13.She breathes for seducing men.

**Unknown**

They met around midnight, both dressed in black, resembling a scene from a detective movie. Faces visible from a close distance, illuminated by the full moon, yet unrecognizable from afar. None of them spoke, at first.

"I assume you've gotten my message," said the female, standing on the concrete part of the path. She kept switching her weight from one leg to another, obviously nervous.

"You assume correctly. We don't have much time though, so speak about the matter, avoid unnecessary details," the other woman was older, an aura of power surrounding her. The woman knew that she was superior, showing it off in her stance.

"I'm here to report a crime against a werewolf. I've read the law and protocols multiple times before deciding to do this," her voice trembled, the woman was terrified of the outcome. She was taking a significant risk, even coming here, not to mention the things she was about to say aloud.


"Speak," the other woman encouraged her, a little anxious to find out what a human girl could know. Was there something she had missed?

"Okay, so as the protocol goes- it's not forbidden for a shifter male to claim a human as their mate, right?" She nibbled on her nails, looking down at her feet. Technically, since she was so bold, she could risk getting imprisoned for spying on shifters.

"That is correct."

"But what if this human is in a relationship upon the time when the shifter decides to mate with them? Would that be illegal?" She took a deep breath, silently hoping that the conversation was going smoothly, and she wouldn't piss off the shifter with her mysterious manner of speaking.

"It happens quite often. That is not illegal, yet we don't take it kindly if a human cheat on shifters who honour them with the title of a mate. You see, when a shifter chooses his or her mate- it's for the lifetime, but you know that since you've read the protocol. Now, let's cut the small talk and get to the point, I have no tolerance to bullshit, whatsoever," the woman stood straight, showing off her dominance and power.

"There's this thing. I might know someone who's chosen by a shifter, and this someone might have accidentally told me about having an affair with a human male," young girl shivered, praying to God that the shifter does not catch on how nervous she was.

"That is, indeed, interesting. You've got me curious. Tell me, is this mysterious someone chosen by a shifter, under my protection?" She almost smirked, relief washing over her. Maybe, if the human girl is telling her the truth, they can end the madness. She will have an opportunity to carry on with her original plan, which would remain a secret until the right time comes.

"Yes, Your Grace," the young woman kneeled, trying to imitate being submissive in her own way.

"Child, I am no royalty; there's no need to address me as Your Grace. Now, please, do tell me more," she looked around and sniffed the air a couple of times, before standing closer to the human, whispering:

"I'm being watched, act like an old family friend. Come up with any lies when he approaches us, and you'll get rewarded greatly. After the coast is clear, we will talk more. Are we on the same page?" She spoke fast; nervous about the situation she'd been caught in. The human nodded, getting up on her feet, a bright, fake smile plastered on her lips.

"My love, I've been looking for you everywhere," an enormous male appeared in front of them. He eyed both women curiously, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I must have lost track of time." She giggled, appearing to be genuine.

"It does happen to you quite often. And whom might this young lady be? I don't believe we have ever met," the man smirked, the look on his face was sinister enough for any other human to crawl up in a ball.

"My friend," the woman blurted out.

"A friend. Interesting. For the amount of hatred, you've felt towards the humankind, I would never assume that one of them could become your friend," the male took a glance at her, the next moment, his eyes glued on the human female. She felt as if his gaze burned holes in her body but decided to ignore the feeling. Instead of crawling away like a coward, she smiled and went on with the plan.

"I'm an exceptional case, then. My mother used to be a great friend of your wife; my father ended up being a human. Unfortunately, I've inherited close to nothing from my mother, except for the hair color." She lied like it was her passion, being the greatest actress of them all. The male nodded. He didn't say a word, nor did he object. He genuinely believed the lies she had told and turned back to his woman.

"I was a bit worried, but seeing that you're safe, enjoying time with a friend, I should go. Don't stay out for long; you might catch a cold," he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, looking down at the love of his life.

"Darling, don't be silly, I can't catch a cold. You should go through; we have a lot to catch up on. It's been ages since I last spoke to a woman, without being interrupted," all she needed to do was put a little pout on her lips, and he melted. He smiled and nodded, bidding his goodbyes to the shady looking human. Even though the male was strong, he was way too trusting when it came to his woman. She could tell him Earth is flat, and the fool would believe her.

"Now, let's go a little further away from here, who knows who's watching," she gestured towards the woods and started walking hurriedly. The human girl followed in her footsteps, forgetting about the infamous saying- never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing. As they approached the forest, the shifter woman stopped, facing her.

"Now, girl, tell me more, I'm eager to find out who you are talking about."

"I can't tell you about whom, that would be against the protocol," she tried to avoid looking in the shifter’s eyes, suddenly feeling as if her body had frozen on the spot.

"Do not dare to play me now! I lied to my mate; I encouraged a worthless human to lie to have a private space for this conversation. Do not dare. I will skin you like a trophy, if I smell a small bit of bullshit, coming from you," the woman's voice became more profound, eyes growing red. She had let her wolf take over the control.

"Okay, I'll tell you everything; just please don't hurt me. I have a family to return to, please," tears filled her eyes as she dropped down on her knees, begging for mercy. She knew better. Coming here was a mistake, she risked her own life, to get someone who doesn't want her in the first place.

"If you dare to lie or hide something from me- I won't just kill you. I'll torture you while you're awake and torment your dreams. Before killing you, I'll get you to the point where you'll beg for me to do it. I will break you and your mind, driving you completely mad." The human's eyes widened. She had never thought that someone could be so cold and heartless to do such a thing.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell everything, I promise," she begged once again, sobbing, slowly crawling backwards, hoping to increase the distance between them.

"Speak!" The shifter yelled, angered.

"The man, who chose a human mate this year- he is being cheated. His mate, she has a boyfriend, and she is planning to run away with him. I swear. The shifter is being good to her, even given her time to pack her belongings and get used to becoming his mate." With a shaky voice, she spoke, meaning each word she said. She was a good actress, indeed, believing the lies she had told herself.

"Exactly how did you find this out? How can I trust you?" The woman's voice softened, she seemed to buy into human lies, a slight smile appearing on her lips.

"She accidentally told me everything. An hour after the ceremony, I went to her house to check if she was alright. We have been friends since childhood, and she trusts me greatly. She told me about her plans. Her name is Evangeline Dyer, she cannot stand shifters and will do anything to leave the man, who chose her," her bottom lip trembled, eyes still glossy from tears.

"Interesting. I'm just wondering, why on Earth you would set up your childhood friend? If you're as close- why did you go for the risk to betray her? Do you have a hidden motive for your actions?" She leaned down, facing the terrified human.

"I... I'm in love with the shifter, who chose her. I'm just trying to protect him from the heartbreak," she lied again. The woman moved as quick as lightning, grabbed the human's neck and lifted her in the air- and growled deeply.

"For your own sake, I do hope that you didn't lie, because if you did, you're aware of the consequences. I will spare your life for now. Do not dare to leave the pack territory behind my back; I will personally hunt you down. Got it?" she snarled, enjoying the feeling of superiority.

"I swear, it's the truth. She breathes for seducing men," the human choked out, greedily taking sharp breaths. Her body was instantly dropped on the cold soil; the shifter smiled as the human coughed up some blood.

"This exact spot in a week. Same time as today. Don't be late," with that, the shifter woman left, leaving the helpless human alone in the dark.