I'm in love with a Werewolf

Chapter 1: Simula

*Author's POV*

Ysabella Salvador had always been drawn to the mysteries of the forest near their ancestral home. Ever since she was a child, she had heard the eerie stories from the locals—kwento ng mga nawawalang tao, mga kaluluwang ligaw, at mga halimaw na nagtatago sa dilim. Pero kahit na may kaba, hindi siya naniniwala sa mga bagay na iyon. Laging isipin ni Ysabella na ang mga kwento ay mga alamat lang, mga pantasiya ng mga tao na hindi kayang tanggapin ang mga nangyayari sa kanilang paligid.

*Ysabela's POV*

Tonight, however, everything felt different. The moon was brighter than usual, casting an ethereal glow over the towering trees and winding paths. This was the night I decided to venture deeper into the woods, driven by an urge I couldn't explain. Marahil ay isang pagtatangka na takasan ang monotony ng aking buhay, o marahil ay isang lihim na ako lamang ang nakakaramdam.

"Siguro may makikita akong sagot dito," I whispered to myself, not entirely sure of what I was looking for. But there was something magnetic about the forest tonight, as if it was pulling me in.

The deeper I walked, the more the forest seemed to come alive. It was quiet—too quiet. Walang tunog ng mga ibon o kahit hangin. Then I heard a rustling sound, the dry leaves crackling beneath something heavy, or someone. Dahan-dahan, I turned my head, feeling the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

My heart skipped a beat as I saw a figure step out from behind a thick tree. It was a man, tall and broad-shouldered, with eyes that glowed faintly amber in the moonlight. His gaze was sharp, intense, almost predatory.

"Sino ka...?" I murmured, stepping back instinctively. My pulse quickened. His presence was both unsettling and strangely captivating.

The man didn't move, but his eyes locked onto mine, as if he was studying me. "Theo," he said, his voice low, with a strange accent I couldn't place. Then, in a tone that seemed both commanding and desperate, he added, "And you... Ysabella."

I froze. How did he know my name? I had never seen him before. Was he a local? But his appearance was unlike anyone I had encountered in this small town. His features were too sharp, his aura too intense.

"How do you know me?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly, my curiosity mixing with fear.

Theo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. He looked like he was trying to say something, but it was as if the words were stuck in his throat.

"You shouldn't be here," he finally said, his voice softer now, tinged with something close to regret. "This place... it's dangerous. I'm dangerous."

My heart thudded loudly in my chest, but I couldn't look away from him. "Dangerous? What do you mean?"

Theo's eyes flashed briefly, a quick glint of something wild—something animalistic. For the first time, I noticed the way the shadows seemed to bend around him, as if the night itself was wrapping around his form.

"You don't understand," he murmured. "I'm not who you think I am." He seemed to struggle with his words, like something inside him was clawing to be set free.

I took a step forward. "I don't care," I said, though my voice betrayed me. "I want to understand. Please... tell me."

*Author's POV*

For a moment, Theo didn't move. His expression softened, torn between wanting to protect her and wanting to keep her away from the dangers of his world. He stepped even closer, his breath warm against her cheek as he whispered, "You should be afraid."

Ysabella shook her head. "I'm not afraid of you."

A low growl rumbled in Theo's chest, but it was quickly silenced as he closed his eyes, trying to regain control. "You don't know what you're saying." His jaw clenched as he backed away, almost as if he was fighting with himself.