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Hunt. Kill. Eat. The beast spoke to him in harsh, short phrases. Only the divine and the conceited spoke with flowery prose, but the beast was especially inelegant.
Kill them all. Scrape the flesh from their bones , it commanded. But Vilkas didn’t move; its constant demands for gore were all too familiar.
Vilkas squinted at the hold in front of him. The Circle liked to keep an eye on it since it was a hotbed of Silver Hand activity. Normally, it would be teeming with their soldiers, but that day it was strikingly empty and quiet.
Too late. Find new hunting grounds.
I’m not done , Vilkas replied tersely. He continued watching the hold from far enough away that he wouldn’t be seen. But it did not seem to matter since the Silver Hand were just not there. Still, there was always the possibility of an ambush, so Vilkas begrudgingly retreated.
So hungry , the wolf in his head growled. Vilkas gritted his teeth as he began the trek back to Jorrvaskr.
Go hungry, starve for all I care.
You miss the taste , the beast continued, It makes us strong.
You’ll never win my sympathy, least of all for your unsated bloodthirst.
Then kill anything! Human, elf, animal, I don’t care! Rip it to shreds! The beat was roaring, clawing at its mental prison.
Vilkas would not budge on the matter, though. Aela is out hunting dinner for tonight, he thought bitingly.
The road back to Whiterun was empty. That solitude was his favourite time to think, even though the wolf within was always vying for attention.
There was a rustle in the forest and Vilkas’ gray eyes darted to the side, hand instinctively reaching for his sword.
An elk nosed at the tall grass. It hadn’t yet noticed the human.
Kill.
Vilkas’ jaw tightened. His hand floated near the hilt of his sword but curled around nothing and dropped to his side. He huffed and kicked a rock that clacked loudly down the road.
The elk’s head shot up and it dashed back into the brush.
Give chase, you idiot!
Don’t feel like it , the man lied. The wolf obviously knew, but being trapped inside, there was nothing it could do.
I hunt on my own terms , he reminded the creature as it tensely paced its cell.
Vilkas kept on walking, guiltily swallowing the saliva pooling under his tongue.
~~~
“So?” Aela asked, prompting the particularly quiet Vilkas, “How did the scouting go?”
“From what I could see, the whole place was deserted.”
“That’s hard to believe. They’re always swarming like flies around that keep.” A huge elk was slung across her shoulders, soon to be dinner for the Companions.
The pair had run into each other just outside the city gate. Vilkas had commended her on the kill, but couldn’t bring himself to look at it.
“You think it’s a trap?” Aela mused.
“Aye, a trap of some kind.”
“Troubling, but nothing we can’t handle. I’m surprised Skjor sent you on a scouting mission in the first place,” she added, adjusting the carcass, “He’s been pretty restless about the Silver Hand lately. I was expecting him to charge right in.”
Vilkas glanced at the elk. He would have offered to help Aela with it, but knew that would just upset her. He, of course, thought very highly of her and would never actually insult her abilities.
Even greater than that concern, though, was his bestial temptation. The scent of fresh blood was thick in the air and it kept him distracted. And even though it was so close to getting its way, the wolf was quiet.
“I need to go back,” he said suddenly. The beast’s silence was nearly as tortuous as its raving.
“Don’t be a fool. If it is a trap, you don’t stand a chance by yourself,” the redhead chided.
“I have to be sure one way or another. If they are planning something, none of the Companions are safe.”
“Take a Shield-Sibling tomorrow, if it means that much to you.”
“How can you be so flippant?” He asked, “These people are insane and vengeful.”
“And we are stronger.”
“They’ve been getting bold, getting closer to the city and spreading rumours of werewolves among the travelers here,” Vilkas argued, frowning, “Skjor is right to be concerned.”
As they reached the doors of Jorrvaskr, Aela set down her kill. She looked at Vilkas dead-on, hands on her hips.
“The Silver Hand are plentiful but they underestimate us. They can forge all the silver in the world but our gift will always overpower them.”
She’s right. I like her. We should take her. She would bear strong pups.
Vilkas’ brow furrowed at the beast’s suggestion. Aela was his Shield-Sister, but undoubtedly uninterested in him beyond that.
