Chapter 4: None of Us are Human

"What's up Ryker!" A light gray-haired woman greeted Ryker with a drink made up of cocktails and secret herbs.

"Not this time, Zoe."

"Why? Don't you need it to shift into your wolf form tonight? All of your members got it, except you."

"I'm still thinking about it."

Ryker's answer made Jeff furrow his brow. "Is there a problem that prevented you from shifting tonight?"

It turned out that not only Jeff was intrigued by Ryker's rejection of moonshine laced and silver-resistant herbs, a drink that all Iron Fang members drank on the night of the full moon, but also the whole members. Because it was something mandatory that they cannot go without.

"I'd be really sad if you didn't drink it because we witches worked so hard to make it," Zoe said.

"I have my reasons for not drinking it," Ryker replied.

"The mechanic girl?"

"Rosalia, that's her name," corrected Ryker. "Not because of her. I was considering something else."

"If not because of that girl then because of what? I'm sorry but I saw you when you saw her and your eyes lit up like someone in love."

Ryker immediately grabbed Jeff by the collar. "I told you she had a name."

The other Iron Fang members and Zoe pulled them apart. This was the first time they had argued about woman.

"So you found your mate?" Zoe asked curiously. Without realizing it, her question aroused the curiosity of the others.

"I don't want to be transformed tonight. Today, part of a corpse has just been found which has yet to be identified. If I and the rest of us were transform tonight to hunt, I'm afraid it would expose our identities. The police will be patrolling in any case," he explained.

Of course Ryker's decision received pushback from many members as they had been waiting for this night for a whole month. A sudden cancellation was like breaking a promise and betrayal, albeit on a small scale.

"How can we wait until the next full moon?"

"Please reconsider your decision, Alpha Ryker."

"We'll miss out on hunting opportunities and that might be bad for our emotional control."

Ryker took a deep breath. "Delaying is better than exposing the secrets we've hidden for hundreds of years in this place. If humans find out, then we, the entire pack, must move elsewhere. I don't want my members accused of murder either."

Jeff pointed out. "But she's also human. The girl you brought here is human, Alpha Ryker. If the police hadn't caught us then she would. She'll know that we're not human because you let her come to this place."

Ryker knew that all too well. He understood the consequences of bringing Rosalia to The Den, this bar of his, which was used by supernatural creatures such as werewolves and witches as a secret base. But Ryker cannot deny a fact he just realized. "What Zoe said is true. She's my mate."

Everyone gawked especially the Iron Fang members. It was a confession they never anticipated Ryker would say after hundreds of years of living without a mate.

"Dealing with humans is troublesome. You should know better than this especially since you're our leader. You decide the future of Iron Fang. So don't let us down."

"She's not just a human, she's my mate," he said with emphasis. "As a beta, you must obey my orders, Jeff Leaman."

Mate with a human? It was a rare and first time experience in the history of Pack Iron Fang. So it was no wonder why the other members were against Ryker. But they also can't control the desire of Ryker, the stubborn Alpha with an unpredictable gut.

"I do listen to your opinions as my members. But you must also remember that you cannot control my personal relationships." Ryker put down his glass.

"Ryker." Zoe approached him. "I don't excuse them but I also don't justify your actions for bringing a human here. We agreed to protect this place a long time ago. This place is for us, not humans."

Ryker clenched his hands into fists. His eyes changed color as he meant what he said. "Those who want to expel Rosalia will deal face to face with me."

As the one who most disagreed with Ryker's decision, Jeff came forward after downing his drink. "I mean, she's still human, she's not one of us yet. So your decision is wrong no matter what."

Ryker growled which made him look terrifying. "You didn't listen to the words I said. You drank the herbs!"

"Because I'm still going to transform tonight. With or without you. I'm not going to sacrifice a month of my time to wait for tonight just because of her. You're selfish too, you should realize that."

The tension between Ryker and Jeff was inevitable. Alpha and Beta having a disagreement was not a good thing for the pack. But this time the voice was split in two, in Ryker's side and in Jeff's.

"If you go rogue tonight and go on a hunt alone or with other members, then you're betraying me. Those who want to go with Jeff, just raise your hands!"

The music, which was so loud at first, started to slow down. But none of the Iron Fang members who agreed with Jeff showed it. They were silent as if supporting Ryker because they were still afraid of Ryker and the consequences.

"I assume everybody is fine if I bring Rosalia here," Ryker broke off in the end. He was the final decider after all and everyone had to obey him. "If I could choose I would."

"Ryker I have to-"

Everyone's attention was drawn to Rosalia who suddenly entered. She also seemed surprised as she had not expected to be the center of attention.

Rosalia scratched the back of her neck. "I have to go back now. I have to tidy up my things."

Rosalia's excuse sounded pretty bad especially since she suddenly showed up when things were getting heated about her. So that's why Zoe and Jeff approached her, surrounding her like they were catching a criminal.

"Did something happen?" asked Rosalia innocently.

"What did you hear?"

Rosalia's eyes swept across the room until they locked with Ryker's. "Your voices. What else could it be guys?"

Zoe pushed Rosalia's shoulder until she was pressed against the wall. In response to the rough treatment, Ryker reacted by pushing Zoe back.

"Dare you lay a hand on her and I'll forsake our alliance."

Rosalia finally broke free from Zoe's grip. She took cover behind Ryker. "What's wrong with everyone? Why are they looking at me so odd? What were you guys talking about earlier?"

Ryker turned his face back, "there's nothing you need to know. That's our business."

"But you brought me here. I can't take it anymore. Take me home. Now!"

Ryker trapped Rosalia between his body and the wall. "What were you doing out there? I need to confirm before I decide anything."

"I called my parents. They asked where I was and wanted to make a video call. So I can't stay here.

"Fuck! I don't know what you're thinking."

Ryker's words left Rosalia confused. "If you don't want to drive me. I can go home by myself."

Unwilling to let Rosalia go, Zoe did something astonishing. She threw a knife as Rosalia turned her back on her.

"Fuck you Zoe!" swore Ryker. He gave Zoe a piercing glare and rushed to check on Rosalia.

But how the hell did that happen? Rosalia was holding the hilt and she was completely unharmed. "Have we met before by accident and I made a mistake so you want to kill me here?" she asks Zoe. Not only that, Rosalia threw the knife back which Zoe caught quickly.

"If you're not like Ryker or like me, then which creature are you?"

"What do you mean, Zoe! She doesn't know anything," Ryker defended.

"There's something different about her." Zoe looked deeply into Rosalia's eyes and she found nothing but despair there. "She's not an ordinary human."

In the end Ryker did the same. He placed both hands on Rosalia's shoulders and looked into her eyes. Ryker cannot read Rosalia's mind like he reads the minds of others. "She's right. Who exactly are you, Rosalia? What is your purpose for coming to this town?"

"You already know my full name, Rosalia Blaire. You also know why I moved here. I'm not lying."

"I cannot confirm the truth of your words. Something like this has never happened before. Goddamn it!"

Although Rosalia didn't believe in the supernatural, but this time she believed she was in danger. And her instincts told her that she had to leave now before it was too late.

Rosalia took out her gun and fired a single bullet into the roof. She used Ryker's distraction to run.

Unfortunately Rosalia's movements were not faster than Ryker's even though she had quick reflexes. Ryker grasped her arm so tightly that it turned red.

"You know us now. Are you one of those hunters?"