Under The Moonlight: Hybrid Werewolf Shifter Romance

By Jayson

"There she is!" I heard the shout. I quickly moved out of my hiding position and made to run away.

I had become the subject of criticism ever since the whole school found out about my real identity when they all knew I was a half-breed. The original hybrid. I didn't fancy all the unnecessary attention and interviews, so I resorted to maintaining a far distance from all of them; all except my best friends.

Just as I turned to flee again, I bumped into something solid, like a wall. Only it wasn't a wall, it was a human. I looked up at his flashy face.

"Running away?" He smirked. I tried to avoid his captivating smile. "Come with me." He grabbed my hands and dragged me around the corner, away from the searching crowd.

***

Rose is the original half-breed- a hybrid. Going through her school life at St Vlad's High, follow as she works her way up encountering setbacks and failures. Over time, Rose grew bonds and cemented her stay there. She made friends and even got a special relationship with an uncommon breed. She had to fight her way through all the setbacks, commotion, heartbreaks, and pain.

She got betrayed when she was at her lowest by the one whom she trusted the most, but in the end, it all worked out for her good. In a universe of werewolves, vampires, and cross breeds, what will Rose find Under The Moonlight? Let's find out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: supernovel
• Release date: Mar 20, 2023

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Welcome to St. Vlad's.

No, not St. Vladimir, patron saint of Russia.

St. Vlad, as in Vlad Tepes, aka Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula.

I think it unfair that the school is named after a vampire. Sure, vampires attend here, but so do Lycanthrope.

There are the Moroi, vampires, and the Dhampir, half-vampire half-human hybrid. There are, also, the Lycanthrope, half-human half-wolf hybrid.

But then there's me. I'm what you would call a True Hybrid: half-vampire half-werewolf.

Since I am welcoming you to St. Vlad's, I'm going to give you a little crash-course on all things supernatural – well, at least for the species represented here and those we have to fear.

Moroi, commonly known as the living vampire, can walk in the sun, though it does sting. They have a long list of abilities: superhuman senses, agility, speed, quick to heal, perfect night vision, and most control an elemental magic – including the magic of the spirit. Some Moroi have the bat shapeshifting ability that vampires are known for while others can simply fly wherever, some don't have either gift. Their bite is euphoric for all except the lycanthrope and the True Hybrid.

The Moroi have a royal system, complete with royal families. The Dhampir are shuffled into that group since they are half-Moroi. The Lycanthrope are free to do as they choose as long as it's not harmful to the Moroi way of life.

Dhampir, the half-vampire-human hybrid, possess superhuman abilities, also: agility, speed, strength, endurance, and senses. They, too, are quick to heal, but not as fast at Moroi, and have slightly-less-than-perfect night vision. They can't shapeshift or fly. They don't possess fangs but sunlight don't affect them, but they seem to enjoy it. If you ask me, they really got the short end of the stick, especially when you take into account that they spend most of their lives protecting the Moroi, but they choose to.

Lycanthrope, commonly known as werewolves, are both nocturnal and diurnal, though they prefer the night because it's easier to hide. They possess all the superhuman abilities that Dhampir do along with perfect night vision, quick healing (faster than the Moroi), lie detection, and telepathy with other Lycanthrope. Seems a little redundant to say so, but they can shapeshift into wolves. Most have control of it, but newly turned lycanthrope still shift on a full moon or when provoked, mostly in anger. Their bite is infectious except for the Moroi and Dhampir. There aren't very many Lycanthrope here, but those that are chose to train alongside Dhampir, though their regimen is must more physical.

So, that's that on the decent creatures of the world, now on to the undead.

Strigoi are the undead vampires; Pricolici are the undead lycanthrope. You arrive at the same conclusion with either species. They either take a life or are turned. Pricolici are much more dangerous than Strigoi, in the similar fashion that Lycanthrope are much more dangerous than Moroi. Pricolici are forced to change back to their human forms during a full moon, leaving that the best time to hunt them. Both are blood-thirsty, killing machines and both crave vampire blood because it makes them stronger.

