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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The ride home was quiet. Sam lay on the seat, staring at the floor the entire time. Ever since he locked eyes with that man, something about him had changed, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
When we got home, Sam instantly stuck by my side as I let him out of the car. My parents weren’t home yet, but they’d probably be back a little after midnight.
Speaking of midnight, I’d be eighteen in just two hours.
I made leftovers for dinner, and Sam scarfed them down quickly. It was good to see him eating again—his figure was already filling out after just two days with me.
Later, I retreated to my room, but after about an hour, something felt off.
“I don’t feel right,” I murmured, closing my book with a thud. Sam sat on the floor, watching me read. Normally, I’d find that a little awkward, but I was too distracted by the strange feeling in my gut to care.
“Let’s go for a walk.” I swung my legs out of bed and almost stumbled, but Sam pressed against my legs, steadying me. He let out a soft whine, and I scratched his ears. “I’m fine. Just a little off. Come on.”
We stepped outside, and the cool night air hit me like a relief. We walked along the same path we’d jogged earlier, but this time in silence. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been walking until I noticed Sam looking up at the sky.
“Must be midnight,” I muttered, realizing the moon was now overhead. I turned back toward the house, and Sam stayed glued to my side.
“Sam, you don’t have to stick so close. You can walk ahead if you want.” He glanced up at me and whined again. “Fine, do what you want.”
I tried to pick up the pace, thinking my parents might be home soon, but suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my stomach.
“Shit,” I whispered, clutching my abdomen. Sam whined and pawed at my leg, urging me to sit.
I found a nearby log and collapsed onto it, pressing my hands against my forehead, waiting for the pain to subside. Sam started growling, but not at me.
Following his gaze, I spotted two pairs of eyes—one purple, one gold—watching us from the darkness.
“Wolves?” I whispered to Sam. He didn’t budge.
“Werewolves?” I guessed, my voice barely audible. Sam’s growling grew louder as the two wolves stepped into the moonlight. One was a massive black wolf with glowing golden eyes, the other a sleek brown wolf with eerie purple eyes.
“What do we do?” I whispered. Sam took a step forward, his stance protective.
He was shielding me.
“Sam, don’t!” I hissed, but his ears only flicked in my direction. He never took his eyes off the two wolves.
The black wolf snarled and lunged toward us, while the brown one set its sights on me.
“Sam!” I screamed, my voice cutting through the night.
Sam met the black wolf in midair, both of them crashing together in a violent clash of teeth and claws. The black wolf was bigger, stronger. I could see Sam struggling to hold his ground.
He’s not going to win this.
I tried to get up, but another wave of searing pain shot through my head, sending me back to the ground. The brown wolf took the opportunity to pounce. I barely managed to block my face with my arm as its jaws latched onto me. I cried out, pain ripping through my arm.
In the corner of my eye, I saw the black wolf swipe at Sam, sending him flying into a tree.
“Sam!” I screamed again, my voice raw with desperation.
Anger surged through me, fierce and uncontrollable. As I watched the black wolf tear into Sam, I felt something shift inside me, something foreign yet familiar. A presence in my mind, like a storm brewing.
Pain ripped through my body, different from before. This time, it was everywhere—my bones, my skin. I could feel it burning, cracking, like I was being torn apart from the inside.
And then, with a final, guttural scream, I exploded out of my own skin.
The pain subsided, replaced by a powerful sensation coursing through my limbs. I was on all fours, staring down at the brown wolf, who whimpered and backed away, ears flattened in submission. Slowly, I took a wobbly step forward, and then another, my new form adjusting to the movement.
I turned my gaze toward the black wolf.
“Who are you?” a voice echoed in my head, deep and menacing.
Before I could respond, another voice, sweet yet laced with danger, cut in. “Leave her alone.”
I knew that voice. Relief washed over me.
The black wolf sneered, his thoughts dripping with disdain. “Where is all this power coming from? Surely not from this… child?”
Somehow, I felt my own mind opening up, connecting with him. A growl rumbled through me. “Leave.” I commanded, stepping closer. The black wolf’s tail lowered as I advanced. “Leave. Now!”
I bared my teeth and lunged, snapping at him. He yelped and retreated, quickly followed by the brown wolf. They both disappeared into the forest.
Panting, I turned toward Sam, who was now standing, watching me. He was slightly shorter than me in this form, but he seemed to grow as he straightened to his full height.
“You’ve shifted,” Sam’s voice rang in my head, gentle but amazed. “I knew there was something different about you….”
I collapsed, my body giving out as exhaustion hit me like a freight train.
“You’re weak. Shift back, and I’ll take you home,” Sam urged, but my eyelids were too heavy. I could barely make out his form approaching before the darkness overtook me. The last thing I felt was another sharp pulse of pain, then nothing.
