Page 21

I t was early evening and they were almost in Naturiah. The private taxi they entered is almost approaching the huge land-spaces where the changelings call The Camouflage Zones.

The Camouflage Zones are paths that can lead very deep into the woods, which leads to the borders of Naturiah. But only changelings know their way in the woods because of all the camouflages in those mischievous, misleading paths.

All through their journey from Oklahoma, Ismena was having the time of her life with her best friend. Alphose has never seen ladies who clatter and laugh so much.

They talk about every little thing, every unnecessary thing in the book, and yet, they seemed to be at their happiest as they discussed all those things. Although he had to tune them out because he respects their privacy, he had to admit that they are...cute.

But then again, he has worries.

Apart from the little problem of how to explain his identity to Kassandra in order to get her through the borders and the Wild Forest, there's still the big problem of how to explain to the Alpha King that he took his woman back to her world without his knowledge or permission.

He had agreed to do what Ismena and Eline wanted because he'd expected it to take a few hours without any drama or problems. Then, they will be back and pretend it never happened, but that won't be the case anymore, because there's Kassandra.

And to explain why and how Kassandra is in Naturiah, he has to tell Wolfaraine the whole truth. He is not looking forward to it at all.

"Jamie, that dumbass, still published that article anyway." Kassandra announced, in between hysterical laughter. She was seated at the back of the taxi with Ismena.

Ismena was practically wheezing herself. "No way! Oh, my God, after everything!?"

"After everything!" Kassandra agreed too.

As the women let out another burst of laughter, Alphose had to force himself not to turn back and watch Kassandra laugh. It sounded so good to his ears, he was tempted to turn back and watch.

He forced himself not to do so, which in turn made the cougar sulk.

Ismena's laughter was drawn out, which forced him to admit that he has never seen the Alpha King's woman so happy before. And his own woman—

Stop, Alphose. You do not know for sure if she is your woman. That reminder made his chest tighten.

What if she is not his?

His claws lengthened. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. He is determined to get to the root of all these. For the first time in his life, he and his cougar are attracted to the same woman. It's not common, and that is why he has to keep his hope alive.

They got to the final path and Alphose told them to come down. He paid the taxi driver and waited for the driver to leave completely. Then, he turned and looked at Ismena for guidance.

Ismena turned to her friend, "We'll have to walk for a while from here. What do you think, Sandy?"

"I'll sure love to walk." Sandra said, stretching herself.

"After sitting down for most of the day, walking is a good idea.

I have to admit that this is a long journey.

I don't even know the part of the country we're in anymore, that is if we're still in the country.

We took the flight before the rides, after all. "

Ismena walked with her friend, smiling. "No, we are nowhere near the U.S anymore."

"I figured." She nodded, looking around. "Which part of the world is this?"

Ismena glanced at Alphose before turning back to her friend. "It's a surprise."

"Uh-huh." Was the reply she gave before she continued walking, "You know that I love traveling. Even before I became a journalist, I've always loved traveling."

"I know. I know that for sure." Ismena held her hand as they walked. "You remember those days when you just got your job? You always gave me a detailed rundown of every new country you go to and..."

Alphose tuned them out to focus more on their environment. As they walked, he followed behind them quietly, opening his heightened senses to check out for threats, traps, and intruders .

If Sandra noticed that they are walking away from road-paths, making their way into the woods, and deeper into the woods, she said nothing about it. Only clattered more with her best friend.

It was a long walk that left the ladies almost breathless. And, that was when the question he'd known would come, came.

"Why are we cruising the forest? And why are we walking round and round in circles?" Sandra asked her best friend curiously, "I'm very sure I've passed this pine tree and orange tree before. In fact, I've very sure we've passed it three times now."

"We ain't going round in circles, baby." Ismena assured her.

"Wait first, I have to catch my breath." She stopped walking, bending to support her knees with her hands. She took deep, heavy breaths. "I think I'll be losing a few pounds after this."

"We're almost at the border." Alphose said for the first time in a long time. He stopped too, "It's time, Ismena."

Ismena's heart skipped. She was nervous and it showed.

"Time? Time for what?" Sandra asked, looking at both of them.

"Time to tell you who I am." Alphose began. "I am a Changel—"

"No, I'll do it myself." Ismena interrupted, her voice raspy as she tried to catch her breath. "You won't be making any sense if you talk from today till tomorrow."

"Alright." Alphose was all too happy to let her take the lead.

"Tell me what? I don't understand." Sandra intoned, staring at Alphose.

"Sandy? "

"Mmh?" She turned towards her best friend.

Ismena had no idea how to start. She'd given it a lot of thoughts on their way to this place, yet it hasn't done her any good. But, she knows that she has to say something anyway.

"What I'm going to tell you now might freak you out, but I want you to trust me." She began.

For the first time, fear flashed in Sandra's eyes. "Wh-- What is going on, Mena?"

"Oh, it's nothing to be scared of, please trust me, okay?" She rushed to reassure her friend.

"O-Okay." Sandra still looked unconvinced.

"Good. Do you remember those novels you like to read? Those ones where men turn into werewolves, vampires, and all those kinds of stuff?"

"You mean my paranormal books? How can I ever forget about them? I have two in my bag as we speak." She paused, "But, what has that got to do with anything?"

Ismena scratched her hair nervously. Shit, no other way to say this.

"What if I told you that they are real?" She blurted out.

"Real? You mean, my vampires?"

"No, not the vampires. I mean, the werewolves. You know, those ones that morph into all sorts of animals, with gigantic dicks, heightened scenes, and a sexual appetite so long the river Nile holds nothing to them?"

