Page 9 of Nice

"Then where the fuck am I supposed to be, Vixen? Huh? I can't stay in the mortal world for too long, can't visit the NPP without being watched like a rabid dog. You tell me where I'm supposed to go?"

Her eyes snap up to mine, all pretense of submission gone. "Look, I don't give a fuck what you do. Okay. If it were up to me, I'd go do something better than watch out for an old man that can't seem to hold his liquor."

I bristle up, irritation flowing through my veins. "I haven't been drinking." Have I? I shake my head again, trying to dispel the cotton feeling that still lingers. What am I doing out here?

"Uh huh. Sure you haven't. Tell me then, why are you passed out in front of Mistletoe Lodge? Gotta hand it to you, didn't think you'd hit rock bottom quite like this."

Snarling, I lunge at her, face planting into the snow as she feints to the right. The cold snaps me to attention. I can't believe I just attacked Vixen! But the bitch was baiting you, my beast growls in my brain. I shake my head again. Shards of pain drive down into my skull.

"Come on, big guy," she murmurs, her voice calm and placating. Standing up, she wraps her arms about my waist and lets me lean on her. "Let's get you back home. Don't wanna be hungover when you get your girl to punish."

Memories shoot back into my braid. Caitlin! How did I even forget about her? My cock lurches up as I remember exactly how I left her, and that she's going to be bound up and waiting for my return.

"Woah, down boy. I'm glad you're enthusiastic, but you're so not my type."

I glance down at Vixen's face where her eyes are glued to the bulge in my pants. Smirking, I clutch her tighter. "Sure about that? I could rock your world you know."

"Ewww. I wouldn't have you anywhere near me like that. Big macho men like you are all bluster and no substance. Thanks, but no thanks."

Grinning, I pull out of her grasp, finally free of the infernal pounding in my head. As memories leak back in, the discomfort starts to ease. I don't know what the hell Marcus did to me, but he better not cross paths with me again if he wants to remain safe.

Clenching my fists at my side, I grind my teeth and look down the path that leads to his house. He better be glad he's protected by whatever hocus pocus controls my body, because there's no way in hell I'll try to fight him on his own turf.

The bells in the town square tinkle out the time, the annoying chimes alerting me to just how much time has passed. If my calculations are correct, Caitlin should be waking up soon, and I need to be there when she does. Pulling away from Vixen, I cast her a half smile.

"Gotta run. Thanks for the pick-me-up."

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "Don't feel like you need to come back any time soon. We'll be okay without you."

I ignore her comment and start a brisk pace out of the city. Time ticks in my head, a steady drumbeat in the back of my mind. Along with that is the thought of Ein Hexenmeister. I have no idea what all of this means, but something just isn't right. As I stalk my way across the snow, my beast prowls inside me, clawing at me, trying desperately to get out.

My beast and I are usually in agreement, but lately, things are just getting way out of hand. Even now, he doesn't want to stay locked up until I let him out. He's rattling his cage demanding his freedom. But do I let him out? That's the true question. For the first time in my existence, I have no idea what my beast wants. I can't appease him or soothe him. Caitlin, it whispers into my brain. I want Caitlin. Well yeah. I want her too, but I there's no way in hell I'm keeping her after I'm done using up her lithe, little body. I don't care what the beast wants. He can't have her. I can't have her.

The beast continues to prowl about, whispering insidious things. He wants to mark every inch of her skin: turn her pale flesh crimson in his ire. He wants to rake his claws down her body, branding her as his and his alone. No matter what she gives him, he will always want more, demand more. He will not be satisfied until she no longer exists, only a body for him to consume whenever he feels the urge. And based on how loudly he’s howling within me, he’s never stopped feeling the urge.

The faint glow of my house comes into view, filling me with warmth and dread. It's not at all garish like the houses in NPP, and it's perfect for me. But deep inside the walls lies my prey, and I have no idea what I'm going to do to her. I knock my boots off before coming inside, trying to keep the mess as minimal as possible. Poor Fredrick has enough on his plate at the moment. From the instant I open the door, he's there helping me ease off my coat.

"Still asleep, Master, but she's been stirring a bit more. It's almost time."

My horns ease their way out of my skull, the dull, burning pain lulling me back inside myself. My beast dances around with glee as we finally start the exchange. Soon, he'll be free, and I might be powerless to stop it. I reach down and unbutton my pants and slide them past my hips. My tail springs free and undulates about. I shiver a bit, as the sensations wash over me. It's been several months since I've allowed myself this much of a transformation.

Everything else about me stays human, it's the only way I can even attempt to keep an eye on the beast side of me. Stretching out, I glance over at Fredrick, amused that my nakedness doesn't bother him in the slightest. To be fair, he's seen me transform enough times that by now, I'd probably be shocked if he did react.

I lengthen my stride, eager to get to my prize. My cock bobs in agreement. The sooner I punish her, the sooner I can bury myself in her heat. Smiling, I take the stairs two at a time, anxious to look upon her again.

She's spread out on the table, hands and feet bound to each perspective corner. I lick my lips as I watch her lay there before going over to my wrack of tools to pick out the perfect one to torment her with. I slide my hand over the various implements, my brain whirling as I suss through my options.

Chapter Four: Caitlin

Pain pounds through my temples, setting my stomach to churning and clenching. Dear God, what's wrong with me? I lay there for a few minutes, eyes closed, just trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I remember the office party, but most of that is a blur. Bits and pieces of the party trickle in, mostly the drunk people partying around while I was getting fired. FIRED!

My consciousness bursts to life, the memories filling back in. I was fired. A lone tear escapes my closed eyelids and slides down my cheek. I want to wipe it away, but what does it matter? It's not like anyone can see me break down. Another tear slides down unbidden. Other thoughts filter through, but nothing really lands. It's more like a depressing slideshow. The drinking, the theft, the vandalism, all of it comes front and center.

Shame burns through me, heating my cheeks. I can't believe I behaved like that. Normally I'm the even keel one, but something just snapped, and I couldn't help myself. I turn my head to the side, resulting in another massive throb.

Groaning, I pull my hand forward to rub my head, but find that it won't move. My pulse quickens and my breathing comes in gasps. Why can't I move? Was I in an accident? I squirm and struggle a moment before realizing that everything can move fine, I'm just held down somehow. The panic doubles. I can't breathe. Forcing my eyes open doesn't help either.

Wherever I am swims a bit, and it's dim enough that I can't even make out where I'm at. I'm not at home though. That much is clear. A faint, zip of cold settles over my body and makes me shiver. I'm also naked. This cannot be good. I know I wanted a vacation, but hell. Did I sign up for something and I just don’t remember it?