The man held his tongue, refusing to answer either of them. He studied Aela’s resolute face.
“Still you doubt it? Hmph...” She held his gaze a moment longer before frowning and taking the elk inside.
~~~
Later that night, Vilkas lay shirtless and awake in bed. The room was dim, but he could see small shapes in the darkness above him, projections from the wolf. There was a pack of wolves chasing deer. Their huge, furry bodies bounded through the air and faded like rings of smoke. The miniature scene changed and the wolves were bending low, snapping rabbits’ necks and gnashing their bloodstained teeth in celebration.
The Nord watched with avid interest. The wolves were so free, living by the thrill of each hunt.
You belong with them.
He frowned, heartily disagreeing with the beast. Wolves were brave and loyal, things he strove to be as a human, but the beast was no true wolf. It was an unnatural monster, a Daedric perversion of the noble canine hunter.
The reminder of his cursed nature tore his eyes away from the wispy animal scene. Instead, Vilkas looked for the deepest darkness in the room to lose himself in, so he closed his eyes.
Shame burned in his heart for deluding himself. The beastblood made him a monster and the demon in his head could put on a nice show, but nothing would change. Vilkas scolded himself for watching it.
You think you’re too good for my gift. The rest of your pack knows better.
“Kodlak curses your name just as I do,” he whispered back angrily.
You stay with the pack because it is strong , the beast answered softly. It knew all too well that Vilkas wouldn’t run away—couldn’t run away.
The pack in question, the Circle, was Vilkas’ only real family. They knew the burden, even if they did not all describe it that way. He couldn’t give up on that camaraderie, especially when it helped keep the beast at bay.
It was a massive burden to bear, knowing he would never be free from the curse, even in death.
Your torment is your own doing. Embrace my instincts or wither.
I won’t kill for you again. I kill out of necessity, not for the pleasure of a beast.
Then indulge me in a different way. The wolf hissed demandingly, I see how you look at that Imperial girl. Her ass, her tits… she’s a strong one. She could handle it.
“And I won’t sleep with Ria,” Vilkas huffed, frustrated enough that he couldn’t keep it in his head. It wasn’t the first time the beast had suggested doing so. But it was wrong. Sure, Vilkas liked the girl, but she had a full-blown crush on him. “It would be selfish of me.”
We can smell it when she’s near, how badly she wants you. She’s just too polite to say anything. She wants you to claim her. You wouldn’t even have to break her. Isn’t that what you want? Then we all walk away happy.
The Nord was gritting his teeth. He had long grown sick of the beast’s wiles, not to mention its grasp of consent was tenuous at best.
You’re depraved. I wouldn’t use her like that.
Then what of the girls before her? The ones you met in the tavern? The ones who came to Jorrvaskr but didn't live to join your ranks? They didn’t mind being used when you were inside of them. The wolf grinned smugly as memories replayed in Vilkas’ head.
Various naked women took turns writhing underneath him, depending on the occasion. They were far apart but nearly all the same. They all shimmered with sweat in the flickering light of a lantern, lost in ecstasy. Whichever woman they were, he really did find them attractive in one way or another. That detail had made it easier to obey the wolf in the first place, but harder to accept what he was doing.
The human grimaced and covered his eyes with his hand. He knew it was useless, but the lewd images were so demeaning.
In the early days of living with his beastblood, Vilkas was much more lenient. The wolf did not rule him, but its suggestions were more readily considered. Its hunger for violence grew, though, as it realized it could get away with more and more. Soon, the human was left bearing guilt for the wrongs he had done, being more than complicit in the beast’s scheming.
The beast continued with the lascivious memories, but didn’t show the aftermath. Vilkas, of course, remembered that with stoic clarity. There would be sex, and then it would end and he would hand the girl her clothes and she would leave. Whether they took the hint or he had to say something, they never stuck around long. He was always so calm and dismissive, racked with guilt but not taking it out on them.
Were they disappointed there was nothing more to be kindled between them? Or were they content with a one-night stand? It didn’t matter to Vilkas since it hurt all the same. One way he was hurting some poor girl’s feelings, the other, he was unable to control his desires.
I remember your lust well and how it was indistinguishable from mine.
