Morgan

6

Cayden

We were running drills, practising our backdoor cut, and scoring hoop after hoop. My team was fully comprised of werewolves from my pack, including my Beta, Andre.

My father always nagged at me that an Alpha shouldn't spend his time playing sports, but I disagreed. It was good exercise, focused the mind, and also brought my closest wolves together. It was perfect for building teamwork.

It also didn't hurt that it felt damn good to be the best team in the city, and bringing home trophies was always fun. I laughed to myself at the thought that the River Ash pack was probably the only one to be playing international basketball. River Ash - named after the river that flowed through Tota, the main city in our territory. We also had a few towns and a multitude of villages, and I wasn't humble about the fact that our pack was huge, probably one of the biggest.

I received the ball, and dribbled, avoiding Andre's attempted intercept, then deftly threw it straight into the hoop. I readied myself for defence as Andre took the ball, when I smelled something. Oranges. It was very sweet, but not overpowering. I knew immediately what the scent meant. My mate was nearby.

Finally! I had been searching for her for years, but eventually realised she must be far away from our pack, perhaps even on another continent.

I stood still and glanced around me, trying to see where she was. There was nobody else out in the sports centre this early, so I focused on the street across. A small park, deserted at this hour apart from an old man walking his dog, and a middle-aged jogger.

Then I noticed the bus waiting at the red light, and looked over the passengers.

There she was. She was staring at me too, her grey eyes swirling. I couldn't see much of her because the windows were darkened but I knew it was her. I took a few steps towards her, waiting for her to stop the bus and jump off to meet me, but she just returned my gaze, her face showing shock.

I guess I was shocked too. I couldn't hear anything around me, and the whole world blurred apart from those two eyes. I couldn't have looked away even if I'd wanted too.

Abruptly, something impacted with my head and I recoiled, blinking. By the time I'd regained my senses, the bus had left, trundling up the road. Quickly I memorised the number plate. What I couldn't understand was why she didn't get off?

Maybe she didn't quite believe it? I was definitely extraordinary.

'Cayden? The fuck was that?' Andre approached, picking up the ball from where it rolled away from my feet.

'My mate,' I replied bluntly. 'I'm leaving. See you later.'

With that, I left the court and grabbed my kit bag from where I'd dumped it by the sideline. I was going to find the nearest bus depot.

***

It was so easy to find where she'd gone. While the manager at Tota Central Bus Services didn't know I was a werewolf, he knew my family ruled this city. Probably thought I was some mafia or something bythe way he cowered away from me. I chuckled. The humans could have their theories. I didn't care, as long as they respected me.

He pointed at the highlighted route on his screen, and the blue dots representing stops. There weren't many. It must have been a night bus, only stopping at major stations. I didn't bother thanking him and left, heading to the closest 'blue dot'. Andre found me as I left the depot. I didn't have to ask how. He was Beta for a reason.

'You found your mate?' He asked by way of greeting. He knew I wasn't a fan of small talk.

I nodded but continued walking to my car - a black beamer.