Chapter 56(Finale)

Broken and Leaving. "Here you have it, folks… It's the moment you've all been waiting for!!!" The announcer made a loud noise. Everyone's thunderous cheers filled the room. A wild look of excitement was shown in their eyes as they anticipated what would come next. "It's the final match of the year… We have waited two weeks for this sensation. We are all burning with passion, with questions… Who will win between our two challengers? Place your bets, everyone! This will be one heck of a match!" "On the first hand, we have the undefeated champion, the one who won last season, known to be invincible, merciless… peerless! He is a demon that can not be stopped! Let's give it up forrrrrr…." He paused for a moment of suspense before announcing the name. 'Diabloooooo!!!!" The crowd cheered immediately when they heard his name. A man who was nearly seven feet tall entered the stage, his confidently slow steps made the room seem to tremble. He grinned as he waved at the crowd, flashing his disfigured sets of teeth. "On the other hand, we have our rising rookie. She has made her mark and is definitely formidable for climbing all the way to the finals in her first season. Her identity is still a mystery, but we all know one fact about her… And that is… She never lets her opponents go scot-free. Give it up forrr… The Black Cat!!!" Everyone cheered as they clapped their hands l, waiting for the emergence of their all-time favourite rookie. She didn't show up. The cheers grew lower as they all looked around in confusion, a question rang in the mind of all of them. ``Where is Black Cat?!" 'Heh, looks like she ran away scared," Diablo chuckled. The announcer looked confused. Sweat started to appear on his face as he looked at the mob, and what he saw, he could tell that they were not pleased. The crowd was disappointed, to say the least. They were enraged. As they were about to burst forth to show their dissatisfaction, suddenly they gasped at the figure who ran to the stage. It was her! 'Wohoooooo!!!!" They all cheered excitedly as the Black Cat came upon the stage. 'Tch" Diablo made a look of dissatisfaction. The announcer made a look of relief, thanking his stars for her arrival. He didn't know how he would have fared if the mob rioted. 'Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the wait! It seems our Black Cat likes to make quite the entrance. Without further ado, we will now begin the match!" 'Heh, you should have run away, little girl. This prize will be mine!" Diablo grinned. Black Cat was silent. She huffed in exhaustion, as though she had just concluded a marathon. Her eyes showed that she felt tired and her body throbbed weakly. She was barely able to stand properly, let alone fight. As for the reason for her sorry state, it was only one. She had run from the Rockwood pack just so she could fight here… The Black Cat, no, Roxanne was at her limits. But even then she smiled. 'Good. This is how it should be. If I was at top form, it wouldn't even be a match." With her werewolf abilities, she could easily take the guy down. But now that she was weakened, she could do it. She could win. The time was 11:24 pm. It took her over three hours to get here at full speed. Since she had also hitched a ride just to get there earlier, it was faster. All she had to do was get to the highway that connected to the woods closest to the Rockwood Pack village. 'If I take a cab and drop off at the Highway, taking this match into account, I should be able to get there before dawn. No one would know I ever left!" She reasoned to herself. Still, she knew she had to end things quickly! '… Wait for me to return Asher… I'll give you my answer then!" [MEANWHILE] The party ended with a bang. A lot of people passed out outside their homes due to their drunken state. Of course, the snow wouldn't kill them since they were werewolves, but it still wasn't good to sleep outside in such a vulnerable state. Asher and the few sober ones left among the pack carried the drunk ones to their homes. Afterward, he went to his special place… The top of the village. He had his own house there, of course, it was more like a mansion compared to the rest of the pack member's homes, though compared to others it was lacking in plenty. He had never invited Roxanne in since that had never gotten intimate before this Christmas night. He couldn't sleep. He could only watch over the quiet village as a solitary figure. 'Heh, now I feel like a stalker" He joked to himself, remembering what Roxanne used to call him. His mind went back to her. This restless state of his heart. It was as though he was excited, performing some sort of activity that was rigorous. He knew this feeling didn't come from him. It had to be from Roxanne! He could feel her… Just like when she was in danger that last time. Why was she so excited? Was it due to his question? Was she troubled about it? Maybe he came off too strong. Had he asked too soon? 'No… This feeling… She isn't brooding. She's excited. She must feel the same way! She's going to say yes!" Asher said to himself, stifling his excited laughter. 'Silly girl, why is she keeping me in suspense then?" He muttered. If this feeling was real, and she really was going to say yes, then that meant Roxanne wasn't currently sleeping. His heart suddenly skipped, making him grip his chest. She was definitely awake. And Asher wanted to see her now more than ever. Yes, he would hear her answer now. He glanced at the moon above him and smiled. From its position, he could tell that the time was past midnight. 