>>Azef
Oh wow,
How lovely.
I stood in the master bedroom of Silas Soma's house, dressed in all black from head to toe with a black mask on that was attached with my turtle neck shirt.
I stared at the beautiful document in my hand. Not the external beauty of it of course, but the one it possessed inside.
Funny to find this deed here when all of the underworld is going crazy trying to find it. Some strange rumor made people believe that Matt and I had it.
I put it in my bag.
But well, if the rumor is already there, might as well make it a fact. I smirked.
That son of a gun.
Silas must have started the rumor that the deed is with us but too bad he couldn't hide it nicely enough. Who chooses to hide such an important thing in the floorboard safe that perfectly blends with the rest of the floor?
….
Hmmm, well, maybe it's not bad.
I shook my head.
I guess it's safe from humans, but a wolf is a different story, especially me.
I had the information I needed, so the only thing left was to leave
***
>>Clio
?
??
????
Matthew's statement made me pause but I didn't quite process it immediately
Brothers? Did he just say they're brothers?
Matthew and Azef???
"WHAT!?!?!" I looked at him in disbelief, "You're siblings!!!?"
"Why is that a surprise?"
"Because you look nothing alike!" I had my mouth hang open, "And you have different names!"
He paused, his eyes wandered for a moment before coming back to me, "Different mothers," He said two simple words that got my chest to tighten.
"Oh,"
Two different mothers.
Oh Gosh…
Did I step on a landmine? Wait, of course! His dad had him with a random human, so he must have had Azef with some other person…
Damn
"What a scumbag," I whispered. I didn't realize I had said it out loud. I just got really angry at him and what his reckless actions caused.
"Yes," Matthew answered nonchalantly, "Our father was a scumbag,"
!!!
"Oh," I was not expecting him to say that!
"But he was insanely strong. For some that capable, he sure fell bad."
"Strong? Are you giving a justification for him cheating?"
"He didn't cheat," He let out a chuckle, "He stopped sleeping around when he found his mate."
!!!
"What? Really?" I shook my head, "That still doesn't mean he can have kids with random women and not even look back."
"Like I said, he was a scumbag, he probably didn't expect women of profession to get pregnant."
…
It took me a moment to understand his words.
!!!
"Wait, so" I shook my head, "Both of you?" I felt my heart drop, "Were…?"
"You're in the right direction. Azef and I, we both are bastards. Our mothers were prostitutes." My heart fell, "Well, a little different, my mother was one by profession. Azef's mother was different-" He paused, "Well, she just slept around a lot," I understood that he didn't want to open Azef's life in front of me and he was right not to.
"I see," I nodded
"We have no ties with that family though, werewolves don't really acknowledge bastards. Me getting thrown away was bound to happen at one point."
"Why are bastards treated so badly?"
"There's a pretty high chance that a bastard wolf might never develop their wolf and shift." He stood up from the couch and presented his hand to me which I took immediately without giving it a second thought and he pulled me up from the couch as well.
"I see," I slipped my hand away,
"Let's go," He said,
"Where?"
"I think you shouldn't hide."
***
"So, when did you and Azef meet?" I asked,
"Shortly after I met a sponsor from the underworld."
"A sponsor?"
"Yes, she funded my education and business till I built my own things."
"Who?"
"Zhou-Lin's mother," We walked towards the office building, "She saw me shift and found out I was a bastard and chose to sponsor me." He glanced at me, "I can tell you're curious as to why she would do that but the answer is simple."
As I walked with a question mark on my face, "I have no clue," I replied softly.
"She was a bastard herself."
OH!!!!
I didn't say that out loud but I made a big 'O' with my lips, "Is that why you're close with the chinese twins?"
"Hmm," He nodded, "And once I got a sponsor, a more solid roof over my head, although it came with working for her, that's when I went to look for Azef."
"So, it's just you and the director?" Now that I think about it. He's the CEO, but he named the company A.M.
Azef's initials come first. I never thought about it, I mean it doesn't even look like it but they must be really close.
"There were three of us," He replied and my mind did the thing where it just pauses, "Or should I say there were supposed to be three of us,"
I looked at him with confusion, "There's another one of you? Another brother?"
"Sister," He replied, "Elira,"
"Elira…" I repeated the name, "Where is she?"
