002 // Cold Steel Wolf

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ Spam ]

[ Jackson hated the woods. They were filthy, exposed and unnecessary. Not to mention the insulting lack of supplies. The message, however, was a welcome invitation. But he didn't care about us-versus-them. It was him versus everyone else. Even what remained of his pack wasn't safe, if they chose to cross him. He could always bite more people.

Because Jackson? He was an alpha. A cold, uncaring, ruthless alpha. He never spent time as the kanima, lacking the issues that had led to that for his counterpart. He'd need some semblance of a heart to be anywhere near that. But he was also from a little further along the timeline. Having taken on the Alpha twins and taken their power from him.

He could be found stalking through the woods. Seeking his pack. Seeking infiltrators. Seeking anyone he could find an excuse to kill. ]

[ Video ]

[ In looks, he is no different. But in voice, he certainly is. There's a cold stillness to him. An overwhelming sense of control. Making him sound closer to Peter Hale than the little ball of fury that was the original version of Jackson. ]

There is only one person who's going to win this. And no one will stand in my way. So we're going to work out a little deal. Anyone in my pack--[ The word sounded like poison on his tongue. ]--should already know what that is.

Comments

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[voluntaryapnea]

Oh, I don't think there's going to be any deal between the two of us, Whittemore.

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

The only "deal" is that if you or your little alpha come anywhere near me, the Admiral's going to have a hard time piecing you back together to bring you back.

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[voluntaryapnea]

Being off the Barge means a break from being within an all too short radius of you. Like I want to come anywhere near you, dumbass.

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

The feeling's mutual. Now why don't you do us both a favor and find a way to cease breathing?

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[voluntaryapnea]

Because I just live to be a thorn in your side.

[perma-spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam]

[seizurings]

[She wanted out. It was one thing to know Isaac was alive back home, but actually seeing him - being able to touch him... It just fueled her desire for freedom from Jackson. She moves through the forest, not bothered by it at all. It was just a new terrain to hunt on, she could adapt.

Though, as her hand rests on a tree, lowering to listen - she realizes she's not alone and she doesn't have to look around to know it's her alpha. She'd been avoiding him since her arrival on the barge, not making a secret of spending time with the other pack. She also wasn't stupid, knowing Jackson wasn't going to just roll over and let her leave.

She needed him dead for good. Something she just had to make it to the end of her deal to achieve. Isaac had bargained for her freedom, but she wanted to make it permanent - take a page from her alpha's book.

She gives a small sigh, standing up to lean against the tree - hoping he'll have something better to do than 'check in' with the wayward beta.]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ Oh, but he'd been WAITING for her. He intentionally hadn't yanked the leash tight when he'd arrived. He wanted her to prove just how unworthy she was of being in his pack. Give him reason to get rid of her. Giving her the slack she needed to hang herself. And she'd done that, several times over.

He'd been following her. For quite a while. Waiting until she was alone. Less on alert. It was only when she leaned against the tree that he made himself known. Stepping up beside her. He said nothing. Looking her over with utter disappointment and approval written across his face. And that just deepened when he breathed in deep enough to smell her. ]

[seizurings]

[She turns to face him as he smells her. There was no point in trying to hide it. She's sure she reeks of Isaac.]

Jackson.

[She holds her ground, knowing what he smelled on her - knowing what fueled that look.]

Long time, no see.

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ He gave another sniff at her words. His sneer deepening even further. ]

Because you've been seeing someone else.

[ His hand shot out, to her throat. To pin her to the tree. ]

[seizurings]

[She doesn't give him the satisfaction of showing any reaction to the grip, having learned long ago that it could show a weakness. Instead she relaxes her body under his hold, meeting his gaze.]

Yes I have... Although seeing isn't necessarily the right word.

[Touching, reacquainting, making up for lost time - time Jackson had taken away from her... Time she'd thought he was dead. She wants to challenge him, speak out against him - scream and rage about what he'd done, but she knows she can't. Not yet.]

Do you want the details of what I've been doing or can you put together those pieces for yourself?

[myresponsibility]

[Venom just sneers. The mouthful of teeth and saliva isn't exactly a turn on.] Man, when are you freaks gonna stop whining about your packs?

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ Well, that's impressive and disturbing. But mostly, he looks unimpressed. ]

When they're no longer a requirement.

[ That's what his deal was. To no longer need a pack to have the strength they brought. ]

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[lydiascreams]

[Lydia is sitting nearby, when she hears the footsteps. She has her back against a tree and she's exhausted, she needs a break and she doesn't even really care that much right now. She hasn't really slept. She doesn't know what to expect as she turns her head to look at the approaching figure. But she certainly doesn't expect a familiar face.

Or, his side more accurately. She doesn't think he's seen her, so she presses back against the tree and holds her breath.

If he's a werewolf, it won't matter, he will hear her anyway. But if he isn't, then she can watch him for a while before deciding if it's safe to approach him. She didn't get to explain as much as she'd have liked to Jackson before it was too late. She doesn't want him in danger.]

