My eyes fly open as screams and yells erupt elsewhere. Slipping to my feet, I pad to the doorway, trying to find the source of all the noise. However, another thought comes to my attention before I step outside my new room.
The ground scratches my toes as I retreat in search of some clothing not rumpled by sleep. I have no suitcase, my old clothes too pitiful for the guys to kidnap along with me. Ruffling in the drawers, I find nothing except dust and old screws. “Where are they?” I mutter to myself after pulling the final drawer open, “those all-knowing werewolves had to put some shirts somewhere.”
A gust of horrific wind blasts the window open, the glass pounding against the stone walls. Leaves swept by the gales soon follow, flying into my room by the dozen. Racing to the problem, I swing it shut, the sound resounding within the mansion.
I gaze into the horizon through the transparent surface, marveling at the turmoil before my eyes. Wind swirls around, framed by a barrage of dark gray clouds that hang in the baby blue skies. Leaves fall like confetti towards the dark, muddy ground, energy in their movements. If I squint, the faint outlines of heavy rainfall are visible in the far distance, heading our way with incredible speed.
Looks like I’m staying in tonight.
Sighing, I bend to pick up the new additions to an almost-flawless room. Many of them are scattered among the drawers, one dwindling on the conspicuous handle of a thin, white door. Once I think about it, that does look a lot like a closet.
That’s it! With feelings of triumph racing through my blood, I race to the door, yanking it open with a ferocious amount of raw energy. What comes to meet the eyes, though, is much more wonderful than a closet.
A spectacular bathroom lies before me, with granite countertops and top-notch accessories. A huge shower is to my right, big enough for maybe two or three people instead of just one. A big hair dryer and straightener is on the counter, along with nail polish, toothpaste, and even a brand new hairbrush. I almost scream, consumed with delight at the amazing amenities now at my disposal. At the orphanage, I had to share a shower with all the other girls, and I was always forced to be last shift. The knob was always stuck on cold, probably because Ms. Penn was so cheap. If I think hard, I can almost feel the icy river flood down my back as it had only a couple of days ago. It now seems so far away, as if it was a couple of weeks ago instead.
I walk over to another door, flinging it open to reveal the treasure I am seeking. A hoard of clothes lined from wall to wall jumps out at me, a true vision of incredulity lingering before my eyes. So many clothes…
With joy, I grab a random pair of jeans and a t-shirt, shaking off my earlier clothes as if I am shedding my skin. Racing into the hallway, I pound off in search of the mischievous wolves that are producing quite a racket.
The hallway ends, morphing into a giant room covered in bean bags. A giant, blank wall stretches over twenty feet horizontally, and is about the same height. From the high ceiling, a projector perches in its nest at the back of the room, shooting high definition images through the air to the blank space.
To the side, there is a marvelous food station, vending machines stocked with every sort of candy and drink imaginable. A popcorn station is right next to that, and a platter of delectable hotdogs.
But the star of the show is the plate of juicy steak, surrounded by a ring of eternal glory.
My mouth waters at the sight. How is this amount of food even possible?
“Hey Mona,” a similarly mouthwatering voice speaks near my ear, causing me to jump.
“Xavier?”
“Um, yeah, that’s me,” he laughs, emerging into my line of vision. His blue hair shines like a rainbow in the dim lights, the eyes shining on their own. With a body just as beautiful, he seems almost ethereal, too good to be true.
The rest of the deathly attractive pack turns their heads at our conversation. Instantly Wes jumps to his feet, racing to my side. “We were waiting for you,” he smiles enchantingly. His contagious attitude spreads like a virus to my emotions, causing a grin to bubble to the surface. However, I quickly quell it after a few moments of existence, noticing the hurt look on Xavier’s face. I feel a twinge of pity for the man.
Wes grabs my arm with sudden force, wrenching me from Xavier’s side. “I will be escorting her to the steak,” he announces, shooting a jesting look towards Xavier. He nearly roars in response, zooming to my side faster than a lightning bolt.
“No. I will,” Xavier growls, grabbing my other arm.
“She likes me better,” Wes smirks, holding me close. I can smell his minty breath, his sweet cologne that intoxicates me with every breath.
“Well, she’s my mate!” Xavier points out, pulling me strongly. My bones are about to break, suspended between them like a twig surrounded by tree trunks.
In a sudden burst of energy, I rip away from them both, edging towards the table of delicacies. “I will be escorting myself, thank you,” I state firmly, then turn away. An assortment of light chuckles and baritone laughs follow, the other werewolves probably finding amusement in my bitter words.
I reach the yummy steak, taking the whole plate into my arms. Plopping down on a stray beanbag, I start to dig in, chewing to my heart’s content. It is very similar to the awe-inspiring steak I had the day before, and absolutely scrumptious.
“This exquisite steak can only be found at our mansion,” Wes grins, materializing by my side, “the meat is produced by yours truly.” He bows, and I give him a round of applause.
“This really is delicious,” I say excitedly, to Xavier’s dismay.
“We all prepare it!” he growls, “the cows aren’t just yours!” With a hilarious expression, he punches Wes in the arm.
“What gives it its spectacular taste is that our cows are like no other,” Yi smiles, rising from his perch on a particularly big bean bag. Walking over to me, he leads me to one of the huge windows, beckoning for me to look out. Scattered on the emerald green grass are pure black animals that are truly…
“M0nstrous,” I conclude my thought out loud, staring into the sea of absolutely giant bulls. Horns protrude from their heads like sharpened spears, their glossy fur unmarred. Finally, their eyes are the same color as the grass, green as could be.
