Chapter #4

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Gael sat in the cold, dark room. He sat in the same chair, in the same tight restraints that kept him from tearing up the scum of a man that he willingly trusted with his life. And so, there he sat, with his head down, thinking of a million ways to torture the life out of him. But all he could think of.... was her. She was the only thing that clouded his dark thoughts. She was the only one who understood him, despite the fact that she never experienced what he went through. She made him see the light at the end of the tunnel. But after getting separated like this... he knows that he will never see her warm smile nor will he see her eyes sparkle at the sight of him ever again.

He lowered his head even more. He desperately whispered her name—hoping that he will hear an answer—and continued to apologize to thin air. He wanted to change back time, to wish that he hadn't ran off to the lighthouse...

The door opened, and all of the hatred and dark thoughts returned. He could tell by the smell—tobacco and alcohol—and smirked.

"You know, for a half-human, you definitely have a death wish." Gael growled.

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200 years ago.....

Young Gael ran through the forest faster than the speed of sound. If an average human were to ever notice Gael pass by, they would only see a blur and feel a strong gust of wind. Instead of enjoying the moment of leaving the manor to embrace his new powers, he was too busy running as if his life depended on it. The one rule Daria gave him when he was reborn as a vampire was to never be afraid of anything, even if he were to ever be on the brink of death, he should fight back.

So, Gael was cast out into the forest after dusk and picked a fight with a werewolf cub. Even though he is still running, he can tell that this cub isn't very bright. Gael smirked, knowing what's in store for this wolf when he reaches the end of the forest.

As soon as Gael saw the summit, he quickly jumped to the highest tree he could find. Swinging from branch to branch, he found the perfect spot that gave him not only the perfect hiding spot, but the perfect view of what awaits this pitiful cub. He grabbed a rope that hung over a branch and wrapped the loose ends around his wrist. Gael knew that vampires are 85% faster than werewolves—which meant that no matter how fast the wolf ran, he could still be faster.

He listened to the wind very closely. He heard the soft, almost silent, thud in the distance. The cub is still in training—so he heard—but Gael knew that the cub can never surpass him. The intense training for vampires and werewolves are almost mutual, but different nevertheless.

Gael softly flinched. It was coming. The dog-like groans, the heavy pants and the loud pitter-patter of paws against the ground almost made him smirk.

Gael didn't even try to pull the rope. All he heard was a yelp, a snap of twigs and some more heavy breathing. He jumped off of his hiding spot from the tree and held on to the short end of the rope.

He looked up to the wolf cub and said, "I win again, Kai."

Kai—who was still in his wolf form—sulked. He huffed and struggled to free his limbs from the rope. He looked down at Gael, almost as if he was glaring at him.

"Don't give me that look, Kai. I'm not getting you down until you admit your defeat."

Kai made a series of noises, and Gael replies as if he understands what he is saying.

"Have it your way then. I hope you like the view up there." Gael says, then strolls off to the closest branch and secures the rope.

He turns around and walks back to where he came. Then follows the sounds of bones snapping and popping that makes Gael go behind a tree to pick up a bag. The second he bends over, he stops. He sees the moonlit shadow of a hand behind him, grabs it and flips over the body of a young, brown haired boy named Kai.

"Nice try. I'll make sure that the ropes are tight next time." He mumbled, narrowing his eyes at him.

Kai smiled meekly.

"There won't be a next time, Gael. You'll see." Kai said, puffing his chest.

"Is that a threat?"

"That's a promise!"

Gael scoffed, "A promise waiting to be broken."

"Whatever, I'll beat you next time. Hey, do you have any clothes in that bag there?" Gael looked over his shoulder to see Kai's head popping from a tree.

"What happened to yours?" He asked.

"They were ripped from the shifting! You provoked me to shift to my wolf form so they ripped!" Kai exclaimed.

"Oh."

"'Oh'? That's all you have to say?! I'm freezing, man!"

"You're so annoying. Of course I got you clothes. Unlike you, I think ahead of time." Gael scratched his head whilst throwing the bag at Kai.

"It was my favorite outfit too..." He whined.

Gael groaned and continued to scratch his head in irritation. Kai did annoy him sometimes but he still thought of him as a... well, he doesn't know what to call the relationship he and Kai have: a friendship? No. An acquaintance? No, they were closer than that. A comrade? Maybe. A sparring partner? Sometimes.

Kai came out from the tree, fully clothed and walked with Gael out of the forest.

"So, what time does Daria want you back?" He asked, finally syncing his footsteps with Gael's.

Gael shrugged.

"Won't she be upset that you're hanging out with a werewolf?" He pried.

"First; you're a werewolf cub," He said, lifting his forefinger. Kai huffed, puffing his cheeks to form a pout.

"And second; we don't hang out, we spar, do obstacle courses and test each other's strengths and weaknesses to make sure that we're prepared to face whatever happens to us in the future."

He drops his hand to his side. "So long story short, Miss Daria is fine with whatever methods I use to boost my strength."

Kai hums.

"I have one question, Gael."

He stops in his tracks.

"Why the HELL do you still call me a cub even though you are just as young as I am?!?!" He shouted.

Gael groans and puts his hands in his pockets.

"Because you act like one. In fact, you act like one that's fresh out of the womb." He turns his back to walk again.

"Gael!!"

Kai runs back to catch up and continues to argue with him.

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