Her Human His Lycan

Party

Clay POV

I crouched in the dense woods, not far from the School campus, the rustling leaves and branches brushing against my skin as I hid. Reports had reached us about a few houses deep in the woods, believed to be occupied by werewolves. Someone had claimed to witness a werewolf shifting, and my task was to verify these reports without engaging unless absolutely necessary.

Impatience gnawed at me, a feeling intensified by the sight of the moon casting an eerie glow through the trees. I longed to rid the world of these dangerous beasts, to protect humans from their threat. I was accompanied by two other hunters, their footsteps crunching on the fallen leaves, as we cautiously surveyed the area. The ground bore traces of wolf tracks, their imprints etched into the dirt, a clear sign of their presence.

"They keep encroaching closer to the city and schools," Al, one of the hunters, remarked, his voice filled with concern. "We need to eliminate them before any real trouble arises."

I nodded in agreement, my hand instinctively gravitating towards my gun. I traced my fingers over its cold metal surface, a sense of determination coursing through me. However, Al reminded me of our orders to observe only. Frustration welled up within me, but I knew I had to abide by the rules. Our primary goal was to gather information, to identify the alpha of the werewolf pack, and determine if they were a full pack or rogue creatures.

As we continued our surveillance, I caught a clear view of one of the werewolves. Recognition washed over me as I realized I had seen him at the school before, often attending parties. Later tonight, he would likely be present at one of those gatherings. Our plan shifted to tailing him, to gather more insights. The more we knew about the werewolves and their activities in human territory, the better equipped we would be to bring them down.

"I recognize one from the college," I pointed out, my voice hushed.

"We suspected some would have ties to the school," Al replied. "If that's the case, I want you to head back to campus and observe. Report any findings to me or Skade."

My frustration seeped into my muttered response, "Great, just what I needed."

"We can't rush into a fight blindly. There could be an entire pack lurking nearby. We must be prepared. Wolves don't often travel alone, and werewolves are no different." Al reminded me.

I nodded, my gaze hardened. "I'm well aware."

Al's eyes bore into mine, a warning etched in his expression. "Clay, you have a tendency to lose control. Keep your cool at school, unless the werewolf poses an immediate threat. We must follow orders."

"I won't break them," I assured him, my voice strained with determination.

"Better not, Clay. The boss has given you enough chances," Al cautioned.

With a heavy sigh, I acquiesced. "Fine."

Leaving the woods behind, I made my way back to the campus, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of merely watching a werewolf, acting as a mere observer, grated on my nerves. I was not a babysitter, but I would comply, for now.

It was late night by the time I made it to my apartment, the darkness enveloping the surroundings. The damn wolf's presence lingered in my mind, a sense of unease creeping up my spine. I fumbled around my dimly lit unit, searching for something to drink. The musty smell of emptiness filled the air, intensifying my frustration. "Guess it's cheap whisky and stale beer," I muttered, feeling the disappointment settling in.

Heading out towards the party, the night air was cool against my skin, carrying whispers of distant conversations and laughter. The house came into view, its windows illuminated with vibrant colors, pulsating with the thumping bass of the music. The sound of voices, mingling and merging, grew louder as I stepped inside.

Navigating through the crowd, the suffocating heat and the scent of alcohol mixed with sweat filled the room. "Yo Clay, you made it!" one of the guys I knew shouted over the music, his voice barely audible.

"Unfortunately," I muttered, my words drowned out by the cacophony surrounding me.

Turning my attention to the center of the room, my gaze was met with a spectacle of movement. A large group danced energetically, their bodies swaying in sync with the rhythm. Among them, I spotted Emma, Kris, and a girl named Melody, their presence drawing all eyes towards them. A surge of anger coursed through me, an inexplicable jealousy consuming my thoughts. Gripping the plastic cup in my hand, I felt the weight of frustration as I crushed it involuntarily.

"Dude, chill," Tom, the guy I knew, said, his voice filled with concern. I shrugged my shoulders, attempting to divert my attention away from Emma, and reached for another drink. But to my misfortune, peace was not to be found as Liz approached me.

"Oh Clay, I'm so glad you came. I was missing you. Come on, let's dance," she said, tugging on my free hand. My eyes, however, were drawn towards Emma, leaving Liz's invitation hanging in the air.

"Don't, unless you want the entire party to know I turned you down," I replied, my gaze fixated on the enigmatic newcomer.