"Oh?" The fear disappeared from Sandra's face, replaced by amusement. "You think they exist huh? You? "

"Me? Yes, I think they exist." Ismena replied.

Sandra couldn't help laughing. "Wow. Is this really my best friend talking!? We've had this conversation since eighth grade and you never believed they existed! Ever!" Another round of laughter, "I wonder what the universe did with my best friend because this one's not her."

Ismena blushed, rubbed her head, and mumbled, "I'm still the same person. They exist."

Sandra doubled over with laughter, completely forgetting about being the perfect lady for the man she was crushing on—who was standing four feet away.

"Can you stop laughing!?" Ismena shouted, embarrassed, and feeling stupid.

It only made Sandra laugh all the more. She laughed and laughed, until she was wheezing.

Afterward, when she was able to get herself under control, she continued.

"So, tell me, Mena, why are we suddenly having this breakthrough of a conversation in the middle of nowhere in the forest?

'Cause, trust me, this is a kind of conversation I'll like to have in a house, so I can really give you the laughter you deserve. "

"Well..." Ismena cleared her throat, "The truth is that Alphose is a changeling. That was why I told you about it in the first place. He is a mountain lion."

Another burst of laughter rang out from Sandra. This time around, it went on forever.

"You must have fallen down and hit your head on something, my poor Mena." She finally said. Turning towards Alphose, she added, "Shouldn't we bundle her and talk her to the hospital to get her head checked out ?

"She speaks the truth, Kassandra." Alphose replied.

Sandra started laughing again.

Ismena and Alphose looked at each other helplessly. They are not getting anywhere with the woman at all.

"Okay, okay, okay," She raised her arms in front of her, palm out, "Okay, I don't wanna be unreasonable, so let's say you're right. You're a changeling, right?"

"Yes, I am." Alphose answered, resigned.

"You're a mountain lion, right?"

"Yes, I am."

"I wanna see." She declared, amusement brightening her eyes. "Let me see your animal."

Her best friend and Alphose shared one of those looks again. This time, Ismena directed one of those wide-eyed glances towards her too and she was shaking her head, "Hell no, you have no idea what you're asking for. There's no way he's shift—"

"I'll do it." Alphose interrupted. To Ismena, he added, "That's the easiest way for us to get out of his place and go through the Wild Forest on time."

" What!? Hell no, she's going to faint!" Ismena shot towards him.

"No, she won't." Sandra stated, her lips stretching further in her amusement, "I have more balls than you, bestie. Apart from the fact that we are all joking around here, if he were a real cougar—and let me remind you that he's not —I'll still not faint." She declared in a proud, smug voice.

"Hold that thought," Alphose advised. Then, he shifted .

One moment, the man was standing tall in all his six-foot-four glory, looking resigned and wary.

The next moment, a huge, gray cougar stood in his place. The six-foot-eight mountain lion stood tall and proud... Its green eyes focus on Kassandra.

Dr. Beloca was anxious. And he hated being anxious.

It's almost the end of the day and he hasn't heard from any of his men. Not Adam's team which he sent to capture Number 6 for him, and not Simon's team which he sent to bring back The Successful.

It annoyed him greatly. He was still at the lab, working late. He measured the amount of water he needed and poured it into the test tube.

Just then, a knock came at the door. It opened almost immediately and a junior scientist he remembered his name to be Jakel, hurried inside.

"Doc, Sir Adeladin is on the phone. He requests to speak with you now."

The leader of the Wolfhunters?

Dr. Beloca left everything he was doing and hurried out of the lab to his office. He placed the call to his ear.

"Beloca speaking."

Whatever the Wolfhunters' leader told him had his eyes widening so much. He dropped the call, yanked the lab coat out of his body, picked up his car keys, and hurried out of the Facility like his legs were on fire.

Dr. Beloca arrived at the hospital and was taken to the room where Adeladin had instructed him to come. He was still in disbelief .

Surely, there is no way that happened. There's no way Number 6 killed ALL the men he sent to capture him and left Adam with a message for him. Damned Adeladin must be joking with him.

But it was no joke.

As he walked into the room and saw Adam, it dawned on him that it was no joke.

Adam was hooked from head to toe on machines to help keep him alive. His arms were missing, replaced by layers of bandages. The man was almost unrecognizable.

When he walked closer, Adam's eyes opened. "Doctor..."

"Adam. Don't talk, it will only make things—"

"He kill-ed all...of the men. He is...so str-ong. So strong..." The man swallowed, "He left a mess-age to giv-e to you."

Dr. Beloca was to tongue-tied to speak. His mission failed?

Adam looked him in the eyes and opened his mouth, "Go and tell yo-ur coh-orts...to avoid me and my people. Tell the-m that I will co-me for you all one day, and I will destroy every last one of you."

A shiver worked down Beloca's arms. For the first time in a long time, fear-filled his lungs.

Adam breathed deeply, "Those... were...his... words."

"He... was...so...strong. So...strong." All of a sudden, his monitors went crazy. They began beeping loudly and erratically.

"He's dying! Call the doctor!!" Adeladin steeped out and sounded the nurses .

But, it was too late.

"Back off... Doctor Beloca...before he comes...for you." Was Adam's last words before he closed his eyes and his head slumped to the left.

There was a long sustained beep sound on the electrocardiogram monitor, Beloca watched as the lines flattened out. He is dead.

Fear was like a living, breathing entity inside Beloca at that moment.

The mission to capture Number 6 by more than a hundred hunters and Rhodium guns and arrows, had failed?

So, if Simon comes back with The Successful, there'll be no Number 6 for the experiment?

He couldn't help asking himself again.