'It's technically morning already! I'm ready for your answer Roxanne!" He grinned. Like a child, he jumped from his heights with a playful laugh filled with excitement and vigour. Racing through the village, it didn't take him long to get to Rita's house. He stood in front of her door for a moment. What was he going to do? Would he knock? He had to! He had to see Roxanne. Rita and Dax wouldn't mind anyway. It was no longer a secret to anyone that they were a couple. He knocked hard on the door. No response. He did so again. Still no answer This time he banged at the door, and he could hear a faint sound coming from within, but since the house structure prevented the senses of a Werewolf from gaining hearing access within, he couldn't make out the sound properly. As he was about to knock again, the door finally opened. It was Dax, half-naked, with only his underwear left on him. He looked over at Asher with an impatient expression, feeling uncomfortable by his friend's stare. 'Dude… What are you looking for here so late?" Dax muttered, scratching his head. 'Oh, am I interrupting something?" Asher smiled with a curious gleam in his eyes. Dax appeared flustered by this, and for the first time, he noticed a painfully noticeable bulge in Dax's boxer shorts. 'Ehem… Why are you here, Asher? Come one, man… This situation just got awkward. You really need me to spell it out for you?" Dax said, rubbing his head even harder, looking embarrassed. 'Well, I am sorry for my unwelcome visit. I just want to see Roxanne" Asher smiled. 'W-Wha…?! See her? Bu-' Dax looked surprised by Asher's statement. "I know, I know… It's late. But I can feel it within me, Dax, she's awake. She's excited. She must also long to see me too. You understand, don't you?" Asher said in a hushed tone, trying to suppress his excited voice. 'No. No, I don't understand… Because Roxanne is not here…" Dax flatly responded, appearing confused. 'What?" Asher was stunned by Dax's words. 'I-I thought she was actually with you, you know… Hooking up and stuff… It is the season after all…" Dax chuckled slightly. However, from the look on Asher's face, he could tell that it was no time for jokes. If she wasn't with Asher, and she wasn't with them… Where was she? 'Don't mess with me, man. Just let me see her for a second" Asher said as he waved off what Dax said as a joke, trying to get past him. 'Asher… She's not here!" Dax said, raising his voice. Suddenly Asher heard a creak from within the house. His shocked expression quickly made a smile. It was Roxanne, right? It had to be! She had felt him too and decided to come out of her room. 'Roxanne! It's me, Asher. I'm here for your answer now!" Asher shouted, hoping his mate and lover would pop her head out and bless him with her lovely smile. He was wrong. 'Roxanne? Asher? What are you talking about?..? Dax, who are you talking to? You're neglecting your Lil baby, you know…" Rita came out of the corner with only sheets wrapped around her body, her cleavage and a great deal of skin exposed. Immediately she saw Asher, her face turned pink as she screamed. 'Asher?!! W-What are you doing here?! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!!!" She ran away in embarrassment, shutting her door tightly. Dad watched as his wife scurried back into their room in panic and chuckled slightly. Rita was cute when she was embarrassed. He turned to Asher to see his friend's reaction. After all, he just saw his sister almost naked. However, Asher was no longer in front of him. 'Huh? That's weird. Not even a goodbye…" Dax muttered to himself. "Maybe he's playing hide and seek with Roxanne and thought she would be hiding here. Hehe, who knew you could also play such a lovers' game, Asher. Rita and I should also incorporate that one of these days," Dax thought to himself as he shut the door of his house, ready to resume his night sessions with his mate. 'Awoooo!" He howled excitedly. Asher panted and his heart raced as he ran through the village, searching for traces of Roxanne. She wasn't with Rita, so perhaps she was stuck somewhere in the village, somewhere she couldn't get out of? Asher searched everywhere in a flash, he couldn't find her. Perhaps she was lost…? What direction did she go to? Asher sniffed the air, increasing the range and efficiency of his senses to the limits. A lot of different scents filled that air. After all, a party just concluded, so various scents danced around his nose. However, since Roxanne was his mate… Hers would definitely be the most special. 'I found it!" He declared. He ran and chased the scent, following it to where it would take him. He ran to the edge of the village, not stopping. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he finally stopped. He looked in front of him, an expression of disbelief covered his face. 'N-No way… Don't tell me… She… She left…?!" Asher muttered as the last trace he felt of her was her footsteps and scent departing from the village. His face fell as he walked away from the scene, not looking back. Roxanne had left the village, was this her answer? Did she never really love him? Myriads of thoughts and doubts played through his mind… He didn't know how to respond to them, but he was sure of one thing… Roxanne wasn't here anymore. With that conclusion in his head, he went to the storehouse and brought out a large crate of the stored nectar he had reserved for his personal use…. He didn't want to think, he didn't want to feel… He couldn't bear them. He just wanted to drown in it all. 