Technically, vampire blood also makes Lycanthrope stronger but it is considered taboo take blood from a Moroi.

Oh, I forgot! There's me. I'm the only True Hybrid, that they know of, in the world right now. I possess all the same attributes as both Lycanthrope and Moroi. I can shapeshift into either a bat or a wolf. My bite is both infectious and euphoric. My magic, however, is not as strong as a Moroi's magic, though I'm sure I could work on it. And unlike Moroi, I control more than one elemental power.

My mother is Lycanthrope and my father is Moroi, an odd pairing considering most Moroi think us nothing more than dogs. While Moroi and Dhampir require a human amount of sleep, Lycanthrope need more, but I need less. I can function fully on four hours of sleep and rarely sleep more than seven. This is helpful. I spend my extra time training. I'm going to become a Guardian for my best friend, she's a royal Moroi: Lissa Dragomir.

I'm seventeen and a senior so the world doesn't have to worry about us for another year, but I'm looking forward to getting out of here and I know she's eager to take on the world.

I'm Rose Hathaway, The True Hybrid. Enjoy your time at St. Vlad's.

CHAPTER 2

.RPOV

This is my favorite part.

The Transformation.

My body breaking apart and piecing itself back together.

It was magical.

First my tibias broke, forcing me to the ground. Next it was my back, which had to break to fit more vertebrae. Most of my bones just had to elongate, not actually break. My shoulders dislocated from their sockets, making way for my growing muscles. The bones in my hands and feet started to shift, growing out into paws and claws.

When most people witness The Transformation, they believe it to be painful. The sounds of bones snapping caused them to cringe in fear and stare at you with pity. The Transformation was anything but painful: it was pure bliss.

My face had begun to extend, growing out my snout. My eyes grew further apart, allowing me to see more, and my ears curved upwards, allowing me to hear further. I noticed the immediate change in my senses. In my human form, I had pretty decent senses, better than any normal human, that's for sure, but as a wolf…I was incredible.

My paws dug into the soft earth as I threw my head back in a howl. My howl was powerful and could be heard for miles.

I was destined to be an alpha. It was in my blood, I could feel it. Alpha isn't a genetic thing. My mother wasn't an alpha, nor was her mother. Alpha is something you're born with, and I was born with it.

Howls started being returned. I am only seventeen, but as soon as I matured into adulthood, I would need to find a pack to lead, or become a mutt, roaming until I found a pack of my own.

I know this dream well. It would always start out like this, with The Transformation. Usually, it would end after a run with the other pups, but for the past week things had changed. The pups had started running from something.

I listen, waiting for the sound of paws racing over the dampened earth. It had recently rained, the smell of storm clouds still lingered. Blurs of fur rushed by, whimpers resonating from the occasional pup.

I turned toward the direction they were running from and pushed myself into a full sprint. The distant crashing I had heard before was becoming louder, I followed it. The knot in my stomach grew tighter and a feeling of dread was threatening to take hold. I pushed myself to run faster, stretching my muscles as far as they could go, urging them to go farther.

I burst into a clearing only to be met by the sight of a nightmare.

Pricolici.

This particular Pricolici was massive. He had to be an ancient, only centuries of Moroi blood could make you that strong, and, boy, he was strong. You could tell by the ease with which he moved, lunging at the Lycanthrope that had engaged him in battle.

I could smell Moroi blood in the air, and the saturated scent let me know that the Moroi was dead.

The Lycanthrope fought with grace and power, the likes I'd never seen in any before. He was beautiful, and not just in fighting. He was larger than most, and his coat was a rich shade of chocolate brown.

Brown was a very uncommon color for Lycanthrope, we tend to all be the same shade of black, other than myself, of course. But I'm not like other Lycanthrope. I am a True Hybrid – half-Moroi half-Lycanthrope. My coat is of the purest white. Brown only belonged to a certain line of Lycanthrope in Russia, but I hadn't seen any in America.

