Kiara
I became pale the moment I turned and saw who was standing behind me. The only thought that washed over me was that I had seen the horror of my life. My heart raced as a chill ran down my spine, leaving me frozen in fear. The figure's menacing presence sent shivers through my body, and I couldn't help but wonder what terrifying fate awaited me.
I clenched my fists together, ready to engage in the war if it was about to happen. I swept my gaze over the figure to his sides, and he had done the same thing as me. His fists were clenched so tight that his knuckles had turned as white as paper. How deep was the rage he had for me? I couldn't help but ponder.
"He is a friend. What if he doesn't want to fight you and it's all in your head?" My wolf asked from the back of my head. I hesitated, contemplating whether I should approach him with fists or calmly.
My eyes traveled back to his face, and I could see that the sourness that had kind of worn him like a second skin had dissipated and was now replaced by a calm demeanor. It's only his jaws that moved up and down, his teeth gritting against each other, and his eyes radiating with pure anger.
Was he angry with me or with the shadows that had attacked me? Another question flooded through my head, not minding that I already have multiple of them, swimming there and threatening to wreck my brain apart.
"This seems like a war." My conscience admitted it. My wold growled, as if warning my conscience from jumping into conclisions. I shook my head, blocking both of them so that I wouldn't end up doing something out of fury.
"Don't listen to that damn conscience; talk to him, Kiara. Trust me, that's the best way to handle things." My wolf advised
Shaking my head vigorously to get rid of the conscience and letting my wolf's advice sink into my head, I walked over the black residues on the floor and walked to the person to confront him. Jumping to conclusions without hearing his side of the story wasn't a good idea after all. It will not create a misunderstanding between us, but it will create a rift that, who knows, may turn us into enemies. I already have many enemies at the moment; adding one wasn't a big deal at all, but not this person.
When I got closer to him, my fear began to subside slightly and was replaced by a curiosity to understand the reason behind his sudden appearance because, as far as I could recall, when I first walked into the library, I wrecked my throat, calling out his name, but he never answered.
I took a deep breath, ready to engage in a conversation that would hopefully shed light on his sudden appearance. “You aren't part of this, are you?" I asked, my voice not too harsh but serious.
He looked at me, fidgeted for a while, and scratched the back of his head. I began to lose patience. What was so hard about that question I had asked him? It was either a yes or no—not something to think of! Finally, he let out a nervous chuckle and replied, "No, definitely not. I just happened to stumble upon this scene and couldn't help but be absorbed." His response only fueled my curiosity further, as I wondered what exactly had caught his attention in the first place.
"What caught your attention?" I wanted to hear from his own lips that it was shadows because the terror in his face was like he didn't expect the shadows to die but me.
He cleared his throat and smiled, but no words came out of his lips. He kept on looking at the entrance door as if he were expecting someone to come in. I was forced to draw his attention back to me.
“I am talking to you, am I not?“ I snapped my fingers on the front of his face and shook him vigorously when he still seemed distant.
“Me?" His eyes widened in shock, his index finger drumming on his chest. “Why would you think like that, Maria? I would never do such a thing." He blurted it out. I furrowed my brows at him while shaking my head.
"I didn't say you did it. I asked, What caught your attention when you walked in?" I asked again.
He hesitated for a moment before finally responding, "Oh, it was just something I saw outside the window. A huge bird flew by, and it caught my eye, but what I didn't expect was to find it doing that," he pointed at the black remains that now glowed like the dust the bird had shook on them on the ground.
I nodded, although I was not satisfied with his answer.
I wanted to ask him something, but he beat me into talking. "Anyway, what happened? I had your screams, and when I came in to help, I saw... shadows, or were my eyes playing a trick on me?" He chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
“I dunno.“ I shrugged, feeling disappointed. I wanted him to confess that he had seen the shadows too, because I also thought that maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. "Wait, he said he saw the bird, so there is a high chance that the shadows were real. Also, I ran all through the library trying to escape them because, if not, I wouldn't be sweating like this." I thought aloud, and my eyes creased as I traced the wet patches that tainted my white blouse.
"Maria, did you say something?" The figure, which was the libabrain, asked, ripping me off my own world.
I looked up at him and responded, saying, “I'll go and let Alpha Maseno know what has happened. I can't take a risk by remaining silent about this."
"Uh," he chuckled nervously. Is there any need for that? What if our eyes were playing tricks?" He asked with a nod of his head toward the window. "I mean, it could have just been a reflection or something."
