What Comes After With lauronica_mars

[countess_karnstein]

The campus felt like an entirely different place. Students were buzzing with gossip and rumours surrounding both the Dean and Lara. Some of the favourites Ella had heard were along the lines that she was brain washing students and hypnotised Lara. The rumours of her being an evil witch always made her laugh. Some believed that Lara was the evil one, bribing Ella somehow to get good grades. No one was really one hundred percent sure, except for the students that crossed the Supernatural world and knew what happened that night.

It was both a blessing and a curse that both Lara and Ella had stepped into the light and revelled their relationship. Rumour after rumour piled up but Lara’s blog had become an overnight blast of fame. Ella watched through the security cameras as her girlfriend couldn’t go anywhere without crowds of people staring or asking her questions.

The students that had revealed themselves as wolves were now following her like lost puppies, protective of the witch that liberated them. The witches both light and dark divided into the jealous and admiring of Lara’s abilities. She had never been so popular.

LaF and Perry as best friends of Lara and also present the night everything happened, had also gained the fame and flock of questions that came with that. In the end they had to take their lunch to the far side of the tables in the hall and sat away from the groups and whispers.

“Have you messaged her? You did message her didn’t you?”, Perry stopped stabbing her mash potato with her fork and looked across the table at LaF who was barely eating.

“Back of the hall.” LaF nodded. “I messaged Danny but I haven’t seen her since the night, you know.”

Perry looked up and noticed all the students whispering and talking. “Maybe we should have picked a quieter spot to interrogate her?”

Comments

[lauronica_mars]

Lara moaned softly into the kiss, grinding a little against Ella, and teasing her still further, knowing that Ella had nipped her lip slightly. "Oh, I never try to drive you crazy. I'm far too innocent for that." And she concealed a smile at Mel's suggestion; part of what she was doing was selling Ella as being a relatively normal person when she didn't actually have the need to be The Scary Dean. Someone telling them to get a room and then not getting their head torn off was a good start.

"That sounds lovely. And I hope Fliss does well!" And didn't need anything she and Leo had learned that afternoon. Leading Ella by the hand she almost skipped off to get them both drinks before almost bumping into someone she was sure had moved into position just as she was getting a beer for each of them. So she smiled "Sylens! I was hoping to see you here. Sylens, this is my girlfriend Ella. Ella, Sylens." She hoped they'd leave the business for some other time - this was too much of a party and there were far too many listening ears.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella laughed a little when Lara said lovely. She was possibly the only person that could attach ‘lovely’ to watching a pack of werewolf’s fight and the second she called herself innocent Ella flashed back a smirk and lightly tugged her closed enough to whisper in her ear. “Keep driving me crazy and you’ll be screaming from my dungeon by the end of the night.” She playfully nipped Lara’s earlobe. “Don’t forget we have a lot of catching up to do.” And with that Ella let herself be dragged through the crowd. Some of which had caught what she had said with their wolf ears but the vampire didn’t care.

Once they got their drinks and started making their way through the crowds it wasn’t until Lara bumped into Sylens that Ella’s stature completely changed. Sylens extended his hand but Ella paused before taking it.

“I’ve heard a lot about you but never thought we would meet like this. Thank you for coming.” His voice was calm and Sylens wanted to add more but was nervous himself being this close to the vampire. “Are you on the way to the area? Lucya is there. Before I left the crowds were getting louder. Matches between wolves can get heated fairly quickly.”

Ella took his hand in a brief shake. “Thanks. I see from the amount of you here that not hiding is working well for you.”

“We have Lara to thank for everything. The whole pack listens to her.” He flashed Lara a smile and said he would catch up with them later. Ella tried to relax but still found it strange to not have the wolves trying to kill her. As they found their way across the other side of the lake she became painfully aware how many wolves there were on her campus. They walked up to the circle pit which seemed to be formed using the benching of the old school football pitch and jumped up onto one of the benches to get a good view.

Two wolves were tumbling around the centre of the pitch while the crowd cheered. Thankfully there were two refs in the centre, watching these giant beasts attack one another. Ella remained calm and took a sip of her drink. It was her finger tips that might have gave away she was a little nervous being around so many wolves. She didn’t show it on the outside but by now Lara might have been able to tell.

