Creeps With Claws || Not Being Finished

8 ~ Mates

The nine of them sat around the kitchen island, empty plates lying in front of them. Ashley could curl up now and fall asleep, with her stomach full of warm food. Joshua, Jacob and Malcolm all bid their goodbyes saying they were going to go for a walk before hitting the hay. The rest of them started clearing away the plates and plastic containers. Reese started washing up while Ashley dried up.

"Reese," Ashley said, not taking her focus away from the task at hand. "You could have chosen any girl you liked, why did you choose me?" Reese froze and turned to look at her, meeting her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but Rose cut him off.

"Isn't it obvious," she asked, Ashley raised an eyebrow, Trinity mimicking her. "You're their mates," Grace clamped her hand around Rose's mouth, giving both of the girls a sympathetic look as she dragged Rose out of the room. Ashley gave Trinity a confused look, which she mirrored. Ashley spun around to see Reese looking at her, his face blank and emotionless.

"Explain," Ashley said, Reese's face flooded with guilt and he rubbed the back of his neck.

"I...I can't," he said slowly. Ashley felt anger bubble in her.

"Why? If you have any hope of me staying you had better start telling the truth," Reese looked shocked.

"You're going to stay?"

"I was considering it, but now..." Ashley trailed off, Reese could figure out the rest for himself. She left the room walking straight for the front door, tugging it open and stepped out into the light drizzle of rain. She wandered over to the side of the woods, staring at the beautiful green scenery. She heard the faint crunching of footsteps and instantly knew who they belonged to.

"Look, Ash..." Ashley spun around sharply to glare at him.

"All I ask is one thing from you," she said, quietly.

"I just... I just don't want you to be scared of me."

"I won't be, please," Reese looked at her, searching her eyes, for what she did not know. He gave her a look of sorrow before closing his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Ashley watched as he bones cracked and reshaped themselves. Fur erupted over his body and his nose lengthened into a muzzle. His ears became pointed and moved to the top of his head. Soon enough an oversized grey wolf stood in front of her, looking up at her with brilliant green eyes. She cautiously squatted down, cocking her head to the side.

"Reese?" She said quietly. The wolf bowed its head lowly, his eyes full of shame. She hesitantly reached her hand out, smiling warmly when it came in contact with the wolf's damp and soft fur. Her fingers ran through it gently. She got to her feet, rubbing her arms. She watched as Reese went through the same transformation, but in reverse. He cast her a weary glance as they sat down on the steps that led up to the front door. "I'm not scared of you," Ashley said, pulling on her jacket.

"You should be, I just turned into a wolf," Reese said, looking mildly shocked.

"But you're still you," she watched as Reese slowly raised his eyes, to meet hers. "Can you tell me about... whatever you call yourself," Ashley said after a few minutes of silence.

"Werewolves," Reese chuckled. "We call ourselves werewolves." Ashley smiled. "What do you want to know?"

"As much as you can tell me," Reese gave her a wide smile.

"Well, very much like pure wolves, werewolves have their own territory and packs. The world is divided into several different packs, the biggest located in Australia. Werewolves are only allowed to travel into another packs territory with the Alpha's consent. The Alpha is the strongest werewolf in the pack, and takes orders from no one, well apart, maybe, from the Luna. Under the Alpha and Luna are the Beta and his mate, and then the Delta and his." Reese looked at Ashley, who was consuming every word that came out of his mouth.