How The Wolf Lost Her Heart

by Sarah Brownlee

  So there she was, heart beating wildly, dialling his number and praying that she would keep cool and composed as he answered the call and greeted her.

  “Oh, were you?” she said in reply to him, clearing her throat.

  Remember, be cool, she told herself.

  “Yes. I was going to ask you when you next felt like running together,” he said with a smile.

  “Right. Well, I’m going tonight actually; it’s a full moon, you see, and I tend to enjoy it more during the lunar cycle. Do you ever feel better running under the moon?”

  “Can’t really say I’ve noticed a difference, but I do tend to transform quite often,” replied Raphael.

  “Great, great,” said Skye with a strained grin. “So,” she coughed, “you going to be coming outside anytime soon? Or you still staying inside the house?”

  “I’ll be back to normal this week. A lot of stuff’s blown over, plus I found out yesterday that the officials did a study on the body and they discovered her wounds weren’t the markings of claws or teeth, they were caused by metal. We’re going to issue a public notice about it in order to try and squash the rumours. Took them long enough to realize that. So I’m in the clear, I just need to watch my back a bit more than usual. No doubt Pearson will try and pull some other stunt because this one failed.”

  “That’s good news. So have you had any recent visitors?”

  “Not really. Why?”

  Skye tried to sound as airy as possible.

  “Oh, just wondering. Just I bumped into Sasha today and she told me she was going to visit you.”

  Raphael frowned.

  “Really? She hasn’t been round. I haven’t seen her since that day she broke her ankle.”

  “Yes, she told me she was going to bring you some flowers,” said Skye gaily. “She asked me which flowers you fancy, I didn’t know if you prefer chrysanthemum or orchids. Which one do you like, out of interest?”

  “Flowers?” said Raphael. “I don’t like either of them – I’m not really a ‘flowers’ kind of guy.” He looked amused. “How strange that she would want to do that.”

  “Well, it’s not that strange,” said Skye with a tinkling laugh. “After all, you did once date so it’s understandable that she’d be worried about you.”

  Skye now felt one of the greater benefits to being able to transform into a wolf. Her wolf senses were able to analyse a person’s exact expression and movement when she focussed on them and that was exactly what she was doing with Raphael as soon as she mentioned Sasha. Though his face betrayed nothing, Skye caught a certain split-second shift in his pupils that confirmed it was true.

  “But that was a long time ago,” he said blankly.

  Skye was unable to stop herself.

  “So you did date her?”

  “Well … yes … Months ago. It wasn’t for very long, just a couple of weeks. She was very sweet to me and she looked really nice too. She told me she liked me so I gave it a shot.”

  Skye had not expected the extreme jealousy that suddenly raged through her at that moment. It was as though a cluster of snakes had been born inside her, slithering like lightning through her body; her head pounded with a fury she was unable to suppress. Very sweet to him and looked really nice too? That empty-headed bitch with her tight dresses and her fake smiles? He actually fell for that?

  “I thought you said she wasn’t your type,” she snarled, completely unable to prevent the viciousness in her voice. Quite frankly, all she could see at that moment was red.

  Rather taken aback by her sudden change in tone, Raphael replied hesitantly,

  “Well, she’s not. Hence why we stopped seeing each other. In fact, it was so brief that no one even knew about it, not even my brothers. Plus I started working and she got with someone else.”

  “Oh I see,” said Skye, her jaw clenched so tightly that it was a miracle she didn’t crush her own teeth. “So the only reason you split up is because she got with someone else?”

  “Erm … no … it was because we really didn’t have anything in common and I just didn’t really feel anything for her …”

  “I find it very odd that you didn’t mention this before,” said Skye loudly, her voice becoming more aggressive by the minute, her attempts at remaining cool completely thrown out the window. “You know, considering I did ask you if she was your girlfriend and all that. Obviously I know she isn’t right now, but usually when a person asks if you’re involved with someone, they tend to mention if they were at one time or another.”

