THE WHITE WOLF'S GIRL

BETRAYAL AND THE FIRST KISS

_COLLEGE. 2 WEEKS LATER._

Arina was completely fine.

The wound on her shoulder had healed.

Only a faint line remained.

Today she came to college after 2 weeks.

She was happy.

Zain was standing at the gate.

With flowers and chocolate.

"Welcome back, hero," Zain said.

Arina blushed.

"Thank you, Zain."

Behind her, Caliban was sitting in the car.

Watching through the glass.

His fist clenched.

But he said nothing.

He had to "stay a friend".

_AFTER CLASSES._

Zain: "Arina, wanna go to the canteen?

It's been so long since we had tea together."

"Yeah let's go," Arina smiled.

Caliban came too.

3 chairs.

3 teas.

Zain was talking.

About old days.

Laughing, joking.

Arina was laughing.

Caliban was quiet.

Just watching.

Suddenly Zain's phone rang.

Unknown number.

Zain got up and walked away.

Started talking.

His voice was low.

Caliban's golden eyes sharpened.

He could smell it.

The smell of lies.

The smell of fear.

_11 PM. NIGHT._

Arina came home.

She was tired.

Caliban was already sitting at the door.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Did anything feel weird today?"

"No. Everything was normal."

Caliban said nothing.

Just nodded.

"Rest."

_THE NEXT DAY._

Zain messaged Arina:

`Meet me in the library. It's important.`

Arina went.

The library was empty.

Only Zain was there.

"Arina," Zain said.

"I love you."

Arina's heart pounded.

"Zain... I..."

"I know you do too.

Ever since that night in the jungle, I've been with you."

Tears came to Arina's eyes.

"Yes Zain. I do too..."

Then the door opened.

Caliban walked in.

Face hard.

Zain panicked.

"What are you doing here?"

"Stopping what you're doing," Caliban said.

Zain pulled out a small device from his pocket.

A recording device.

"Here. It's all recorded.

That Arina loves me.

And that you are forcing her."

Arina's mouth fell open.

"Zain... what is this?"

"This is business, Arina," Zain laughed.

"The new Alpha of Red Moon paid me.

To get a recording of you.

To prove the White Moon Alpha is weak.

Because of a girl."

Caliban's eyes turned red.

"BETRAYAL??"

In one second he grabbed Zain by the collar.

Slammed him against the wall.

"If you say her name one more time, I'll kill you."

Zain trembled.

"Let go! I'm human!"

"Then act like one," Caliban growled.

"And leave her alone."

He threw Zain to the ground.

Zain ran away.

_SILENCE IN THE LIBRARY._

Arina sat on the floor.

Crying.

"Was it all a lie?

His friendship?

His care?"

Caliban sat next to her.

On the floor.

"I told you.

Humans aren't safe."

Arina hid her face in her hands.

"I hate everyone now."

"No," Caliban said.

"Don't hate everyone.

Hate only the one who betrayed you."

Arina looked up.

Eyes red.

"I am alone, Caliban."

Caliban's heart broke.

He gently held Arina's hand.

"You are not alone."

"I have no one."

"I do."

_RAIN. NIGHT._

Arina came home.

Broken.

Caliban followed her.

"I'll sit outside."

"Come inside," Arina said.

"The first time she said it."

Caliban came in.

The rain got heavier.

Lightning flashed.

Arina stood by the window.

Drenched.

From inside.

"I am so stupid," she said.

"The one I thought was mine, turned out to be the enemy."

Caliban came behind her.

"Not everyone betrays."

"Will you?"

"Never."

Arina turned.

Eyes full of tears.

"Then prove it."

Caliban froze.

"What kind of proof?"

"That you are more than a friend."

Silence.

Only the sound of rain.

Caliban took one step forward.

Then another.

Arina didn't move back.

Caliban cupped her face in both hands.

Wiped her tears with his thumb.

"You are hurt," he said.

"In your heart."

"Then heal me," Arina whispered.

Caliban paused.

"Arina, I..."

"Don't say anything."

And then...

Caliban gently kissed Arina's forehead.

The first kiss.

Soft.

Respectful.

More than friendship.

Arina closed her eyes.

She felt warmth.

She felt safe.

Caliban pulled back.

His breath was shaky.

"We... friends don't do this," he said.

"Then what are we?" Arina asked.

Caliban placed her hand on his chest.

Where his heart was beating.

"Whatever we are.

But we are not a lie."

Arina rested her head on his chest.

"I am tired, Caliban."

"Sleep," Caliban said.

"I am right here."

_MORNING._

Arina woke up on the sofa.

With a blanket over her.

Caliban was sleeping on the floor.

Her book under his head.

Arina looked at him.

For the first time he looked weak.

For the first time he looked human.

She gently ran her fingers through his hair.

Caliban's eyes opened instantly.

"Morning already?"

"Yeah," Arina smiled.

"Remember last night?"

"Which one?" Caliban pretended.

"The forehead one."

Caliban's face turned red.

For the first time.

"That... was a mistake."

"It wasn't," Arina said.

"I liked it."

Caliban sat up.

"Arina, I am an Alpha.

My job is blood.

War.

I am not good for you."

Arina sat closer to him.

"I am broken too.

Zain broke me.

You fix me."

Caliban closed his eyes.

"I can't promise I won't hurt you."

"I don't promise either," Arina said.

"I just promise to stay by your side."

_COLLEGE. 3 DAYS LATER._

The news spread.

"Arina trapped the White Moon Alpha."

"Arina is a Red Moon spy."

Arina started crying.

Everyone was staring at her in class.

Caliban walked into the class.

In front of everyone.

He took Arina's hand.

And raised it for all to see.

"Listen everyone," Caliban roared.

"This is Arina.

My friend.

My responsibility.

And whoever looks at her the wrong way,

I will take out their eyes."

Silence.

Then Caliban took Arina out.

"Thank you," Arina said.

"For what?"

"For standing with me."

Caliban stopped.

Then he hugged Arina.

The first real hug.

Tight.

Safe.

"I will never leave your side," he whispered in her ear.

"No matter what the world says."

Arina hugged him back just as tight.

"Me neither."

_NIGHT. ON THE ROOFTOP._

Both were sitting on the roof.

The moon was out.

Cool breeze.

"Zain messaged," Arina said.

"What did he say?"

"He's asking for forgiveness.

Says he was forced."

"What did you say?"

"I blocked him."

Caliban smiled.

"Good."

Silence.

Then Arina said:

"Caliban, that night...

can it happen again?"

Caliban looked at her.

Arina was blushing.

Caliban moved closer.

Kissed her forehead again.

A long one.

Then he took Arina's wrist.

Where the scar was.

And gave it a soft kiss too.

"This scar is fading," he said.

"Because now you don't need protection.

Now you are strength yourself."

Arina held his hand.

"Caliban, I am scared."

"Of what?"

"Of new pain."

"I am here," Caliban said.

"If pain comes, it will hit me first."

They both looked at the moon.

No confession.

No promise.

Just friendship.

That was slowly becoming something more.

Slowly.

Real.

Without lies.