"You can seriously be interested in that freak?" Liz snapped at me, her voice filled with disdain, and stormed off.

Tom observed the situation and turned to me, his voice tinged with curiosity. "She's something else, isn't she?" he remarked.

"Yeah, she's something alright," I replied before I could stop myself, my words laced with a mix of intrigue and frustration.

"I didn't think a girl could draw you in like that, man. But I doubt she will go for a simple one-night stand," Tom commented, his words stirring a sense of wounded pride within me.

"Good, this school has enough sluts," I retorted, my attention divided between Emma and Liz's group of drama queens, growing closer to each other.

As I continued to observe the unfolding scene, my target, Ryan, made his entrance into the party, momentarily diverting my attention from Emma. Thoughts of how they could even fit in with our kind, the werewolves, invaded my mind. I took a gulp of my new drink, feeling its familiar burn, and poured another, my eyes never leaving Ryan.

After several minutes, a commotion broke out outside, capturing my attention once again. Curiosity piqued, I stepped out to witness Liz harassing Emma, their voices filled with hostility.

The dress Emma had on looked wet, the fabric clinging to her body. Liz, with a mischievous smirk on her face, had clearly tossed her drink on Emma.

As I approached, my attention should have been focused on watching the werewolf, but I couldn't help but be drawn into the commotion. "How immature," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible amidst the chatter and music.

Liz noticed my presence and sauntered over, her steps echoing in my ears. "What's going on over here?" I asked, my gaze shifting from Emma, who appeared to be restraining herself from attacking Liz, to the smug girl herself.

"Emma and I were just having a friendly talk, but now that you're here, let's go back into the party," Liz said, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she clung onto me. An uncomfortable sensation crawled up my spine as I forcefully pushed her away.

"What the f**k, Clay?" she snapped, her voice sharp and piercing. Ignoring her, I swiftly removed my jacket and handed it to Emma. The touch of her fingers against mine sent a gentle tingle through my skin.

"Emma, you live in the campus apartment, right?" I asked, trying to divert the attention away from the chaotic encounter. She nodded in response.

"I'll walk you back then," I offered, my voice laced with genuine concern.

Before Emma could respond, Melody interjected, "We can walk her home."

"I'm heading that way anyways," I said dismissively, my gaze fixed on Emma.

"I'll be fine," she said to Melody, her voice quivering slightly. "If you could walk with me, I'd appreciate it," she then said to me, slipping my jacket over her shoulders.

"Your seriously going to walk that freak home?" Liz sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.

Anger surged within me, but I maintained my composure. "The only freak I see here is the one making a scene, sweetheart, and that's you," I retorted, my words sharp and cutting.

Following Emma as she started to leave, I noticed her quickening pace. It seemed as if she was deliberately trying to avoid me, a mixture of emotions evident in her hurried steps. "I'm fine walking home, you really don't have to leave for me," she said, removing my jacket and attempting to hand it back to me.

"Keep it on, it's cold," I insisted, my voice filled with concern. She nodded silently, accepting my gesture of warmth.

"Thanks," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the music.

As we walked, the atmosphere grew quieter, the noise from the party fading into the background. "There's a small late-night pub by the apartments if you're not ready to call it a night," I offered, attempting to ease the tension.

"Thanks, but I'm not interested," she responded, her tone polite but distant.

"Okay then," I replied, a hint of disappointment in my voice. Emma suddenly stopped walking, her gaze fixed on the ground. "Thanks for the walk home. I'm still getting used to the area, so it was kind of you. But no offense, you're dating Liz, so it would be kind of inappropriate for us to be seen together at a bar. It may upset her," she explained, her words laced with a mixture of gratitude and caution.

"I'm not dating Liz. If anything, I'm trying to get rid of her," I chuckled, hoping to alleviate her concerns.

Emma shook her head, her voice laced with disdain. "She thinks otherwise," she said, her words piercing through the air. "I heard all about you already, funny with the campus being big and all. You seem to be the talk, known for being a jerk and one-night flings." The sound of her disapproval filled my ears as she continued. "I'm not saying Liz isn't a b***h because she is, but I'm sure you played a role in her now attaching herself to you, especially if you two went and had sex." Her words hung in the air, heavy with tension. "You see, not all girls can just get over being intimate with someone. So, saying you're trying to get rid of her is a d**k move. Maybe try speaking to her with some respect, you know, be the bigger person and all."