“There is Fliss.” She nodded to the young girl over one side. Her opponent was a boy similar in age who was from the other side of the field. “Are you sure you want to watch this?”

[lauronica_mars]

"Promises, promises." Lara just smirked back. "And at least I recover fast with white magic."

She cut in with Sylys. "It was mostly the pack all deciding that they didn't want your brother as Alpha any more. I couldn't have helped if they hadn't all wanted it. But it's partly to make sure there isn't another Alpha like your brother I asked Ella for research help." She smiled. "And I'm sure I haven't seen all the wolves here before?"

"The neighbouring packs are all here, checking us out." Sylys nodded. "Especially as we haven't got an alpha. Some of those fights will be a little more serious than they should to check if we can defend our territory."

Lara smiled. "Good thing you don't have an Alpha. Keep everyone guessing."

He frowned. "Until the Molehills step into the ring. Sorry, I mean the 'Mountain Wolves' who are one of our neighbouring packs. One of them's just getting in the ring now."

"Of course we'll stay." Lara smiled before shouting. "Kick his ass Fliss. Remember how strong you are!" It was after all not just claws she could borrow.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella had a history with the wolves in the mountain. They weren’t the biggest supporters of her but then few really were. Still, she wouldn’t have gotten where she was now if it wasn’t for her ruthless actions but then Mother didn’t let her learn any other way.

She glanced around the stadium picking out the vampires covering her in case something went wrong. Thankfully they were subtle enough that they blended in just like any of the drunken crowd they were around.

Lara started shouting out towards Fliss who looked up the second she caught Lara’s voice. It was the encouragement she needed. Refusing to transform straight away she walked into the chalk outlined ring and waited for her opponent to do the same.

“Remember this is not fight to the death. The first to surrender loses.” One of the Ref’s had to remind the teenagers as Fliss acknowledged the rule but her opponent who kept bashing his chest with his fist, didn’t look like he paid any attention at all.

Ella continued to drink her beer. Half watching the match, half watching how beautiful Lara was. The roar of the crowds faded away and all she could think about how she wouldn’t have knowingly let any of these wolves on campus a month ago. She wouldn’t have let anyone survive. She thought breaking up with Lara and keep separate would have protected her and kept her safe but instead it somehow made her weaker to be apart.

The noise snapped back in the second the fight had begun and Fliss took a few sharp jabs to the face. The two young wolves stepped and danced around one another until the mountain boy tripped Fliss and took her feet out from under her. She scrambled away seconds before his foot smashed into the crowd where she had fallen. He must have anticipated her move as before Fliss could get back on her feet, he swiftly managed to get her in a choke hold and apply the pressure. Fliss was being stubborn and refusing to tap out but her face started to turn red. Her opponent just needed her to relax just a little longer before he snapped her neck.

“He’s going to try and kill her.” Ella could see the temper in the boy from where she was standing and he wasn’t about to let up any time soon.

[lauronica_mars]

"Kill? Seriously?" Lara swallowed, looking to Ella for confirmation before calling out "You're stronger than that Fliss! Stop holding back!" Ella would probably be the only person who recognised from just a touch that Lara was using her magic right now for all that the circle was warded. But that wasn't where Lara's magic was helping.

Fliss relaxed, her eyes closing, and her opponent twisted slightly, setting up the neck breaker with a vicious smile on his face, and Lara whistled. She'd believed Ella, but it was one thing to believe her girlfriend and another to see it for herself.

But Lara could see what few others could, and had slightly untangled the pack's energy, allowing Fliss to draw more energy into herself, empowering herself. And relaxed muscles were, of course stronger than tense ones.

With a grunt Fliss forced herself to her knees then her feet, then ducked and twisted, before pushing him through the air. A roar went up when he landed out of the circle.

"And the winner, by a ring out, Felicity."

The only people who looked unhappy with that were the Molehills and Felicity herself as she trudged out of the ring. She returned Lara's enthusiastic hug with "That win felt like cheating."

