By the Light of the Moon

Chapter 1

A/N: This is my first original story. This is an idea that has been floating around in my head for a couple years and I finally sat down and have started writing it out. This is the first chapter. I’m using it like a test. If it goes over well I will continue to write and post this story. Different chapters in this story will have different warnings and disclaimers. The ideas, concepts and characters of this story are mine. Some of the quotes are not. On to the story. Please read and review.

WARNINGS: This chapter is rated M for Violence and Language

“Bar wench! Another round!” yelled the already drunken man at the end of the bar. He's been there since the bar opened at 5pm. It's now heading towards 1am and all I can think is how many ways I can shove his next bottle up his ass.
“I know that look, Tink, and you know you can't abuse the customers, no matter how drunk they are” smirks my best guy friend, Manarro Lupo, owner of the bar I moonlight at, The Wolf's Den.
“Come on Wolf! I know you wanted a tavern-esque feel to your beloved bar, but that bastard has been calling me “wench” all night. Unless you cut him off I'm going to give him a new way to drink his beer.”
“Alright Tink, calm down, I'll cut him off. Wouldn't want your temper to get the best of you Fae-Girl”. Wolf chuckles as he walks down the bar to cut off the offending customer. Glaring after him, I start wiping down the bar.
Let me introduce myself. My name is Kayleigh Mryddin (pronounced Mer-thin) or Tink as Wolf so lovingly calls me. Yes, Tink is short for Tinkerbell. I've been Tink to my friends since I was a kid. The only resemblance we have is our tempers, personality traits, and the fact that we are both Faeries. Well I'm only half Fae, but you get the idea. Wolf thinks it fits me perfect and uses it all the time. Don't tell him, but I wouldn't have it any other way. He also loves to point out that I'm the same size as Tink. I'm 5'2” and weigh in at about 110lbs, but compared to Wolf's 6'5” 250lb frame, I'm a pip-squeak. I have shoulder length, curly red hair, green eyes, and my size is a direct contrast to my larger-than-life personality. My temper is even greater than that. I have a convoluted past that I'm trying to get away from, which is why I'm working nights in my best friends bar. I also work days at my female best friend, Fionna Westbrook's Tattoo parlor. No rest for the wicked.
“Tink! Earth to Tink!” Wolf says waving a hand in front of my face. “If you rub that spot on my bar anymore you’re gonna rub the polish off”
“Huh? Oh, Sorry. Lost in thought I guess”
“You’re not talking to yourself again are you?” Wolf smirks. “You know it isn't healthy for your little Fae brain”
“Wolf, you're an asshole. At least I don't answer myself”
Wolf laughs. “It's late Tink, why don't you call it a night and head on home. You look tired. Are you sure you're okay?” he asks me becoming concerned.
“Yeah. Just a lot on my mind. I think I will head on home. A good night’s sleep before work at Fi's sounds good”
“Okay, but you know I'm here if you need me right?”
“I know. You’re the best Wolf, Love ya! See you tomorrow” I say hugging Wolf goodnight.
Wolf hugs me back tight, “Love you too little sis. Have a good night, and call if you need anything, yeah?”
“Don't worry so much, you know I will if I need you” I say as I make my way through the bar and out the back door.
My apartment is only five blocks from The Wolf's Den and Fi's Tattoo Parlor. I usually walk to and from work. I live in a mid-range neighborhood with a low crime rate so Wolf doesn't usually worry too much about me walking home, as long as I text him when I get there. Wolf, Fi, and I grew up together, so we look out for each other. More often since I came back from college. After a good 15 minute, head clearing, walk I reach my apartment building. I swipe my ID card to unlock the lobby door.
“Evening Kayleigh.” the night clerk, Rob, says. “Long night?”
“Hey Rob. It feels like every night is a long night. I need a vacation” I say back with a small, tired smile.
“Aye, Kayleigh, you work too much for someone your age” Rob says with concern.
“Yeah, maybe, but it keeps me busy. Idle hands makes idle minds and all that. Have a good night” I say as the elevator dings into the lobby.
