----Gayara POV----
I rushed to the gym, trying to calm myself down after being so close to Venus. [Speaking of her, I need to contact Nguyen]. Focusing on my thought, I can see countless strings of light floating in space. Then I saw the white link I was searching for, "Brother, did you find what I wanted you to look into?"
"Yes, I did and you'll be surprised by what I found." Nguyen's tone suggested something of important value. It sounded like he was excited about it, followed by a pensive implication, " this is also the reason why the assassins this time around always aimed for the kill instead of blackmailing Mr. Perez Alva or asking him for ransom."
[So it wasn't because she was the heiress to Illius Corp but because of Venus herself that they want to kill her?] Mad, I casually punched the sandbag sideways but it got destroyed so easily like a popping balloon, dust rising up in the explosion.
"For why!?" I sounded murderous since I found out recently that the number of assassins hoping to kill Venus has significantly increased ever since I tasked Nguyen to protect her in the dark using the forces of the Styx Organization.
I looked around the rarely occupied gym as Nguyen tells me, "Do you remember the mysterious informant protected by the Military Intelligence Corps? You know, the person who singlehandedly caused hijacks, bank robbery, the assassination of the Eldram Country Ambassador and some other incidents to fail or be addressed before it happens."
I began to walk back and forth in the gym before putting my hands on the glass door to the veranda and looked at the moon even though it's still daylight. I stepped out, finally morphing into a black wolf. " So you're telling me that it was Venus who indirectly informed me about the assassination of the Eldram Country Ambassador?"
I couldn't sit still as things are getting messier than intended. [How did Venus get herself into this?] I wanted to swat the hydroponic flowerpots lined up on the verandah which formed a mini garden but I retracted my paws. [Mother will be sad if she sees her flowers destroyed,] I thought.
Nguyen replied to me in earnest interest, "It appears that Lieutenant General Athena Faris discovered Venus Alva's ability to receive visions specific to future conflicts. As such, she was recruited as a special secret agent."
"It's that woman!" I growled in obvious irritation. [ As if it wasn't enough that she found out about how I became Diaford's test subject, causing me to lose my boobs not knowing whether I am a guy or a girl due to male hormone overdose. Add to that, she saw me morph into my wolf form back when we were still cadets. And now, she drags my girl into this mess!]
"Nevermind, remember to attend my engagement party this afternoon. You must ensure the safety of the guests for I will protect my girl myself." I jumped down from the veranda, landing with a soft thud. I cut the link with Nguyen. [I knew my girl is special but I didn't know she was this special.]
It seems that I have returned to normal as I am no longer suffering the symptoms of being in rut. As stress and anger took over me, I ran to the woods while focusing again to search for a string of violet light. "Athena! Tell me why you took Venus into your ranks. Don't you know that this could cost her life?"
Because of the White Alpha Wolf Gene introduced to my system, I inherited his regenerative ability, his superior senses, telepathic ability and shapeshifting ability. In my case, however, I can connect to anyone that I want: wolf or human. The White Alpha Wolf on the other hand, can only connect with his kind or me.
As I reached the forest, I spotted a wild boar digging the ground with its snout. I heard Athena sigh, "Be rational first and calm down, Gayara. Besides, this is a matter of public and national security."
I snapped my jaw at the wild boar in an instant as it struggled to break free, squealing in a tone deafening pitch. Using my claw, I destroyed its vocal cord before carrying it in a nearby cave.
"Can't you even send people to protect her since she's a key figure in your intelligence Corps? God knows how many assassins my men had to kill just to give her a normal life!" [That's right, those people can go to any length just so they could eliminate the hindrance to their plans.]
I can hear Athena snickering at me, "There really isn't a need for me to do that since you're so obsessed with her. I knew you had your Organization watch her and those who approached her 24/7."
I went to the cave where I hid my spare clothes and lighters in a treasure chest. I morphed back into human, and changed into fresh clothes. "Ugh! You really know how to take advantage of people's weaknesses. But Athena, may I remind you that the existence of those assassins meant your failure to keep her identity hidden!"
I proceeded to clean the boar meat and roasted it on a fire, not forgetting to apply spices and sauce from the treasure chest. I inhaled the roasting scent, salivating at the thought of finally savoring its taste.
"Are you insinuating at the possibility of a mole in the Military Intelligence Corps?" Athena sounded alarmed. "What if she told it to someone other than us and got discovered?"
"I don't know, I'll ask her later." [How should I bring this topic to her. If possible, I don't want her to think that I'm doubting her acquaintances or confidante.] I noticed as a few wolves appeared after being attracted by the smell of food but stood back because the territory was marked by me, a stronger Alpha.
