Cursed

Thunder and Lightning

Scarlett

My white paws thundered on the forest floor. The thunder rumbled overhead and lightning cracked through the sky. I felt the pulse of power coursing through me as I allowed the storm to gather. My fur became soaked through, but we didn't mind; my wolf welcomed the warmth of our power.

In the past four weeks, since I shifted, much has changed. My wolf had delved deep into our history and the prophecy of our future. She had whispered secrets of the moon goddess meant only for my ears. Then she had explained the gifts the goddess had bestowed on me. Powers I could never have dreamt of. The storm above was only a taste of what we were capable of doing. My wolf had helped me train; we focused on combat and control. To have such power is a curse if you cannot control it. Yet my wolf has taught me the strength that there is within both of us, the power we hold together.

I continued through the woodlands, the floor becoming slick under my paws. My wolf sat back, allowing me some control. Our eyes glowed a deep blue, like the depths of the sea. I pushed us hard, allowing my muscles to burn. We were only minutes away from my so-called home. The shack had been a safe place, which, after many hours of work, had finally stopped leaking. I had fixed the door and added some simple furnishings. My wolf enjoyed the peace, but always craved something more.

I slowed before the shack, allowing the power within me to die down. The storm quietened, but the rain didn't stop falling. I shifted back, my naked body aching as the rain splattered along it. The past few weeks had been full on, with lots of physical training and the occasional rogue encounter.

The rogues had grown confident. They had approached me more and more every week. I had only encountered one so far this week, and he had even turned and run. My wolf was pleased he feared her, feared us. But rogue numbers were growing; I had noticed this myself, and Chelsea had called a few days ago to tell me. The pack had experienced more attacks than before, each one more deadly than the last. She was concerned, Cole had become consumed with his new mate and had neglected to deal with the issue at hand. My wolf stiffened at the threat to her pack.

My shack's door was wide open, wind whistled through it. I froze, still completely naked. My wolf sat just below the surface, watching patiently. We crept forward, my nose picking up the foul scent of rogues. It tinged the air and coated my tongue. My ears strained as I counted heartbeats; there were at least five of them, maybe more. I hadn't perfected that skill yet. I continued forward, my eyes constantly scanning the surrounding area. Snarls filled the air, and I spun as more rogues prowled from the tree line. Then the ones inside my shack appeared. There were more than five. I cursed myself.

My hands clenched by my side as my wolf took control, shifting us into our true form. The rogues growled lowly when my white coat reflected the moonlight. I watched, wondering who would make the first move. The rogue by the edge of my shack struck first. They were fast, but their attacks were miscalculated. I ducked under his advancing paw, watching the claws swipe through the air. I then sank my teeth into his shoulder, I ripped a chunk of flesh away, spitting it onto the floor. The rogue howled, limping back behind the others who had stepped closer.

All at once, they attacked. Teeth and claws are coming from all directions. I fought whoever got close enough, my wolf growling lowly. I yelped as claws dragged down my back, spinning to face the culprit. Within seconds, I had ripped his throat out. Thunder boomed ahead as my power coiled within me. I didn't strike fast enough; sharp teeth dug into my upper leg, the crunch of bone making me howl. My power lashed out, reaching for the wolf still clamped on my leg. Their body lifted slightly, twisting and bending in unnatural ways before a sickening crack sounded from the rogue's back. I dropped them lifelessly to the floor.

There were still too many rogues, and I was surrounded. My wolf sprang forward, launching us over the snapping jaws below. As soon as our paws hit the ground, we ran deeper into the woodlands. The rogues gave chase. They swarmed us, narrowing in from all sides. My power reached out to any within reach, latching onto their life forms before draining them dry. Bodies crumpled to the floor, piles of fur and bone. We stumbled slightly, a tree root catching us off guard.

We have not trained enough. This is draining us. My wolf's silky voice did not hold any panic as she stated the truth. I nodded, allowing her to control the situation.

We pushed deeper into the woods, my claws digging into the dirt. Within minutes, we reached the pack borders. I howled loudly into the night. My wolf is calling for Chelsea. Seconds later, a howl replied. Chelsea had heard me. My wolf then spun from the pack grounds, heading in the opposite direction. She would not risk the lives of her pack.

My wolf slowed as a large ravine appeared before us. We had hit a dead end. Rogues slowed down, baring their teeth in my direction. I snapped at them, daring one to step forward. As soon as one rogue took a pace out of line, I attacked, my muscles bunching together. We met mid-air, my teeth sinking into the stomach as their claws slashed at mine. I winced slightly, digging my teeth in deeper and ripping. The contents of the rogue's stomach spilt out, and blood sprayed everywhere. The rogues proceeded to attack in groups, each wave weakening me further. My wolf snarled, reaching for the last bit of strength we had. Power exploded within me, consuming me entirely. Lightning struck the ground as rogues dropped dead, one after another. Some of their bodies were scorched, and others drained of life.

My legs buckled as my wolf collapsed. All strength fled from me. I shifted back into my human form, my naked body curling around itself as rain fell from the sky. I fought to keep my eyes open, yet darkness still dragged me under.