Chapter Eight....Scene One

Eric was amazed at how eager Ramona seemed to be. She was literally dragging him after her as they trudged further into the dark woods. She can’t wait to get her hands on you mate, a little voice inside him said. Make sure you give it to her good, but save some for that hot little piece coming behind you. His inner voice was really nasty today.

Ramona suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. “Here,” she said, backing into a big red oak tree. She beckoned Eric with her index finger, a seductive smile on her lips.

Raven watched as Eric walked up to her, suddenly thinking perhaps this was a bad idea after all. What if Ramona was unable to stop herself? Or worse yet, what if she couldn’t stop Ramona. She was about to utter further protests but the two had already begun kissing.

Eric’s soft lips were warm in contrast to Ramona’s cold ones. Wow! He’s a really good kisser. She opened her mouth wider to permit him greater access and he greedily took it, plunging his tongue inside. The kiss gave her a tingling feeling and Ramona almost forgot the whole purpose for this little charade.

She arced her neck as he trailed soft little kisses down her neck. Opening her eyes, she looked past him at Raven standing there with an angry stare on her face although whether it was because of her plan or the fact that she was kissing Eric, Ramona couldn’t tell.

Eric was still engrossed in her neck and this exposed his neck to her. Ramona’s eyes started to turn red, her fangs slowly protruding as the hunger swept over her. Finally! She was going to get what she had been craving for weeks now.

She waited a few more seconds, for her senses to stop reeling from the ardent kisses of Eric’s hot mouth against her neck. Just as she was about to sink her fangs into his neck, an ear piercing scream shattered the still night air.

Eric jerked his head up. “What the hell was that?”

Ramona quickly looked away so he wouldn’t see her changed face.

“It sounded like a girl screaming,” Raven said, her keen eyes searching the woods. Every one of her vampire senses was alert. She felt as if that scream was just the beginning of something worse.

Ramona had managed to calm down and was now back to normal. “Well whatever it is, I think we should head back to the beach,” she said, already heading off in that direction.

“Wait shouldn’t we at least check it out? Somebody might need our help.”

Ramona’s right Eric, we don’t know what’s out there. We can get help at the beach.” Raven said.

“What if it’s too late by the time we get back?”

“Eric for all we know there could be some wild animal out there. What good would it do to just walk right up and let it tear us to pieces?”

Eric figured Ramona must be right if she had even forgotten to add “Xavier” to his name. They walked quickly through the woods, the distant music from the beach growing louder by the minute. They came to a clearing and both girls suddenly stopped, as if they’d run into an invisible wall.

Ramona’s eyes darted around. She whispered to Raven. “Can you see it?”

“No but I can feel it. It’s definitely out there.”

Eric looked around and saw nothing. “What are you two talking about?”

Both girls were backing into him, trying to shield him from whatever they thought was out there though for the life of Eric, he couldn’t see anything in these damn woods!

Ramona said, “Raven, get Eric Xavier out of here. It’s not him it wants.”

Okay it was one thing to help his drunk ass home but this was pushing it too far. Why did these girls always make him feel like he was the defenseless little girl and they were the strapping young boys sent to protect him?

“I’m not going anywhere,” he snapped. “And stop referring to me like I’m some kind of baby.”

“Now is not the time to act macho. What are you waiting for Raven?”

“What about you? Ramona you can’t take it down by yourself. You’ll need help.” Raven said.

“I’m not gonna fight it. I just want to distract it long enough so you two can get away.”

“Nobody’s leaving anyone,” Eric said stubbornly. “We’re all getting out of this together.” He picked up a log and held it firmly in his hands.

Ramona chuckled. “I’m afraid that’s not gonna help much Eric Xavier.”

Raven turned to him. “Eric we need to get out of here.”

“I’m not leaving. I ---” His words were cut short by a low growl from somewhere in the darkness and a huge wolf-like creature emerged into the clearing, it’s menacing yellow eyes glaring at them as it gnashed its teeth.

Eric’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he saw the creature. “Oh shit! What the hell…..”

“Run!” Ramona yelled and she took off in a blur.

Eric could not believe what he was seeing. First this ugly creature and now Ramona running like she was on a truckload of energizer batteries. What the hell was going on here? He swore if this was the booze effect he was quitting drinking till kingdom come.

The creature stood still for a moment, then having made a decision; it gnashed its teeth at them one more time and charged after Ramona.

“Oh shit! We’ve gotta help her. That thing will tear her to pieces!”

Raven stopped him, her voice shaking a little. This was the first time she had ever encountered a werewolf in its supernatural form and she had to admire Eric’s bravery. If she had been a human, they would have had to carry her out of here because she would have long fainted. She hoped Ramona wasn’t a rookie as well to all this.

“Ramona can take care of herself Eric. Right now, we need to get as far away as we can from here and get some help.”

Eric looked at her as if he was only seeing her for the first time. “Take care of herself? Raven did you see that thing? She won’t stand a prayer!”

Raven looked in the direction Ramona ran too. Maybe she should go after her. Besides, the distraction had worked and the werewolf had followed her so that meant Eric would be safe. But she knew Eric would never let her go alone and what if that wasn’t the only werewolf out tonight? Her last thought sprang her into action and she pulled Eric forcefully.

“C’mon, let’s go.”

Eric jerked his hand out of hers with some difficulty. “Hey we can’t just leave her like that!”

For fucks sake Eric! For once since I met you just do as you’re told! Raven stopped and looked deep into his eyes, her pupils dilating. Dammit! She still could not compel him. Why was that anyway?

“Eric, I’m gonna do something right now and it might hurt a little but I want you to know that I’m only doing it because I have to.”

Eric looked confused and asked her, “What the hell are you talking about?”

Raven hesitated for a minute, she did not want to hurt that handsome face but she had no choice. She brought her elbow up and smashed it into his face. It was a subtle blow but with the right amount of power. Eric fell down, a trickle of blood running down his nose. He was out cold.