“What did I get myself into? I can’t believe this…” Amelia said as she paced around.

“I know this is a lot to take in …so you can ask whatever you want to ask,” Finn said.

“What makes you different from a vampire… I mean in terms of aging.”

“Vampires can live longer than werewolves. So, werewolves stop aging, but we don’t stop phasing. And once we stop phasing, we start aging like humans.”

“Phasing? What do you mean?”

“Like when I transform into my werewolf form. Once I am unable to transform into my Alpha, it simply means that I have stopped phasing and slowly becoming mortal and then I will start aging.”

“Wow!”

Amelia stopped pacing and turned to me; her brows furrowed in thought.

"So, if werewolves eventually start aging like humans once they stop phasing, what about vampires? Do you ever age?"

I shook my head.

"No. Vampires don’t age. Once we’re turned, we remain frozen in time, physically unchanged from that moment onward. That’s one of the reasons we are feared and envied. While humans and even werewolves experience time, we are eternal. But eternity comes with its own burdens."

Amelia studied me for a moment.

"What do you mean by burdens?"

I exhaled, my mind flickering back to centuries of existence, of watching civilizations rise and fall, of losing people I cared about.

"Living forever means watching everything and everyone around you change while you remain the same. Humans you once knew grow old and die. Even some supernatural creatures fade away. The weight of memories becomes unbearable after a while. Many vampires lose themselves to the passage of time, becoming more like shadows of who they once were. That’s why some choose to go into eternal slumber."

"That’s… terrifying," she shuddered.

"Terrifying? Try being hunted for centuries by creatures that see you as nothing more than prey," Finn scoffed, crossing his arms.

"That’s something I don’t get. Why exactly do werewolves and vampires hate each other so much?" Amelia frowned.

I glanced at Finn, and he gave a reluctant nod, allowing me to answer.

"It’s an ancient war," I said. "The origins are unclear, but some say it started when the first vampire was created. Werewolves were the natural protectors of the world, guarding against dark creatures. When vampires emerged, they were seen as an unnatural threat…immortal beings who fed on the life force of others. Werewolves saw it as their duty to wipe them out. But vampires, being stronger and more cunning, fought back. Blood was spilled, and over time, hatred was passed down through generations."

Amelia’s lips parted slightly, as if piecing something together.

"So… it’s more about instinct than actual logic? A cycle of hatred?"

"It’s more than instinct. Vampires used to see us as little more than animals. They hunted us, enslaved us…" Finn snorted.

I held up a hand.

"And werewolves slaughtered entire covens, burned our homes, and ripped us apart without mercy. The hatred goes both ways, Finn."

Finn clenched his jaw but said nothing.

"But things are different now, right? I mean, you two are standing in the same room without killing each other," Amelia looked between us.

I chuckled dryly.

"That’s because we have a common goal. But don’t mistake this truce for peace. The war still rages in the shadows. There are still werewolves who believe in wiping out all vampires, and there are still vampires who see werewolves as lesser creatures."

Amelia sighed, rubbing her temples.