It wasn't often Lara was short of words, but she was here.

[countess_karnstein]

She could feel Lara was using magic. Even through her finger tips it emanated from her with such power that Ella felt overwhelmed. Still she kept their fingers linked, hoping that in some way her presence was helping. With only three standard powers she didn’t know what good to Lara she could have been.

The harder he pushed on Fliss’s neck the more Ella wanted to help Lara’s friend. She was torn between signalling for her vampires to break from the crowd and entering the ring herself but whatever Lara was doing suddenly worked and Fliss won the match. With such a victory Ella stepped away so Lara and Fliss could have their moment.

In the background the mountain wolves looked angry. Full of rage the boy that lost the match was pushed and hit for being so weak. Even in human form they carried the pack animal vibe with them.

“Their clan is known for being dangerous. Where his hands were going he was aiming to kill you.” Ella spoke calmly from behind Lara where Fliss who was still hanging on the hug, looked shocked and blinked at Ella.

She squeezed Lara a little more in a frightened hug. “Seriously? He was trying?”

Ella responded with a serious nod and didn’t want to elaborate on methods of killing people.

“Ladies and gentleman, if I could have your attention please. Next in the ring we have Leo vs Michael!”

Fliss gasped and instantly broke the hug. Flinging herself around to look at Leo stepping into the circle. Once inside the circlet the wolves were forbidden to leave until throw out, dead or submission. These were the set in stone rules that upset Fliss the second she saw her best friend step into that circle. “What is he thinking! Michael is a crazy! He’s not ready for that!”

Michael was about the same age as Leo. Both young freshman only Michael was built like your stereotypical jock who only cared about how big his muscles were and how hard he could hit. Leo, supporting the image of the skinny boy next door cracked his knuckles and waited for the fight to begin.

“Come on! We need to get closer!” Fliss took Lara’s hand like a little sister wanting to show something and tugged her down the stairs and closer to the pitch. “Can you help him?! If he gets stuck? Can you?”

[lauronica_mars]

Lara hugged Fliss tighter before letting go. "The more I see of the Mountain Wolves, the less I like them. And if I'd had thirty seconds before the match I could have helped? But he's not channelling properly.

She swallowed, looking at Michael. "You use Royal Rumble rules for a ring out? Feet touch the floor." Lara was prattling, stating the obvious, leading to Fliss frowning even if Ella knew this tone possibly better than Lara herself understood it; there was the edge of a plan poking Lara's subconscious but she wasn't fully aware of what it was yet so was talking and stating the obvious to sort out her own thoughts. "And he's just the sort of swaggering jock who will go for the full overhead throw."

Leo was a lot better at dodging than Michael, obviously, but his hits were nowhere near as hard and the difference could be seen. Lara, far from calling advice was still prattling. "He's never going to win like that. Not enough power. But his claws are sharp enough he could take the lunk down by a thousand cuts pretty easily." Over the far side of the ring the alpha of the Mountain Wolves could be seen, purposely making sure he couldn't see the ring so he could jump in to defend any 'unjustly accused' wolf.

And then her face lit up even as Leo flinched from a heavy blow. Two hits to one and four to one through the guard didn't mean much when one fighter was so much bigger than the other. "We can win this. Fliss, Ella, I need you both. Fliss, taunt him. I need that overmuscled idiot to throw Leo out this way. Early for preference. And to draw his claws so Leo doesn't draw first." Her smirk grew. "Ella, I need your speed. He needs to land on a table with no one touching him at any point and his feet not touching the ground. That will give him the time I need with him even if I can't touch him without him forfeiting."

She knew she was playing a dangerous game here, but had never learned to back down and thought Leo would prefer a more than fighting chance even if he lost to the fight ending in a whimper.

[countess_karnstein]

Ella blinked when Lara asked for her speed to help a wolf but she knew how much they meant to Lara even if they weren’t Ella’s biggest fan. She waited, watching the mountain wolf play with Leo like he was toying with a piece of meat.

