THE WEREWOLF DETECTIVE

COMPLETE STRANGER

ZEKE

I entered the building with urgency. I didn’t mean to be late for my schedule, but all the thinking didn’t let me sleep for hours, and the moment I woke up, it was already past my usual waking-up schedule. I had to deal with my editor before I could go out and even hit a traffic jam on my way here.

I took a deep breath before entering the office. I was embarrassed since I was demanding to meet today and came in late.

“Excuse me. This is the detective agency, right? Look, I’m really sorry I’m late—” I didn’t finish my words as I realized the man wasn’t responding at all. He had his head low, so I couldn’t see his face either.

I went closer this time, assuming he didn’t hear me. “Excuse me…?” I spoke again but was surprised by his response. My eyes widened, and I asked myself if I had heard it right. Did I really just hear him growl, or was I still half-asleep?

I thought I was imagining it at first, but then I heard him growl again. I could clearly hear the heavy breathing from the man as if he were a beast preparing to pounce on me. A shiver crawled from my skin down my spine. Was this the consequence of writing fantasy novels? My feet automatically moved, taking a few steps back. It was out of instinct. My brain was telling me that it was dangerous, but the other part of me was somehow telling me that it was okay, that it was going to be alright.

What is this feeling? It was the first time I had ever felt something like this. It was odd, yet I couldn’t muster the fear I should have felt. The man suddenly stood up, which startled me. He turned his back to me, still hiding his face. My mind was flooded with questions, none of which I could answer.

“P-please excuse me for a moment.” His voice was hoarse, and he sounded like he was struggling to breathe. The man rushed towards the restroom and locked the door, leaving me dumbfounded by what happened.

I kept asking myself whether I should approach him or not. I had no idea what was happening, and in a different situation, I would have walked away long ago. I already have too many problems on my plate, and I can’t afford to be burdened by other people’s issues—especially if they’re potentially dangerous for me. But this is different.

I managed to gather my courage and knocked on the bathroom door.

“Mister, are you alright in there? Should I call anyone? Please answer me.” I didn’t know what else to say or ask. My brain was malfunctioning with no proper sleep and surprise.

Another growl startled me. I must have been mishearing this all along. A human can’t sound like that, can they?

“Hey, d-do you have trouble breathing?” I asked again, throwing out the possible reasons and discarding my playful imagination, “Just try to relax and, uh- think about something else to divert your attention.” I’m starting to wonder why I am in this situation. I just want to find my brother, and something always goes wrong for some reason.

He didn’t answer my question, and that only made me panic. What if he passed out inside?!

“Goodness, I can’t even solve my own problems,” I mumbled in panic, already on the verge of tears. Right, emergency number. I should call someone.

“Ma’am? What is happening?”

I jolted in surprise but felt relieved that someone finally arrived. He was the one I was talking with over the phone. I recognize his voice. He looked confused while carefully holding what I assumed was food.

I didn’t waste any time and rushed towards him and pointed to the toilet. “Thank God. I don’t know what happened to this guy. He locked himself inside, but I think he had trouble breathing. He was heaving, almost like growling.” I tried to explain, but I was afraid he would look at me like I was losing my mind because I might be starting to lose it. Why would someone be growling?!

His eyes widened. I don’t know what that meant, but everything started to scare me. He rushed towards the toilet and knocked.

“Caleb, it’s Miguel. Are you okay?” He was also panicking while I was practically frozen in my position.

Miguel looked around frantically, and then his eyes landed on me. “Sorry, could you please just wait outside for a while? I think he was having an asthma attack.” My eyes widened. I rummaged in my bag for an inhaler.

“Did he forget his inhaler? I have one here.” I handed the inhaler to him. He thanked me, and I didn’t waste more time and went out. There was a small couch available outside, where I almost collapsed. I was sweating hard in a panic earlier.

Flashbacks of Liam’s asthma attacks flashed before my eyes. My brother always pushes himself to his limits whenever I am involved, and he often forgets about himself. That is why I always bring a spare inhaler for him. I didn’t expect that I would be able to save someone with it today. I heaved a sigh, finally calming down.

“Growling... what was I thinking?” I mumbled, scolding myself, and lightly hit my head. I’ve been researching too much about mythical creatures. Maybe that is why I’m thinking of a lot of impossible things. It’s just ridiculous.

--

CALEB

I was already panicking. I had never experienced anything like this before, not when the full moon had passed. I stood and left to the nearest hiding spot while trying hard to hide my face from her.

My voice was hoarse earlier. She definitely heard me with all the involuntary growling.

Shit.

I took a deep breath, trying so hard to calm down, but nothing was helping!

The mirror shows my face, and my eyes have already changed. Even my hands were already formed into claws. I’ve never felt so out of control with my body before, but I can’t hide here forever. She also tried to talk to me, but I couldn’t form words because of my disassembled thoughts.

I can push out the transformation for a few minutes when I put my mind to it. I have to concentrate.

But how could I do that when all I could think was that woman outside? I could hear her heart beating fast out of mixed fear and curiosity. She was the reason why I was acting like this. I don’t know why, but the moment she entered the building, I could already feel her more than anyone I had ever felt a connection with.

My instincts terrified me, wanting to pounce at her right after she opened the door.

Mate…

I heard that voice again, a voice that should have been familiar since it was mine, but now it sounded like it came from a different entity. I can’t explain it, but I know that I need to get away from that woman, or I might hurt her without the intention to.

Her frantic heartbeat was all I could hear like I was listening to it directly. At the same time, my mind wanted me to do things I shouldn’t be thinking about doing with a complete stranger.

I let out another growl and dug my claws deep in my thighs to keep myself sane. Blood oozed out from my skin, but why isn’t it working! I heard myself snarling viciously. Everything would go into ruins if I didn’t stop myself. I bit my forearm this time, and my incisors quickly punctured my skin as hard as possible to induce more pain. Hopefully, this could stop the transformation in a while.

“Ma’am? What is happening?” I finally heard Miguel’s voice.

Mate… mark our mate.

And that voice again.

“She was the reason,” I mumbled as I opened the door to the toilet when I heard her leave the office. I hear my own panting, and my mind is still spiraling.

Miguel’s eyes widened after seeing my condition. I can’t blame him. I could taste and feel blood on my mouth; part of my pants was torn and bloody. My hands were also full of blood, like I just finished killing someone... and eating them.

Miguel rushed to the table, picked up the box of tissues, and handed it to me with fear in his eyes. I began wiping the blood from my hands and mouth, but I should just go back to the restroom and wash up.

She was still outside, but I now have enough control, just enough for me to stay human. I sat on the swivel chair, wondering what would happen to me.

“What are you talking about? And why did you lose control? How did that happen? It was just the full moon yesterday. You should be back to your normal self like the usual routine.” He fired me with questions while keeping his voice low.

“All I know is that I lost control when I heard her approaching me. She was the reason. I’m sure of it.” I felt my eyes change again for a second, but I quickly gathered my concentration.

Miguel stared at me like he had discovered more in my life than I already did.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” It was ironic that I was asking him that question, but he had already seen the worst of me. He shouldn’t be surprised by this, not like that.

“Caleb, there’s something odd about the color of your eyes,” Miguel mumbled, his forehead crumpling in confusion.