Under the Skin

Prologue

The city never sleeps. Neon lights flicker against the dark sky, painting the urban jungle with a false sense of vibrancy. For most, it's a playground of endless possibilities, a place where dreams come to life. But for Kai, it's a battleground—a maze of concrete and steel where he struggles to keep his true nature hidden.

Kai's life at university is a balancing act. By day, he's just another face in the crowd, a quiet, unassuming student with dark hair that falls into his eyes and a backpack slung over one shoulder. By night, he's something else entirely—a creature of the night, bound by ancient instincts and a primal rage he can barely control.

His classmates don't know his secret. To them, he's an easy target. They see a shy, introverted boy who doesn't fight back, a perfect victim for their cruelty. They call him names, shove him into lockers, and laugh at his expense. Kai endures it all in silence, his jaw clenched, fists trembling as he fights to keep the beast within from breaking free.

Every insult is a challenge, a test of his resolve. The wolf inside him snarls and paces, demanding retribution, but Kai resists. He can't afford to lose control, not here, not now. His life depends on it.

The full moon is his greatest enemy. Its silver light calls to him, igniting a fire in his veins that he can barely suppress. On those nights, he locks himself away, far from prying eyes, and lets the transformation take hold. His bones shift and crack, skin stretching and tearing as the wolf emerges. The pain is unbearable, but it's a necessary evil, a reminder of the monster he must keep at bay.

Kai dreams of a day when he can live without fear, when he can walk through the city without the weight of his secret pressing down on him. But until then, he fights to keep his anger in check, to remain human in a world that seems determined to strip him of his humanity.

For now, he is Kai—the boy who hides his pain beneath a calm exterior, the werewolf who must never let his true nature be revealed. He navigates the treacherous waters of university life, hoping that one day, he can find a place where he belongs, where he can be himself without fear of persecution.

But deep down, he knows that day is still far away. Until then, he must stay strong. He must keep the beast under the skin.