Chapter 5 - Auðr

Sneaky wolf! I hadn’t expected Sage to kiss me. I hadn’t expected it to be that good, either. It’s not like it’s been a long time since I was with someone. I hooked up with a guy at our last gig in San Fransisco. He was human but fit and a great lay. So, I’m not hard up for physical intimacy. It made no sense why I was so into Sage’s kiss that we fell onto the sofa, and their gum ended up in my mouth.

I’d wanted to lie to them and myself that I felt nothing. I knew it was a lie. I’d felt something off when I first touched Sage before they growled that ominous word. Given how my brother’s branch of our tree became werewolves, I know plenty about the mate bond. I’ve heard all about its wonders and how strong the pull is. I just never thought it was something a vampire would feel.

I needed to get myself out of this situation, especially out of this room and away from Sage. I was too busy looking for a way out to bother lying. I was honest that I’d been looking for a pre-gig snack, and they’d been on the menu but weren’t as soon as I realized they were a werewolf. I’ve fed on a werewolf once in my long life, and it was yuck. I’d rather drink animal blood.

I was ready to check for a blood bag to drink before sound check when Sage offered themselves. I prefer my blood from the tap. I’ve never been a big fan of the blood bag. However, they’ll do it when I’m in a pinch, and this felt like one of those times. I’m sure one of my bandmates has one somewhere. Plus, our label always ensures we have everything we need. Given that Albert is our label, he makes sure we have blood.

Why was I considering it? Why was I staring at Sage’s throat? Why was I watching the blood pumping in their carotid arteries? Sage is a werewolf. I already know their blood won’t taste good.

So why am I so damn tempted to sink my fangs into their soft skin? Why is that need not simply driven by hunger? I wanted to see what my mark would or could look like. That thought is what had my fangs elongating more than my hunger.

I clamped my jaw down. I’m far too old for this kind of bullshit. I control my hunger, not the other way around. And I know this mate bond isn’t the same kind of hunger, but I will not be controlled by that either. I control my body. I control my fangs.

Once I felt more in control, I said, “If one of my bandmates doesn’t have a blood bag, I know my label should’ve provided a fridge full of them. “

“Oh,” Sage said.

They looked honestly put out that I’d drink from a blood bag rather than them. I sighed. Typically, I wouldn’t care if I said something that upset anyone. My give a fuck died when Elvin Darby died. Yet I feel bad. I didn’t want to make Sage frown. I barely knew this pup, and seeing the sadness in those amber eyes hit me in the humanity.

“It’s not personal. Like I said, werewolf blood doesn’t taste good, and I’m running out of time before sound check.” I said. “Someone is likely going to be looking for me soon.”

“And you don’t want someone to see you with me?” Sage arched their brow.

“I have no issues with being seen with or around anyone that’s not some fascist fuck, no matter their gender and species. I prefer to avoid being caught in any compromising situation.” I tried to explain myself.

“Compromising situation? Feeding on your mate would be seen as compromising?” Sage asked.

“When not everyone that could come looking for me is aware of my true nature… yeah.” I shrugged. “Staff here at the club are human. And beyond that, there is always paparazzi. I and my label work hard to keep every member of my band’s lives private.”

“Okay, you made your point.” Sage sighed. “I guess I should let you find a blood bag and do your sound check. I should find my twin and their mate anyway.”

“Glad you’re seeing this from my perspective,” I said.

“Just one last thing…” Sage declared as they stood.

“Yes?” I asked.

My hand was hovering on the knob, ready to push the door open, as I turned to look at them. They were back in my personal space, something that should bother me, and without warning, pulled me into a kiss. Just as my willpower was going to break, someone pulled the door open, and the laughter of four of my bandmates filled my ears.

“Oh, pardon us, Auðr.” Rhapsody laughed.

“We didn’t think you’d still be…” Zeidan paused, eyeing Sage. “Entertaining.”

