Xander sits back in my good chair and shifts around uncomfortably before he speaks, ‘He was with two of his friends on the way to Driftwood Bay from Sablecrest when they came across a she-wolf who was not long dead. Her body had wounds that appeared to be the work of a skull-hide basilisk. Skull-hides are greater in strength, size and speed compared to a werewolf. They’re terrifying creatures to look upon, and ten feet in length, with a massive scale-like lizard body covered in a thick layer of tough, leathery skin that most weapons cannot pierce.
The bone structure of its face is on the outside, like a mask, while the open flesh underneath is hidden from view. Three large horns protrude from each side of its face, with each set getting progressively smaller.
Its long, powerful tail ends in a cluster of sharp horns that are capable of slicing through even the toughest of armour. They prey on anything that crosses their path, werewolves, vampires, witches, even quinserps. Its red eyes glint with a malevolent intelligence as it stalks its prey through the marshy areas where it makes its home.
Few creatures can stand up to the power of the skull-hides, as it is a formidable foe that can strike with lightning speed and deadly precision. The only way to defeat one is to rip its skulled face off and strike the open flesh straight through its brain, which is almost impossible due to their agility. Those who dare to venture into its territory do so at their peril, for few ever return to tell the tale of their encounter with this fearsome beast. The only Felderians ever successful in killing them are those who banded together.
My father and his friends were unsure what to do with the she-wolf until they heard an agonising, painful howl. A large werewolf appeared. His size and the power emitting from his aura meant he was an alpha. The dead she-wolf was his Luna. My father and his friends backed away and tried to explain they found her like this. The alpha was too heartbroken and enraged to listen to their pleading words. He attacked my father’s friend. He intended to kill all three warlocks. My father grabbed his book and cast spells against the werewolf. Furious, the alpha let go of his friend and ripped into my father’s stomach with his teeth, killing him.
My father’s friends escaped while the alpha continued to rip my father’s insides out. They were the ones who told my mother of my father’s fateful end. I was twelve at the time it happened. Since then, I’ve witnessed two omega werewolves kill a witch and another kill a vampire. The third was an alpha who became a rogue after his pack rejected him after he allied with enemies and fought against Gretchen, the great and powerful witch who was once his ally. He was greatly punished by Gretchen after he lost the battle and betrayed her.
She cursed him, making sure his fated mate would never be born in this world, rendering him mateless for the rest of his life. It caused the same effect it would if a werewolf lost his mate, which made him lose his mind and become a vicious monster.
I was able to magically restrain him with the help of other warlocks and witches and bound him in the witching woods, where he has remained ever since.’
I feel so strange and so saddened. My hand subconsciously presses against my chest where my heart beats. Not only for Xander’s father but for the werewolves that lost their mates.
‘I understand your grudge against the werewolf who killed your father, and I’m sorry his life ended that way, but I also feel sorry for all those werewolves who lost their fated mates. It sounds like a tragic cycle that can’t be broken.’
‘Of course, you would feel empathy for the werewolves. You’re one of them now, after all,’ Xander retorts.
I feel a twinge of hurt at Xander's comment, but I take a deep breath and try to keep my composure. ‘Being a werewolf doesn't make me blind to the pain of others, Xander. I may be one of them now, but I'm also a person who can empathise with those who have suffered loss.’
Xander looks at me, wanting to argue, but instead exhales heavily, 'Tonight, when darkness falls, I'll have to perform a spell to cloak your and Janie's aura. That way, if any supernatural creatures come snooping around, they won't suspect you're anything other than mere humans,' he explains.
Janie interrupts us, sensing the tension still lingering between Xander and me. 'Rose needs rest, and we should head back to my house for now,' she suggests, turning to me. 'I'll see you later tonight,' she adds, giving me a hug that I return with gratitude. Janie then takes Xander’s hand, and they leave.
After finally getting a few hours of sleep, I wake up to the delicious aroma of food being cooked by my mother. My stomach grumbles in anticipation, and I eagerly make my way to the kitchen. However, as my mother begins to cook the steaks, I can't help but hover over her, anxious that she might overcook it.
'You can't eat it this raw,' she warns me.
But I know what I like. 'It's fine. Raw is my favourite way to eat it. Just a light fry on either side for a few seconds, and it's done,' I reply.
My mother gives me a disapproving look. 'No wonder you came home with food poisoning today,' she remarks.
I roll my eyes. 'Fine! Cook it five seconds longer, but no more,' I concede.
My mother sighs. 'Rose, my sweet child. You worry me so,' she says.
I grin, taking the spatula and frying pan from her. 'Mother, please. You're being melodramatic now. Here, let me cook it.'
As I cook the steak to perfection, I can't help but wonder when my father will be home. 'When is Dad going to be home?' I ask.
My mother frowns. 'As usual, he's working late,' she answers.
I can't say I'm surprised. 'Oh well,' I shrug. 'More steak for me to eat.'
My mother rolls her eyes and serves the vegetables on the plates. I place the steaks beside the peas and potato, but they don't taste as good as they used to since I turned into a werewolf. Desperate to make them more appetising, I tip the steak's juice from the frying pan all over the vegetables, hoping it will make them more palatable.