AsherI gritted my teeth, the adrenaline kicking in. The rogue hunter had played its games long enough. Tonight, it ended one way or another. The forest was unnaturally silent as I crouched behind a cluster of thick undergrowth. The trap was set a few feet away, ready for its culprit.I could feel the rogue hunter nearby. His scent was faint carried on the soft breeze that rustled the leaves, but it was unmistakable. A musky, bitter odor that reeked of pure malice. Dean stirred restlessly within me, eager to confront the rogue.โDean, are you ready?โ I questioned, watching every direction, wondering where the hunter would come from. He was tricky, fast and cunning, but I was definitely more cunning and that was why I knew this plan would work. Minutes ticked by, stretching endlessly as I waited. The stillness of the night pressed down on me, and I had to remind myself I was doing this for my own good. As long as I was marked, the hunter would not rest.My hands flexed involuntarily,
DanteโI still can't believe you have a girlfriend,โ Slyder said as I came out from my room in Amir's pad.I had introduced Nora to them immediately my mother had gone and they all loved her. Slyder especially didn't forget to remind me how out of my league my girlfriend was. I agreed wholeheartedly with that. I had scored by getting Nora to be my girlfriend. Besides she was just as much of a nerd as I asked, but with a much prettier face and perfect body.โYes, you've mentioned it before,โ I said, trying to hold my tongue. I had been trying to keep my temper in the reins for the whole day, but it seemed like she was trying way too hard I adjusted the cuffs of my shirt, trying to focus on the excitement of the evening rather than the persistent banter from Slyder. She was leaning against the kitchen counter, grinning like a kid whoโd just heard a juicy secret. Amir sat nearby, nursing a drink with his usual laid-back demeanor.โHonestly, I didnโt think you had it in you, four eyes,โ
Dante.As I neared Nora, Asher suddenly took his phone out of his pocket. He whispered something to Nora and walked out of the party. As soon as he left, I walked towards Nora.โWhat did he want?" I snapped without meaning toโWhy so aggressive, babe?โ Nora asked and I immediately felt bad.Shit, I was acting erratic. I really needed to get a grip.โSorry, I didn't mean to be. I justโฆโโAre you jealous?โ she asked, tilting her head to the side in question, biting her lips.โOf course not,โโIt's okay if you are, I think it's very hot.โ she grinned wide.I smiled, forgetting all about Asher for a second. โDo you want to get out of here?โ I asked her, feeling my dick twitch in my pants.โYes, give me a few seconds to say goodbye,โ she said and turned to say goodbye to the friends she recently met. I sent Amir a quick text, telling him that we were leaving the party. He sent back a text saying that I should wait outside and that he was also thinking of getting home. When Nora and I made
DanteโDante,โ I heard someone call my name from a distance, but I refused to open my eyes. I still needed some sleep.โDante,โ The voice was louder now and accompanied with a slap.I woke up instantly to find Nora glaring at me.โNora, hey,โ I said, pulling myself into a sitting position and realizing that I had slept on the couch last night after I couldn't get it up with Nora.โDon't hey me! I waited for you, I was worried and you were here, thinking?โ she glared, clearly very upset.โI'm sorryโฆ I didn't meanโฆโโSave it, Dante. I don't care. I'm leaving,โ she spat, frustration evident in her tone.โBut you were supposed to go by 7am.โ "Yes, but that was before I found out I was such a huge bother to you,โ she said with a shaky voice.โNo, you are not,โ I scrambled up to a sitting position, but she was already walking towards the door.โNora, please wait,โ I added as I ran after her and grabbed her before she got to the front door. I spun around and my heart sank when I saw that te
DanteAmirโs car was quiet for a morning drive and I knew it was probably because we were mostly hungover. Mateo and Slyder were in the back seat, both ignoring each other. Mateo was scrolling through his phone, his brows furrowed, while Slyder leaned against the window, her sunglasses hiding her expression. I had thought after the night she had, she wouldn't even want to go to class, but I guess she didn't get those great grades of hers by slacking off.I sat in the passenger seat, staring at my phone, hoping, praying that Nora would return my hundredth call.She hadnโt. Not after the five times early this morning. Not after the three voicemails I left this morning.Amir glanced at me as he turned a corner. โYouโve been staring at that screen like itโs gonna give you the answers. She hasnโt called, has she?โI shook my head, my throat tight. โNothing. She wonโt even read my texts.โSlyder let out a low chuckle from the back. โWhy do guys always think blowing up a girlโs phone is the
Asher โWe need to run away.โ I tapped my fingers restlessly on the wooden table. I'd been staring at a computer screen all day and my head was beginning to hurt. โDid you hear what I said?โ I asked Dean when I'd waited for his reply and it didn't come. โI did. I'm pretending that I didn't,โ He replied with an attitude. โYou don't think we should. After all ofโฆ This?โ I waved my hand in the general direction of the computer. I felt him shrug. I groaned and closed down the page. It was a boring and useless bunch of alleged werewolf sightings. Internet attention seekers. I rubbed my fingers between my eyebrows. I could feel my head pounding from the stress. It had been two days since the rogue hunter disappeared from my trap. I'd been doing a lot of research and looking over my shoulder at slightest noise since then. I still hadn't been able to figure it out. The rogue hunter was said to have access to magic. And when one died, usually at a far older age than any werewolf cou
