Julie ran all the way to her house, her fear slowly leaving her as she ran out of energy. Her body was shaking from the cold and her muscles were sore and achy. She didn't even think about her bruises. But when she came back and found her father sitting on the back porch expectantly, she flinched. She paused just before she reached him and quickly wiped her face. James hated the sight of tears.
She faced him, slowly walking up the steps to stand in front of him. Her hands were shaking and her body was freezing. From the cold or from fear, she couldn't tell. All she could think about was when did she become so scared?
If she could only have her wolf again, then she could face all of her fears. She could be herself again.
"And where are your brothers?" James asked, his deep voice hiding the anger that Julie knew was there. His eyes glanced over her ripped shirt and he bit his tongue in anger. Was she that stupid to go around showing off her bruised belly?
"They're with their new Alpha and new pack, sir. They said they'll come tomorrow to get their stuff." She answered, keeping her voice small and as steady as possible.
"And it took you this long to return because?" She shrugged, not having any answer that could convince him of the truth. She could say it was because her pack and her Alpha were celebrating and she hadn't recieved permission to return home. But she knew James would never believe her. No one would want a wolfless Were.
"I was saying goodbye, sir." She answered, looking down at her feet. She shouldn't have shrugged right away.
"And you didn't think of coming back to make me something to eat, did you?" She shook her head, feeling her body shake even more. She remembered when they had left and he was passed out. She cursed her timing. Couldn't he have waited until she had gotten home?
"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again, sir." He nodded, staring hard at her. James had a punishment in mind for her. He tired of using the same old methods when they obviously weren't working well. And he knew that she had been bruised enough in places unseen although now he wonders if they remain unseen. He knew that if he were to harm her anymore in the same places, she would die and he'd have to deal with the mess that followed. He did not need the police or anyone else asking questions.
"Get inside and change. Then make dinner." She nodded quickly and walked pass him into the house. He stared off into the woods, looking to see if there had been anyone following her. When he was satisfied, he walked into the house and found her running from cabinet to cabinet, looking as flustered as ever.
~~~
Dresden watched from his spot on the edge of the woods, crouching low in the bushes, observing the house as closely as he could. It was a two story building that was covered in old yellow paint with white borders. The porch was old with chipped wood and through a tiny window, he could see his mate busying herself in the kitchen. He didn't hear her conversation with James nor has he seen the man yet. But he can smell the Alpha male's scent all over the place mixed with the stench of beer.
Julie began grilling chicken and sauteing vegetables together to make a good dish for her father. She hoped that if he enjoyed it enough, he'd forgive her and she would get a small punishment instead of one she knew he was planning. Sometimes, he'll even just give her a warning and let her go. It was all she could hope for on a night like this.
She finished cooking and brought it to the living room, disappearing from Dresden's sight. He heightened his senses and listened carefully for any kind of exchange.
"Chicken, huh?" The Alpha male asked, setting a can on an end table near him. Dresden heard Julie walk away and found her through the kitchen window, cleaning up her mess. Then she stood off the side and waited, looking nervous and frightened. The Alpha male called her then and she disappeared. He waited patiently until she returned, cleaning off a plate. She looked out the window towards him and sighed. He crouched lower, worried that might lose control as he watched a single tear roll down her cheek.
Dresden watched as a man taller than him with more muscle mass than ever, stood behind Julie. She whimpered at the window, finishing with the place and putting it away before turning towards him. His dark hair fell around his face in a greasy fashion as he stared down at her angrily, his bushy eyebrows furrowing in a scowl. Dresden heard him yell at her angrily for stupid shit like the excuses she had listed to him earlier. He dug his claws onto the ground, holding himself back. His mate begged for another chance to redeem herself as they disappeared from the window. Dresden growled, ready to break into the house but it wasn't necessary. The back porch swung open and Julie fell out onto the back porch.
The Alpha male stepped viciously towards her, glaring down. He pressed his foot against her ribs, holding her steady as she sobbed, cradling her stomach with her arms. He lifted his foot up and then brought it down onto her ribs. She screamed out and Dresden snarled. He started to creep closer, rushing to dig his teeth into the Alpha male but held himself back, struggling to fight against his wolf.
He was her father!
The Alpha male slammed the back door shut, locking it behind him. Dresden growled lowly, watching as Julie cried on her knees at the door, begging for entrance. He clenched his jaw, waiting for the moment that she was calm enough for him to come out. His priority was her and if she was in such a state, seeing him in his anger would make her worse.
After moments of crying, Julie finally calmed down into a fit of whimpers. She crawled to the edge of the porch swing where she pulled herself up and fell into fetal position, shivering from the cold. He listened, waiting until her cries turned into slumber and then phased, changed into jeans and grabbed one of the jackets from the closest clothes box. He returned and stepped out from the woods, walking slowly onto the porch.
Her arms were wrapped around her, her legs nearly up to her chest but with her bruises, he knew it was uncomfortable for her. Her cheeks were still wet with her smeared tears and he could see her shivering in her sleep. He took the jacket and placed it over her. His fingers brushed against her skin, feeling just how cold she was and he kneeled in front of her. Her wolf had really left her. She was really weak.
He rubbed his hands against her arms and her back, attempting to share some of his warmth with her without waking her. She let out a shaky sigh and her face released some tension. Slowly, he could see she was feeling warmer, her cheeks gaining more color and her sleep becoming more peaceful. His fingers found their way to her face and he brushed her hair away from her face, rubbing her cheek with his thumbs. He could only hope that his attentiont was calming her unconscious mind as his eyes roamed over her delicate neck, finding the bruises. He stopped, staring hard at them. He'd kill her father. Just as soon as she wasn't around to witness the torture he had in store.
"Is there a reason you're on my porch?" Dresden didn't turn around the face the Alpha male. He knew the instance the man appeared and he knew who he was. He knew what would happen should he turn away from his mate now. His eyes lingered over her once more before he leaned forward and kissed her head softly. Then he stood slowly, attempting to control his anger before allowing himself to face his mate's abuser.
"There is." He growled, folding his arms over his chest. Julie's father glared back at him, wondering who the fuck the kid thought he was.
"Care to explain?" James impatiently asked, clenching his jaw at the disrespect. Dresden took a risky step forward, glaring. He glanced over the man carefully, judging his body mass and his form. He didn't smell strongly of his wolf. Dresden smirked.
"I'm going to tell you once," He started before taking another step forward. "Do not ever touch Julie again."
"And who are you to tell me?" James accepted the challenge, meeting Dresden at a face to face combat zone.
"I am the prime Alpha of this territory. I am the Alpha of Julie and the mate of your daughter." He spoke, anger seeting out of him like sweat. James stared hard at the wolf-boy, narrowing his eyes.
"And you think that frightens me?" Dresden laughed darkly.
"It should old man." His eyes glanced over his opponent once more before he smirked. "When was the last time you've phased?" James was flustered at the question, hating the fact that he was just now realizing that refusing to change into his wolf was putting him at a great disadvantage. If he were to phase and fight the arrogant young wolf now, he would lose immediately. He would have to learn all about his wolf again if he wanted to present a challenge to the cocky bastard.
"Just because I haven't phased in a long time does not mean you can take me, amateur." He bluffed.
"I wouldn't be so quick to say that." Dresden argued, taking a step back and off of the porch before he does something he would regret. Before phasing and disappearing into the woods to vent out his pent up anger, he turned and gave James one of the most terrifying looks James had ever seen. He's seen glares, glowering glances and rage. But he has never seen such rage as to bring out the most inner anger of a wolf while still in human form. "Don't touch her."