Vilkas bit his tongue, wishing it could silence the voice in his head instead.
But you hid your face for weeks afterward…
Yes, I bear guilt! Is that what you want to hear, you cur?! They knew those were one-time engagements.
You could have taken more from them. You can take anything you want with my power if you would just do it ! Take this girl Ria and maybe then you won’t be so uptight.
And then you taunt me everyday for another shameful lapse in judgment? I’m not going to bed any of my Shield-Sisters.
You’re useless , the wolf sneered, You should have been a eunuch. Though stewing with rage, the wolf relented and curled up to rest for the night. It never truly slept, just quieted whenever it was convenient.
The demon in his mind was forceful. Vilkas hoped to one day be rid of it. At least the quietness brought a small reprieve and could fall into an uneasy sleep.
His dreams were turbulent and his sleep restless. Scenes of hunting and carnage played behind his eyelids. Even when the beast was silent, it made itself known.
Vilkas tossed in his sleep, eventually waking with a jolt and lurching forward. He never slept well with his beastblood and wasn’t surprised his skin had become misty with sweat.
The sudden awakening, while a common occurrence, was not ordinary that night. Strangely, there was a firm weight on his chest that kept him down.
He was also quickly struck by a sweet smell, intoxicatingly rich like roses and honey. It was not overpowering, but hard to miss with his keen, bestial senses.
“What in Oblivion?” He muttered, blearily trying to get a better look at the situation. There were no windows downstairs in the living quarters, though, making that very difficult to do.
His movements felt delayed and syrupy, but sleep was not the only cause. His muscles were pulled taut, wanting to grab the intruder by the throat but unable to find the momentum.
Physically unaffected, the wolf was poised to strike. It growled lowly behind Vilkas’ ears, Kill the Daedra.
Finally, the host and his beast agreed on something. Vilkas gritted his teeth, desperately wanting to act. Daedra were rarely good news, and even more intimidating when the one inside of him felt threatened by it.
You can tell it’s one of your own? Vilkas asked.
A Daedra, yes, but an enemy more importantly.
Even with the darkness, the creature was not totally obscured. It was humanoid with the standard one head, two arms, and two legs, but had magenta skin that glowed softly. They wore no clothes, revealing a lithe androgynous body that was covered in swirling black tattoos but smooth all over with no navel or nipples. Their choppy black hair almost seemed natural except for the curled red horns sprouting from under it. Overall, they were strikingly inhuman.
They perched on his chest like a gargoyle, feeling lighter than a human of their size would be.
“You don’t wake up easily,” they giggled, watching the Companion’s confused face with glowing white eyes that lacked any pupils or irises, “Even when you’re thrashing about like a madman.”
He had heard that Daedra and Divines understood gender differently from mortals, so it was not the creature’s androgyny that upset him. Rather, its uncanny form was a disgusting mockery of humanity.
Kill , the beast spoke more forcefully and its host responded that time.
Vilkas reached out for the dagger on his end table. It was not his preferred weapon, but it was more maneuverable in an emergency than his greatsword. Clumsily, he felt for it and cringed when it clattered to the floor.
“Naughty boy,” the Daedra chided in an equally androgynous voice and leaned in close, “What’re you up to? I see you in there wanting to rip my throat out.” Their eyes shone brightly as they peered into the human’s.
Vilkas growled, feeling the beast surface—and letting it do so. He shot upward, knocking the demon back and into his lap. As he reached out to get a hold of them, the Daedra held his wrists still in the air with unexpected strength.
“Whatever you’re here for… You’ll be dead before it happens,” the human hissed, bearing his teeth. Unnaturally sharp from his curse, they glinted in the low light.
The demon shifted to straddle Vilkas’ hips properly. Keeping his hands restrained in the air on either side of his head, they leaned in close. “The beast inside you is particularly aggressive,” they chuckled softly, “This puppy needs a muzzle.”
Frustratedly, Vilkas huffed. He clenched his hands into fists but did not struggle; he had to focus his strength and be ready so that the Daedra could not pull any more tricks on him. Though he was never one to falter, this was unlike anything he had faced before. The Daedra was so lithe, so distracting. He needed to focus on the potential danger! Yet his silver eyes were drawn to its strange body.
