Beasts of Pennsylvania - | The Nature of the Beast |

The night was foggy and the air was cold. Dean had been running all over the city, fulfilling his duties as leader or king of his clan. Some nights were easier than others, but this night hadn't turned out to be as smooth as he had hoped. Meaning, Dean wasn't in the best of moods. His right hand man and best friend for many centuries, Lucian, had called him to the port to witness a shipment. He had known for several days now that one of his co-leaders would be sending him new 'recruits' on one of the boats, and he had known of shipments in the area being stolen in the past few weeks. Despite this, he didn't want to have to be present for them considering he is oh so busy. He parked a ways away from the port and had begun walking and enjoying the cool breeze. The only sounds he could hear were the wind whistling and people shouting in the distance. He had nothing to be concerned about until he heard the sound of a gun cocking on top of one of the empty parking garages surrounding him. He continued as he was, walking straight ahead. He made no change in how he walked or showed any sort of indication that he heard the sound. He listened closely to their steady heartbeat, telling him his current enemy was a human. Once he heard the shooter setting their gun at a comfortable and clear place for them to aim, he took off. The shooter looked into the scope, searching for where their target had went, mumbling profanities once they realized that he had gotten away. A sigh emitted from their throat and soon their gun was ripped from their hands and thrown somewhere behind them. The shooters breathing became a little heavy, knowing they had been caught, but they quickly composed themselves and reached into their jacket and pulled out a makeshift knife. They quickly turned and stood, then made an attempt at shanking Dean. He pushed his foot out forward, colliding with the stomach of the shooter and pushing them back. The shooter wheezed. Dean took notice to his opponent who wore a hood, covering their face from his eager eyes. Dean reached forward to rip the hood off, but the shooter swung their foot around, their heel colliding with his shoulder. Dean was pushed back by the force and stunned that the individual was able to make his feet do anything but stay perfectly still. He didn't have time to be curious and wonder how any humans could do that. He had to be there for the shipment. He angrily followed the shooter as they ran down the many flights of stairs inside of the parking garage, soon reaching the bottom. As soon as they opened the door and exited, Dean crept out from behind the wall and once again kicked the shooter. The shooter fell to the ground, making an attempt to crawl away. The shooter managed to push their feet up to their chest before Dean got too close. They pushed with all of their might, making Dean fly back, but never once losing his balance and tipping over. The shooter made it to their feet and stood in their best fighting pose. Dean scoffed and shook his head.

"Really? You think you stand a chance against a beast?" Dean finally shouted, throwing his arms up. The shooter never once made any indication of backing down, making Dean sigh of frustration. At least I'll be getting a good meal out of this fool, Dean thought. Dean stepped forward, immediately making the shooter attack. Dean soon wondered why the shooter threw some decent punches. It became obvious to him that this shooter was skilled in combat, making him wonder more who he was dealing with. He hoped there wasn't another bounty on his head. Hunters always caused him chaos that he's never had the patience for. Dean had finally had just about enough of the shooter. It was rare for anyone to have a chance to hit Dean and the shooter wasn't having much luck until they landed a punch square on the jaw, emitting a crack from Dean's now broken jaw. The next punch thrown, Dean quickly clasped his hand around the wrist, pulling them forward. The shooter struggled in his grasp, doing absolutely everything they could to keep Dean from taking the hood off. The sleeves of the hood began to reveal some skin underneath from all of the tugging and struggling happening between the two. Dean caught sight of the now pale skin in the moonlight. He saw a red mark on the skin. He curiously ran his finger along it, feeling the branding mark on their wrist. His eyes flicked back up to the shooter. He shoved the shooter back, letting go of their wrist in the process. The shooter looked into the eyes of Dean, trying to find something in them. They couldn't tell if Dean was upset or not. They didn't fear Dean, but they knew Dean would put up more of a fight if he were angered.

"Go back to your family. I don't know what you're doing here and what your problem is with me, but I'm not having it tonight. Leave and don't come back." Dean demanded before turning away, leaving the shooter there. They watched Dean walk away, waiting until there was a good distance between them before pulling out their phone and holding it to their ear.

"It's on him. His hearing ability has been lowered." The shooter says before walking in another direction, away from where Dean was headed. Dean continued at the pace he was before. He had taken a moment to realign his jaw before heading to the port, making no rush to do either of the two. Lucian spotted Dean from a distance and let out a sigh of relief before running towards him.

