I reached out my hand to Edith, helping her up.
"By the way, I still haven't introduced myself. I'm Leon, a shapeshifter."
"Shapeshifter? That exists?!"
Edith was surprised, cracking her knuckles, looking like she had several questions but hesitating to say them out loud.
"If you want to ask something, just say it. I'll be happy to answer."
I smiled at her, showing my goodwill. Motivated by my kindness, Edith no longer hesitated.
"Can you change your appearance? What forms can you take?"
These questions were within the acceptable scope. It wouldn't hurt to answer them, especially since it would bring us closer.
"I can take any imaginable form, as long as it's within a limit."
To prove my words, I closed my eyes and changed my face. My black hair fell, blonde hair grew in its place, the flesh of my face opened, twisting and molding into a woman's face.
When I opened my eyes again, they were green, differing from the red ones from before.
"Ehhh!"
Edith let out a squeal, looking at me with newfound curiosity and admiration, not caring about the grotesque display earlier.
"You look identical to me!"
That was true. The new appearance I had taken mimicked Edith's. The only notable difference was my body structure and the lack of feminine features.
That couldn't be helped, since the bio-nanomachines in my body couldn't alter my diamond-like bones, and I wouldn't bother creating a pair of breasts just for a simple demonstration.
"Am I handsome?"
I smiled at Edith, winking and making what I thought was a seductive expression. Edith froze, as if she didn't know someone could make such an expression.
"Y-You are handsome— not that you weren't h-handsome before."
Edith stumbled over her words again, cracking her knuckles more frequently. It seemed she did that unconsciously whenever she was nervous.
I smiled one last time before returning to my original appearance: black hair, red eyes, and a beautiful androgynous face.
Seeing me change appearances so effortlessly, Edith's mood shifted, her wolf ears drooping sadly. She was remembering bad things.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
She flinched at my question, but her mood shifted again. Her ears perked up, and she gathered the courage to ask:
"Can you teach me how to transform?"
"How?"
I tried to confirm what I heard, since I didn't understand where she was going with that.
"I'm having trouble transforming into a wolf," Edith answered, as if understanding my doubts. "Since you're a shapeshifter, a transformation expert, I thought maybe you could…"
"…Forget it, I'll just learn to do it on my own."
Edith's shoulders slumped, but she forced herself to say those words. She probably thought I would find her pathetic if she couldn't even change forms on her own.
To be honest, it is pretty pathetic. Switching between wolf and human form should be second nature to werewolves.
Of course, I wouldn't say that out loud. I wanted her friendship, so I would gladly help her.
"Is that what you want help with? Of course I'll help you."
Edith jumped on me in joy. This time I managed to catch her without falling, just leaning back a little and holding her by the waist.
"Ekkk!"
She let out a little scream, which I ignored, my thoughts focused on how soft her waist was, tempting me to squeeze.
"C-Could you stop holding me so tightly? I-I'll blush like this…"
Realizing what I was doing, I immediately let her go, bowing slightly in apology.
"I'm sorry if my actions bothered you. It's just that you were so soft my hands moved on their own."
"N-No need to apologize… I actually liked it…"
Edith didn't stutter on the last part, saying it without thinking much, but then she realized what she had said and went silent.
I didn't raise my head to look at her. I knew if I did, I'd be faced with her tomato-red face, which would only make her even more shy and evasive. That was the last thing I wanted, at least now that she was starting to open up to me.
So I took advantage of this position to grab my briefcase from under the bed, turning my back to Edith as I shuffled through the papers stored there.
The atmosphere grew strange, the uncomfortable silence broken by Edith — whose curiosity about what I was doing outweighed her earlier shyness.
"What are you doing?"
I closed the folder containing information about monsters of the werewolf race before replying without turning around.
"I was looking for information about werewolf transformations, and I think I found a solution to your problem."
"Really?!"
Edith's joy soared, before doubt set in and she asked curiously:
"How do you have information about werewolves? I doubt they'd share such things."
She was sincere in her question, with no hidden motives. It was genuine curiosity, almost innocent.
"Well, how do you think I became an expert in transformations? Obviously I studied a lot for it, so it's natural that I'd have an extensive collection of data on transformations."
It was a lie, anyone could tell. But in Edith's innocent mind, it made perfect sense.
"You're right!" Edith clapped her hands, looking enlightened. "I get it now, the reason I haven't transformed yet is because I haven't studied enough!"
I stayed silent, unsure how to respond. If I told her that wouldn't work, Edith would realize I lied. But letting her struggle in vain seemed wrong.
"It's not that simple, Edith."
I closed my briefcase and turned to face her. I almost felt guilty for destroying the hope in her eyes. Almost.
"The study method only works for shapeshifters, since they have a unique physiology…"
I continued my lecture of convincing lies. Edith believed everything, looking completely disheartened by the end.
"But don't worry, I'll help you. You can trust me."
"O-Ok!"
I used my warmest, most sincere smile to comfort Edith. Deceiving people like her was too easy. With just a few words, she now trusted me. Hard to believe I had only met her yesterday.
"It's very common for betas to struggle with transforming. They need to mature first before trying…"
Edith's expression darkened at my words, her ears drooping and her shoulders slumping, as if she wanted to disappear.
What was that? Shame? Vulnerability and… Fear?
