I carry myself confidently, scanning the entire hall for just one person.
And there she is, waving at me.
I walk towards one of the most beautiful women I've ever set my eyes on. I break character immediately, "I actually missed you a lot, Mom," wrapping my arms around her—feels like home.
"I thought you weren't going to come—I lost hope already," she dramatically throws her head back.
Still admiring her beauty that isn't flawed by time. Lost in those green eyes as she goes on and on.
"You just want an excuse to be dramatic again," I tease. "You know I wouldn't turn down a request like this, Your Royal Highness."
She sighs, her composure breaking. "I'm sorry I asked you to come just a few hours after you got back from patrol," she says, clearly worried.
I lied about the mission being a patrol—to keep her from stressing too much. Though I wasn't told much, just that we'd be exploring an unmapped territory with no extra info.
"I rested enough before returning, so you don't have to worry," I reply, doing my best to hide the tension in my body. "So… how did we end up at such a high-class party?" I whisper with an evil grin. "Knowing the people here, you probably pulled a few strings."
To me, she's a mother and my best friend.
"It happened suddenly," she whispers, smiling back like we're teenagers sharing a gossip. "I got the invitation two days ago, and I couldn't reach you since you were still away. Then I heard you'd be back today, so I decided to bring you with me."
My eyes narrow slightly. "Don't you think that's suspicious?"
"Things like this happen all the time in the business world," she says with a soft smile.
I remind myself—she knows nothing about the mission and what I've discovered.
"True… true," I concur with nods. I really need to get myself together.
She's soon called away by one of the investors who invited her. "I'll be back shortly," she says as she steps out.
An opportunity to expand her business and influence. I know how important moments like this are to her.
Taking few blind steps back as I watch her exit with a smile on my face.
Then I bump into an exceptionally beautiful lady.
"I'm so sorry," I say quickly.
She checks me out from head the toe in disdain.
"Watch where you're going, you lowlife," she sneers. "Seems like they let just anyone in these days—especially filthy humans."
Those words hit harder than they should.
Filthy Humans?
Given everything I've seen and discovered, the sentence feels… wrong.
I step back slowly, staring at her.
Everyone around me is dressed in outrageously expensive clothing—designer fabrics, jewelry meant to scream status. Every detail carefully chosen to display wealth, power, and superiority.
And suddenly, I feel like prey standing in a room full of predators.
I feel eyes on me, and I start to question why they're even looking at me in the first place. Maybe it isn't my looks at all. Maybe it's something else—something I can't see, but they can.
My heartbeat quickens as my eyes scan every face. I'm searching—hoping, dreading—to recognize someone from the secret base or the files I stole.
Then I see him lurking behind the shadows of the tall pillars like someone who doesn't want to be recognized.
At first, I doubt myself. Then I see him again.
Tall. A full, neatly trimmed beard. Short hair. Handsome features hardened by courage.
A face I never expected to see.
Shock runs through me.
He shouldn't be here… here of all places? I think to myself.
I rush after him, my chest tightening. He probably knows a thing or two about whatever is was I saw. Probably knows what I know.
Though my heart has been worrying about him, and I've missed him so much, He shouldn't be here… here of all places? It's either coincidence or he followed me.
I trail behind him carefully. Trying not to be seen.
I'm quite sure he knows a thing or two about the mission that killed my team.
I honestly need to know if I'm sane or not. He's the only person I can trust with this trauma.
He walks toward the back exit of the building. I trail him closely. He glances left, then right—checking if someone's following him.
I duck behind the exit door just in time. My dress blends into the shadows.
He opens a shabby little lone door in the middle of the backyard garden leading underground. My eyes dim in curiosity.
Throwing my card with precision just when the doors were about to close, to prevent it from shutting completely. I try peeking as he walks down a narrow, dark passage. It's pitch black, but he doesn't hesitate—
That's when it starts to feel really wrong.
"How's he able to see?" I question.
I move carefully, I rub my hand along what seems to be a tunnel wall to guide myself. About half way in, a dim light flickers on, just enough to sharpen my vision—but not enough to reveal everything.
A strong scent hits me—sweat and alcohol.
Following the trail to a path that opens into a wide bright room. Several tall figures stand there—I peep carefully.
The conversations leave me determined knows something.
"Did you see him there?" one of them asks.
"No," he replies. "But there's a ton of important figures here tonight."
"Did you find any like us?" the voice presses. "Or one of our own in the crowd?"
"Yes…a lot of them like us," he answers plainly. "But…"
He pauses.
What might this mean? My heart beat quickens.
"I'm being followed."
A sharp, dizzy sensation hits my head—a violent vibration. As I'm about to leave, there he is, standing right behind me.
Whole. Perfect. Both arms are fully healed.
My breath catches.
"Jeff?" I force myself to say.
Be fore I could turn to the other direction, the next one was standing there.
He stretches his arm to grab me.
"How long have you been here?"
My body reacts on instinct.
I violently twist his arm—the cracking sound made it quite evident I broke something.
He puts it back unhinged. Staring up at me with a terrible expression.
I step back immediately, fully alert—my eyes scanning the room. My hands slowly reach my the dagger in my thigh I keep for unexpected situations like this.
"So you're the one?" Jeff asks.
"The one stalking you?" deep, serious voice echoes, coming from the other guy next to me. I can tell there's little shock in his reaction. Quite dark to see his face clearly.
I'm panting hard, trying to process what the hell is going on.
"Don't try anything foolish," Jeff says calmly. "You followed me, and even attacked first—it's impossible to take us down at a go.
I can assure your safety but you have to trust me, knowing you have questions regarding the event," he nods.
"Better start talking." I fire back, trying to mask my fear.
"I had questions too," he says. "I still do. After all you saved my life—so I owe you one."
He nods at the other guys who were approaching like they were communicating. They back off slightly.
"Follow me." He walks back into the room.
"The mission was a setup. A trap," he says. "I suspected the higher-ups in this city were hunting something humans don't even know exists."
"humans?" I repeat, eyebrow raised.
"You already know beings other than humans exist now, don't you?" Jeff asks, arms crossed.
His expression tells me he definitely knows I've seen things. Knows I have information about what's happening in Banemont.
"You don't have to lie," he says quietly, he stands, stepping closer. "I can hear your heartbeat from here."
"Are you one of them?" I ask curiously.
"One of what?"
"Those beings."
"What beings?"
I exhale slowly. He wants me to say it first.
"The wolves," I say. "The wolf-men. The beasts."
"Werewolves?" he asks. "Why would you think I'm one?"
Then he approaches slowly with an unreadable smile on his face. The urge to leave gets heavier—my heart races.