Puberty

Howard stood frozen as he stared into the beautiful blue eyes as it slowly turned hazel filling him with warmth. Being with plenty of women, he obviously wouldn't be attached or fall in love at first sight but he couldn't deny that this woman in front of him was different from the rest.

Her beautiful pale skin, the coldness in her eyes which only reflected warmth for him, and her cold voice which called out his name. Howard felt like a teenager going through puberty again with his heart beating extremely fast and his ears growing a bit red. Well technically he still had a body of a guy in his late teens but anybody who knew him truly would know something was wrong.

"The look in his eyes," Victor said gulping.

"The same look he had for that girl decades ago." James gulped too shaking a little as he remembered the events that took place that year.

Seeing even the always crazy Victor like that everyone got a little curious as Diana whispered, "What are you guys talking about?"

"It's not our story to tell," James said as Victor nodded.

"Who's she?" Artemis who didn't care much about the silent romance going on between the two asked without any care as she was still a little pissed about the way the woman didn't pay attention to her.

Howard sighed as he helplessly smiled at her, "She is..."

"His lover, you can call me Selene," Selene said turning back to her, "Do you have any problems with it?"

Artemis looked at Howard who shrugged as she mumbled something and went to the next room. "Call me when you finish dealing with the outside fuss and it's time to go."

"Geez, the human world's affecting her fast." Howard said, "At least, she's acting like a normal girl for a change. The plan remains the same but since we're surrounded by all sides with all attention on me, we will move differently. You all will head towards the destination first and I'll join you all separately."

"Then we will head in an hour." Steve nodded, "Are you sure you'll be fine?"

"I am an immortal, what's the worst that could happen."

"You shouldn't jinx yourself," Selene said, "And what's going on?"

"Follow me." Howard grabbed her hand leading her towards his room, "I'll explain everything to you."

"So you went from hunting your first Lycan to a god within a couple of years, that's a reach."

"You believe the whole god thing?"

"Of course," Selene said looking serious like usual, "Talking about Lycans what did you do with the captured one?"

"Oh you'll love this," Howard said passing her the serum from his drawer, "It a healing serum I've created with the help of the Lycan, it gives regular healing properties similar to mine for a short period of time. So it's quite literally a lifesaver."

"So you've created something good out of all this?" Selene asked staring at the serum with amazement, "With the guns and that bike, I should've realized you're a genius but you really are something else."

"Of course." Howard smiled, "So what are you doing here Selene?"

"Oh some Lycans came here under the guise of soldiers, it's clear they are planning on something so I am here to see things through."

"No, I mean what are you doing here, looking for me?" Howard said seriously, "It took a while but I kind of broke the Lycan before the whole experiment on him and I've come to know some secrets. Like the whole Vampire law, whose very first law include not being around humans unless you want to turn them. So why?"

"Well you aren't exactly human, are you?" Selene said, "And I was around town while I heard the news from some humans talking about you. I thought I wouldn't see you again and even if I did, it would be decades before we meet again so I couldn't help myself. But you're right, I should be leaving."

Howard held Selene by her waist stopping her, "You know I didn't mean it like that. It's just I am worried about you."

Selene stayed quiet in his embrace as Howard continued, "I am afraid that if someone knows about us, even your own kind won't hesitate to turn on you. And I am even more afraid of the fact that you came to see me in broad daylight when it could kill you."

"I have my ways of walking in daylight, so don't worry about that." Selene said, "I am not stupid enough to get myself killed because I walked in the sun to meet a person who doesn't quite care."

"Is it so? I thought you said you were here to see your lover and marry him?"

Selene rolled her eyes at his cheekiness but didn't push him away for it. "I only said that because your so-called 'bodyguard' seemed a little too protective of you."

"She's a warrior so of course, she isn't going to back away from a fight especially when you go around and pique her interest."

"Is that so?" Selene said in a monotone voice but quickly shook it off, "You say you worry about me but what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. The whole fighting with the god thing? It's not going to simple is it?"

"Of course not but I am not the one who is fighting, Diana is." Howard said, "I am just there to assist and see things to their completion."

"The Irregulars, is it?"

"Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Howard smiled, "I have always planned to have a group like this but I didn't expect it to be so soon."

"So the purpose of this group is to deal with gods?"

"Sure but mainly immortals." Howard said, "After all, this world is vast and there are many unkillable, so my group will only deal with entities normal people or even people with powers can't handle. No one knows about the purpose of the group and I think it's fine this way, I don't want to add pressure on them for no reason."

"Just be careful."

"I will." Howard caressed her cheeks lovingly, "After all, I can't wait for the day you come work for me."

"You really do know how to kill the mood with work." Selene let out a small smile, "But lucky for you, that dream might be coming true sooner than expected."

"What do you mean?"

"I made some excuses and had the coven develop more guns like the one you gave me and now we're hunting faster than ever. It took a little while of getting used to but now our success rate is at an all-time high and we're completing our jobs faster than ever."

"That's good and all, but I am guessing this all will be temporary."

"What do you mean?"

"Well throughout these years, I have got to learn many things, Selene. And one of them being, that the world always finds a way to balance things out." Howard said, "So it wouldn't take long before they begin countering it. And they might even come in stronger than before."

"I am older than you, you know? So save the whole old sage wisdom dialogue for someone else." Selene said, "And I also hate the fact that everything you just said makes sense but how can you be so sure?"

"I am not but it never hurts to be prepared." Howard chuckled, "Learn that lesson from me. If I was prepared for a god evasion early on, I wouldn't be stuck with a street filled with women surrounding my home the first thing in the morning."