Fliss noted how much endurance Leo must have to take blow after blow and refuse to quit. It didn’t stop her covering her mouth with her hands each time Michaels blows connected with his body. The minute Lara asked her to taunt him she stepped closer to the ring and puffed up her chest full of air. “What do you call that? Call yourself a wolf? I’ve seen puppies with more fight in them you overweight jerk!”

Michael, who at this point has his hand around Leo’s neck. Listened to everything Fliss had to say. The anger built up in his eyes and to prove he was something to be feared he let go of Leo and kneed him square in the stomach. Leo’s whimper of pain could be heard by the people closest to the ring but only for a brief moment as the crowd roared with cheer for the mountain wolf. Michael thrust his hands up to the sky and walked around as if baiting for someone to enter that was worth his time. The crowd roared again.

Fliss moved a little closer to Lara and started to worry at what was coming next. When Leo struggled to his feet, Michael charged from the other side of the circle and smashed into Leo with the force of a quarterback. The little wolf went flying and would have landed outside the arena if it wasn’t for Ella who moved faster than the wolves could see and moved a table to catch Leo’s fall. The crowded booed the vampires actions but Leo could still win this if he wanted to.

“What kind of wolf has a vampire helping them to cheat?” The alpha snarled. “Finish him Michael. Stop playing around.”

Michael smashed his knuckles together. “Oh you’re going to wish you tapped out.” And with that he wanted on the edge of the circle for Leo to jump back in. “You signed your death warrant for helping him, vampire.”

Ella laughed, feeling as though she was being taunted by a child.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara moved immediately over to Leo. "What sort of wolf has a vampire helping him. A young lion far too honourable to want to humiliate an opponent twice his size!" With that her voice dropped low enough that Ella would struggle to hear her; her words were intended for Leo only.

Michael laughed at what sounded like an empty threat, beckoning, claws extended, as Lara kept whispering and Leo forced himself to his feet, looking shaky. "Come and get it, lion cub."

Fliss responded by trying to lead the crowd in a chant of 'Leo! Leo! Leo! Leo!' that was only partially successful; most of their pack watching joined in, but it wasn't enough for a critical mass even with some support for the obvious underdog as Leo psyched himself up, took two steps, and lept.

He flew through the air, Michael smirking confidently as he reached for Leo's throat, claws extended.

There was a bright spray of red.

And Leo was twisting sideways, blood covering his claws as Michael's hand flew to his wrist, holding it together until it healed. Lara's tone was dry. "Second claws, but first blood to Leo."

The two werewolves circled, exchanging blows over the now blood spattered arena. But this time, as their claws were out, Leo's speed meant that he was inflicting slashes far faster to the back of Michael's arms and his side than they were coming back, and Leo's wounds were closing faster. For all the moves were the same, this was a very different fight from the previous one.

Michael, losing his temper, snarled and rushed Leo who, instead of dodging, met the tackle head on and tore into the larger wolf's shoulder and rolling so he was on top. And then kept hitting Michael in the face, seeing in him the previous Alpha and every other person who'd bullied him or the pack, and he wasn't even thinking to stop.

[countess_karnstein]

She circled around the back of the table where Leo had landed but ultimately moved away from the circle. That’s when Lara stepped in and Ella’s vampire hearing failed her. Tilting her head with a bewildered curiosity, her fingers came up to play with the pendant of her necklace while Lara worked her magic.

The next series of events were all a blur. Ella standing back from the ring while Fliss was nearly edging to be inside it. All the time she was cheering for her best friend and telling him he’s got this. It wasn’t until she could feel Leo’s rage that she jumped into the ring and had to pull him off of Michael whose flesh was barely clinging to the bone. Leo was covered in blood and from the elbow down his hands were claws like the ones Lara gave her earlier when she spoke to channelling the pack.

“Help me get him out?” She pleaded with big eyes up at Lara. Leo weary from being in a fighting frenzy.

[lauronica_mars]

"Leo. Stand down." Lara put one hand on his shoulder, raising her voice. "And this is why we don't draw claws or threaten lives in the ring. Sparring is one thing, but fighting for real is something else. And this is what happens when you change one to the other. Someone needs carrying out" Lara, helping Leo out of the ring, entirely missed Sylys' frown at her words as she started to escort Leo out, one arm round him and barely noticing as Michael was thrown out of the ring bodily by his Alpha, landing in a heap.

