Into the Wolf
Maia sat at her bedroom window, the early morning light filtering through the glass. Her thoughts were tangled, replaying the events of the previous night. Kai had saved her life, but it was one of his wolves that had attacked her in the first place. She wanted to thank him properly, maybe even learn a bit about werewolf culture. But the thought of willingly walking into their territory filled her with both curiosity and trepidation.
She shook off the thoughts and got ready for work. As she stepped into The Stockyard, she spotted Flora and Damien already at their usual table, the sight of them bringing a small smile to her face.
"Morning, Maia," Flora greeted with a worried look. Her braids were rolled up in a bun, and her green eyes were filled with concern.
"Hey," Maia replied, joining them and setting her bag down.
"Can we just take a moment to acknowledge the insanity of last night?" Damien said, a grin playing on his lips. "I mean, we got chased by a wolf, saved by another, and now we're just supposed to act like everything's normal?" His dark eyes sparkled with mischief, even as his words carried a hint of unease.
Flora rolled her eyes. "Damien, this isn't a joke. We could have died." Her tone was sharp, but there was a tremor in her voice that betrayed her fear.
"I know, I know," Damien said, raising his hands defensively. "Just trying to lighten the mood."
Maia couldn't help but smile at Damien's attempt. "Thanks, Damien. But Flora's right. We need to be careful." She took a deep breath, her thoughts still swirling with the memory of Kai's piercing blue and gold eyes.
Flora nodded. "Especially if you're planning to visit Kai and the werewolves. It's dangerous, Maia." Her voice softened, and she reached out to squeeze Maia's hand.
"I know," Maia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I need to understand. Kai saved my life, and I need to thank him properly."
Flora sighed. "Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I will," Maia assured her.
The day passed in a blur of routine tasks and customers. Maia found herself frequently distracted, her mind wandering back to the forest, to Kai, and to the unsettling sense of connection she felt with him. Flora and Damien kept her company, their presence a comforting reminder of normalcy.
"Remember when we used to come here after school and think this place was so cool?" Damien said with a chuckle, reminiscing about their younger days.
Flora laughed. "Yeah, and we'd sneak behind the bar to see if we could swipe some soda."
Maia smiled at the memory. "Seems like a lifetime ago."
"Well, things have definitely changed," Damien said, his tone turning serious. "But no matter what, we've got each other's backs."
"Always," Flora agreed, her eyes meeting Maia's with a look of determination.
By the end of the day, Maia was feeling a bit more grounded, thanks to her friends. Flora and Damien left just as Maia was about to close up. As she was locking the door, a familiar face appeared.
"Zac," Maia said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd stop by," Zac said, flashing a charming smile. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his blue eyes twinkled with amusement. "Catching up on old times."
"Well, it's good to see you," Maia replied, returning the smile.
They chatted for a while, Zac flirting playfully. "So, I'll be in Silver Moore for a couple of days on a business trip," he mentioned casually, leaning against the bar.
"That's great," Maia said. "We should definitely stay in touch."
"I'd like that," Zac said, his eyes lingering on hers.
As Zac left, Maia felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. She glanced at the clock and knew it was time. She walked to the edge of the woods, her heart pounding with each step. As she reached their usual meeting spot, Kai emerged from the shadows, his presence immediately calming her nerves.
"Well, well," Kai said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Didn't expect you to come willingly."
"I wanted to thank you properly," Maia said, trying to sound confident. "For saving my life."
"Consider me thanked," Kai teased. "Come on, I want you to meet some of my kin."
They walked deeper into the woods, and Maia felt a strange sense of calm despite the circumstances. The air was cool and filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine. Soon, they arrived at a clearing where two men were waiting. One was a hardened man with ginger hair and a scar across his eye, the other a slender figure with gold eyes and dark hair.
"Tyril, Drew, this is Maia," Kai introduced. "Maia, these are my kin."
Tyril's eyes narrowed. "A human? And the Hunter King's daughter at that. Have you lost your mind, Kai?"
Drew's expression was equally hostile. "This is reckless, even for you."
"Calm down, both of you," Kai said, his tone commanding. "She's here under my protection. And this stays between us."
Tyril muttered something under his breath but nodded. Drew looked less convinced but agreed reluctantly.
"Fine," Drew said. "But if this goes wrong, it's on you."
Kai turned to Maia. "We're going on a hunt. You can join us if you want."
Maia hesitated but then nodded, gripping her bow tightly. "I'm ready."