I’ve known these shitheads for a long fucking time. I sired all of them, giving them purpose in life after their mortal life drove them to self-harm. I save people from their worst moments and give them reasons to continue. In my band’s case, it is music that they live for.

Now, back to my train of thought. I’ve known my bandmates a long time and literally met them on their worst day. I’ve never cared when they’d tease me here and there about people I fuck or who I feed on. Their teasing and, worse, judging of Sage crossed a line. I keep trying to downplay what is happening between us in this short span of our meeting, but this mate bond shit is hard to control.

“Got a problem, Zeidan?” I asked, stepping away from Sage to glare at him. “If you do, I know how to fix it. Lodging your sax so far up your ass, you’ll have to play with your pants down tonight.”

“Whoa… chill, man.” Zeidan held his hands up.

“No need to get all hostile, Auðr.” Zeke tried to play mediator.

“Yeah, it’s just some half-breed mutt.” Rune snorted.

I was ready to knock some sense into Rune when Sage lightly pressed on my chest and smiled. There was something dangerous about that smile. I couldn’t place why. Maybe it was the glint in their eyes or the amber color mixed with purple. Something was about to go down, and while I couldn’t predict what it would be, I doubted Rune would like it.

“Rune, there’s something I’ve always assumed about you, and meeting you and sinched it. So I have to tell you…” Sage spoke cheerfully, taking a step toward Rune.

I was not too fond of that. I was not fond of that at all, but I stayed put. I wanted to see what this purple skittle wolf would do to my second-embraced childe. If I interfered, that wouldn’t happen. Part of me pondered who I would protect if it came down to it. Rune or Sage? The question only lingered for a moment when the answer came to me with Sage’s next move.

“You have a beautiful face,” Sage said.

That’s not the part where my debate of which side I’d take in a fight of Rune vs Sage.

“But let’s put a bag over that personality,” Sage… or more likely their wolf as their voice had gone deeper and dark, said as they bitch slapped Rune across the room.

Zeke, Zeidan, and Rhapsody cringed as Rune broke the chair he landed on. I wasn’t expecting the force in that slap, but it got the point across. They aren’t going to mess with Sage, especially Rune, after that. Sage rolled their shoulders and turned a bright smile to the others.

“Any other unrequested commentary from the peanut gallery?” Sage asked.

“None.” Zeke squeaked.

“Well, that was a fun introduction.” I clapped my hands.

“Introduction. You call that wolf slapping…” Rune hissed, rubbing his face as he got up.

“Bitch slapping. I bitch slapped your bitch ass. And I’ll do it again if you let that fugly personality run your mouth.” Sage warned him, pointing a finger at him.

“Enough with the hitting.” I sighed. “Sage, band. Band, Sage. They’re here with their twin, whose mate is Léonel’s kid.”

Rhapsody went stiff at the mention of the kid. Léonel was right. She’s acting squirrely about the subject. She was looking at Sage differently than before. It was as if looking at Sage would tell her something about Léonel’s kid. It’s not like being twins with Léonel’s kid’s mate would give her insight into what his kid was like.

“Leo. Their name is Leo.” Sage corrected me.

“Uh-huh, and what does that have to do with you two making out back here?” Zeke asked.

“Absolutely nothing.” I shrugged. “We met outside when Sage punched a protester and was offering a taste of the rainbow.”

“Mighty bold talk for the guy not like five minutes ago was denying I was his mate.” Sage scoffed.

Now I was going to wince. I felt the looks my bandmates gave me. The mate word isn’t something anyone throws around. Rhapsody’s gaze, especially, held a frosty edge. More people walked in at that moment if that weren’t bad enough. Léonel walked in with a person with cotton candy pink hair and a person nearly identical to Sage but with Green hair and more masculine-facing clothes.

“Uncle Auðr has a werewolf mate?” Léonel blinked.

“Sage, your mate is the band’s lead singer?” Green-Haired Sage gasped.

Things were about to get as interesting, and I still hadn’t gotten my blood bag. I was not fed enough for all this drama.