“Happy new year…” Roxanne yawned to herself as she woke up from her deep sleep.
Stretching her body lightly, she groaned to herself, raising her hands as she yawned even more.
With no one in the hotel room but her, she mumbled the season’s greeting to herself.
“Ah, I’m hungry…”
Rising from the comfy bed, Roxanne sluggishly went to the kitchen area in the suite she was in. Taking a bowl and the already open cereal box in the cupboard, she prepared her light breakfast of frosty flakes.
“Hmmm” She sounded, taking in the flavor of milk and the surgery contents of the cereal.
Since becoming a werewolf, everything she felt within her was enhanced, including taste.
“Too sweet” She winced.
Having a lonely breakfast in the new year made her sigh to herself, drowning in her half-awake state.
“What am I doing?” She groaned.
Roxanne felt the urge to visit Donald and share his company due to the lonely state she was in, but decided against it.
“I shouldn’t impose… Besides, he wished me a happy new year in advance. Most likely, he doesn’t want to be disturbed today.” She reasoned.
Unconsciously, Roxanne began to imagine what would have happened if she remained with the Pack. How the New Year would be so different from what she had now.
She could picture Rita up to her usual antics, and Dax’s usual stoic face. Lenard’s tired but cheerful demeanor, Larry’s sheepish attitude, Damien, her werewolf coach.
“Stop it, Roxanne” She chided herself.
She couldn’t afford to dwell on the past, especially when it was the New Year already.
“My first match is tonight… I shouldn’t be distracted now” She mumbled.
After winning in the last season, Roxanne became the new champion of the Underground Wrestling Ring. Every New Year, in the night, while families were asleep and others were partying… The true lovers of sport and violence gathered in the center and watched the past champions of the Annual Tournament duke it out.
“As a champion, I have to attend. Plus… it’s my first job of the year” Roxanne sighed.
Her lodging cost money, same with food and other necessities she required. Now that she was independent, Roxanne needed money to continue her lifestyle.
Plus…
“This should get my mind off things”
Deciding to focus more on preparation for the match she would be having, rather than the friends and family she could be with, Roxanne chumped up more of her breakfast, wincing with every bite.
“This really is too sweet,” She thought to herself.
“I will only ask you once, so do well to answer me.” Asher spoke in his usual authoritative tone.
The one he addressed froze as he looked nervous as he addressed her. Her face was red as she flustered breath while locking eyes with his. His right arm was slammed on the wall by her shoulder, giving her no room to escape his gaze.
“I’m looking for someone, a girl. She should be about your age, her name is Roxanne…” He said with a fixated stare.
“U-Uh… Okay… What does she look like?” The nervous girl asked.
“Blue eyes… Blue hair, the most charming smile… She’s very fierce and assertive too…” Asher said, thinking of other means he could use to describe his Mate.
The girl before him appeared confused. Not only was she flustered by his daring approach, his description was too vague and personal.
“Who is this man?” She asked herself.
The girl wanted to tell him off, yell at him for molesting or disturbing her, yet… Looking at his eyes, she couldn’t. She was drawn in by the red color dilating his pupils, unable to do anything to defy him.
Somehow, just by looking into those eyes, she wanted to please him.
“I-I don’t know anyone like that, sorry” She responded with an awkward smile
Asher’s face fell in disappointment upon hearing this. His discontented face broke the heart of the woman before him.
“Y-You don’t need to look so sad. I can help you find her, just-” She offered quickly.
Suddenly, Asher’s heart started to beat rapidly. His eyes widened in shock as he quickly darted his eyes away from the girl and turned behind him.
“She’s here?!” Asher exclaimed.
His eyes moved everywhere around him desperately, trying to catch a glimpse of what his heart felt. Looking at the countless strangers who stared at him with apprehension, he could not find the one he searched for.
“I thought… I was sure I felt it for a second… Was it something else?” He mumbled, distracted by the thumping within him.
The excitement within him slowly reduced, returning to normal. With this, his face fell even more, filled with puzzlement and more uncertainty.
“U-Um… Sir? I can help you to…” The girl offered with longing eyes as she stared at him.
“Sigh, what a bother. This one too…” Asher mumbled to himself.
“No, thank you.” He said.
He slightly tapped her shoulder and suddenly, an electrifying feeling filled her body.
“Hiaa” She beeped in shock, covering her eyes as she felt the surge of emotions which previously pervaded her leave.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she couldn’t see anyone anymore. The mystery man who approached her had vanished.
“W-Who was that? What just happened?” She asked herself.
No matter how puzzled she was, the young was never going to arrive at the answer.
Asher, now some distance from his last target, walked the street with a frustrated look.
“That was the 17th person. No one knows where she is… And it’s always a pain to use the Werewolf Art of [Charm] on those human girls… It would be much faster using [Domination], but that will draw too much attention” Asher said to himself as he kept his pace.
“But, this feeling within me… Even if it was only for a short while, I felt my inner self excited. I don’t know where, but she’s nearby…”
“I have to find her quickly… Before it’s too late!”
As Roxanne continued her jog down the snowy road, she could tell the difference between the New Year and the previous day.
“There are less people outside today” She noticed.
“That was weird though… Just a few moments ago… What was that?” She asked herself.
Just by the curb, as she was jogging, she saw a couple engaging in conversation. The man wall slammed the girl, who appeared flustered as they locked eyes passionately.
“Do guys still do this?” She found herself asking.
She didn’t know why, but her heart suddenly began to race as soon as she noticed the man carefully.
She didn’t have a full glimpse at him, just his back. Yet, he somewhat reminded her of Asher. Her insides felt hot and Roxanne could feel herself race with excitement.
“What am I thinking?” She quickly said to herself and increased her pace, dashing away from the two adults.
“It’s none of my business anyway!”
The feeling within her did not die down until she was a considerable distance from the couple. Only then did she slow down and resume her usual pace.
“What was that? Jealousy?” She asked herself.
Was she lonely to the point that she started longing for the man, thinking he was her Werewolf mate?
“I must be going crazy!” Roxanne said, before brushing aside the strange thoughts she had and focused solely on her exercise.
“It’s not like Asher would be here”