  “Well, I just didn’t really think it was that important,” said Raphael. “To be honest, it wasn’t very memorable to me and, like I said, it didn’t take long for me to figure out she wasn’t my type. I sort of regret it,” he added, discomfort in his eyes, “because I realized we really aren’t very compatible …”

  “So what made you go out with her in the first place then?” growled Skye. “Oh wait, let me guess. After all, you are a man. The answer is obvious. A nice cleavage perhaps?”

  Mystified at this hostile rudeness, Raphael shook his head.

  “No … I mean, she looks good, there’s no denying it. But she was really nice to me; interested in everything I had to say; sweet to my dad. I just thought she seemed like a really nice girl.”

  “Nice? Nice? Are you aware that the girl hates Morphers? And you say she’s nice? You’re not very bright, are you?” sneered Skye.

  “I said she seemed nice at first. What’s wrong with you? Why are you being so rude?”

  “Rude? I’m not being rude. I asked you a simple question and found out you lied to me about it. I’m a little hacked off about being lied to, but it’s not hugely important so I’ll be alright in about five seconds.”

  Raphael’s eyes widened in amazement.

  “What did I lie to you about?”

  “I asked you if Sasha was your girlfriend. You said no.”

  “Erm, right. Well she’s not, so I’m pretty sure I was telling the truth.”

  “You failed to mention that she used to be!” snapped Skye. “You made out as if you hardly knew her; when, in reality, you’ve shared spit – maybe more! How very nice! Considering how much we’ve told each other, I’m surprised you hadn’t mentioned this!”

  Raphael shook his head.

  “There is no need to be like this. There’s no need to be angry, because I didn’t lie to you, and there’s no need to be jealous –”

  “JEALOUS?” Skye practically screamed. “Jealous of WHAT? Some empty-headed bimbo with no brain, no decent bone in her body; all she’s got is a body and that will turn to dust eventually anyway! This isn’t about jealousy, don’t flatter yourself! It’s about the fact that I thought you were better than that, that you were smarter than the average red-blooded goon, that you wouldn’t fall for a pair of walking breasts with nothing but air between her ears and a fat, nasty mouth covering her face!”

  A stunned silence followed these words. Skye, whose eyes had turned a magnificent blue during her enraged rant, breathed in and out for a few seconds as though she had just ran a marathon. Raphael continued to stare at her in shock.

  The next few moments that passed consisted of Skye’s pupils still dilating as the jealousy continued to soar through her like some unstoppable fire flame and Raphael unable to think of what to say.

  “Anyway, bye,” Skye said shortly, and she slammed her finger on the ‘End Call’ button, Raphael’s face promptly vanishing. Several people who had stepped outside of the pub and witnessed the entire scene gawped openly at her.

  “What are you looking at?” she barked at them, to which they hurriedly turned away, blowing bubbles in great haste.

  At first, as Skye continued to breathe heavily outside ‘The Fire Horse’ a feeling of sadistic pleasure ran through her at the thought of Raphael’s face when she had shouted at him. Served him right! Even if he had told her that Sasha wasn’t his girlfriend, the fact he didn’t mention that once said a lot about him; it was akin to
a lie, as far as she was concerned. She couldn’t help feeling that he had betrayed her somehow; fair enough, there was no romantic relationship between herself and Raphael, and he was under no obligation to inform her of his past philandering but, from what she knew, he had made it extremely clear to her that he did not find Sasha attractive – and yet this could not be entirely true because he had once dated her, simply because she was ‘nice’ and ‘pretty’. Her rage stemmed from the fact she had not thought him shallow in any way and she was highly disappointed that he would consider Sasha at all … but most of all, it was because of her own feelings for him and that his feelings were once directed to a girl whom she despised, and vice versa, and who was trying to get her claws into him once more. It didn’t matter that Raphael no longer felt attracted to Sasha (so he said). The fact that the attraction was once there suddenly made the world of difference. Skye let out a mirthless laugh; she had really believed he was exempt from the shallowness of man!

