Jayden scoffed. "Family? Beasts can't procreate, Tasha. It doesn't have a family."
"Maybe not a family," Tasha countered, "But a pack. A pack that depends on it. A pack it protects and cares for... like a family."
She crouched and touched its fur. Jayden stiffened, half a step forward. "Tasha, don't..."
But she ignored him. Her hand extended, gently brushing against the creature's blood-soaked fur. Sparks still danced faintly on her skin, but they didn't burn. Her touch was warm. Soothing.
"You don't have to worry," she whispered softly, her words almost lodic. "I'm not gonna kill you. Get up. Go back to your pack. Go back to your family."
Jayden crossed his arms, amused despite himself. Watching her cradle a creature that had nearly torn her head off was beyond irony.
The beast stared at Tasha, its yellow eyes filled with uncertainty, pain, confusion. Slowly, hesitantly.. it shifted, pushing itself upright with trembling legs. Its gaze lingered on Tasha, then flicked to Jayden, wary, calculating.
But Tasha's gentle eyes never wavered. "Go on. I won't hurt you." she urged.
The beast inhaled sharply, then with one last glance at her, it bolted into the forest, vanishing into the shadows.
Tasha stood, dusting her hands, and turned back to Jayden, who was watching her with a wide grin tugging at his lips.
"What?" she asked, brow raised.
Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "That was nice of you."
Tasha scoffed. "More like reckless."
Jayden let out a short laugh. "So tell , why'd you really spare it?"
Tasha's smile faded a little. She was quiet for a mont before finally speaking. "I... I don't know. I just felt like it was right. I an, it's not like the beast attacked us. It was just heading sowhere and we were in its path."
Jayden tilted his head, about to respond, but she continued.
"And I know letting it go was dumb and pointless. Another hunter's just gonna kill it eventually... or worse, it kills sobody." She sighed, her voice quieter now. "But we have to ask ourselves sothing, Jayden... are we at war with them, or are we just hunting them?"
Jayden's expression shifted. Serious. "According to history, we were at war with them. But... not anymore. Now, we just hunt them for food, weapons, and other supplies."
Tasha let out a long exhale and moved to sit against a nearby tree. "Which ans these beasts are just trying to defend themselves. And we just keep killing them." Her tone carried no guilt, but a quiet, lingering sadness.
Jayden stepped closer, his eyes softening. "Tasha, don't feel bad. It's just the way of life. Whoever's at the top of the food chain preys on whoever's at the bottom."
"I don't feel bad," she admitted, gazing at the moonlit canopy above. "I just think it's unfair. They're only trying to live, to survive, just like us. Yeah, they invaded our planet... but they're a part of it now. It's not fair to treat them like animals."
Jayden smirked faintly. "But, Tasha... that's what they are. Animals. Just larger, with better features." he chuckled.
That drew a laugh out of her, though she shook her head. "You're a jerk, you know that? And here I thought you'd understand since you lived with... y'know. Beastn."
Jayden's smirk faded into sothing softer. His eyes glimred with mory. "I do understand. I just... choose to ignore it. If I dwell on it too much, the guilt might consu . And if that happens, I won't be able to protect the people I care about."
His words were playful, but his eyes.. serious, heavy.
"And for the record, beastn are nothing like beasts. They have feelings, families, values... just like humans. They even hunt beasts themselves. And honestly, I think they're more humane than most humans."
Tasha chuckled lightly at that, but her laughter faded into silence. She looked at him, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
Her voice softened to a whisper. "Are you saying that because of what the EVA did to you... or because you're not human?"
Jayden froze. His heart lurched in his chest, almost stopping entirely. His eyes widened, his lips parting as if to protest. "Wh... what?"
Tasha's gaze held him, sharp, piercing. Serious.
"I know, Jayden. I know you're not... human."
Her voice dropped lower, barely above a whisper, yet every word was a dagger.
"I know... you're a werewolf."
Jayden's heart stopped. His throat felt dry, his body frozen in place as Tasha's words hung in the air like a blade above his head.
He couldn't speak. Couldn't move. His mind raced with panic, denial, questions… How long had she known? Who told her? Was she upset?
Before he could form a word, Tasha's voice broke the silence.
