CURSED│open to all rp levels discussion

A public gym for Warwick citizens that’s open 24/7.

Reka groaned as she cleaned the weights room. The bastards either couldn’t read or were too busy taking gym selfies to bother putting the weights back. Understaffed, Reka had cleaned, trained some clients and cleaned again. “Illiterate empty-headed…” she muttered as she lifted a 16kg dumbbell. The good thing about this job was the hours, allowing her to spend her days (and sometimes nights) in the gym instead of the stuffy place she called a home.

She heard the bark of her boss, his hands flailing around his face. “Smile” she heard him hiss. Reka gave him a dry grin, and continued her job. She felt the light pat on her shoulder, turning to help an elderly woman attempt to lift something a little too excessive for her size. With her fake smile plastered in her face, she helped her with the sets. Reka taking most of the weight.

After what seemed hours, she finally slouched on the desk chair, rolling around aimlessly and greeting the clientele that signed in. She itched to go and transform, notable in the way she bit her lower lip and her eyes darting around the gym. The beast in her longed for a run, to scratch, to lift. Good thing she worked at a gym.

Reka glanced at the clock again. A few more minutes and she was free for her break. During her breaks, it was the perfect moment to seize the urges. To let the beast go without necessarily going through the transformations. The wrist she had broken earlier from the bear trap was bandaged. It was still painful, but nothing that would stop Reka from training.

Link had gotten a text last night from one of his clients. They demanded he sell them more and he couldn't say no. Money was money to Lincoln but you couldn't blame him when he came from a business savvy family. So here he was, out of his regular clothes for a meeting and in some gym short and a tank. He had sunglasses on as he walked in and a gym bag over his shoulder. This wasn't his first time here but he stopped coming when his personal gym room got installed in his house. It was an unnecessary thing for him to continue coming to when he had his own.

Once inside he took his shades off and looked around to see if he could find this kid. This kid he was looking for was on steroids and Link found it as easy money. He could get into a lot of trouble but the payoff was worth it all. He slid his sunglasses into his bag before going over to the front desk. A dashing smile settled on his face as he said a quick, "hello." Even though, Link hasn't had a solid relationship he was always able to charm a girl. He knew the way he should treat them but they never liked his baggage. Something that he hasn't even began to let go. Instead of letting his mind dwell he brought himself to reality, coming up with quick questions to drag him mind on. "Are there any trainers available right now?"

This wasn't because he wanted a trainer, no he wanted to look busy and make sure this kid he was looking for wasn't one of the trainers here. He deliberately asked things, said certain words as a way for someone to know who he was. Although, it wasn't hard most people knew the Blevins were a rich family and that their house is up in the hills. Wicked parties go on up there and that the police are called often because of fights that start up there. Lincoln has seen the police station enough times to know who is who and where the chiefs office was. But his dad sent bail everytime he got arrested and Link never hears the end of it. He doesn't even live with his family and all he hears is them talking about his bad influence and bring bad publicity to the family name.

Reka glanced up from the gym schedule as she heard a quiet ‘hello’ being uttered from over the desk. Her eyes were quickly met with the notorious Lincoln Blevins. Probably one of the well known business names in Warwick. She couldn’t resist but to let her eyes rapidly wonder his features. The desk was limiting in what could be seen. Clearing her throat to remain professional. She stood. “I assume you have no appointment?” She inquired, raising an eyebrow. Reka lifted the clipboard searching for his name on the client list. But found nothing.

Her emerald eyes glanced at the ticking clock that seemed to have gone stuck. Her break was still few minutes away. Reka huffed, finding herself alone at the desk. And the other trainers were nowhere to be found. “I guess you’re stuck with me” she shrugged, offering him a weak smile. Reka signed off the computers and locked the desk door as she walked out to greet her new client. I hope this won’t be a disaster. She put her hands on her hips, careful to not c create an abrupt movement with her injured hand. “So, what are we going to work on today?” Now that his body was in full view, she couldn’t help be find a weak spot. Reka was thankful for her animalistic instincts for the ability. It served her well around here. She checked his shoulders no, chest no, legs no…why would he need a trainer? It seemed that he was in top shape, and knew his way around a gym.

Reka’s curiosity then moved to his bag. “Um…lockers are that way” She said, pointing behind her. “I can meet you by the cardio machines” she instructed. Her lips tugged upward to a smirk that expressed challenge. “Since I’m on my break, we’ll see if that physique actually is functional and not all looks” With a final nod, she picked up the keys of the front desk, and walked her way to the equipment.

Link was getting ready to tell her no he just was wondering if someone worked here but the girl was already getting up and telling him where he could go to put his bag. He would of told her thank you but I can handle myself but he noted her checking him out. Whether it was for him to be in shape or not was something he didn't care for. Instead of turning her down like he would he gave a smug smile and nodded at her. He headed towards the locker room and went towards his locker. Yes, Lincoln had a locker at the gym for the fact he used come in everyday for the first year and a half that he lived in Warwick.

He unlocked and opened his locker which still had a few items from the time he used to come. An earring that he had lost the other when he first came in. A picture of him and Paul, an old friend of his. Some wristbands. Things Link has lived without for awhile. He has his bag inside and grabbed his water bottle along with the bottle of steroids that he slipped into his pocket before shutting the locker door and heading back out. He came back out as arrived to where the girl had said and he smiled and held a hand out. "Sorry, I got too distracted," he gave her a wink as he said this. "No, I'm going to be working on my boxing technique."

Link had been boxing for the past year, at least in his home. It was why he had been able to take care of the fights that break out at his parties, as well as being a werewolf but that was on the down low. He looked over to the punching bag and started that ways. "Also I never caught your name," he looked over at her with a look that most girls found charming. This was why most girls decided that being with Link wasn't great, he was a player. At least he's thought to be a player when in actuality he's never had a girlfriend since after the accident. Once over to the bags he sat his water bottle down and began to wrap his hands to start on the bag. It was during this time that the start of the scar on his side was visible through the opening of his tank.

Reka had been pacing since Lincoln had walked past her to the locker rooms. She wanted to run, bite, tear. It was becoming a dangerous game that she played. Getting so used to transforming into animals that her mind was half of the time thinking wild. It was like being constantly caffeinated. A rush. Jumping up and down, as if she was warming up, the fight died down. Just in time too, since he’d walked up to rejoin her by the machines.

She dismissed his hand, a side of her lip quirked upward. “Scanning for possible conquests?” She teased. Reka extended her arms around the room. “I’d recommend the free weights, gives you a perfect view of everyone” she suggested. But when he moved on to discuss boxing. She nodded, following to the bags and small (recently cleaned) ring that was in the gym.

“I should’ve guessed you’d be a fighter” she commented. Reka shrugged. “But your charm must already scare the competition away” She smirked, leaning on one of the punching bags.

