Chapter 3: The Prey

Selene made up her mind; if she can’t find comfort in this town full of prejudice, and prideful beasts, she would just go out on a journey by herself. Live a solitary life, then maybe she could find a more accepting community in which she can stay with.

She already fixed herself up – changed into clean clothes and dressed her wounds. She also packed clothes in a suitcase and readied to go out of town. She went outside her home – the only place in Crescent Peaks that stored good memories of her past but was desecrated by the barbaric violence of strangers.

The darkness of the night looked down on her like a lost child. She felt like a lost child. She was lost in a whole new world without the comfort of her parents’ love.

She stood on their front door, uncertain of what to do next. She sighed heavily before bracing herself for the journey she chose.

I must go and find a place for me, she thought as she took the first step towards an uncertain future.

***

Archibald couldn’t rest easy on his bed. His mind was always diverted to the library assistant. He was both curious and worried about her, a weird and unfamiliar feeling for him. He felt giddy lying on his bed; he felt like he should be doing something. Like, maybe help her get on his feet; after all, nobody will be willing to help her.

He grunted as he stood up from his bed, changed into a more presentable outfit and went out to visit the grieving woman. He walked sheepishly, chewing over how he should go about his proposition.

His train of thought was suddenly halted once he saw her standing in front of her house. He stopped on his tracks and observed what she will do with suitcases on her hands. Then he saw her sigh deeply and took a long and uncertain step forward.

She is running away, he thought. She will die alone if she goes out of town at this time of night.

The woman started to gain her pace, walking towards his direction, and to the gates of the town. She had her face downwards, hidden by a travelling hat. As she passed him by, he gained the initiative to call her attention.

“Miss,” he called out.

The woman continued walking; her speed unfaltering.

“Miss,” he called again, before matching her pace.

The woman stopped and turned to face him. Her face was swollen from probably hours of crying. Her eyes were still red and sore, but underneath them he saw that she was resolved to do whatever she was going to do.

“Yes?” she asked, uninterested and exasperated.

“Are you really going out of town alone?” he asked with concern.

The woman was visibly rattled by his question. “Yes. I clearly do not belong here, so I’ll just go out of your nose and find myself a more welcoming place to live in. At least you won’t be seeing me anymore.”

“You won’t survive alone out there,” he said. “Not now when the moon is almost full. The night creatures would be prowling outside in the woods. It won’t be safe to travel tonight.”

He saw the woman consider the situation before saying, “For all I know, I am not safer here than outside. I’d rather die eaten by monsters outside.”

“Why don’t I accompany you, then,” Archibald blurted without much thought. “I mean, at least until you found a safe place for you to stay in.”

“No, thank you,” she answered. “I don’t need any help from any of you.” Her animosity was grounded, he knows, but the illogical disregard for safety was just unwarranted. He thought of arguing more but her resolve is rock solid, and no reasoning would get past the barrier she upheld.

“As you wish,” he resigned as he waved her farewell and let her walk out of town.

He watched her walk away. He stood in place, arguing with himself. He decided to sneak behind her, and watch her from a distance to make sure no danger would befall her until the break of dawn or when she reached a safe place.

He walked slowly to the outskirts of town, making sure she won’t notice him following.

What are you doing? a voice asked him inside his head.

Archibald looked around for the voice but found no one.

Who are you? he asked.

I heard what you told the human, the voice said. And I believe you really want to follow her, for some absurd reason. Why would you put yourself at risk for someone you don’t know, much less you’re not bonded with?

Why do you care? Archibald blurted.

I am curious. Are you planning to do something with her? Are you going to defile her? Are you going to devour her? Ravage her? What are you planning, really? the voice interrogated.

I have no obligation to answer any of your questions, whoever you are, he said as he turned to catch up with the woman who was already a good distance away.

Wait, the voice said.

Archibald did not respond and continued to follow the woman from afar.

So, this is what I’m going to do, said the voice, I will also follow the woman, but here’s the thing; if I reach her first, she’s mine. I can do whatever I want with her. You can either physically stop me and let her get away or get to her first.

Archibald felt the confidence from the telepathic voice and realized the severity of the situation he was suddenly put under. Without thinking, he transformed into his werewolf form and started running full speed for the woman. Then he heard a guttural, thunderous roar from behind him.

Oh shit, he thought. I was speaking with the alpha all this time. And I’m having a race against him. Oh shit. Archibald intensified his sprint, panting and drooling from exertion.

He heard laughing from beside him and saw a huge werewolf with golden eyes.

“Getting tired already?” the alpha taunted. “Give up if you can’t keep up.” The alpha darted past him and left Archibald reeling.

Stop, Archibald pleaded. The woman did nothing to you; what will you get from harming her?

I am bored, the alpha said. You’re my entertainment.

