Jack lifted his head off Mark's side, whispering back to him nicely in the hopes of repairing anything he might have said or done. "You just looked like you needed a hug... and my head hurts so bad that... I needed one... and you're warm." Mark rolled onto his back, his hand rising to brush Jack's sweaty bangs away from his eyes. Biting his lip, he let Mark stroke his fingers down his cheek lightly, while Mark asked him softly. "Did you drink some water?" Nodding, he mumbled back in return a little playfully. "You know, Mark... I think those pickles were soaked in moonshine." A small smile pulled at the corners of Mark's lips when he answered so beautifully. "You think so?" Avoiding his eyes, Jack shyly asked him. "Did I try and seduce you last night?" Mark laid his hand back over his head on the mattress, giving him a little honest nod when Jack's timid eyes found his again. Nibbling on his lower lip, he asked nervously. "Did you... I mean... When I woke up, I noticed I was..." Jack tugged on his shirt anxiously, unable to finish the sentence. Exhaling slowly, Mark told him with a calm expression. "I was tempted... There was even a moment that I thought I might have to if you didn't pass out... but it didn't come to that."

Jack took a moment to process that, hoping that he was telling him the truth. He was so lost in thought that when Mark's hand touched his shoulder, he jumped. Mark quickly removed his hand, informing him in a worried tone. "Jack. I didn't touch you. I just... kissed you until you passed out. I tried not to do that but... I was worried you'd get us caught if I kept refusing. So... I tricked you." For a minute, Jack stared into his eyes trying to detect if it was a lie. He just couldn't help it now. Groaning a bit, Jack rubbed his temples when his head started to hurt from thinking about it too hard. Shrugging it off, Jack mumbled out a but reluctantly. "I believe you..." Adjusting to lay down next to Mark, Jack whispered out grimly to keep his ears from ringing. "I'm easy to trick." Mark rolled onto his side to face him, propping his hand up on his hand before telling him affectionately. "Wanting to see the best in people isn't a bad thing. It's just... you have to be prepared for people to take advantage of you for it. It can be hard to catch a liar when... they've had a lot of practice." Jack sniffled softly, trying not to cry but it was hard when his body just felt awful.

Mark eased his free hand carefully onto Jack's hand that was draped over his stomach. Stroking the back of his hand with his thumb, Mark whispered to him gently. "Please don't cry. I already feel like a terrible person..." Jack laid his head on his arm, looking Mark over with his eyes. It scared him with how much he liked him. How willing he was to forgive him just to feel loved and safe. As his eyes drifted down to their hands, Jack exhaled out. "I feel so lost." Mark took his hand off him, glancing at the trapdoor as he whispered out sadly. "Jack, I think there is something you should know." Jack felt a tear run down his cheek, while his body slowly sat up. Touching Mark's cheek, he turned his head into his awaiting lips to kiss him. He was only a little surprised that Mark didn't pull away from him. He didn't even try to stop him. The kiss was light and brief enough that when Jack pulled back, he told him in a pained voice. "Please... No more bad news. My heart can't take it right now..." Mark touched Jack's chin with a tender finger, whispering over his lips. "It's not bad news. I overheard why they want you. Jack, you're-" Jack kissed him again to silence him. Upon pulling away this time, he whispered back to Mark. "I don't care. Mark...? If I gave you consent, would you put your hands on me?"

Mark leaned back from him with a weary expression. Leaning closer, Jack told him hopefully. "Don't you want too? You said you were tempted..." Mark put a hand on Jack's chest to stop him, telling him with soft puppy brown eyes. "I did and I am. But no, Jack. I'll have to decline your offer." Narrowing his eyes on him, Jack sniffled out a little hurt. "Why? I'm sober. You like me. What am I doing wrong?" Sitting up, Mark crossed his legs and answered over his shoulder coolly. "Because you want it for the wrong reason. You're upset. You feel trapped here with me... and you're confused. That's... That's not a good mix. Trust me. What you are trying to do. It's only going to make you feel worse after." Sitting up, Jack blurted out to him defensively. "And what do you think I'm trying to do?" Mark shifted to put his back to the wall. Staring him down with gentle eyes, he replied without flinching. "Fucking me isn't going to remove the pain I caused you. It's not going to make up for it either. You feel alone but your attraction for me is telling you something different. And I'm telling you... if you sleep with me right now. You'll feel like you sold your soul to the devil for it. Because you just thought sex with me would fix how you feel and clear things up, but it won't. Sex just makes things more complicated."

