My Werewolf, The Alpha

Chapter 1 Part 2: Aberdeen

She was running. From what or who she didn't know, but something was crashing through the undergrowth behind her, a low snarling interspersed with the snapping of twigs and branches beneath the creature's feet.

Running was hardly an unfamiliar feeling to Nat. In fact, she took comfort in the rhythmic pounding of her feet against the concrete, music pulsing in her ears in time to her heartbeat. If anything, the constant thudding of asphalt was the only stability she knew in her life. But this – this was something entirely different. Blinded by fear, adrenaline coursing through her veins, with barely any concept of where she was and where she was going, Nat was reduced to stumbling haphazardly through bushes, ignoring the lactic acid burn in her lower body and the shallow grazes the undergrowth lashed across her face.

A weak glimmer of light flickered in the distance, igniting a spark of hope in Nat's chest. Pushing with whatever reserves she had left, the girl stretched her legs in a final sprint... and threw herself headfirst into a clearing.

Nat's fingers sank into damp grass, panting short puffs of mist into the night air, eyes darting frantically around her. The full moon cast a glow across her face that illuminated her line of sight. And when it did, she almost wished it hadn't, because all she could see back from the forest were a pair of manic red eyes inching closer and closer...

A mass of dark fur pounced out from behind Nat, and the girl let out a sharp yelp. Whatever creature had just emerged placed itself between Nat and the dark void of the forest, its hackles raised, matching the monster's snarl in ferocity and volume. As Nat struggled to scramble backwards, poorly masking another whimper, her protector turned to face Nat. Golden eyes that were almost human stared her down from a face that was decidedly canid. The wolf huffed, digging its rear claws into the dew-soaked grass and sinking into a predatory crouch. The dark glow of the red eyes drew closer still, and the wolf bared its teeth as something not quite animal launched itself towards them.

'No!' Nat screamed, bolting upright on the couch. Her pyjamas were soaked with sweat, and the inside of her lip hurt where she'd probably bitten it in her sleep. It took several minutes before her heart stopped trying to jump erratically out of her chest. Once it had settled, Nat lunged for the glass of water she'd set on the coffee table beside her. A quick glance at her phone told Nat that it was still three hours before she had to wake up to get ready for school, and she briefly contemplated going back to sleep.

A cold chill ran up Nat's spine as she recalled the piercing golden eyes that had bored into hers. She could still feel the cold night air against her skin, smell the droplets of dew nestled in the grass, and hear the bestial growling from the depths of the forest. If that was what awaited her when she fell back asleep...

So instead, at 4am in the morning, Nat found herself changing into her running shorts and trainers. The girl stepped out her front door, the cool morning air against her skin reminding her of her recent nightmare. Angry red eyes flashed through her mind again, and Nat shuddered before plugging in her earphones. Nothing a good run couldn't handle, she told herself as pop music swelled in her ears and drowned out her surroundings.

Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.