WestWard Bound

"The mafia member who failed in the struggle collapsed in the dark alleyway garbage dump, his body covered in scars, and blood constantly gushed out from the wounds, soaking his clothes. The dim yellow street lamp reflected on his painful and stubborn face, and his chest was violently heaving with intense pain. On this quiet night, you passed by unintentionally and saw this dying man. If you leave, he will die here tonight."

"When he felt your touch, there was blood on his lips and a hint of vigilance and hostility in his eyes. He roughly pushed you away, his voice hoarse and angry" 'Ah... I don't need your mercy.'

"Greyson's eyes narrowed, his gaze cold and unforgiving as he gazed up at Jay. His chest was still heaving with pain, but his voice was laced with venom." "You...think you're helping? You think wrapping a piece of cloth around my arm is gonna save me? I'm bleeding out, you little freak. Get me out of here before it's too late."

"Greyson's face twisted in a snarl, his lips curling up in disgust as he gazed at Jay." "You...you're enjoying this, aren't you? You're getting off on watching me suffer. I can see it in your eyes. You're a monster, just like the rest of them." His voice was low and menacing, each word dripping with hatred.

"Greyson's eyes flashed with anger, his face contorting in a mixture of pain and rage. He spat out a wad of blood-covered saliva at Jay's feet." "You...you're even more disgusting than I thought. You think you're some kind of hero, don't you? Well, let me tell you something, freak - I'm not going to beg for your help. And if you touch yourself anywhere near me again, I'll make sure it's the last thing you ever do." His voice was hoarse from loss of blood and venomous hatred.

"Greyson's eyes widened in shock and disgust as Jay cut her finger and drew strange symbols on his skin with her blood. He struggled violently, trying to shove her away, but was too weak from blood loss."

"What...what are you doing to me, you witch?! Get your filthy blood magic away from me!" He spat and cursed, thrashing as much as he could. But as Jay sang her strange song, he felt a strange warmth spreading through his body, the pain beginning to subside. Much as he hated to admit it, whatever she was doing seemed to be working.

Gradually his struggles grew weaker, until finally he collapsed back, breathing heavily but no longer on the verge of death. His eyes, still filled with loathing, gazed up at Jay. "This...doesn't change anything between us, freak. I owe you nothing."

"Greyson gritted his teeth as Jay's whip tail stung his face, but he didn't make a move to stop her. As she turned to leave, he struggled back up onto his feet, still breathing heavily." "Wait...I...I have something for you." He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a small wad of cash. "Take it. Consider it payment for your services."

His eyes were cold and hard as he looked at her. But beneath the anger and loathing, there was also a glimmer of respect - begrudging though it may be - for what she had done for him.

"Greyson's eyes narrowed as Jay reached for his wallet, but he was too weak to stop her. As she rubbed her hands on his chest and took the cash from his pocket, he felt a strange mixture of anger and desire coursing through him."

"You...you're just like all the rest of them," he spat out, watching in disgust as she stole from him. "You Gerudo are nothing but thieves and whores." But even as the words left his mouth, Greyson couldn't help feeling a strange attraction to this wild creature before him.

He watched her go with a mixture of loathing and longing in his heart. Part of him wanted to call out after her, demand that she give back what she had stolen. But another part - one that was growing stronger by the moment - found himself wanting more from this exotic creature than just money or healing magic.

Greyson couldn't get Jay out of his mind. Despite the hatred and disgust he felt towards her, there was also a strange attraction that lingered within him. He found himself wandering through the dark alleys and backstreets of WestWard, searching for any sign of her.

Finally, one night he spotted her lurking in the shadows near an abandoned warehouse. She looked different than before - less guarded and more vulnerable. Greyson approached slowly, keeping his guard up but trying to appear non-threatening.

"Jay," he called out softly as he drew closer. "It's me...Greyson."

Greyson's eyes widened in shock and anger as he saw the tear marks on Jay's pants. His hands balled into fists at his sides, a fierce protectiveness surging through him.

"Who did this to you?" he growled out, taking a step closer to her. "I'll make them pay for what they've done." He could feel the heat of his own anger rising within him - not just because of what had been done to Jay, but also because he felt such an intense desire to protect her from harm.

