Reed's POV
"Yes, Asher, I am on my way." I hung up the phone and drove fast to the outskirts of the city. He had called me for the hundredth time, but this time, his voice was on edge. Today, I took Esma to my favorite restaurant for lunch. I could take her to the nearest bakery on the next street, but I can't make myself do that. Somehow, I liked to spend time with her. But I can't speak it to her face. I liked her instantly when I first saw her. She was perfect in every way.
She was everything a man needed; she should be worshipped. And this gave me another reason to hate myself. But I can't make myself tell her all the horrible things I have done, how I shed the blood of innocents. I am not worthy enough. I am a monster. Cursed.
After lunch, Asher was calling me nonstop. I dropped Esma off at the gates and left only after ensuring she had entered the castle. She was the total opposite of me. Everything about her only amazed me and pushed me to know more about her. I shook my head to get rid of all these thoughts and pushed the gas pedal.
Humans die all the time. Humans were murdered all the time. Humans killed all the time. However, having a dead human on our territory was bad news. That could mean we could be under their suspicion. I have protected my land till now, and I didn't need that.
My pack couldn’t be traced, all thanks to Diana. My pack changed its position with the moon. Just like the moon changes its shape with the days, my pack changes its position. Every fourteenth day, my pack completely interchanges its navigation.
It was a long and tiresome process, but it's all worth it at the end of the day if it ensured my pack's safety. But now, when a lazy, pathetic human had died on my land, I had to remain here, or the police will think we had something to do with the killing.
We really didn't need that. Humans thought that we were living underground because we were hiding from something or someone. They think we are some kinds of underdogs. Many times, we have caught them eyeing us. They thought we were some cult or something.
It was the same with every werewolf community; the humans feared the unknown.
I quickly walked towards Asher. He was standing lazily by the tree, typing away something on his phone.
"Take me there. Now," I said quickly without missing any more seconds. Asher nodded before leading me towards the forest. On the edge of the territory, about a meter into the woods, was a gathering of a few people from the pack. "Go home, all of you. I will sort this out," I exclaimed loudly.
My pack members turned toward me before casting their eyes in submission and returning to their homes. When the wolves were all out of the way, I saw what everyone had been looking at—the dead human.
It was a young girl, probably twenty years old. She was hanging from a large tree through a vine. Her eyes were large and swollen, probably due to rigor mortis. Deep brown hair, hazel brown eyes. At first sight, she looked so much like Esma, my body turned cold. It was a message.
Asher looked at me with a look of bewilderment. He walked towards the dead body and cut the vines. She dropped with a thud, and my worst fear came true. Her back was severely bruised, and her clothes were torn and soaked with blood. UNTIL BLOOD MOON was written behind her back in bold red letters.
Asher kept glancing back and forth between the girl and me. I gulped back the bile rising in my throat. "Take care of the body before someone finds out," I said without an ounce of sympathy for the young girl. Asher looked at me as if not believing his own ears.
"But she might have a family somewhere which will be looking for her," he said in a low voice as if talking to himself.
"No, she doesn't. She was a willing participant of the witches," I explained to him, not going into the deeper details. Asher looked at the girl for some time before nodding towards me. "I will take care of it," he said, nodding once again.
I sighed deeply and sat in the car. She was young. She could have had everything life has to offer her. Why would she go to the witches? I rubbed my eyes tiredly. Maybe she was just unfortunate enough to trust them, just like me. I turned the keys on and drove back towards the castle.
Witches get what they want. They already knew my location then why have they not attacked yet? I called Diana to tell her about the girl. It was an issue because she also didn't see it coming. After talking to her for another five minutes and discussing our next shift, I hung up the phone.
After an awfully long ride, I was standing in front of the gates. I looked in the direction of the castle. The lights of the living room were on, which means maybe Diana had returned early. I parked the car and opened the main door. The sound of music came from the direction of the kitchen. I shook my head and started walking upstairs. There is a dead body on my land, and the girls are partying.
I didn't think to interrupt them. Stopping them means telling Esma about today's incident, and I don't want her to worry more about the Oracle. Just when I was about to climb the stairs, a certain phrase from the song caught my attention.
I only check my phone when I'm lonely and horny. I stopped in my tracks. Yes, Diana liked music, but surely this was not her choice. Curiosity spiked up in me, and I decided to check on the kitchen. I walked slowly on my toes, not making any noise, only to see her dancing in her shorts and swaying her ass.
Hands up, eyes closed, dancing to the beats of the music, screaming the lyrics as if she wrote them or maybe the song was written for her.
I don't wanna use my vibrator, every other time. If you're not fucking me then that should be a crime. I wanna call you up, but you don't have time. So, I sit with my phone, instead of you all the time. When I'm horny, all alone. All alone.
Definitely, the song was written for her. I dared not to breathe, fearing she would stop because of the noise. She started laughing as soon as the song ended. Her voice was like bells to my ears. As if sensing my presence, she stopped and peered up in my direction, and immediately her face turned a dark shade of pink in embarrassment.
My feet carried me on their own. I walked towards her slowly. Automatically she stepped back and soon was backed with the wall. I stood just a few inches away from her. She closed her eyes and bit her lip. She smelled like sweet roses, and I so wanted to check if she tasted the same. As if agreeing with my thoughts, something stirred inside me. She looked up at me and our eyes connected. The music changed.
Ocean blue eyes, looking in mine.
I feel like I might sink and drown and die.
I switched the gas stove off and quickly moved away from her. Her phone was ringing on the couch. For some explicit reason, my cheeks heated.
My whole body was on fire. What was happening to me? I can't keep myself away from her. I quickly walked back towards the stairs, but before opening the door, I looked towards her. She was in the same phase. At least it was from both sides. The feeling was mutual.
"Your phone is ringing," I said, catching her off-guard. "Prepare the plates and open the red bottle. I don't like white wine." With that, I started sprinting towards my room. I needed a cold shower. I quickly pulled out of my clothes and stood under the shower. I closed my eyes only to see her face, her biting her lips. I rubbed my face. This would be one hell of a long night.