To my surprise, the brown Lycanthrope had successfully ripped open the throat of the Pricolici and was in the process of detaching the rest of the head from the body. I stared mesmerized and in awe.

After the head was removed, the Lycanthrope launched it as far from the body as possible. He collapsed after the ordeal he had just through, exhausted, but still managed to crawl his way over to the small Moroi body that lay a few feet from him. My initial conclusion of a dead Moroi was confirmed when the Lycanthrope threw his head back and let loose the most heart-wrenching, sorrowful bellow I had ever heard.

My heart constricted and I felt the desire to mourn with him. I threw my large head back and answered his howl with my own, but mine was filled with heartache and empathy. I moved across the clearing just to be closer to him. I wanted to ease his pain.

Upon hearing my howl, the Lycanthrope's head whipped around in my direction. Seeing my approach, he got up and stood defensively in front of the Moroi's body. His head lowered and his lips curled back in a snarl.

I stood my ground, unfazed by his aggressive stance, but I did approach at a slower pace. I stared into his chocolate brown eyes, sending him calming messages. His stance lowered and he collapsed back to the ground in a heap.

I nudged his neck with my snout, rubbing my face against his. He turned into the comforting gesture and let out another mourning howl. When he turned his face back to me, I could see the emptiness and sorrow they now possess. I could imagine the life that once lived there, but it died with his Moroi.

My heart broke for this man.

I laid down beside him, giving him my strength. He was an alpha, I could feel it, but his power was fading, being locked away. He eventually closed his eyes, falling into a peaceful sleep. But as soon as I closed my eyes, I woke up.

I sat up with a groan.

For the past week, I'd been having this same dream. I'd always dreamed of my time as a wolf, but it was always just running and leaping with my fellow pups. I was concerned about the change in my dreams and what it could mean. This was the only time I'd come close to a Pricolici, but it felt so real. I've killed a few Strigoi in my time, but never a Pricolici, they were rare and elusive. My heart ached again, remembering the brown Lycanthrope that had been too late to protect his Moroi. The ease with which he took the Pricolici down was impressive, especially considering the age of the Pricolici.

Was it real? Was any of it real?

My senior year was starting tomorrow. I was looking forward to it just as much as I was dreading it.

I've been here since I was four. I've grown up here. This is my home, and in less than a year I will be forced out and sent to live on my own. Well not completely on my own. I'll have Lissa.

Princess Vasilisa Dragomir, last of her line, is my best friend. She's been here for me since preschool. We're each other's family.

While I've never known my father, and I barely knew my mother, Lissa grew up with both parents and an older brother. They took me in when we became best friends and I accepted them as my new family. Two years ago, they died in a car accident. Both Lissa and I had stayed at St. Vlad's for a party that was happening that weekend, otherwise we would have been in that car, too. I know sometimes she wishes that she would have been in the car.

I was grateful to have Lissa with me, though, I hate that she lost her family. She had me, her best friend, and Christian, her boyfriend. He was okay in my book, but I didn't think he deserved her, but if we're going with my opinion, no one deserved Liss. If anyone did deserve her, however, I guess it would be Christian. He treated her like the princess she is.

All of my classes this year were combat training classes. I'd tested out of all of my academic classes, so the first half of my day will be spent training, then I have the rest of the day off, though, I'd most-likely use that time for more training. I was slotted to be Lissa's Guardian when we graduate and I was not going to lose her, not like the Lycanthrope in my dream.

I shuddered at the thought of Lissa's body lying there, dead. I would not allow that to happen. I had a feeling the Lycanthrope in my dream also made that promise to his Moroi.

All of a sudden, there was a shift in the air.

'We have a new Alpha on campus.' I thought to myself as I drug my body out of bed. I may not sleep much, but that doesn't me I didn't like my bed.

I slipped on running shorts, a sports bra, and a tank top. Sitting down on the end of my bed as I pulled my socks and shoes on, I thought about my running course. Usually I ran around the track at the sports fields, but today I was feeling a run through the woods. I'd cleared it this year with Alberta, the Head Guardian here at St. Vlad's, to be able to run the ward lines where the Guardian's patrol.

