unanswered. Only the mer raise of an eyebrow from the side proved he was listening.

"This is ridiculous!" She emitted a growl of her own, reaching down to retrieve the uneaten meal.

Bad mistake.

In a moment only described faster than blinking, a hand lurched forward and easily wrapped around her wrist. Chains clinked in protest to the strain done on them. She froze in surprise, but stayed in fear. She was shocked to find he was a lot stronger than he looked. Mentally scoffing at the obvious possibility, her face contorted into an unconscious sneer, but she was soon brought back by a rough tug.

Sparing a pleading look towards him, she found he wasn't growling, snarling or even baring teeth. Just simply scowling. Of course that made it so much better. The calm before the storm, ever heard of it? Clancy had, and she didn't like where this was going.

"Barry, let go." She spoke low, trying to sound more confident and strong, other than the uncertainty she felt at the moment. The grip tightened. Wrong name choice. She cringed internally.

"Leave the food." The demand only took her off guard by how smooth he sounded with how hoarse his voice seemed at the same time.

"So you were hungry?" She smirked. Forgetting in the slight moment that he still held her wrist, and could most likely break it all the same. He released her, leaning back against the wall he only spared her a second's glare before just sighing in fatigue. She could definitely see how even a simple movement like that would wear him out.

"And now we're mute again?" She taunted, standing back just in case. "Well, at least that was something. Though not what I was aiming for." She placed a hand to her chin in thought. Leaning on one hip gently, she scrutinized him.

"Shut the hell up, will you?" There was something she couldn't quite detect in that, an accent? No, probably not. He was much too weak to determine that anyhow.

"Attitude adjustment of course." She added to her currently unknown list. The slight noise of a growl was the only thing to bring her out of it. "Be quiet, Barry. You have a voice, you can speak English, use it." She blew out a puff of air. The other party not amused by her wording one bit.

"Call me, Barry one more time, and I swear I'll rip your fucking throat out." The threat did not go unnoticed. Actually making her more hesitant on using the title, but not entirely convinced.

"I can always call you, mutt?" She offered. The sneer she received was exactly what she expected. "Or, doggy?" By this time she got a good look at very pointy canines. "By these reactions, Barry will do." She grinned. Glancing backwards at the door and back at the angry werewolf, she decided it was probably time to get going. Figuring soon enough her uncle would worry and come looking for her. Something she wasn't exactly keen on.

"Well," She started happily, hands behind her back as she backed her way slowly to the door. "As much as I've enjoyed visiting with you. I must leave, but fear not, I shall be back." Before catching his degrading reply, she shut the door. Her back against it, she let out a breath of fresh air. She made it! But as she walked out and locked up, she couldn't help the feeling of anticipation welling up for the next visit. Her little friend would prove more entertaining than he would most likely be apt on. But so far she had gotten something out of him.

And to her, that was improvement.

~
I just did some research on the name, Ralph, and found that its meaning is wolf counsel, how ironic.