Claimed by The Rogue Alpha
Claimed By The Rogue Alpha Chapter 38

Jimmy Bellamy lit his cigarette, drawing in as much smoke as he desired before bellowing it out. What a godawful day it was. Bookehurt had a reputation of being extreme. Whenever it rained, everywhere was flooded. Sometimes, electricity would be cut off. Amd for days. When came the sun, however, blistering heat was the result. Same went with snow, wind, everything.

He sat on his rocking chair, looking out to the foggy environment. It was 8 in the morning, yet the weather made it seem it stilm was dawn. Jimmy hated the weather. He hated the town. Hated his neighbourhood-sometimes, hated his life. Well, not exactly hate. Nah, that wasn't the right word. He wasn't just feeling it anymore. Bookehurt could be boring at times, and he was so done with it. However, all that changed some days ago when he happened upon a xiene.

Just thinking about it now sent shivers down his spine. The xiene was the rarest, oldest and undoubtedly the strongest clan...breed of werewolves. Everyone knew this. He knew this. He knew that a little number of them, just a few number...not up to 10 lived in Bookehurt. There were rampant in other towns such as Konnekut, Tyrex, Jyord, but not Bookehurt. Therefore, it didn't come as a surprise that the happening of the days before kept Jimmy awake.

A xiene in Bookehurt. A f*****g Xiene. And the worst thing is that the person who was this xiene was no other than the a*****e Jimmy had met at the bar. The f*****g bastard that made Yvonne moan like someone who hadn't had s*x before. Jimmy squeezed his eyes shut. The thought, it stung like wasp. He almost choked. He could swear that that was the bastard. He was a xiene. Jimmy had seen those crimson red orbs. He'd seen the unique set of teeth. The pangs. He had seen it all.

The f**k he had seen it.

"Now, for the secret ingredient," a voice said from inside.

Jimmy rolled eyes. He certainly wasn't in the mood.

"So glad a certain somebody isn't here right now. 'Cause I'm going ahead to add the secret ingredient."

Jimmy didn't acknowledge him. Didn't give him an ear. He was buried in his thoughts, thinking, wondering.

Some minutes later the sound of the door squealing open sprang. Footsteps edged close.

"And it's set."

The smell of the sushi filter into Jimmy's nose. It drew his attention from the xiene issue. Sam was standing with a smug smile on his face. Jimmy stretched his hand and went for the sushi. He ate it. It was good but he just wasn't his appetite... He wasn't sure he'd got

one.

His companion took a seat beside him. His jaw set. "Still about Yvonne? Dude, I've told you..."

"It isn't about her."

"Then what is? I mean, you've far from being yourself lately. And what's with that face you gave at Roger's?"

"What's your problem, Sam?"

"I should be asking you that. C'mon, I know it's Yvonne. She's a bitch that's gonna regret the stunt she pulled. If at all she hasn't."

Jimmy merely glared at Sam. The big, beefed up guy meant good, even though he kept prying. And so, Jimmy ate in silence, hoping that he'd keep his thoughts away. Maybe...maybe he had thought wrong. Maybe he hadn't actually seen a xiene, and it was his imagination...

Sam dropped the tray on the side table and climbed down the porch stairs to the mailbox. He pulled it open and returned with a newspaper. Jimmy offered a roll of the eye. He still couldn't understand why the dude read newspapers. Old pa, that was. "Seriously, are you expecting something or there's something I should know and you aren't telling me."

Sam chuckled. "There you go with your stereotype."

Jimmy rolled his eyes again.

"Information is power, pal," Sam concluded as he offered his full attention to the newspaper. His eyes glided over each word.

"Better go help myself with some beer," Jimmy said and heaved from sofa. He got into the living room and headed straight to the refrigerator in the kitchen. He opened it, scanned through and took a bottle. But then, his eyes met the wrap of Cheetos. He reached for them, just in for Sam to say, "F**k no!"

Jimmy jerked, turning around as he came up with a list of excuses he was going to give. However, he didn't Sam anywhere around. His friend was seated in his rocking chair, the newspaper still in his hand. Phew, that meant that Sam hadn't seen him try to take his most cherished Cheetos. So, what then caused him to yell that much?

"F**k," he repeated. In a weaker tone this time around.

"What's up?"

"A body was found a couple of days ago," Sam said, still looking at the paper. "Around Lane 114."

"That's..."

"F****d up," Sam continued. "Says it looks like a wolf attack. But that's strange, huh? I mean, an attack, without the full moon?"

"Yeah..."

"And what I don't understand is why the picture isn't there. They were okay to write it off as a werewolf attack, but where's the photo to prove it."

"Yeah..."

"F*****g idiots.".

"And just then, Jimmy was torn out of his robotic state. A light bulb was switched on in his head. "What if they are right?"

Sam looked up at him. His surprise not hiding.

"What if that was truly a wolf attack."

Sam then frowned. "Are you nuts? Or has the breakup left you gaga?"

Sam soon spotted the change on Jimmy's demeanour and straightened up.

He sighed, shutting his eyes. "Forget I said that."

Jimmy ignored him and went to the railing. He looked down at the flowers. His brows furrowed. His attention drawn at what appeared to be events that were far from being a result of coincidence. "Man, I said "

"Saw a xiene," Jimmy beat him to it.

"What?"

"A xiene. I saw one." He turned around, and there was the look of incredibility on Sam's face. "I mean it. All these time, I've been, quote on quote, moody, I've actually been battling with the revelation. A xiene is among us." Sam blinked. Mouth slightly open. Then, broke out laughing.

"I'm serious. I'm dead serious. Do I look like I'm joking?"

"A xiene?" Sam echoed. "In Brookehurt."

"That's hard to believe, I know, but trust me. I saw his eyes. It wasn't mistaken."

"Uh huh."

Jimmy went on to narrate his encounter.

"So, you are telling me. The guy who f****d...sorry, the a*****e who showed up at the club the other day is a xiene."

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes. A xiene."

"Wow."

Sam didn't seem convinced, but Jimmy wanst bothered. That was how he always was. A doubting Thomas.

"The dickhead." Jimmy gnashed his teeth. "I swear to God, his gonna regret ever messing with me."

"Uh huh. Whatcha gonna do?"

Jimmy looked far off. In thoughts. "Screw him up."