The woods surrounding campus were dense and saturated in the pleasant scent of pine. I found it more therapeutic to run in the woods rather than on a track.

I exited my dorm room, being sure to lock the door behind me and slip the key into my bra. I exited the Lycanthrope dorm hall and started jogging to the nearest point of the ward lines. It was barely 4 p.m., but being August and in Montana, the sun was still shining warmly overhead. I turned my face toward the life-giving star to soak up the rays.

Entering the woods, I started dodging tree after tree until I came upon the well-worn ward path and turned right. There weren't many Guardians out patrolling at this time, but the ones I did pass gave me a polite nod. None of them seemed surprised to see me, it appears that Alberta let them know that they might see me out here, that or they just didn't care what I did.

I was a remarkable student, but I definitely got into more than my fair share of trouble. Most of the time I got away with it because I did so well in my academic classes and was far more advanced in my combat classes than the other Novices. I could have graduated last year, but I wanted to wait for Lissa. If I was going to be her Guardian, it would be easier for me to graduate with her, plus I didn't want to leave her at The Academy by herself while I went and guarded someone for a year.

I'd been running for an hour and decided to be done with it, I needed a shower. My current position on the ward line was on the other side of campus from the Lycanthrope dorms, so I decided to cut across campus rather than run the rest of the line.

The feeling of Alpha power grew stronger when I neared the Guardian dorms. There were very few Lycanthrope Guardians here on campus, most were out protecting royals. The Guardians here that were Lycanthrope were all Betas, not a one of them was an Alpha. I was intrigued by the thought of a new Lycanthrope Guardian, especially if they were an Alpha.

'I wonder what brought them to St. Vlad's?'

The power that radiated from the building told me the Alpha was far too powerful to have retired to an easy guarding job at a school.

'Why would an Alpha that powerful take up a school guardian position?'

I guess I would find out tomorrow when classes start. Surely a new Guardian would be a topic all over the school. I suppose I could wait until tomorrow to see this new Alpha.

CHAPTER 3

.DPOV

This was the worst part.

The memory.

The nightmare that I lived through, leaving me broken, unable to be fixed.

It was horrible.

The smell of the recent storm was faint in the air. My claws dug into the earth, keeping me from sliding too far from the fight. The Pricolici in from of me was an Ancient, probably one that turned by choice. After the first Moroi he had drained he'd gone on to drain thousands more, their blood fulling his power.

Ivan's blood.

His body lay to my right, limp and lifeless. His blond hair stained red by his blood. His dull eyes staring wide, looking at nothing, seeing nothing. The life that once resided there was absent. The Guardians that were supposed to be protecting him were littered throughout the woods leading to this clearing.

I'd sensed that my charge was in danger. I was having my first night off since I'd started guarding him straight out of high school six and a half years ago. He was my best friend and after graduation, he became my charge. I hated to leave him alone, but he forced me to leave the house and go see a movie. Halfway through the previews my stomach began churning, I chalked it up to being nervous about leaving Ivan's side. There were seven Guardian's replacing me tonight, he was supposed to be safe.

When the feeling still hadn't resolved after the first fifteen minutes of the movie, I left to check in with Ivan. When he didn't answer the phone, nor any of his guarding team, I started sprinting in the direction of the house. It wasn't far from the theatre I was at. The smell of blood was already in the air. The Transformation took seconds, never causing me to break stride, and I followed the scent.

From what I could tell, the only dead were Dhampir. The single Lycanthrope was still alive, though I could smell his blood. I pushed myself to run faster. I dodged tree after tree, urging my muscles to go faster and faster. I had to get there.

When the smell of the Lycanthrope's blood became almost unbearable, I knew Ivan's last line of defense was gone, and I was still too far away.

My muscles ached from being pushed so hard, but I ignored them and pushed them even harder.