They moved silently through the forest, the wolves in their natural element. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. They soon spotted a warthog, and the tension in the air was palpable. Tyril and Drew shifted into their werewolf forms, their eyes locked on the prey.
Drew was about to pounce when Maia's instincts took over. She nocked an arrow and released it, hitting the warthog squarely in the side. It collapsed instantly.
Drew snarled, shifting back to human form. "What the hell, Maia? You ruined the hunt!"
"I'm sorry," Maia stammered. "I didn't mean to—"
"You're not one of us," Drew spat. "You'll never understand." He bolted off, disappearing into the trees.
Tyril glared at Maia and Kai. "This was a mistake." He followed Drew, leaving Maia feeling a mix of guilt and frustration.
Kai placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't let them get to you. They'll come around."
Maia sighed. "I just wanted to help."
"I know," Kai said softly. "Come on, I'll take you home."
They walked back in silence, the sounds of the forest a stark contrast to the stillness in Maia's heart.
"Don't mind them, they get like that sometimes. They'll come around."
Maia reasoned his words. "Not looking forward to that honestly."
Kai cocked his head. "Why do you say so?"
"Cos our people are at war Kai. How many times do I have to remind you of that? I was so stupid to come here."
Kai bowed his head in disappointment. Maia never saw this emotional side of him, and it pained her to dampen his spirit. It just seemed manipulative to her.
"Hunting with you guys was fun but all of this, just cannot be. I'm not really sure what's going on or what I want, but what I do not want is more trouble."
"I get what you're saying Maia. I would be in so much trouble too if the elders found out I brought a freaking human to our woods. A beautiful one at that."
Maia blushed. She couldn't imagine Kai being flirty. It was kind of weird.
"Home sweet home I guess."
They both emerged from the woods, straight into the fence bordering Maia's yard. Maia could just spot her room window from where she was, still open from that morning.
"You know, it would be really nice if you could get me up there." Maia said as she pointed in the direction of her room.
Kai looked up, and a sly grin crept into his face.
"Let me show you the superhuman abilities of a wolf. Climb on."
With that, he squatted low enough for Maia to climb into his back. Maia Jesus rated for a moment, but she trusted him enough not to hurt her.
She climbed onto his back and crossed her arms over his chest. She could've sworn she heard his breath catch in his throat.
"Okay. Here we go!"
Kai jumped.
Not just a regular jump. Maia went so high up in the air it seemed like she was flying. But then, her room window came into view and gravity took its toll as Kai seemed to slow down.
Kai arms and legs stretched out, latching onto he ledge of the window and the wall beaneath respectively. In a fluid motion, he hoisted himself onto the platform and into the room. Maia hopped off.
"Wowwww. Never knew you were a mutant rabbit."
"It's one of the many things I can do. If you come around another time, I could show you more."
Kai winked as he let out those words, and Maia felt her heart flutter.
"You rich people and your trinkets." Kai said as he gestured toward the lavish decorations and furniture in Maia's room.
"Being a wolf is all about being disconnected from the material and connecting ti Mother Earth."
"Well, wolves don't have TVs, or Wi-Fi, or this."
Maia said as she pointed her phone in Kai's face.
"Oh, one of those blasted gadgets you humans use to keep track of yourself and others."
Kai took the phone and studied it like an otherworldly specimen.
"It's fun to use Kai, don't be such a boomer."
"If boomer means strong and courageous Alpha, I'm more than happy to oblige."
"Shut up!"
They both laughed, and for a moment, Maia seemed to forget all the problems in the world.
"So, see you around?"
"See you around Maia."
Ki turned to go back out through the window. But he hesitated, turned back and kissed Maia.
This time, she was expecting it, and she found herself meeting his lips midway and returning the kiss. Shortly after, they separated.
"So I guess this is a normal thing now?"
"If you want it to, because I do."
Maia giggled again. Kai was strangely growing on her.
"Thank you Maia, for the company."
"And thank you Kai, for showing me the ropes. Even though today went a little unexpectedly."
Kai smiled at her, and finally, jumped back out through the window.
Maia lay down to sleep. And this time, there was no thought bubble, as sleep came somewhat easily.
Shortly before her brain and senses shut off to rest, she had that strange feeling. One of being watched and stalked. And as she finally slept off, she wondered within her head where or when she had felt something similar before.
Of course, she dismissed it as something unserious.
That would be a grave mistake.