Winter couldn’t stop her heart from pounding in her chest at their close proximity; their noses touching, their breaths fanning, their hands warm at each other’s, and their eyes staring at one another.

        Blue to green. Green to blue.

        His eyes that seemed to glow were so beautiful, alluring; the color of a lush forest, enchanting. A light of sadness glinted in his eyes, but he pressed his lips on her. It was gentle, and soft, as though he were afraid to hurt her. Her heart fluttering, she kissed him back, which he responded back by travelling his hands up to her waists and pushing her against the wall behind her, sending jolts of electricity. He kissed her with so much passion that fireworks exploded inside her. She felt his tongue run across her bottom lip and she opened her mouth, letting their tongues explore each other’s mouths.

        He ran his fingers through her soft hair and pulled her closer, before pulling away so they could catch their breaths, hot against each other’s skins, their foreheads touching, their hearts fluttering.

        They shouldn’t do that, they knew; werewolves hated humans, and humans hated werewolves. It would add more hatred if they were found out. But they didn’t care. It would be their last time together—now for real. It was just luck when they found each other a few days ago.

        “I love you, Winter,” he whispered, his words holding promise.

        The three words warmed her chest, and a tear trickled down Winter’s cheek. After revealing her secret and confessing her love to him, they needed to separate. Couldn’t life just give them time to be together for a while longer?

        “I love you, too, Zach.” Winter’s voice came out shaky. The fact was too agonizing to bear. She didn’t want to leave him for the second time, and from his wistful gaze, she knew he felt the same. More tears started to well in her eyes.

        She remembered the time when she collapsed on the winter snow, tired and wounded and separated from her pack. She was shivering from the cold in a severe condition. She was wheezing, breathless. Her double coated fur couldn’t get her warm enough. When she thought her lungs couldn’t take any more air, a boy with raven black hair and alluring green eyes saved her, bringing her to his house and treat her wounds.

        The she-wolf stayed there to heal and accompany him in the lonely house. As days passed, they became close, even if the wolf knew she couldn’t be too close with a human.

        She knew she shouldn’t be, yet she did. She wanted to stay with him—and tell him she was a different kind. And by his actions, it was evident he reciprocated the feeling. Her presence was comforting and he wouldn’t feel alone.

        But she couldn’t. Not when her kind hated humans and hadn’t accepted him, and not when humans hated her kind and she didn’t know if he would still accept her when he knew.

        So by the time she had almost recovered and she sensed her pack’s presence in the area, she left him to a far-off place with her pack, ache cascading her heart, leaving their closeness behind.

        After that day, she thought she wouldn’t be seeing him again, but a few weeks ago, she found him; and he found her. And she told him the truth, and he told her he didn’t care. Winter was glad. She confessed her love, even if it was a risk for a punishment—Zach, too. That time, they thought a happiness was about to grow.

        But of course, life just had to turn things down when news about three teenagers that got killed by wolves was spread, even if it might just be some hearsay.

        Tears Winter tried to hold back rolled down her cheeks. She wanted to be with him. To stay by his side forever. Why can’t she? Why did humans have to hate werewolves so much they immediately accept the news?

        It was pouring outside; the girl’s pack would be out in their wolf forms, and they didn’t know they were being hunted down soon enough. Winter couldn’t leave them alone and she couldn’t stay, because sooner or later, she would be found out and it’d did her in; plus, she needed to warn her pack—then move.

        “I guess this is really…our last time,” Winter said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

        Zach detached his forehead from hers and cupped her face, looking straight into her eyes; a beautiful shade of blue that reminded him of a deep sparkling blue ocean. They were sad.

        Zach stroked a tear away. “No, Winter. Someday, the hatred between the two races will vanish, and I will find you then. I promise. Just remember me.” His lips curved into a wan smile.

        Winter let out a brief, low chuckle. “Zach…that will take a very long time. And of course I won’t forget you.”

        “Never lose hope, Win.” His nickname for her would be missed. “It’s at least possible. Also, know that whatever happens, you have me.” He then enveloped her in a hug to which she returned, his chin resting on her head.

        He wanted to stay like that for a long time. He didn’t want to let go of her again. Not the second time. But he knew it wouldn’t be safe if she stayed, even if it ached.

It would take years for them to see each other again.

        It hurt to separate once more. It hurt when they had told each other everything and had grown attached.

        Winter wanted to stay longer, but she knew she had to go. Reluctantly, she pulled away, losing his warmth immediately.

        She didn’t need any word for Zach to understand, because he led her to the balcony doors and opened them wide.

        Winter took a step out of the shelter of the balcony to let the rain touch her. Then took another, and another, until she was soaked with rain. Her body started to turn, and Zach had to look away. She didn’t scream in pain; the pain of leaving him overcame the pain of the transformation.

        After a moment, she was a wolf, and Zach faced her. Her white hair had turned into her fur, as white as a snow; her face remained cherubic. Her irises had turned sharper, seeming to literally glow in the dark. Even if she was a wolf, she was still beautiful. And somehow, she was dry under the pummeling rain.

        With her head lowered, she neared Zach. He kneeled and brought his hand to her head, patting gently. “Be careful, okay? Stay safe.”

        Winter nodded under his hand and jumped up to the stone railings, letting her eyes linger on his for a moment. When she heard a gunshot, she leaped, disappearing from his sight.

        Zach heard another gunshot.

        Followed by a whimper nearby.

        And cheers.