Moon Of Gold

Chapter 1: That odd night

      The wind howls and shakes the trees. A whirlwind of leaves circle around me. Owls hoot and male crickets create their melodious chirps. The moon's luminescent glow illuminates the forest. I raise my head to the sky, sniffing the air. I catch a whiff of something. A smell I can't describe.
      Two other werewolves trail behind me. I turn my head, glancing at them. They nod and patrol ahead. I head down the slope and race after them.
      The grass tickles my feet as I run on all fours. The wind brushes against my fur and I follow the moonlight. It lights up a dirt path in front of me.
      I halt and my ears twitch. I look up, listening to the noises around me. Hunters. Close. So close that I could inhale their disgusting odor. Their clothes always have a faint lingering scent of wolf blood. No matter how well they think they wash their clothing.
      The sound of a gunshot rings in my ears and I stalk forward to investigate.
      The other two werewolves are struggling against the attackers. I leap forward and sink my jaws around one of the hunters. They scream and I fling them. Another hunter runs off and I pursue him.
      I finally catch up to him but his scent grows cold. Confusion clouds my mind as I sniff around. He's nowhere to be seen. Where is this stupid bastard?
      Then that odd familiar odor hit my nose.
      The bushes rustle near me and I whirl around. I hear a scream and jump. My heart beats rapidly and I take a step back. What was that?
      The odor grows stronger and I quietly advance towards the bushes. The smell of human blood fills my nostrils. I peek over the bushes and my body stiffens.
      There are five bloody hunter bodies laid out. All of them dead and sprawled out on the ground. Their necks are bloody with two holes in them. The bodies are also under a large pile of blood. Two of the bodies have stab wounds. Multiple stab wounds. What happened?
       I leap over the bushes to investigate the possible massacre. I hear a scream and a thud. I stand alert and glance up.
      There stands an unusual looking man. His outfit was hard to describe. It's nothing I've seen before. His hair is medium length and dark brown. It's parted down the middle and is weirdly voluminous.
      He turns his head and stands there wide-eyed. Blood covers his mouth and his eyes go from red to amber. We silently gawk at each other for about a few seconds...maybe even minutes. Then he runs for it.
      I just stand there. Frozen. I couldn't get myself to shout after him. I couldn't even get myself to run after him. I'm definitely in a state of shock. Whoever he is...he definitely made this hunt a little easier. Too easy.
      The other two werewolves catch up and stare blankly at the bodies.

      "What the hell? Ophira...did you see who did this? Whoever it was I give them my congrats. Made this a whole lot easier" The white and brown werewolf whispers to me.
     
      I silently shake my head and turn around. "Just go home. You two report if you want to. I'm tired" I answer, sighing a bit.
      They huff in annoyance and head back to the guild. Shifting back turn, they turn their heads at me. I growl and they whine, turning their heads back and following the path.
      I solemnly stand there and look back. That man...something tells me I'll see him again.