Better Half

CHAPTER 1

Leaves are falling from the trees one after the other, covering the forest ground with different colors. Autumn has finally arrived and it's beautiful...

I bent to pick some leaves that I will put on my book. I carefully put them on my backpack when I felt something. I turned around but saw nothing.

I'm in the heart of the forest so, I carefully looked around. Perks of being the alpha's son, I'm not just well trained but  also my eyes are sharper than average werewolf.

I hid behind the biggest tree I could find and wait. Maybe it's just a deer or a coyote but I have to be sure. Minutes passed and my eyes saw the last thing I expected to see - a red werewolf gracefully running to the deepest part of the forest...

Its fur looks so smooth and silky... As if shining in the rays of sun..

I was frozen in the spot as it passed me by. I blinked just to be sure my eyes are not deceiving me but I regret it as soon as I did. Because in the blink of an eye, it's gone...

I tried to follow it but failed. The wind blew its scent away...

How come there's a red werewolf in the gray werewolves territory?

I felt a heavy hands on my shoulders followed by a familiar voice.

“I don't know. Maybe because you're dream-talking again?”

“Oh, I dreamed of it again...” I mumbled to myself. It's a real life event that happened years ago but no one believed since I don't have any evidence. Besides, red werewolves are living in the other side of the world.

‘‘So, are you just gonna continue sleeping, Mr. Day-Dreamer?’’

Sleep automatically left my body as I recognized the powerful voice of my father, Alpha Z.

I quickly sit straight from slumping on my study table but my eyes went wide after seeing the papers my father gave me, all scattered on the floor.

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk...” I know, he's disappointed as he watched me retrieve the papers.

“I should have asked Ember to do it instead. Just go to the library once you're done.”

I angrily put the papers in the table as soon as he left.

Ember again...

She's been my toughest competitor since my parents brought her home five years ago.

I had to study harder because Dad will always compare our grades and academic achievements. Good thing about her, she's not competing, she's just real smart and bright. It's only Dad who creates competition between us which Mom explained, just to motivate us.

Ember is not legally adopted so I'm not obliged to treat her as my sister. All I know about her is, she lived with human because her parents are rogue wolves. They were involved in an accident, she just managed to survived because her parents threw her out before their car fell off the cliff and explode..

Fortunately, my parents was passing by. They decided to take her home temporarily because the police and ambulance are almost near. Imagine what catastrophe it is if they saw a girl with  wounds quickly healing by itself. But after learning she's nowhere to go, my parents decided to take her as their own daughter.

In fact, it's forbidden to talk about Ember's background. Even I was not allowed to ask about her. Mom said it's because it's so traumatic for Ember.

I remembered her first week with us, she stayed in the pack's hospital because she's having nightmares, crying and shouting in her sleep and often sleep walk. Mom took a lot of effort just for her healing..

I never liked her ever since. I just had to treat her civil for my parents sake. Well, she's nice just strange.  I don't know where she's getting the guts to look at me, straight in the eyes without any fear. Even my best friend fear my alpha presence. That's why I hate her sometimes.

Speaking of her, there she is..

I heard her faint steps. She walks lightly like a ninja. She's one of the few in our pack who can do it which I found strange. Dad just said it's because he's training her personally..

I heard her knocked softly.
“What?’’ I asked in monotone but I already smelled the food she's holding.

‘‘Mom asked me to bring you food.’’ her simple reply. Always the straightforward.

Food. My stomach suddenly grumbled. I checked the time. It's past two in the afternoon but I haven't eaten any lunch yet.

I quickly walked to the door and opened it.

The sweet smell of her shampoo hit my nose. She looked into my eyes and I froze in awe.

Since when did her eyes become bluer than the sky?

“Here.”

I watched how her mouth move as she talks. “Eat before you continue with your tasks.” Her voice is so soft and angelic...

“Zed?!”

Now that's an annoyed shout that shook me out from my trance. I blinked and took the tray from her.

“See what's skipping food did to you?” Her eyes turned a bit darker now and before I lost myself again, I averted my eyes and act normal as I should.

“Thank you.” I said in a neutral tone and quickly closed the door with my foot. I heard her sigh and walked away.

Good thing I'm expert in hiding my feelings, I trained hard for this.

I smiled as I eat. Although we're not that close, she's always been thoughtful of me. Well, I care for her but I can't show it and I won't. I can't entertain whatever strange emotions I'm feeling whenever she's around.

I looked at the pictures posted on my wall and stared at the beautiful blonde girl who wears a crown in her head. Savanna, the most special girl for me. The girl I always wanted to be my mate...