Zeph
Just as the fabric was about to rip, someone shoved her away. She gasped, glaring at the figure who stood beside me. He was tall, his dark hair gleaming under the sunlight, and he had a smirk on his lips. His eyes looked mischievous, and his presence commanded attention.
“I see you’re still as rotten as ever.” He said dryly, his tone dripping with mockery.
“Trying to tear the clothes off her back? Classy”
The woman’s face flushed with anger, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for a retort but failing to find one.
“Vixxen,” she hissed through her gritted teeth, “this isn’t your business.”
Vixxen, he has a nice name.
He crossed his arms, cocking his head as he looked her up and down with a very bored expression.
“It became my business the moment you decided to act like a jealous pup as usual in public. Run along before you embarrass yourself further.”
Oh my. The woman was so full of anger, but she didn’t push her luck. With one last venomous glare at me, she turned her heel and walked away.
“Thank you,” I said, but I felt so embarrassed.
He smirked at me, as if he was amused. “Don’t mention it. I hate seeing good fabric go to waste.”
I blinked at him, unsure whether to laugh or feel even more self-conscious.
“Who was the woman anyway? I barely know her?”
“You mean Carrisa? The Pack’s slut? She thinks she will be the mate to Terran because her dad holds one of the highest positions in the pack.”
That explains why she keeps interrogating me.
“But I am not interested. I am not even that close to Terran”
“She saw a beautiful woman, which makes you a threat.”
He thinks I am pretty. I turned away to hide my blush.
“You don’t have to say things like that.”
“But it’s true.”
I folded my arms, trying to act unaffected, though I was certain my face betrayed me. “I just…don’t hear things like this often. Matter of fact, I don’t hear them at all.”
“Then that’s a shame,” Vixxen said, his tone softened just enough to catch me off-guard.
“Because someone like you should hear them all the time.”
I glanced at him, unsure of how to respond. He was still smiling, but there was an honesty in his eyes that made it hard to brush it off.
He extended a hand, his eyes twinkling with something unreadable. “I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Vixxen. Son of one of the highest-ranking wolves in the pack.”
I hesitated before shaking his hand, taking note of how firm yet careful his grip was.
“Zephyrine.”
“Beautiful name. How about I call you Zeph?”
“Sure, I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
“Good.” He said casually, letting go and gesturing for me to follow him.
“Terran told me about you. I heard what happened last night and came to see you for myself.”
“That I had powers that I was not aware of?”
“Not just any kind, the rare ones. Ones that are only read in books and barely seen in real life.”
“Real life?” I repeated, “What do you mean by that?”
“I mean you are a rare breed of wolf, Zeph, and that makes you really special.”
I frowned, my mind racing with questions.
“I don’t even fully understand them yet. They just…happened.”
“That’s how it started, raw and unpredictable. But if you learn to control them ,they could make you unstoppable. I can help you, if you want though.”
I couldn’t tell if his words were meant to reassure me or intimidate me. Either way, the idea of being unstoppable felt fa from where I was now.
“Why do you sound interested?”
He chuckled, his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Curiosity, mostly. And well, I have always been drawn to things that are out of the ordinary. People like you don’t just show up every day.”
His words made my stomach flutter, though I couldn’t tell if it was from flattery or nerves.
“I appreciate your help” I said cautiously, “But I am still not sure why you’re doing this.”
He stopped walking and turned to face me. His expression looked more serious now.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re new here, probably overwhelmed, and I can tell you’re not like the rest of us. Plus…” he tilted his head, his gaze softening as he studied me. “You’re kind. And beautiful. That combination is rare too.”
I felt my face flush again, and I looked away quickly. “You’re awfully forward, you know that?”
He shrugged.
“Life is too short for anything else. Now do we stop talking about why I am helping and focus on what we’re going to do?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. What’s the plan?”
“First,” he said, gesturing around us, “I will finish showing you the pack’s space. You should know your surroundings. Then we will figure out the limits of your powers, and see if we can push them further.”
“Push them further?”
“Of course,” he said, grinning. “What’s the point of having such rare powers if you don’t see how far they will take you?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiasm. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It could be, with the right help.”
I recalled the dream I had, about not trusting anyone so easily, so I would keep him at arms' length.
“Alright Vixxen,” I said, my tone firmer now. “Let’s see what these powers can do.”
His grin widened. “That’s the spirit, Zeph. Let’s get started.”