Viraai: (Book 1) Awakenings

| 5 | Didn't see that coming.

M A C K E N Z I E

09:27.

I walk down the hallway with Miles beside me as we make our way into the living room, familiar scents hitting my nose as we get closer.

We walk in and find my close friend Alpha Rodriguez sitting comfortably on the couch alongside his Mate, Luna Camilla, and his Beta, Danté.

"Rodriguez!" I grin and walk towards him, giving him a tight hug.

"Hey, Max." He says against my hair but pulls away from me as soon as he hears Miles' low growl.

"Miles what did I tell you about hugs?" I whisper to him.

"Chill brother, we're not like that. Plus I have my own Mate." Rod speaks and motions his head to Camilla who stares at Miles peculiarly.

"My apologies... Alpha Miles Adexxon, a pleasure to meet you." Miles says, sticking his hand out to shake.

"Alpha Rodriguez Misano, the pleasure is mine," Rodriguez replies, shaking Miles' hand.

"Beta Danté Alvarez, pleasure." Danté comes over to greet Miles as well, shaking his hand as I go over to give Camilla a hug.

Rodriguez is Hispanic and has slightly darker skin than mine and brown silky hair with dark green eyes.

He and I are really close, ever since we were kids and he's been my closest ally and friend ever since.

His Mate; Camilla, is very beautiful with wavy light brown hair styled in a bob and a mix of green and Hazel, almost amber eyes. They are both originally from Puerto Rico and their Pack, Sangre Unida is the largest Hispanic pack in the whole of North and South.

"So what did you come here to discuss? Please sit." I say, motioning towards the couch for them to sit down.

"I'm sure you are all aware of the significant rise in Rogue attacks... but it seems now that there has also been an increase in Hunter attacks. The Packs that have been attacked this week have been attacked by both Rogues and Hunters on the same day. It can't be a coincidence so this leads us to believe that they might be working together."

As Rodriguez explains, I feel a frown develop on my face and a sickness form in my stomach. There's nothing I hate more in this world than Hunters. These are Humans with the knowledge of Werewolf existence and their main purpose is to make sure that the Werewolf race ceases to exist entirely.

"But there's something else..." Rodriguez pauses for a moment, taking a breath.

"Go on..." I encourage him as my interest peaks.

"It turns out that the Rogue Pack is no longer being run by the infamous Rogue King, Alpha Nate Maddox..." He starts off and at the mention of Nate's name, I feel a chill run down my body then back up again.

"...in fact, I'd say the entire Pack is under new management because there have been no signs of their Beta or Gamma... so, they are all missing," Rod explains and I feel myself become nervous and, even a little worried.

Why?

"That's a good thing right?" Miles speaks up, making me glance at him.

"Well, yes and no..." Rod starts off. "Rogue activity seems to have escalated since the change in leadership, and we fear that things may just get worse from this point onward."

"So who is this... new Alpha of the Rogues?" I ask.

"His name is Jarred Odaire..." Danté tells us and I tilt my head slightly, recognizing the name.

"Odaire... as in Delta Jarred Odaire? Around the time Duncan Revaux was the Alpha of the Rogues..." Miles speaks up, looking dead serious.

"Exactly."

"But why the sudden change in leadership? What happened to Alpha Nate... and, his Beta and Gamma." I question, my frown developing more.

"Good riddance to wherever they've gone." Miles hisses bitterly making me stare at him a little defensive of Nate...

I ask again.

Why?

Why am I thinking about him so much? This entire week I found myself not being able to get him off my mind, he’s stuck.

My head begins spiralling, pounding, questions flooding my mind and with every new one, I am left totally and utterly confused, not being able to provide an answer.

"Mackenzie." My Viraai catches my attention.

"I'm fine." I try to dismiss her.

"Nose..." Is all she has to say for me to get out of here.

"I, I need some air. Excuse me..." I force out, getting up quickly and basically running out of the house before the blood can trickle out of my nose and onto my top lip.

I hiss in annoyance and take out a tissue, placing it over my nose, letting it soak with my blood for a while.

I know what you're thinking.

Why are you, as a Werewolf, getting nosebleeds?

Another question I don't have answers to.

It always happens when I'm really stressed out, on the verge of a panic attack or something. The faster I calm myself down, the quicker the bleeding stops.

I jog out of the house and walk into a more open space, clear from the line of sight of anyone inside the house, taking in deep breaths as I try to calm myself down.

"This doesn't make any sense..." My Wolf’s voice pops up in my head a second time.

I am so angry and confused...

And it makes me even angrier than I am angry and confused. I've built up this persona of myself where I can handle anything and everything so I've surprised myself by the way I'm breaking down like this.

Feeling the need to take my anger out on something, I turn to the closest tree and swing my fist at it quickly, resulting in the tree shaking and rustling violently, loose leaves falling from their branches and landing all around me.

That felt kinda good...

I take a few more swings at the tree and after every punch, I find myself feeling better. But it isn't enough to get rid of the feeling.

I'm still frustrated.

I huff as I step away from the trees and look down to my knuckles to see them bruised and bleeding, the damaged skin healing slowly.

I need another way to clear my head.

"You already know what to do..." My Viraai informs me and I exhale a little.

She's right, I do know what to do.

Without wasting a second, I shift into Nicole, landing on my front paws and shaking my fur slightly, looking down to find my clothes ripped on the ground.

Great... I should've thought that through...

Sometimes us Werewolves can shift without ripping our clothes, but that requires an incredible amount of concentration which I evidently didn't have at the moment. It's also not as reliable, so it better to be safe than sorry. Where the clothes go? Have no idea. That's something... mystical.

It feels exhilarating running through the woods. The wind brushing through my fur and hitting my face as I crisscross through trees and dart off naturally placed rocks. I feel a lot better already; a good run always helps me clear my head.

I reach the clearing that we always go to after a run and I decide to rest there for a while. The sound of the water falling against the rocks is soothing and the cool breeze helps me calm down.

At least I am at ease now, I can think a little bit more clearly. I trot over to the clearing to drink some water before shifting back to my human form, standing completely naked.

"Where did I put it..." I say, looking around for the rock where I had hidden some clothes under in case of emergencies. I finally spot the rock and lift it, finding the black oversized T-shirt under it, but that’s it.

I sigh, figuring that it'll just have to do, slipping it over my hand and running my fingers through my messy hair a little.

I decide to take a breath and sit down by a nearby tree, leaning my head against it. I'm feeling a little self-conscious about someone finding me because I’m not wearing anything but a giant t-shirt and I can see my n*****s pop out embarrassing through my shirt. Having large boobs isn't always a good thing.

I try to relax for a moment by closing my eyes, but that didn't even last 5 seconds before I sense a presence there with me... then I catch wind of a scent.

"Hey..." Miles' voice sounds out of nowhere, making me open my eyes and quickly cross my arms over my knees casually hiding my chest.

Please don't notice.

"Hey..." I say to him. "Sorry I took off. I just needed to clear my head a little." I smile to myself before resting my chin on my knees. I hear him sigh a little before he comes over to sit next to me, copying my sitting position.

"Mackenzie... are you okay? I can tell something's wrong..." He speaks tucking a few loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"No, well it's just that-" I pause, hearing a few bushes rustling before I catch wind of another scent... one I know all to well...

Oh no...

"Well, well."

Shit.

"Am I interrupting you guys?" His smooth voice calls out.

Miles lets out a deep growl as we get up from the ground.

"Nate..." I say, frowning at him. A little shocked that he was here but at the same time... relieved that he is okay...

"Oh... did you miss me, baby?"