xii

The harsh wind elapsing through my untamed curls was the only thing that I was able to feel even before I could bring myself to open my eyes.

Besides Ruth, of course.

The air rushing to push past us was all that could be heard aside from the sound of heavy footsteps roughly smacking against the concrete beneath us. As I finally began to register the harshness of said steps, I realized the sound had gone just as soon as it had come. Within the same moments, the loud snap of a branch seeming to have fallen in front of us startled me enough to force my eyes wide open in horror at the idea of being crushed.

Exhale.

Instead of bark, I was greeted with the dull blur of what I assumed would be evergreen trees swaying to the rhythm of Ruth's rapidly passing movement. My head swiveled around to spare a glance at the result of our collision with the arm of a bough that must've fallen victim to our leverage, and I barely manage to catch it's weight clashing against the ground with a loud thud. The leaves and twigs surrounding its impact wavered slightly but remained relatively unfazed. It all lasted mere seconds before fading away due to how far we had already traveled ahead of it.

Within a few seconds of coming into contact with the tree, we had already been more than several feet away.

I began to feel lightheaded as I now looked toward whichever direction Ruth was taking us. Everything appeared to be indistinguishable. The earth that I knew to naturally exist paralleled to a blurred mirror as we traveled even faster than a cheetah could run. Usually as you venture past any landscape or form of structure you are able to make out what it was, or at least have a general idea of what it could be as you passed by. However, this was different. I only knew we were in a forest because the color of the trees and grass I was already made familiar with on the way into Celestial Cove this afternoon. Then again, just a few moments ago we had been in the middle of a desolate street in which I believed to be the town's square.

She was fast.

Faster than any car or any ride I've ever taken in my entire life.

I shut my eyes closed as I was more than aware that my senses were beyond overwhelmed by the scenery that surrounded us.

Or the lack of.

"Breathe, Blythe."

I wasn't sure if I could remember how to after witnessing such a breathtaking sight.

I was shocked that Ruth was even capable of doing something like this, and after that I noticed my limbs beginning to numb at the thought of the many other things she must've been capable of doing this entire time.

I felt my head uncomfortably fall into the curve of Ruth's shoulder as I held on for dear life. If I hadn't cut off her circulation yet I'm sure I was nearly there.

I wasn't sure which I felt more; dizzy or nauseous.

I could hardly even feel the placement of my hands or feet on her body as she moved.

"Through your nose and mouth. Your nose will not be able to deliver enough oxygen to your lungs at this speed alone. Relax."

Inhale.

I listened to her advice with my eyes still closed as to focus on the breathing sequence I had formulated in my mind the following seconds after acknowledging her encouraging words to be truth. The first breath of air I was able to draw in with my mouth was ragged and way too much for my lungs to bear, so I exhaled almost immediately after in order to prevent myself from choking. Even so, I couldn't help but find myself uncontrollably coughing a few times after. It was this moment that made me realize I needed to inhale through my nose and exhale with my mouth.

It was also brought to my attention that I wouldn't be able to exhale for too long or too widely, or else the passing air would take that as an invitation to breathe for me.

This time, I inhaled slowly through my nostrils and abruptly stopped before my lungs could overflow with the incredulous amounts of oxygen that clashed against my face every passing moment of being carried along this forest. I exhaled slowly and with control.

It seemed there was a silence between us and I welcomed it as a chance to practice breathing without the oxygen draining from my lungs.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale.

Anything else at the same time seemed difficult to think of, but my mind couldn't help but wander off with curiosity at the events bound to unfold by the end of the night.

"That's it. There you go. You're doing very well for a human. Most don't exactly prefer to ride on our back in either form. Apparently it is hard to regulate a breathing pattern and mentally comprehend everything you see at the same time. It was noted to be very stressful for ordinary humans and is known to induce headaches and fatigue."

I cocked my head sideways with my eyes still closed. My senses seemed to heighten with them shut as tight as they were. I could hear the world around me almost in fast motion.

Although Ruth was the only sort of normal thing about this ride, she herself was something extraordinary. She may not look much older than me if even at all, yet I could tell she held some sort of wisdom behind those sharp eyes.

"You may not want to talk or open your eyes yet but I think you are more than capable of doing both. Remember what you've been practicing. Slowly open your eyes and empty your mind. Think of it like traveling through a blank space. Then color the world around us starting with the sky as if your eyes are the paint brush. Take it easy on them too you'll need them now and later on. Same with your breath. Focus on both carefully."

"Oh wait, it's night time. Maybe another day. You can talk though." Ruth said with a small but devilish chuckle. She seemed to be pleased at my slight disdain.

I released a shaky breath before immediately following with the beginning of my breathing pattern; a pace sewn into my every word.

"You seem to know a lot about this kind of thing. Helpful, but fairly odd."

I felt Ruth shrug before she responded. I held on for dear life.

Maybe strangling her wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Anyone mated with or acquainted to humans should know these kinds of things in the event they hitch a ride. It's also something they require you to learn in school as a means of preparing future wolves to learn how to regulate their breath while picking up speed. It's almost the same for both of our kinds, except we have much more ease learning how to do so because our lung capacity is far greater. Those of us who hold more status have practiced breath control for as long as we have lived. Meditation is a common practice amongst us especially when pregnant; even as young pups."

"So they teach werewolves in school about how to interact with humans? If anything I thought there would be some kind of hatred toward us."

"What makes you say that?"

I nearly shuddered after hearing her response and the amount of blatant disgust was more than comforting.