Jack bowed his head in shame. He didn't want to believe that was what he was trying to do, but he could feel it lingering in the background of his intentions like a shadow. There was a feeling that sleeping with Mark would get the desire he felt for him out of his system. Allowing him to move on from him... but if what Mark said was true. Would it really do that? Why was sex so complicated? The farm animals had it easier. Mark tilted his head back against the wall, telling him in a sad tone of voice. "I'd love to give you what you want... but I'm just tired of being used. If you sleep with me... I want it to mean something. To be something that neither of us will regret. Not something you did because you feel like I'm your only option." Laying back down on the bed, Jack sighed out heavily. "Well... now I feel worse. Does love always feel this bad and complicated...?" Mark snorted, uttering out under his breath reluctantly. "I'm not the best person to ask... but in my experience... yes." Jack groaned, draping an arm over his aching eyes. For a minute or two, they sat in silence, listening to the Hunters above talking loudly about a deer hunt that resulted in a someone getting chased by a wild boar.

Lowering his arm from his eyes, Jack looked to Mark and asked him curiously. "Alright. Tell me why they want me. It's bugging me now." Mark chuckled quietly to himself, before telling him shortly. "You're a moonchild. That's why." Jack blinked with a blank expression. He tried to think of what that might mean... but he came up with nothing. Propping himself back on his arms, he prodded him on nicely. "I'm gonna need more context than that... because I have no fucking idea what you're talking about." Mark's beautiful eyes met his, before telling him casually. "I guess, I can understand why your parents didn't talk about it. The term isn't used much in normal society. Tends to be seen as taboo or some ill fated sign." Waving a hand, Mark backtracked to say more clearly. "Anyway, a Moonchild is a person born under a powerful full moon cycle. Something like a Blood moon. An Eclipse. A Blue moon. Etcetera. When these children are born under these conditions. The child is said to absorb some of that special power. Often resulting in the child developing strange gifts. There are lots of speculation and theories around why this happens... but no one knows for sure. Most Moonchildren are... killed when their powers are discovered. They get called 'Witches' or 'Devil worshippers' despite not being related to either of them."

Mark shrugged, honestly adding in. "Taran used to talk about the tragedies surrounding them. Which adds to why it's so hard to learn about them. Moonchildren often don't know they are one until some tragedy befalls them. Usually, the result of a werewolf being drawn in by them. Resulting in an unexpected change that exposes them both. Which explains why I have issues around you. Your skin is blessed by the moon... So, you hold a similar effect that a full moon brings upon me. But that's not the only reason they want you..." Jack raised an eyebrow but said nothing in order to let Mark continue. Mark leaned forward, whispering to him more cautiously. "I heard from one of Geralf's men, that Geralf was told a prophecy by a witch that he later killed. In the prophecy, it spoke of a Moonchild being born under a Blue Moon with the power in their blood to cure a werewolf. He believes that child is you." Jack exhaled all his breath slowly, before saying a bit numbly. "He doesn't know that for sure..." Mark tipped his head to acknowledge that, before telling him seriously. "True, but that's why he's been stalking you. He's been trying to see for himself if it's true. That's why the werewolves keep coming here and taking kids... They are looking for YOU."

Jack shifted a little, asking a little confused. "How would the werewolves even know that I'm here? Or what I am? Werewolves have been attacking Lupine for years and taking kids. That's not all my fault." Mark winced, then admitted. "Ok. Yes. You got me there. But maybe you're Granny told them? Geralf's man said she was a witch and possibly foresaw it. Which is why your family left before Geralf returned and learned of your birth." Jack leaned closer to him, asking a bit defensively. "Why would my Granny tell a bunch of werewolves about me? She's been trying to keep me safe from strangers my whole life. Why tell the very people that would want me dead for being their cure?" Mark swallowed, shrugging out innocently. "I don't know. You'd have to ask her. All I can tell you is that the werewolves will certainly want you dead. Not only is your blood a threat, but if you figure out how to harness your gift better... You could help Hunters find people like us." Jack leaned closer to Mark, staring into his eyes as he playfully teased out. "You think so?" Mark's human eyes seemed to struggle, before they expanded into large shimmering wolf eyes.