The demon smiled smugly, watching Vilkas’ eyes wander. “The wolf betrays you…,” they hummed, “You’re not a subtle creature.”
Vilkas cursed under his breath and lowered his head, shutting his eyes. When he looked back up, his gaze was much harsher, a severity void of the indecision that he felt inside. Whatever the Daedra was doing to him wouldn’t be enough. That sweet smell, be it a poison or a sedative, he was not the kind of man to die quietly in the night.
“How long will you fight before you give yourself over to pleasure? To me?” The Daedra began to grind their hips down against his. Vilkas then found it impossible to ignore what he hadn’t realized up until then: he was hard.
“Look at you, all worked up over nothing,” they giggled.
Vilkas felt his face go red. This is not the time.
But the wolf was too impassioned to care. Kill , it commanded, its voice wavering with intense emotion, Fuck. Feed. Snap its neck and break its body. The beast shuddered with every word. It bent low, staggering to stay upright. It continued to growl hungrily as it swayed, snout almost dragging on the ground.
Silence crept into Vilkas’ head but it didn’t bring the icy touch of emptiness. Instead, a pleasant warmth tingled at the edge of his thoughts. It mingled with the passion still smouldering from the wolf.
“Incapacitating the beast won’t stop me,” Vilkas warned. The thinly veiled threat spoke for itself as his stare bore through the demon. His irises had turned golden, and his pupils were deep black pits. As his lip curled into a snarl, his body wanted nothing more than to leap forward and claim his prey.
“Remind if you’re man or beast ‘cause I can’t tell the difference,” The Daedra scoffed, “Does it matter? You bleed, fuck, and die all the same.”
The wolf was alive and well. Vilkas felt the beastblood hot in his veins, hotter than rage. It burned through his body and head, unbearably scorching. He looked over the Daedra with repulsed eyes, salivating despite himself.
Prey doesn’t talk back .
“Go on, try to kill me,” Vilkas challenged, dazed but reinvigorated.
“Lord Hircine would not allow for that,” they answered with a shake of their head.
“So you serve Hircine.” His mouth went dry as he spoke and body went rigid as a sudden shiver ran down his spine. His death meant an inescapable eternity as Hircine’s hound. Did the Daedric Prince intend to collect early on the curse?
“No, you would have known right away if that were the case. His agents are a stuffy lot,” the Daedra flippantly assuaged his fear, “My master is not so formal.”
We do not die tonight.
“Then fuck off back to Oblivion or let me tear you apart,” Vilkas snapped, “If you’re not here on Hircine’s behalf— I don’t deal with Daedra.”
“Neither of those things are exactly true…” the demon drawled. They stayed put on top of the Nord. “You see, Hircine and Sanguine are having something of a spat right now and how better to get under the Huntsman’s skin than toying with his favourite pets?”
“I don’t care what Sanguine—or Hircine, for that matter—wants with me!” Vilkas protested with a harsh scowl.
“Oh, I know, but you’re just too darling to say no to,” the Daedra cooed, nudging their foreheads together. Vilkas flinched instinctively but his scowl was unwavering.
“My name is Covet, by the way. Feel free to cry it out at any time.” The Daedra wiggled backward, releasing the human’s wrists. Vilkas’ hands immediately shot forward to throttle them.
Kill.
“My, my, aren’t you strong,” Covet wheezed, caught by surprise. Their voice returned to normal as they quickly recovered, relatively unaffected by strangulation. “Are you always this forward with your partners? Don’t worry, I’m not so easy to kill, pet.”
Vilkas growled in reply and sprung forward, managing to get on top of the Daedra. He knew he couldn’t asphyxiate them, but it felt good to try. It also felt good to be over them, in control, and in the chokehold of passion himself.
Calmly, Covet gazed up at the human. A hand grazed over his own, feeling the fingers constricting around their throat.
Though Daedra didn’t need to breathe, Vilkas knew snapping one’s neck would finish it off. Still, he stared intently down at them.
Covet responded smugly, moving their hands to run down Vilkas’ bare chest. They could feel muscles pulled taut and the pounding of his heart. “I know you need release. It’s plain to see how tense you are—among other things.”