Then fight me one on one, Archibald suggested. He was sure he has no chance of winning, and he was at risk of getting killed, but it was the only thing he has that can deter harm on the woman at that moment.

The alpha in front of him suddenly stopped by grabbing onto a tree. The thick trunk broke under his grasp, pulling it down on the ground. The menacing looks the alpha pointed at him made his knees buckle with fear.

“What would a zeta like you do to win against me?” taunted the alpha, obviously amused.

“I have no way of winning, but I can at least keep you busy long enough to let the woman run away from you,” he answered.

The alpha laughed loudly, “I like your misplaced chivalry, zeta. But I’m afraid I can kill you right here, right now, and still catch up with the human woman.”

“You can try,” Archibald readied himself for battle, baring his claws and his fangs.

The alpha approached proudly at him, “What’s your name?”

“Archibald… Archibald Novak.”

“Oh, the child of the Novaks… Are you perhaps bored as well, being an orphan and all?”

“No, I’m not,” he replied, still poised for an attack.

The alpha reached out a clawed hand to him, “I’m Perseus… Perseus Graymane. But I know you already know that, being an alpha and all. I do appreciate your determination to follow this woman, though. Really impressive, but dumb.” Archibald reluctantly received his hand and shook it. Perseus’ hand covered his as if he was a child.

“I would let you follow the woman, and protect her, but I know you lack the ability to fight night creatures by yourself. You need more help,” Perseus said. “Do you have any friends back in town?”

“No, I have none,” Archibald replied astutely.

“Then I’ll help you on your campaign. I sense it will be more exciting than bullying people at home,” Perseus proposed.

Archibald doesn’t know what to respond so he just said, “You do what you want to do; I’ll do what I want.”

“Attaboy,” he patted Archibald’s back with the palm of his hand with so much force, he was sent rolling on the ground. “See? You won’t survive alone.”

Perseus sprinted to the direction the woman was walking and let Archibald follow. He felt relief despite the unwarranted smack, and sprinted behind the alpha werewolf.

***

Selene cried out in surprise and fright when a huge werewolf lunged at her and carried her on its back, with her suitcases. She thrashed, kicked and punched but it didn’t even act like he was feeling the anything.

“What’s your name?” the werewolf asked.

“Will you put me down when I tell you?” she answered, annoyed.

“Of course,” it said amusingly.

“Selene Edevane,” she said. “Now put me down.” The werewolf placed her back on her feet on the ground then she saw the golden eyes looking back at her. “You’re the alpha,” she announced. “What are you doing here?”

The alpha laughed at her, “Because being the strongest is boring. I need more action. I need the thrill. I want to do something other than listening to Lucian ramble old people things. It just so happened that you are a nice distraction for me.”

“Are you going to kill me for sport?” she asked. She knew what werewolves are capable of doing. Even though it was forbidden to kill humans without reason, the alpha can do whatever he wants.

“No. Even better, I will kill those who will kill you. I will be protecting you for sport.”

“Why?”

Another werewolf burst beside them, panting. “He’s bored.”

The alpha transformed back into his human form; the hairs on his body retracted into his skin, his bones and flesh receding back into their former shape. His face returned from the bestial scowl of a wolf’s face into a handsome man’s with undercut black hair. His human torso was built like a sculpture, with his muscles formed perfectly on top of his form. The long pants were tattered on his waist and legs, showing glimpses of the muscles of his thighs.

Perseus reached out a hand, “My name is Perseus Graymane.”

Selene received the hand but said, “I am in no need of help.”

Archibald also returned to his human form, his body was slenderer than Perseus, his muscles not as toned as his, but he was still built like a capable warrior.

“I know you don’t need us,” he said. “But I insist that your safety is not guaranteed alone. I am Archibald Novak, by the way. I am the zeta that’s always in the library.”

“I know, but I said I have no need of anybody else. I can live with myself and I will survive by my own. I do not need you,” she pointed at Perseus, “nor you,” to Archibald. “If living with werewolves ever taught me anything, it is that you are all selfish and unsympathetic to humans. That’s why I can’t accept your offer. I don’t want to be used by you.”

“If you don’t need our help, then can I just kill you now and get this over with?” Perseus offered.

Selene looked him right in the eyes and said, “Go on.”

They looked at each other intensely, no one was showing any sign of giving up. Then Perseus said, “Are you not listening to me, the alpha? Don’t you say no to me, woman.”

“I am no werewolf, so your ranks do not apply to me,” she uttered.

Archibald was stricken with worry by what Perseus would do, but he was relieved to hear him laugh out loud.

“Here’s what I would do, and I won’t ask for your permission because you are not under my rank. I will go where you go, and you can’t do anything to stop me.”

Selene felt like they met an impasse. “You do what you want, I’ll do what I want.”

“Of course, I’ll do what I want!” Perseus exclaimed. “Now, where are you heading, human?”

“I don’t know,” she said.