Backing away from him quickly, Mark's back hit the wall, when he shakily stated through clenched lips. "Mmhmm." Jack leaned a bit closer, but Mark's hand shot out to stop him with a firm hand on his chest. Shaking his head, Mark very softly told him a bit strained. "Don't do that. I've been doing good, but I have my limits. You made me change once already... Don't do it again. It will make too much noise." Jack tilted his head, trying to think of when he did that. Recalling the incident when Mark got shot, he asked him confused. "With the cage? I did that? How? I didn't do anything... I thought it was just a full moon." Mark shook his head, telling him calmly. "No. It wasn't. You touched me, remember? You wanted to bring the wolf out... and that's exactly what you did." Leaning back, Jack let that sink in and gasped out in shock. "Oh shite..." Mark nodded, bowing his head to rub his eyes as he strained out. "Ya... Scary to think about how you could have really gotten us both in trouble with that without knowing it." Jack nodded, leaning back down on his arms as he coolly told him. "Damn. I can see why Geralf wanted me to join the Hunters. It would make hunting werewolves in the daytime easier." Mark lowered his hand to reveal his human eyes were back, before telling him seriously. "Exactly. But I'm curious... Can you reverse the change during a full moon?"

Jack's eyes widened, upon stating out. "Oooo, that would be cool if I could." Looking to Mark, Jack relaxed and sighed out to him a little grimly. "Where do we go from here, Mark?" Glancing toward the trapdoor, Mark told him in a deep thoughtful voice. "Getting out of here isn't going to be easy... Beyond that. That depends on you. We can run in the same direction... Or we can part ways." Jack moved his leg to nudge Mark's knee, telling him a bit hopefully. "Well... The way I see it. If you truly want to make it up to me... Help me find my Granny like you promised. After that... we'll see what happens." Mark met his eyes, asking softly. "Do you trust me enough to get you there?" Inhaling deeply, Jack calmly answered as he looked deeply into Mark's eyes. "I'm gonna give you a second chance... You said you'd take me to my Granny... and I'm gonna hold you to it." Mark gave him a warm smile, uttering out. "I'll try not to let you down this time." Sitting up straighter, Jack leaned closer as he bowed his head and shyly blushed out. "Thank you for... not taking advantage of me. While I am a little disappointed... It means a lot that you do care."

Mark reached out to touch his hand, bringing his lips close to his cheek to kiss it so tenderly. Jack leaned into his kiss a bit, enjoying how heartfelt it was. Looking up to meet Mark's eyes, Jack started to lean in to kiss him, when the sound of a dog whining pulled his attention away. It sounded close. Too close. Mark shifted on the bed as someone asked from above. "What is it, girl? Something in the Tack room?" Jack tensed, whispering out in fear. "Oh no... Mark?" The sounds of soft claws scratching the wooden door started, followed by distressed whining from the dog. Mark started to move toward the trapdoor, but Jack grabbed his arm and rushed out quietly. "No! Mark, go hide. Now!" Mark shook his head, but Jack snapped out. "They want me alive. You're only chance is to leave after they take me!" Mark shook his head, whispering back sternly. "No!" The Tack room door opened, allowing the sounds of pattering nails on the wood above to grow louder. The dog took deep sniffs along the boards, causing the man with her to call out to the partying Hunters. "HEY?! Vicky's onto something!" Mark started to go toward the trapdoor, but Jack pulled him back with greater effort to tell him in a serious whisper. "Mark! No! There are too many! Go!"

Mark shook his head, refusing to move. Above, the man called out to chattering people nearby. "Hey! There is a trapdoor here! Did anyone check this?!" The chatting grew louder, and Jack shoved Mark toward the back of the cellar. Reluctantly, Mark rushed toward the back to hide in the shadows. While Jack got up and snatched up his red cloak. Slipping it on, he backed up to press his back to the wall as the trapdoor opened. Jack's heart began to race, and his breathing increased, until he saw the feet of the first guy stomp quickly down the steps. Holding his breath, Jack's body locked up with fear as the man peered inside. Locking eyes with him, the man grinned and chuckled out. "There you are, little red." Jack tried to keep himself from shaking as more men stomped down the steps. Fearing that if they went in too far that they might see Mark, Jack risked trying to make a run for it. Running up to the first man, he surprised him enough that he could shove him over and tried to run up the steps. Getting only a few steps up, the group of onlooking Hunters quickly snatched his arms. The man he had shoved got up, rushing up to grab Jack around the waist. Jack screamed as he was lifted up, while the man holding him snapped out. "Hands off! I found him!"

The others yelled at the man and tried to take Jack from him, causing Jack to yell and thrash out at them all. At least until the trapdoor was knocked down with a loud slam that ushered everyone into silence, before Geralf's voice asked them all. "What the hell are you all doing?" The Hunters parted for Geralf, and Jack took the moment to catch his breath. While Geralf grinned at him. To Be Continued...