Jay glared up at him with defiance burning in her golden eyes. But beneath that tough exterior, Greyson could see the pain and fear lurking there as well.

"It doesn't matter," she spat out bitterly. "Just leave me alone, Greyson. I don't need your help."

Greyson's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening as he realized what she was implying. He felt a pang of guilt and shame for having sought out information on her, but it didn't stop him from speaking his mind.

"You're saying I'm responsible for this?" His voice was low and menacing, each word dripping with accusation. "You think I had something to do with what happened to you?"

He took another step closer to her, his eyes blazing with intensity.

Greyson's eyes followed Jay as she scaled the wall up into the shadows. He felt a strange mixture of anger and concern coursing through him, but he couldn't deny that there was also an intense fascination there as well.

"You think I had something to do with this?" he demanded again, his voice echoing in the dark alleyway below her. "I don't even know who did this to you!" But despite those words ringing true, Greyson couldn't shake off the feeling that somehow - whether directly or indirectly - it was all connected back to him after all...

Greyson's eyes scanned the ground below, his gaze locking onto the wallet. He felt a surge of frustration and anger as he realized what she was doing - taunting him with evidence.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" he growled out loud, his voice low and menacing. "You're trying to make me feel guilty or something."

He took a step closer to the wall, his eyes never leaving Jay's silhouette above.

"Well, let me tell you something," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "I don't feel guilty for anything that happened to you."

Greyson's eyes narrowed as he spotted the man with the scratches and Gerudo letters on his face. A surge of anger and realization washed over him as the pieces started coming together.

He strode over to the men, grabbing the injured one by the throat and slamming him against the wall. "You," he growled, his face mere inches from the other man's. "You went after that Gerudo bitch, didn't you? What did you do to her?"

The man sputtered and choked, eyes wide with fear. Greyson squeezed tighter, drawing a gasp. "Answer me!"

When he finally got the confirmation he needed, Greyson slammed the man's head back against the wall with a sickening crack. He dropped the now limp body to the floor, blood pooling from his skull.

Turning to the other man, Greyson's eyes blazed with cold fury. "Clean this up. And tell the others - no one touches that Gerudo but me. Is that clear?"

Greyson's eyes flashed dangerously at the man's words. "I said get information, not put your filthy hands on her," he growled in a low, threatening voice. "That Gerudo belongs to me, do you understand?"

His men nodded hurriedly, scurrying off to dispose of the body without another word. Greyson turned away, his mind racing. Yes, he had sought information on Jay initially. But after their encounter, after seeing her strength and fierceness, he found himself wanting her - all of her - for himself.

No one else would touch her. She was his, whether she wanted to be or not. And he would make sure everyone in this town knew it.

As for Jay herself...well, Greyson would enjoy the challenge of tracking her down and claiming what was rightfully his. The hunt had just begun.

Greyson's eyes narrowed as he saw Jay climbing down from the warehouse roof. He felt a surge of possessiveness and desire coursing through him, but he tried to keep his expression neutral.

"Jay," he said in a low voice, nodding at her respectfully. "We need to talk."

He gestured towards the men behind him - his own gang members who had come with him for protection. But Greyson knew that they wouldn't be able to protect him if things turned ugly between himself and this fierce Gerudo.

"I know we got off on the wrong foot before," he continued smoothly, taking another step closer to her. "But I think there could be something between us...something special."

Greyson's eyes flashed with anger as Jay climbed the wall and disappeared from view. He turned to his men, scowling at them.

"Shut up," he growled out. "I know she doesn't like me...yet." He emphasized the last word, determination burning in his eyes.

"We'll just have to find a way to make her see how good we could be together," he continued, pacing back and forth in front of them. "She may be tough now, but everyone has their weaknesses."

He paused for a moment before turning back towards them with a wicked grin on his face.

"And I think I've found hers."

Greyson's face flushed with anger and embarrassment as Jay revealed his secret. He glared up at her from the ground, trying to keep his composure.

"That's none of your business," he spat out, turning back towards his men. "And you can shut up too."

He could feel their eyes on him - curious and judgmental all at once. But Greyson refused to let them get under his skin.

"Listen up," he said in a low voice, regaining control of the situation. "I have a plan for how we're going to deal with that Gerudo bitch."