'Please let me make it in time, please let me make it in time!" Roxanne pleased desperately within herself as she dashed with all her might toward the village. Immediately the match was over, she had left the scene, and not a moment after. Roxanne didn't wait for the announcement or the big prize. She didn't need any of those. She had won! She was the victor and champion of the finals. That much was enough for her. Having achieved this, she had nothing else holding her back. She would finally tell Asher everything and reveal her feelings to him. She got to the village before dawn, just as she planned. Roxanne checked the watch she had quickly snatched from an unsuspecting passerby. It was barely 4:00 am. She was early. She made it! She didn't bother going to Rita's place. She ran straight ahead to the peak, to see Asher. She got there quicker than she thought. Had she gotten faster, or was the time just speeding up for her as she could barely contain her excitement. She didn't see him outside, which only meant he had to be within his house. Roxanne opened the door to his house excitedly, not even bothering to knock. As she did so, she ran into his house. It was a wide space, well furnished and arranged. Asher was a neat and meticulous person after all. But Roxanne had no time for sightseeing. She knew where Asher would be, after all, it was so early in the morning. 'His room!" She said to herself. Even though Roxanne had never been to his house before, it was easy to navigate as she quickly found the entrance to his room. As she got closer, though… She halted. The room was slightly open, but not enough for Roxanne to see what was happening inside. She could smell Asher's scent, but that wasn't the issue. Other than Asher's scent, she could smell another… The smell of someone familiar. "N-No… It can't be…" Roxanne said to herself to dissuade her mind from what she calculated based on her senses. Her senses couldn't lie, yet she denied it with her heart. This conflict raged on, but there was only one way she could confirm. She had to see for herself. She walked closer to the slightly opened door and spread it wider. Her eyes bulged at the sight before her. Her senses were right… Asher was sleeping on his bed in his room, but so was another… A woman she knew… One whom she always suspected and never got along with… Daughter of the Alpha of the Bloodmoon Pack, Camilla. 'A-Asher…" She muttered, tears dropping from her eyes. Asher's eyes slowly opened as he heard his name from the sweetest voice he had ever heard. It was Roxanne's voice. 'Why does it sound so sad? Is she crying? Why is she crying?" He thought to himself as he stirred from his sleep. He looked at her face as she stood in front of his door and stared at him unbelievably, with a pained look of betrayal. "Why is she looking at me like that? What's going on?" Asher's mind went. But that didn't matter right now. He was wrong! Roxanne didn't leave him. She was right in front of him! 'Roxanne… I've been looking for you… I thought you had left… I knew you wouldn't leave me like that… Roxanne…" Asher muttered weakly as he tried to raise his hands to reach her. As he tried to, he could feel his hands restrained by something. It felt heavy as the construction weighed against his arms. He looked by his side to see the source of the resistance. His eyes bulged with surprise as he saw someone who had no place in his bed… Camilla, sleeping peacefully. What had he done? His head banged as he realised the situation he was in. He turned back to look at Roxanne, but she was no longer there. He heard a distant bang, caused by the slam she made on his front door. She had left the house. 'Nooo, Roxanne… It's not what you think… I…" He struggled to speak. He needed to chase after her… He needed to hurry up, but his body wouldn't move. Why? Why couldn't it? He was beginning to feel drowsy again. The effects of the excessive alcohol he took affected him once again as he slowly drifted into unconsciousness. Roxanne ran away. Away from Asher's house, away from the village, away from Oregon woods. She ran back to the underground wrestling centre, where her prize money was waiting for her. She had hoped Asher would call out for her or stop her, grab her with muscular arms and tell her everything was okay, but he didn't. The image played on and on in Roxanne's brain. Asher, lying half-naked with Camilla, the happy look on Camilla's face, and the guilty look on his. She had had enough of it, of everything. Asher, the werewolf drama… Her life there. She didn't think she could stand it with the pain that filled her heart. 