“They certainly are, aren’t they?” Yi murmurs, watching my utter fascination with pleasure. “I, actually, like to think of them as a fantastic crossbreed between a buffalo and a bull. Oh, and a twinge of werewolf.”
“What?!” I exclaim, “So it isn’t pure steak?”
“Don’t you think it tastes better than steak?” he questions carelessly, “It is a concoction Wes came up with around fifty years ago. We all had a liking for steak, Wes in particular, so he made it his goal to produce the finest breed the world has ever known. He found a beautiful buffalo and a prime cow, and went on a trip to find many more animals. However, when he reached home, he discovered that the buffalo and the cow had a few calves, some of which were boys, and one a girl. They were very delicious, and so he allowed them to multiply. His goal was to get two perfect bull/buffalos. However, too many of them were handicapped or spotted. Finally, after a long period of agonizing, he offered them a very small bit of werewolf blood, which strengthened them and colored their eyes. And so, that is how our amazing bull-buffalos and awesome steak came into existence.”
“Werewolf… blood?” I ask, choking a little on my steak.
“Not much… barely more than a drop,” he quickly reassures me, patting my back. His tanned skin distracts me, its color like light bronze.
“How can YOU eat that?”
“We don’t,” he shrugs, “when Wes added the werewolf blood, we all couldn’t eat it. That would be like… c@nnibalism.”
“Then why did Xavier eat it that one day in the lunchroom?” I walk over to him, peering into Xavier’s emerald eyes.
“That was deer meat,” he laughs genially. I just peer at them, shock registering on my features.
“You guys can’t eat steak anymore?” I ask. A life without steak… pure t0rture.
Wes waves his hand at me nonchalantly, “I ate so much then that I got sick of it. Don’t worry about me.”
I bite it once more, savoring each little bit of delicious steak. I walk back over to the bean bags, plopping into one. “What are you all watching?” I question curiously. The screen is frozen with the picture of a girl right next to a boy with long hair.
Jake smiles, “we heard you were a Twilight fan.”
I shoot a glare at the criminal as he lowers his gaze.
“We skipped to the part where Bella meets the handsome werewolf. We figured that that was the most important part anyways,” Jake continues. There is a beep as he presses a button, and the still picture comes to life. I examine them both, the werewolf as he looks at Bella with obvious love in his eyes, similar to someone I happen to know…
“Is Bella his mate?” I ask loudly, causing Yi to put a finger to his lips. Wes is already consumed with the film, probably imagining himself as the werewolf. Honestly, I think Wes would be better suited for a role like that.
“No,” Xavier chuckles, “she’s not. But he loves her.”
I look at Xavier’s profile, so enveloped in compassion as he views the rays of unrequited love emanating from the desperate man. His eyes glisten, hair falling into them. He is so statuesque and perfect; reminding me of those roman paintings I have studied in school. Like one of the Greek gods.
“Did you… love somebody before you became mated to me?” I ask, looking at the miniscule droplets of sadness bubbling on the corner of his eyes. He turns, eyes fierce.
“I loved nobody. It was endless t0rture,” he answers, “girl after girl… but never a connection.”
“It’s stupid to love someone who isn’t your mate,” Jake interludes, “for you can only break that person’s heart.”
Silence reigns as another character enters the scene. A cold, darkly handsome man appears by Bella’s side, conversing with her in low tones.
“Is that Edward?”
“True characteristics of a Twilight fan,” Jake laughs, “and yes, he is.”
I stare at his cold face, his measuring eyes. No matter how handsome, he still sparks fear and anger in my stomach. Xavier smiles.
“Vampires aren’t real,” he comforts me, rubbing a hand on my back. It is soothing, the way his fingers move in slow circles on my skin, somehow knowing precisely where I need it.
“But why are werewolves real then?” I probe agitatedly, “why they are real and not the v@mpires?”
The movie pauses once more, silence creeping like fog onto the inhabitants. A figure appears in the doorway, assessing us coldly.
“We are created for a purpose, and doomed to eternity until our task is completed,” Ray says, his voice rippling through the air towards my ears. “It is in the legend.”
“Legend?” I question.
“It is more like a prophecy,” he amends quickly.
“What does it say?”
“Well,” Jake cuts in, his voice like a knife, “it talks about a pack, led by a Spier that has the abilities of both a werewolf and a Spier. With these combined supernatural powers, the Spier has a super talent that will enable his or her pack to defeat the wolf with the red eyes and destroy the red stone. After that, the Shifters will cease, and so will the werewolves. Basically, werewolves exist to battle the Shifters.”
“We have a copy of it in the library. I recommend you read it for a better understanding than what Jake just gave you,” Ray says coldly, then turns away and walks down the hallway.
“Wow,” Yi jokes, “looks like someone’s grumpy.”
“Well, my explanation was kind of horrible,” Jake says.
“Don’t worry, I’ll read it,” I reassure him quickly. What Jake said makes almost no sense. The wolf with the red eyes? The red stone? My curiosity is spiked now, and there is no turning back…
Xavier perks up his nose suddenly, alarm in his next words. “Guys, there’s another attack,” he shoots up, horror in his eyes. The other occupants sniff, my heart rate escalating in fright.
“I want to go!” I yell as they start to rush towards the exit, running after them. I want to have an adventure, not to be left alone in this giant mansion like a little kid.
“It’s too dangerous,” Xavier calls.
“If you don’t let me go,” I snarl, “then you will regret it.”
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