CHAPTER 7: HER DEAL

CHAPTER 7: HER DEAL

"You think I'd be afraid of you?"

I smiled as I stared at Steele's number on my phone screen. Earlier when I borrowed his phone, I looked into it quickly and memorized it.

He warned me, alright. But at this point I couldn't feel anything but the anticipation to know the truth. That feeling when you know you are finally taking steps towards your goal. This is what I've been waiting to happen. This is what I'm living for, so why would I be afraid?

I stayed in a small hotel that night. I went to my condo the next morning before going to work.

"We have a report," Kane said when I arrived.

"The bodies of the two students are found."

I nodded. "Let me guess. Not found in the school?"

"Yeah." He put his hand on his waist, his brows creasing. "Which confused me more. How come the bodies were found far from the school? There are almost no blinds spots outside the school, so how did the murderer bring those bodies out without being seen in all those CCTVs?"

"Someone messed with the footage, I guess," I just said. The truth I know can't be said anyway.

While in the headquarters, I did some research about werewolves. Some articles differ from each other but most say the same. Like how they have supernatural abilities, the super strength and speed, while some are gifted and have power that could match a deity.

It's also worth noticing the mate thing in their kind. I guess it was the reason why when Stan was talking about Anna and Simon, he called Anna as Simon's mate rather than a lover, which was more popular among humans.

They believe that their mates are their lifetime partners, that their souls are connected from the moment they are born, and they will immediately know once they meet.

Some of them do not age, while those of lowly kind have more human attributes because of mortality.

And most wolves have gold eyes once they shift.

I stopped reading. Although there are lapses, I think the main points match what I've seen in them. They have extraordinary abilities, and I kept on witnessing how Steele's eyes turned into blazing gold. Though he didn't shift into his werewolf form, that still counts for something.

Eighty percent.

Now I'm eighty percent sure that he is a werewolf.

I typed a message to Stan. His number wasn't registered in my contacts, but of course he texted me yesterday and I didn't delete it.

You are shapeshifters, right? Werewolves to be specific. Does your kind have a weakness I can use against Steele?

Sent.

I was tapping my table while staring at my phone screen, waiting for a reply.

And I didn't wait for long. Stan replied just after a minute. He really hates his brother that much, huh?

I smiled when I realized I was reaping the benefits from the feud between them.

Stan: Kiss him. A wolf kissed by a human could grant one wish from the human. You can use that to control him.

PS: Ask him right away or else he'd kill you before you tell him your wish. Once you wish after the kiss, he can no longer touch you : )

A kiss for a wish. Why haven't I read about that in all those articles?

I replied to Stan: Are you playing with me?

Stan: Why would I waste my time playing with you? I'm trying to play with my brother, Detective. It would be fun if a girl can control him just after one kiss.

He didn't sound like messing with me. And remembering how he tried to piss off his brother, I slowly got convinced about it. After all, a single kiss is not a big deal. I can get through it.

That night after Kane and I went to the place where the bodies of two students were found, I went straight to my condo and stayed at the building's rooftop.

I stood there, holding a cup of coffee after I sent a message to Steele.

Let's meet. I have the memory card of the taxi's dashcam from last night. If you don't come, your face will be seen all over US in just a matter of minutes. Crown Building, East Ridge. Rooftop.

I wasn't actually sure if he would come considering his capabilities. If I send it to the press, he can still take care of it. He can make people forget, after all. But if it would reach thousands of people every minute, it would be a hassle, and if I were him I'd rather go here.

"You didn't make me wait for too long," I said when I felt someone's presence behind me.

"It's rude for a man to make a girl wait," he spoke in a familiar cold tone.

I put the cup at the side and faced him, smiling. He was standing a few feet away, face as dull as I remembered it. His brown eyes looked black in the dark. His short, yet slightly messed copper hair, was moving a bit because of the wind—the only part of him that convinced me that no matter how stone-like he looked, he was moving, a sign that he was still a breathing being.

"Why did you come? You can take care of any human problems, right?" Raising a brow, I continued. "Maybe you missed me?"

A little tease won't hurt.

He remained still. But I knew it was only a matter of time before he'd kill me.

"I told you, didn't I? If we meet again, I will not spare you."

"You did. I remember it clearly. But... we still have a business to discuss. Something worth the risk. Threats are nothing to me."

"Yeah. I know that now. So from now on, don't blame me for doing things without prior notice."

"Sure," I nodded. "No problem."

"You know what? I won't feel any remorse for killing you because you have no family. No one will feel agony. No one will cry for you."

My smile faded.

I already know that fact, but for that to be said straight to my face was... a hard blow.

"I know," I said silently. "That is clearly the reason why I am this fearless."

I closed the gap between us, staring straight to his eyes full of menace.

"I've got nothing to lose. I am willing to die. Torture me, push me off the cliff, break my bones, stab me a thousand times, do whatever you want. But before you kill me, do me this favor," I said before I bravely reached for his lips.

At that moment, I thought I'd only solve my life's biggest mystery. Little did I know... that bold decision will change my whole life and lead me to a world I never thought was meant for me.