Episode 8

Ryan’s Pov

We Stand on the forest floor woven with ancient tree roots. I can hear the distant river and breaking tree branches from a distance. The car cannot go any further. Philip and I decided to walk. The drive from school appeared to be longer than I expected. All I can wonder is how she managed to get to school every single day without a car. Did buses really come all the way here? The forest is silent yet again.

There is a direct pathway that leads inside. All I can ask myself is why I had not taken the opportunity to visit nature once again. Everything looked breathtakingly beautiful. Nature has always been part of the Moon goddess. And it ought to be the responsibility of every werewolf to take care of it. Perhaps that's why my mate lives here to begin with. I can only assume that she is a lover of nature.

“Do you think she's home right now?’’

“She has nowhere else to go; you saw her class records. She hardly ever misses any day. She has perfect attendance at school. She isn't the type to get out of her way and hang out with friends if she has any to begin with. I fail to understand why. She is incredibly beautiful. She is breathtaking. Why would she choose to isolate herself this way?

We walk for a couple of minutes more before we come to the land clearing where a cabin is built in the middle. Even though I didn't expect much, the cabin was so little that I had time to understand how a father and his daughter lived there alone. 

“WATCH OUT!’’ I reach for Philip and I pull him down with me; the arrow comes darting over our heads and towards a tree. Another arrow is shot and I rolled to the ground, letting it miss the target.

 I am filled with rage as I focus my senses on the heartbeat around. We were not alone. 

Philip disappears towards the distant bushes. With the golden opportunity, I push myself up and charge in the opposite direction where the arrows are coming from. 

Another arrow is shot towards me, but the skills are reckless. Like a drunkard trying to use a bow and arrow for the first time. Supporting my weight on a large mahogany tree in the middle, I jumped forward, making contact with an elderly man who had been standing behind the trees.

 Philip comes from behind him and his fingers are swerve around the man's neck, strangling him. The bow and arrow slip from his fingers and he falls down with Philip. Anger and irritation flood my features. An attempt against my own life calls for the punishment of death.

“Who are you?” the mocking smile on his face does not change. Even with my beta’s hands still around his neck. He doesn't act threatened in the slightest way. He is unbothered.

Then the color of his eyes remind me of someone. Realization dawns on me like a lighted bulb.

“Is that your house?’’ I point back to the cabin in the woods. He stares at it and then back at me.

Giving a signal, Philip releases him and the man moves from Philip with a fearful expression. He tries to dust himself.

“Who are you and why are you trespassing my land?’’ 

The question gave me the answer I needed. But it equally provides more confusion than I originally had.

“This is a forest. It is a public land and it does not belong to any individual.’’ I can tell by the expression on his face that he did not share those thoughts.

 Why am I not surprised?

“I believe you are Taylor's father. Am I right?’’

The expression on his face becomes heavy. He stands on his feet but he ends up stumbling forward. My eyebrows furrowed as I stared at him. Something was off about this man. But maybe I was just being skeptical.

“W… Who are yo- you and what are you doi… doing here?” He tries his best to form a complete sentence. He does not stand but I can tell by his movements that he wasn't sober.

“I'm just looking for your daughter, sir. May we come in.’’ I stared back at The Cabin in an attempt to hear another heartbeat but no one was there. The frustration almost kills me. I want to see her. To talk to her again and to understand why she was running from me. 

“My daughter is not here. She isn't back from school yet.’’ the man said.

“Do you know when she's going to be here?’’ I ask.

“Not soon.’’ he answers in a heartbeat. “Do you.. uhh.. would you tell me what this is about?’’ 

 Philip and I stare at each other and then back at Mr. Brooke.

“We have a school project.’’

I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. Mr. Brooke looks at us skeptically and I can tell he doesn't quite believe us. He stares at me with his eyes almost shot. The intoxication of the alcohol is evident even by the way he smiles.

"A school project, huh? And what exactly is this project about?" he asks.

"It's a history project," Philip chimes in. "We're researching the local legends and folklore of the area and we thought your daughter might have some insight on it."

Mr. Brooke’s expression suddenly sobered a bit and he nodded. "I see. Well, I'm afraid she won't be able to help you. She's been away at school for the past year and she hasn't been back home since."

"That's alright," I say, trying to hide my disappointment. "We understand. Thank you for your time, Mr. Brooke."

"No problem, boys. Good luck with your project," he says as he starts to close the door.

“Thank you sir…’’ there was still something off about the man. I hoped it was because he attacked us, or maybe it is because of how easily he turned into a sweet person in just the flash of second. He was eager to make a sleeve. He didn't want us here and there had to be a reason behind it.

“You boys don't look like students. If your students then why would you attack me like that?”

He tries his best to stand up straight. This man was drunk. As drunk as he could possibly be, I can tell by his bloodshot eyes and his impaired speech, that I've seen this in my brother a couple dozen times.

“You attacked first, sir. We only defended ourselves.’’ Philip recounts. 

Mr Brooke remained quiet. I look at the man more closely. He looks so familiar. Yet again, all I can think is that I am comparing him to his own daughter. He had her image. Especially her eyes. Even a blind man could see that there was a striking resemblance between the both of them. But I didn't want him to be the type of person who reminded me of my mate. I wanted to trust the man but something was just off with him. Maybe it's because I generally do not like drunkards. Or maybe it's the fact that he attacked us to begin with. 

“We're leaving now. When Taylor comes back, pass the information that we were looking for her for the project. The teacher will give us a bad score if we don't submit early’’ He nods his head vigorously, as if desperate for us to leave. I noticed it but I said nothing. Philip throws down the bow and arrow in a place out of his reach, and then I nod my head before turning around and walking away. My mate was not here for some reason. Home is not the first place that she thought to come.

“Let me out. I'm going to find her.’’ My wolf demands.