“Reka D-“ she paused. “Just Reka” Her head tilted slightly as she watched Lincoln, almost scoffing at the way he acted around her. It was swoon worthy for sure, but she smelt the practiced nature of the action. It had been rehearsed and perfected, time and time again. “Aha, there’s the charm” she observed, smiling triumphantly at her insignificant discovery.

As he wrapped his hands, Reka noticed a shiny and pale scar almost glinting at her. Her eyes moved back to Lincoln before he’d notice. She wondered where he’d gotten in. Having not been a fan of gossip, she didn’t know about the name Lincoln had made for himself. Only knowing the prestige that his family name had. It was weird for her to see someone from so high up to hold something so…normal. “And yourself?” She asked nonchalantly. Reka knew who he was but would rather not give him the satisfaction that other girls may give him. Creating a pool of drool and dazed, lovesick eyes. No, Reka would not. Even though it was tough considering that heart stopping smile of his.

“Need a sparring partner?” She smiled. “I promise to go easy on you” Reka raised her hands slightly in surrender.

Link had gotten his first hand wrapped when she asked who he was. He was surprised but showed nothing of it, instead he looked up at her and gave a more genuine smile as he walked over and held his hand out for a shake. "Link," he said as he waited for her to return his hand motion. He, of course, had a family reputation and preferred not to tell this girl about it. Not because he didn't like the attention, no because he has been in trouble. The arrests, the interviews, the money his father funds many businesses with. He liked being a nobody sometimes, it made him seem small in this world and made his problems seem irrelevant.

His problems, another reason why he didn't hangout much in town anymore. He even had his vice rolled up into a blunt and hidden in his gym bag. He relied so much on the wolfsbane anymore to keep himself in control it was hard for him to have a life. He would have to sneak off just to get a hit from his drug of choice, so Lincoln could be Lincoln on a normal day. When asked if he needed a sparring partner, he chuckled. It wasn't the mocking type of chuckling but the type that was nervous. "I'm not worried about you going easy on me darling, it's the other way around." He also wasn't making fun of her being a girl. No, Link was generally worried he might hurt this girl from the fact he had to replace his punching bag after only a few uses anyway because of the damage he does on it.

"I could use some judgement on my techniques though," he said with a half smile and turned back to the second wrapping that he had sat down. He soon got his other hand wrapped up and he slipped a hand into his pocket, grabbed the steroid bottle and quickly pulled his shirt off. Again, he wasn't doing this to show off but to hide the drugs he was trying to sell. He let the shirt settle into the ground and wrapped in it was the bottle he was going to be selling. Now the scar on his side was on full display. The scar was a nasty one, definitely an animal attack of sorts and it even got part of his inner bicep all on his right side. There was also another scar hidden under his shorts that only anyone who has seen him naked has gotten to see.

Reka had to blink herself awake from the smile Lincoln had presented. All her judgements, her observations on him seemed detached to who this boy truly was. It was a pleasant surprise for her. That meant that she wouldn’t have to spend her break listening to a guy that was full of himself, like other rich families in Warwick…or at least that’s what she hoped. Back when she was younger, her father would adore inviting other business families over for events. She was only an image for the pictures, never allowed to participate in giving her views or biting (metaphorically) the head off some suck-up that was attached to her father the whole night. When the stubbornness in her started to kick in, she wouldn’t hold back at the jabs and debates. But it only left her locked up in the darkness of her room, only listening to the clinking of glasses and the false laughter that echoed through the house.

She pushed herself off the punching bag, reaching out to meet his extended hand. “Pleasure” she smiled. Unknowing to her, when she pushed herself off, she had given the bag a new momentum, causing the heavy object to bump into Reka. Because she didn’t expect it, she tripped over herself and her hands secured themselves on something firm, and fleshy. “I’m sorry” she laughed, realising her hands had latched onto Lincoln’s shoulder. Reka was relieved that her head remained lowered enough to hide the crimson shade that tinted her cheeks. When he declined her offer, she nodded. Her hands running through her tied up hair. “Yeah, considering you just saw that. I think my image as a worthy opponent has kind of tarnished” she joked with a shy grin.

“Although I don’t mind a challenge” she added with a slow shrug. “Trust me, I’m a tough one” Reka lifted her fists in a defensive stance, throwing a quick jab onto the guilty punching bag that hit her prior. A small yet significant dent was left behind. She felt herself hold back for some bizarre reason. Her pride seemed to have been tangled in a web of self doubt and worry. She could’ve done more damage, unleashed the beast that was eating her up inside. But at the same time, did she want to appear as a show off? Not yet anyways, she thought.

When Lincoln asked for her to check his technique, she decided to lean on the wall, in an effort to not embarrass herself any further. Reka was about to offer another banterous comment when he lifted his shirt. Her throat suddenly felt dry, causing her to cough. “Oh shit” she coughed, almost inaudibly, forcing her eyes to not gawk. He really didn’t need her around. He was perfectly sculpted! When she had finally calmed her out of control heartbeat. She resumed her unimpressed smirk. Tried to at least. Reka keeping her eyes on the punching bag until the curious scar she discovered earlier came once again into her sight.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Not a fan of animals?” She said, nodding to his side. Reka, deep down, figured it wasn’t a small animal like a dog. The mark was too deep and rather large for a dog bite. She couldn’t help herself from getting close. Enough for personal space. Reka played it out as if she was circling around, checking his technique. Her foot lifted to take another step, when she felt something solid beneath his discharged shirt. Her head cocked slightly. Maybe he’s shy about his protein shake.

“I’ve never seen down here before…are you meeting anyone?” She asked. Reka bit her lip, wondering whether it was right for her to have asked a paying client that. She didn’t need to ask questions, only offer advice and remain the image of the gym. But apparently, in her mind, this had to be a different scenario.

((sorry i went way too long xP my bad lol))

He, of course, was full of himself but for once he thought maybe he didn't have to be Lincoln Blevins. Local drug dealer, town's high balling player, and the police's favorite to point fingers at. Instead he was just Link, some small town local. When he had a reputation, he's always been one to uphold those thoughts but when he thought he could be someone smaller, Link tended to more genuine, someone carefree. That was the person that got locked up after the attack. The part of him that actually smiled, laughed and had real fun. It was the person he tried to achive by smoking the wolfsbane.

"No problem," he muttered while giving her a wink. He was flirting, no to the point he was chasing her but enough that he found her attractive. Another thing he didn't do to much, at least when he was sober. "Oh no, you just got caught of guard. You couldn't of known that was happening," he said through a smile as he had finished the wrapping on his hand. "I bet," he muttered as he watched her punch. He didn't think to much of it, the bag was filled with sand and not hard if the right amount of force was applied. He, of course allowed her to move before he walked over to the bag, steadied it from the little bit of swinging she had caused. He then backed up a step or so and got ready to throw the first punch when she asked her question.

