THE WEREWOLF DETECTIVE

HER BESTFRIEND'S SECRET

ZEKE

August’s expression suddenly changed after hearing that I had hired another investigator. He finally put his phone on the table, with the screen facing down on the table.

He took my hand, and somehow, I already knew what he would say. “I know this was hard for you, but you’ve been trying to find Liam for months, and no one could find a lead. Don’t you think it was time to let go? It’s already been four months, and maybe he doesn’t want to be found or-” I quickly cut him off. I’m trying my best to understand him, but I would never let him say such things to my brother.

I glared at him, the same glare he gave when I mentioned hiring a new investigator. “Or what? My brother doesn’t have any reason to leave or run away. August, you know how much I care for my brother and that he is the only family I have left. How could you tell me to just give up? Out of all the people in the world, you should be the one to understand me.” I feel betrayed. He was with me for years. He knew my brother, and everyone who knew Liam should know that the rumors he ran away weren’t true.

I know I lacked in many aspects as his girlfriend, but I’m already doing my best to make it up to him! It’s the exact reason why I’m lowering my pride every single time, even if I know for myself that what he was doing was already too much.

I stood without delay and picked up my purse. “Sorry if you think that I was being delusional. I’m leaving.” I walked out of our table even before he could utter a word. I was shaking in anger. I feel like I’m about to explode.

“Wait, Zeke.” He tried to stop me, but I didn’t look back at all. This was a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have insisted on fixing this relationship.

I tried to hail a cab, but the road was surprisingly empty. I cursed out of frustration.

“I’ll take you home.” August managed to catch me, but I didn’t spare him a look. I can’t take this. Every time I see him, the memories of our past come rushing back to me. I perfectly know that what he had in me is just a responsibility that he couldn’t let go of. It hurts me, but I was trying to salvage this relationship as much as possible.

Now, I can’t do it anymore.

I lifted my head and met his eyes, “I don’t think I can continue like this anymore. I did everything, and you know that. I just never expected that it would be you to always discourage me like this.” I walked away with my pride this time. I wouldn’t lower my pride for someone who doesn’t even believe in me.

“Why is there no cab at this time?” I mumbled to myself after I walked far away from the restaurant. I heaved a sigh. My feet are killing me too. I really should have worn heels today!

I scratched my head in frustration. I don’t have any choice but to call him. I placed my phone on my ear and waited for him to pick it up after a few rings.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” It was Alexander. He was a good friend of mine. We were close during our junior years, and we’ve been really good friends ever since.

My forehead crumpled with his question, “How did you know something was wrong?” I haven’t said anything yet. Either he has a sixth sense, or he was around when August and I fought.

“Are you around here?” I asked again, but he only laughed at my speculation.

“You prefer to chat or text and only call when urgent, so what was wrong?” I heaved a sigh. Alexander knew me too well, maybe even better than August...

I suddenly heard another voice from the background, but I couldn’t figure out what it was about. Embarrassment suddenly crept into me. I shouldn’t be bothering other people because of my problems in life.

“Sorry. Were you busy?” I asked, still embarrassed.

“No, not really. So what’s up?” He immediately dismissed my worry. I was sure that I heard someone in the background. It seemed like someone was in pain or was groaning. It’s pretty weird. Was that simply my imagination? I’m starting to doubt myself a lot lately.

“I… had a fight with August. Can you please pick me up?” I swallowed my embarrassment and asked, “The roads are magically empty when I need a cab the most. I really want to leave this place already.”

I tapped my foot out of anxiety, “It’s fine if you’re busy.” I hurried and took back my request. I heard another noise in the background of Alexander’s line. This time, I’m sure, as it was louder, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

Alexander hadn’t spoken for a while, so I thought the line got cut off, but it was still connected when I checked.

“Hello?” I tried reaching out again.

“Just stay there and message me your location. I’ll pick you up.” Alexander hung up even before I could say thank you. He seems to be in a hurry too.

I walked to one side and patiently waited. I didn’t know what was happening, but he really seemed busy. I messaged him my location along with a small apology. He simply replied that he was on his way.

Embarrassment was eating me alive. I didn’t mean to be a pain for Alexander, but I really wanted to leave the place immediately.

--

“Heh, your girl is calling out for you? Don’t you want to let me go, and we’ll call it a day today. I don’t like holding grudges, so if we ever see each other again, I’ll act like I didn’t see you.” The vampire whom he caught just last night taunted Alexander. He was also the same person who made noises earlier when talking to Zeke just to annoy him.

Alexander was trying to extract some information from the vampire, but all he got were twisted answers and taunts. He eventually concluded that he wouldn’t get anything from the vampire, and so he decided to end its life.

“You asked for this.” He went near the thick curtains that hindered the sunlight from entering the place.

The vampire’s eyes widened, knowing what he would do, “Wait! I’ll tell you everything I know. Just please don’t do that.” He suddenly haggled.

Vampires have strong regenerative abilities, so torturing them was just a short-term pain for them, but the vampire’s greatest weakness was that they couldn’t walk under the sun. For most turned vampires, at least. Pureblooded vampires could withstand the sun as they age, but still, they were weakened by it. Some turned vampires could also withstand the sun, but they were considered rare. They were mostly adored by pureblooded vampires as they usually made them run several errands during the day.

“You could have spoken earlier if you really had something to say. Do you think you can fool me? “He grinned and pulled the thick curtains to the side, letting the vampire burst into flames with the sunlight.

He heard an ear-splitting scream from the vampire but was already used to it. He had already lost count of how many supernatural creatures he had killed. At this point, it was already fascinating for him to watch how a vampire burst into flames.