Asher Liam wasn't in when I got back. I went about preparing myself, first a light pb&J sandwich, and then when I spotted the fresh pack of frozen wings in the refrigerator, a hearty meal of chicken and potatoes. I wasn't that good of a cook, but my food was edible. I knew that much. Liam didn't know much about cooking either and usually ate takeouts so the chicken breast in the fridge was surprising. The food was ready by the time he got back. He called out to me as he entered and I answered from the kitchen. โOoh, you're cooking today. That's so hot,โ Liam squealed as he spotted me in my boxer briefs. I chuckled in response, โI'm done. Hope you like fondant potatoes.โ โFondant potatoes? Don't tell me you're going all fancy on me?!โ Liam squealed again. He'd bought some chocolates, soda, and a few other bits and bobs. โFondant potatoes aren't fancy, Liam,โ I argued half heartedly. โThey are to me,โ he said in a low sultry voice, coming to wrap his hands around my
Dante I lay in my dorm for the first time in three days. My hands were clapped behind my head as I stared morosely at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep at Amir's after what had happened with Nora. I tried. It was just too depressing. Besides, I'd heard Slyder say something about staying over so she could crush Amir in FIFA. Nora still hadn't returned any of my calls or texts. I'd stopped sending any or calling her phone since mid afternoon. She was pissed, sad, and frustrated. I know I would be if I were in her shoes. I needed to give her time to process things. It was hard to do though. I kept fighting the urge to pick up my phone and call her a hundred times. Or till whenever she blocks me in fury. It felt like an alien sleeping in the dorm room. Asher wasn't going to be back, he had cleared his things out of the room, but he still had the key so I guess he could show up anytime he wanted to. I wasn't sure if I cared much about that. I was sick of it. Sick of him. I remembered the
MATEOI knew the library wasn't an ordinary incident. Everyone tried batting an eye, calling it some kind of prank, but with the way I saw it, I could tell it was a creature. A monstrous creature and my mind was on Asher.โDon't you think you're taking this thing a little too far?โ Slyder inquired as we approached the surveillance room.I planned on sneaking in while Slyder just watched out for anyone that was coming in. She didn't want to, but I had my ways and by that, I threatened her until she had no choice but to agree.โYou want to find out about the library incident? Okay, but do you really think this is the way? What if we don't find anything,โ she blabbered on and on.I was already fed up with her constant whining. โZip it for five minutes. I have to go to work,โ I shut her up.She rolled his eyes. โThe guards are in the room and we're not allowed there. What's your plan, huh?โ she crossed her arms, a smirk on her face.But I had a plan already. I wasn't planning on coming h
DANTE โWhat the fuck man?โ I backed away, making a safe distance between the both of us. โWhy were you staring at me like some kind of creep? Were you trying to give me a heart attack or something?โIt was dark but I could see his movements through the ray of moonlight that peeked through the window. โYou didn't let me sleep, so I figured I had to do something at least,โ he replied.I was confused. What does he mean by I didn't let him sleep when I was perfectly sound asleep and he was the one about to give me a heart attack? โYou were having nightmares and talking in your sleep. I stayed by your side to watch over you and make sure you were okay,โ he explained.My heart felt a warm and tingly feeling. I didn't want to care, but why did he suddenly care about me? It was so insane and touching at the same time.โUmโฆT...Thank you. But you didn't have to go through all those troubles. I'm fine now,โ I assured him, trying to disregard the strange feelings inside me.He scoffed. โLike I
DANTEI sat on the chair, trying to avoid his lingering gaze on me. My breath quickened, getting heavier and heavier by the second. It's been almost two minutesโ I was counting. It felt so awkward being in the same room with him. I wanted the ground to open up so bad and swallow me up, but for some odd reasons I liked his gaze on me.I had to caution myself, refrain myself from the thoughts that were starting to envelop me. โSo, how are we going to do this?โ I broke the silence between us.He looked up at me, I noticed his beautiful gray orbs and then it felt hard to breathe again. My body was becoming hot and my heart raced fast, why was he affecting me in this way?He cleared his throat. โYou can take the bed. I'm fine sleeping on the couch?โ He gestured to the gray cushion not too far from us.I felt a bit bad. I didn't want him to lay down on the floor, especially since I was going to be here for God knows how long. He was tall and for his body size, the couch would be so uncomfor
