Rhylor [The Ultima Manhunt B2]

Chapter 16 - A Wisper of Resilience

The Phoenix takes the lead after the two get out of the red house. Harper carefully traces her steps to guide her friend to her house. Of course, the girl knows the way from air but since he's a wolf, flying there is out of the picture.

She quickly halts in her footsteps as she turns to glance at her wolf friend.

"Say, Blade?" she mumbles.

He hums in response and she takes that hum as a means to continue. "I don't suppose we could pretend to date? My mom has been all over me about getting a boyfriend. Not to mention, my sister would freak out." she rambles on for a second.

Blade gives her a tiny smile. "I will if you want to." he says. Even if a part of me wants it to be real. Argh! What am I saying?! She's just my crush, nothing more. Nothing less.

Harper beams and pecks his cheek lightly. "Thank you for wanting to do it. I really appreciate it." she states.

"Of course! Anything for a friend." he mumbles and tries his hardest not to frown.

(HARPER'S HOUSE — TWENTY MINUTES LATER)

They arrive at a gorgeous off white two story home with a decent sized front porch.
Blade lets out a rapid whistle as Harper smiles at his response.

"Nice house." he comments.

"Thanks." the Phoenix says then walks up to the front door; that rests on the porch itself.

She reaches out a hand and opens the door, letting Blade walk in first then her. Once the duo is inside, Harper's younger sister drops her tablet on the floor as the girls' mother gapes in shock.

"Mom. Robin. I'd like you to meet Blade, my boyfriend. Blade, meet my mom, Addie and my sister, Robin." Harper introduces the group.

"Hi there! It's such an honor to meet you!" Robin shrieks then giggles. "Harpie's said so much about you."

"Did she now?" Blade hums. "Wait, Harpie?"

"It's her nickname for me. Don't question it." Harper mutters.

"Okay. I won't." he replies quietly.

Addie bends down to pick Robin's tablet and hands the black device to her youngest daughter before facing her eldest.

"Come. Have a seat. You can work at the table." she beams at the duo.

Something's off about her.

'Ditto.' Blade hears his wolf mutter. 'You are most definitely right. Something is off about that woman. She's too cheery.'

He hums lightly as he strolls over to take a seat. Harper slowly follows him; planting herself right next to him.

"Did you bring the books? We might as well continue our research." she says.

Blade pulls out the three books from his backpack. "Yeah." he responds.

(TWO HOURS LATER — SEVEN AT NIGHT)

Addie glides into the room at a rapid pace. "I made you both something! Here, try it! Let me know what you think of it!" she tells them while she pushes two cups towards them.

One sniff from the cup sends Blade almost reeling backwards. What is that?! I definitely don't like whatever the hell it is.

"Mom? What is this?" Harper asks and glances between her cup and her mother.

"Oh! It's just Wolfsbane mixed with a bit of peppermint and mistletoe. I also added a bit of silver and iron to it. It's truly a remarkable drink, I do hope you enjoy it." Addie explains.

Blade gulps. Silver is not a thing to joke around with and the mere fact she put silver in it could only mean it would kill him. The drink is lethal.

"Yeah, I think I'm good." he mumbles then quickly shoves the cup away.

"Well, because you won't drink it, I'll have to punish you." the elder woman tells him.

She unleashes a funky violet colored dagger. The sole crimson eyes on the dagger's handle catch Blade's eye as he finds himself mesmerized.

"Drink it! Or she'll stab you with that!" Harper whispers harshly in his ear. "Please, I can't lose you."

He blinks and turns his head. "You care about me?" he says in a hushed whisper.

Harper rolls her eyes and scoffs. "Of course I care! You're my good friend!" she says.

She then lifts up her cup with her hand, holding the glass in the air. "Now, cheers?" she gives a shaky smile.

Blade sighs heavily and leans over to grab ahold of his cup. He clinks his with hers. "Cheers." he growls in a low tone.

The werewolf takes a tiny sip and right away he clenched his eyes close. He opens them a second later and spots Harper laying her head on the table.

"It's the iron." she mumbles. "The rest of it doesn't effect me."

"Interesting. My body hurts like hell from the silver and probably other things, I'm not entirely sure." Blade groans.

"Really?" Harper asks.

Her pretend boyfriend nods his head, humming in response.

(FIVE DAYS LATER)

It takes five days for the duo to completely heal from the weird psychotic drink Harper's mom gave them and Harper is merely walking up to the school.

"Hey Harper!" the Phoenix hears Alina holler as the werewolf jogs over to her.

"Hi Alina. What's up?" Harper asks her.

"Nothing much. Just doing some more packing. You know for the field trip in less than a month." Alina responds.

"I haven't gotten around to packing yet." the redhead mutters.

Alina frowns. "Did your guardian even sign the form? Because my parents signed both of ours." she says.

Her friend nods her head. "Yeah. I've just been sidetracked with things." she comments.

"Oh? Like my brother? You know it's obvious you have a crush on him." Alina's now smirking like a fool and Harper has no choice but to roll her eyes while laughing slightly.

"I made that obvious?! I didn't mean to! It's just...sure he's hot and a werewolf but he's also kind and a great friend." Harper states quickly.

Her werewolf friend laughs loudly as she darts inside the school building.

"Maybe I do have a crush on him." Harper mumbles to herself while she walks in slowly.

(WEREWOLF CLASS)

The blue eyed Phoenix hybrid strolls into her third class of the day. Werewolf class. The school day itself is going relatively fast but she has yet to spot her crush attend classes. Where is he? If he keeps missing classes, at this rate; I'll be ordered to tutor him. N..not that it wouldn't be that bad.

She sets her backpack down on the floor at her feet after she fishes out her notebook and pencil. Notes are going to be the only way she passes this class; except it might get easier. Three of her friends are werewolves so maybe they can help her?

"Greetings students. It has come to my uttermost attention that the field trip to Bunny Hill will be happening in three days. The super intendant and the chair committee decided to move up the field trip to make room for finals. Please bare with the new date as signed permission slips must be turned in within the hour. Thank you, students for your cooperation and have a great rest of the day." the principal says through the loudspeakers.