"Oh and by the way, your girl isn't the only one on the hit list. You have more bounty on your head since your the President's most trusted General. It seems that your engagement party will be very lively tonight, dear friend." [For someone giving serious reports, she sure is chipper.] I just proceeded to devour the meat barbecue I cooked as Athena continued to satiate her curiosity by asking me questions.
I imagine she must be behind her computer in her office eating chips again while complaining to her subordinate about her stiff muscles. "How will you get married at this point if those nuisance keep on bothering you?"
I got even angrier at the thought of being disturbed when I'm with Venus. As a result, images of me feeling the tearing of flesh and cracking sound of bones ran through my head. "I have decided to retire from my post as general since my contract is over. The President wouldn't mind and I feel more secure if I am the one protecting her."
"Good for you, prince of the underworld *or underground society*. You're still the boss even if you retire!"
----Nguyen POV----
I am Nguyen, the adopted brother of Gayara and the Great White Alpha Wolf. No, I'm not that great. The truth is that I was picked up by a fisherman and his daughter when they spotted an 18th century wooden jug of wine floating at the east coast of Eldram Country.
When they opened the lid, they saw me. "It's a puppy!" the 7 years old girl said. She picked me up and lifted me above her head, "you're name will be..." The girl thought long and hard, "Nguyen! You will be Nguyen!"
Everyday, we were together. We ate together, slept together and played together. At that time, they were under the impression that I was just a normal dog with a bigger size . They thought I was some hybrid bred for human amusement and satisfaction. I also thought that I was nothing but a dog picked up and raised by the fisherman and his daughter.
One day, a man in black came and took them away. I, on the other hand, was left with their neighbor. Everyday, I would sit at the door of the house or visit the place where the fisherman and his daughter lived. Everyday, I waited for them to come back and play with me but they didn't come back. And so, for the first time in my life, I was heartbroken.
The people who saw me pitied me because they knew I was waiting for naught. They said, "the fisherman and his daughter left the dog behind."
"Yes, after all, they were staying here temporarily."
"According to what I heard, they went to the city because their master called for them.
Hearing what they said, I wanted to follow them so I sneakily entered a bus and hid underneath the seats. Luckily, I arrived at the city. But no matter how much I searched, I could not find them. The city is so wide and far, I was losing hope fast. When hungry, I would go to the market and steal some food for myself from which I learned after observing the unkempt, little humans.
If I was not lucky enough, I searched for food in the garbage like what other animals are doing. Realizing how futile my efforts had been, I howled to my misery. And in that moment, I felt abandoned and alone. I didn't cry. No, I didn't want to surrender just like that. I began to feel determined. This time, I seek for answers.
When I woke up the next day, I realized that I'm in a cage and saw this man who looked at me with great interest and delight. I thought, maybe this time, I have hope. But I was wrong because they took from me: my blood, my nails and my hair.
"Diaford, it looks like the Great White Wolf doesn't realize anything about himself." The man wearing a lab coat kept talking to the air, I started to doubt whether I was the one who couldn't see anything.
"I know right, those guinea pigs we caught were either dead or crazy after receiving even just a tiny bit of his gene." He nodded to himself and clicked his fingers.
"That's why...this Alpha will be my last resort! I have a hunch that she will be the most excellent masterpiece in the field of biology." There was this girl who was fierce and violent. The defiance was burning in her eyes. She struggled relentlessly, uncaring to the state she was in. She was vicious to herself to the end, it put me to shame who let that person take advantage of me.
During the chaos she created, I saw her form get twisted into shape and I saw what I couldn't believe. She appears to be different yet exactly like me in form. Surprising me yet again, she morphed back to human. That was the day I realized that I wasn't just any ordinary dog and that was the day that I have gained what most humans refered to as a family.
What's most fulfilling in my search was that I later discovered that the fisherman and his daughter were serving the family that adopted me. One being a maid and the other being an assistant to my adopted father.
+Gayara's Villa+
That defiant girl who is now my brother or not. I don't know what to call her such that her gender is messed up. Diaford refered to her as 'they', mother and her goddaughter refered to her as him while father and I settled to referring to her using the pronoun 'she' and 'her'.
I asked her once, "why did you let Diaford live despite what he had done?"
She didn't seem to think too much and replied, "Diaford is interesting, at least he's not boring."
Honestly, I still don't understand but she was the one who told me about myself and what I can do such as shapeshifting, telepathy, regeneration, and maybe some which she does not know yet.