"So. You don't want to mix sparring and combat, little girl." Lara didn't even realise he was meant to be speaking to her as she was helping Leo out. "A human who wouldn't dare get in the ring with a normal werewolf, let alone me. I'm going to challenge anyone who dares fight me, and if the cowards of Sylys don't try to stop me I'm going to tear people apart.

Lara's eyes widened, starting to catch on to what was going on behind her. And then tumbling forward as a thrown rock hit her between the shoulderblades. Beside her Fliss snarled and Leo squared his shoulders.

[countess_karnstein]

If anyone would have asked Ella if she cared enough about anyone other than herself, a few months ago her answer would have been a solid no. And that was the way she kept it for over three centuries. Since Lara, that had changed and without a second thought the minute that rock hit her Ella flitted into the ring. She landed with her back towards Lara, directly in the path between her and the alpha. Her fangs were extended and her eyes were dark. She barely noticed the pack of wolves that erupted behind her.

Fliss watched as her pack all transformed and moved closer to the ring, fangs out and snarling behind the vampire. Leo was barely able to stand but knowing Lara got hurt he turned around and attempted to stand next to Fliss.

The mountain wolves did the same a dozens of them transformed into wolves, approaching from the other side and before Ella knew it the circle was closed by both packs, hovering on the edges and growling with rage. Fliss tried to squeeze between two of the wolves on her side but was careful not to step in the ring.

“Ella. How many years has it been?” As he laughed he watched as her vampires came out from being concealed amongst the students and placed themselves alongside the wolves. “You would risk stepping into this ring for a human? Hmm, she must be special.”

“Special enough you’ve upset a whole pack.” Fliss shouted out and some of the wolves barked in agreement.

Ella ignored everything and focused on the alpha. “There’s just you and me in this ring. Do you have any last words before I rip your throat out?” She was furious and progressively slipping into a dark place, ready to fight.

[lauronica_mars]

"Make him tap, love." Lara's tone was soft and confident as she lined up with the vampires and werewolves, and there was a low whistle from some of the neutral wolves who were chatting to each other before standing up in a triangle and walking towards the ring.

"The local alphas are all here." The smile directed at Ella was full of needle sharp teeth. "Which means if you kill me you're in trouble."

"Oh, no, Max. You got yourself into this." The smile from the leading one of the three werewolves was positively malicious. "And think yourself lucky. If either of your wolves had won you'd have been in a feud with an ice wolf pack."

His eyes widened, and there was muttering from everyone about ice wolves; even Ella's mother had recommended not fighting ice wolves, although watching them from a safe distance could be entertaining and to most werewolves ice wolves were a mix of what went bump in the night and what they hoped to be if they didn't individually want to be an alpha, but none had heard of an actual ice wolf pack in living memory. There was also a murmuring and the wolves and even the vampires stepped back as the three alphas headed for Lara.

[countess_karnstein]

Mutters and whispers filled the football arena while the party raged on in the background. Every inch of the lake was alive with students, bonfires and the sound of partying and there Ella stood quietly calming all the anger that was coursing through her veins. Knowing Lara could fight for herself was one thing but permission for Ella to fight on her behalf was another. Ella wasn’t about to let Max off so lightly. Lara would be lucky of Ella didn’t rip his throat out.

With the wolves and vampires on both sides gathered in a circle to prevent either of them from leaving the ring, she watched as Max cracked and shifted his bones. It was always fascinating to watch an Alpha twist their hold their muscles somewhere between wolf and man, shaping the perfect beast. It was an alpha’s secret weapon.

Lucya who had been watching by the side of her mate, walked towards Lara and gestured for some friends to help carry Leo and tend to her wounds while she spoke. “I think it would be best if we get you back to the tunnels. You will be safe with us and my children would love to see you again.” Her hand lightly brushed Lara’s arm and her smile was warm. “I don’t think we should watch what is about to happen.” And as she looked over the girl’s shoulder so saw the pack of large wolves outnumbering the vampires as knowing full well Ella and Max were in the middle somewhere amongst the wall of fur.