Lincoln was caught off guard with it. Nobody really asked about the scars the riddled his body. The white, nasty, tough flesh that he barely showed. He just assumed people found it uncomfortable to ask questions about how it happened. He was used to the states it being but it was a touchy subject. "No," he said as he got himself into position and started throwing jabs. Nothing hard but he wasn't trying to much yet. "I had a hiking accident a couple of years ago." It wasn't a lie but he was definitely holding out. He still has some ghost pains from the incident. That night had changed him, for the worse. And it wasn't because he was a werewolf. No, Lincoln felt responsible for what happened to Alice. He felt like he killed her when it wasn't his fault.

Link was hoping she wouldn't pry too much but he never was a lucky bastard. He gave a nervous chuckle as he allowed himself to go harder at the bag. "I used to come all the time a whole back but life got hectic." He preferred to be vague on his answers for the sake he wasn't being his notorious self. This was the one time he was allowing his guard to go down, not completely but a bit. "But I have a friend who comes her and asked me to come see the updates to this place." His 'friend' was actually the guy he was trying to find when he arrived in the first place. He would of liked to of been able to sell, get a quick run in and leave before anyone thought the wiser on why Lincoln was here.

It was about ten minutes after he started his boxing that a guy came bounding up. He was a teenager, some kid that went to the local high school. Link met his at one of his parties a couple months back and the man asked if he could get his hands on some steroids. "Yo, Lincoln! Hey my man," he said while he came over ignoring Reka who was standing there watching him train.

Reka wanted to be the punching bag so badly. Just to be punched in the face. She was acting incredibly awkward. Probably wanted to ground to collapse under her. Here she was Reka Drummond flirtation steps 101: punch a bag to make the situation more awkward. Luckily for her, he’d moved his attention to the bag.

She froze when seeing Lincoln’s reaction to her question. Reka silently cursed a thousand words in her mind, waiting for a harsh snap to mind her own business. She already had an apology prepared in case. Her eyes focusing on the jabs that hit the bag, each rhythmic and maintaining a steady amount of force. Didn’t screw it up yet, Reka, she warned to herself. “Yeah, loads of dangerous creatures roam around the forest” she murmured. She had encountered other animals during her transformation runs as a grizzly bear. Though not any other supernaturals like herself, or significantly dangerous enough to cause a threat. But maybe she hadn’t found them just yet. The thought of encountering an even greater predator caused Reka to feel a shiver creeping down her spine. “Ho-…” Her mouth opened and closed. The words dying down on her lips. She thought best to leave the subject alone. Even though she wanted to ask more about the accident. How far did he go into the forest? Was he alone? If he had anything to say about the accident, she wouldn’t be the one to press about it. After all, Lincoln could probably get her fired for her curiosity.

“Your jabs are falling lower” she commented. And in his gaze, she found him to have drifted off into a memory. Reka’s fingers tapped against her thigh in part worry and part nerves. Then she heard the punches sound louder than her voice. She saw the recoil and flex of the muscles following it down to the bag that had to sustain its form whilst taking the beating. “And find any updates you like?” she smirked, glancing around the gym. She didn’t mean for it be a flirtatious attempt, but the question just rolled off the tongue. Reka had seen the gym grow from being a small room with a few cardio machines and weights. Now they were just going to expand the locker rooms and showers. She tucked a stray curl from her face. “You should come here more often, get the other guys off the phones and doing actual work” she observed. Then found some girls lifting their heads from their workouts to check Lincoln out. “And I guess girls too?”

Reka met the eyes of one of the gaping girls and felt her eyes narrow in hatred. “Ugh, I feel like I’ve been thrown into a pit of hunger wolves who can’t wait to take a bite out of me” she muttered, throwing an eyeroll their way and turning her attention to Lincoln.

She was about to talk about throwing more combinations when a booming voice spoke from behind. She threw the new guy a glance, used to being ignored she just leaned back watching. When he walked past her, she gagged. “Use deodorant after you work out not before” Reka growled as she rubbed her nose to take away the trail of smell that he’d left in his wake. The guy smell was pungent and his face…not as nice as Link’s.

Link had heard the start of her asking about how he got the scars but she dropped it. And he was glad that she left the subject alone, he preferred not talking about how he almost lost his life. He was luck the hospital had been able to patch him up and make sure he hadn't bled out. Unlike Reka, Lincoln refused to transform on his own and never took runs. His transformations only occur on full moons and they are some of the most painful experiences he had. He's actually been experimenting on trying to get enough wolfsbane in his system on a full moon that he can't transform. Although, his attempt are fruitless or he gets to the point where he might be poisoning himself.

He had snapped from his thoughts of Alice and the hate mail he keeps getting from her family. Link was going harder for the fact he hated himself for being weak with her and not being able to save her. By the time Reka had asked on his opinions on the updated gym, Link had started adding kicks in the mix of his punches. "Oh, I think I found some," he said as a smile played on his lips. He, of course, was flirting back. He liked a little flirtatious banter and sexual tension always led to more with him. "My father told me health body, healthy mind." Although, Link wasn't close with his family he learned a lot from his father. "Besides I had a lot of physical therapy that helped." Again his talk of his past was brief but it was clues. The Blevins family didn't own the gym, they definitely funded money to the health and wellness of the gym. Something Reka probably didn't give too much thought on since she was just a worker.

"I do have that effect," he smirked playful as he stopped for a second and walked over to his water bottle. He definitely knew he had a charm but it could be from the fact Lincoln liked being fit. He played a few sports in school, went through physical therapy, which actually was through this gym and why his family funded it, and continues to workout. "But atlas I can only make them stare not workout. I'm not a trainer here." By the end of that sentence he was back at the bag going at it again. He was a bit hot and cold depending on the topic but he was being rather genuine and kind. "Ow that hurts," he joked. "But don't worry they won't do too much, they're just jealous." Again his demeanor was playful and lighthearted. He seemed to be enjoying himself for the time being.

When Link heard his full name, he sighed and paused what he was doing before turning and looking at the guy. His demeanor turning to the serious business type. They guy ignored Reka and walked straight over to Link when he stopped what he was doing. "My man, you got the ladies looking," he said as he clapped Link on the shoulder. Lincoln didn't say anything just nodded before he shoved the hand away from his friendly grasp. He walked over to his shirt, scooped it and the bottle up before handing it to the guy. "Thanks for letting me borrow your shirt," he said with a wink as Link had his back to Reka. The guy nodded during the hand off reach into his pocket and hand money in his hand which he done a bro highfive to exchange it to Link. "No problem, dude," he said with a goofy grin.