"Reflection?" I scoofed. "Are you kidding me? Those were clear shadows, dude, and that's why I want to know if you are involved before I make a move to the Alpha's office. You weren't playing a prank on me, were you?“ I asked again so as to be sure.
"I said I was not involved." He gritted his teeth in anger and then softly sighed. "Look, I understand your skepticism, but I swear on my pack's honor that I had nothing to do with those shadows. You know me; I wouldn't mess with you like that."
"Fine." I crossed my hand under my chest. "It's good to know that it's not you because I would have felt really bad if I were to report a friend and have him punished when maybe he was just playing a prank." I paused for a moment, contemplating his words. "But I still can't shake off the feeling that something is off. I hope you understand why I had to ask again."
"I do understand you, Maria. I mean, if it were me turning around to escape and then finding you standing behind me, I would have suspected you as well." he chuckled. I don't want to be nosy, but he seemed really scared, and I also knew that he was wearing a fake brave face because his voice quivered anytime he talked.
“You know, if it's you who did this, Alpha Maseno will find out whether you like it or not, and he won't take it as a prank even if you tell him, so it's better you tell the truth. Were you playing a prank on me or not?“ I crossed my hands under my breasts.
“Maria. I said that I had nothing to do with this. Why don't you believe me?“ He asked with a hint of frustration in his voice. His eyes darted around nervously, as if searching for a way to convince me of his innocence.
“Fine. You didn't do it." I raised my hands in agreement. "I'll go and tell Alpha Maseno then, and I am definitely sure he will look over this.“ I walked past him to the door.
“Wait.“ His voice echoed when I reached the door. “Aren't you afraid that if you tell him this, the shadows will come back to haunt you?“ He narrowed his eyes at me. "Don't underestimate them. The way I see them, I know that they wouldn't hesitate to kill you next time they approach you." He winced, wrapping his hands around himself.
A chuckle escaped my lips. “Are you threatening me, mister?“ I smirked and turned to face him. “And as for the shadows, didn't you see how they got killed without doing anything to me? If there are any left and they are planning to come after me, they better think twice, or else they will die the same way their fellows did.“
“True." He nodded."Is the bird your guardian?“ He asked me after a while, curiosity creeping into his voice. His eyes sparkled with curiosity too.
“Yes.“ I lied. I also had no idea about the bird, and honestly, all that had happened had shocked me. I chose to lie to him because there was something about him that I couldn't pinpoint.
When he rushed into the library, he didn't look like someone who had come to help. The look on his face was like he was expecting to find me passed out or dealt with already.
Anger surged through his eyes when he saw all the shadows melting away, and if it were not for me to call and ask what he was doing there, he seemed like he would have strangled me to death. I, yelling his name aided in pulling him from his world into reality.
“Does it have any weaknesses?" His curious voice jarred me from my thoughts.
"What a way of wanting to know more about someone else's guardian?" I said this, my voice dripping with sarcasm. I leaned at the door and waited for him as he fumbled out words of explanation. He seemed taken aback by my response when he realized the audacity of his question. I could see the guilt and embarrassment in his eyes as he struggled to find the right words to apologize.
"I am sorry if that sounded suspicious; it didn't, right?" he asked.
“It did. That was suspicious. Why would you want to know if the bird had weaknesses or not? So as to defeat him next time."I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Uh,no," he laughed, his voice rising a bit. He held my gaze for a while, and then, breaking it, he responded, "I was just...“ He trailed, obvious fumbling out with his next words, which I am sure he had no idea of.
“You were just what? Curious?“ I titled my head.
“Yes. That's the word. I was just curious," he laughed again.
I crossed my arms, still skeptical of his explanation. "Curiosity about a bird's weaknesses seems like an odd thing to be curious about," I remarked. "But I'll take your word for it." I laughed at him and then warned, “Just know that. From today, no matter what you do, I'll know because I have my eyes on you.“ Upon saying that, I stepped out of the library, feeling that this was not over yet.
I paced outside the library, contemplating whether I should go and make Alpha Maseno aware of my suspicions or keep them to myself for now.
As I weighed my options, a sudden gust of wind blew through, as if nature itself were urging me to take action. With a determined look on my face, I made up my mind and headed towards Alpha's office, ready to confront him about the shadows, the bird, and the libarian, who was my biggest suspect.
