Unexpected Shift

8

Quickly, I jerked my head in the direction of my clothes that were, uh, basically shredded to rags now. Asher must've caught my gaze because he smirked, then released a small fit of giggles that made me squirm further. "Now we're even." He pointed out with a laugh.

I gasped loudly and my hands immediately slapped across to cover my privates. My heart was pounding and pumping blood into my ears as I retorted back. "Shut up you p*****t!" I had grumbled with my hair covering half my face. "Stop looking at me!"

A warm smell covered the two of us and the air around. It was as if suddenly, I could hear and smell more things than usual. It was thrilling to see how much had changed now that I was adapting to my new reality. The concept of not being human was so warped, but it was making sense now. All the mysterious murders and mundane feelings in my life were finally making sense in this perspective.

Asher was right. I am a wolf shifter.

"Hey," I began, clearing my throat and used one of my hands to tuck a piece of hair behind while the other stayed over my chest. He hummed his response, eyes unfocused, but not hazy and still on my face. "I-" my words were cut off when I picked up the sound of Audra's almost twenty-year- old Honda Civic. "Aunt Audra's almost here!" I yelled.

From what I heard, she must've been at the end of the road that led right to the mansion and it wouldn't take her more than just a few minutes to be back. "We need to do something!"

"What- wait, can't you just tell her the truth?" Asher asked while I ran to pick up the pieces of my clothes from the dirt hurriedly. I clicked my tongue and tugged the boy along so we were both inside the house.

"I'll worry about that later," I explained. "For now, there are more important things to do." I pushed him further into the house and latched the door behind just to avoid any accidents.

Asher, on the other hand, smirked and scanned me up mischievously. "Aren't things going too fast for us? Huh, Elaine?" He grinned, c*****g his head to the side and I groaned out loud while bringing up a hand to smack the back of his head.

"Get your mind out of the gutter!" I fumbled over my words. "N-Nothing is going to happen! We're only going to clean up and get dressed in the guest room. Nothing else! At all!"

"That's not a very good excuse, you know?" He teased and then spun around to face me.

"You're being so difficult! Asher. Please understand! Aunt Audra's going to be here very soon," I insisted, pushing him towards the stairs by his shoulders. He sighs and catches hold of both my wrists, I could see his wounds were already healing. "What?" I asked impatiently.

"Let me listen," he said, shushing me. I kept my hands stiff on their position against the skin of his neck and shoulders. I blushed deep red but kept quiet, knowing I had nothing to say anyway. "I can't hear anything Elaine. You must be mistaken," Asher tells me but I only tsk in reply.

"What happened to your superpowers?" I scowled, closing my eyes as I tried to listen again. There it was, the revving sound of the Honda Civic's engine that kept growing closer and closer with every second. "Listen carefully! I can hear it loud and clear, why can't you?"

At this, Asher frowned and took in a deep breath before he closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the car in pin-drop silence. I hadn't noticed when he had placed his palm upon my waist but I took in the warmth of his broad hand.

Warm. Safe. Possessive.

The thought made me shiver for reasons unknown but then again, I was naked for heaven's sake. It could've been because of the air fluttering across my skin too.

"You're right," Asher breathed out, suddenly very serious as he opened his eyes to look at me. I frowned back at him with equal seriousness, tilting my head to the side in question.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

"I can't figure out how you heard that. I had to concentrate twice to make it work but you? You told me you heard it even before I tried." He paused and then shook his head. "I'm one of the strongest wolves in my pack and yet, I only heard the sound of a car driving somewhere further away."

"What do you mean by that?"

Asher only nodded to himself.

"If I, the son of the Alpha, could get beaten by you in something as mere as the sound of a car's engine, then you have something really big going on with you Elaine. There has to be a reason for you to not know your truth, your powers. You're probably way stronger than I am."

If my family actually hid everything from other wolves then I could be dangerous. I could sense something bigger, something more dangerous coming my way. A red-light alarm went off in my head.

I was probably in danger.

Chapter Seven

I tried my best to ignore Asher's obviously pleased face as I gulped down the glass of water in my hands. "What is your problem?" came my groan despite how much I was enjoying his attention on me.

"Nothing." He grinned, patting the empty area next to him on the couch and propped his feet safely on top of the ottoman to my left. I rolled my eyes but complied anyway.

"Then quit staring," I shrugged and drew my knees up to my chest.

"Why? You're pretty."

Before I could retort with another witty remark, the front door was pushed open by none other than Aunt Audra who seemed equal parts surprised and pleased with the sight of Asher before her. "Hey Audra." He smiled again, this time directed towards her.

"Good evening, Asher." Aunt Audra frowned. "I didn't know you were coming over today. Had I known, I would've at least bought you some wine."

"Ah that's okay," he reassured.

Aunt Audra's hands were occupied with a small assortment of vegetables on one side and the other one was carrying her car keys.

"I stopped on my way back to buy a couple of groceries, how about I make you guys some Ravioli?" she asked, the ghost of a smile toying on her lips. It made me wonder how she could act so normal with Asher over.

"No, it's fine Audra. I'll be on my way back now," Asher announces as he stood up and stretched his limbs upwards. "Thank you anyway."

"Hey! You can't go now, it's almost dinnertime," Audra argued, one hand on her hip, and turned to look at him before squinting. "Don't act like you haven't been here for dinner before."

"Alright." He giggled and let out a soft yawn. When he slumped back down on the couch, the raised hem of my dad's shirt on him let me have a peek at the almost healed wound over his stomach. It almost looked like nothing had happened beforehand because of how fast both of us had healed.

After shifting, I could sense the grown powers and the heightened sensations in me.

"I'll help you," muttering this under my breath.

I stood beside Aunt Audra and helped her dice up a couple of tomatoes in the kitchen. It was when Asher's palm touched my shoulder slightly that I jumped and realized that I had zoned out. I smiled at him, slightly shaken up as I took in everything, I had just discovered about myself. It was like an unspoken promise between us to not bring these things up in front of Audra. He must've understood I wasn't ready.

"Hey Ash, could you get me the black pepper powder from the drawer to your left?" she yawned softly. "Oh, I feel tired already. No wonder, my body is catching up to my age now."

"You've been out all day, I'm tired too." Asher laughed as he pulled the drawer open with minimal effort. He tossed it to me and I passed the circular container to Audra.

"So," she began again, this time with a hint of mischief and smug. "What were you two up to the whole day?"

I groaned, embarrassment showing in the form of red cheeks and ears that stood out like headlights. The two of them laughed in complete sync.