Link pulled back, slipped the money under some of the wrapping and was looking at his client. "Now go shower, you fucking stink." Link waved a hand in front of his face and the guy laughed before heading towards the locker room. Discreet hand off, no talk about the drugs and Link just lost one of his tanks. Nothing he couldn't buy back with the money earned. "Sorry about him," he said as he turned back to Reka. "His mom doesn't discipline him enough. Back to the training?" He smiled at her as he motioned back to the punching back. He hoped she wouldn't ask questions about what just happened but if he did then he had answers prepared for them.

She smirked, seeing how Link had started moving around the punching bag. Getting into a zone where combinations started flying. “And it seems to be motivating you” Her eyebrow raised in approval at his stance and the growing force of impact. But once again, her eyes wondered to his that were concentrated on the bag. They flashed with a fierce coldness. The accident was obviously a subject that Link wouldn’t bring up at a party or around girls to impress them. That memory had embedded something in him that Reka was trying to figure out.

The shifter begun to take the vague comments that Link gave, creating a sort of timeline with moth holes surrounding the accident. She’d noticed some tension and sore muscles when he threw a jab or issued a kick. Which could help explain the extent of damage from the accident. Reka wasn’t that knowledgeable around the human anatomy. But with the basic information from high school biology and through injuries she attained during transformations, she could figure something out. Probably if she had applied herself, she could’ve gotten into college to learn sports therapy or pre-med. But that was just an illusion that the school careers advisors had created, to ‘motivate’ her to actually attend school.

“We’re hiring, you know. If you don’t mind getting sweaty, it would be nice to have you around” She said as moved around to his other side. “Jealous?” She barked a laugh. As if I had a chance, she said annoyingly to herself. Reka looked over at the girls. “I don’t know, Link…they seem to be sharpening their knives” Her lips turning upwards into a grin.

As she watched the two greet, there was doubt around the way they moved. Obviously a normal guy to guy reencounter, Reka wasn’t buying it. It was too fast, hands were flying everywhere. She wouldn’t ask. Not here with her boss just walking in and positioning himself in the front desk. Reka would just have to find a way that would give her that information. As discreetly as whatever secret Link had handed off to the guy.

Reka shook her head. “You drop and give me 200” she crossed her arms over her chest. “Of pushups, jabs, uppercuts…and kicks” she finished. “You just wasted 2 minutes” Her smirk returned to her face as a possibility to get information and look like she was working emerged. “And if you’ve got the energy, which I’m sure you might. I want us to spar” Her hip jutted out to the side as she glanced over at the free ring. “We could make it fun” she drawled. “With high stakes” Reka raised her hand to avoid any retort. “As long as you don’t hit the face, I’ll be fine” She paused. “We’ve got good insurance” She wondered whether he’d accept. She had a stake in mind. Link was not the guy that would shy away from running around naked, he was perfectly happy with his body. Probably would do so gladly. So instead, she’d go for the jugular. If she was able to get him on the floor, he’d have to tell her everything that happened just now. Not the accident, just that weird event that occurred a few minutes ago. Reka might probably throw in having him buy her a drink since she missed her break too. But small steps first.

Lincoln laughed at her saying the gym was hiring. It wasn't mockingly but he was laughing at the fact he could try to be a trainer. "Thanks but not for me, unfortunately." Link could pull strings around her and the owners would let him get by with just about anything for the fact his family funded the since the start just about. When Link had his accident the gym was piss poor for the therapy he needed and the hospital wasn't as accommodating with it either, so his father funded the first expansion of the gym. As a way to insure his son's well being. Also Link had tried to get an actual job a while back and failed as the fact his dependency on the wolfsbane made this life harder.

"Yes, they're jealous of you. Because as a trainer you get to be up close and personal with all of this," he said on a laugh. He was joking but it's wasn't a lie. Link was good looking, a bit rugged but we'll kept. He also walked around with confidence in his steps, like he owned wherever he went. And unlike was Reka thought, she had a chance with him. More so than the many who stared at him. Reka was seeing the Link that not many got to see. He was laughing, joking, being carefree for the moment.

Before Link to get back to his workout Reka spoke out and he turned to stare at her. "And what are you going to do if I don't give you this 200?" he asked being a bit smug. He was not going to be doing such for the fact that if he done so he would be wiped for the rest of the day. He might even overwork his body and he learnt what doing such meant. From his spot with Reka he could see the front desk and a familiar face. It was the trainer that worked personally with him during his time with therapy. There was a shocked face from them before they stuck a hand up to wave which Link returned.

When she said she wanted to spat with him, Link had turned back to her and was walking over. More like stalking but in no ways trying to intimidate her to fear him. "Reka, I would like that but," he looked to her wrapped wrist that he noted earlier, "but I don't want to hurt you." That there was pure genuine from him. No lies, nothing but the truth. Link never fought, threw a fist or kick at anyone. Even when he had to breakup a fight at his parties, he didn't want to injury anyone. He feared what he was capable of and especially what he could do in his wolf form. By now he was right in front of her looking down, he was close as e enough that a human nose could smell him. "I bet there is but I would never think to hit such a pretty face," he said with a wink. Again he was flirt and this time in front of Reka's boss which depend on their work policies could be a problem.

Reka smiled, with a small lift of her shoulder. “Well then, I guess those girls can’t kill me now if I tried” She hid the slight disappointment that Link wouldn’t take up a job here. It would’ve been nice, different to see someone that she could put up with. Sure, he was full of himself like others but at least he didn’t have the joint shallowness that surrounded those guys. But at the same time, Reka barely knew him.

She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. Link definitely thought highly of himself. “Oh yeah,” she spluttered. “They’re lining up to become trainers now” she smiled. Reka had begun to reached out to touch his side. “You’re going to need to stretch that out” she said as she gently, with a feathered touch pressed on the tightened muscle. “Being hunched from the boxing s going to leave you sore, and considering your accident…probably best to get that part nice and loose” Her hand curled into a fist, coming back to herself as she blushed. “But physical therapy must’ve already told you that” she murmured, her eyes darting bashfully away. “Sorry” she quickly added.

Reka raised a questioning eyebrow. “If you don’t?” She repeated, her index finger tapped on her lower lip as she thought. “Then I guess you owe me” she shrugged. “Late lunch? Considering I have been working on my break” Voluntarily, she heard herself groggily add. The decision to be here was all her doing. She could’ve opened the door, instructed him where to go and that could’ve been the end of it. Yet, she didn’t. Perhaps the swagger Link had was a factor. Or maybe it was because Reka wanted to know about the face that was covered behind the sunglasses and the family name.

When he closed the distance between them, her head tilted as he did. That moment all that crossed her mind was the animalistic voice in her that made her stand her ground. Straighten her spine and match the eyes that stared back at her. “Who says you will?” She murmured, questions in her eyes. So close, her nose caught on with his scent. It was alluring, pleasant considering he’d been working out. Not like the other guy that flowers would decay if he walked past them. Link on the other hand, it was a unique scent she hadn’t smelt before. Not a chemical smell from the deodorant, as weirdly as it was. With a blink that gaze was gone, replaced by the familiar glint. “Then I guess it’s settled. You owe me” She sighed, shrugging once more before she crossed her arms over her chest.