I broke into the clearing just in time to see the Pricolici's fangs sink into my best friend. The growl that emanated from within me was feral, to say the least. I thought I caught a glimpse of fear from the Pricolici as he dropped Ivan's lifeless body and turned to face me.

Its blood-stained lips pulled back in a snarl and it lowered itself into a defensive position. Without thinking, I launched myself at him, claws extended and aiming for the softest parts of his flesh.

I landed as many successful hits as I took. My body was showing signs of fatigue after the sprint here and the battle that was still raging. I was running in circles around him, using his large form to my advantage. My smaller form, at least compared to his, was more agile and easier to move. I would just need to wear him out a little more before I could deal real damage.

The Pricolici became momentarily distracted by a movement on the edge of the clearing, my mind registered the movement but my main focus was on the monster in from of me. I seized the moment and lunged for his exposed throat, ripping it open. The blood in my mouth was vile but tasted like victory and revenge. After the first tear it wasn't hard to take the rest of the head off. I threw it somewhere far into the woods.

My body was on the verge of collapse, but I needed to get to Ivan. He was my charge. He comes first.

I drug my aching body over to where my best friend lay in a heap. His face was twisted in an expression of pure agony. His final moments spent in pain. If only I hadn't have left him, he could still be alive. I tried not to think that I could be dead, too.

I felt the breath collecting in my lungs and before I could stop it my mourning howl rang loud, piercing through the night ranging for miles. A nearby howl returned, sounding heartbroken and sympathetic.

My head whipped around to see a pure white wolf with lilac eyes trotting over from the far side of the clearing. Perceiving her as another threat, I rose and stood defensively in front of Ivan, crouching and baring my teeth at her approach. My snarl only slowed her pace, but she wasn't backing down. In her eyes I could see the calmness I so desperately needed.

I sunk back to the ground. She came closer to me and nudged my neck. Her touch was soft and gentle. It held encouragement and I turned into the sensation that coursed through me where her nose fanned breath across my fur.

I let out another howl, this one was uninterrupted and longer, expressing every emotion I had over the loss of my friend. I was supposed to be an Alpha, and a strong one at that. I radiated power.

The magnificent creation that laid down in front of me was also an Alpha, though she hadn't matured into her position yet. I could tell she would be an amazing Alpha, strong and compassionate. She'd be a more powerful Alpha than I could ever hope to be, probably more powerful than any Alpha I've come across.

I felt my own power dwindling, but she lent me hers. Gazing into the soft lilac fields of her eyes every day this week, I decided I would follow her anywhere, she would be my Alpha. I didn't know if she was real, but if she was, I'd find her.

I fought sleep as long as I could. I didn't want to waste a second in the presence of the magnificent wolf in front of me, but the exhaustion I felt was too overwhelming and soon my eyelids drooped. Sleep took me and I woke from my dream.

I open my eyes to unfamiliar surroundings. My body was reluctant to be awake, as was my mind, but I knew if I went back to sleep the nightmare would start all over. Once a night was enough for me, though, it meant I would see the White Wolf again. She would almost be worth it.

I wondered if she was real. If this White Wolf existed somewhere in the universe and if I would ever meet her. My Babushka had always told me about the power of dreams, but this was the only instance that I could recall where I wanted my dream to become reality. Most of that dream was reality. The only part that hadn't happen in real life was meeting the White Wolf.

Ivan died a week ago. I was allowed a few days off to mourn for him, but I was soon accosted by Court to think about my next assignment. I had no interest in having a personal charge after losing Ivan, but Court wouldn't hear it. We compromised that I wouldn't have an official charge for another year. I would be assigned to Princess Vasilisa Dragomir upon her graduation from St. Vlad's, until then I would be stationed as a Guardian for the school.

On top of that, I was also to instruct my future guarding partner, Rosemarie Hathaway. From what I've heard about her, she's smart and talented but a troublemaker. She takes her training seriously, even going as far to practice material outside of the curriculum. If anything, she was dedicated to the Princess.

