The werewolf was breathing in shallow breaths, its dark fur matted with blood. Its fur appeared black but it was actually a very dark brown.
I gulped.
Paralyzed, I stood there for a while and watched its stomach gradually go up and down. One of its ears was torn violently and its paws were filthy with dirt. The wolf was bigger than a normal wolf, curling its tail into its paws and moving its head once in a while.
The werewolf whimpered and I stepped back. It must be in so much pain right now.
Then the werewolf shook uncontrollably and the sound of bones breaking made my ears hurt. Skin was where fur used to be and its wolf body was morphing back into a human one.
In a span of about two minutes, the wolf transformed and in its place, a familiar boy was lying in a pile of my clothes in my closet.
“Even?” I bent down to my knees and shook him gently by the shoulders.
He looked terrible.
There were deep gashes on his legs and arms and scratches on his face. His lips were split and there was dirt stuck underneath his fingernails. In addition to his wounds, he looked exhausted, barely able to keep his eyes open.
“Hazel?” He sputtered and when he opened his mouth, I could see blood in his mouth.
“I’m here.” I comforted him. “You need to go to the hospital-” I began but he grabbed my arm with strength I never knew he had. His strength didn’t seem to dim despite his wounds.
“No, I’m fine.” Even shook his head and tried to sit up but he cried in pain.
The look on my face must’ve looked unconvinced so he added, “I just need to rest here for a while.”
“Do you need some medicine? Or, uh, some clothes?”
I looked down and blushed. If it weren’t for my dirty laundry, he’d be laying stark naked before my innocent eyes.
“No, thank you, I’ll heal in a few days.”
My eyebrows rose to my hairline, “A few days?”
“You forget that I’m a werewolf.” He chuckled but suddenly stopped when it made him wince.
“Right, right,” I smiled to myself. I couldn’t imagine myself as a werewolf, hearing bones crack everytime to transform. And how did they carry their clothes around? I imagined in their teeth but wasn’t that irritating?
I looked back at Even, who had closed his eyes. Probably in pain.
I gulped nervously, “What happened?” It was a gory sight to see and it smelled foul.
“There was an emergency. . . at the castle. Wolves attacked us.” He winced as he talked and I hated feeling so useless. I wanted to help but I didn’t know what to do. “I barely made it to your house.”
“Was that why you weren’t in school?” He moved his head yes, “What about the other werewolves? Are they okay?”
“They’re fine. There were about five packs that attacked us. They were looking for you.”
“Oh, no,” I felt horrible, “I’m so sorry-”
“It’s not your fault.”
“But they were looking for me, if you hadn’t told anyone about me-”
“It would’ve happened anyway. Once we revealed that the Moon Goddess existed, almost every pack has come for us. But this time, they attacked us all at once and we weren’t prepared.” Even closed his eyes.
I looked away for a moment, processing everything he’d said. It only made me feel overwhelmed with guilt.
“Where’s Aria? Do you know where she is?” I changed the subject, anxious to find out where Aria was and if she was safe. We might still be fighting but she was still my sister.
He took a moment to answer, which only made me freak out more, “She’s at the castle with Harry.”
“Oh,” So she wouldn’t be coming home again. At least she was safe.
“Aren’t your parents worried that you’re away from home so often?” I didn’t really think about that before.
No one’s ever asked me that.
“Our parents are away so much that they don’t even notice.” I replied bitterly and it was true.
Mom and Dad were always away on business trips, usually two or three a month, and they lasted up to one week. They were never home but I got used to doing things myself and thinking independently. Most of the time, I ran the house.
Even frowned, “That must be lonely.”
“I guess it’s the way it goes,” I shrugged, “But on the bright side, they’re never here for things like this.”
“Things like a werewolf phasing in your closet?” Even tried to lighten the conversation.
“Yeah, things like that. . . You can stay here as long as you need, they won’t be back in a week.” They’d traded tiny Appleby for sunny Los Angeles for an important meeting. Trips to California usually lasted for ten days, usually because they were so busy visiting the city to remember their kids.
