Chapter Three: Wolf

Julia gasped at the pile of animal carcasses that landed in front of her.

“You hunted this? All by yourself?” she asked in disbelief. In front of her were five rabbits and a boar. And it took him only an hour after he left, saying that he was going to ‘look’ for food. Julia expected that he was coming home with a bunch of berries and fruit, but he came with meat instead. Not that she’s complaining, though.

“I was slow this time since I still didn’t recover all of my strength,” he muttered with discontent.

Julia, who was staring down at the livestock, perked her head up, “What?”

The man ignored her and walked away. The guy hunted all of these in an hour and yet he still thinks he wasn’t fast enough? Julia barely even catches a single rabbit in three days or more. The man must be extremely talented at hunting.

Days passed by and Julia lived in the luxury of eating meat every day. Not only was the stranger good at hunting, but he was also a good cook. He prepares and cleans the meat and roasts it for both of them. Just yesterday, he cooked soup from vegetables he found in the forest.

Julia was more than happy that she chose to save the guy. He made everything easier for her and he even fixed the hut and made it more ‘livable’. She found herself looking forward to each meal every single day.

The man presented the hide of the boar he hunted a few days ago. "Wear this.”

“I don’t want to.” Julia flinched. “There is no way that I’m going to wear that.”

“It will keep you warm,” he insisted.

Julia shook her head. “You see, I’ve been fine for two months now. I didn’t even catch a single cold ever since I lived here!”

“Winter is coming. The wind will grow colder than before. You’ll get sick if you don’t listen to me."

“No way!” she pointed at the hide’s face. There is a hollow shape where the boar’s face used to be. “It even has a face!”

There was no way she was going to wear the skin of a dead animal over her body. It creeps her out.

The guy sighed and flung the hide over his shoulders, “I will use it then.”

Julia nodded in approval. He should wear it. For the past few days, he’s been topless. She always wondered how he could handle not having anything to wear. Surely, he must be cold and bugs come in to bite him. She felt bad that she didn’t have anything to lend him so at night, when he’s asleep right outside the hut, she secretly covers and sprinkles him with all sorts of dried leaves so that he has something to cover himself up with.

He gathered firewood and placed it in a pile, then proceeded to fix the roof of the hut. Julia chattered and followed him around. It really helped her feel less alone when they spent every day with each other.

“You’re really good at surviving,” Julia mumbled while watching him skillfully tie the ropes together. “did you live in the forest just like me?”

“I didn’t choose to love out here.” He shortly answered.

Silence washed over them.

“You know, I also don’t like living here.”

"Obviously,”

“I think I was thrown out here,” she continued talking and ignored that last remark. “You see, I lost all of my memories. But I do remember my name and my age, but I don’t recall who I was or where I lived. But I do know that there are other humans just like us. They live in towns and cities. I just don’t know where to find them.”

The stranger glanced sideways but remained silent.

“What’s your name?” she asked, “do you remember where you came from?”

“I don’t want to answer that.”

Julia sighed. It’s been days, but the stranger is tight-lipped about his identity. It’s not like she’s going to tell anyone. There are no other people there other than her and the mysterious guy with copper-like skin.

“Will you please tell me your name at least?” she insisted, “we’ve been here for days and I don’t even know your name. I told you about myself and you wouldn’t even tell me your name.”

The stranger paused. He glanced at Julia, whose eyes were glistening with interest. He doesn’t like disclosing his identity to anyone. Telling others your name somehow gives them the power to have control over you.

“But I don't mind you having control over me,” he murmured, thoughtlessly.

“Hmm?” Julia asked. The guy mumbled something under his breath, and she couldn’t hear it properly.

“I said my name was Zeke,” he said aloud.

"Oh," she beamed, “That's a nice name, Zeke.”

Something about her saying his name out loud is addictive to hear. It stirs something inside of him and itches to get out and take over. When Julia said his name, a sensation washed over him like licking honey glazed on his fingertips and the feeling of being covered in the softness of the clouds.

She is starting to intoxicate his whole being. And he wants her to.

The night came, and the stars flickered in the night sky. The crescent moon was covered by thick, dark clouds that made nighttime even darker. The forest was still and peacefully asleep.

Dried leaves crunched under her feet as she stepped outside the hut. Her eyes were soulless and stared into nothingness. She lifted her arm as if she was reaching out to something, and her expression stayed the same, yet her eyes flickered with loneliness.

“Julia,” a deep voice called from behind. “Sleepwalking again?”

Zeke walked towards her. As soon as he pulled her arm down, she collapsed into his arms. He carefully lifted her up and carried her into the hut. He gently placed her down and watched her.

The cold wind blew, and Julia shivered. Zeke blanketed her with the hide and tucked her in. The wind blew again, trailing her scent and intoxicating him once again.

Zeke closed his eyes and inhaled her scent. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he slowly opened his eyes and exposed his ruby red pupils that glowed with malice.

“My sweet, sweet, human girl.” He moaned in delight. He combed her hair using his fingertips and placed it close to his face. The mere touch of her hair against his skin made him want to claim her.

“You should stop tempting me,” he whispered, “I’m barely keeping myself together.”

A seal inside him broke and let out something dangerous. For days, he’s been trying to control himself, but his skin itched and his mind was clouded. The mere presence of the girl sent shivers that crawled under his skin. He wanted to touch her and grip her tightly in his hands.

Julia was drawn to his warmth and inched closer to him, making him lose all reason. He leaned down against her neck, letting himself drown in her scent. He inched closer, and closer, his lips slightly hovering over her skin.

“Mine.” A low purr vibrated in his throat as he stared at her with affection.

The wind became stronger and the rustling of the leaves became louder. He sensed something lurking around in the area.

He pulled back and grunted, his face turning into an unsatisfied scowl. He walked outside the hut and saw two pairs of golden eyes staring at him from the darkness of the forest.

“We’ve been looking for you,” a man’s voice echoed.

“Why? Do you want to take me back to that cave? You should have at least made it comfortable when you planned on imprisoning me there.”  Zeke snarled.

He walked towards him with an amused grin and bared his fangs. It is said that predators bare their fangs when they are trying to warn or threaten another. And this man should think twice about what he’s going to say before Zeke finds his way out to get him.

“The boss is looking for you,” the man said, unfazed by the situation. “a bounty has been placed on your head.”

Zeke let out a chuckle. He brushed away the strands of hair on his face using his fingertips, and his eyes flickered with mischief and amusement.

“Took you long enough to find me,” he said, stretching his hands forward and bending his neck from side to side. “Let them come, I’m itching to let this frustration out.”

Julia’s voice called from the hut. "Zeke?"

Zeke’s grin disappeared, and the man he was talking to furrowed his brows.

“Human?” he asked.

“Fuck.”

--

END