Chapter 10

~Eliana~

“I’m kind of scared of the water,” I told Alistair.

“You’re with me, you shouldn’t be scared,” Alistair said, pulling me by the arm.

It was Saturday, and it was evening. We were at the beach, and so far, it was obvious that everyone was having fun. Well, except for Jenny, who kept her distance from the rest of us, and sat by herself by the waters, staring into blank space.

At first, Carrie had been skeptical about coming, but now, it seemed as though she was happy that she had come anyway. Why wouldn’t she be? For her and Garrett, it had been love at first sight, from what I could see. They were both enjoying each other’s company, and were so eager to stop the catching of the ball thing, so, they could have some time alone.

Garrett wasn’t bad looking. He had pale skin like his sister, and light-blonde hair, with soulful green eyes, which looked like they pierced into your soul when his eyes were fixed on you. He was tall and lanky in contrast to Alistair, who had broad shoulders and a muscular frame.

Alistair pulled me close to him as we went into the edge of the water, then he started swimming, leaving me to stand there.

“Be careful,” I shouted, not willing to go any further with him.

I watched as he swam like a professional, and couldn’t help but admire his bare back. It was something I had seen before, but back then, I had been too focused on having sex with him, which by the way was the most awesome experience I had ever had in my entire life, and hadn’t noticed what a beauty he was to behold.

How could a human being be so perfect? Seriously, he was just a full package, a three-course meal, and he was just good in every way. Was it because he was a werewolf? I wondered. I immediately shook my head, dismissing that thought. Today, I was going to have the time of my life instead of coming up with my theories again.

Something soon struck me, jolting me from the many thoughts that were going on in my head. Alistair Duke was nowhere to be found. He had disappeared under the water, and I couldn’t find him.

“Alistair? Alistair!” I yelled.

There was no response.

Fear gripped me hard, and I started to panic. Good Lord! I had warned him to just stay on the edge instead of diving into the beach like that. The currents were so high, and it was dangerous.

“Carrie! Garrett! Help!” I screamed, and without thinking, I dived under the water, searching for Alistair.

Risks were something I hated taking, and I’d never understand why people took risks, especially since they would not need to be worried about having to fail or lose. However, today, I had risked my life by diving into a beach, which was sending off high currents, for the sake of someone I barely knew.

Maybe he was a werewolf, but he certainly wasn’t a merman, and I couldn’t afford to lose him just like that. I needed to do all I could to save him, and if that meant taking a risk as to whether I’d come out alive or not, then, I didn’t mind.

I felt a tickle on my arm, and although I initially ignored it, when I felt it again, I put my head above the waters, and lo and behold, I saw Alistair smiling at me.

“What? You’re alive?” I asked, unable to believe that he had actually played with my emotions.

“Of course. I was only hiding under the water. You were so scared about swimming with me, so, I decided to make you face your fears. Honestly, when I disappeared under the water, I had thought you’d just call someone or you’d take minutes before coming to rescue me. However, it took less than I expected. You’re so sweet,” He said, wearing a crooked smile.

“You think this is funny?” I asked, with a scoff.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked, the smile leaving his lips.

I didn't say anything and just left him there and swam back to the dry ground. Alistair followed me at the back calling my name severally, but I didn't pay him any attention. I was so annoyed, pissed off and amazed at the fact that he could pull off such an annoying stunt.

Carrie and Garrett, whom I had called came over, but if truly he had been drowning, they would have been so very late, and they looked at us trying to know the drama that was unfolding. Only God knew what they were doing back there that they had taken so long.

Alistair still followed me closely, while I was mad and seething with rage.

“Hey, I'm sorry, okay?” He apologised.

“Sorry for yourself,” I said, still walking away with quick strides.

I was putting on a satin beach dress, which was long and transparent, while he was bare-chested with shorts.

Out of the blue, he pulled me by the hem of my dress, and held me by the waist.

“Alistair,” I said, trying to wriggle free from his grasp. I continued, “Let me go,” I told him.

He shook his head, in declination, and rather held me tighter, looking down at me.

I looked away, because I knew that once I looked into his eyes, I was going to be lost and I was going to give in to him and forgive him, and even though I planned on forgiving him later, I just didn't want to yet. I wanted him to beg more than he already had.

“Sweetie,” He called, sliding his hands down to my ass.

“My name is Eliana, I said, with a pout, still looking away.

