Azara Origins

Chapter 9: Explanations

Dusty, Drake, and Rex walked in front of Jasper and Azara. The rest of the werewolves were now in human form. Azara had told them everything... well, almost everything.

As they walked around to the back entrance of the village, she saw Jasper stiffen.

"You alright," Azara said, falling back from the group.

He nodded. "The smell of human blood. It's hard to resist."

His eyes met hers, and they stared at each other for a moment.

"Come on, lovebirds," Rex said mischievously.

"Excuse me for a minute," Azara said as she transformed and lunged at Rex. He yelped and ran off, Azara hot on his trail.

Jasper smiled to himself as he watched her chase the werewolf pup.

Time Skip

"You really expect us to trust this monster, let alone let him stay here!" the blank man whom Azara learned was named Tayen said, gesturing towards Jasper.

Azara scowled at Tayen. "He saved my pack."

"He did," Rex piped up.

The fire flickered dangerously. The chief was sitting in a chair watching the argument. They were in a big room that was dimly lit and made from long pieces of wood and deer skin.

Suddenly Tayen relaxed and turned towards the chief. "What do you think?" Tayen said, then blinked as if confused.

Azara did a sidelong glance at Jasper, who only gave her a crooked smile.

"I believe this young man should be able to stay," the Chief croaked.

As they walked outside, Azara pulled Jasper aside.

"Did you have something to do with that?" Azara asked with a smile.

"I'm hurt that you would accuse me of such a thing," Jasper said with a grin.

Azara gave him a look.

"Yes, ma'am," he said, still smiling.

They walked over to where her fellow pack members were standing. The group walked up to four connected cabins in the woods that were shielded by foliage.

"Those are our cabins," Azara said, gesturing towards the cabins. "They all connect to a main cabin where we eat and relax."

Jasper nodded.

The group walked to the main cabin and stepped inside. The room was spacious and had multiple sections, such as a kitchen and living room.

Rex and Drake immediately flopped onto a sofa. Dusty walked off in the direction of his cabin.

"Guess we have to find a place for you to stay... how about...," Drake said but was cut off.

"Don't. You. Dare," Azara growled.

"What did he say?" Rex asked, confused.

"Never change," Drake said with a fond smile.

Jasper wore an amused look. "Vampires don't sleep. I'll stay outside."

Azara studied him for a moment. "Are you sure?"

Jasper nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Time Skip

It was still a little bit before sunrise, and Azara still could not sleep. She swung herself off her bed, slipped on her boots, opened the door, and walked into the woods.

Azara strolled through the foliage for about fifteen minutes or so, dodging branches and hopping over a creek. Finally, she pushed through a dense, green patch of leaves and stepped out onto a cliff overlooking a long valley.

The valley glowed gold as the sun began to rise. Azara sat on the edged and watched.

"Beautiful morning," a voice said.

Azara jumped up and whirled around to face the speaker. It was Jasper. He had his hands up and his crooked smile flashed across his face.

"May I sit?" Jasper asked, taking off his hat and placing it over his chest.

"Sure," Azara said with a nod.

He strode over and joined her on the jagged ledge. They sat in silence for several long moments.

"When I was nineteen, I met three women. The one called Maria turned me into what I am today." Jasper said. "I killed for her, and she manipulated me because my powers were useful in controlling her newborn army."

He turned toward Azara, and their eyes locked. "I don't want to be that way anymore," he said to her.

Azara nodded, never breaking eye contact. "I..."

"Azara!" several voices yelled from the direction of their cabins.

"We should probably get back," Azara said.

Jasper nodded. Together, they both walked back.

Time Skip

"Have fun?" Drake said innocently as Azara and Jasper entered.

Azara walked over...picked up a kitchen knife... and threw it. It flew through the air and embedded itself in the wood, right next to Drake's head.

"Okay, Okay," Drake said, raising his hands in an 'I surrender' gesture.

Azara just smiled.

She started to cook pancakes, eggs, sausage, and backstraps. After a while, she laid plates of food on the wooden table.

They all started to eat except for Jasper. There was a long silence.

"Do you not eat?" Dusty growled.

"No," Jasper said, with a respectful nod at Azara. "Though it's not the cooking."

"You don't know what you're missing," Rex said with a full mouth.

"Yeah," Drake agreed, then paused. "What? Do you drink human blood?" he joked.

Jasper looked down.

Dusty made a disgusted noise and left. Drake and Rex just stared, shocked. Azara managed to keep her expression blank.

Jasper winced.

"How about animal blood?" Rex asked, breaking the silence.

Azara looked up at Jasper.

"Yeah," Drake said, looking slightly hopeful.

"Perhaps..." Jasper pondered.