"Listen well, if you see any flying object, don't hesitate to shoot! If you notice anything or anyone strange, inform me about it. Now, report your position status to me." Because I can't use telepathy with those that are not my race save for Gayara, we use radio earpiece to communicate with each other.
"Within 100 yard, clear!"
"200 yard, clear sir!"
"There's nothing in about 300 yards."
"400, clear!"
"500 yards, clear!"
"800, clear!"
"1000 yards, clear!"
----Venus POV----
Father wore a tuxedo, holding a glass of wine with his right hand. Cling! cling! He clicked the glass with a small spoon. Everyone in the well lit garden turned to look at my father.
"Welcome all, we are here today to announce that my daughter Venus Alva and Gayara Veldora are engaged and therefore, will be married after 2 years time! My daughter is currently in college to finish her studies before taking over my position as chairman of the board. Gayara on the other hand will retire from being the Military General in order to assume the position of the head of Styx Organization. In these 2 years time, they will be living together so that they can get to know each other better. Everyone, let's toast to this couple!"
The moment father gestured to our direction, Gayara brought out a ring box and opened it. The crowd went like, "wooooo!" in a slurred tone. On it are two rings with red diamonds shaped like a wolf head and a rose.
The ring with wolf head has an initial G and V while the ring with rose has an initial V and A.
I looked at Gayara who stood there facing me in her all-black attire. When I focused my vision, the system window only I can see appeared.
Status Update
Name: Gayara Veldora
Primary Gender: undefined
Secondary Gender: Alpha
Race: Human, Genetically Wolf
Ability: Regeneration, Telepathy, Shape shifting, Memory Manipulation, Pain Absorption, Drug Immunity, Super Enhanced Senses
Occupation: Assassin, Military General, Styx Organization Successor ( i.e. gang leader)
Skill: Piloting/Driving, Engineering, Combat, Management, Commanding, Assassination, Negotiation
Physical Health: Healthy
Emotional Health: Sociopath
Mental Health: Violent Tendencies, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Speed: 40 mph
Code Name: Black Wolf
Father: Ylthon Veldora
Mother: Almirah Veldora
Brother: Nguyen Veldora (adopted)
Engaged To: Venus Alva
[Woah, what kind of stats are those? It's crazy! And what do you mean by violent tendencies?] Then I remembered that night he saved me. [I see, so that's what it is.] I've already seen them before but I can't seem to get out of the surprise.
"Venus Alva, listen well. Remember that these rings are the representative of my undying love for you. You shall wear the ring with my initials, indicating that you have accepted me and I shall be yours. If you feel otherwise, say so and I will keep it with me until when you have come to love me the way I have always loved you." That's a first for Gayara to call upon me by my name. I didn't notice it before but, the ring was connected to a necklace. [ I'm so embarrassed, I don't know what to do. He confessed to me out of nowhere, it took me by surprise!]
I don't know if I love him [considering I've never been in love. Much less, know what love is] but I wanted to keep the ring for myself. Besides, I still feel estranged to most people [ especially strangers ] but I don't feel repulsive towards him even after knowing all those flabbergasting stats that he has. Of course, I took the necklace that held the ring [making a mental note to examine it later], I wore it around my neck before giving him a quick peck on the lips: in a way, assuring him that I didn't hate him or treat him like a normal friend.
For a moment, he was confused so he just stood there in a daze: eyebrows knitted in an effort to understand my response. Before long, it finally registered to him. His expression softened, looking me in the eye with that hidden glint in his look and finally smiling to me. I didn't need to make an effort to catch a whiff of the cool and refreshing scent he was giving off. Then he pulled me into a hug [he really likes hugging me. I've never seen him hug anyone though], "you smell like milk chocolate. It's a very good smell, by the way." He whispered to my ear, his hot breath sending me shivers,making me weak.
"In turn, I shall wear this ring that bears your name close to my heart, indicating that I have accepted you and hope that with time-! Bang!!!!
He suddenly stopped in his speech as he moved to shield me from something. In that moment, I felt as though a surge of blood poured over my heart [burning me inside out], electrified at the sight of blood flowing from below the nape of his neck. [Just a few inches and it would've been his head! Why didn't any vision come to me to the point that things would escalate into this.]
"Sh! It's okay, it's okay. I'm here, I will protect you," Gayara assured me. He's very gentle with me but the system window kept ringing inside my head, "warning, energy levels rising. Warning, unstable mental conditions detected. Warning! warning! warning!" [Even Gayara is agitated] I can't help myself from shaking uncontrollably at the sight of blood.
I started hyperventilating as I can hear Gayara calling out to me, "Venus!"