THE BEAST WITHIN

Unaware of the danger that had befallen her, Catherine kept screaming, "Luca! Luca!" Her voice cracked as she called out persistently, her heart racing with desperation. The woods seemed too silent, too vast, and the thick trees felt as though they were closing in on her. She strained to listen for any sound that might signal Luca's presence, but all she heard was the faint rustle of leaves in the wind and the occasional crack of a twig underfoot.

Where was he?

Seeing the jaguar lunging toward Catherine, Luca’s body tensed. He couldn’t afford to waste another second. The beast’s eyes glowed with feral hunger, and in that moment, Luca knew there was no time to lose. He bolted forward, his muscles stretching to their limit as he chased after the creature, his only thought being to protect her. The jaguar’s sleek form slithered through the brush like a shadow, but Luca was faster.

Catherine had her back to the creature, unaware of the mortal threat closing in. She was still searching for Luca, spinning in circles in panic. Where could he have gone? She hadn’t expected the woods to feel so lonely without him by her side. Just when she thought she was safe, there was a noise—low, guttural, like something large moving through the undergrowth.

She turned, her breath hitching in her throat. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of a fierce jaguar, its green eyes glowing ominously in the dim light. Her entire body froze in fear. The jaguar crouched, ready to pounce, its muscles rippling under its sleek coat. Catherine’s mind screamed at her to move, but her feet were glued to the ground. The animal was mere seconds away from ripping her apart.

Before she could blink, another figure lunged into view. A large, furry creature—much bigger than the jaguar—intercepted it mid-air with a force that sent both animals crashing to the ground. The impact was brutal, and Catherine stumbled back, her eyes locked on the violent scene before her. The two beasts clashed, each trying to dominate the other, their growls filling the air like thunder.

Her mind struggled to process what was happening. The large creature—she couldn’t tell what it was at first—was defending her. Its dark fur shimmered under the moonlight as it used its massive body to shield her from the jaguar’s deadly claws. Catherine’s heart pounded in her chest as she watched, her breath caught in her throat. The battle was fierce, both animals snapping and snarling, their claws slashing through the air with deadly precision.

The jaguar was fast, but the larger creature was stronger, its powerful jaws locking onto the jaguar’s neck. Catherine gasped as the larger animal tore into the jaguar with a final, savage move, ripping it to shreds. The jaguar let out one last agonized cry before collapsing into a lifeless heap. Silence fell over the woods, broken only by Catherine’s shallow breathing.

But the danger wasn’t over.

The large furry creature turned toward her, its eyes glowing a deep red, and Catherine’s blood ran cold. She recognized it now—this wasn’t just any animal. It was a massive wolf, unlike any she had ever seen. Its fur was thick, dark, and matted with blood, and its eyes seemed to pierce right through her. The wolf growled, low and menacing, and its sharp teeth gleamed in the moonlight.

Her legs gave out beneath her, and she fell to her knees, shaking with fear. The wolf was enormous, easily towering over her. She had never felt so small, so powerless. As the wolf slowly approached her, each step heavy and deliberate, Catherine’s mind raced. This was it. She was going to die.

But just as the wolf came within inches of her, something incredible happened. The wolf’s form began to shift, its body twisting and contorting as it shrank. Catherine watched in disbelief as the creature transformed before her eyes, its fur receding and its limbs changing shape. Within moments, the fearsome wolf was gone, and in its place was Luca—bruised, naked, and panting from the fight.

"Luca?" Catherine whispered, her voice trembling.

He collapsed to the ground, his broad chest rising and falling rapidly. His body was covered in scratches, and his muscles rippled under his sweat-drenched skin. He looked exhausted, but alive.

He stood up slowly, brushing off the dirt and blood that clung to him. Catherine quickly shut her eyes, realizing he was still naked. "Luca, you're... not dressed," she muttered, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Luca chuckled weakly and hurried to where he had hidden his clothes. "You can open your eyes now," he said, once he had pulled on his trousers, though his shirt still remained off. His chiseled abs and broad shoulders glistened in the moonlight.

Catherine peeked through her fingers, her eyes widening at the sight of his bare torso. Even now, after everything that had happened, she couldn’t help but be struck by how strong and masculine he looked. "I thought you were setting up the tent," Luca said, slipping into his shirt.

"I finished early and... I wanted to help you hunt," Catherine stammered, still shaken by the events.

Luca smiled. "Well, at least we have meat now." He pointed at the dead jaguar lying nearby.

They started walking deeper into the woods, searching for firewood. Catherine stuck close to Luca, her eyes constantly darting around, still on edge. "So... aren’t you ever afraid of the woods?" she asked, trying to distract herself from the lingering fear.

Luca glanced at her, his expression softening. "No. The woods are my home. As a wolf, I have two homes—one as a human, and one as a wolf. How could I fear my home?"

Catherine nodded, though she couldn’t imagine ever feeling at ease in such a wild place. "I’ve never shifted, so I guess I wouldn’t understand."

"Don’t worry," Luca said with a reassuring smile. "You’ll get there. Everything takes time."

They continued gathering wood, talking in quiet tones as they worked. Once they had enough, they headed back to camp. By the stream, Luca skinned the jaguar and cleaned the meat. Catherine set up the campfire, and soon the rich scent of roasting meat filled the air.

They sat together by the fire, their laughter echoing in the night as they shared stories and enjoyed the peaceful moment. The stars above twinkled in the sky, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Catherine allowed herself to relax.

But that peace wouldn’t last. Even as they sat together, a dark cloud loomed over them—one that neither of them saw coming.