Flawless 6

6: There Is No Such Thing As Werewolves

REBECCA’S POV

The forest behind the estate was dense but oddly beautiful. The moonlight filtered through the branches, leaving pale streaks on the ground. The girl moved quickly, like she knew exactly where she was going.

But it didn’t matter how fast I walked or jogged, I couldn’t keep up with her.

“Man, that girl walks fast,” I muttered, stopping to catch my breath.

Ten minutes passed. Then another ten before I began to walk again. My feet ached from the cold, and twigs kept snapping under my bunny slippers. I was just about to turn around and head back to the castle when I heard voices.

I crept closer, squinting through the trees, then stopped dead in my tracks. My stomach dropped as I saw the girl I’d been following. She was with some guy. I couldn’t see him properly, but he was naked, just like the girl, and they were straight-up having sex against the tree like they were in some porno. They were acting wild, not to mention being rough, and loud. They had no shame doing it in the open like that.

My face went hot. I couldn’t believe this. What the actual hell?

But for some reason, I couldn’t look away. It was like I was drawn to his body. My eyes were glued to the way his palms glided over the girl’s body and how sexy his grunts were as he choked this girl while he slammed into her over and over again. My legs wobbled like he was pounding into me.

Oh Lord, am I a pervert for watching them like this?

Then the clouds parted, and the moonlight shone down on them like a center-stage spotlight. That’s when I got a better look at the guy’s face.

My tummy did a somersault. It was Drew. He was the guy that was joined by the crotch to this girl.

I ducked behind a bush. The girl moaned louder, and my throat went dry.

I had to get outta dodge.

I turned to leave, heat burning up my neck, but my foot caught on a root. I fell hard, and my head smacked against a rock. Then the world blurred before completely going black.

*******

When I opened my eyes, everything was dark and quiet.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d been out. My head throbbed. I wiped at my forehead and sighed in relief when I realized there was no blood, but a nasty bump had already formed. I sat up slowly, pulling my blanket tighter around me. Then I heard it.

Snapping branches. And something else, like something wet and heavy was being dragged over the dirt. My stomach clenched. Everything in my soul was telling me to go back to the house, but the detective in me just had to investigate.

I scrambled up the slope. My knees were shaking. But I was determined. I could see the clearing up ahead. I pushed through the brush and froze.

The girl was gone, and so was Drew.

But there were streaks on the ground. Dark and wet. And it was leading away from the tree.

Then I saw it.

A massive animal. It was way too big to be a dog. It emerged from the shadows, dragging something behind it. My breath caught. The thing being dragged was a naked body covered in blood, its hair tangled with leaves and dirt. I couldn’t see the face, but I didn’t need to. I could tell the body was a man. His ding-dong was on full display.

The creature stopped and lifted its head like it could sense that I was there. Its head snapped toward me.

Its eyes locked on mine, glowing faintly in the dark. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. It looked at me like it knew me, like it recognized me. Then I got a better look at it. It reminded me of those wolf paintings back at the castle. But this wasn’t like any wolf I’d seen before. This was more like the ones I’d seen in movies. It was like it was a… werewolf.

It dropped the arm from its mouth and then stepped forward, and I did what any sane person would do—I ran.

Then it growled, low and deep. The sound made every part of me run faster.

I ran through the woods with my heart pounding in my chest. My vision blurred with tears as I screamed like it was already mauling me. Branches whipped my face. I tripped twice, but I didn’t stop.

I didn’t look back. Not until the lights of the estate came into view.

I slammed through the back door, locked it, and slid to the floor, my whole body shaking. My sobs were so loud they disturbed Mom and her new husband. Seconds later, I heard them running down the stairs.

I didn’t know what I saw. It couldn’t be a werewolf. There was no such thing.

Maybe it was some kind of deformed bear? A hallucination?

All I knew was the girl and Drew were gone, and something wicked was out there. Something that wasn’t supposed to exist.

The lights switched on and startled me, making me scream even louder.

“What the hell is all this ruckus going on?” Devon barked. His eyes landed on my face, and he didn’t even look at all concerned, but Mom shuffled over to me, dropping to her knees and grabbing my wrists.