I stopped my explanation and looked at her, my eyes full of concern. I asked, wanting to understand her feelings:
"Edith… I noticed you suddenly get sad. I'd like to know why. Did I say something that upset you?"
My words were met with silence. After a few minutes, Edith opened her mouth to reply, her voice barely audible:
"I-I'm an alpha."
"What?!"
What?!
Impossible!
I stared at Edith from head to toe. She was slim, with a narrow waist, a generous bust and wide hips, long slender legs.
I was tempted to activate my X-ray vision to evaluate her more deeply, but I thought it unnecessary. She was unmistakably a woman, which made it impossible for her to be an alpha.
In the werewolf race, all alphas are male, just as all omegas are female.
So why was this woman claiming to be an alpha?
Edith went pale under my intense gaze, not daring to meet my eyes. It was as if she feared… rejection.
That explained everything. She was bullied in her former pack for being a female alpha, even more for not being able to transform. She was a failure, an aberration.
"Edith…" I began slowly, all the pieces fitting together in my mind. "You don't need to fear being different."
Edith looked at me, surprised, and I continued:
"We're all different. You're not a freak for being a female alpha."
"A-Are you serious?"
Edith's voice trembled, hope shining in her eyes along with unshed tears.
"B-But… Mom and Dad always said terrible things to me…"
"Leon… You don't need to lie just to make me feel better."
Edith's smile was dazzling, yet at the same time so fragile. She was happy because at least someone wanted her to be well, even if it was a stranger.
"I'm not lying, look."
I reached out my hand to her. With a thought, the flesh of my hand split into slices, revealing the black bones beneath.
"W-What is that?"
I smiled at her question, a melancholic smile. Noticing my smile, Edith suppressed her curiosity and quickly said:
"You don't need to tell me… if it reminds you of bad things."
"No…" I shook my head, as if to chase away dark thoughts. "You opened your heart and revealed your pain to me. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't do the same?"
She was moved by my words. It seemed this was all a new experience for her, as if it were the first time she'd ever been valued.
What a sad girl…
I raised my hand of black bones, Edith staring at it with unprecedented seriousness. It looked cute to see her frowning like that; it just didn't match her adorable face.
What the hell kind of thought is that?!
Focus, Zero! Focus! You didn't come here to fool around.
I pushed away any thoughts that could hinder my mission. Mistakes weren't allowed. Not from me.
"I'm a bit different from ordinary shapeshifters. My bones aren't malleable, which makes shifting forms harder. But that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. My bones are stronger than metal. So I realized I wasn't made for transforming, but for fighting." I pointed at Edith. "And that's why you must find something you're good at. Don't see being a female alpha as a curse, but as a blessing. Being different is what makes us special."
Edith stayed silent at my words, but the flame of determination lit up in her eyes. That's what I wanted to see, a little wolf motivated to help me.
"Thank you, Leon. But maybe I'll need your help to figure out what I'm good at."
"It will be my great pleasure to help you."
Heh.
And here I thought I'd have to offer my help, but she asked on her own. This little wolf grew more confident, even if just a little.
...
Seven days passed quickly. I submitted my reports every three days, as ordered. But it wasn't easy—Edith wouldn't leave me alone, following me everywhere like a little puppy.
Luckily, she didn't follow me into the bathroom—but she wanted to, I know she did.
My relationship with Edith improved little by little. I can confidently say she would do anything I asked.
The tension among the monsters grew with each passing day—we were like prisoners inside this castle. The worst part was that we weren't being taught anything, and the food in the cafeteria was awful, nothing but tasteless mush.
The first to show signs of instability were the werewolves and vampires. They were predators, and that thing they called food was useless to them—they wanted meat.
Since that observation three days ago in my last report, monsters have started disappearing. Strong suspicion they were killed and devoured by the werewolves or vampires.
I'm just surprised they haven't turned on each other yet. I think they want to wipe out the easier prey before engaging in a harder fight.
I suspect Edith and I will be the next target.
Awaiting further orders.
After finishing my third report, I closed my briefcase. A blue glow escaped through the cracks, and when I opened it again, the papers with my report had vanished, replaced by new ones.
Agent Zero, you have been granted permission to kill if you deem it necessary for the success of the mission. But remember—we do not want you exposed. You must remain unnoticed. Your only objective for now is to gather information.
Await further orders.
"Understood."
Before leaving the men's bathroom, I turned to face myself one more time, checking if there was anything that could compromise my disguise.
Finding nothing with my X-ray vision, I left the bathroom, ignoring the sounds of moans and sighs coming from one of the stalls.
A beta and an omega were having sex. A silver moon tattoo on their backs told me which pack they belonged to.
A smile crossed my face. I foresaw bloodshed today. Alphas are extremely territorial wolves, monopolizing all omegas for themselves. So just imagine what would happen if one of them found out a mere beta dared to touch one of their omegas?
"Leon, why do you always take so long in the bathroom? You weren't doing weird things, were you?"
Edith was waiting for me outside. Seeing me come out, she asked with a mischievous smile, her previous shyness almost gone thanks to our growing closeness.
"Yes, I was. Next time, I'll invite you."
She blushed at my words but didn't back down, replying in a voice barely audible:
"I'll be waiting."
I shook my head inwardly. What happened to my Edith? Before, she couldn't even say hello without stuttering, and now she says perverted things without blinking.
But I'm glad she can open up like that—at least with me.