Ch. 4

Raya's POV

"I'm so sorry,  Raya. I wanted you to know the truth, but I literally couldn't tell you myself. You had to find out for yourself. I thought taking you to this party would be my way of getting you to discover that humans aren't the only creatures on this earth. I didn't think that every fucking vampire there would want to eat you. They're not usually so drawn to a human. They like to feed on powerful beings and enjoy a good witch best. I thought they'd be more focused on me." 

Amaya, feeling guilty, couldn't help but blurt out her thoughts a mile a minute. The words tumbled out of her mouth, overwhelming me with the flood of information, I was having a hard time processing it. I couldn't understand what she was trying to tell me exactly. 

"Amaya, I don't understand what you're talking about, and my head hurts too much to figure it out. I'm going to need you to explain in 10 words or fewer, please." I rubbed at my temples, hoping to relieve some of this headache. 

"Right, let me start at the beginning," she said, dragging a chair over by the bed. "I'm a witch, a spell casting, potion making witch. We're trained by our coven after high school. That's why I didn't go to the same college as you, Raya. Anyway, after 4 years of training we hold a graduation ceremony where we show our skills to all alphas in a pack in need of a witch. From there the alphas put in for which witch they want, and then we can decide which pack we go to if we get multiple offers. I had a few, so I chose this pack because they were closest to you. Plus the pack itself has a unique ability that I liked." 

Everything Amaya was telling me was so overwhelming. Not only were vampires real, but werewolves and witches now, too. Countless questions raced through my mind, yet I found myself struggling to utter a single one. Amaya stared at me, patiently waiting for me to say something. I could see the worry on her face with her lowered eyebrows and downturned lips. Seeing her concern kick started my brain again.

"First, let me start by saying you're still my best friend, Amaya, no matter what you are. I hate that you kept this from me for so long. But I'm confused. What is an alpha in werewolf terms? Why am I now a prisoner of sorts? What unique ability? Explain packs and pack lands to me. I'm so unbelievably lost right now, and I just want to understand. You know I hate when I don't know what's going on." 

"Oh, Raya. I am so sorry. I fucked up. You weren't supposed to be at the party, I just wanted you to figure out what I was. I couldn't tell you myself growing up, or I would have lost my magic. I thought I would be able to tell you once I turned 18, but then the academy spell-bound us, so we couldn't speak of it or our powers to anyone. They lifted it when I graduated, but then Cruz alpha-ordered me not to say anything to you, so I couldn't. I took you to the party in hopes you'd piece everything together, but I never thought you would be attacked." Amaya fidgeted with the side of her nail, her eyes cast downward with a tinge of guilt. "An Alpha is like a king of sorts. He is the ruler of the pack. His wolf is the strongest and his commands are unbreakable if given in his alpha voice. A pack is a group of werewolves that are under the protection of their Alpha. They live on pack lands, which is the land owned by the Alpha with its own perimeter. This pack has the unique ability to control moonlight. It gives them extra strength as their wolves pull their power from the moon." 

"I think I understand, but I still don't understand why I am a prisoner now. No offense, glad you didn’t get in trouble, but shouldn’t you be the one in my position? What did I do wrong?” I rubbed at my forehead more, feeling like my skull would burst open at any moment, exposing my brains to the world. 

“You’re human, and as a human, he feels we can’t trust you. Humans tend to want to share that werewolves exist, and that’s not something they want getting out. Cruz worries that you will spill our secret even if no one would believe you. He isn’t worried about other humans really, he’s worried that another werewolf will hear you talking about this place and ask you where it is. Our Alpha is worried that you would get us all attacked, and as the man in charge of taking care of everyone here, he has to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“I’m not going to tell anyone, not trying to get institutionalized over here. I can’t stay here. He’s not any ruler of mine.” I argued, a raging fire consuming me in the face of this entire situation. There was no way I would be held captive in some unfamiliar place, surrounded by people I knew nothing about. I was determined to put up a fight about this.

“I’ll talk to him, Raya. Maybe after he gets to know you, he will let you go. Be patient, okay? Trust me.” 

I let out a sigh, feeling annoyed, but when I looked into Amaya’s eyes and saw how scared she was for me, I shut up. With a subtle nod, I closed my eyes once more, hoping that a brief moment of rest would bring some relief. The sound of Amaya milling about the room caught my attention, her familiar hum filled the air as she moved about. Her taste in music always intrigued me, spanning across various genres. At that moment, she hummed a song by Fever Ray, if I recall correctly, "Even It Out".

I jumped as I felt her hands touch the tender area on my head. Something cold was pressed against it, but just as quickly as the pain of her touch came, it was gone. In fact, all of my pain had miraculously vanished. Blinking my eyes open, I found Amaya wearing a proud grin as she removed a red crystal from my head. She then passed me a damp rag, which I used to try to wash away the dried blood and hopefully loosen my hair from my head. 

“What did you do?” I asked her, taking strands of my blonde hair stained with blood and running the rag over them. 

“I healed you. It’s the one thing I can do for you, now that you know what I am. Granted, I can do more than only heal, but I will ease you into everything else.” She flashed me an arrogant smirk, the type she typically wore when she possessed unwavering confidence in her abilities.

“Thanks.” 

