TWO

Isabelle’s Point of View

After Tyler agreed to meet me in the woods, I hurriedly tucked my phone into my pocket and dashed down the narrow path that wound its way through the towering trees. My fingers clenched tightly into fists as I sprinted, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions - desperation, anger, and an overwhelming sense of dread.

The woods enveloped me in an eerie silence, devoid of any signs of life. The only sound that filled the air was the rhythmic thud of my feet hitting the ground, propelling me forward with a fierce determination. Each step brought me closer to Tyler, but it also fueled a raging fire within me, a primal fury that threatened to consume everything in its path.

Nothing and no one would hinder my progress. I glanced up at the night sky, and it dawned on me that it was a new moon, the most potent phase for individuals like me. No wonder my thoughts felt clouded and my emotions were running wild. The timing couldn't have been worse.

As I finally reached my destination, my heart pounded in my chest, its erratic beats echoing in my ears. I paced back and forth, my footsteps creating a restless rhythm on the forest floor. Never before had I felt so apprehensive, so uncertain of my own choices. I had reluctantly acquiesced to my father's arrangements in a moment of vulnerability, but now, surrounded by the tranquil embrace of nature, doubts gnawed at the edges of my resolve.

How on earth could I expect Tyler to comprehend the complexity of my situation? No matter what I said, I needed him to understand that I was still the same person he loved. Honesty was paramount, even if the truth would be challenging for both of us. I yearned for him to see that the power of our love would guide us through this storm.

A gentle breeze rustled through the air, carrying with it the musky fragrance of someone approaching. Tyler. I closed my eyes, savoring the familiar scent that belonged solely to him. When he stepped into the clearing, my senses sharpened, capturing the worry and concern etched across his face. It tore at my heart to know that I was about to inflict pain upon him. He possessed an intense possessiveness and territorial nature, even by human standards, and revealing that I was not only non-human but also bound to mate with another would surely shake him to his core. I braced myself for the inevitable storm.

"What's happening? Why did we have to meet here?" His voice trembled with a mix of confusion and apprehension. Just as I was about to explain, the mystical energy of the black moon crashed over me, sweeping me into its grip. The impact was jarring, forcing my primal instincts to the surface in order to shield myself. My body convulsed, every nerve tingling with fear and panic radiating from Tyler. But in that moment, I couldn't see him, couldn't reach out to him.

A searing pain ripped through my body, contorting it into an agonizing arch. The bone-shattering cracks echoed in my ears as my form underwent a profound transformation.

Amidst the chaos, distant shouts reached my ears, but their meaning eluded me. Gasping for air, I struggled to make sense of the whirlwind of transformation overtaking me. Each breath weighed heavily on my chest, a futile attempt to resist the inevitable. The scent of burning embers filled the atmosphere, mingling with the pounding of my heart as my teeth elongated and my ears morphed into pointed tufts of fur.

Only when the wolf within me emerged did my senses sharpen, allowing me to perceive the world once more. But the torment persisted, relentless waves of pain surging through my core and pelvis. Raising my head, I let out a primal howl, a visceral release of agony echoing through the night.

"Isabelle, what the hell is happening?" Tyler's voice pierced through the haze of torment. I blinked up at him, his figure blurred against the backdrop of my torment. Staggering backward, he recoiled in fear and confusion, desperately seeking answers.

Fear gripped Tyler, his voice rising in frantic pleas for assistance. I had to regain control, to revert to my human form. With sheer determination, I harnessed the essence of magic, willing the transformation to reverse. Holding my breath, I focused my thoughts solely on myself and the intricate process of metamorphosis. Gradually, the searing pain subsided, leaving me sprawled naked on the cool embrace of the grassy ground.

Tyler stood there, his face a mask of panic, his mind consumed by fear.

"What in the world are you? What the heck is happening?" Tyler's voice trembled with a mix of fear and disbelief, mirroring the chaos unfolding before him.

"I'm a wolf shifter," I rasped, struggling to find my voice amidst the mounting heat surging between my thighs. It was an indescribable sensation, unlike anything I had ever experienced.

"You're a monster," he spat out the word, venom dripping from his tongue, piercing deep into my core. Tears streamed down my face, a torrent of conflicting emotions swirling within me.

"I'm still me. The woman you love," I pleaded, my voice cracking under the weight of desperation. But Tyler's gaze held a mixture of fear and revulsion, his body trembling with disgust.

"Are you kidding me right now? You're just... terrifying. Teeth, claws, and fur. I don't even know how to label you anymore," he uttered, his tone dripping with disdain. Each word struck me like a physical blow, the weight of his rejection becoming unbearable. The pain of unfulfilled desires erupted within me, spreading through my core like wildfire.

"It's me. Isabelle. That's all. It's just... I'm..."

"Forget it. I mean, I knew you were a little eccentric, but this... it's way beyond that," he interrupted, his voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion.

"It's not a big deal. I can handle it—" I began, but a fresh surge of pain ripped through my abdomen, forcing a howl to escape my lips. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself upright, my body unsteady.

"Please, Tyler," I pleaded, my voice laced with desperation. "You're my mate. I need you." I reached out for him, hoping for comfort and understanding, but he forcefully pushed me away. My balance faltered, and I tumbled to the ground with a resounding thud.

"What did you say?" he yelled, his voice filled with anger and disbelief. "You've completely lost your mind. I'm not some damn animal, so stay the hell away from me, Isabelle. I don't know what the hell is happening, and I don't want to know. Just stay away from me. Hell, stay away from everyone. We don't need any monsters around here."

"I'm a monster?" I growled, my voice tinged with bitter sarcasm. "That's rich. But don't worry, you're not the only one who got blindsided tonight. I thought you were a real man."

"Fuck you," he spat, his words cutting through the air like daggers. I watched as he turned his back on me, his rejection piercing my heart and settling deep within my soul. Anger and frustration surged through me, mingling with a primal hunger that threatened to consume me. The wolf inside me stirred, her pain of betrayal mirroring my own.

In a surge of uncontrollable rage, I pounced, my teeth elongating and sinking into his shoulder, tearing through the flimsy fabric of his shirt and piercing the tendons of his neck. A cry of pain escaped his lips as he forcefully flung me away, treating me like discarded refuse. I landed in a heap of leaves, wishing I could disappear as he vanished from the clearing, leaving me behind.

He had witnessed my true nature, and he had rejected me. I was nothing but a monster in his eyes. As I struggled to rise to my feet, a bitter mix of betrayal and hatred flooded my heart. I was lost, unsure of what to do next, but one thing was certain—I couldn't have Tyler as my mate. Fate couldn't be so cruel.

Another surge of agony coursed through my body, causing me to gasp and cling to the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree. I pressed my forehead against the rough bark, seeking solace in its grounding presence as I battled the relentless pain. It was in moments like these that I questioned the sanity of the world I lived in. How could it be that one man presented me with an arranged mating, while another I yearned for but couldn't have, and the one I trusted and believed would support me labeled me a monster?

With a mixture of frustration and despair building inside me, I tilted my face toward the darkened moon above and unleashed a long, mournful howl. I no longer cared if the world heard my anguish. In that moment, I embraced my identity as a lone wolf shifter, caught in the intense throes of my first mating heat. To hell with all of them.