His eyelids dropped a little and there was a short pause before he answered, "I don't know, I lost her a long time ago… Never to find her again." My heart clenched.
The atmosphere got heavy and the only thing I could think about was how another person can never know just by looking how fucked up the life of another person was, or is.
Everyone looks so fine on the outside. So successful, so content, so normal.
But one look at the dark parts of the mind and heart and all the facade just fades away
***
I know I agreed to come to the office. Matthew told me the longer I run away, the harder it would be for me to face people.
I ran away from Imani as well and she had been calling me but I didn't pick up. I was too afraid to. I had no explanation to give.
I still don't,
And now that I'm standing right outside the elevator, just a few steps away from the open office, my heart is pounding.
"Whenever you're ready," Matthew stood beside me with his arms folded.
I gulped.
Whenever I'm ready?
I don't think I'll ever be ready.
I gulped again and then licked my lips.
And if I'll never be ready. I might as well just do it.
I nodded to myself and started to walk, not paying attention to Matthew at all.
Like usual the TV was on, it was on mute since everyone was working but the News channel was on.
Walking into the office, I could feel the weight of anticipation hanging in the air. It was my first time meeting my colleagues after the revelation that I was, in fact, a woman and not a guy. Nervous energy coiled in my stomach as I approached the familiar yet suddenly alien environment.
All of them noticed me immediately but no one spoke. They kept their eyes on me and I awkwardly walked.
Do I stop or do I keep going? I couldn't come to a decision and before I knew it I neared my desk. The same desk which I sat on beside Chris but the seat was now empty.
Even looking at it gave me the chills.
And that's when I noticed hushed whispers and curious glances. A mix of anxiety and self-consciousness washed over me as I wondered how they would react. I glanced around to look for Matthew but he was nowhere in sight.
???!!!??!!?
He didn't follow me?!! More nervousness settled in as I realized he left me to do this on my own like I should.
OH NO!
I settled into my seat as soon as I reached it. And right then my colleagues stood up from their seats and started approaching one by one. The air seemed to buzz with a blend of curiosity, surprise, and perhaps a touch of confusion. I looked at them with wide shaky eyes. My feelings were like I was walking a tightrope, unsure of the balance between reassurance and maintaining professionalism.
My eyes landed on Imani, she was ahead of everyone else and my mind started racing, thinking of excuses and what to say to her.
But contrary to my anticipation, Imani, perceptive and warm, approached with an embrace.
???
She wrapped her arms around me before she said anything and what she said was something I never even thought I'd be hearing, "We're here for you."
She broke the hug and cupped my cheeks, looking directly at my face as I stared back at her.
The genuine affection in her eyes echoed a depth of friendship that went beyond the surface. I blinked in confusion.
The others gathered around, creating a circle of support. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and concern, but there was no judgment in their eyes—only a readiness to understand.
Imani's voice cut through the quiet tension, breaking the ice with words that echoed sincerity and compassion. "Whatever your reasons are, we're here for you," she said,
The others chimed in, "You don't have to explain anything right now," Bizy reassured. "We're not just your colleagues Clio, we're also your friends, and we're here to listen whenever you're ready to share."
It was a profound moment of acceptance, one that left me baffled. I wanted to say something, but I was so confused by their reaction that I was at a loss for words.
I didn't expect this! I didn't think they'd be so nice! The situation was so beyond me, I felt the relief tug at my heart and my eyes wanted to water.
Is this real?! Really?
What do I say now? Thank them? Tell them why? I don't think I can share something so private with them. And even though I'm exposed now, I wouldn't want any of them to get in trouble with the mafia because of me.
"I-" I was still searching for words to say but before I could manage anything proper, I was cut off
"Oh no," It was Jacob's voice and everyone looked at him in annoyance but he had his eyes on the TV. Imani looked like she wanted to scold Jacob but she turned to look at what he had his eyes on first.
And the moment she did, followed by everyone else, her mouth dropped open.
What's wrong? I got curious as well. Why is everyone looking at the TV like that?
I turned my face around and the moment my eyes landed on the screen, my heart dropped.
The headline was devastating, especially for me, and it got my heart pounding in fear as I read it.
'The bus transporting the recently caught Serial Killer 'The Head Hunter' crashed at the entrance of City D last night. While the officers in the bus were found dead, the killer seems to be missing and is presumed to be on the loose once again.'