Chapter 4: Favorite Wine

Ayira felt bored, looking at the four corners of her room. Her father grounded her for one week when her father caught her going near the borderline with her friends. She didn’t know if she would feel glad being the only daughter of the Alpha of their pack, the Snow Moon Pack, as she couldn’t freely do anything that she wanted.

And it was the third night that she could not go outside, but it felt like years for a free-spirited werewolf like her. Fortunately, she heard her father would go to the Silver Moon Pack that night.

She let out a mischievous smile as she got up from the bed. She swept her short blonde hair into a ponytail and wore her favorite cap. After ensuring that her father had gone already, she sneakily went out and ran to the woods.

Primo's face dimmed when he saw her coming. He's one of her evadez (friends) and one of the Betas of their pack.

“Ayira, we’re probably dead when Alpha Charlie finds out that you came here again.” He scolded her when she joined them on their duty of guarding the borderline.

She rolled her eyes as she sat down on the branch of a tree near Primo. “Haist, don’t worry. He will not find out. He went to the Silver Moon Pack for an important meeting.” She smirked as she responded with a peculiar glint in her sapphire blue eyes.

“I don’t like your smile, Ayira,” Julie uttered worriedly, shaking her head. She knew Ayira very well. Now that she escaped her cage, she’s free as a bird.

“Guys, relax. I have a brilliant plan, okay? You just need to help me.” She said, raising both of her hands in the air.

“What is it this time, hard-headed pup?” Primo tapped her forehead.

“Hey, I’m no longer a pup, okay? I’m nineteen already.” She refuted, hitting Primo on his arm.

“But you haven’t found your maste (mate) yet. So you’re still a pup.” Primo chuckled, making fun of her.

She crossed her arms. “Look who’s talking? Did you find your maste (mate) already?”

“Hey! Stop bickering, you’re like a dog and cat.” Ella muttered. Then she turned to Ayira. “What’s your plan this time?”

Ayira smiled mischievously. “Remember our favorite wine?”

“Of course!” Her three friends answered in unison. Their eyes glowed, showing their excitement. They already guessed what her plan was, and they also liked the idea. It's been a month already since they last drank their favorite wine and they missed its taste already.

"Mushtaickaz! (Good luck!)" Her friends cheered her before she went away.

Not long after, Ayira crossed the borderline. This was life for her, having the liberty to go anywhere that she wanted. She was having fun sneaking and wandering around.

Nothing could compare the thrill and excitement of going to the human world. She loved the feeling when her heart was drumming wildly in her chest. She felt electrified and alive!

It was last year when she discovered a secret passage to the human world that led her to a luxurious villa on the mountain. She was fascinated by how huge and stylish the house was. At the same time, she wondered why she couldn’t sense anyone inside the house. Then she recalled the story about the empty mystique house that was open to the werewolves. Thus, she assumed that it might be the house in the story.

Ayira sneakily went inside and was more amazed by the modern furniture she found in the living room. She continued exploring the house until she found the wine cellar. She was amused by the several bottles of different wine perfectly aligned on the shelves. And because she was curious, she took a bottle with her. Since then, she occasionally sneaked to the mystique house to get a bottle of their favorite wine.

However, Ayira was surprised when she sensed that there were humans inside the house. So, she hid behind the maple tree and waited for the right time to sneak inside.

After a few minutes of waiting, an elegant car arrived. She sighed, thinking that she's very unlucky that night. But she couldn’t go back to her friends empty-handed. Thus, she waited a little more.

After two hours, she went back to the borderline with a bottle of wine. Her friends breathed a sigh of relief when they saw her coming.

“Finally, you’re back! What took you so long?” Ella asked. They were so anxiously waiting for her return.

“Well, I think those who live in the house have returned. Fortunately, I was fast. I was able to get a bottle.” She cheerfully announced, wiggling her brows up and down while showing the bottle to her friends.

“You’re really something, Ayira!” Julie applauded.

“Of course! Where’s the wineglasses?” Ayira asked as she opened the wine.

Then, they enjoyed drinking the wine together as they happily chatted.

“Ahh… Ti agla lash mush (It really tastes good). I hope there’s also this kind of wine in the bars here in our cozmos (world).” Ella remarked after she gulped the last drop of wine in her glass.

“Ssshhh! Akte. (Wait)” Primo raised his left hand as he put his index finger on his lips, giving his friends a signal not to make a noise as he sensed that someone was nearby.

They all fell silent as they observed the surroundings. Then Ayira spun her head in the direction where she sensed a different kind of aura.

“I think there’s a nam (human) on the other side of the borderline.” She whispered as she slowly stood up.

“Ayira, where are you going? What if that’s a nam (human) guarding the borderline?”

“I'm just going to check. Don’t worry, I’ll be back.”

Her friends didn’t try to stop her, as they knew that once she made a decision, no one could change her mind.

Ayira walked carefully to the borderline, not making any noise.

‘I feel weird. I’m sure it’s not a nam (human), but I couldn’t sense it as a ssaglo (wolf) either.’ Sierra, her wolf, whispered.

‘Yeah, I know. That’s why we have to check.’ Ayira responded.

‘Do you want to switch?’ Sierra suggested.

Ayira knitted her brows. ‘No, what if it’s a human?’

‘Well, you’re right.’

Ayira walked further until she crossed the borderline.

Not too far, she saw a man standing near the maple tree. She narrowed her eyes. She didn’t know if it was only because of the moonlight, but she could see an uncanny golden aura exuding his body. It was the power of her eyes, seeing the aura of any creature.

Suddenly, Sierra bellowed. ‘Maste! (Mate!)’

‘What did you say?’ She asked her wolf.

Sierra hesitated a moment. ‘I-I think he’s our maste (mate).’

‘How come? He's a nam (human).’ Ayira asked in disbelief. Even though she could feel different energy coming from the man, she was certain that he was not like her.

‘I could sense it.’ Sierra asserted.

'Are you sure?' She asked, still in disbelief.

'Not really. Let’s go closer to be sure.’

However, as they got closer, the man vanished into the dark. Nevertheless, she could still sense his aura, indicating that he was just nearby. She was busy conversing with Sierra when someone unexpectedly attacked her from the back and knocked her down to the ground!

“Ouch!” she screeched. She couldn't move, facing down the ground.