Moonlit Flames

Four

Sona straightened her apron as she walked from one table to another, the restaurant was bursting with people that it looked like a tavern, Sona decided to bear the stench of sweating stinking middle-aged men, she did not know why men patronized the restaurant more than women and kids, as Sona passed, several men gave a second glances, others licked their lips but Sona paid them no heed, she only wished time would pass by faster so she could go home, she glanced at the watch Jane gave her; Eleven-thirty, her shift was over, she walked to the dressing room and changed her clothes and bid Jane goodbye, she got to the bus stop and waited as usual, but today she could see no bus on the road, like the universe was not in support of she, boarding a bus. Sona decided to wait an hour more, but not a single bus passed by, then she decided to take the alleyway, the route that she dreaded passing through.

‘I am safe’ she mused ‘Nothing is gonna happen’ she picked a stick and plunged into the darkness of the alley, Sona picked up her pace and briskly walked, hoping to leave the alley before any…….. There, the low growl came again and Sona, gripped her stick so tight that her knuckles turned white, the growl came again this time, so loudly Sona knew this was not an imagination and as she burst out into a moonlit street she saw, standing before her a wolf, she knew this was a werewolf because she saw the intelligence in it's eyes, this werewolf was like any she had seen one of it's ears was chopped off and one eye squeezed shut, Sona knew whoever this werewolf was, it was definitely going to be the bad guy, Sona knew she couldn't stand a chance as a human so she threw the stick and tried to will her werewolf form out but nothing happened and the wolf charged, Sona tried again but nothing happened, no yellow eyes, no white fur, no wolf, just her vulnerable self so she closed her eyes and prepared for the inevitable, then she heard an howl followed by a roar, she opened her eyes to see a huge black wolf crash into the other one and they went tumbling into a tangle of teeth and claws but the other wolf was no match for the dark giant wolf, the big wolf simply evaded the other wolf claws and pounced on it and tore a huge chunk out of it's side, the wolf with one ear tried to scuttle away but the bigger wolf went for it's throat and with one might bite of it's powerful jaws, killed the other wolf, Sona stood there terrified but comforted at seeing this scary giant wolf, she could recognize him now, it was the same wolf in her dreams, she wanted to see his human side but before she could make a move, he bounded away into the darkness, Sona looked around but he was gone, the moon had come out in it's glory casting an ethereal glow on the deserted street, when Sona decided he was no coming back, she decided to go home and check on Mia, as she walked home, she could not check the feeling of being watched, but this time it sensed like the person watching her was just curious, she did not know how, but she could smell and read people feelings of recent, she turned and saw a tall, powerful built guy behind her, he looked to be six foot nine and he looked so chiseled, and well built that her knees started to go weak, then there was his face, she was sure this was how those Greek gods looked like. Intense green eyes stared at her, on his head was the darkest hair she ever saw, it was so dark that it shone, it fell to his temples, his jaw was so well chiseled that it look like it was cut from stone, his nose was perfect as was his lips, that begged to be kissed, Sona must have been lost in awe because she did not know when he walked up to her.

“Hey” his voice was deep and resonated in her bones like his voice carried power but it made her snap out of her daze.

“It's you” she said and he frowned, confused but Sona, would not buy that, “You are that wolf that saved me” she said and he narrowed his eyes then clarity crossed his features.

“You are a wolf” he started and Sona nodded, he started at her intently and Sona didn't know why but she stared back, she started at him a full minutes, before her eyes watered and she had to look away

“Impressive” came his deep voice, “None of my kind could last that long”

“Excuse me?” Sona said, “I don't understand a word you just said”

“You will in time,” he said, “You have to come with me” he sounded cautious, but Sona shook her head,

“I can't” She replied, “I have a sister to take care of, how can I trust you”

“It's okay” he said, “I will leave now, anytime you need me, howl” he said and pivoted

“Wait, howl? I can't………….” but he was gone and Sona mentally face palmed her self, she didn't even ask for his name but a she made to turned around she saw letters written on the dusty road and she bent to look at it: D-R-A-K-E, so Drake was his name, she could not wait to tell Ethan about this, he would surely want to see this guy, she did not know if she was going to see him again, and as for the howl, that was out of it, she only howled in her dreams, how the hell was she going to howl in reality, it was literally impossible, she only hoped she didn't have cause to call him, she reached her home and threw open the door, Mia had fallen asleep on the table, her books lay before her scattered, Sona spotted several werewolf drawings and grimaced, when was Mia gonna stop all these, she tapped Mia who stirred and groaned, she opened one brown eye and started at Sona.

“You are later than usual, sis” she said and Sona smiled sadly and straightened Mia blonde hair.

“I am sorry Mia” she apologized, Mia stared at her as if searching for something, she narrowed her eyes and held Sona’s hand

“Something happened Sona, tell me, you can tell me I am your sister” she urged and Sona stared at her then told her what happened, Mia listened attentively.

“The guy, the green-eyed one, don't you think he is the alpha” Mia asked and Sona nodded and stood,

“I should prepare something” she said,

“Yes please I am famished” Mia replied, “And Sona, call Ethan and tell him everything”

“You now call him Ethan?” Sona asked

“Duh” Mia said and Sona stared at her in warning and stormed into the kitchen, Mia just shook her head and started arranging her book, moments later, Sona came out with Steaming hot pie and coffee.

“I think we might need the alpha wolf soon” Mia said and Sona scowled at her

“Forget about that Mia” she said sternly and Mia shrugged and tore into her pie, chewing like her life depended on it, she took the coffee and drank it all in one giant gulp, she stared balefully at Sona who ate hers slowly.

“So Sona, got a man yet?” Mia asked, shoveling another piece of pie into her mouth, she stared at Sona, waiting for her to respond.

“See Mia, like I said before, I do not need a man in my life” Sona said and Mia rolled her eyes in frustration.

“I suggested Uncle Ethan, but you rebuffed me now I talked to you about the alpha guy and you got annoyed, it seems you are hiding something Sona, get mad if you want” Mia said and picked up her last piece of pie and devoured it. Sona wanted to be angry but she realized that she could not stay angry at her Sister

“Fine, I was intrigued by the alpha, but it was nothing more than that,” Sona explained and drank her coffee.

“Yes” Mia grinned, she snatched Sona’s phone and dialed Ethan who picked at the first ring, Mia filled him in on everything happening and he said he was coming.

A knock was heard on the door, and Sona rushed to open the door, she pulled it back to see Ethan grinning at them. “Can I come in” he asked and walked in, Mia's eyes lit up and she straightened her clothes.

“Hi uncle Ethan” she greeted and Ethan smiled back and turned to Sona, his blue eyes appraised Sona,

“So you met the alpha” he asked and Sona smiled and winked at him.

“Jealous?” Sona asked and Ethan recoiled playfully and scowled at her.

“Why would I, besides is your alpha as handsome and tall as me, I am sure he is a short ugly mutt” Ethan said and Sona smiled inwardly, she wished he could see the werewolf king, and his incredible person, sure Ethan was handsome and tall, but compared to the alpha, Ethan was basically just normal.

“See Ethan, I do not ever want to meet or encounter any werewolf” Sona said tiredly, “I am tired of meeting wolves, I pray I never see them again, and I know I never will”

But how wrong she was, because this was just the beginning of what was coming, something that was going to change her life.