“You too Kayleigh”, Rob says going back to his book.
I get on the elevator and push the button for the sixth floor. On good nights (or nights when I've had too many sweets) I take the stairs. But tonight I'm just too tired. The elevator reaches my floor and I start heading to my apartment. As soon as I step off, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in warning and I get the chills. Then I hear it. BAM BAM BAM. Someone banging on an apartment door. Wondering who's making such a ruckus at this hour, I head down the hall towards my place. Then, like an arctic blast from the past, I hear his voice calling my name.
“Kayleigh!! I know you’re in there! Open the door” Adam Barringer, my ex-boyfriend is angrily banging on my door. Just what I needed to come home to after a shitty day.
“Adam, what the hell do you want? You know you're not allowed here. Go away! I've had a shit day and I don't want to see you. If you leave now I won’t call your P.O. and tell him you broke the restraining order.” I say as I stop ten feet from my door.
“Come on babe, you know you don't want to call the cops. Just let me in so we can talk, okay?” Adam says, in his innocent voice, wearing what he thinks of as his “Golden boy” face.
“That bullshit won't work on me anymore Adam and don't call me babe ether. I don't want anything to do with you, I'm never taking you back. Did you not get that last time, when I had you arrested?”
Adam loses the golden boy, innocent face for a much less handsome, angry face I'm very familiar with. “Bitch, how dare you speak to me like that!” He screams as he reaches out to grab me. “I'll make you regret what you did!” I dodge his grab by jumping to the side. While reaching for my cell phone, I push Wolf's speed dial, and sneer at Adam. I know I shouldn't provoke him, but I can't seem to stop myself. I'm angry at what he's done to me, and scared he'll do it again.
“Asshole, I've regretted knowing you since the day you beat me so bad that I was hospitalized, but I will not let you run me from my home. Get the hell out of here and don't come back” I say. Inside my purse, I can hear Wolf's voice. I feel better knowing that he's on his way. Adam looks furious.
“How dare you! I was making you into the perfect girlfriend, the perfect wife, and you went and fucked it it all up!” He yells, looking crazed. “You have no right to talk to me like that! You should be begging me to take you back, you dirty whore. No one else would want you!” He screams at me as he rears back to punch me. I try to move out of the way, throwing my hands up, but I don't move fast enough. His punch connects with my face with a resounding thud, and I hit the ground. I go on the defensive and try to escape as he pulls back again. I kick my leg out and trip him, he goes down to one knee giving me time to stand up and move back. I keep thinking if I can hold him off till Wolf gets here I'll be okay. As Adam pulls back again, I hear a growl from the end of the hall. Before I can blink, a large guy in all black has Adam pinned against the wall. A guy that's not Wolf.
“I believe the lady asked you to leave”. He snarls in a smoky voice. “Don't you know it's not polite to hit a lady” he says with a sneer.
“Bitch deserves it for that nasty mouth of hers” Adam says, his face losing color fast.
Tall, dark, and mysterious growls, “I think her mouth is quite nice and that scum like you should rot in hell. Maybe I'll send you there express”, before he pulls back and punches a suddenly terrified Adam.
I suddenly realize that I'm now in the hallway with my unconscious, abusive, ex-boyfriend, and a strange man who just punched him out in one hit. Praying Wolf gets here soon, I back up towards my door.
“Are you okay?” Mystery man asks me
“Yes, um...I'm...yeah” I mumble digging for my keys. I really need to buy some pepper spray!
He steps closer, and unconsciously I step away. Looking concerned he asks “Are you sure?”
“No offense, but I've had my fill of men for tonight. I really appreciate that help and all, but if you don't mind I'm gonna go inside now and double lock my doors, while I wait for the cops to come pick up that trash. I'd offer something more but I don't know you.” I say as I start unlocking my door.