"I don't know. After hearing about 'The Company' earlier, I assumed there would be some type of resentment against humans. Especially if they're hunting your entire species down. It's surprising they'd teach you about us without a negative connotation attached to it. I mean, I grew up thinking supernatural beings were a figment of imagination. On top of that, it's an unspoken idea that you all have ill intent for mankind. You derive from the night and adopt odd habits and ways of living and we categorized you as a tall tale. Even if you do live in the Cove your whole life, there has to be a day you go to the real world."

"Who says this isn't the real world? You're here aren't you? If you didn't know before today, the longer you stay and from the moment you have arrived you came to the terms now and forever that anything and everything is possible. We may have learned about humans and how to interact with them as a means of assimilating into your various cultures and ways of living, but we also have a protocol for dealing with those against our existence. There are also some of our kind who don't choose to follow our rules or any rules at all. You just happen to be on the neutral side, if either side at all. You're not a threat to me or, any of us just yet for that matter. Here you are just a mere human. Remember that."

"Who says I'm not a threat?" I questioned kind of rudely.

"I'll drop you right now." She said, her tone unrevealing and monotone.

"I'm not a threat!" I nearly squealed and grabbed Ruth with the strongest grip I owned.

Ruth let out one of the loudest, most obnoxious laughs I've ever heard in my life, and I didn't even realize I was smiling until after I rolled my eyes. It was in this moment I believe I began to see how genuine her intentions truly were. I almost felt bad about doubting her, but I still needed to know the truth. All of it.

"Don't worry I won't drop you, yet. We're nearly there."

"My stomach nearly turned itself inside out. Thank god." I sighed, grateful the wind didn't seem to object the random gust of air going against it's harsh breeze.

"I wouldn't harm you."

"Good to know," I said calmly but my stomach was still disturbed.

"Anything else you'd like to know?" She asked pointedly.

"Ah actually why yes, fortunate for you I have many many more questions. . . Are you a lycan?"

"You sure are a listener aren't you? You took a lot more from that legend than I thought you did."

"I couldn't help myself. I'm even more glad that I paid attention now that I know it's the truth."

"I'm glad you paid attention as well. I am not a lycan. Truthfully, there is only one lycan that currently exists on earth and it is the very first and last to ever be created. He hasn't mated with anyone in all his years of existence and therefore, there couldn't possibly be another that shares his blood. He is quite the abnormality if you ask me."

"So then what are you? What's the difference between you and him?"

The amount questions I wanted to ask were far over a handful or even several. It seems the more questions I asked and the more answers I receive, the further I am from truly understanding what hell I've fallen into.

That damn stump.

If I ever see that mysterious ass olympian ever again he'll be receiving a few words from me.

More than just a few.

"The difference between a werewolf and a lycan is unknown and far greater than anyone would expect. What I mean by unknown, in case you happen to be wondering, is that unless you've met or had the chance to see him for yourself, you wouldn't know a thing. There's rumors of what he looks like, how he is, his physical performance, capabilities, individual statistics and what supernatural powers he could potentially have that circle around each and every year amongst those of his kingdom and around the world. Especially around this time of year too since the mating ball is tonight after all. Seems all of the unmated woman are always curious to see or learn more about the first lycan. Even you."

I found myself blushing but I wasn't sure as to why quite yet.

Just thinking of the mating ball made the intestines in my body do gymnastics.

The mere thought of attending a ball dedicated not only just to werewolves already inside of Celestial Cove. . . but from all over the world?

That's a tough bite to swallow.

Following that thought I swallowed the urge to express my hesitation to fight against going to such event and instead posed another question, "So if you aren't a lycan then. . . you're just another werewolf?"

She tilted her head from side to side as she seemed to weigh out her options, "I mean you could say that if it makes you feel better."

"What would you say?"

"I'm not allowed to say anything on that matter, yet. Until then you'll have to continue to trust me as we agreed earlier."

I could tell by her voice she didn't like the answer she gave.

"I suppose I have no choice." I rolled my eyes even though they were already closed.

"Believe me, it's hard not to share. I've grown quite fond of you already."

I didn't get the chance to register her response as I suddenly felt Ruth's movement come to an abrupt pause. I lunged forward and yelped out in shock believing we had fallen, but Ruth's gentle palms prevented me from moving over and past my position on her back. I opened my eyes when I felt her touch and seen that we were right in front of her house deep within the woods. She then allowed me to take a deep breath before she let me go.

I dropped off of her back as I released my grip from around her and motioned to plant my feet on the ground, but as soon as I even tried to move my legs seemed to turn into jello and I nearly fell face first. If it wasn't for Ruth immediately and knowingly grabbing me I would've busted my head open and into the mud.

"Careful now. We were just defying logic a second ago and you think you'll be able to walk away like nothing happened? No way. You might not have felt it in your legs as I ran, but they are currently asleep. Your body isn't used to that kind of motion yet. And luckily since you seemed to already be overworking that brain of yours, you also just barely escaped dizziness as well."

"You didn't mention those kind of side effects when you went on that little tangent of yours earlier," I said with a frown on my face as she lifted me up and into her arms.

I gave her a pointed stare to let her visibly know I was upset, but she seemed to already know and also found it amusing. She opted to look forward with a cheesy grin instead of meeting the daggers my glare threatened to shoot at her.

"I planned to, but you jumped off my back so quickly! I didn't expect you to immediately let go the way you did."

"I didn't expect to be going on a ride like that anyway! I wouldn't have done it if I would have known it would be like this!"

She let out a laugh and I huffed in annoyance.

I found myself crossing my arms and looking off to the side since I could finally register the world around me as I normally did. I was almost relieved to see each and every tree, the ground's dirt and grass, and even Ruth's house surprisingly.

"That's precisely why I didn't tell you, my friend. Sorry not sorry we have business to attend to."