The city was quiet again, its streets dim under the glow of a half-moon. Noah moved swiftly through the shadows, his crimson eyes scanning the surroundings. After his encounter with the werewolf, his instincts had been sharper than usual, his wariness heightening. He couldn't shake the feeling that she might be lingering nearby.
He was mid-stride, slipping through an alley, when he felt it—a faint, primal presence that made his blood stir. He halted, his hand brushing against the hilt of his dagger, and turned slowly.
"Back so soon?" he said aloud, his tone sharp yet composed.
From the rooftop above, the werewolf leaped down with effortless grace, landing a few paces away. Her silver hair caught the moonlight, and her amber eyes gleamed with guarded curiosity.
"You're a hard one to track, leech," she said with a faint smirk.
"So you admit you've been following me?" Noah replied, his tone flat.
Her smirk widened. "Don't flatter yourself. I have better things to do than stalk a vampire."
---
Noah crossed his arms, watching her closely. "Funny how we keep running into each other then."
She shrugged, leaning casually against a lamppost. "Maybe fate has a twisted sense of humor. Or maybe you're just bad at staying out of trouble."
He raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Do all werewolves spout such clichés, or is it just you?"
Her smile tightened, but she didn't take the bait. "Since we're here again, let's get something straight. I don't trust you, and I doubt you trust me. But that doesn't mean we can't… coexist, for now."
"Coexist?" Noah repeated, his tone mocking. "What brought about this sudden change of heart?"
She hesitated, her expression growing more serious. "Call it curiosity. Vampires are supposed to be extinct, and yet here you are, acting like you own the night. I want to know why."
Noah's eyes narrowed. "And why would I indulge you?"
"Because you're curious too," she replied simply.
--
Noah tilted his head, studying her. She wasn't wrong—there was something compelling about her presence. She carried herself with a confidence that spoke of experience, and her gaze held a weight that hinted at her heritage.
"You're not like the average demihuman," Noah said finally. "What's your story?"
She straightened, her expression shifting to one of pride. "I'm Sienna Avaros, heir to the Avaros Pack."
Noah blinked, surprised despite himself. The name carried weight, even in the fragmented histories he'd pieced together. The Avaros Pack was an ancient clan of werewolves, known for their strength and unwavering dominance over their kind.
"And what's an heir doing in a human city?" he asked.
"Let's just say I'm taking a… sabbatical," she replied, her tone guarded.
He smirked faintly. "A wolf out of her den. How poetic."
---
Sienna stepped forward, her movements deliberate. "Enough talk. I want to see if the stories about your kind are true."
Noah's smirk faded, replaced by a glint of anticipation. "You want to fight me?"
"Think of it as a spar," she said, rolling her shoulders. "Unless you're afraid."
"Afraid?" Noah's voice was laced with amusement. "Hardly. But don't blame me if you regret this."
They squared off in the empty alley, the moonlight casting long shadows around them.
Sienna moved first, closing the distance between them in a blur. Noah barely had time to react, sidestepping her swipe with inches to spare. Her speed was impressive, even by his standards.
He countered with a precise jab, aiming to test her reflexes. She dodged with ease, her movements fluid and instinctive.
The clash continued, their strikes measured and deliberate. Noah found himself impressed—not only was she fast, but her strength was formidable, her blows carrying enough force to stagger even him.
But what struck him most was her endurance. Even as they exchanged blows, she showed no signs of slowing, her stamina seemingly endless.
---
After several minutes, they stepped back simultaneously, both breathing slightly heavier but far from exhausted.
"You're good," Noah admitted, his voice tinged with genuine respect.
"You're not bad yourself, for a leech," Sienna replied, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
They regarded each other in silence for a moment, the tension between them easing slightly.
"You're strong," Noah said finally. "Stronger than most I've encountered."
Sienna crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "You're not what I expected either. Maybe there's more to you than I thought."
Noah's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. Sienna was a potential ally, but also a potential threat. Her strength was undeniable, and her presence in the city was a wild card he hadn't accounted for.
Still, there was something intriguing about her—a challenge, perhaps, or a reminder that he wasn't as alone as he thought.
---
"For now, we'll call it even," Sienna said, breaking the silence. "But don't think I'll let my guard down around you."
"Likewise," Noah replied, his tone cool.
She turned to leave, pausing only briefly. "You're not like the others. That much is clear. But if you're planning something, just know I'll be watching."
"I'd expect nothing less," Noah said with a faint smirk.
As she disappeared into the night, Noah remained in the alley, his thoughts swirling.
Sienna was a complication he hadn't anticipated, but perhaps she could also be an opportunity. For now, he would tread carefully, his curiosity tempered by caution.
After all, in a world full of enemies, even an unlikely ally could prove invaluable.