Sitting on the log, I listen to the crackling of the fire. Chetan, Dev, and Ash all went hunting together. They offered to let me go, but I decided not to. It turns out we think that AB and Ace attacked the girl. Which means they are very near. I've been sniffing around, but I don't smell them, which is very peculiar.
Ajay sits next to me. "Don't question my authority in front of new pack members," he says.
"Okay, so now she's a member?"
"She's Smoke mark mate, she feels it too," he tells me.
"I'm happy for him."
"Me too, it turns out her mother was a wolf or her father was a bear," he explains.
"That makes more sense."
"Yeah," he agrees.
"So she changes into a bear?"
"Yeah, just like our wolf," he tells me.
"Do you know her name?"
"Her name is Forest," he responds.
"I like it."
"Did you only miss Chetan while you were away?" He asks.
I shake my head. "I missed everyone."
"I should have protected you better to make sure you didn't get bit," he tells me.
"It wasn't your fault, and besides, I'm kind of grateful that it happened; otherwise, I wouldn't have met Ash."
He smiles. "You care about him."
"Before now, he was all I had, in a very dark situation."
"When it comes down to a fight between Vampires versus Werewolves, what do you think he'll stand for?" He asks.
He's been thinking about that too. And I know more than him. I should be freaking out.
"Hopefully with werewolves, but most importantly with me."
"Yeah, you know I won't hesitate," he tells me.
"I know. I wouldn't expect anything different."
"I just want you to prepare yourself."
"I know, I am. I know Ash's heart. He'll do what's right."
"I hope so," he tells me, patting my leg.
I look around at all the faces. "It's hard to believe our pack has grown this much."
"It started with just the five of us," he remarks.
"Chetan, Dev, Kiara, you and me."
"That was so long ago," he reflects.
"I am glad we found the others."
"Me too," he agrees.
Kiara,Riya and Aanya sit next to me. I smile at my friends and sister.
"Want to do another makeover fashion show?" Riya asks.
"Oh God no," I laugh.
"Why?" Asks Kiara.
"Because now I'm just a cold vampire."
"So," says Aanya.
"And there's no such thing as a beautiful monster." I ran off. I don't think my friends will understand what I am going through. I don't feel like the fun, sparky Zare I used to be.
"Zare," I hear Kiara call.
"I got it," Ajay says before he is right behind me.
I sit at my favorite tree overlooking the camp.
"What's wrong Adagyudi?" He asks.
"I guess lately I don't feel like myself."
"You don't feel beautiful?" He asks.
"Is killing animals beautiful to you?"
"If you have to survive. It's better than killing your friends, your pack, or other creatures," he tells me.
"Yeah, I guess. "
"And if we're talking about looks, my heart still skips a beat when I see you," Uwoduhi Ajay says, moving the hair from my face.
I smile. He kisses me gently on the forehead.
"I've already told you I can't handle this anymore," Chetan yells.
His face looks red. He was clearly angry. My mouth drops open. Nothing happened, but I have no idea what to say. I was so focused on Ajay I didn't hear him approaching.
"Chill, Chetan, it was just a friendly conversation and a kiss on the forehead," Ajay says.
"So I can go kiss Aanya?" Chetan asks.
"Yeah, on the forehead means nothing, so relax," Ajay says, standing up.
Chetan rolls his eyes. "Whatever."
"It's fine. She's yours," says Ajay walking away. He looks Chetan straight into the eyes.
Chetan turns to leave. I don't want him to be mad at me.
"Chetan, please, nothing happened." I cry.
He stops walking and looks at me. He still seems so mad.
"Please, I am sorry."
I feel better when he turns around and sits next to me. I lay my head on his shoulder.
"Chetan, nothing happened, I promise, but I understand why you don't trust me."
"My heart can't handle it anymore," he tells me.
"And you don't have to worry about it, Ajay and I are friends, and that's all."
"Are you sure he feels that way?" He asks.
"I think so. You don't even want me to talk to him?"
"I mean, I guess that's ridiculous. It's just him sitting with you under the tree and kissing you on the forehead. I guess I had flashbacks," he tells me.
"I get it."
"I will work on my jealousy," he laughs.
I kiss him on the cheek. "I have things to work on too."
I see Smoke run off into the woods. "Zombie check?"
"Yes, we stopped seeing them all together over the last few months, but now do a few each day," he tells me.
"Oh, what if we can live in harmony with them?"
Chetan shakes his head. "They are still attacking us."
"Oh."
I hear rustling in the bushes. It startles me, and I jump in the air.
"She didn't even smell us coming," I hear AB's voice and creepy laugh. I feel his hand grip around my neck.
Chetan quickly changes into his wolf. He is growing and foaming at the mouth. I tried to open my mouth to tell him it was okay, but I was gagging. I couldn't even talk.
Soon I hear the rushing of feet, and I know it's Ajay by his loud ferocious roar.
"Let Zare go, or I'll kill you both," Ajay barks.
Ash is by my side in an instant. He focuses and closes his eyes.
"What the hell is he doing?" Laughs Ace.
"You're not a normal werewolf. You can only change when there's a full moon," Ajay says.
"Wow, we missed a lot," sneakers AB.
"That's who we actually came for," AB grins.
At moments, Ace has Aanya in her arms. She is kicking and moving her arms. She sounds so scared.
Ajay wasted no time taking. He jumps on Ace, knocking him to the ground. He bites at his face. Chetan rushes over and grabs Aanya, getting her to safety. Smoke bits down, I hear crunching and smell rotting flesh. Then I hear a heart beating as he holds the bloody organ in his hands for all to see.
Cricket sits Ace on fire, and the smells of burning body feel my nose. Ash watches in devastation. I see the veins in his face and his fangs appear. His hands are shaky. He just watched his brother be destroyed. Please keep your composure Ash.
"Well, Zare, now we know the Alpha's priority wasn't you," AB laughs.
"You don't even care about Ace. He was your brother. He protected you," Ash yells.
"I can make many more," AB says.
"It's my mission to destroy you," Ash yells.
"Now, how would I kill you, Zare? Do I need to rip out your heart?" AB laughs.
In a quick gesture, I feel AB's grip on my chest. I don't feel any pain, just pressure, but I can smell blood. My blood. It wet my clothes and made me feel sticky.
"Zare," Chetan screams.
Thump thump thump That's the last I heard.