Chapter 004 I Am You

SEVEN

Lies, lies, and more lies were all that I ever told Winter since we met. Some I didn't tell intentionally. But lately, I have been lying to her blatantly.

The air was cool as I stood on the cliff over the waterfall behind my home. However, my heart was burning as if a torch had been lit in my chest.

I stared into the distance, watching Winter as she walked barefooted on the fairly empty street. It took all of my willpower not to run after her. 

"Damn! I should have given her a shirt," I muttered regretfully.

Winter didn't deserve the way I treated her. In fact, she didn't deserve to be with a jerk like me. I should have broken up with her decently. I really should...

Winter was the nicest she-wolf I had ever met. She was understanding, gorgeous, a good listener, and down-to-earth, amongst many other qualities. Any man would be lucky to have her by his side. She was worthy of so much more. And I wished I had found out earlier before dragging her into this complicated life of mine.

It has been three years since I became the Alpha of Blood Crest Pack. Although I always wanted to walk in my father's shoes, I never anticipated that I'd get to do that so soon.

The tragedy that befell this pack on that fateful day marked a turn in the lives of many werewolves, including mine. It was the same tragedy that brought Winter and I together. If it weren't for her, maybe I wouldn't have made it this far.

She was my rock.

The heat in my chest became even harsher as I watched Winter disappear down a street turn. Obviously, she was on her way to her friends' apartment.

They would most likely curse me out. Don't get me wrong. I deserve to be cursed out. No argument about that...

I was a dick!

Just as I sighed deeply, I sensed a presence. I turned around to find Nora, my stepmother, heading towards me with a frown. 

"Hey, what are you doing out here this late?" she asked.

My shoulders fell a little. "Hey, Nora. Just wanted to get some fresh air and clear my head."

"Is this about Winter?"

"What about Winter?" I asked in surprise.

Folding her arms over her chest, she gave me this motherly look that was a mixture of both worry and disapproval. "Don't try to play dumb. I bumped into Winter a few minutes ago and she looked a mess."

I looked away, running my fingers through my hair. Nothing could get past this woman, could it?

"It's nothing."

She scoffed, "You know, Winter said the same thing! Don't lie to me, Seven Greywolf. I know that you two had a fight."

When I didn't say a word, she continued, "It's normal for lovers to occasionally have tiffs, but I don't think it was right of you to send her off looking like that. Everyone in this pack knows that she's your woman. What do you think they would say if they found her in that state?"

"I don't care."

"What don't you care about? Your reputation or Winter? Cos you and I know that you care about both!" she fired.

Having raised me for many years, Nora was one of the few people who knew me well. The fact that she called my names in full meant that she was really pissed. She was the only parent I had now, so she got a pass.

"Look, son. Winter is a good girl. You have got to treat her right. She'd make a good Luna. Now that she's eighteen, you should be making plans to bring her into this family. Remember, you are not getting any younger."

"But I am just 21!" I argued, turning to face her again. "There's still plenty of time. What's the rush?"

Nora was taken by surprise. After blinking a couple of times, she stared at me intently and uttered, "Why are you acting strange today? You have always wanted to marry Winter. You love her, don't you?"

A lump instantly went up my throat. After going through a chaos of emotions, I muttered, "I do."

"So what's stopping you then? Winter equally loves you, so you should get married."

"You don't understand, Nora. It's not that simple!"

She pressed with impatience. "Then make me understand!" 

My Adam's apple bobbed as I tried so hard to hide my emotions. I wish the situation was that simple to explain. I wanted to share my burden with someone, but how I could do that without putting them in harm's way was something I didn't know yet.

Nora seemed to sense my conflict of emotions. With a sigh, she said, "Seven, no matter what it is, I want you to know that you can always confide in me. If you have reservations about Winter's behavior or worthiness, I could ask a private investigator to follow her around—"

"No!" I cut in. "There's no need for that."

"Well, then..." She sighed again. "Come to me when you are ready to talk."

"Okay, I will," I said, thanking my stars that she was finally getting off my back.

Nora turned to leave. However, after taking a few steps, she spun around. "You shouldn't stay here all by yourself. It's Friday night. I'll tell Robert to stop by on his way to the club. You two should have fun."

"But I don't—"

"Loneliness is not good. You need to go out and have fun. It's final."

Before I could argue with her, she turned and walked away in haste. I couldn't help but sigh.

All alone, I couldn't help but think about Winter again. The hurt in her eyes when I broke up with her earlier pricked my heart. I had only seen her so sad once. And that was three years ago.

I didn't know if I'd ever be able to forgive myself for breaking her heart. She had been nothing but good to me. 

Thinking of this, I hit my forehead repeatedly. How could I be so cruel? So disregarding of the woman who was with me at my worst...

I squatted on the cliff and looked over at the water rushing down opposite me. As I was pulling at my hair and beating myself up, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. 

That must be Robert.

"Don't bother me, Rob! I already told Mom that I'm going nowhere tonight. Just go have fun by yourself," I said in a muffled but commanding tone.

But the footsteps didn't stop. The sound of gravel crunching annoyed me to the core. I growled, "Don't come any closer, Rob! I don't know what Mom told you, but I want to be left alone!"

Surprisingly, Robert continued to come closer. I was pissed now. I slowly turned to face him. Out of the blue, something swiped at me, hitting me on the cheek.

The blow was so strong that my butt instantly hit the ground. I saw stars for a few moments. Clutching my jaw, I looked up in horror. "Have you gone insane, Robert!"

A figure was towering over me at this moment. He was against the light, so I could barely see his face. Just as I balled my right fist to fight back, he lowered slowly. 

The light fell on his face at this moment. My jaw dropped open immediately.

What the hell! This wasn't Robert. Robert didn't look this much like me. This was... This was...

This person's face was exactly the same as mine. The nose. Lips. Eyelids. Even down to the eye color was the same.

It was as if I was staring into a freaking mirror!

"What the hell!" I repeated, this time, outwardly.

He flashed a wicked grin and then raised his eyebrows which were as bushy and dark as mine. The voice that I heard next shocked me to the bones. "Hello."

"Who the fuck are you?"

He smirked and tilted his head. "Can't you tell?"

"I am you, Seven Greywolf."