"I know what you're thinking," she said gently, her eyes holding his. "And no… Jessica didn't tell . At least… not at first."
Jayden's chest tightened.
Tasha took a small breath and continued. "I was the one who pressured her. I knew sothing was off the mont I found out you grew up with beastn. That didn't add up. Humans don't just… live with beastn. So I started to think about the possibilities." Her voice dipped low, cautious, as if afraid of pushing him too far. "I asked questions. I considered that maybe you weren't fully human. And Jessica…" she hesitated, biting her lip, "…Jessica had to enlighten . That you weren't beastman. That you were… sothing else."
Jayden's stomach dropped. His silence was a heavy cloak that only made her expression soften further.
"I'm sorry," Tasha whispered, her voice almost trembling. "I know you didn't want to find out. And I'm sorry for bringing it up like this. But I was just curious."
The woods fell quiet around them. Only the rustle of leaves filled the gap between their breaths. Jayden stood there, stunned, staring at her, his thoughts a storm.
Then he smiled. Small, but genuine.
"It's okay," he said, his voice calm, almost soothing. "You don't have to apologize. I'm not mad."
His gaze softened, guilt flashing in his golden eyes. "I just… I wanted to be the one to tell you. I didn't want you finding out any other way. I didn't want you to think I didn't trust you. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."
Tasha blinked, surprised. Then she smiled back, warm and understanding. "Hey, you don't have to apologize for anything. I totally get it." She let out a small laugh, almost playful. "I an, if it were in your shoes, I might not tell anyone. Not even Jessica. And she's the one I trust the most."
She paused. Her grin widened softly. "So it's fine."
Relief washed over Jayden as he nodded, his chest loosening. For the first ti in what felt like forever, he was glad. Glad that he had soone as understanding as Tasha in his life.
"And also," Tasha added, her voice light but careful, "Please don't be upset with Jessica. It wasn't her fault. I was the one who…"
"I know," Jayden cut in softly. His tone carried no anger, no edge, just understanding. "It's fine. I'm not upset. And besides…" His lips curled into a smirk. "…Jessica's not soone I can afford to be upset with right now. I'll only end up getting hurt."
Tasha giggled, the sound easing the weight of the mont. "Is it cause of the wolf's bane pistol she has?"
Jayden's eyes dropped into a somber sigh. "Oh, great. You know about it too. How convenient." he muttered, sarcasm etched in his tone.
Tasha's laughter bubbled again, mischievous and teasing. "Don't worry, I'll never use it to hurt you…" She leaned in, eyes glinting. "…unless you upset ."
Jayden groaned dramatically, shaking his head. "And I thought you were the nice one."
Tasha nudged him with her shoulder, smirking. "I am the nice one." she claid. Her gaze drifted upward, toward the pale glow of the moon spilling through the branches. "So… what's it like? Being a werewolf?"
Jayden followed her gaze, then sighed, his tone thoughtful. "Well, I don't exactly feel any different from other humans. I'm just stronger, faster, more perceptive. It's like… everything just got heightened all at once. But lately, I've been learning to control it."
Tasha's brows furrowed, curiosity sharpening her features. "But it's not just that, is it?" Her eyes shifted back to him. "You have other abilities too, don't you?"
Jayden blinked, caught off guard. "What are you… talking about?"
Tasha chuckled. A wry smile curved her lips, sly and knowing. "I know you have other abilities… abilities besides the one you displayed in the arena that day."
Jayden's jaw tightened, but Tasha didn't stop.
"I'm not a fool, Jayden." Her voice was steady, unwavering. "I've noticed your strength. It's too controlled, too effective to be called natural. And even with the fact that you're a werewolf and have increased strength, I can still feel it… the energy pulsing in every hit, every blow, every contraction of your muscles. It's no different from those with the ability of strength."
She leaned closer, her eyes never leaving his. "And tonight, when you suddenly disappeared? I knew you were still in the area. I could feel your presence. And the feeling was no different from when I was fighting that wolverine stalker while it was invisible."
The silence between them grew heavier, the truth pressing close.
"So, tell , Jayden." Her voice dropped, steady and serious. "Am I right? Or am I wrong?"
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