Escape

Moon calls.

The sun began to drop down the horizon, bathing the world in orange light. It was one of the few days where the sun had been present all day giving a much needed break from the constant rain. It's no wonder  there is only one pack living in this region where rain pours more than half of the year.

She got up and stretched on her toes, walked the space of her room and let her muscles relax. A deep breath, then another one, still it did nothing to calm the beating that echoes in her bones. Her skin felt too tight, already the wolf wants an out, sharp nails scratching, pacing around and around. This is what she get for letting her caged inside her for too long, letting her out only once in a full moon means the wolf becomes harder to control.

A few more hours girl. The wolf only snarled at her. 

She found Hans in the kitchen, the long deep gash on his arm earlier now only a red line that forms from his upper arm down to almost his elbow. She grimaced.

"Hans, I'm really sorry about earlier."

"Tsk. That only means you take our training seriously, there is no shame in winning a fair fight." 

"I lost control for a second." She shook her head when a memory popped in her mind. Of the four men who caught up to her on that day, murder in their eyes, men who she knew even trained with since she was only a kid. Her wolf snapped and attacked blindly.

Hans shrugged. "Happens all the time, even to the best of us. My advise, let your wolf out as much as you can. Keeps the edge off."

"I try." She whispered.

"Here, eat this. It will appease her for now."

Her nose twitched at the amazing smell. Hans placed the smoking plate in front of her, steak with rosemary and a little bit of butter. Her mouth watered.

"Go on." 

She picked up the knife and cut into the meat, pink on the inside and juicy when she chew a bite into her mouth.

"Glorious."

Hans smiled down at her.

"Fresh meat. I had it delivered from the bar's kitchen."

"Hmm hmm." her wolf sure appreciate it too.

Brent poked his head into the kitchen. "Hey! I smell something nice." he sniffed and walk to where Hans was already grilling another one.

"Sit your ass down on the chair and wait." Hans chided.

She smiled at Brent through a mouthful of meat.

"I use to get the first one." Brent whined but reached for the bottle of pinot noir and poured her a glass before he poured one for his own.

She accepted the glass and clinked it with his.

"Where's Marco?" Hans asked.

"Probably in that room he calls his office."

"Well, call him so he can eat too."

She looked down at her now empty plate.

Hans chuckled. "I'll get you another one."

Brent stood up, left and came back with Marco a few minutes later. And now they sat together in the dining table, while the sun continues to set and the full moon slowly rises.

How her life had turned since she had found the manor, from meeting the Towle's who had offered her not just a place to stay but a sanctuary to hide and heal.

She looked around to the faces of the pack who offers her a place in their own. How easily they trusted her and now walks beside her in camaraderie.

Her grip on the glass tightened. Maybe the gods listened and had taken mercy on her.

"Vanessa." her gaze snapped to Marco. "Don't wait for the full moon to be at it's highest. Shift. Give your wolf more time out. The manor is now sealed."

She recognized the tone, an advise but also a command. Her wolf shook its head, not liking to be ordered. They both have been under no authority since she ran away from home, a lone wolf without a pack.

Still that was a sound point, she agree.

She nod and stood. "Thank you for the dinner Hans, that was amazing."

"I'll shift with you." Brent piped.

It was Hans who held his hand. "Give her space."

She head back downstairs to the large hall where the pool is. She dimmed the lights, casting the room in warm yellow, shadows appear and her heart thundered echoing the beat that thrums in her bones.

She tipped her head up to see the hundreds of stars glitter through the glass roof, the full moon still not far up for her to see, yet her power flowed through her. Making her blood sing.

She peeled off her robe and stood there naked for a moment before her back bowed, a shout made its way out of her, bones snapped, her knees fell to the floor, hands reaching to nothing till her scream turned into a growl. In a flash, the girl disappeared and a black wolf now stood at her place. The wolf turned her head upwards, eyes glowing blue as it howled to the sky, an answer to a call only a few could hear.

Footsteps approached, slow but sure, and she turned, growls coming deep from her chest. A man appeared hands raised in surrender as he stopped by the door.

"Vanessa." the man said. Her ear perked up, a familiar voice. "It's Marco. I'm not going to hurt you, you are safe here." he took a little step forward but retreated when she growled.

"Take it easy. It'll come to you."

The man stayed while she shook her head trying to clear her mind. She sniffed, an exotic scent yet familiar to her, a memory came, a handshake between her and the man in a crowded rooftop. The feeling of instant connection she had not felt in a long time. Marco.

It might have shown in her eyes when recognition hit her as he put his hand out and she walked towards him, and accepted the hand that scratched her head in affection.

"There girl. Take it easy." Marco whispered and walked inside with her at his heels.