He lifted my chin with his index finger, so, I could look up at him. The moment my eyes met his, I felt my heart melt, and I began to hiccup.

“You’d forgive me, right? I wasn’t thinking. I was just being a stupid jerk. Please, forgive me,” He said.

I heaved a sigh. “Okay, I forgive you, but if you ever try to pull this stunt on me again, you’ll regret it. You know the boy who cried wolf? The day a wolf truly came, no one came out to help him. If you continue this way, someday, you’ll be truly drowning and I’d ignore you,” I told him.

He broke into a fit of laughter. “Eliana, you’re not my mother, are you? See you teaching me life lessons like I’m a little child,” He said, in-between laughs.

“Yes, because you act like one. Only little children play pranks on others,” I said, defiantly.

A smile appeared on his face, and it wasn’t a half-smile for the very first time. Instead, it was a full broad smile, which exposed his sparkly set of white teeth.

“You look more handsome when you smile,” I said, meaning every word I had spoken.

“Thank you,” He said, and cupping my face in his hands, leaned forward to kiss me on the lips.

I closed my eyes, anticipating his kiss that never failed to take my breath away.

“Alistair, I need to go home. Can’t we all go back home? I think I’m getting sick,” Jenny said, appearing from nowhere.

Honestly, I was beginning to dislike her.

“Why are you suddenly feeling sick? You love water,” Alistair said.

“I know, but I’m tired and my body’s aching all over. The driver will need to take me home, and it wouldn’t be fair if he takes me home and comes back here to pick you and Garrett,” Jenny said.

I scoffed silently. I knew she didn’t care about the driver, and was only trying to get Alistair away from me. As a woman, I could tell that she had feelings for him.

“We only just came here an hour ago. We were supposed to stay till 7pm at least. This is just 5, and the whole idea was for us to relax and have fun,” He said.

“I’m sure Eliana and Carrie can have fun by themselves. You, Garrett and I can just go home. We live in the same estate after all,” She said.

“And who told you Garrett and I don’t want to stay here as well? Look at him,” He said, pointing at Garrett, who was being buried in the sand by Carrie. “He seems so happy, and I am happy as well,” Alistair said.

A tear fell from her eyes, and that single act began to make me really annoyed. Who the hell was she trying to manipulate with those crocodile tears of hers?

“Hey, it’s okay. Don’t cry,” Alistair said, as he wiped the tear with his palm.

Okay, that’s it. I wasn’t going to let a little scheming bitch ruin mine and Carrie’s day.

“You know there’s something called an Uber, right? Simply call for one, and use it to go home. You can’t ruin everyone’s day just like that. I’m sorry that you suddenly feel sick, but we’re not sick, and we’d like to have fun. I hope you understand,” I said, in one breath.

She seemed to be taken aback by my reaction, while Alistair looked at me with admiration.

“That’s excellent. Jenny, just go and have a seat somewhere. I’ll order an Uber for you right now. I’m sorry about your health,” He said.

Jennifer eyed me fiercely, and when I looked away, I saw something that shocked me. The large injury that had been on her wrist was gone, and there was no trace of it anymore. She stormed off, in a fit of rage.

When she had left, Alistair laughed out loud.

“I never guessed you were tough,” He said.

I forced a smile, as my mind was still on what I had seen. All of a sudden, a thought struck my mind. What if Jennifer was a werewolf, as well as I thought Alistair was? There was only one way to confirm my suspicion.

I unexpectedly drew Alistair to me, and smothered his face with kisses, and he kissed me back, sending a sinking sensation in my stomach, but my head still knew what it was doing.

I took a hairpin from my hair, as he laid me on the sand, kissing my neck, and while he continued kissing me passionately, I used the hairpin on his back, and he groaned softly, thinking it was my fingernail that had pierced him a little.

“Hey, I think I heard your phone chime. Why don’t you check if the Uber driver has arrived?” I asked.

“That’s true, thanks,” He said.

He stood up, and I straightened my dress, and also stood up, wanting to see if my plan had been effective. I watched as he was walking towards where Jenny sat afar off. The hairpin had cut him slightly on his back, and there was a small amount of blood oozing out from the cut, and before my very own eyes, I watched as the blood stopped oozing, and the cut closed up.

I staggered back, shocked at the truth that I had finally found out. It wasn’t even obvious that anything had happened to him there. Alistair Duke wasn’t human. He was the evidence I had needed all along to conclude my theory.