Depend On Me [18+]

Sometimes, it's easier to hide

Chapter 52

*See their combat uniform at the end*

***Mora***

"Are you ready?" Michelle Han asks, her white hood hiding half of her face. 

I take in a deep breath and nod. The room quiets down as the white mage worked on releasing her restrictions.

 Like the first time, I felt nothing. No metaphorical chains were breaking down nor were mystical door opening. Just me, sitting awkwardly in a room with my friends with a hooded mage.  

"Done." She steps back and my friends look at me expectantly. 

At first, nothing happened. I flex my hands and release my aura. A growing buzz echoes in my head, then it explodes. 

My limbs tingle and grew numb, as my power pulse through my veins. My lips twitch in anticipation as the euphoric sensations settle. Ignoring the sharp gasps around me, I partially shift, revealing my claws, my fangs, and ears. 

When I finally came to, Kaiden was standing in front of me with a slight grin on his face, but the cold sweats running on his pale face betrays his discomfort. The rest of the group were standing by the doorway with pained looks on their face. 

We stand there, staring at each other as I regain my bearing. The door burst open and a group of students walks in, wearing flower crowns. Spotting my figure, their faces pale and they shriek in fright.

"M-Monster." One of them cries and they all run away. Don't be hurt. I tell myself. You should have expect that. You should get used to it if you want to truly thrive in this world.

 I stare blankly at the door and shift back to my human figure.  Of course. Of fucking course. I scoff and withdraw my aura. But the words didn't work, I was still hurt.

"Don't mind them." Kaiden tugs my hand and smiles softly. "Pixies are just easily frightened."

"Ah. I didn't know I was that scary." I answer wrily and he shrugs.

"All the best creatures are." He nudges my shoulder. "Your aura grew. I almost fainted when I'm used to it."

I paused. Another reason tried to pop up but I didn't say it out loud. 

"Where is the white mage?" I ask instead. The rest of the group approaches tentatively and I roll her eyes. 

"I'm not gonna bite." I said, flashing my canines. 

Eros grins and responds. "She teleported away when you released your aura."

That made sense since non-shifters couldn't bear Alpha's presence and aura. I look at them to find Carly watching me with a frown.

"What?" I bark.

She sighs. "I thought I caught up to you these past weeks, but the distance just grows."

Frowning, Raol hums in agreement and Kaiden chuckles. He comforts them and stares at Jade, who seems fine.

"What?" Jade shrugs. "I didn't have that delusion of grandeur. I know my limits."

"You'll get used to it." Kaiden slings an arm around Raol and nods at the door. "Let's get going. We need to pick up our uniforms for the mission."

They cheer as they leave the room and I trail behind them, lost in thought. 

Monster. The word echoes in my head, burrowing under my skin, and seeping into my bone. It's been a while since I heard that word. 

My mind returns to the day I met my father. The way his eyes turn into disgust and hatred. Monster. He also called me that word.