I loved Amaya, I truly did, and her being a witch didn't change that. She was my oldest and closest friend. However, at that moment, there was an undeniable tension in the air between us. I was certain she could feel it too, given how awkwardly we were behaving around each other. A part of me was furious with her for keeping this secret, while another part understood that she had no control over the circumstances. I found myself battling the side of me that wanted to lose my temper with my best friend for taking us to a dangerous party that ultimately led to this situation. Frustration overwhelmed me as I groaned, attempting in vain to remove the blood from my hair. It was clear that a wet rag wouldn't cut it.

“Here, you can borrow these and I’ll take you to the showers. I am sure you’re ready to get out of that leather dress,” she said, handing me a loose band T and some joggers. 

“With everything going on, I honestly forgot about this stupid dress.” I picked at the fabric while I spoke, wondering how this dress could have been my biggest concern at the start of the evening.

Amaya led me out of her room, down a long corridor. I marveled at the beauty of the place I had missed when I was brought in. The entire place seemed to radiate brightness, thanks to the white walls and marbled floors. The ceilings soared high above, only making me feel shorter than I already was. With each step, my heels clicked against the floor as I tried to stay as close to Amaya as possible, acutely aware of the prying gazes from those around us. I know nothing about werewolf customs, but I figured it best to avoid eye contact. What if they interpreted it as a challenge or something? 

Amaya finally stopped in, gesturing for me to enter through the small door on the left. This wasn’t a bathroom, it was a damn bathhouse, a luxurious haven. In the center was a magnificent pool made of bronzed marble. Adorning the walls were a series of silver shower heads for rinsing off. Soft ambient lighting and a delightful fragrance filled the air, creating an atmosphere of pure relaxation and indulgence. It was undeniably beautiful. However, a sudden realization struck me: there were no private stalls here, nowhere to shower without being seen. Horror washed over me, and as I turned to Amaya, she seemed to comprehend my worry without a single word needing to be said.

“It’s okay, Raya. It took me a little while to get used to it too, but no one here is going to think twice about it. They are used to seeing everyone naked, since they lose their clothes in a shift. You’re going to be seeing a lot more shlongs, tits, and vages than you’d like,” she informed me, laughing at my mortification. 

“Amaya!” I playfully slapped her arms, feeling my face flush with embarrassment. 

“Go shower. I’ll try to make sure no one comes in, but be quick. A lot of people live in this house.”

I didn’t waste any time, peeling the small leather dress from my skin, and exposing my pale white skin. I neatly placed my dirty clothes in a dry area and washed off under one of the many shower heads. The bath in the center called to me, but I knew I had no time for relaxation without being exposed to others and vice versa. Once I felt sufficiently clean and refreshed, I dressed in the clothes Amaya had lent me. There was no bra, as she and I had different body types. Where I lacked in height I made up for in breast mass, the universe must have thought it would be hilarious for me to be short and have large breasts. 

“Chill the fuck out, Tora. You can wait like 5 more minutes,” I heard Amaya biting someone’s head off. I tapped her on the shoulder to let her know I was there, and done. “There see, all yours now.” Amaya stepped to the side allowing a tall, well toned woman with bright red hair, and piercing green eyes to pass through. 

“I shouldn’t have to wait on some feeble human to shower. She’s not some kind of princess, worthless piece of trash.” Her final words were directed at me, causing me to withdraw further into myself. Typically, I would have responded with a witty comeback that would have caught her off guard. However, today was different. Knowing that everyone here was more powerful, I knew it would be better if I stayed silent.

“Say it again, I dare you.” Amaya stepped forward, shielding me by standing in front of me.  With her head high, she squared her shoulders as if she were ready for battle. Tora's jaw tightened, her expression souring as she locked eyes with Amaya. However, she eventually turned away, biting her tongue and not saying a word. Amaya had always had a way of making others bow down to her will. I couldn't help but wonder if this was because of her abilities as a witch. 

“You didn’t have to do that. She’s right. I am a feeble human who has no place being here.” I let out a heavy breath, leading the way out of the luxurious bathhouse. 

“She didn’t say that last part. Besides, you’re plenty strong, you just need some training. I bet you could join the little wolves here and learn how to fight a little,” she suggested with a playful smirk. 

“Are you teasing me, right now?” 

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “Come with me. I want to talk to Cruz.” 

“I don’t think he would be happy to see me. He looked pretty irritated when we first met.” 

“That’s just because he was mad at me, not necessarily you. Anyway, if you ever want to leave here, we gotta get him to like you, so come on, and don’t worry.” I nodded in agreement, following her down another corridor that seemed like a maze. Despite the intricate layout, I quickly memorized the path, relying on my exceptional memory. It wasn't quite photographic, but it came close. After a few turns and a flight of stairs, we arrived at a set of grand, dark double doors that seemed out of place amidst the lighter aesthetic around it. Amaya didn’t bother knocking, walking in like she owned the palace. I stayed back, thinking this was not the right way to make a good impression. Keeping my head low, I lingered in the doorway, observing the scene cautiously.

“What do you want?” Cruz barked, making me almost jump with the fury in his tone. 

"You can come in, you know," a sweet, young-looking guy with brown hair and a kind smile reassured me. His light brown eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but notice the little mole just above the wrinkle of his smile on his cheek. "Despite his fierce voice, he won't bite your head off. You smell really nice, calming even. Maybe if you stand close enough, he'll calm down." With a playful smirk, the guy, whom I no longer deemed as sweet, pushed me towards Cruz's desk.