Embers & Spells

11 – The Alpha

I blinked, my heartbeat hammering wildly underneath my hoodie, that I could almost hear it. Shiver ran down my back, confusion gnawed at me as I tried to wrap my head around what just happened.

Inigo Remora, the werewolf alpha.

“Tana, are you okay?” he asked, helping me stand to my feet. “Damn, that was close.”

I found my balance as I took a deep breath, eyeing him cautiously. “Yeah, too close.”

Inigo looked worried, bending down to pick up my bicycle. Bystanders easily moved on and headed on their own way, giving me a last look of indifference. I smooth my jeans and hoodie, feeling the throbbing pain somewhere in my legs.

“What happened to you?” I heard him asked, bringing the bike, his thick brows drawn low to his deep chocolate eyes. “You just stop there. I’m calling out to you but you seem not hearing anything.”

The cold breeze blew our way, goose bumps dotting the back of my neck. I tried to compose myself, holding my bicycle and forced a small smile.

“I just… I remembered something and it kinda consume me and I overthink a lot, you know. So…” I shrugged, making it looked like it wasn’t a big deal. “Thank you for saving me.”

Inigo tried to mirror my smile. “You have to be careful, Tana. Especially in crossing roads.”

“I will,” I muttered, nodding. “I should go now.”

“Let me drive you home. My car’s parked at Tony’s, I can tell my grandma- “

I shook my head. “I’m fine, Inigo. Really. What happened woke me up big time, so no need to worry. I can handle myself.”

He sighed, raising an eyebrow. “I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself. All I’m saying is…” He stared at me, his mesmerizing eyes piercing me in place. “Will you really be okay?”

I couldn’t help but smile despite the almost grim incident. I was utterly puzzled at the things I saw, my head was throbbing trying to get a grip on everything. “I will be fine, Inigo.”

He brushed the back of his neck, looking around the dark street. “Okay, if you say so. See you tomorrow, Tana.”

I just nodded, waving a hand.

****

I took a shower.

The water was scalding, pouring down on me. I welcomed the sensation, helping me sort out the entangled memories and visions forced in my head. The scratches and wounds on my legs reacted to the hot water, healing itself.

Me being part dragon had an advantage. I realized growing up that my wounds easily healed under hot water and that fire didn’t have any effect on me. I was immune to it, just like how dragon bathe with fire. But what I knew about my father’s race was limited. They were truly ancient and books wasn’t any help.

But what truly tormented me was the repeating visions of Erin getting punished in the underworld. It was as if the devil had been reminding me of the deal we made, his own way of saying that my time was running. Tick tock, tick tock. I shut my eyes, my hands curled into fists. Just now, I realized, connecting the dots, that what I had been seeking was already in front of my eyes.

The Alpha.

Inigo. I smiled, tasting bitterness in my mouth.

The moment he held me, saving me from being hit by a truck, his memories were shoved in my head, playing it like a movie. He was a beast, the kind that had sharp nails and strong bones, grew large under the moon and dangerous. Witches called it Merido Dakira. Shared memories. It was rare for witches to see the memories of other beings and I had not expected to experience such things.

But it happened. I couldn’t forget it now. It would be etched in my mind, be part of my memories, as if it was my own. What should I do now? Should I just attend my class tomorrow and stalk Inigo on his way home and just stick a knife in his heart?

Dang. That was brutal considering he was my savior, that he spared me my life. And even in my imagination, I could see myself not doing it. I couldn’t.

“What should I do now?” I whispered, feeling a heavy lump in my throat, my chest tightening.

****

News about the second attack in town was the only topic of every conversation at Michaelson High. Claire was still at the hospital, unconscious, and the doctors believed that if she would not wake up soon, she would stay like that.

I made my way inside the cafeteria, heading straight to my usual spot, expecting Agatha to be there.

“Here comes the lady bad luck.”

“Geez, Agatha’s just getting herself an unlucky charm befriending her.”

I walked past the group of girls who obviously wanted me to hear their remarks, expecting me to cower and walk away. But their words meant nothing to me and they were just a bunch of fools, not worthy of my time.

“Hey.” I sat opposite Agatha and Rio. “You okay, Agatha?”

She frowned. “Yeah.”

“You missed first and second class,” I said, my eyes dropping to her neck, which had visible bruises and red marks.

Agatha quickly gathered her hair, trying to hide it.

“Did Denny happen again?” I asked, getting furious, seeing her alarmed eyes.

“It’s nothing, Tana.” She smiled. “I’m all good.”

“You’re not,” I muttered. “You can’t just let it happen over and over again- “

“Hey, she said she’ll be okay.” Rio cut me in, his voice hard, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

I turned to look at Agatha’s ex-boyfriend. Or maybe, they got back together, seeing how he was glued beside her, and she was letting him.

“She’s not okay.” I insisted. “We should tell someone- “

“And let her be the center of gossip?” He cut my words again. “If you’re used being the topic over lunch break, Agatha isn’t. She has a reputation to uphold.”

That made me raise my eyebrow. “So she should just suffer in silence for some petty reputation? You know she’s being abuse and you tolerate it?”

“Hey, freak, I ain’t tolerating anything!” he hissed, leaning toward me.

“Rio, will you just shut up?” Agatha sat up straight, freeing herself from his hold.

“Babe- “

Agatha snatched her bag from the table and walked away. Rio followed, like an unwanted tail, muttering to himself.

I was considering to bolt out when Inigo appeared, sitting opposite me.

I swallowed, gazing at him.

“Are you free after class?” he asked, running his hand over his hair. “Can you spare me your time?”

I should say no, distanced myself as I planned my steps in fulfilling the deal of delivering his life to the devil and shouldn’t be acting like a moth attracted to the fire.

But thinking of it now, I should look deeper into things. If he really was the alpha destined for me to kill, then I should prove it first. I should wait for another full moon and not be a stupid witch. I should prove that he really was the villain in everyone’s life, that there was a reason why the devil wanted his soul in the underworld.

“I’m not free until 6pm, student assistant duties.” I cleared out my throat. “But after that, I have spare time.” I shrugged my shoulder. “That is, if you’re still up for that.”

Inigo flashed his dimpled smile. He looked so kind and gentle, that it was a far cry to the memories of him that I had seen. “I’ll take what I can get. Pick you up at your house? Is 7 good?”

“Okay,” I answered, finding myself smiling. “Where are we going, anyway?”

He raised an eyebrow, wagging his index finger on me. “It’s my cousin’s birthday. It’s just a dinner at our house.” He smiled widely and stood up. “See you later, Tana.”

I watched him walked away, greeting another guy as he passed by, just like any other normal guy. He didn’t look dangerous, or someone who could transform into beast. Inigo Remora was a puzzle I couldn’t solve.