Silence

Puppy Fights and a Knight

The fog settled in around the gathering crowd, everyone ready for the upcoming battles. Wooden fences were being repaired in anticipation for what was to come, and the dogs were undergoing their pre-game rituals.

Leaning over to where Jacob stood, Hanna whispers with a coy smile, "I will bet 50 dollars that Biter wins."

Jacob lets a smile rise to his lips. "There is no way Biter could win over Demon. You're on." He holds out his large hand for Hanna to take, and they shook on it. A wailing static comes over the speakers placed over the dog pit and Alpha Derek's voice booms out.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together, for the 75th Puppy Battles!" The crowd goes wild at the name of the event, and the last minute bets are being placed. Everyone gathers closer so as to get a better look of the arena.

"In this corner, there is the lean, mean, fighting machine, two time champion, Biter!" The last words are slightly drawn out, and cheers break out among the pack. Hanna elbows Jacob in the side as she lets out an ear-splitting scream, while he stands silent with a stubborn smile.

"And I'm this corner, we have the vicious, the soulless, the Devil himself, the new rookie , Demon!" More cheers rise, and Jacob comes to life. He brings his large hands together to create thunderous claps, and let's out a low shout.

"Now, let the battle commence!" Alpha Derek's voice cuts out as the puppies are released from their cages and charge each other with exceptional speed. Demon lets out a low growl, and Biter lunges for the pups extended leg, drawing blood. The crowd erupts with a newfound energy as the fight gets more intense. Demon shakes of Biter, and goes for his neck. Before Demon reaches the young pup's vulnerable neck, Biter rolls out of the way unharmed. Biter makes a quick turn, and head-butts Demon. Before Demon has a chance to get up, Biter sinks his claws deep into Demons stomach. Demon lets out a howl of pain, and Biter does his signature move, clamping his jaws around the other's neck. Demon goes limp, and everyone bursts into frenzied cheers and howls.

Static comes back on from the speakers, and Alpha Derek is speaking again, "Biter is the winner of the 75th Puppy Battle!" Jacob turns to the red head and hands her money over, a defeated smile on his lips. Hanna beams back up at him and gladly takes his money.

"Biter for the win!" She screams over the other cheering people and howls. Jacob laughs and starts to howl with her. In a matter of seconds, the entire pack has joined her and created a single monstrous howl.

As Hanna and Jacob made their way back to the villiage, Hanna was drawn to one of the venders lined up against an unused arena. She gave a longing look towards the small blue tent, and the strange treasures it held. Jacob seemed to notice and gently grabbed Hana's arm, pulling her away from the massive crowd and towards the vender.

Hanna seemed surprised by how outgoing Jacob had seemed lately, but didn't question it. When they reached the small tent Jacob let go of Hanna's arm almost reluctantly, and Hanna was left with a cold absence spreading through her body like a virus.

She ignored it and walked over to the table, where a shining gold necklace with an arrangement of rubies in the shape of a heart lay. It was positioned on the edge of the table, separated from the rest. Hanna was so entranced by the necklace she didn't notice Jacob staring at her.

"Do you like it?" He stared down at her with his dark chocolate eyes, looking at her expectantly. She wanted to make some smart remark, but all she could do was slowly nod. Werewolves were not big about jewelry, but there was something about how perplex and simple it was at the same time that captivated her.

Hanna looked up at the bored salesperson, "How much is it?" She didn't care how much it was, she wanted it.

"185 dollars and 95 cents. Plus tax." He huffed out in a gravelly monotone voice. Hanna was not expecting that, and realized she didn't have her money with her. She had left it at her cabin knowing how the puppy battles were always crawling with pick-pockets. Her faced dropped at the realization, and she slowly turned and walked away to sit under an immense oak tree. The crowds were thinning out as more and more people left the battle grounds.

Hanna hadn't realized that Jacob was missing until he walked up to where she was sitting, his posture confident with his hands clasped behind his back. "Hey." His voice pierced through the crisp air, and made the hairs on the back of Hanna's neck stand up.

"Hey." Hanna looked at him skeptically. He was acting... Different. He's never started the conversation, Hanna always had, even when she had a sore throat, or was sick. His usual stoic face was ruined by a sparkling glint in his eye, and he held the whispers of a coy smile playing on his lips.

He looked into Hanna's eyes and started hesitantly, "Hanna, I-" He was cut off with a shriek from Filomena, the once bustling crowd now became and silent and stiff. People moved out of the way like puppets on strings as someone swaggered through the gapping space people were just roaming seconds before. Both Jacob and Hanna's heads snap up and watch the aproaching figure, not even the crickets daring to make a sound. The figure stepped into the open space between the crowd and the oak tree, the air reeking of fear.

Looking left, then right, the man broke the silence and said with his booming voice, "Oh how I love making an entrance!" A devilish smile broke across his face. As his dark mischievous eyes scanned the crowd, everyone jumped from his glare as if they were being cut with sharp knives. When his eyes reached Hanna and Jacob his demon-like demeanor slightly faltered, but he composed himself again so quickly no one was sure.

"Someone I have been waiting a long time to meet is in the crowd," he smirked as he slowly turns in a circle, his broad shoulders loose and his arms raised just below his chaotic golden hair. He kept circling for a few tense moments before he finally stopped and looked straight at Hanna. Before Hanna knew what was happening the blonde whisked in front of her and Jacob was forced to take a few steps back so as to not disrespect the blonde haired mystery.

"I think I have found her." He placed his monstrous hands on her arms, and looked down at her with the whisper of a smile on his face. It was accompanied by his dark eyes which held the wisps of burning fire.

"My name is Alpha Knight."