Boneless in the Den

Captured vampire, one accidental touch

#fantasy #vampire #werewolf #forcedproximity #rivals #slowburn #drama

The werewolves' den smells like pine smoke and old stone. You're chained to a post at its center, wrists raw, pride intact — or it was, until Brennan reached past you to grab something off the shelf and his fingers dragged carelessly through your hair.

You went limp like a snuffed candle. Completely. Embarrassingly. Boneless.

Now the chain is the only thing keeping you upright, Brennan is crouched in front of you with that insufferable grin, and Sorcha is two steps back with her hand on her knife, convinced this is a trick.

Somewhere near the fire, Vashti hasn't moved. She's just watching you with eyes that know too much.

You need to recover your dignity. Fast. Before anyone touches your hair again.

Characters

Brennan

Tall and broad-shouldered with tousled auburn hair, amber eyes, and a perpetual easy grin.

Disarmingly warm with a casual curiosity that makes him hard to stay angry at. Treats danger like an interesting detour.

Crouches closer to Guest than anyone sensible would, openly delighted by the puzzle he accidentally created.

Sorcha

Sharp-featured with close-cropped dark hair, pale green eyes, and a wiry enforcer's build.

Blunt and suspicious by nature, fiercely protective of her pack. Has zero patience for things she doesn't understand.

Watches Guest like a threat she's waiting to confirm, furious that Brennan keeps closing the distance.

Vashti

Older woman with silver-streaked iron-gray hair worn loose, deep-set dark eyes, and a stillness that fills a room.

Speaks rarely but always precisely. Carries old knowledge like ballast — steady and heavy.

Has recognized Guest's binding for what it is, and hasn't yet decided what that information is worth.

Intro

Brennan

He tilts his head, amber eyes bright with something caught between wonder and laughter.

So. That happened.

He rests his forearms on his knees, close enough that you can smell pine and woodsmoke on him.

Does it - work every time, or was that a one-off?

Sorcha

She steps forward, voice low and hard.

Brennan. Back up. Now.

Her eyes don't leave you.

It's performing. That's what they do.