“Thank you. And sorry about this, there’s blood everywhere.” Even tried to get up again but he was too hurt. I wondered how he had the energy to move even if he was bleeding out.
“It’s fine, you’re the one that’s hurt.” I was actually insanely worried about his injuries. I just hoped he hadn’t broken any bones.
We sat in silence, just listening to the sound of our breathing. Listening to nothing made my head and heart calm down.
But it also made me think about tomorrow. . . which only made worry.
“So, what about school tomorrow?” I couldn’t afford to miss a day, I’d always be behind. Even though it was March and I was a senior, I couldn’t let my grades plummet. Colleges could reject my acceptance if I failed all of my classes and I couldn’t let that happen.
This was my future and I couldn’t waste it.
“We need to skip for tomorrow.”
“But my teachers are going to kill me.”
“Well, wolves are literally going to kill us if we leave this house.”
“Shouldn’t we go back to the castle?” Wasn’t that the most protected place? I didn’t feel safe in my house, which was a sad thought.
“No, we’d easily be killed there.” Well, that wasn’t good, that’s where Aria was.
“Then where should we go?”
“We stay here.”
“But why? Can’t they find us here?” I argued.
“No,” Even shook his head again, “It’s too open out there, they’d track us instantly. But no one knows we’d be here.”
I bit my lip, thinking of different scenarios.
“What if you walk me to all my classes? Wouldn’t that be safe? Or you could go and get all of the work I have to make up.” I suggested but he shook his head.
“No, it’s too dangerous,” Even sighed in exasperation, “Besides, I’m too weak to protect you.”
Thump.
I snapped my head around, startled.
“Did you hear that?” I asked.
I looked around my room, seeing nothing but still hearing something.
“Yes.” Even whispered and my heart rate was climbing again.
It was a hollow thumping sound coming from outside the house.
“Someone’s here.” Even murmured quietly and I clutched my hands to my chest, scared out of my skin.
Please don’t let it be a werewolf who wants to kill me.
I slowly got up from my spot on the floor next to Even and tiptoed to my window, moving the curtain aside to peek.
I let out a sigh of relief when I saw who it was. It wasn’t a stranger going to kill me, it was Law.
He was pounding on the side of my house, a scowl on his face. His light brown hair was sticking up in all angles and his face was scratched up like he’d been in a nasty fight.
I lifted the window up and called down, “Law?”
He instantly looked up, “What took you so damn long?”
“Sorry, there was a werewolf in my closet.”
“Just move aside.”
I crossed my arms but didn’t move out of the way, wondering what he was going to do.
He took a few steps back and in one huge leap, ran up the side of my house and clung to the ledge of my windowsill.
I gasped in surprise when he lifted himself up and through my window. He was sweating and looked beaten up, but not as bad as Even looked.
When Law met Even’s eyes, he smirked.
“I knew you’d be here.” Law’s tone made it sound like he was mocking him.
“As are you.”
“Why didn’t you use the mind-link?” Law demanded impatiently and I winced. It was so quiet and now it was so loud.
“That’s hard to do when you’re almost unconscious.” Even retorted monotonously.
Law made a face and made a move to grab my arm but I stepped out of the way.
“I have orders from Alpha Ares to take Hazel out of this house.” He announced.
“No.” Even said firmly.
“Look, it’s the Alpha’s orders,”
“This house is the best place for her-”
“With what? Two wolves protecting her?”
“Where would we take her?” Even challenged and that made Law challenge back.
But I knew what I wanted.
“I want to leave.” School and reality were at the back of my mind.
“Good, then let’s go.” Law grabbed my arm but I tore away from him.
I added quickly, “On one condition: you get Mila.”
“Who?” Both of them had this blank look on their faces like they couldn’t care less about Mila. I crossed my arms.
“Mila? The rogue?” I reminded them.
“Your servant?” Law asked incredulously.
“She’s one of the strongest werewolf I know.” She was also loyal to me, she wouldn’t let me die. Well, I hoped not. I mean, I know more about Mila than Even or Law.
“Fine.” Law shrugged and jumped out the window to find the missing rogue.