'What did I expect anyway… You laughed at it when I told you back then, and I did too… But it's really true, isn't it? I knew from the beginning after all… You're truly terrible, Asher!" That was when she made her decision. She was going to go away… Away from it all, and live her life! No more Asher or crazy werewolf business… Just her… Because the only one she could count on after all… Was herself! Epilogue. It had been a few days since the incident. Not much time had passed, yet it felt like so long ago since everything came crashing for Roxanne. It was already the 29th of December… Nearly last day of the year. Roxanne decided to get up from her bed and leave the house. She needed the exercise anyway. She looked around her. This wasn't her room… At least not the one she was used to. It wasn't comfortable like Rita's, or familiar like her house's, or cosy like her grandmother's. It was just a hotel room. Of course, it was a quality place, and the bed was better than any of the beds she had used before, but somehow it didn't feel quite the same. Roxanne pushed those thoughts out of her head. She went to the bathroom and took a classic shower. As the water poured on her body and oozed throughout her skin, Roxanne indulged in the feeling. It was definitely something she lacked back in the village… Ah, how she had missed the sublime feeling of having a proper shower. After she was done in the bathroom, she got dressed and left her hotel room. Walking down the street, she smiled as she took in the ambiance. Snow fell all around her as she mused at the fleeting beauty of such little white moulds of ice. She walked through the clear pathway, already shovelled and layered with salt to ensure everyone who passed there had a comfortable walk. Most people would want to start home during such a snow day, but not Roxanne. She loved walking. It allowed her to let go of all the tensed-up feelings she had and push away the thoughts that never seemed to leave. Thoughts of her family, thoughts of her friends, thoughts of the pack… Thoughts of Asher… She shook her head, trying to shake off the painful memories of the night she had left, abandoning everything. The thoughts however persisted, no matter how hard she tried to forget them. Roxanne didn't know how she found the energy, but she ran, uninterrupted, back to where she was coming from, the underground wrestling ring. She was fortunate enough to still meet the manager, who had been waiting patiently for her. He gave her the prize money, a very sizable amount, the sum of thousands of dollars. It was a big night, after all. He offered her a contract, with decent pay, incomparable to what she had earned previously. Of course, he would want her to continue fighting in his ring since she would take in more profits. She agreed. After all, she had nothing else going for her. Plus, she needed money for the new life she wanted. She took the money and left. Since her mother was with her grandmother, she could sneak into their house, just like she remembered doing in the past, and pack up her most essential clothes and valuables. She took her secret debit card, filled with all the money she had gotten from the past games. After changing clothes and packing up, she left. She lodged in the hotel she was currently staying in and laid them upfront. Since she was an adult, they had no complaints. It had been three days since then. Roxanne was now living a free life, uninterrupted or respected by anyone. She wasn't sure how long she could maintain this lifestyle, but she would do so as long as it took. She had enough money with her to last her for quite some time, after all. Besides, she could always earn more. She finally settled down in the Park and heaved a heavy sigh. She was all alone there. Sitting with no one around her as the snow fell in the park, and all around. She closed her eyes and felt the cold, similar to that of the village's, though it seemed Rockwood was more intense than this. 'Ahh…" She let out in a relaxed tone. She couldn't say her life was perfect as it was. She couldn't deny that not a day went by that she didn't think of Asher and the great of the pack. Her parents could be worried about her, maybe file a missing person case, but so far she had gotten nothing of the sort, so she was probably safe for now… How long that would last though, she did not know. She often wondered what had really happened that night? Did she overreact? Asher seemed oblivious of the situation. Perhaps he didn't know what had happened too? 'No!" She resolved to herself never to make excuses for him. Nothing changed the fact of what she saw that night. He didn't chase after her, he didn't call after her. She didn't overreact. 'Let's forget all this now…" She closed her eyes and relaxed her tensed muscles. People often made resolutions as they ventured into the new year. Perhaps she could make hers as well. 'I, Roxanne, will start anew and put all the craziness behind me! It's time to live my life a little, and make the most of it! Cheers!" She said this aloud in the park. After all, she was the only one there. She stood up from her seat after a while and decided to go back to her hotel for some hot cocoa and a shower. Afterward, she would sleep. 'Ah, just like a normal girl!" She smiled to herself. She was serious about her resolution. She had left crazy behind her, and all that was left of Roxanne was the part of herself that wanted to live in the moment and enjoy herself. Unknown to her, though… The craziness had just begun. [Meanwhile] A woman sat across the Park where Roxanne was, a small distance from it, yet her eyes remained focused on the unsuspecting young adult who made a vow to herself. Her ears picked up Roxanne's every word, and she chuckled to herself as she heard Roxanne's new year resolution. She kept observing her until finally, Roxanne left her seat and went in the direction she came from. The woman smiled as she saw Roxanne disappear from her sight. 'So that's Asher's bride… Roxanne, uh? How interesting indeed." End of Book 1: Christmas With The Werewolves To Be Continued…