  But as time ticked on, the rage and hostile pleasure melted away and left her with a feeling of absolutely horror. The overwhelming jealousy that had shot through her seemed to dissolve like acid and her eyes returned to their usual brown. What had she done? Recalling the things she had said to him and the way she had said them, the feeling of mortification engulfed her.

  Oh my God … Why did I react like that? He must think I’m absolutely insane! What came over me? He’s probably never going to talk to me ever again …

  Now that the jealousy had subsided as quickly as it had appeared, rationale and reason started to fill her head up, but it only caused her more horror and shame. Yes, Raphael had dated Sasha, but he said he didn’t like her anymore. And he may have been a Morpher, but he was only a man and (there was no use denying it) what man wouldn’t find Sasha physically attractive? She could not dismiss the fact that he had clearly not been attracted to the girl’s personality and this showed he was not shallow at all; rather, it conveyed that he valued something more than aesthetic appearance. To top it all off, she and Raphael were no more than friends and he really did not have to divulge any part of his life to her if he chose not to; it was entirely possible, she reasoned now, that he had not mentioned dating Sasha because it genuinely was that insignificant to him – not because he had wanted to hide it from her. And why should he feel the need to hide it anyway? She and he were no more than friends, it was not as if he would have any justifiable cause to deliberately hide such information from her. It was only now, while her vision was clear and her head wasn’t thumping with rage, that she could truly see her own actions. The thought of how she had behaved made her cringe.

  He’s going to think I’m a nutjob, she thought, wincing. Or he’ll think I fancy him and that I’m a raving jealous lunatic! He probably already thinks it! This is terrible. What am I going to do? What is wrong with me?

  Stressing and pacing back and forth for a good five minutes, Skye resolved that she would ring him back, petrified as she felt. Brushing the sweat off her forehead, she said his name into her tag device and waited for him to pick up, trying to slow down the uncontrollable beating of her heart.

  His face appeared in the air moments later; it was apprehensive and there was a touch of sadness about the way he was looking at her.

  “Raphael? I just want to apologize for how I acted just then,” said Skye in a rushed way, her hands clammy. “I don’t know why I got so angry. It’s just that I felt you hid something from me and we’re friends; so it hurt my feelings a bit, that’s all.”

  “I didn’t hide anything from you, Skye, I just didn’t tell you I once dated Sasha because it is irrelevant to me and it was a long time ago. She doesn’t mean anything to me. She’s not even a friend, just an acquaintance … I’m sorry if I upset you. I genuinely didn’t think it was something I had to mention. I consider you a good friend and I wouldn’t want you to think I’m the type of person who keeps secrets just to hurt you. That’s not what I’m about.”

  He looked so forlorn that Skye felt a rush of guilt.

  “No, I’m the one who’s sorry, it’s absolutely none of my business who you’ve been with,” she continued in that very fast tone. “It’s just – well, she’s not a very nice person and I was surprised you got with her because you’re very different to her, but like I said, it’s none of my business! Really, I’m sorry I blew up at you just then.”

  “It’s fine. And I didn’t mean it when I accused you of being jealous – I’ve said that before to you, but you know I’m just winding you up. You’ve got no reason to be jealous of her anyway. Come on … you’re a wolf, she’s just a person.”

  The thrill that shot through Skye at these words helped abate the humiliation she was feeling.

  “Well, I can only apologize again,” she said, unable to think of what to say next.

  “It’s fine, forget about it. Besides … you’re quite cute when you’re angry.”

  He grinned and Skye threw him a pretend glare.

  “Don’t tease me. Anyway … I better get back to work. My manager’s already switched on me for being late this morning. Thanks for not … you know … holding my crazy temper against me.”

  “I told you, it’s fine. Are you still going running tonight?”

  “Yes. Why, want to come? I usually run alone on full moons, but if you want to come …?”

  “It’s OK, you have fun. I was thinking of staying in tonight anyway.”

