Little Red Sweetheart

The Big Bad Wolf

    ***NOTE: For people who read the first chapter PRIOR to August/1/2020, there is new content in this chapter. I decided to write shorter chapters in order to post chapters now instead of having to wait longer. That meant I had to split the first chapter up a little so the pacing would work. Sorry for any confusion! Thanks for reading!***

    I freeze, not exactly sure how to respond. He’s pretty good looking if I’m being honest. Dark messy hair, sharp features, he looks sleek in his white shirt and black leather jacket.

    "You know, it's rude not to say hello back," The man sighs. He smirks as I eye him cautiously, and tilts his head, looking me up and down. "You're that delivery girl aren't you?"

    s**t.

    I shift uncomfortably, debating just darting off. There's something off about him, he's definitely magically inclined in some way, I just can't tell how. Knowing the territory though...

    "What's it they call you? Little Red-"

    "My name's Rose, and I'm a bit busy. Got a package to deliver," I respond, wincing at the mention of my old nickname. 

    God I hate it.

    "Well then Rose, I guess I should leave you to it. Unless you're lost. You look a little lost," he says with an almost too charming smile. For a second I get lost in his eyes. They are a deep, almost sapphire blue, like two pools of ocean water glistening in the sunlight. I quickly snap myself out of it.

    "I'm not-" I stop myself. There's no real use in lying. Besides, my phone is low on battery anyways. He also hasn’t done anything yet that would warrant me refusing his help, even if I get a wary vibe from him. "Yeah, I'm lost. How can I get to Woods Boulevard?" 

    “Oh you’re looking for Woods? Here follow me. We’re not too far away,” He replies, beckoning me over. Reluctantly I slide off my bike and walk over cautiously. 

    “You know, you haven’t told me your name yet. So, who are you anyways? I can tell you’re not human,” I sigh.

    “Name’s Shepard Blake. And you’re right, I’m a Werewolf.”

    I stop in my tracks. He’s a Werewolf? Not good. He’s not with the Halfmoons is he?

    He looks back at me and laughs, spinning around. “Oh come on, I’m not gonna bite!” Shepard smirks. “Or…” he takes a step closer. “Am I?”

     Seeing the color drain from my face sends him into a roar of laughter. I roll my eyes, annoyed. I’ve only just met him and I can already tell just how insufferable he is. No wonder I was feeling off about him, he’s a jerk.

     “You're an ass, you know that? Just tell me how to get back to Woods,” I snap. Shepard calms himself down and raises an eyebrow. 

     “Feisty aren’t yah? Woods is this way, I’d just tell you the instructions but,” he smiles that cocky smile again, “Well, this isn’t the safest part of town you know.”

     “I’m aware. This is your turf, exactly why I don’t wanna be here. But I’m just on a delivery so let me go,” I sigh, hoping he doesn’t call over any of his friends. To my surprise, Shepard's mouth drops.

     “You, you think I’m, what with the Halfmoons? Heh, that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all week. No, I don’t gotta clan, just a lone wolf who’s concerned ‘bout a young woman being lost in a bad part of town.”

     “No clan? I’ve never heard of that, is it common?” I wonder aloud. I haven’t seen many werewolves before, but when I have they are always together in groups of at least two or three. I suppose they have to or else they’d probably get attacked by other packs.

     “Not extremely, but we’re not rare by any means. So are we gonna go or are you not completely lost?” He responds, flashing that smile again. I groan and follow him as he turns around and walks me back the way I came.

    As we walk, I occasionally cast my gaze to him, admiring his looks. He must have an eye for clothes because he looks so sleek in his outfit. The jacket looks comfy but a little roguish, fitting for his personality. His warm olive skin also looks surprisingly smooth, I would have assumed a werewolf would have more scars. His jeans also perfectly show off his ass. I bite my lip instinctively. 

    “So,” Shepard says, breaking the silence. I quickly look away, hoping he didn’t notice me checking him out. “How did you end up on this side of town?”

    “Oh you know, these streets are just so pretty. How could I resist?” I reply dripping with sarcasm. Shepard snickers.

    “You know what I mean.”

    “Well, the usual way was closed, of course, and every other route would’ve taken a lot longer. This was the quicker choice, at least originally. I probably should've just taken a longer route,” I sigh.

    “Aw, but you wouldn’t’ve met me then!”

    “Oh boo-who, what a tragedy!”

    We both laugh, and glance at one another. I look away shaking my head, trying to hide my smile. The roads and shops are starting to look a little more familiar now. I’m still a bit unsure where I am, but thankful things are a bit more recognizable. Not long after we reach an intersection and sure enough, to Shepard’s credit, the sign once again reads Woods Boulevard. He stops and turns to me, his dark blue eyes piercing into my green ones.

     “You know Rose, you should probably pay me back for helping you out,” he smirks. My eyes narrow. Shepard's grin gets wider, and he inches a little closer. I let him, but my glare gets harsher.

    “Back to this already? And I was just starting to like you,” I sigh. “Can’t you just let me be?”

