CHAPTER 5

Asher

“Great, just great” I muttered as my backbone began to twitch back to normal. I have shifted many times in my life, but each was more painful than the other. The bone twitching and breaking, the fang sprouting out from the gum and the claw tearing my skin.

It isn’t even full moon yet, but I’m used to always transforming to a wolf without warning. One thing I’m not really good at is knowing how to control my wolf. I was casted out by my pack and forced to blend with the human folks, which has been great so far and wasn’t as bad as I had imagined. Eleven years ago, during the blood moon ceremony, a catastrophe occurred. The only thing I remembered was waking up in the middle of the event with my hands and face filled with blood. The white and golden robe I was wearing was soaked in blood.

Everyone was staying clear and staring at me with fear written all over their faces. I saw my mom crying while my dad, the alpha of the Moondusk pack, was comforting her and staring at me with a confused look. I tried walking up to them only to stumble on something on the floor. I looked down to find my twin sister’s corpse on the floor. From what I heard, I ripped off her gut, but can’t remember doing any of that, and the next day, I was banished from my pack. So automatically, I’m an Alpha prince turned Rogue, and since then, I have been hunted by the rogue hunter. Blending with the humans has helped me in being unnoticed until this night.

……

The party was going so well until my werewolf instinct picked up the hunter’s scent. I had to flee. That’s what rogues do, we always run from the hunter. I didn’t have to stay back at the party. I have to survive.

I immediately made my way to my room, but noticed someone had already moved in, that must be my new roommate. I bet he won’t last like the others.

The whole place was tidy which was not a bad thing though, but whomever did this must have removed my Jasmine powder from where I kept it. I have to find it fast before it’s too late. I always cover up my scent with the Jasmine powder to avoid being noticed by the rogue hunter. We werewolves can pick up scents a miles away.

Just as I was scattering the whole place and looking for the Jasmine powder, a familiar heat spread through my body, making my skin to tingle and my muscles tighten. I felt my bones shifting painfully, and my nails tearing through my skin. I fell on the floor to steady myself.

Now isn’t a good time.

A deep growl escaped my throat as I finally transformed and then it hit me, the hunter’s scent. The air in the building had turned heavy and thick with its scent. It’s coming from the building, but then I felt a little hope. The scent of the jasmine powder. It was in the trash can.

I made my way to the trash can and picked it up with my mouth before fleeing from the building. As I was running, I took notice of the new kid’s scent. He was going into the same building I just left.

How on earth is that kid going to survive if he gets involved with the hunter?

My wolf let out a soft growl. “He is our mate. You have to save him.”

I was reluctant in giving a reply so he immediately covered himself with the Jasmine powder before making his way back to the building.

“Wait, what?! Are you trying to get us killed?” my human side tried fighting my werewolf but it was futile. It’s not like he always listen to me, I can’t tame him.

“He is ours to protect,” he growled back.

“He can be yours to protect, but not mine. We can’t get a human involved,” I said, expecting a response, but got none.

“Okay fine. How do you intend to do that? The hunter is already on our tail,” I added, feeling defeated.

Before I could finish my statement, my wolf cloned himself. The cloned one went the direction the hunter’s scent was coming from, while we went after my mate. He was the new guy that moved into my room. If not for one thing, I would have said he intentionally threw the Jasmine powder.

 It was a funny scenery, and I won’t forget the look on his face before he peed on his pant.

Just as the drama was unfolding, I could feel my wolf growing weaker. He must have drained a lot of his strength when he cloned himself. I felt the shift beginning, my body pulling back toward human form, and I knew I had to get out of there before the lights came back on. I dashed out of the room and rushed to the bush nearby, where I could fully transform without being seen.

A few minutes later, while I was still catching my breath and recovering from the shift, a loud thud echoed nearby, followed by a familiar scent- it was the new kid. Groaning from the ache of my snapping bones, I picked up my naked self and staggered toward the sound.

There he was, lying on the ground, unconscious, still in the pants he’d peed in. we must have scared him pretty bad. I felt a mix of annoyance and a little amused, but when I looked closer at his face, guilt and pity washed over me. The rogue hunter would have torn him apart if not for my wolf.

Today had been a crazy day for both of us. There’s something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.

 He’s different.

Every time he’s near, my wolf growls “Mine,” staking his claim.