“DRUMMOND!” She heard her boss bark from the front desk. She recoiled at her last name. It was as stinging and horrifying as the man who gave her that last name. Her father. Reka closed her eyes in frustration, then gave Link an apologetic smile. “This is going to be fan-fricking-tastic” she groaned. She turned her head to her boss. “Hi Louie! I’ll go clean the machines soon!” She said giving an innocent bat of her lashes and a fake happy smile. The one that Louie always made her wear during her working hours. Louie muttered to the trainer next to him and pointing sternly at the clock. Her break time would be almost up. Louie was a distant family friend, from her mother’s side who gave Reka the job. Though cold and serious towards her, he knew the few yet significant facts that surrounded the girl’s decision to remain away from her house.

Lincoln gave a laugh with a shake of his head at her. The girls were harmless as they no doubt heard the player status of Lincoln Blevins. The rumors, although, false held up because there was no proof of him not being one. There was also his parties where he had hookups but there has never been a girlfriend in the picture. One night stands, drunken parties, drug induced customers. Link never ended up with the savory types, always a hit or miss girl. Then there were the boyfriends who fund out their girls gets drunk and sleeps with him. The many times Lincoln has had a black eye or broken bone was crazy.

"Some might," he joked. It was a possibility though, but unlikely since he doesn't come in often and hasn't came in since he was about twenty. Two years maybe, crazy it's been that long for him though. When Reka light touched his side, the muscles under her fingertips tenses. Link wasn't as comfortable with his body as she thought, he hated the scars and the memories they brought with them but he learned to deal with it. "Yeah, no I've learned my lesson on that," he muttered as one of his hands went to touch his side. He learned when he started getting into a normal workout what happened when he didn't keep himself loose. He stayed in bed for two days after that from the pain. "Thanks though."

He listened to her compromise and have a nod, "deal." He could do for lunch since he hadn't yet hired a new maid. His house a little bit of a new, no real food in his fridge, and his laundry would need to be done soon. He needed to get onto that soon before his life got out of his control. Although, Link was a mess to his father's reputation, his father allowed him to spend money and especially hired help to take care of his son. He had been doing so since he got out of the hospital from the accident. The boy needed help then with everything, even getting dressed sometimes had been a hassle.

Lincoln had caught himself staring at Reka while she spoke. He was lost, something in him losing track of what he was doing. He never really spaced out but there was definitely some kind of tension between him and her and it made him want to know more. Yet he also didn't want to know more, this was the first time he had actually got to be himself and there was fear he was opening up too much. He didn't want to hurt someone like Alice had been hurt. Link was afraid he would do something like that to everyone he cared about which is why he kept himself locked up. "Okay," he muttered right as a voice boomed a name of some sort.

Link had pulled back just in time to seen it had been Louie who had yelled...at Reka. He watched her interact with him before he looked at her and gave a wink. He moved up some with a charming smile on his face as he spoke up, "oh come on Lou. Give her a break, she decide to train me during her break." Lincoln was working his charm but he also knew Louie couldn't say on to him, he never did. The Blevins funded some of his work and Louie seen Link work his way up to where he was now. Louie actually seen Link right after his accident as well as seen the aftermath of its work. During his recovery in the hospital, Link had lost a lot of weight and muscle and look at him now. He was in a peak of physical health and was still getting better. His scars healed and look much better than the tender pick and red they were in the beginning.

Reka pursed her lips and nodded. It was her instinct to touch, but now felt self-conscious of her movements around Link. It was almost like trying to make contact with a wild wolf. Of course, no one was stupid enough to reach out to a wild wolf. They were feral, loyal to their own which led to a mistrust to others that weren’t in their circle. But Reka remembered when she wasn’t able to control her shifting abilities and one moment she was a great grizzly then next a petite human. Face to face with a lone wolf scavenger that she’d come across. She could still see the eyes, they held a softness but once she had moved her hand up, they were instantly replaced in defence against the unknown that was she. Link held that stare. She couldn’t place it before but now it slowly pieced together. The scars were nasty and looked foreign to be on his body. But to Reka, it was a sign to learn more about him.

Her face lit up when he agreed, giving a firm nod of her head. “Huh, not as hard as I thought” she murmured aloud. Reka had learned to eat alone and company around here was short to none. Sometimes she’d go out to grab lunch for Louie, her coworkers and herself. Then go to the staff lockers to eat it in silence while watching the clock. As such, having another person going with her to have lunch, was a small victory for Reka’s day.

Catching Link’s stare, she brought her hands to tuck stray hairs behind her ears. “Please don’t tell me I got dirt on my face” she joked. Reka knew she had ruined something that was going between them in that moment of silence. But the intensity of his gaze drew her into his eyes. She swore if she hadn’t spoken, maybe…just maybe the mystery that was this Lincoln Blevins would’ve been answered. But did she want to know straight away? Like she did with other people? In her racing mind, she didn’t. She wanted him to let her in, on his terms.

Reka spun around to face Link who had spoken out to Louie. What th…. She turned to hear the worried chuckle from her boss. “Hey no problem, Lincoln. Do you need a protein shake or anything? Reka, why don’t you give your client one of our shirts and a protein bar or something” he ordered. Beneath the shirt that covered quite gigantic shoulders and chest, the poor man sweated gallons, hoping not the step on the young Blevins’ toes. Reka glanced at the two. “Um…” Her eyes narrowing in confusion. Then moved to Lincoln’s bare upper body. She had forgotten about that. “I’ll get you a M” she said quietly, making her way over to the front desk.

Unbeknownst to her, she was staring at a wild wolf. Scared, alone, and lost. That I'd the reality that Link endured most often. Again the difference between his facade and the real him. He put up those walls as a way to keep himself and other safe. Although, anymore he was keeping himself safe. He didn't particularly want to have his heart ruined once more and he definitely thought it was best that sweet, party boy Link get locked up and he turned to serious, dealer Link. Another reason why he stayed away from everything he sold because he had been high along with Alice when they were attacked.

Lincoln would of had something to retort back had he been paying attention. Most often Link would of agreed to a quick bite that led to the use of a bathroom stall or a car but that wasn't what he had in mind. For once he actually didn't want to just have sex with Reka. She, of course, was attractive and he would very much like to have sex with her but for some reason just not yet. He liked their conversations and banter that they have shared so far and he wanted more of that. He liked being smaller for once, he didn't have to worry about everything going on around him. It was soothing.

