5. Mate?

When I first laid eyes on his delicate, decent face, it was as if space and time compressed into the tiniest point imaginable. It was as if time became a single speck that then exploded at the speed of light.

It's almost as if he is the beginning and the end of my world. I could keep running and searching indefinitely, but in the end, every road would bring me right back to his heart and soul.

The stranger had the height of a man but not the bulk that comes along with being a man. There were muscles underneath his shirt, but they were not the bulky kind that men can get from lifting weights for years.

His side features gave the impression that he could be anywhere between his late teens and early 20s, but when he turned, his face completely transformed into that of a mature young man. It was obvious that he might be loaded because of the expensive clothes he was wearing.

His blonde hair was styled in a way that no woman could pull off, and he wore woven leather bracelets on his wrists. This man right here has already taken possession of my heart without his knowledge.

When I was in his arms, the rotation of the earth halted completely. There was no time, no wind, and no rain during that period in my head. When I felt my body press against his arms for some time, it was soft and warm, and it brought peace to my mind.

This was the love I'd waited for and prayed for, but unfortunately, due to my status as a werewolf, it was never going to happen. Because of the many ways in which we are distinct from one another, I must immediately stop daydreaming. Nobody ever wants to have anything to do with a strange girl like me, and they never will.

My heart broke on the inside, and I desperately tried to give him an even tighter hug, but he abruptly pulled away from me a little bit. "Are you okay?" He inquired, and his calming tone of voice complemented his dashing good looks perfectly.

"Y-yes, I'm——-"

"What the heck is going on around here?" Inspector Andrew interjected quickly as he made his way to our side. "You?" He expressed his surprise by pointing at me. "Why are you even in this place?" He asked me.

Because I've been caught in here, I'm well aware that I need to come up with a lot of justifications for my actions. Even though I was staring at Inspector Andrew, I continued to pay complete attention to the stranger. I just can't seem to get the image of his adorable face out of my head.

I was still trying very hard to think of an explanation that I could give to the Inspector,  when the stranger suddenly moved forward and said, "Hi, I'm Fergus Noah!" After that, he pulled out a complimentary card and gave it to the inspector.

"Oh, Mr Fergus, it's a pleasure to meet you at last." Inspector Andrew made a hasty gesture toward him in the form of a handshake, which the person promptly returned. How Inspector Andrew just responded indicates that the person who is currently standing here must be influential.

'Fergus Noah?' I muttered to myself as I searched my memory for any instance in which I might have heard that name before. But despite my best efforts, I can't seem to recall his name even though I know I've heard it before. Because of the aura that surrounds him, it is clear that he can inspire terror in others even without speaking a word.

I don't care what happens, I won't be afraid of him. 'Wait a minute, after seeing him for the first time, why am I feeling so good all of a sudden?' When the thought popped into my head out of nowhere, I couldn't help but be confused.

My chest was about to explode just a moment ago as I yearned for someone, but that feeling has completely passed now. It seems that I am no longer able to feel any kind of pain at all. While I was trying to figure out what was going on with me, I couldn't help but keep staring at him and the inspector.

"What specifically brings you to Glasgow, Mr Fergus? And why this particular location of all others?" Inspector Andrew inquired respectfully.

"Because as of right now, these woods is now Noah's property."

"Really?" When I heard Inspector Andrew's reaction, it mirrored mine exactly; I couldn't believe how shocked he sounded. "Why did you buy it?" The inspector's question was asked with a look of intense interest on his face.

"This is the ideal location for the project that we are going to start next month, which is why we have chosen it. Because this is a confidential project, I am sorry but I cannot disclose any additional information."

He explained things soothingly and endearingly, which normally would have made me fall for him even more, but now, I can't. Hearing what he just said, caused my heart to shatter into a million little pieces.

As I listened to his words, I could see the pieces of my life falling apart before me. This is the woods that I have been hiding in whenever my wolf form has appeared over the past four years. Suddenly, this is going to be used in some kind of project. I am unable to comprehend it.

In the entire city of Glasgow, there are only two woods. The other one is way too open, and people have the propensity to go there for camping all the time. Unfortunately, the only option I had to keep my secret forever, has already been purchased. The idea that will always be in the back of my mind was very devastating to me.

"Alright Mr Fergus, I do understand; but, there is a problem in the woods that we have been attempting to resolve." He was informed by Inspector Andrew.

Because no one is even trying to communicate with me anymore, I started to feel like a stranger. Despite this, I remained where I was, making an effort to gather as much information as I could regarding the development of the case. I need to find out if there is any evidence that, if followed to its logical conclusion, would point directly to me.

When Mr Fergus heard what the officer stated, he did not lose his composure and instead simply nodded his head to indicate that inspector Andrew should continue what he was saying. 

"The problem that I was referring to is that, a wolf bit someone inside here last night, and the body has not been found as of this morning, as well as the wolf." Inspector Andrew informed him.

"Hmm, so, how are things going with the search?"

"We are still looking into it, and I hope that the project won't get in the way of our investigation?"

"Not at all! You are free to continue your inspection whenever you like even if the project is going on." 

"Alright, thank you. I appreciate your cooperation." The inspector sounds elated.

"It's nothing!" After Mr Fergus had finished his response, he abruptly turned to face me and asked, "Is she with you?" While frowning and intently looking at me, he queried the inspector.

"Absolutely not! She is not with us!" Inspector Andrew instantly replied as he got closer to me and asked, "Freya, what are you doing here?"

Following his inquiry, it was difficult for me to maintain eye contact with both Mr Fergus and the inspector at the same time. When I was trying to figure out how to respond to the question of why I was out in the woods so early, I found myself choking back several spittles more times than I could count.

At long last, I made up my mind to speak the first thing that came into my head, which was; "errrm, I——."

"She is with me!"

We were all stunned as we turned to gaze at the person who had suddenly spoken with an angelic voice from behind us...