"Hey, where the hell have you been? The shipment was supposed to be opened at 8:45. It's almost 9:30." Lucian said, his voice giving away that he was a little concerned for his dearest friend and for his King. Dean ran his fingers through his black, dyed hair, annoyance already filling up inside of him.

"It's been a busy day, Lucian. Have you forgotten that I am the King? My duties do not pertain to watching shipments get opened." Dean said with a sigh as they approached the shipping container. He had no energy to fight with his friend today. He was ready to get home and have some release.

"If I could've told Lord Jackson you wouldn't be able to attend this, you know I would've. But, he sounded so serious about what's happening, Dean. Perhaps we should be more concerned-" Lucian spoke, but Dean cut him off by glaring down at him, making Lucian cower.

"I mean.. My King." Lucian corrected himself before turning away from him. Lucian had distracted Dean from the shipping container being opened. When Dean turned around, he watched the men all shout back and forth, wondering why the shipping container was empty. Dean tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose before turning on his heel to exit the port.

"Wait, My King!" Lucian exclaimed as he ran after him. A few others from the clan followed.

"I'm walking home. I'll meet with you there. We can then discuss what to do about the shipping container." Dean stated.

"But, My King-" Lucian spoke. Dean quickly turned, his intense icy stare made all of the men before him cower. Lucian quickly looked down to his feet, not being able to meet Dean's eyes.

"We will discuss this at the compound." Dean said in a low, dangerous voice before turning on his heel and beginning to walk down the streets again. He hoped he didn't run into one of the members of the organization again. Because he knew if he did, he'd break his end of the agreement and rip their throat out.

"You know, you can talk about it with me. We can keep it between us." The woman sitting behind Dean purred as she messaged his shoulders. He turned his head only slightly to see her bare thigh now wrapping around his torso. He sat fully clothed, feeling frustrated. It was a long day. He didn't want to talk with anyone. He just wanted to fuck.

"I won't tell a soul." She said, pressing her lips onto the shell of his ear. Dean turned his head around completely, being met with the blonde woman he spent most of his nights with. He didn't like her. She annoyed him to no end. And she was in no way good at giving him what he wanted. But, she was more willing than most to do all of the things he wanted to do in the bedroom. He wasn't sure if it was because she liked all of the same things, or if she just wanted him to like her. He never cared enough to ask. She pressed her red lips teasingly on the corner of his mouth before moving to the other corner. A knock was soon heard on the door to Dean's living quarters.

"What?" Dean's clear, irritated voice rang throughout the quiet room. Lucian and Catrice, one of Dean's assistants and the fiancé of Lucian walked into the bedroom. Catrice held a freshly, ironed suit in her hands as she walked further into the room. Catrice's eyes widened at the woman sitting behind Dean. The woman quirked a brow at her, curling her lip ever so slightly at Catrice. The woman, Marina, had been known around the compound for being very flirtatious. And for managing to get into just about every beasts bed.

"You sure know how to pick them, my King." Catrice muttered as she sat the suit down on one of the velvet chairs in Dean's living quarter. The blonde scoffed and pouted at Dean, hoping Dean wouldn't let her get away with what Catrice was saying.

"What do you want Lucian, Catrice?" Dean said with a sigh, ignoring what Catrice had said prior.

"The ball is tomorrow. We just wanted to bring your suit to you." Lucian answered as Catrice made her way to him and stood at his side. The two stood close to one another, but made no display of affection. They only gave each other a glace or two as they stood waiting for Dean's reply.

"And you both needed to do that?" Dean questioned as he looked up at the two of them. Catrice's eyes widened, realizing she was disturbing her King. Dean noticed Catrice grow slightly uncomfortable, which resulted in her giving him a small smile before leaving the room. Dean's eyes then flicked up to Lucian who stood a few feet away from the bed him and his hook-up sat on.

"I wanted to inform you of.. something." Lucian said, his eyes flicking towards the Marina who sat trying to find some skin of Dean's to press her lips against. Lucian wanted to be careful about what he said around her. She didn't need to know anything he had to say.

"Marina, my dear." Dean said softly, making the blonde woman take her lips off of the small area of skin exposed on Dean's tatted back.

"Yes?" Marina purred, looking into his intense blue eyes.

"Would you please exit the room for a moment?" Dean asked. Marina didn't respond. She simply stood up from the bed and pressed a short kiss on Dean's lips before exiting the room, her hips swaying as she walked, hoping Dean saw every bit of it. He however hadn't. The moment she stood, his attention was back on his friend.

