Still Breathing

You don't owe me anything.

Kacey's POV

Tuesday was a blur. There were rumors about new students coming the next day, and every time I glanced at Asher, he was shaking his leg under his desk and he had this worried look on his face.

I didn't know what was up, but I didn't want to be nosy. I was just concerned, but I decided I would be better off giving him space.

At lunch, Cody and I talked about the incident at lunch because by the time he got home the night before, I was already asleep. He was convinced I had a thing for Asher, which I didn't deny. It's just...ever since my last boyfriend I've been really cautious around guys.

My ex-boyfriend was physically and emotionally abusive, which was scary considering he was only sixteen and I was fifteen. He was controlling and a nightmare to be with. I was even scared to break up with him. When I did break up with him, he threatened to kill himself. I didn't believe him...but he did. And the guilt haunted me every day for that. I knew he had a mental illness at that point, but I still felt guilty.

Everyone had assured me that it wasn't my fault, and it had been a little over a year already, but I still was scared to get close to anyone because I didn't want to hurt them. Asher was the only guy I had ever given a second thought since him. I don't even like to use his name anymore.

With Asher, I had been intrigued by him for a long time, always paying attention to him, since my friends made him the target of their little snide remarks in the hallway. I, however, hadn't said a word about him. But I saw him around in my neighborhood, and I had always gotten this mysterious vibe from him. There was something there that I couldn't explain...but it seemed like I was getting closer and closer to discovering what was happening.

That idiot didn't try to mess with me that day, which I was thankful for. I rode home with Cody from school, blasting Say Anything's "Alive With The Glory of Love" as we pulled into the driveway. I saw Asher at the edge of the woods, and then he dissapeared.

As I was unplugging my iPod from the car, I heard some low growling noises from near the house. My emerald eyes flitted over towards the woods, and out of nowhere came three big-ass wolves, headed straight toward me, and I froze in fear as Cody frantically tried to unlock the front door.

In literally seconds, I saw Asher bust out of the woods, jump into the air, and shift into a wolf, his skin stretching and ripping, the boys' body recognizing its new form in a matter of seconds. The huge animal darted my way, his clothes littering the ground behind him.What the hell? I thought wolves shifted painfully, not like that! Just as one of the wolves lunged at me, Asher (I'm guessing that was him in wolf form) dove in front of me and grabbed the wolf's neck in his teeth, slamming it down into the ground as it yelped in surprise.

Cody finally got the door unlocked and we scrambled inside as another wolf launched itself at us. Asher snarled and snapped at the wolves, while I watched from the window. Good thing there's trees around my house. Shit.

Soon, the wolves ran off, blood trailing down their bodies. That was intense, I thought, still in shock over what had just occurred. I heard a whimper and Cody opened the front door to find Asher on the grass, naked. "Oh shit," I said, covering my eyes and turning away.

"Go get him some clothes!" Cody said, grabbing a blanket to wrap Asher in, who was weak looking, and he managed to help get him inside to the chair in the living room.

I brought down a pair of sweatpants and one of Cody's The Story So Far crewneck sweatshirts. Asher limped to the bathroom wrapped in the blanket and changed. I managed a glimpse at his usually concealed arms and saw scars all over him. Oh god, I thought. He came back out and sat down on the couch beside me, as Cody paced the living room.

"What the hell was that?!" Cody exclaimed. Oh God. He was being the protective older brother again. "You could've gotten us killed!"

Asher sighed and clenched his fist nervously.

"Those were...my brothers. I left the pack a few years ago, and they came after me for some reason. And for some odd reason they came after Kacey," he said, looking protectively over at me. "They don't want me around human girls. They think that wolves should only...be with...other wolves."

"Wait, so they think you guys are a thing?" Cody said, easing up a little. "Why the hell do they want to kill her?"

"They don't really even need a reason. I left the pack because they were going after humans, and losing control of themselves, but I had learned to control myself. I never wanted to hurt anyone like they did." Asher looked down at his bare feet, ashamed.

"Look, I don't really know what's happening, but I'll help you get out of this. I owe you," I said, smiling at him reassuringly. "I'm still in shock, and I can't believe I was right about you, but I'm willing to help you. I can't just disregard someone who saved my life." I told him.

"You don't owe me anything, Kacey. Trust me," He said, putting his hand on my shoulder. We felt the jolt of electricity again. He looked at me with those crystalline eyes and something told me that he was nervous about me knowing.

"This doesn't change anything about what I think of you. Remember that," I looked at him, and he actually smiled at me a little.

Cody nodded. "So what're we gonna do? They're back for you and the people you care for, aren't they? To get revenge."

Asher nodded nervously. "I've gotta get them out of here. I'm gonna go see if they're at the house, stay here. And keep the doors locked."

Author's note:

Hi darlings! Red here! Hope you enjoyed the new chapter! We're working on some big plot stuff right now.