    “See, I wish it was that way but, the problem is, like you so astutely pointed out previously- I’m an ass. And this absolute total jerk… would really like it if he could somehow convince the very attractive and beautiful woman to… maybe get a drink with him real quick,” he gestures over to a bar on the opposite corner of the intersection.

    I’m a little taken aback by his crude attempt at flattery. And very annoyed that I can feel my cheeks heat up in a blush. Shepard smiles wider with a cocky grin, his sharp wolf-like canines flashing. 

    “I’m already late for this delivery, not to mention on the clock. Maybe next time I happen to get completely utterly lost?” 

    “Come on, we both know that won’t happen Rose,” Shepard says softly. His smile falls and once again I feel my guard drop. “It’s just one drink, I promise it won’t take long.”

     “I hardly even know you. And in the brief time I have you’ve been a cheeky jerk,” I sigh, crossing my arms and putting my weight more on one leg. I really don’t know anything about this guy, and sure, even if I give a pass on some of his cocky behavior he still hasn’t really given a good enough reason to trust him. He looks to the ground, rubbing his chin and mouth with his hand. His eyes glance up to gaze at me with a soft smoldering look. I turn my head away, feeling my cheeks heat up again. Why does he have to be so hot?

    “Fine,” I sigh, “One drink.”

     I feel like kicking myself for giving in to his pouting. His face lights up and those bright blue eyes of his sparkle. Barely resisting the urge to bite my lip, I look to the bar he gestured to. Wildflower. Seems decent enough.

    We cross the street and I lock my bike to the metal fence around the bar’s patio. Shepard opens the door for me and we walk inside. The smell of cigarettes and booze assault my nose as we pick out a booth. The name was quite misleading, I had pictured a more modern hipstery bar, but this is a lot more rustic than I was imagining. And dirty. Graffiti is scribbled all over the tables and walls. I notice a large abstract painting of a full moon with wolves around it. Shepard sees my gaze.

    “Oh, don’t worry, this bar is neutral territory. That’s the mark the clans use to indicate that, although this one’s a bit artsier than usual”

    He calls over a waiter and we order our drinks. 

    “So, why is Shepard Blake so keen on getting to know me?” I ask, leaning back into the booth.

    “Do I need a reason?”

    I raise an eyebrow and give him a little look. “So I guess you just do this with every girl you happen to run into then?”

    “Eh, more or less. You’re the first to take me up on my offer though.”

    I smile despite myself. His sense of sarcasm and humor isn’t too far off from my own. God am I this annoying?

    “You caught my eye. Maybe it’s just that red jacket and bike. Or maybe it’s your hair, it’s as dark and mysterious as the sky on the night of a new moon,” he breathes, leaning forward. His eyes draw me closer, and I find myself leaning in as well.

    “You’re pushing your luck big guy. I didn’t come here for a date.”

    “Then why’d ya come?”

    I bite my lip. Damn he’s good. His grin creeps back onto his face, and now he’s the one leaning back. His eyes dart quickly across my face as he waits for an answer.

    “Ah, I see,” he laughs. He leans back in quickly, stopping a few inches from my face. “I caught your eye too, didn’t I?”

    “No!” I spit defiantly, pulling away. Shepard chuckles to himself and claps his hands together. 

    “Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.”

    I’m about to argue back when the waiter returns with our drinks. Silence falls between us. I start to drink, trying to ignore Shepard’s smug look as he takes a slow sip from his beer. He continues to stare at me and I’m about to tell him off when he speaks up.

    “So, you were totally checking out my ass then earlier.”

    I choke on my drink, and he erupts into a howl of laughter. 

    “I knew it! Moons, you thought you were being sneaky didn’t you! Oh, I feel bad for you. You definitely need tips on how to check a person out subtly,” he cackles, rubbing his chin again. My face flushes in embarrassment and rage. Some stupid lustful part of me can’t help but to notice how charming his stupid smile is.

    “You’re doing it again!” he taunts and I jump up, almost knocking over my drink. He goes silent, his grin falling slightly. I place my hands on the table and lean over to him, getting right up in his face. His soft warm breath blows against my lips as I gaze into those laughing blue eyes.

    “I. Don’t. Like. You,” I whisper. “I may find you hot, but that doesn’t mean you're ever gonna see me again. And if you do, I will personally kick your ass.”

    Shepard suddenly stands up too, his face brushing against mine as he slides in next to my ear. “I’d like to see that.”

    He pulls back, staring me down. I can see a wild and dangerous look lurking in the depths of his eyes, trying to hide behind his playful nature. “I’ve never seen a human beat a werewolf in a fight before.”

    “Are you threatening me?”

    “You did first.”

    The tension is thick between us. Some part of me is screaming to run away, but I can’t back down and it’s clear he isn’t going to either. Nothing else matters, just us, inches away from each other's faces, staring into each other's eyes. He inches closer, our foreheads almost together. There’s something about him, so tempting, magnetic, even when I’m pissed. I close the distance, pressing my lips against his, and steal a kiss.