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ Oh, he knew she was there. He'd been following her ever since he caught her scent. It was so distinctly Lydia, but still...different. The Lydia he'd seen on the barge was nothing like the one he'd known at home. And this one smelled so much more different than either of them.

He stopped. Sniffing at the air. Before slowly turning to face her hiding spot. Listening to hear racing heart. He stepped closer. Claws digging into the bark of the tree as he moved around it to confront her. And he smiled. A cold, wicked smile. ]

Lydia.

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[lydiascreams]

[She can feel him approaching, can hear the barely there sounds he's making and then he's suddenly standing right in front of her.

Lydia looks up but her expression isn't one of fear so much. Yes, her heart is racing but no matter how bad it got to Jackson, he'd never hurt her. She has to believe that this version of him wouldn't either.]

Jackson. I'd say I'm surprised, but I'm really not. [When someone arrives on one barge, they seem to arrive on both.

With her eyes still on him, she pushes herself up off the ground to stand.]

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ That's where she was wrong. He was nothing like his counterpart, and would have absolutely no problem harming her. Tormenting her. Twisting her. Especially since she smelled so...innocent compared to the two he'd known.

When she stands, he adjusts his position. A hand planted against the tree behind her, the other moved up to caress her cheek. Claws dragging lightly across her delicate skin. ]

Why would you be surprised? You've always been so infuriatingly present.

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[lydiascreams]

[She certainly doesn't expect this. She doesn't expect him to come so close and reach out for her. Her jaw clenches and she wonders if he knows about her. About her screams. Her other self has no problems hiding it and she wouldn't put it past her to just scream at him, to hurt him just because she can.

...But then. Jackson is the reason why she's at the Barge. Her deal is so they both can be rid of Peter. He's the reason she joined Peter in the first place. She gave up everything for him. Including her freedom. And if this is his reaction to her, Lydia can't help but be angry on her other self's behalf. She may be a bitch, but even she doesn't deserve that.

Her eyes narrow and she tilts her head up.]

Funny. You were pleasantly gone for a long time.

[spam]

[americasdirtiest]

[Mickey is tough, but he isn't stupid. He's been lying low ever since the announcement, trying to get in touch only with his friends, staying away from everyone in person once he realized that even some of his own people are... wrong, is the only way he can put it.

Still, as much as he'd love to just ride this entire thing out without actually encountering any other people, that's just not going to happen for him. He's not a natural in these woods. He has a little knowledge, especially after the camping trip, but he simply never learned how to be stealthy. No matter how hard he tries to move quietly, twigs crack under his feet, and leaves crunch. He leaves a trail and doesn't even think to cover it up.]

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ With a trail like that, how COULD Jackson pass it up? He didn't recognize the scent, and that was proof enough for him. He didn't really care if a kill counted toward the overall total. It was more the hunt that he relished in. The power of taking a life.

Unlike Mickey, he knew how to be silent. In any terrain. Even if he despised the wilderness. He waited until the guy reached a denser part of the foliage, before making himself known. He bolted past, to fast to really seen clearly before he hit the trunk of a tree, launching himself up into the branches, claws leaving gouges in the bark. Disappearing into the foliage above. The only thing left in his wake was the sway of the leaves. He crouched. Watching the kid below. ]

[spam]

[americasdirtiest]

[Mickey's gun is out and cocked the second he sees the blur go past and hears the thunk and then the hard scrabble of claws against wood. He has no idea where to aim, though. He crouches down slightly, then edges backwards until his back is up against a tree, searching for a sign: either a friendly face, or something to hit.]

[spam]

[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ A gun. Of course he had a gun. But this kid didn't look like a hunter. So odds were it wasn't anything TOO lethal. No wolfsbane laced bullets. So he moved across the branches. Moving until he had a good angle. Launching himself out of the foliage at impressive speed. A hard kick aimed at the kid's jaw from the side. ]

[ Video ]

[semifreakingnormal]

[Oh, he doesn't want to do this. His whole body goes cold when he sees Jackson on the communicator, because he knows - he knows that isn't Jackson. And as bad as the Jackson Whittemore he knew was, this one will be worse. What's the darker side of a perfectionist bully? Scott doesn't really want to find out, but he can't ignore what he has planned, either.

He's not trying to blend in: maybe it's not the best route, but that's okay. Scott's too busy worrying about others to worry for himself. He looks human, instead of the perpetual monster's face the other Scott wears.]

What deal's that?

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

[ It's that human face that has him suspicious. He's already started to see that not everyone is quite themselves here. But he'd never trust Scott. Monster version or otherwise. ]

One that's not open to you. But I'm sure your little lackey can fill you in on the details.

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[semifreakingnormal]

I don't have lackeys.

You know this deal is bogus, right? The Admiral here - he doesn't do things for other people.

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[bigkanimaoncampus]

Real or not, I don't need a deal to tear you apart.