We arrive in this world as innocents. Wide-eyed, vulnerable. It's the job of our parents to nurture and protect us.
Unfortunately, my parents failed miserably. Murdered before upholding their parental task. My pack was betrayed, killed, and I... grew up among the enemies, pleasing them.
One thing I had misunderstood as I went through life was mistakenly believing I could escape my wretched situation if only I worked hard enough.
However, that was something I couldn't escape, no matter how hard I worked toward it.
* * *
"You are..." Still in surprise, trying to pull things together, the words came out softly from my lips, which Oliver interrupted before I could finish.
He began his story.
"Long ago, the most powerful witch fell in love with a werewolf. An alpha. Werewolves and witches are never on good terms. Witches fear us, call us monsters, our bites—"
I interrupted him soon after.
I thought he was going to talk about our packs. Maybe some remnants of them, and needed unification, and as the last alpha of my pack, I thought he wanted a leader, which I would have refused instantly.
I'm here for revenge, after all.
"Spare me your family history and get to the point. Why must I listen to your story? If it has nothing to do with me."
"Of course. Your parents' deaths weren't just planned by the Nakamuras.
Our packs were hungry for power, and Lord Nakamura's offer was gracious. They had a shaman working for them. She had cursed parts of our pack. The most vulnerable ones. At the full moon, they would change to their full wolf form and never return to human form. They would become prey to other creatures and eventually die.
"Except if they betrayed the Takedas and worked with the Nakamuras. They would also be given immortal life, become much stronger, and gain full control of their shifts.
"The offer was tempting enough and worked in their favor—"
"Let me guess. They accepted the offer," I jumped in.
"Well, well, I'm done listening to this story of yours. The witches, werewolves, Nakamuras, and the Takedas," I said, pretending not to care. I thought acting uninterested could help me take control of this situation instead of falling into the hybrid's plot or whatever he wanted with me. I mustn't trust anyone.
I had learned it the hard way.
But my curiosity got the better of me. I mean, the story was confusing enough.. everything.
"So the question is, who are you? I mean... what do you want from me? You wouldn't have approached me without wanting something. Witches are like that," I said boldly.
"I'm not a witch!" he retorted.
"Half wolf. You and I could be distant relatives for all I know." He added.
"But you are a hybrid. That's even worse. You're acting much more like the witches now, trying to get through to me to control me into doing your bidding. I have waited far too long to become a witch's lackey." I said.
I suddenly thought about a story I once heard about witch compulsion. I'd seen it once, and it was definitely not my thing. They seem real, truthful, with calm, soothing voices to easily make one fall for their lies, and when they do, it's game over.
I would rather be dead than be compelled by a witch. I am already dead, and I'm not just going to risk dying for the second time right now.
"I want to help you," Oliver said.
"Spare me that!" I screamed back at him, pointing a finger at him.
"You aren't even a wolf, and yet..."
The pause came suddenly. I could barely move my lips. More exhausted, sleepy.
Akira is taking over.
That little girl is a pain in the ass. I haven't even achieved anything yet, all because of this hybrid who held me down. I mean, not that I even like this weakling body. I miss mine.
Regardless, she's coming at the right time since I have to avoid whatever the witch is planning. Avoiding him is the best answer for now, especially when I'm still weak. I'll gladly face him when I become more powerful!
When it's the full moon, my power will become twice as strong, and I'll be in control of this body. Until I'm in full control of it, I won't let my rage subside. I will continuously be reminded of the pain of that night until I succeed with my revenge.
I'll be killing the petty humans for now to enhance my control of this body. Being dormant? I'm not up for that any longer. After killing the humans, I'll gladly let you take over so you feel the confusion, pain, and eventually become broken and weaker.
Akira, you can take over for now.
"Look!" Oliver pulled out his hand, showing me how he was shifting. It was so fast—his claws, the fur just appeared so soon, his eyes were about to turn.
I distracted him before his complete shift.
That is, if he could actually shift completely as a hybrid.
I chuckled in response, making him seem pathetic when he thought he was supposed to be in control.
"Who would want to believe anything from you when your stories don't even make any sense? They're confusing."
"I can make it make sense," he replied immediately.
"Too late," I said quickly, and then used all my remaining strength to break free from that so-called spell until I fell to the floor.
Then, everything became dark.
Akira had taken over.
"WAIT!" Oliver screamed, but it was too late.
"We shall meet again, Kira."
* * *
I woke up soon after. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the monster standing in front of me, breathing heavily.
I gasped, "Where am I? Who are you? Where is this place?" I asked in fear and confusion.
"What are you? What have you done to me?" I said, remembering the exact fur and claws. This thing also happened to me last night.
"I'm Oliver Quinn."
"Somebody help! Please!" I screamed so loud that even from a far distance it could be heard. Too loud, but to no avail.
"Calm down, little wolf. I'm not going to hurt you."
"HELP ME! He's going to kill me!"
Oliver started chanting again after his fur and everything had turned normal. In a blink, we were in the school compound, in the backyard.
More surprise and fear took hold.
"A MONSTER! HELP ME!" Oliver began another spell shortly after.
I couldn't run from him even if I wanted to. It was more like being stuck with him.
When he finished chanting, he came closer to me, his eyes fixed on mine, his hand on my forehead. I became unexpectedly quiet and cooperative.
"You will forget that you have ever met me today. You were in school throughout today. You can't remember what brought you to the backyard." As he said this, his eyes glowed as if the magic was being activated.
Just like that, I was compelled and lost my memory.
"Akira?" A voice broke through just before Oliver released his hand from my forehead.
"What are you doing here?
Who are you?" Takumi asked, seemingly surprised, in a voice a little more commanding than his usual self.
* * *