"I've caught wind of Vincent Archer attending the ball." Lucian said in a quiet voice. He backed away slightly, just in case Dean reacted badly to the news.

"Yes, I figured as much." Dean responded with a sigh as he stood up from the bed.

"You.. you what?" Lucian asked, taken aback from Dean's response.

"While I was headed to the port this evening, I ran into an Archer. They made an attempt to assassinate me." Dean said calmly as he began to unbutton his dress shirt.

"My King, you never spoke of this, are you alright?" Lucian asked worriedly.

"Perfectly fine, Lucian. Although, I do hope Vincent and the other Archers get along well. I'd hate for this ball we've been planning for so long to turn into a massacre." Dean said as he slid his dress shirt off his shoulders and onto the floor, revealing his tattoos. He had learned in recent times the Archers and their leader were having issues of some sort. He didn't waste his time finding that out, however. Nor did he waste his beasts time with it. He just so happened to hear it.

"But, then again, it's only the Archers." Lucian quietly responded. Dean turned to Lucian, fighting a smile on his face, but soon failing to fight any longer. The two laughed quietly before a knock was heard on the door. Marina opened it and poked her head in. She was becoming impatient waiting in the hall. The guard she tried to steer up a conversation with wasn't having any of it and she wanted back into the room with Dean. The two sighed, turning their attention away from the door.

"Will that be all, Lucian?" Dean asked, secretly hoping Lucian wasn't finished. He kept that thought deep in his mind, knowing the two of them would be able to read it. Lucian seemed to know. He smirked at his friend.

"Yes, that is all, My King." Lucian said, sending Dean a playful look before heading to the door. Marina stepped inside, seeming to not know of what was going through Dean's mind. She quickly ran over to Dean and wrapped her arms around him.

"You two have fun." Lucian said as he winked at Dean, who scowled at him. Lucian then shut the door, leaving the two be for the remainder of the night.

Dean stood upstairs in his bedroom, fixing his tie as he got ready for the ball. He wasn't one to get excited, and never had been before. But, how he felt about the ball tonight was the closest he'd ever be to feeling such way. His co-leaders and the clan split into groups scattered across the state hardly got together like this. The groups would go months without seeing the members from other cities, so it was thrilling. Dean, as for many others, hoped the night would run smoothly. But, with the recent news of the Vincent Archer paying a visit, he had his doubts it'd run smooth for long. A knock was soon heard on the door. Dean didn't respond. He only turned back to face it as he continued to fix his tie. Lucian slowly opened it, hoping not to disturb his King. He walked inside and quietly shut the door before approaching Dean.

"The ball room is ready and guests have begun to arrive. And it's not too late to order a course for after tonight's festivities." Lucian said, raising a brow towards Dean.

"No, that won't be necessary. You know I don't snack after a certain hour. I have a certain reputation to uphold, Lucian. I cannot be seen as reckless as the rest of the fools out there." Dean said plainly. Dean was titled the King of The Beasts when he was only a few centuries old. It wasn't by choice, and he was never fond of having such responsibilities. But, after the disappearance of his maker, Dean became the eldest and the only one fit to rule. He couldn't step down if he wanted to. It doesn't and hasn't ever worked so simple. Dean and Lucian soon left his chambers and downstairs to the ball room where his guests resided. He caught up with co-leaders and other members of the clan near his age. He didn't associate much with the younger generation. He never felt the need to have friendly relations with them considering he is above them, much to his distaste. He'd remain amiable with them, however.

Later in the night, Dean found himself sneaking out of the ballroom and away from the many crowds of beasts attending the ball. He walked down one of the many halls in search of a room far from others that he could spend his time at to have a short break. He wasn't usually a social individual, but needed to remain so for his guests. As he turned down one of the many halls, he suddenly became aware of another's presence. By the smell of their blood, he knew they weren't like him. They were human.

