Until the shocking revelation of real werewolves throws society into turmoil, the world's definition of fear was set at a low expectation. However, as humans exploit these creatures, trading them for power, Seraphina's world unravels on her 18th bir...
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✦ . 🖤⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ 💛. ✦
I awoke the next morning to a low rumble, only to realize it wasn’t coming from me. Blinking groggily, I squinted against the rising sun beaming directly into my face. As I turned around, I froze, startled to find a wolf sprawled across my bed.
“Ah!” I yelped, flailing as I rolled away, clutching the blanket. My body hit the floor with a dull thud, knocking the wind out of me. “Damn!” I muttered, catching my breath.
Sam—the wolf—rounded the corner of the bed, his hackles raised and his lips pulled back to reveal sharp white fangs. But his attention wasn’t on me; his focus was fixated on something outside the window.
I stared at him for a beat, then suddenly burst into laughter, catching him off guard.
“Oh my God, Sam, I’m sorry!” I said between laughs, picking myself up from the floor while clutching the blanket around me. “You scared the hell out of me. I forgot you were even here.”
He flicked his ears, clearly confused by my outburst. The events of the previous day rushed back to me as I approached him, still chuckling.
“No intruders, I promise. I’m sorry for waking us both up like that.” I extended my hand, and Sam’s cold nose bumped against it, his fangs now hidden.
I smiled unexpectedly. “So, a little near-death experience makes you affectionate, huh?” I scratched his ears, and he leaned into my touch.
A loud rumble came from his stomach, making me laugh again. “Guess it was your stomach that woke me up. Alright, let’s get you some breakfast. Head downstairs; I’ll be right there.”
I nudged his muzzle, but he just stared at me in confusion.
“I’m a girl, Sam. I’ve got a morning routine to follow,” I teased with a grin as I headed to the bathroom. He followed me, but I closed the door in his face, ignoring the soft whining and scratching from the other side as I brushed my teeth and went through my skincare routine. After slipping into shorts and a tank top, I opened the door to find Sam waiting patiently.
“Alright, let’s get you fed, hungry butt,” I said, and we both headed downstairs. In the kitchen, I grabbed a pan and started cooking. The rich smell of eggs, bacon, and toast soon filled the air.
“Butter or no butter?” I asked, glancing at Sam, who sat by my leg.
He tilted his head, and I smirked. “No butter, huh? Fine, but you’re missing out.”
I set his plate down beside him and sat at the table. As usual, he finished his food before I could take more than a couple of bites. I pushed my plate over to him, and he devoured the rest.
“Feel like joining me for my morning jog?” I asked. He tilted his head again, and I motioned to my running clothes. “I know you like running. Whether you’re human or wolf, it’s like freedom—going wherever your feet, or paws, take you.”
He huffed in response, unimpressed by my joke.
“Fine, be a grump,” I teased, tapping his nose before leading him outside.
We started jogging, and Sam stayed close beside me. His smooth pace mirrored mine, and I marveled at how seamlessly he matched my stride. After a while, I called out to him, “You don’t have to stay so close! Let loose—run ahead if you want. I know you’ll find your way back.”
As if understanding, Sam’s pace quickened, and he soon disappeared into the distance. I laughed, keeping my own steady pace, watching him run free.
An idea struck me as we neared the forest line. Veering off the path, I darted into the trees, weaving through the underbrush and feeling a thrill of excitement as I zigzagged between the trunks. I climbed up a sturdy tree and hid among the branches, stifling my laughter as I waited for Sam to find me.
It didn’t take long before I heard the rustling of leaves. Sam’s muzzle emerged from the bushes, his silver fur gleaming in the sunlight. He skidded to a stop, sniffing the air, clearly confused by my disappearing scent. Then, with a flick of his ears, his sharp eyes locked onto me in the tree.
I grinned down at him. “See? I told you you’d find me.”
I climbed down, landing in the soft grass as Sam nuzzled my leg. “Alright, alright. Let’s head home. I need a shower after all this.”
As we walked through the forest, the peaceful quiet was broken only by our footsteps. “You know, my parents used to take me camping out here,” I said, pushing aside a low-hanging branch. “They thought I’d be scared of the noises at night, since I couldn’t even sleep without a nightlight in my room.”
I chuckled at the memory. “You should’ve seen their faces when I asked for a tent of my own. I ended up sneaking out after they fell asleep and sprained my ankle. They found me asleep against a log the next morning and took me home, but ever since that night, I’ve always wanted to come back.”
Sam let out a soft whine and placed a paw on my leg, pulling me from my thoughts. “What’s up with you?” I asked, puzzled by his behavior. He swished his tail across my leg and positioned himself in front of me.
“I’m having trouble translating here,” I muttered. Sam turned his muzzle toward me and jerked it forward, then backed up until his tail brushed against my thighs.
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you flirting with me, or do you want me to get on your back?”
His right ear twitched, and I understood. “You want me to ride you?” I asked, a laugh escaping me. “Well, alright. Just… don’t trip, okay?”
I carefully climbed onto his back, and before I could fully adjust, Sam shot forward. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, and I held on as he leaped over obstacles, weaving through the forest. The sensation was exhilarating, like riding the wind itself.
By the time we reached the trail, I was laughing, my heart pounding with adrenaline. “That was amazing, Sam! You’re incredible,” I said, dismounting as we reached the edge of the forest.
Sam wagged his tail, his wolfish grin matching my excitement.
Back at the house, I gave him a scratch behind the ears. “It’s my birthday tomorrow, Sam. We should do something special—just the two of us. What do you think?”
Half an hour later, I was dressed in a red and black dress, my hair loosely curled. I found Sam lounging on my bed, his silver eyes watching me intently.
“What do you think? A little outing today, just me and you.” I tapped his nose before grabbing my purse and heading out to the driveway, where my black Cadillac sat, a bit dusty but in perfect shape.
Sam seemed mesmerized by the car. “Like it, don’t you?” I said with a grin, opening the door for him. He hopped into the passenger seat, and I slid behind the wheel. Soon, the town was behind us as we drove toward the city, ready for whatever adventure lay ahead.