The noise was so loud that Ella lost Lara’s heartbeat. She often tuned into it when she wanted to calm herself. Sometimes taking great pleasure in teasing Lara just to make it race. But at the moment, the field was full of hearts hammering in their chests at the excitement of the upcoming fight.

As Max roared and flexed his shoulder muscles, the claws of his feet pulling apart the earth beneath him, Ella still kept her calm and felt the weight of her fangs extend. Either species could bite one another but the taste was similar to poison in their mouths. Making vampires unable to feed and wolves unable to eat their targets. They can still cause pain to one another.

Naturally the alpha was the first to make the move, launching forwards with two fast slashes one aiming for her head and the other across the vampire’s stomach. Ella dodged both using vampiric speed but on the second slash she flitted towards the back of the circle. Thankfully into the friendly wolves which didn’t attack her but used his nose to nudge into her back and push her forward. Ella had a brief moment of anger at a wolf touching her before considering the fact he was pushing her back into the ring.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Ella laughed and as a fist came flying towards her she caught it with her hand the two of them froze to a battle in strength. It was only through a sharp twist that she was able to jerk to one side and land a crack to Max’s ribcage. He cried out as something went snap inside and that was enough to send him into a fit of rage and before Ella could move one of his claws were able to catch her thigh, tearing through her clothes and skin as if it was a knife through butter.

Ella clenched her teeth together in pure pain and then felt his teeth lock down on her shoulder. Pinning her where she stood. The only way she could break out was reach up and slash her nails across his eye. The cry of pain Max let out was more than when his rib was cracked. Blood was pouring down his face.

The two of them continued to fight and slash at one another. The crowd getting louder as they did so until Ella was flung over to the opposite side of the circle where the mountain wolves yapped viciously, trying to get a bite but being just out of reach. Ella flipped back up and dodged another incoming attack as quickly as she could but she was losing blood fast.

“They told horror stories about you. My father heard from his who heard from his. You were something to be feared but you are all the same.” Max grinned, showing his blood stained teeth before spitting the poison to the floor.

That was enough of a comment that Ella ran towards him. Fuelled by anger she waited to the very last second to fall to the ground, sliding between his legs and jumping up to connect her foot with the back of his knee.

Max went down without question and Ella used the opportunity to lock her arms around the alpha’s neck and begin squeezing a choke hold.

“Tap.” She ordered, dodging the slashes to her face as Max was just out of reach and unable to pry her off. “You would risk dying in front of your pack at the hands of me? Tap.”

His face was noticeably red but still Max refused to tap. It was taking all of Ella’s strength not to kill him and just when she was getting to that point he finally tapped his claws to the ground and Ella released the pressure. Blood pouring from the two of them the second she let go he fell back on her and the two collapsed to the ground.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara rushed into the ring at the tap to haul her lover out with the plan of kissing her senseless, but just as she'd started to pull Ella out and twisted Max off she blocked a pair of claws on reflex, the cut going bone deep into the back of her forearm rather than into Ella's face. A roar came up from all the watchers on her side as they saw the low blow, and more importantly Lara's blood being shed. Lara, of course, was keyed up, and her other hand clapped hard over Max's ear, using the werewolf's enhanced senses against him and a minor twist of magic she'd practiced for that attack meaning he'd take a long time to recover from the tinnitus. There wasn't that much she could do to an Alpha but she could make one wary.

She could however do things for Ella, especially with Max's attack on her leaving her wolves baying for blood, claws drawn, and almost launching themselves at the ring with the vampires not far behind. "Come on, Love." She'd find healing power flooding into her, courtesy of the pack's current good thoughts for her, and Lara's channeling the healing of all the wolves to augment Ella's own healing, closing her wounds.

Seeing Max's eyes flash as he pulled himself to his feet, Lara knew something was up. A split second later Leo launched himself at Max, growling.

Max sneered, alpha claws extended. Then blinked in shock as the ice wolf's diamond edged claws cut straight through his and deep into his hands.

