Forever Forbidden

The air was crisp with the faint smell of rain as Asher made his way through the bustling streets of Seattle. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, trying to blend into the crowd. It had been years since he'd been in a city this populated, and though he appeared calm, his heightened senses were constantly at war with the chaos around him. The cacophony of honking horns, the swirl of coffee and food aromas, and the vibrant energy of so many people his instincts fought to take it all in, yet he forced himself to stay grounded.

Being a hybrid werewolf half human, half lycan meant constantly balancing between the two worlds. In cities like this, staying human was safer. The beast within him lay dormant, but not gone. It was a quiet hum in the back of his mind, a low growl beneath his thoughts.

Asher's sharp eyes scanned the faces of the crowd as he walked. He wasn't here by accident. A recent string of suspicious attacks in the area had caught his attention, attacks that carried the unmistakable signature of rogue werewolves. Someone was out there, threatening to expose their kind in a way that couldn't be ignored. Asher was here to ensure the problem disappeared quietly.

The last thing he expected was to meet her

Emily sat at the corner table of a small, dimly lit café, a notebook in front of her, filled with half finished sketches. Her auburn hair was tied back in a loose braid, and a faint smear of charcoal smudged her cheek. She was focused, biting her lip as her pencil danced across the page.

Asher noticed her the moment he stepped inside. Something about her presence drew his attention, though he couldn't place why. She wasn't flashy or loud, but there was a warmth to her that stood out against the cold anonymity of the city.

He shook his head. Focus, Asher. You're here for answers, not distractions.

But his feet betrayed him, leading him toward her table. He didn't have a plan he rarely did in moments like this.

"Mind if I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to the empty chair across from her.

Emily looked up, startled. Her green eyes met his, and for a moment, she seemed to study him. "Uh... sure. Go ahead."

Asher slid into the chair, setting his coffee down. "You're an artist?"

She hesitated before nodding. "I guess you could say that. Just trying to finish something for a gallery submission."

He raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. You don't seem like the typical city artist type, though. What's your story?"

Emily laughed softly. "You're bold for a stranger."

Asher smirked. "Bold's a good thing, right?"

She shrugged, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Depends. But... if you must know, I grew up in a small town, moved here a few years ago to chase the dream. You?"

"Passing through," he said vaguely. "Work keeps me moving around."

"What kind of work?"

Lie convincingly. "Private investigator."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Really? That sounds... intense."

"It has its moments," he admitted. "But enough about me. What are you sketching?"

Emily hesitated, then turned the notebook toward him. The page revealed a half-finished drawing of a wolf, its eyes fierce and haunting.

Asher's breath caught for a moment, though he hid it well. "That's... detailed. Why a wolf?"

"I'm not sure," she said, tilting her head. "I've always been fascinated by them. There's something wild and free about wolves, don't you think?"

He nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on the sketch. "Yeah. Wild and free... but also dangerous."

Her smile faltered slightly. "Dangerous?"

"They're predators," Asher said, his voice quiet but firm. "Beautiful, sure, but you can't forget what they're capable of."

Emily frowned, her hand resting protectively on the notebook. "I guess I see them differently. I think they're misunderstood."

For a moment, Asher didn't respond. Her words hit closer to home than she realized

Their conversation flowed naturally after that, drifting to lighter topics like the best coffee spots in the city and Emily's favorite art galleries. Asher found himself genuinely enjoying her company, which was... unexpected.

He couldn't afford distractions like this. Not when rogues were a threat. Not when his every moment in the city was borrowed time.

Asher's phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen. It was a message from an old contact in the supernatural world.

"Rogues sighted near Pioneer Square. Be careful. They're not alone."

His jaw tightened. He didn't want to leave, but duty called.

"I should go," he said, standing abruptly.

Emily blinked, surprised. "Oh. Okay. It was nice meeting you... uh..."

"Asher," he said.

"Emily," she replied with a smile.

He nodded. "Take care, Emily."

But as he turned to leave, her voice stopped him. "Wait."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"Maybe... I'll see you around?" she asked, her tone hopeful.

He hesitated, then nodded. "Maybe."

The alleyway near Pioneer Square was dark and damp, the kind of place most people avoided. Asher's senses sharpened the moment he stepped into the shadows. He could feel the presence of the rogues before he saw them.

Three of them emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. They were in their human forms, but the beast was evident in their predatory movements.

"Well, well," one of them sneered. "Look who decided to join the party."

Asher's voice was calm, but his tone was laced with warning. "You've been sloppy. People are noticing the attacks."

The leader of the group chuckled. "And? Let them notice. Maybe it's time humans learned we're not just myths."

"That's not how this works," Asher said, stepping closer. "You're putting all of us at risk."

The leader's smile faded. "Who are you to tell us what to do? You think you're better than us, hybrid?"

Asher's eyes darkened. "I'm the one who's going to stop you."

The fight was brutal. The rogues were strong, but Asher was stronger. He moved with a precision that came from years of experience, his human strength enhanced by the beast within him.

By the time it was over, the rogues lay unconscious at his feet. Asher stood over them, breathing heavily, his knuckles bloodied.

He looked up, his heightened senses catching something or someone nearby.

"Who's there?" he called out, his voice echoing in the alley.

Emily stepped into view, her eyes wide with shock.

"Asher?" she whispered.

For a moment, he froze. She wasn't supposed to be here. She wasn't supposed to see this.

"Emily," he said carefully. "What are you doing here?"

"I... I followed you," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I thought you were acting strange, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. But... What just happened? Who are they? And... what are you?"

His heart sank. He had been so careful. So cautious.

"They're just... criminals," he said, avoiding her question. "I handle things like this "

There was a long pause before he finally spoke, his voice low and serious. "Emily... sometimes it's better not to know the truth."

"Please," he interrupted, his eyes locking onto hers. "If you trust me, walk away. Forget what you saw. It's safer for you."

Emily hesitated, her hands shaking. She wanted to press him for answers, but something in his tone stopped her.

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Asher alone in the darkness.

As she disappeared into the night, he whispered to himself,"that was so close "

For days afterward, Emily couldn't stop thinking about what she had seen. And neither could Asher.

For her, the encounter left a lingering sense of unease. For him, it was a painful reminder of why he could never truly let anyone in.