Every caress seemed to burn the human’s skin, but he refused to squirm or give way to the demon. The wolf, intangible pacing his mind, drooled with every heavy breath. Vilkas swallowed unconsciously and tightened his grasp, turning his knuckles white with effort. His hair hung down around his face like black icicles as he glared intently. The Daedra was trying to set the beast off, let it run wild, and he couldn’t let that happen. He would fight back until his heart stopped if it meant staying in control.
“Would this make it easier for you?” Quickly, Covet’s bones began to snap and rearrange as they grew taller. Their skin rippled and stretched, changing shape and colour. And then it was Aela who was under him, smirking.
Vilkas released her throat, startled. No, it’s not her!
“It’s not like you to give up. C’mon, Vilkas,” she taunted, patting her chest, “Give me your best shot!”
“You’re not her,” he growled lowly, furious the Daedra would imitate his Shield-Sister. Vilkas clenched his fists then slammed them down against the bed on either side of her head. The imitation was too convincing. Hurting her would be like hurting Aela herself.
“But I can be. I can be whoever you’d like.”
That was enough to snap him out of his hesitation. The Nord grabbed the faux Aela by the throat. He stood up off the bed and hoisted her up with him. Unbothered, she stood on her tiptoes.
“Change back,” he hissed, “And I’ll kill you as you really are.”
She’s at your mercy. The real Aela would never let you… This is your chance.
“How about this?” The Daedra asked, its voice turning smoother as its body cracked and bubbled into Njada’s. She squinted, quickly sizing up the man. “No? What about her?” The woman reshaped into a different form with olive skin.
Vilkas cringed, nearly dropping her. He could feel every twist of reforming cartilage and tension as the skin pulled to fit new bones. Seeing it rapidly rearrange was upsetting enough when then it had become Ria.
Claim her.
“I’m sick of your games,” he spat, shoving the girl against the stone wall. Her feet struggled to touch the ground, the strain showing on her face.
“Looks like you won,” she chuckled, as though they were sparring, “Mind putting me down now?”
“You fiend, face me yourself!”
“But why be myself when I can be so much more? For you.” Though they spoke with Ria’s voice, they had stopped mimicking her inflection. Having dropped any pretenses of being the real Ria, they were no more than a forgery dressed in Imperial skin.
“Have no doubt I can give you more ,” they giggled, grabbing their chest provocatively, “How big do you like ‘em?”
Vilkas snorted scornfully though his eyes raked down their body despite himself. On the outside, she was just Ria and that fact left him both unsettled and uninterested.
She’s at your mercy! The wolf repeated, growing more agitated, Claim her!
“I don’t want her,” the Nord stated plainly, answering both beasts he faced. He stared daggers into the demon’s eyes, even as their skin started to contort and darken.
“Lucky for you, puppy,” the Daedra began, transforming back into their magenta self, “I don’t need to get mean. I’m here to play with you.”
With great restraint, Vilkas pulled away his rigid hand. Bracing themself against the wall, Covet dropped back to the ground, standing nearly a foot shorter than the tall human.
Nothing stands between us and our prey.
Vilkas grit his teeth, but didn’t say anything as the Daedra slid down the wall to their knees. Looking up at him with feigned demureness, they held his hips. Then, their fingers curled under the waistband of his pants. They smirked at the obvious bulge in front of them and opened their mouth to say something obscene but were prevented by a sharp tug on their hair.
“Be quiet,” Vilkas growled warningly, “It’s late and no one wants to hear your chatter—least of all me.”
Covet looked up as their lips twisted into a smug grin. “Finally the puppy plays along.” His grip on their hair tightened and they squeaked with surprise.
“What did I say, fiend?”
Muttering under their breath, the demon lowered their head petulantly.They could handle a rough tyrst, but it was definetly easier if Vilkas played nice.
“Good,” Vilkas murmered. He released them and watched quietly as they pulled down his pants and underwear. His cock sprung free and he sighed.
The man put his hand against the wall as Covet stuck out their tongue and graves the top of his cock with it. They became caged in by his body, but didn’t mind.
Vilkas kept a careful eye on the demon. He had an unshakable feeling they would try something, that it was all an elaborate trap to catch him at his most vulnerable.