Lara screamed, redirecting the healing but not in time as Leo's previous humiliated opponent's claws tore straight through his kidney and spine. Even werewolf healing couldn't cure a severed spine.

The three visiting alphas all howled, eyes wide, as the carnage erupted, and at their howls all the visiting non-mountain wolves retreated, not wanting to get in the way. They'd seen the offences from both sides and that this wasn't going to end

Lara's eyes flared visibly with magic, and the flow of energy between the ice wolves stabilised. Each wolf, other than Sylens and Lucya shifted so their claws were almost pure diamond, and each wolf in the pack knew instinctively where every single one of their pack mates was. Also each wolf had the strength of their blows and leaps augmented by the power of the pack. The mountain wolves were all individually bigger than any of the ice wolves, and four of them drew silver bladed swords with glowing runes inscribed along the length of the blade, one intended for each expected alpha that would be there. But they'd seen the diamond claws, glinting like ice, and knew that their blades could be parried. And knew that even the smallest wolf could attack at any time with the speed and strength of an alpha. And they also knew drawing those swords in sight of other packs was effectively admission they had planned to assassinate the alphas, but that was less of a priority than surviving the next five minutes.

Lara swallowed as she helped Ella up to her feet. "Let's get out of here, love. You strong enough to teleport us?"

[countess_karnstein]

The stadium exploded and wolves and vampires clashed in the middle surrounding the two of them. Thankfully when Max shifted to strike at Lara it was enough space for Ella to wiggle free from being crushed beneath him. She barely noticed the vampires and wolves raging around her as the sounds of claws, metal and teeth clashed violently.

The scent of human blood filled the air. Ella knew she had to get Lara out of there fast but as she moved she noticed Fliss running to the side of her best friend who was screaming in pain. It was a battlefield of carnage taking place on in the inside while the party continued, oblivious on the out.

And while Ella got herself free she noticed her already accelerated healing was now sped up further. She clutched her stomach trying to gather all the energy she had left and teleport them out. It took concentration which was hard when paws and wolves were flying through the air above you.

But one teleport was all she needed to do. The vampire wrapped her arm around her girlfriend’s waist and pulled her close. Everything around them filling up with black smoke and then, in the blink of an eye the noise vanished and the two of them landed on the carpet in front of the fireplace of Ella’s living room. If they looked to the right they would see the fireworks and the party in the distance towards the back of the campus.

Her eyes were closed but the familiar scent of Lara dulled the pain she was in. In that moment Ella was simply happy Lara was safe and out the way. She didn’t realise she was so weak from blood loss that she was barely able to hold her arm around Lara’s waist.

“Well that was a rush.” Ella muttered which was quickly followed by a little cough as a rib shifted back into place and started to heal. “Are you alright?” Her self-control over the scent of Lara’s blood was commendable at this point but Ella knew there were plenty of bags in her fridge.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara was immediately moving to the fridge for Ella to get blood bags out before casually tossing three over to her. "For our next date, love, can we make sure that there isn't a fighting arena nearby. Or one of us will step in it, which reminds me I should work with you on your form. And I'm fine." She wasn't quite, but she was better off than Ella and healed fast even if not at the speed of the wolves or the vampires.

She frowned. "I hope Leo will be all right. And that none of the rest of them will be hurt? But I'm not sure how many of the mountain wolves are going to survive?"

She then wrapped her arms round Ella and smiled. "My hero."

[countess_karnstein]

Reflexes were critical and Ella missed catching the bags. Out of pride and of course Ella not liking anyone to see when she was weak, she still tried to catch them but the fight had taken it out of her. In the couple of seconds it took for her to get to her feet she tore open one of the bags and finished it as Lara spoke.

With the second bag finished Ella was starting to look a lot more like herself. “My form?” Ella placed the half finished third bag to one side. “I’m over three hundred years old and people fear my name let alone fighting me. My form is fine.” She wanted to be defensive but the second she turned around she felt Lara’s arms around her she felt her stomach churn.