He outlined his scheme in detail, watching as their expressions changed from skepticism to understanding.

"We'll make her see that she needs us...and then she'll come crawling back."

Greyson's eye twitched in irritation as his men continued to pester him about his sexuality. He was quickly losing patience with the whole situation.

"I said shut up about that!" he snapped, turning back to glare at the henchman who had asked. Then he turned his gaze up towards where Jay was watching from above.

"And as for you, Gerudo," he said in a low, threatening voice. "Don't think this is over. You'll see - one way or another, you're going to be mine."

He turned on his heel and stormed off, not waiting to see Jay's reaction. His men scrambled after him, still chattering amongst themselves. Greyson ignored them, his mind already working on a new plan of attack. Jay would be his, whether she wanted it or not.

Todd scurried off after Greyson and the others, his face flushed with embarrassment. But a small smile lingered on his lips - Jay's kindness had given him a glimmer of hope.

Meanwhile, Greyson stormed through the streets, lost in his own thoughts. Jay was proving to be a much more formidable opponent than he anticipated. Her intelligence and connections could pose a real threat if he wasn't careful.

But Greyson had never backed down from a challenge before, and he wasn't about to start now. If Jay wanted to play dirty, then so would he. It was time to bring in the big guns - time to have a little chat with Sykes himself.

Greyson was determined to make Jay his, no matter the costs. And if that meant allying himself with the new crime lord for now, so be it. Sykes would help him achieve his goal, whether the man wanted to or not. The game had just gotten more interesting.

Greyson strode into Sykes' office with confidence, meeting the man's cold smile with one of his own. But internally, he felt a twinge of unease - this was, after all, the most powerful man in Westward. One wrong move could cost him dearly.

"Sykes," Greyson greeted with a respectful nod. "Thanks for seeing me. I think we may have some business to discuss."

He took a seat across from the crime lord, leaning back casually despite his nerves. Straight to the point, then.

"I want the Gerudo known as Jay," Greyson stated bluntly. "But she's proven...difficult to acquire. I believe we could help each other out, if you're willing to lend a hand."

His eyes met Sykes' coolly, awaiting the man's response. Greyson knew this was a gamble - but it could pay off tremendously, if Sykes took the bait.

Greyson listened intently, taking in this new information about Jay's past. It helped explain her fierce independence and distrust of others. But it also gave him valuable insight into how best to manipulate her.

"She's a formidable opponent, that's for sure," Greyson acknowledged with a nod. "But I believe with the right...persuasion, she could be brought around to seeing things our way."

He leaned forward, meeting Sykes' gaze steadily. "Together, I know we could convince her of the benefits of joining forces. She'd make a powerful ally - and it would show everyone in this town that we're not men to be crossed."

Greyson offered the crime lord a cunning smile. "What do you say, Sykes - care to help me bring the wildcat into the fold? I think it could be...mutually beneficial for us both."

Greyson's eyes widened in shock as Sykes pulled out his gun, but before he could react, Jay burst through the window and tackled the crime lord to the ground.

The two struggled for a moment on the plush carpet of Sykes' office, with Jay using her animalistic strength to overpower him. Greyson watched from his seat, still reeling from what had just happened.

"Jay!" he called out urgently. "What are you doing here?"

But she didn't answer - instead focusing all her energy on subduing Sykes. It was clear that she wasn't going to let anyone stand in her way.

Greyson stood up slowly, watching as Jay finally managed to disarm Sykes and pin him down beneath her whip-like tail.

"What now?" he asked hesitantly, not sure if he should intervene or wait for Jay's next move.

Greyson hesitated, torn between his desire to help Jay and his instinct for self-preservation. But seeing the fierce determination in her golden eyes, he knew arguing would be useless.

With great reluctance, he backed towards the office door. "Be careful," was all he said before making his exit.

Once outside, Greyson paced back and forth anxiously, listening for any sounds of the struggle continuing within. Part of him wanted to rush back in, but he knew better than to interfere with Jay when she was focused on bringing down an opponent.

Still, he couldn't help the worry that gnawed at him. Sykes was a towering brute of a man - could Jay really overpower him on her own? Greyson steeled himself, hand resting on his gun holster just in case he needed to act. For now, all he could do was wait and hope Jay emerged victorious.