Your vigilance is embarassing. Quit lying to yourself, to me. We want this. We take what we want.
While pushing his hips forward slightly, Vilkas grabbed one the Daedra’s horns with his free hand.
I am in control, he reminded the wolf.
Puppet , it barked back.
Covet parted their lips, letting him push into their mouth. They hollowed their cheeks, sucking obediently. With a glance upward they found Vilkas’ intense eyes trained on them. Their eyes did not meet each others’.
The man swallowed thickly, his mind filled with immense concentration. His chest heaved with every breath, struggling with a formidable blend of arousal and focus.
This is wrong , he thought, but externally he was starting to pant. Vilkas scratched at the stone wall as his fingers flexed.
How can it be wrong when it feels so good?
Covet worked dilligently, bobbing their head enthusiastically and not even flinching when his cock hit the back of their throat.
Vilkas did, though. It felt amazing but the butterflies in his stomach were traitorous. Despite himself, a growl rolled from the back of his throat, wordlessly demanding more.
Claim. Breed. They like it rough. Punish the Daedra.
You want me to fuck them to death? He accused incredulously.
How good it would feel! Them choking, crying, begging and we control everything.
Vilkas moaned softly but gritted his teeth. You’re lucky to even be getting this much.
You can’t deny me forever.
“Fuck,” he hissed, tugging on the Daedra’s horns as he thrust forward. He could feel his climax rapidly approaching, blurring the lines between his desires and the wolf’s.
Good , the wolf praised, Feels good. Now force them to the ground and breed them.
Have you forgotten it’s a Daedra?
No, but it makes for a strong body to bear pups.
Grimacing at the beast’s obscene primal urges, Vilkas shut his eyes. His conflicting emotions created a pain expression on his face, but he was entirely unconcerned with Covet’s opinion of him. Only Hircine’s opinion of him truly mattered, every other Daedra was just a wicked, aberrant humanoid.
His sense of Nordic superiority bolstered his confidence. He could crush any foe. Even if it lacked the torture the wolf craved, the human was exerting his dominance.
Then, he came, crying out like a wolf’s howl and holding the demon’s head in a near-crushing grasp. Vilkas’ nails dug into their jaw and Covet whimpered with surprise.
The Daedra swallowed hungrily, caressing his hips. They pulled back and licked their lips. Spit dripped from the corners of their mouth as their sultry eyes gazed up at him.
“Don’t start,” Vilkas grunted, slamming their head backward against the wall. He pulled up his pants and turned his back to them.
“It’s a wonder any girl wanted to be near you in the first place.” Covet frowned, sitting against the wall and rubbing the back of their head. “That hurt, you know.”
“Aye, it was meant to. You’ll leave now if you know what’s good for you.” His voice was low, menacing, as he sat on the edge of his bed. His eyes were trained on the ground.
“So that’s it? I expected more from you, puppy.”
Hanging his head, Vilkas put a hand to his face and glared at the demon from between his fingers.
Covet dropped forward to their hands and knees and crawled toward the human. As they neared, Vilkas clenched his jaw. Then, he snapped and punched them in the side of the head, sending the demon sprawling.
They whined, staggering upright. As they looked up, crimson blood trickled from their nose.
The Nord stood up, towering over them. On their knees, Covet clamoured up against him.
“This is my duty,” they whispered, “I exist for service. I can still please you.” The demon forced a smirk, unable to hide the dazed look in their eyes.
“Touch me again and die, Daedra scum.” Vilkas stepped back in disgust. He eyed his nearby greatsword then picked it up.
Cover fell backward, holding themself up on their hands. Their expression was blank, watching the man’s every movement intently. They were only just realizing they were the prey all along; the wolf was not so subdued after all. Like prey, their soft underbelly was exposed, vital flesh to be torn into.
Slowly, Vilkas raised his sword over the Daedra’s body. He was unsure if that was its true form, but it was better than a human disguise.
This is merciful , he thought, heart thumping steadily in his chest.
The beast licked its lips.
He brought the sword straight down, piercing the demon’s heart. They sputtered in pain and surprise before slumping limply.
Now we can rest.