I glanced over at the clock as it blared its red numbers at me. Not even 4 p.m. It was too early for me to be up. I needed more sleep but my brain was fighting me. No, I didn't want to have to relive Ivan's death over and over again every night, but if I continued like this I'd die from exhaustion. I needed my sleep.

I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. Sleep alluded me, but I got some rest all the same. When I looked back over at the clock only an hour had passed.

I decided that I wasn't going to be able to sleep anymore and decided to put my extra time to good use: a workout. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and sat up rubbing my face. Classes would start tomorrow and I'd yet to inform Rosemarie that we would be having training sessions after her classes every day.

Pushing my body off the bed I shuffled over to the bathroom and turned on the cold water in hopes of waking myself up. Standing under the freezing spray I felt my inner wolf cry out. There was an Alpha nearby, and a powerful one at that. I hoped I wasn't going to be stepping on anyone's toes in my short stay at St. Vlad's.

I hadn't met many of the other Guardians, and the ones that I had met were all Dhampir. I could smell the other Lycanthrope, though most smelled young, students. This Alpha was near and the power they radiated signified a mature Alpha, or if they weren't mature, they were close. But soon the tug faded and, presumably, the Alpha passed.

I stepped out from under the showerhead and dried off with the towel that was hanging on the rack by the shower. I pulled on some workout clothes and navigated my way toward the large gym.

The smell of sweat, blood, and vinyl attacked my nose as I pushed the metal doors open. I allowed the smell to overwhelm my senses, blocking out the rest of the world and started stretching. I moved through each of my weightlifting sets before wandering over to a punching bag.

The guilt of Ivan's death had been slowly eating at me for the past week and the only time it subsided, just a little, was when I was punching something. I know statistically speaking, catharsis didn't work, but that didn't stop me from pouring all of my emotions into my movements.

Are you okay, sir? I heard a voice come from behind me. I was so engrossed with my workout, that I hadn't noticed anyone else come in. I looked up at the clock and saw that I had been her for two hours. Turning to look at the source of the voice, I found a tall, lanky boy, probably seventeen years of age. He had a lot of muscle but his frame still made him look lanky and awkward. Fiery red hair sat atop his head and freckles dusted his face, the face that wore a look of concern.

Yes, I'm quite alright, Novice…?

Ashford, sir. Mason Ashford. He stepped forward extending a hand. It's a pleasure to meet you, Guardian…? He replied waiting for me to give my name.

Belikov. I took his hand in mine and gave a firm shake. The young man's eyes widened, obviously recognizing my name. I mentally sighed and steeled myself for what was to come next.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Guardian Belikov. I had no idea that you had transferred to St. Vlad's. He said diplomatically, the look of awe still shining in his eyes.

Yes. After some recent…events, I decided to take a break, though I have been assigned to be Princess Dragomir's Guardian upon her graduation. Until then I will function as a school guardian and a mentor to the Princess's other future Guardian, Rosemarie Hathaway. His eyes widened even more at my revelation.

You-you're going to be mentoring Rose? He fumbled out, a hint of jealousy and possessiveness tinged his words.

That is the plan, though if you happen to see her before I do, please don't say anything to her. I would like to talk to her first. He nodded in compliance and studied me, almost as if to size me up. I felt myself stand taller and square my shoulders to him, though I don't know why.

After a few moments, Mason gave me a sharp nod, turning and exiting the gym. I suddenly felt very anxious about what tomorrow would bring.

CHAPTER 4

.RPOV

I once again, awoke early. I was going to have an easy morning, just a run and weight lifting. I didn't want to make myself too sore on the first day of classes. You know how I only have combat classes, well included in those combat classes was Bodyguard Theory and Personal Protection.

I don't understand why there needs to be a theory class for such an applicable subject. They should have us out in the field shadowing other Guardians to gain on-the-job experience. That would benefit us more and it wouldn't be such an adjustment once we graduate.

So not only do I dislike the subject, I've already tested out of it, but I have to be enrolled in the class, I also dislike the Guardian teaching the class. Stan Alto. It wasn't that he was a bad Guardian, I mean he was far from the best, but he was a good Guardian. But he was a horrible person. The majority of his hostility was focused on me, but he was openly rude to everyone, student and co-worker alike.