Lincoln chuckled and shook his head as a no. He was just distracted from his current thoughts. She thought she would learn more about what's under the mask of Lincoln Blevins, she was wrong there. He was one secret after another, he hid many things from everyone. Most included his accident, the business he runs, how he has gotten himself out of a lot of situations, why he walks with an air of confidence everywhere he goes. There was a lot he keeps to himself and he likes it that way, everything is easier that way. Only one person knew of his addiction to wolfsbane, his supplier. A witch/warlock who grows the shit and he sends a message every so often to get his lot of it.

Louie was going to fast for link to really reply to anything but he allowed it to go past. When Reka started towards the front desk he grabbed he wanted bottle and darted after her. Once caught up, not yet to the desk, he grabbed her arm to stop her and turned her to face him. "Lunch? Does now sound good?" He had a smile on his face, a lazy one had he ran a hand through his hair to keep it from his face since it was a bit long. "I'll be twenty minutes but we can get food after I get changed," he said as a proposition. He kind of wanted to get Reka from the gym because of Louie. Louie knew exactly who he was and would treat him like he had previously with telling Reka to get him a shirt and protein bar. He liked being real for the time being and was willing to leave the gym to continue being real.

She smiled when Link assured her that her face was clean. And exaggerated to release a sigh of relief. “Great, because last time a cute guy talked to me, I had a massive dirt stain over my forehead and cheeks” she said. Reka remembered that guy. It had been a few weeks ago in the forest after her a transformation round, when she injured her wrist. She realised it when she got home, the mud in her hair and the earth smudging her skin. But Reka wouldn’t just use cute to describe Link. She would use a lot of adjectives...might probably need a dictionary for it too.

As Reka walked to the front desk, she was grateful for the moment that allowed her to grin like crazy. She couldn’t resist the happiness that fluttered through her chest. Of course, she knew she had to be cautious around Link. After all, she was nothing compared to me. Only a worker that would answer to superiors. Reka would sometimes hold her head high and send rebuttals to Louie. But in the end, she was bound to perform what was scored of her. Link? She didn’t think he had any. Even though, unknown to her, in his mind, he maintained a business and had billions of things on his mind everyday.

She was just about to reach Louie who had a shirt in hand and a protein bar in the other. She noticed the light tremor of Louie’s hands. He was tensed by Link’s presence. Then the next moment, she was spun around and glancing at Link’s face once more. “Woah” she laughed, finding her balance once more. Reka’s head was spinning as he spoke to her. Her mind trying to keep in time with his voice. “Now?” She grinned glancing at the time. She was supposed to work late today.

Biting her lower lip, she let her grin widen. “Twenty minutes” Reka repeated, nodding her head. She leaned in. “I’ll sneak out back,” glancing at Louie, she cleared her throat. “Um, here is your shirt and protein bar. Hope you enjoyed your training session today” she said, giving him a wink that expressed the confidence of what she was about to do later. Reka would speak to Louie, telling him that she would do an inventory check out in the back.m room. That would give her a few minutes to change to her normal clothes and meet Link in exactly twenty minutes.

Linked nodded when she asked to reaffirm him saying now. He was serious about leaving this place and getting food. Plus, him feeling like he was grounded for once made him want this more because as soon as he was away from Reka or by himself he would become the Link that everyone knew. The notorious Lincoln Blevins who was the towns trouble. When she said she would sneak out, Link laughed and shook his head at her and turned to walk towards Louie.

He had a relaxed composure and a dashing smile on his face as he leaned again the desk. He talked with him in somewhat hushed tones as a way to work his magic. "Hey my old friend," he started. "Since Reka trained with me instead of taking her break, she's going to be getting lunch with me. I want to talk to her about hiring her as my personal trainer through the gym," he smiled by the end of this. He sounded very business like and seemed serious enough, "I can also see what I can do to help with the next expansion to the gym. This place has a really special meaning to me since my recovery," Link was using the power of his name as well has his persuasion to get Louie to let Reka leave early for lunch with him. He realized he might have to fight his old trainer on this because she was working but he gave reason and he could definitely get the money the gym needed to expand on their next project.

He nodded and then turned back to Reka with this smugness on his face. "Go get changed," he said smiling and then went to the locker room. He had to take a quick shower as he was coated in sweat from his workout. So, firstly he removed his wrappings and put the money in his bag before he went to take his shower. It was brief just enough to removed the grim of the sweat on his skin. He said twenty minutes for the sake, Link was going to get a smoke in before he left the locker room. It wasn't his first time doing this and so he made sure that nothing would happen to alert someone of what he was doing. He took a few hits off the wolfsbane blunt before he snuffed it out and placed it back in his bag. Quickly he got dressed in a pair of jeans, a plain grey shirt, and a pair of combat boots which he slipped on his feet.

One thing that he hadn't had on when he first came in was his watch. It was older in style, something that had probably been handed down to Link, but it was expensive. Definitely something that someone in the Blevins family would own and wear. As he was leaving the locker room with his bag in tow, he looked at his watch and was positive it had been a bit more than twenty minutes which he scorned himself for. If it was one thing Link was good at, it was being precise and on time. He liked being one time as it gave him a sense that everything was in order and he was perfect. As he got out in the open he looked to see if Reka was inside so he could collect her and take her to lunch in his car.

“Wait. What are you do-“ Reka stammered as Link strolled past her to her boss. This time, she didn’t hide her dropped jaw that fell as he spoke to Louie. The way he leaned into the front desk, giving a smile and just talking to him, made Reka shake her head in complete admiration and disbelief. Her jaw seemed to drop further when she heard the hush mention of her becoming Link’s personal trainer. She didn’t know what she was hearing, even though thanks to her shifting abilities, her hearing was pretty good and she heard Link as if she stood next to him. Unlike him, Reka wasn’t a great negotiator. And while she did try to lean into the conversation, she could just about see the cool stare of Louie that passed between herself and Link, which prompted her to look away in innocence. She was astounded by Link’s skills, mostly also at the casual mention of money to be put into the gym. Reka didn’t want to think or persuade herself that the next expansion of the gym would be thanks to her. But she couldn’t help that growing feeling instilled in her by Link’s personality.

Louie, instinctively leaned back as the Blevins boy leaned in. In his old, judgemental ways, Louie, though knowing Lincoln had a rough past, still secretly think didn’t justify the road he was taking now. Glancing at Reka, he could make out the secret smile she was hiding behind the shocked expression. When Link finished expressing his deal, speaking about the possible expansion for the gym, Louie finally leaned in. He was passionate about the place. “She comes back in three hours” he said, pointing to her, “Reka,” His voice snapping her into attention. “You’re switching shifts with Steve and Leah. Night shift” His eyes turned to Link, with a slow nod of his head. “Well, we’ve been meaning to expand the physical therapy section of the place” he murmured. Louie pressed his hands together. “In a way, you could say as a homage to your family’s generous aid” He concluded, giving a sly grin. Louie had finished his side of the negotiation, and showed it by outstretching his hand toward Link to formalise the deal. More a man of word than paper.

