Growling,
Snarling,
Biting,
Barking.
You were rabid.
I knew this all along.
It started out slow,
And I ignored the signs;
The slight dilation in your pupils.
I noticed the widening of your eyes.
A werewolf, begging not to turn.
I ignored your howls and the full moon high in the sky.
I was convinced that you had your transformation under control.
That you didn't change by the cycle of the moons;
Rapid and unknowing.
Your claws grew through your cuticles,
Breaking through the skin
Like we broke your heart.
You growled at the pain that settled deep.
We retreated.
You knew that we wouldn't want to be around you
When you were foaming at the mouth,
But you couldn't contain the overflow
And snarls that escaped your lips.
He inched closer to you,
Placing a muzzle around your snout.
You growled, your anger fueling your change,
You pushed against the leather straps around your head.
Your canines gnawed through the cords,
Breaking free.
We leapt back,
Fearful of you again.
You could sense his disgust and disdain for you,
And you knew of no other way to call him back
But to howl at him like you howl at the moon.
A call of nature.
He held his feet firmly,
Wishing he could bolt.
But I forced myself to step towards you.
A tentative step in your direction.
You snorted at me,
Your hot breath warning me to stay back.
I dropped to my knees in front of you,
Hoping to show you I was seeking mercy.
Behind the fire in your eyes
Was fear.
The same fear that used to dwell in mine.
I wanted to reach out and save you,
For we're one in the same.
I was in the same pain before,
Changing rapidly with the waxing and waning of the moon.
Feeling out of control;
Feeling too much;
All at once.
I broke the cycle,
Many lunar years ago,
But I knew you were too rabid to break yours.
I knew if I tried to save you,
I would be sacrificing myself.
I wouldn't survive the claw marks dug into my stomach,
I wouldn't survive the breaking of my bones beneath your weight,
I wouldn't survive the bite to my throat, pulling me to shreds.
I was done
Growling,
Snarling,
Biting,
Barking,
For you.