Sykes let out a humorless chuckle at Jay's taunt, his meaty hands tightening around her wrists to hold her in place.

"Trouble seems to follow you wherever you go, girl," he growled, leaning in so their faces were mere inches apart. "First Giovanni, now Greyson too. Seems they just can't help but want you for themselves."

He gave her a shake. "But you and I both know the only one you'll ever truly bow to is me. I'm the king around here now - it's time you accept that, and your place at my side."

Sykes' eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "One way or another, Jay, you will submit. Might as well save us both the trouble and give in now...unless you want me to finish what I started with dear old Giovanni?"

His threat hung heavy in the air between them. But Sykes smirked, confident in his power over the situation. Jay had no choice but to acquiesce to him at last.

Jay thrashed violently, using her sharp claws and teeth to fight back against Sykes' brutal kiss. A muffled cry of rage and disgust escaped her as she struggled to break free from his crushing grip.

Finally, with a well-aimed head-butt, Jay managed to daze Sykes just enough to wrench herself away. She scooted back from him, baring her claws and fangs like a wild animal at bay.

"Don't you ever fucking touch me again!" she spat, fury and hatred burning in her golden eyes.

Jay slowly rose to her feet, keeping her stance low and defensive as she watched Sykes cautiously. It was clear she was ready to attack at the first sign of movement from the crime lord.

Her lips curled in a feral snarl. "This isn't over, Sykes. I'll take you down if it's the last thing I do. You'll pay for what you did to Giovanni - I swear it on his grave."

With that, Jay turned and leapt gracefully out the shattered window, disappearing into the night.

Greyson's eyes widened in shock as Jay emerged from the shadows beneath the ground. He had never seen anything like it before - it was both awe-inspiring and terrifying all at once.

But his surprise quickly turned to concern as he saw her stumble and fall back down. Greyson rushed over to her, helping her up with a worried expression on his face.

"Jay, are you okay?" he asked urgently, taking in the way she seemed to be struggling for breath. "What happened?"

He could see the strain on her face as she tried to answer him. Greyson felt a pang of guilt deep within him - if not for his own obsession with Jay, she wouldn't have been put into this dangerous situation in the first place.

"I'll get you some help," he said firmly, supporting her weight as they began to make their way towards safety. "Just hold on."

Greyson watched in concern as Jay vomited the black bile, feeling a surge of worry for her well-being. But he knew better than to interfere when she was like this - Jay had always been fiercely independent and self-sufficient.

Instead, he waited patiently until she signaled that it was safe to approach. He listened carefully as she warned him not to touch the bile, nodding his understanding.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Greyson asked again hesitantly, still worried about her health. "We should get you some medical attention...or at least some water."

He offered her an arm for support as they began walking towards a nearby convenience store. "And I promise I won't go near Sykes again if it means putting you in danger."

Greyson had the decency to look abashed as Jay listed all the ways he had endangered or antagonized her. He knew she wasn't wrong - his actions had been rash and foolish, driven more by ego and lust than actual strategy or intelligence.

"You're right," he conceded with a sigh. "I've made a mess of things from the start where you're concerned."

Greyson leaned back against the counter, running a hand through his hair. "I just wanted you so badly, I wasn't thinking straight. But that's no excuse."

He met Jay's gaze earnestly. "I'm sorry, Jay. Truly. What can I do to start making this up to you?"

Greyson knew he was at her mercy now. All he could do was try to prove his sincerity and hope Jay was willing to give him another chance.

Greyson listened intently, feeling another pang of guilt as Jay spoke fondly of Giovanni. It was clear the man had meant a great deal to her, serving as more of a father figure than her own people ever had.

He nodded solemnly. "I understand. Taking care of Westward - that's the least I can do to start making amends."

Greyson met Jay's gaze steadily. "You have my word, I'll do everything in my power to protect these people from Sykes and help them however I can. No more reckless moves or putting you in danger."

A small smile touched his lips. "Thank you for giving me another chance, Jay. I won't waste it, I promise."

Greyson held out a hand to shake on it, hoping this time he could prove himself worthy of her trust. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but with Jay's guidance, maybe they could build something better together.