“Honey, you’re shaking. What’s wrong?” she asked, wrapping her arms around me. “Oh God, you’re so cold,” she let out, releasing me so she could take a better look at me. She saw the mud and leaves on my nightgown. “Becca, were you outside?” she asked me, pushing the hair from my forehead. She gasped when she saw the lump. “You’re hurt! Devon, get one of the maids. I need some warm water and a first aid kit.”

He growled at my mother, ignoring her.

“What were you doing outside?” Devon asked me, but I was still in shock. My teeth chattered as my body tried to adjust to the warmth inside. “Answer me.”

“Devon!” Mom yelled, and Devon stepped back, clearly surprised that my mother had just shouted at him. “I’m sorry for yelling at you,” she gulped. “But my daughter is hurt. I’m sure she will explain to us why she was outside when I make sure she is okay.”

He grunted before he walked away.

“Becca,” Mom whispered. “You shouldn’t have been outside alone, especially at night. It’s not safe here. You could have been hurt even worse. Tell me what happened.”

My lips trembled. “I saw a werewolf. It was dragging a dead body.”

Mom’s face morphed into horror. “Did you go in the woods?” she asked, and I nodded my head. “Listen, honey, whatever you do, you cannot tell anyone what you just told me… it won’t be safe for you if Devon hears about this.”

“Mom,” I said, my tone told her I had questions. She wasn’t calling me out for saying nonsense. She wasn’t laughing at me or calling me crazy. “Have you seen it too?”

“Seen what?”

“The freaking werewolf!” I yelped.

“Becca,” she grabbed me by my shoulders. “There is no such thing as werewolves,” she shook me. “Now say it. There’s no such thing as werewolves.”

“But Mom, I saw it. I saw a werewolf dragging a dead body in the woods.”

A sudden scratch at the back door, caused us both to freeze. Just then, Devon stepped up to us along with the maid.

“Take her to the infirmary and let the nurses look over her,” he commanded. His eyes settled on the back door as he inhaled sharply.

“That won’t be necessary. Becca was just curious about the size of the property and wandered too far in the woods, right, honey?” Mom asked me. Her tone was shaky, and her eyes begged me to play along.

“Yeah,” I said. “I couldn’t sleep. Heard you two… you know. Going at it like rabbits. I got mad and stormed outside. Walked farther than I realized.”

Devon’s shoulders slumped as his eyes found mine. He seemed to have bought my lie.

“And the bump on your head?” he inquired.

“Have you seen how spooky it is out there? I was running back to the house and I fell and hit my head. I thought I saw a… a ghost.”

“A ghost?” Mom and Devon asked simultaneously.

“Yeah, but now I know it must have been my imagination.”

“Very well then,” Devon sighed. “Are you sure you don’t need a doctor?”

“I’m sure. I’ll be fine. I just need to go to bed now.”

“Okay, but promise me you’ll go see one tomorrow if the swelling gets worse.”

“Alright, I will.”

“Hilary, say your goodnight and meet me upstairs in five minutes,” he demanded as he climbed the stairs.

Mom squeezed my palm. “Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked again. I knew my mother loved me, but she was never this concerned about me before.

“I’m fine, Mom. Go to your room, don’t keep your husband waiting.”

“It’s okay, Luna, I’ll keep an eye on her,” the maid bowed, and my mother nodded as she left me there.

“Luna?” I asked her.

“Yes, madam. She’s married to the Alpha, so that makes her the Luna,” the maid explained. “Here,” she handed me an ice pack. “It will help with the swelling.”

“Thank you,” I took the ice and placed it on my forehead. “But why not call them by their names? What is the meaning of this Alpha and Luna crap?”

The maid looked around and leaned in. “The Alpha don’t trust you yet. When he does, maybe you’ll get answers. But for now, Miss Rebecca, let me tell you something.”

“What?”

“Curiosity kills the cat,” she said. “Especially ’round these parts. So take my foolish advice and don’t go pissing off the Alpha.”