  Secretly relieved that Raphael did not want to join her, Skye nodded and told him they’d go running another time. She did enjoy running under the moon alone, but the truth was she also did not feel ready to face him after that embarrassing outburst and a good run would really detoxify her.

  “I assume you’re coming to the celebrations this weekend?” Raphael said.

  “Yes. Guess I’ll see you there?”

  “You’re on. Enjoy the rest of your day at work.”

  “Yeah, right,” Skye said grimly. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Raphael’s face disappeared and she exhilarated deeply.

  I am really going to have to learn to control myself, she thought reproachfully as she made her way back to the gruelling office, thinking about how she’d rather face a three-hour lecture on the importance of good customer service from Ned than go through that ordeal with Raphael ever again.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Pink or yellow? Which looks better on me?”

  “Grapefruit or lemon? Which tastes better? I’d go with lemon personally, but that’s just me.”

  It was Friday evening, the day before the celebrations. Skye had just finished work and she and Daphne were having a last minute rummage in a popular clothes store in the neighbouring village, Hounslow Hamlet. Skye, for once, was in rather a jolly mood. She had had a terrible day at work as usual; Ned was on her case more than ever lately, constantly asking what had gotten into her and bleating on about how she was throwing her ‘supervisory’ position down the drain. Lucas had asked her if she fancied a drink that evening, but she told him she was going shopping with her friend; quite honestly, she was rather reluctant to go for a drink with him because she had the sneaky suspicion that he had a bit of a thing for her and she didn’t see him in that way at all. So to finally be out of the working environment and with her friend, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, made her feel relaxed and at ease.

  “So you think the yellow?” said Daphne anxiously, holding up the yellow dress as the bored shop assistant watched them with mild interest. “But – oh, it does make me look like a lemon, doesn’t it!”

  Chortling, Skye shook her head.

  “How in the world could you look like a lemon? It’s a fruit, for crying out loud. It has no shape.”

  “Neither do I!” wailed Daphne, glaring at her reflection in the mirror.

  Skye rolled her eyes.

  “You have plenty of shape. You’re one of those lucky people who can wear anything and get away with it. I can’t even wear short-sleeved tops because m
y arms are too thick. Imagine having that!”

  “Oh shut up, Skye, you have a great figure and you know it. Everyone says so. Marcos said it that night when he met you …”

  Skye grimaced.

  “Did he? Great.”

  “Yes, he did.” Daphne shot her a disapproving look, momentarily distracted from her dress dilemma. “And quite honestly, Skye, you owe him an apology. I cannot believe how rude you were to him!”

  “Rude? I wasn’t rude.”

  “Ahem!” Daphne’s eyebrows flew into her auburn bangs.

  “So calling him an ‘annoying pervert’ isn’t rude?”

  “Well – he was!” protested Skye. “Didn’t you see the way he was slobbering over me? I mean, literally slobbering. Oh, well of course you didn’t – you were completely smashed off your face!”

  “Well, I might have had one or two too many,” said Daphne with a dignified air, “but at least I didn’t go around hurling insults at people.”

  “Well, neither did I! I simply stated the truth. Besides, he probably doesn’t even remember. I’m surprised you do, actually. The three of you were blind drunk.”

  Daphne snorted.

  “You were hardly sober yourself, Skye. I may have seen two of you that night, but I still saw two of you stumbling out of the bar when you went to see loverboy! Anyway after you left, and despite how rude you were, Marcos said he’d like to take you out –”

  “Forget it,” said Skye flatly.

  “Hold on, let me finish! He said he’d like to take you out, but I told him you’re not interested because you were on your way to see another man –”

  “That must have made him feel really chuffed.”

  “Yes, well, I told him you were going to see someone else, but he found it difficult to believe; apparently, you and he made quite a connection that night. However, I told him Raphael was your new boyfriend and eventually he gave up. Edge and I had a big fight about it, actually, he started trashing you by saying you had led Marcos on by telling him you didn’t have a boyfriend. And I, of course, wouldn’t allow him to talk about you like that; you’re my best friend! We didn’t talk for a whole day because of it –”