Stalking Shadows In The Store.

Despite the pain and fear caused by Ray's attack, Elisa tried to focus on her work at the store. She couldn't shake off the feeling of dread, though. Ray had never been that violent towards her before, and she didn't know what could have triggered his behavior. The possibility that he had developed some kind of aggressive streak after shifting into his wolf form sent shivers down her spine. If he became alpha of the pack, they would all be in serious trouble.

Elisa's thoughts were interrupted by her manager's voice. She snapped back to reality and started unpacking boxes of canned goods. She was grateful for the distraction, but her head was still throbbing from the assault. She had to hide her symptoms to avoid attracting attention from her colleagues or customers.

As she worked her way through the boxes of beans, corn, and beets, Elisa couldn't help but wonder why they sold so many beets. Did wolf shifters have a secret craving for them? It was an odd thing, but she had to restock them every week. She wrinkled her nose at the thought of beets and wished she could leave this place for good. She was determined to find a way out of this miserable life.

The mind-numbing task of restocking shelves provided a welcome distraction. Customers avoided eye contact and didn't engage with me at all, treating me like I was contagious. I didn't mind - it made it easier to leave this place behind. 

I worked through the hours, unpacking boxes and replenishing the shelves until everything was up to date. It was time to take out the recycling, so I broke down the boxes and stacked them up outside. The cool spring air turned cold as the sun set, sending goosebumps down my arms. I usually enjoyed the fresh air, but tonight it was a little colder than usual.

As I tossed the boxes into the recycling bin, I turned back to the store's entrance and saw a familiar figure blocking the doorway. It was Ray, his towering six-foot-four frame unmistakable even in the darkness. 

This was a first - he had never shown up to my workplace before, let alone cornered me in an alley. Was this his payback for my kick in the bathroom? I had hit him in the family jewels before, but it had been a while since I had been that desperate or stupid.

All my plans to escape this place had failed, and I was caught off guard. My heart pounded in my chest, but I refused to let him see my fear. With my arms crossed, I stood my ground and faced him, keeping my chin up. "Move out of my way," I demanded.

He stepped closer, and his words sent a chill down my spine. "I could kill you. Nobody would even miss you," he threatened. "I wonder how many days you’d sit back here with the rest of the trash before they found the body."

This was beyond the usual abuse. It felt like he was stalking me. "I didn't realize you'd moved on to stalking. How nice to see you think so highly of me that you had to go out of your way to see me," I retorted, trying to sound brave.

"You know exactly what this is about," he hissed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't been included in any of your group chats or whatever this is," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You shouldn't even be here," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "You tell me that every day. I'm stuck here, unlike you. I'll be out of your hair as soon as I can."

Ray let out a guttural growl, and his eyes turned feral. It was a sound I'd never heard before, and it sent a shiver down my spine. I took a step back involuntarily as he moved closer, his teeth bared and his body tense.

"He was resisting the change or perhaps even trying to trigger it himself, shining too brightly with his emotions. I took a step back, feeling uneasy. Even for a new wolf like Ray, this was extreme. He had only shifted for the first time a few weeks ago, and unless he had impeccable control, he shouldn't be able to shift again so soon. 

Typically, new wolf shifters were forced to shift during full moons or when threatened or emotional. It was only after gaining mastery over their wolves that they could shift at will, free from the moon's influence. Ray's behavior suggested he was letting his emotions get the best of him.

" 'Ray, you need to calm down,' I urged, my voice shaking. This was too much, even for him. He had advanced on me, his body pulsing with energy and his teeth bared in a menacing growl. I was cornered, with a dumpster blocking my right and a chain-link fence to my left. I couldn't escape.

"I knew I wouldn't survive if he attacked me in his wolf form. He had already tried to kill me earlier that day when he was human, and he had always been stronger than me since we were both twelve. It wasn't fair that puberty brought out so many wolf qualities. I tried to stay in shape to keep myself strong, but I knew I couldn't match him.

"Desperate to calm him down, I said, 'I won't stay in your pack if that's what you're worried about.' I suspected that was the root of his aggression. In a few years, he would become alpha, and he probably didn't want someone like me, who would bring the pack down, around. But nobody else seemed to notice me or my mom, and we lived on the outskirts of town with the other rejects."

In our run-down trailer park, we were the only ones unable to shift. I attempted to sound confident as I warned Ray to back off before doing something he'd regret. 

"I should kill you," he threatened. 

Although Ray frequently beat me up, he never went as far as he could have, which didn't excuse his behavior. I hoped he'd suffer from a painful venereal disease due to his promiscuity with crazy women.

"Don't act like we're friends. We're not," Ray snapped.

"As if I needed reminding of that, dick," I retorted.

I was now backed against the wall with Ray trapping me with his hands on either side of me. My breathing quickened, and I maintained eye contact with him. Ray's pupils dilated, and a vein in his forehead seemed on the verge of exploding.

"You're fighting it," I observed. 

"You don't want to change here. You don't want to be responsible for my blood on your hands."

"You don't know what I want," Ray growled as he leaned closer until our faces were almost touching. 

Then he inhaled deeply, as if trying to detect my scent.

My entire body tensed. What was happening?

Ray placed one hand on my hip, gradually moving it up my body until he reached my breast. Despite my horror, my body responded with a shiver of desire.

No way. This was never going to happen. With all my might, I lifted my leg and stomped on his foot.

Ray howled in pain as he backed away. I tried to push past him, but he grabbed me, wrapping an arm around my chest and pulling me towards him. Despite my struggle to break free, he held me firmly in his grasp.

"Release me, you bastard!" I yelled, attempting to strike his stomach with my elbow. However, Ray seized both my arms, pressing me against him. I could sense his arousal and knew that wolf shifters had an insatiable sexual appetite. If Ray despised me, why would he go to such lengths?

He positioned his nose near my ear, breathing heavily on my neck. I couldn't determine if he was in control or if his wolf was taking over. Either way, I wouldn't fare well if I couldn't break free.

"Let me go, Ray. I swear to the gods I'll slit your throat while you sleep," I threatened.

Ray's sizable hand grasped my chin, turning my head so that I faced him. 

"You'll be invisible until the full moon. I don't want to see you. When the magic fades, you'll be gone. If you stay, I'll finish what I started," he warned.

He released me, and I stumbled, falling to the ground on all fours. Trembling with fear, I glanced over my shoulder. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that I was alone.

I couldn't comprehend what had just occurred, but I had no qualms about adhering to Ray's proposal. I had already intended to depart anyway. Furious with myself for my vulnerability, I rose to my feet, brushing the soil from my hands and knees. I yearned to retaliate, but I loathed my inadequacy. 

It wasn't equitable to be a human surrounded by these formidable beings who could effortlessly break me in two. The quicker I escaped from all things magical, the superior.