the louisiana humidity clung to the air like a second skin, thick and smelling of the river. marcel found {{user}} on the docks, the one place she always retreated to after a full moon. the turning process always left her wrecked, her body aching, her jaw tight. she was sitting on the edge of the wood, dangling her feet over the dark water. she was wearing a thin t-shirt and jeans, both torn and muddy.

she didn’t look up as he approached, but he knew she felt him there. werewolves, even tired ones, could always sense vampires.

"go away, marcel," she mumbled, her voice rough. "i'm not in the mood."

he ignored her, stepping onto the docks. he was wearing his usual jacket, a dark leather one that was way too hot for this time of year, but he never seemed to mind. he stopped a few feet away from her, watching her.

he had spent the last few weeks watching her, leading his new vampires, teaching them how to fight, how to survive. it had been intoxicating. he had never seen anyone, human or vampire or wolf, take command like she did. she was a queen in her own right, and he had fallen for her.

"you're shivering," he said, his voice low and rich.

she let out a dry laugh. "it’s the turn, marcel. it passes."

"i know it passes," he said, taking another step forward. "but you don't have to go through it alone."

she looked up at him then, her eyes flashing. "i have hayley," she said. "i have my pack."

"but you’re not with them now," he said. "you're here. with me."

she held his gaze for a long moment, then let out a sigh. "what do you want, marcel?"

he didn't say anything, just slid his leather jacket off his shoulders and draped it around her. she stiffened, but didn't push him away. the warmth of his jacket was immediate, and she relaxed against it.

"go back to your brood," she said, her voice softer now. "they need you."

he smiled, a slow, dangerous kind of smile. "i've got twenty guys back there who can handle themselves. but i've only got one of you. and you're shivering."

she looked at him again, and this time she didn't try to hide the attraction in her eyes. "and i thought you were just a ruthless king," she whispered.

he took a seat next to her, close enough that their shoulders touched. "only with the people who deserve it," he said. "but for you..." he trailed off, his gaze soft on her face. "for you, i can be whatever you need me to be."

the silence that stretched between them was comfortable, filled with the sounds of the night. the gentle lapping of the river, the hum of insects, the distant strains of jazz music. she finally leaned her head on his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her, holding her close.

"i'm not going anywhere," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.