DANTEโWhat are you doing here?โ He smirked, handing me his helmet and I scoffed trying to avoid his gaze that was lingering on me. โAre you stalking me? I could've sworn I saw you following me this morning,โ I accused him.He smirked. โDon't get ahead of yourself, Dante. Aren't you a darling? Thinking I'm following you around, like I'm what? Your bodyguard?โ He chuckled.I ignored him, still looking around for a cab, but it felt like the road was scanty and it was as if there were no cabs around. I held my breath, in hopes that a cab or something would pass.โYou know there's going to be a storm and no cabs are going to be available for the night right?โ He told me.I cursed my luck. This was not what I wanted to happen and this was leaving me in a situation, I could already picture him with a smirk on his face thinking he has already won.But I was adamant. โI know about that but I'm still willing to try my luck and if not, then I can take the subway instead,โ I said.He chuckled l
DANTEYesterday, I retired to bed with lots of thoughts going on in my mind. I woke up this morning, my breath becoming heavier. I checked the time, it was almost seven a.m, which means I have to wake up early otherwise I'm late for class already.I managed to get my sore body off the bed and started staggering towards the fridge, taking a glass of water to help myself. I gulped down everything in one go,trying to even my breath.โYou are already involve. Just act normal.โAsher's word kept going through and fro in my head, making it hard for me to stop thinking about it. I knew that there was something up with him and suspected he was involved in this werewolf stuff, but hearing the confession from him just hits different.That confirms Mateo's suspicions, but what I don't understand is what Matteo is trying to benefit from all this. A part of me felt like I had to do my best, like I had to do whatever it takes to make sure that Asher is safe. Definitely bizarre.It's better to stay
DANTE I didnโt believe him.Or maybe I did, and that was the problem.Asher was sitting there, calm as ever, like we werenโt talking about something that shouldโve been impossible. Like I wasnโt sitting across from him, trying to pretend that my whole world wasnโt flipping upside down.I looked down at my tray, at the food I wasnโt eating. I picked up my fork and stabbed at the scrambled eggs, pushing them around like they were the most interesting thing in the world.I could feel Asher watching me. He wasnโt saying anything, but he didnโt have to. He was waiting.I sighed and set the fork down. โYou know,โ I muttered, โthis would be a whole lot easier if you just said something.โAsher tilted his head slightly. โLike what?โI shot him a look. โI donโt know. Something that makes sense.โHe smirked, and I hated that it still had that stupid, cocky effect on me. โEverything Iโve said makes sense.โI scoffed. โRight. Sure. Claw marks show up at the library, you claim it wasnโt you, and
DANTE I woke up feeling like my head had been smashed against a brick wall. For a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember where I was. My dorm. Right. Safe.Sort of.The last thing I remembered was walking out of Asherโs place. My mind had been racing, my body sore, my stomach twisted into knots. Even now, my muscles ached, like Iโd run a marathon in my sleep.I turned onto my side, groaning as my shoulder throbbed. My blankets were tangled around me, half on the floor, half wrapped around my legs.I had slept like crap.I reached for my phone on the nightstand and squinted at the screen. 10:12 AM.Great. Missed my morning class.I sighed, rubbing my eyes. Normally, Iโd be freaking out about that, but today? I couldnโt bring myself to care. Everything still felt weird. Not just because of last night. Not just because of Asher. It was me. I felt off.Like something wasnโt sitting right in my own skin.I pushed the thought away and forced myself to get
DANTE I blinked my eyes open and the first thing I noticed was the quiet. The room was dim, only a ray of light coming from the window. Everything felt still like the air was holding its breath. My body ached, my head was heavy, and the faint smell of pine and earth filled my nose.I wasnโt in my dorm.That realization hit me all at once, making my pulse pick up. The bed was too big, the sheets softer than the cheap ones in my room, and the smell? It was familiar, but not mine. Panic crept up my spine as I pushed myself up, groaning at the stiffness in my muscles. I barely made it halfway before a voice stopped me.โYou shouldnโt be moving.โI froze.That voice. My heart slammed against my ribs as I turned my head. And there he was.Asher.Sitting in a chair near the window, arms crossed, watching me. His expression was unreadable, his blue eyes unreadable. Memories of last night crashed into me all at once.The chase. The shadow in the trees. The monster with black eyes.And Asher,
DANTEThe library was dead silent. It always was at this time of the night. Most students didnโt stick around after dark, but I liked the quiet. No one bumping into me. No distractions. Just me, my books, and the hum of the flickering overhead lights.I stacked my notes into my backpack, stretching as I stood up. My back was stiff from hunching over my laptop for hours, and my eyes burned from staring at the screen for too long. I glanced at my phone, it was 11:47 P.M.Damn. I wasnโt meant to stay this late.I slung my bag over my shoulder and made my way toward the exit. The library felt different at night. The long, empty rows of bookshelves cast weird shadows, and the dim emergency lights near the doors gave everything a bluish glow.I shook off the eerie feeling creeping up my spine. It was just my imagination.Pushing the heavy doors open, I stepped out into the cold night air. The campus was practically deserted. A few distant streetlights flickered, casting long, twisting shado