To Reka who stood a few feet away, Link and Louie seemed to have reached some kind of negotiation. Louie only coming out of their small meeting to inform Reka of her new schedule for the day. But she could see the mutual acceptance in both of the two men. Whatever Link did to sway Louie on letting her leave, she wished she knew. But while her lips were up turned into a soft smile, her eyes seemed uneasy. In the course of an hour or so, Link seemed to turn her routine upside down. Not only voluntary choose to train (though it was more banter and flirts than sweat, which she wasn’t complaining about), he’d also probably saved her job, avoiding to sneak out and face an angry Louie who’d figure everything out in the end. As Link told her to get changed, she scoffed. “You’re unbelievably charming, Link” she said. “I bet you even made Louie wet” she murmured to avoid her boss hearing that comment. As he went on his way, she turned to the changing rooms herself. Only to be handed the cleaning equipment by sweet Louie, who heard the comment. With a stern look, he nudged the cleaning items to Reka. “Twenty minutes is enough time to clean and get ready” he smirked. To which Reka replied with a groan but took the items without any further comment.

Taking brief glances at the clock above the door, she started cleaning as fast as possible. Reka even turned on the shower to get the smell of gym and work off, hopping in and out while cleaning the rest of the showers. It was ridiculous, but she wanted her job to still be done right. After leaving the shower running for roughly fifteen minutes, she was clean and the showers were close to spotless. Taking a reassuring look at the time to check how long had passed, Reka froze that the changing room clock was stuck at the same time as she entered. Leaping over the benches to her phone, she hissed, “Shit shit shit”. While Link was punctual, she...tried. She lunged for her clothes: a long, maroon patterned skirt with a slit from thigh downwards and a simple white shoulder-less, long sleeve shirt. It was entirely different to what most people at the gym saw her in. Often times, could cause a double glance. But Reka’s style had always been the flowing skirts and earthy colours. She found them far more comfortable to run in too, a minority view that others would hold. And on her feet, she covered them in the white sports shoes she was wearing prior. Her mother would chastise her to wear sandals with such outfits but Reka never changed the shoes on her feet, whatever the outfit. Letting her hair loose in a tumble of brown curls, she checked herself quickly in the mirror before sprinting out with her bag. “Bye Louie, catch you soon” she quickly said as she rushed passed.

She met Link who was already dressed and waiting. Embarrassed, she ran a hand through her messy hair. “Sorry, clock wasn’t working” she apologised, whilst also making a mental note to change that stupid clock. Reka’s eyes took in his new appearance. If she thought half naked was spectacular, Link fully dressed and clean was definitely a top look as well. She smiled as she looked from his combat boots to his eyes. But briefly paused at the watch he wore on his wrist, taking in the antiquity and details to it. “That’s beautiful” she commented, with a small nod to it. It was beautiful in her eyes, and she would probably glance at it just to catch the small details to it. Not because of the monetary cost it probably had, but how it stood out from the modern clothes he worn. Not contrasting it completely, but blended with Link’s appearance. “You actually showered” she teased as she met his eyes.

“So where to?” She asked, as she looked both directions to the restaurants nearby. Reka only ever went to those, they were close to her work, inexpensive and satisfactory to eat at. The gym and its surroundings were, to say, Reka’s mundane routine. It was all she knew and was used to. The forest, falls and wild were Reka’s shifter routine, she knew parts of it, not having the energy to discover all. But she thought if she was place somewhere in the forest, strangely enough she’d manage to find her way easier than through the town of Warwick.

Of course, Link having rough past didn't excuse him from his actions and current path. He used his power, although, that wasn't the worst of it. Every rich kid used their money to get what the wanted. No, Link used peddling as a way to escape as well as his own drug of choice. Recovering Lincoln had been vulnerable and showed a lot of that and now he used everything he had to not be that guy anymore. "Oh Lou, you know how much the therapy section of this place means. It would be an honor to have it yet to date." With that said and done He shook hands with the old trainer and turned away.

When Reka said he made Louie wet, he couldn't help but to laugh. He wouldn't deny that as it wouldn't have been the first nor last time he done it. Link was business savvy and used it to his advantage. After generation of family business it comes quick and easy whether he liked it or not. Besides Link was supposed to take over the business when his father retired or died, whichever came first he supposed. His father liked things going a certain way and Link didn't do everything the way his father liked it and do her would inherit the business just yet.

After his shower and leaving of the locker room, Lincoln made his way to the front and waited there as he hadn't seen Reka through his way there. He was semi glad that she wasn't done getting ready because he was late but he always would of preferred being seen as a mess for once. He was glancing at his watch when she did come up and he smiled at her. He nodded as an understanding with being late. When she spoke about his watch he was holding the door open for her. His eyes went to it in surprise. "Oh, it was a gift from my grandfather before he died." Another story about Link that he kept to himself. Unlike his relationship with his father, Link had been very close to his grandfather. When he died, Lincoln kind of became a troublemaker to his family. It was when his use of weed started.

"You thought I would allow myself to stink the place up," he fiend as he held up a hand to his heart. He was teasing her, of course. It was nice for him to be so carefree and feel somewhat alive and normal. Once outside the building he reach into his bag and pulled out his sunglasses. It wasn't for the fact that he really needed them but it was a nice luxury to not have the sun in his eyes. "You looked lovely by the way," he whispered as he led her to his car. A ruddy orange Bentley continental ft sat in the parking lot. It wasn't brand new but it was definitely a nice car, Link actually got it as a gift a few years back. When she asked where to, he had to think. They had time to eat which wouldn't be a problem now so he was thinking maybe somewhere in town. "Does Midnight Dreams sound alright?" he asked as he opened up his passenger door for Reka to get into his car. After she got enough, he shut the door for her and went to the trunk. This was to put his gym bag into the truck before he got into the car to drive.

When Link mentioned the watch’s history, she smiled. The fact that it was his grandfather’s made the object seem more beautiful, taking almost the focus of attention from Link to it. Reka knew she wouldn’t inherit anything as it, it was obvious from her father’s distant behaviour. And while she wouldn’t want to get anything from him, she couldn’t feel lonely that she wouldn’t have anything of her family’s. Only the ability to shift into an animal. Judging from his voice, the two must’ve been close. And loved each other tremendously. But like the accident, Link gave the sufficient comment about it and that was that. “It suits you” she murmured instead. “Though with the combat boots” she drew a sharp intake of breath in mocking fashion. “Ehh, almost fashion disaster” she grinned.

