The night was quiet, but nothing was quiet about the tension in the air. A few feet apart, Asher and Liam's bodies stiffened, eyes set on each other in a sìlent battle. The two were angry - the heat radiating from them like heat from a fire. I stood between them, my chest tightening as if I was stuck for words or action. "Tim," I tried to break through the thick silence, "what's going on?" "Why are you acting like this together? "Liam didn't flinch as his gaze didn't waver from Asher. His face was clenched and his fists were tight at his sides. His voice low, hard, said, 'It's not about you, Emilia.' "It's just him knowing when to step back from things he doesn't need to be involved in. "Liam's demeanor was calm but I could see that he was tense standing. He caught me with one of his blue eyes then turned back to Asher. He was saying this firmly: 'this is not about me, Asher.' "It's about her. "She should be told the truth. "Liam's words skipped my heart. The truth? What truth? I looked at him, at Asher and neither was giving me a sign that they knew and we were too distracted debating ours...Asher growled, stepping closer to Liam, "You don't know what you're talking about. "Liam stood his ground, 'I know enough', he responded. His cool was cracking a bit. "I know you've been lying to me and I know she doesn't have any idea what she's getting herself into. ""Asher!" I tried to shout, to cut through the rising anger. "What is he talking about?"
I glanced at him and I saw something vulnerable in his eyes. But it was replaced almost as quickly, by a burning intensity. "Emilia", he said in a soft but pointed way, "you don't have to listen to him." Liam interrupted, his voice sharp, 'She needs to listen to someone.' "Because you're obviously not going to tell her the truth. "It felt suffocating, the air pressed down on my chest. I wrapped my arms around myself, and stepped back. But I didn't know where I needed to start. I turned and a sound stabbed the night like a deep and haunting howl, sending shivers up my spine. I gasped and looked toward woods. His whole body was frozen. He snatched his head towards the sound and scowled. He mumbled 'damnit' under his breath. Liam's calm posture shattered too, even his balance off were stiffened. "It's happening, isn't it?" he said, his voice low. Asher didn't respond. Instead, he looked at me, his dark eyes full of urgency. He said 'You need to go.' "Now" "What?" I stammered, my voice shaky. "Why? What's happening?" "Just go, Emilia!" It was a sharp, almost desperate sounding. Liam grabbed my arm before I could protest. His tone was serious, so he said, "Come on." "I'll get you out of here. "My eyes made their way between them, hesitating. Frustration and worry showed on Asher's face and Liam's grip on my arm was firm but steady. "Go!" My hesitation was attuned to a voice that sliced through it, Asher barked.
And Liam tugged on my arm, and I gave in and let him drag me away from the clearing and out onto open road. The sound of our steps filled in the silence with rapid echoing, and my heart pounded as we ran. I doubled over and gasped for air, when we finally reached the edge of town. My lungs were burned, my legs felt like jelly. But beside me stood Liam, his breathing steady, even as he ran. "What just happened?" I straightened up, demanding to look at him. "Why did Asher act like that? And what was that howl? "It paused, it looked at me into his eyes and he hesitated for a moment. He spoke carefully there are things about Asher that you don't know. "Things that can put you at risk or make you dangerous. "Frustration welled inside of me and I frowned. 'but you never explain anything!!' he said you saying that but you never explain anything! 'Don't I deserve to know why if I'm in danger?'"Liam raked his hand through his hair, sighed. "It's not that simple, Emilia," Mother says. "Then make it simple!" My voice was louder than intended, snapping. I can't keep running in circles like this." I need answers."His jaw tightened and he hesitated. "Slowly he said 'Asher isn't like other people.' " "He's... different. That difference has risks," he says. "What kind of risks?" My voice quivered and I pressed. But Liam just shook his head. "I can't say more right now. I tell you to be careful around him just trust me."What he said left me even more confused than the last time. I was in a sea of questions, and Liam wasn't answering my questions. His face glassed over, he shot me all the way to my door."You're bad, Emilia," he said softly before turning and heading back into the shadows.
That night didn't seem like much sleeping. The rest of my thoughts were a tangled mess of my confusion, fear, and curiosity. I played the events over and over again, trying to figure it out. It all felt like a nightmare, a shake to the ground of something that was inevitable, Asher's urgency, Liam's cryptic warnings, the howl. I knew I couldn't let things stay like this by morning. I needed to talk to Asher. I wanted to hear the truth from him. There he was, sitting on the ground, leaning back on the old oak tree. He was looking up in the sky and stared wide eyed at nothing in what looked like a faraway look in his eyes. "Asher," I called out softly. He stared upward, surprise yielding to something gentler. As I reached him he stood up and said, "Emilia. "Crossing my arms I stopped a few feet away. I tried to keep my voice level; I said, "I need answers." A lie Liam said you're hiding something What is it? What's going on? "He sat down, ran his hand through his dark hair and sighed. He told me quietly, "I didn't want you to find out like this." "Find out what?" I pressed, my heart pounding. In his eyes the search was in my eyes, and he hesitated. Finally he said, 'I'm a werewolf, Emilia.' "And so is my family. We've been cursed to change during the full moon. "The words struck me like a punch in the chest. "A werewolf?" My voice was little more than a whisper as I echoed. Asher's expression grim, he nodded. You heard that 'Howl' last night?" It wasn't like that wild animal that repeatedly crashed into our van and then refused to move once it had hit. It was one of us."
I couldn't begin to fathom what he was saying, and my mind reeled. "And Liam?" I asked, my voice trembling. Asher's jaw tightened. "He's a Hunter. Who's down on us and made it their life's mission to hunt us down. I let out a wave of disbelief and fear. Liam, a Hunter? Asher, a werewolf? The whole thing was impossible, like being filmed for a story. When Asher looked at me, I knew he was telling the truth, but the look in his eyes said so too. Stepping closer Asher spoke in a soft voice, 'I get if you're scared.' 'I just need you to know I would never hurt you." I care about you, Emilia. More than you realize. "My heart ached at his words. I could tell the vulnerability and honesty that were in his eyes. Reaching out slowly I took his hand. His fingers were warm, it jolted me with emotion. My voice broke, 'I'm not scared of you.' "I just... There's some stuff I need to wrap my head around," I say. I didn't hear Asher nod, but his eyes never left mine. Gently he said, 'Take all the time you need.' "I'll be here when you're ready. "Standing under the oak tree at that moment, I felt clear. I was upside down, but there was no escaping Asher. He couldn't be walked away from no matter how difficult it became.