Smirking he answers “It was no trouble. I'm Nix by the way. I live across the hall. I understand you being apprehensive. I'll stay with the “trash” as you so nicely put it, until you have him picked up. No thanks required, just being neighborly. “He says with a gleam in his dark blue eyes as he looks appreciatively at me. He's really quite attractive I notice. About 6'4” , slender waist with wide, muscled shoulders. Shaggy dark brown hair, beautiful Italian face. STOP!! Don’t analyze the strange new neighbor! No matter how hot he is.
“I didn't say thank you! I prefer keeping to myself, but if you really are a neighbor then maybe I'll see you around” I say as I walk into my apartment, turn on the light, and shut and lock the door. Wolf has a key and will let himself in, one way or another. I drop my stuff by the door, trying hard to stop shaking. I can feel the panic rising, the adrenaline leaving, as I make my way to the bathroom. I should call Adam's parole Officer I think vaguely as I make my way through the living room into the bedroom. I hear a motorcycle outside but pay no attention. The panic is overwhelming me. I sink to the floor by the bed and pull my legs up to my chest. As I start rocking back and forth and crying softly, I hear the key in the lock. The attack has started.
“Kayleigh! Where are you? I saw the light.” Wolf calls as he makes his way inside.
“Wolf!” I sob quietly, knowing he'll hear me.
“Tink!, what happened?” He says when he finds me on the bedroom floor, clearly having an attack. He picks me up and sits down with me in his arms, rocking me, consoling as I sob on his shoulder.
"I have...to...call...cops. Adam...”Sob “ pick...him...up...” I manage to sob out after a time.
“It's okay, Tink, I called Luke on my way here. He's already gotten Adam and is talking to your neighbor. Let's get you calmed down and into bed and you can tell me what happened. Tomorrow you can give your statement to Luke” , Wolf says as he rocks me.
“Mm Kay” I reply nodding into his shoulder, the attack slowly receding. Wolf picks me up and starts making his way to the bathroom, through my bedroom.
“Let's get you into the bathroom, hit the light, that's a girl, a shower will do you...Kayleigh? What happened to your face?” Wolf growls when the light comes on and I lift my head.
“Adam happened” I reply feeling angry and exhausted at the same time.
Wolf growls. “I'll kill him this time, I should have last time” he says as he sets me on my feet.
“Don't Wolf” I say. “Let the law handle it. You know Luke will. I don't want Adam ruining my life anymore, or to be the reason anything or anyone else is taken from me, okay?” I say starting to get upset again. I reach around Wolf to the shower, stepping in a closing the door. I strip and toss the clothes over the top. Adjusting the water I turn on the shower.
“Okay Tink, I won’t do anything outside the law. Do you want me to stay tonight or call Fi?” Wolf replies, clearly trying to pacify me.
“Call Fi, tell her I'll be late to work in the morning but I am coming in. And you can have the guest room.” I say over the sound of the shower.
Chuckling slightly Wolf says “She's going to flip shit, but I'll pass on the message. She's going to want to come over here right away, you know, but I'll try to put her off till tomorrow. Finish your shower and get some sleep Tink, I'll be down the hall if you need me”
“Okay, tell her I'll see her tomorrow and I'll tell her all about it then. I’m going to go to bed now. I'm exhausted” I say as I turn off the shower.
Wolf wanders to the kitchen as I go to my room to change. As I'm crawling into bed he hands me an ice pack and says “She's beyond angry and worried, but promised to leave you in peace until tomorrow. Here's an ice pack for your face and some pain pills. Sleep good and let me know if you need anything okay?”
“I appreciate it, I'll get the Spanish Inquisition tomorrow, but tonight I want to sleep. G'night Wolf.” I say with a small smile, as I pop the pills, put the pack to my face, and lay down.
“I expect to get my answers tomorrow too, so yes you will” Wolf says “G'night Tink.” he turns off my light and closes the door.
I roll to my side, ice pack firmly under my cheek, and close my eyes. I'm exhausted emotionally and physically. Sleep will be a long time coming I think, but I feel safe with Wolf here. I start to drift off thinking about a tall, dark haired, blue eyed, mysterious man, pondering his reasons for coming to my rescue.