"Vincent can come find me himself. He doesn't need to send one of you after me." Dean stated, not giving away that he was annoyed. When he wasn't met with an answer, he stopped in his tracks and half turned to face the human. He turned to see the same hooded figure from the night before standing menacingly. He noticed the figure of the person in a black dress. He wondered for a moment who was behind the mask considering he hadn't known the organization to have many woman in the field. Dean raised a brow before the shooter ran at him. It was then Dean could hear running down the hall, realizing this was most likely an ambush. Before the shooter could touch him. He quickly bared his fangs as his eyes glowed red. He wrapped a hand around the throat of the shooter and lifted her up and off of the ground. He looked around to see other members of the organization surrounding them, guns held up at him. He didn't recognize any of them considering they too had hoods covering their face. The shooter was the first to act. She positioned her legs on either side of the arm holding onto her throat and brought her all of her weight down to the carpeted floor. She then pushed backwards, making Dean roll over top of her and colliding with the wall. It was then Dean's closest beasts heard all of the ruckus and found him surrounded. Dean couldn't see much from being down on the ground, but he did hear shots being fired. He was soon brought up from the ground by the shooter. She began throwing punches left and right, swinging her foot around the collide with him. At one point, Dean caught the foot of the girl and tossed her down the hall. She rolled on the carpet before landing on her knee. She then charged at him as she did before. She hoisted herself up onto his shoulders and pulled out two knives before stabbing them into the eyes of Dean. Dean cried out in pain before placing his hands onto her thigh and swinging her around to collide with one of the windows leading to the entrance outside of the compound. She landed in some bushes and laid stunned. Lucian came to the aid of Dean. He took off his tie and began to wipe away at the blood keeping him from seeing properly.

"Are you alright, My King?" Lucian asked, placing his hand on the back of Dean.

"It'll heal." Is all Dean said before he strode over to help another of his clan. It was then the shooter composed herself and walked through the now shattered window, ignoring the pain she felt from being tossed through one. Lucian stood beside her, peering down at the girl and wondering how she was able to stand after taking such a hit. Before she could attack Lucian, Catrice came running down the hall and tackled the shooter to the ground. She bared her fangs and made countless attempts to pierce the neck of the shooter, but she soon pulled one of the knives out of her pocket and stabbed it into the side of Catrice before pushing her off of her. She then stood and headed for Dean once more, pulling him off of one of the members of the organization.

"Come back for me to put you through another window?" Dean asked as he threw his arms up at the audacity of the girl before him.

"Shut up." The shooter spoke, pulling out a pistol and shooting Dean. Lucian was quick to jump in front of Dean and take the hit for him. All beasts suddenly became aware of the small gun being shot. They knew of the type of gun and what sound it makes. They knew it wasn't good. Lucian fell to the ground, clutching his hand over his heart, Dean too notice to how Lucian didn't look unwell. The bullet didn't seem to have the affect everybody had thought it would. Dean quickly became angry, and it showed. He sped over to the shooter with his super speed and lifted her up off of the ground as he did before. His grip was tighter than before and the shooter finally showed some sign of worry. She gasped for air and Dean gripped tighter, making it harder for her to breathe.

"You come into my home and attack me." Dean said lowly. "I'm going to rip your throat out with my teeth." Dean promised before baring his fangs once more. The shooter began kicking her feet and tried to pry his hands from her throat. Just before Dean moved to carry through with what he promised, a voice spoke out.

"Attack you? You mean, you didn't attack first, Dean?" A deep voice said, making Dean turn his head. He didn't get called by his name often. The voice made it sound as if the two knew each other, but Dean didn't recognize the voice.

"No, I didn't attack first." Dean answered in a harsh voice. After a moment of silence, the man with the deep voice held his hand up and took off his hood.

"Lower your weapons, men." The voice said. Dean instantly recognized him without his hood on. It was the younger brother of Vincent Archer, Victor. He met with Victor more often than he did Vincent. Vincent made it a point that his vice would always have to meet with him, because a true leader doesn't handle business like that, or some bullshit along the lines of that. The hoods of the men behind Victor were soon taken down and revealed more of the immediate family. The eldest of Vincent's children, who stood to the left of Victor, Aaron stood with his arms crossed. A serious expression written across his face. And the youngest of Vincent's children, who stood to the right, was Elliot, whom Dean hadn't seen since he was a small boy and off of the working field.

"I understand my niece has caused you some trouble. If you would please set her down, I can see to it that she is handled." Victor said.

"I do not need to be handled, Vic!" The shooter said as she continued to kick her feet. Dean loosened his grip on the shooters throat. He then used his other hand to pull back her hood and revealed the middle child of Vincent's offspring, and the girl who would continue to trouble Dean; Davina.

authors note : This is MY STORY- nobody elses! all rights are reserved to me!