Emma's words hit me like a gust of wind, catching me off guard. I had never once considered my own actions, blinded by the fact that no girl I've slept with has ever latched onto me like Liz. "I get what you're saying," I replied, my voice tinged with realization.

"Good," she simply said. Now that we had talked, I felt a longing to get to know her more, to uncover the mysteries she held.

We arrived at the apartments swiftly, the sound of our footsteps echoing in the silence. Emma took my jacket off again. She held it out to me, her eyes meeting mine. "Again, thank you," she said, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. "I hope you have a relaxing rest of your night." Her words lingered in the air, leaving a trace of comfort.

As she entered the building, I followed closely behind. "Why are you following me?" she suddenly asked, her voice filled with surprise.

"I live in this building as well," I replied, a hint of amusement in my voice.

"Oh, sorry," she muttered, causing a chuckle to escape my lips.

"Sure you're not up for one more drink? I'm still wide awake," I suggested, my voice hopeful. "I can run down the street and grab a few beers, call it p*****t for your lecture." A smile played at the corners of my lips as I awaited her response.

"Okay, fine. I guess I need to learn where the store is anyways," she said, her voice conceding. "Lead the way." We walked to the store, the bright lights illuminating the surroundings. "Wow, this is close," she commented, her eyes scanning the shelves. She opened a fridge, the cool air escaping as she grabbed a large container of orange juice.

"Any specific beer you like, or do you prefer these seltzer things?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

"I'm good with this," she said, holding up the orange juice before heading to the checkout counter. I shook my head. I grabbed a pack of beers for myself and joined her at the counter.

We walked to the benches outside the building and sat down. "So, where did you come from? Most students here are local," I inquired, my voice carrying a hint of interest.

"A small town in New Hampshire," she explained, her voice soft and distant.

"Not too far then," I replied.

"No, but I took the train, and it had several stops, making it a long journey," she said, her eyes gazing up at the stars above.

"Where are you from?" she asked, her voice breaking the silence. "Maine," I replied, a sense of nostalgia creeping into my words.

"So you're not local as well," she said, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"No, needed a change of scenery," I replied.

She took a long gulp from the jug. "So much better," she sighed with relief.

"Don't drink much?" I inquired, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "No, only a few times," she confessed, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability. "I don't plan on drinking again for a long time," she added.

"I'm assuming that means I won't see you at any parties," I asked, a touch of playful curiosity in my voice.

She chuckled softly. "Nope, one and done. I can now say I've experienced a college party and mark it off my experience list," she replied, her smile widening.

"You're different," the words slipped out before I could stop myself, a mix of admiration and intrigue in my tone.

She paused for a moment, her eyes searching mine. "I know, but everyone is, right? I mean, we're all unique in our own ways," she mused, her voice carrying a hint of wisdom.

"Very true, yet most don't believe that. They'd rather act as the crowd," I responded, my voice filled with a touch of melancholy. She nodded, taking another big gulp of her juice.

"Well, Clay, it was nice talking, but I have to be up early, so I really should call it a night," she said. I resisted the urge to reach out and touch her hand, to feel the warmth and softness against my skin.

"Coffee," I blurted out, my words surprising even myself.

"What about it?" she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity.

"You like black coffee, right? I'll grab you one in the morning since we have the same class," I offered.

"Thanks," she replied, a hint of gratitude in her voice as she started to get up. But then she paused, her eyes meeting mine once again. "Wait," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll take the coffee under one condition," she said, her voice filled with a newfound sense of excitement.

"What's that?" I asked.

"You're in Mythology, right?" she questioned, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Yes," I replied. I felt a knot of anticipation in my stomach, wondering where this conversation would lead.

"You don't have a group for the project yet, correct? So join me, Melody, and Kris," she suggested, her eyes shining with excitement.

I took a moment to process her words, contemplating the idea.

"Maybe think twice about calling them nerds from now on," she added, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"You make a hard bargain, but I accept," I finally responded. As she got up and disappeared into the building, the sounds of footsteps echoed in the distance, gradually fading away.

I leaned back on the bench, feeling its rough texture against my back. The faint taste of beer lingered on my lips, as I exhaled a heavy sigh. I couldn't help but wonder, "What the hell was I getting myself into?"