“I’m not a hero sweetheart.” She took one of Lara’s arms from around her neck to inspect the damage. After a moment her eyes looking up to catch Lara’s. “But that’s twice now I would be willing to die for you.”

Ella sighed when she saw the damage. “I’ll admit pushing you away to stop you getting in trouble was a bad thing to do. You seem to find trouble all on your own.” She brought Lara’s hand up and kissed her fingertips. “Max knew that hurting you would provoke me. Leo is lucky he escaped with his life.”

[lauronica_mars]

"Ella I saw that fight." Lara smiled as she approached her lover for a hug. "And you might not be a hero, but you're my hero. And my hero deserves a reward." She kissed Ella lightly, not wanting to think about Leo right now. "What does she want?"

[countess_karnstein]

“Then you would have seen that Max was lucky I spared his life.” She carefully took Lara’s arm. “And because I spared it, look what happened to you.”

Ella didn’t object when Lara called her a hero but this time welcomed the kiss. She slipped both hands down to her girl’s waist and tried to gather her thoughts. “I know I pushed you away because I thought I was protecting you and I promised I wouldn’t do that again but are you sure you want this?” She looked directly into Lara’s eyes and gently cupped her cheek. “Us.”

[lauronica_mars]

"Max is an idiot." Lara shrugged. "And really didn't know how to use his strength and speed." Lara frowned. "And will you stop asking me that. Yes, I want you and this." She reached out, one hand burying itself in Ella's hair to draw her in for a kiss.

[countess_karnstein]

She was about to object on how many times she had asked but the second her temper flared up Lara’s lips found hers and everything else melted away. Her arms slipped around Lara’s waist, holding her closer. When their lips parted and combined with fingers through her hair, Ella couldn’t stop herself from softly purring.

Instantly embarrassed she pulled back when the kiss ended. “I can’t remember the last time that happened…”

Linking their fingers Ella shook off the embarrassment by leading Lara over to the bathroom. It just so happened that Lara’s phone started to vibrate with floods of messages from Fliss asking if she was okay and telling her that Leo wasn’t good and LaF who was drink and unable to send messages in one go but several broken badly spelt texts where the words needed some sort of drunken translation.

She was half tempted to turn off the phone now they were finally alone but knowing the messages could have been important she nodded over to where her phone screen was lighting up on the floor. It must have landed there when they teleported. “Could be important?”

[lauronica_mars]

Laura's voice was pouty. "I suppose I'd better." She reached for her phone with magic, checking the messages even while staying curled up with Ella, snuggling in deeper, and frowning before shooting a message to Fliss and one to LaF saying she was fine. And then another to Fliss saying she was about to do something for Leo.

Ella would see her frown, and then collapse against her as she redirected some of the pack's healing energy to Leo, the blood draining from her face.

[countess_karnstein]

“Nuhuh, no.” Ella gently cupped Lara’s cheeks with both hands the seconds she saw the blood drain from her face. Their lips were barely millimetres apart as closed all gaps between them. She made a point of grinding her hips purposefully against Lara’s.

“You are mine Lara; the rest of the world can wait.” And with that the vampire distracted her with a kiss that started off slow until their lips parted and Ella’s fingertips playfully pushed Lara back towards the bathroom door. “No witches, no vampires…” She broke the kiss to press another Lara’s jawline and eventually nipping at her ear where she continued to whisper. “..no wolves…just us.”

Regardless of the amount of damage Ella had received, she could feel her body healing itself and wounds starting to mend. The worst of it was her shoulder where Max had bit deeply, the venom around the wolf bite now fading. For an average vampire they would be lucky to escape with their life from a bite but Ella was far from average.

Slipping away from her, Ella moved to the white marbled bathtub in the corner which looked more like a Jacuzzi with a few steps leading up to get into it. She turned on the taps, looking back over her shoulder to the student that had changed everything for her. “Come here?” Ella smirked, putting her fangs away and holding out her hand for Lara to take.

[lauronica_mars]

Lara smiled slightly tiredly. "Just us. And the wolves are going to live and can wait. And I'm all yours."

She took Ella's hand with a smile. "Shouldn't we take my clothes off first?" She could at least kick her shoes off