I was not looking forward to his class, it was first thing this morning and then all my physical combat classes. After lunch I would have nothing I had to do, just my personal workouts.

I peeled myself away from the warmth of my bed to shower and dress for my morning session. I exited my room and made my way to the ward path to start my run.

There was a cool breeze that broke through the heat of the summer, fanning the sweat that had collected on my forehead after an hour of running. The power that I felt yesterday began pulsing across campus.

'The Alpha is awake.'

I let my mind wander to the new Alpha. The power became so great that even my inner wolf reacted, but the reaction was not the one that I'd expected. My whole body came alive. My nipples tightened and my breathing became labored. I let out an involuntary moan, but thankfully no one was around to hear me.

I had to stop running because of the overwhelming effect the power had on me. I leaned against a nearby tree hoping to push the feelings away. My body needed to focus on training, but all I was feeling now was horny. My body has never had a reaction like this, and frankly it was scaring me.

After a few minutes, the feeling subsided. I breathed deep and worked my way to the gym. I decided to forgo the weights and went straight to the punching bag. I was feeling frustrated and I needed to hit something.

I'd been laying into the padded dummy for a half hour before I felt a tug that made me scan my surroundings. I spun toward the entrance of the gym just in time to see the most gorgeous man push his way into the gym. He was dressed in gym shorts and t-shirt that stretched across his toned chest.

My defensive stance dropped, as did my jaw. He was tall, like 6'6" kind of tall, maybe taller. His eyes were a rich brown, but lacked the vitality of happiness. His muscles bulged from under his clothes, except for his exposed forearms, the skin stretching over the bulk of muscle. His hands were clenching and unclenching as he strode closer to where I was standing.

His head was down and he seemed to be deep in thought, it was no wonder he didn't seem to notice me until he was almost on top of me. When he did notice me, his eyes widened in shock. His gaze slowly traveled the length of my body, setting my skin aflame. I saw his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

Hi. I managed to spit out.

Hello. He responded, but he didn't try to further conversation, he just went back to appraising me. I took the chance to study his face. All his features were strong, but the bags under his eyes were heavy. My senses told me that this was the new Alpha, but if I had to hazard a guess, he wasn't sleeping nearly as much as he needed to be.

His light brown hair hung loose around his face, reaching the top of his shoulders. His eyes were still drinking me in, he'd yet to make eye contact with me.

I shifted my weight to one foot and placed my hand on my now jutted hip.

Do you need something? I asked. There was no annoyance in my voice, concern for his behavior, but not annoyance at his blatant leering.

No, I just came here for a workout. I didn't think that anyone would be here this early in the morning. This longer sentence allowed me to detect a faint Russian accent, it was hot.

I'm usually here this early in the morning, though I am surprised a Lycanthrope, such as yourself, is up at this hour.

You're here. I was aware that I smelled like a Lycanthrope, but he didn't know what I was, and I wasn't going to tell him otherwise.

You'll find that I'm not like normal Lycanthrope. I told him with a knowing smirk. I'm Rose, by the way. Rose Hathaway. He shook my outstretched hand, a spark ignited upon the brief contact and my frustrations returned.

Belikov. Dimitri Belikov. I'm new here, just started, he informed me. I've been looking for you.

You've been looking for me? He nodded. Well, you've found me. I gestured to myself making his eyes travel my body yet again.

That I did. I'm going to be your new mentor.

My new mentor?

Yes. I've been reassigned to Princess Dragomir upon her graduation. I'll be your guarding partner when you become her primary Guardian.

Well, Comrade, it's nice to meet you. When do we start? I'm free any time after lunch or before classes. I sleep from 11 a.m. to around 3 p.m. So, whenever is good for you, I'm available.

Do you not have any academic classes? He asked, choosing to ignore the nickname. I chuckled.

"No. I tested out of all of them last year