Reka’s eyes snapped to Link when he told her she looked beautiful. She had been told she looked cute, sexy and other before. But they were merely comments that smelled like bullshit from a mile away. But since his eyes were shaded away by the sunglasses he don, she wasn’t sure he was looking at her as he said it. She smirked, “Not bad yourself” she said back. “Think I prefer you like this than with gym wear” she added, silently wishing a zipper on her mouth. But it was true. All she ever said was honest, at least she liked to think it that way. Reka looked again at his outfit and it confirmed her statement. Not only did it cover the muscles Reka had stared at prior (sadly), but it offered a sort of normality to getting lunch with Lincoln Blevins.

As he directed her to the vehicle, she slowed. Not because of the car’s brand, but oddly enough the colour. “I’d kill for an orange car” she laughed, then quickened her step past him to admire the shade. It stood out like no one, and didn’t care being it as it parked next to the usual greys, white and blacks. Orange was funny enough, her favourite colour too. Reka lived by the shade, adding the earthy tone of brown, burgundy and whites. She covered her the smile that reached half her face, reaching her eyes, almost brightening their greeness. “And I was expecting to walk for lunch” she murmured. Reka turned to Link, realising her outburst over a car’s colour. Reka knew it was childish, but once again, it was impossible not be overjoyed when she saw something an orange shade.

“I’m not going to be like this the whole lunch” she joked, tucking her hair over one ear. “Just...an orange car!” She exclaimed, pointing towards it. She smiled when he opened the door for her, climbing in slowly as if not to break the car’s interior. The seat was so comfy too, she noticed. When he was in too, she fastened the seat belt, her eyes smiling at the road. Breaking her state from the fascinating, boring road, she met Link’s eyes. “Midnight dreams?” Reka had heard it open a few months ago but never got the chance to go. “Sounds perfect to me” She nodded. “As long as you get Cinderella in for her night shift” she commented, leaning back on her seat enjoying this immensely.

Link nodded when she said it suited him. This was the only thing of personal value he held on to. Honestly when he was attacked he was scared the thing had gotten destroyed. His grandfather was an old coot, but Link loved the old man. He was the only person that could reason with him and he went to him for advice on everything. His death was devastating to the young teen Lincoln was at the time. There had been a lot of things that his grandfather own but most was split between his family, cousins and all. The watch was something that the old man wore everyday and Lincoln fought tooth an nail for the thing. It was in the will that be belonged to him but his father thought it better if he was buried in it. In turn of this happening, Link barely takes it off. He kept up with the upkeep of the watch as well. Hundreds of dollars being spent to keep the thing well taken care of and working.

"They're the easiest thing to hike around in," he had replied back half heatedly. This told her the Lincoln still wandered around the woods even after his accident. Although, he done it as a way to be discreet in his selling as well as him finding his way away from his house during the full moon. He preferred not to ruin the house and have to explain the cost of repair. "Thanks," he said with his headed cocked slightly. This kind of gave him a confused puppy look even with the glasses. "Ow come on. You haven't even seen me outside of clothes," he teased her. Of course, Link was being a bit of a cocky bastard but he knew he looked good. He worked out and kept himself in shape for the benefit of being healthy.

When Reka slowed so did he as well as give a laugh when she complimented the color of his car. The orange wasn't a bad color, he wouldn't of chosen it if he had the choice but it was his car either why. His sister, petty somewhat, decided to choose out the color and so she chose the "ugliest" color available. He wasn't mad at the color, more standing out then he would of like but he come to like it. Again with a hand to his heart and fiend being hurt. "I would never think of walking such a ways out." This had been the most he joked with someone and had fun. Usually he was being the charming host or he was faking it. He was letting loose some.

"It's alright," he said as he helped her in. He had money, which he didn't tell Reka he had, so he was expecting some more surprised reaction. He had been used to it as he grew up, people jealous or shocked at what he had. When he entered the car, he fastened his belt as well and put the key into the ignition to start the car up. Now with his door closed, Reka could smell the slightest hint of something, it was kind of numbing if she paid attention to it. It also radiated from Link. The reason for her only smelling it now being the wind outside drifted it the opposite way of her and body oder from the interior of the gym. Link seemed unfazed by the smell, which actually dulled his heightened sense as a werewolf. He didn't smell as most would other of his kind did. "I would dare think of getting you back late. Don't want the "stepmother" to get angry," he smirked as he backed out and headed to Midnight's

Reka didn’t expect Link to hike, especially after the severity the accident had caused. Evident by the scars she had seen. But perhaps it was a way to move on from the accident, to face a fear. She didn’t suspect anything from Link’s dealing history nor about his own werewolf ability. She was as informed as a blank page that was being written with the more information she heard from him. “Maybe we should hike sometime then” she offered. Some would say it was a sad or uneventful experience to hike in the forest. The routes were poorly marked and hardly ever maintained. But considering the two had a certain connection to the forest, good or bad, Reka wouldn’t hesitate to extend the offer.

When he looked at her with a tilt to his head and the comments that followed after, Reka playfully pushed him. It juxtaposed everything about him. The adorable expression of his face and the cheeky jests. “I’ve already seen the upper half,” She sighed, “I don’t know if I can say I’m impressed” Reka lied. But the memory of his scars and toned body appeared as if on cue. Brightening her cheeks. A lie about his body ought to have been scolded from her lips, but Reka wouldn’t back down from knocking the cockiness away from Link. It was fun and made her think quick in her replies.

She sneakily checked to ensure her wallet was in her bag, glad at the fact she got her pay check yesterday and had taken out a few bills from the ATM. Reka didn’t want Link to go through anymore spoils for her. If he did anything else, she felt a debt being owed to him. And never in a burdensome sense. No, Reka was grateful by everything he’d done. But always wanted to repay in anyway she could. If she could, she’d try to stand up for the toilet and pay for the lunch. It was the least she could do for the hours she wouldn’t have to spend bored, locked in a gym. The company he gave her, it was a great day.

As the door slammed and the engine roared awake, Reka’s nose filled with the burning fuel and something different. It caused her nose to scrunched up in confusion and curiosity around where it came from. Her eyes moved to Link who was concentrated by the wheel. He didn’t move an inch by the unpleasantness the smell caused. And it didn’t fade away, so it wasn’t the car. It made her tongue tingle and her nose sensitive with a strange numbing sensation. She turned her head to Link, pretending she was glancing at him and took a quick whiff. Not cologne either, she noted. Reka bit her lip, wondering whether she should speak about it. It was bothering her now, and maybe it was the awareness of her senses. “Hey, do you smell...” The wheels on her mind slowly turning. Wolfbane?, she finished in her head. She sniffed again, unsure what it was and didn’t want to state what she didn’t know either. So she smiled, “I think you could save me from his wrath.” Reka decided she would ask about it later on. She was desperate to know and hoped he’d give some answers to her.

((You can go ahead and reply in the midnight dreams thread if you want! :) ))

the end