Elliot.
I made it back to my cabin, breathless, every nerve in my body buzzing. My legs felt weak as I slammed the door shut behind me, leaning heavily against it. My hands were trembling, and my heart refused to slow its rapid pace. What the hell had I just seen? The growl, the marks, and that..thing that was more than just an animal. The way it stood, the way its eyes gleamed with an unnatural intelligence, was something far worse. I stumbled over to the kitchen table and collapsed into a chair, my body finally catching up to my brain. My pulse hammered in my ears, a drumming rhythm that drowned out everything else. The cool air coming from the window did nothing to touch the heat seeping through my skin, every muscle wound up tight like a coiled spring. Ready to snap. That thing could have killed me. I could have still been there, torn to shreds, if it wasn’t for what had scared it off. What was that howl? Like something out of a nightmare, both terrifying and oddly protective? It was strange, but when I heard it, I felt a sliver of hope, like I wasn’t alone out there. No, that didn’t make sense. This wasn’t some fairytale where a mysterious stranger comes to rescue some lost idiot in the woods. I had just been lucky, plain, and simple. But to write that article, I needed to figure out what that creature was… and fast. I just had to call Frank first. My hands shook as I dialled Frank's number, a jolt of adrenaline coursing through me each time the phone rang. When he picked up, it was like hearing the calm before a storm. “Harper?” Frank’s voice was sharp, more serious than usual. “Please tell me you didn't try to investigate this evening.” “I’m back home,” I said, my voice shaky despite my efforts to sound calm. “There's some kind of creature there. What the hell is going on, Frank?” There was a long pause on the other end of the line, the kind of silence that tells you the other person is trying to figure out what to say without giving too much away. “Listen, I don’t have all the details yet,” Frank finally said, his tone low. “But I’ve been hearing things from a few sources. Weird sightings in the woods, tracks that don’t belong to any animal we know of, and then there’s the claw marks. People are scared, Harper. This is more than just some wild animal wandering into town. It’s something else.” My stomach twisted at his words. “What do you mean ‘something else’? Like… supernatural?” Frank hesitated, and that pause was enough to confirm my worst fears. “I’m not saying it is. But I’m not saying it isn’t either. Whatever it is, it’s not normal. And it’s dangerous.” I ran a hand through my hair, trying to process this. “So, what now? Do I keep digging, or do I let this go?” “You need to be careful, Elliot,” Frank said, his voice firm. “I know this is your kind of story, but don’t get yourself killed over it. Look into it, but don’t do anything reckless. I need you alive to write the damn article.” “Gee, thanks for the concern,” I muttered, but I couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling beneath my fear. This was the first real story I’d had in years, something that wasn’t just roadwork or town meetings. A mystery. It was a real mystery, and I was in the middle of it. But that excitement was quickly tempered by the memory of the creature’s glowing eyes and the sheer terror I’d felt in its presence. Whatever that was, it was no joke. “I’ll be careful,” I said, though I wasn't even sure how much I meant it. “I’ll call you if I find anything.” “Good. Keep me posted.” Frank’s voice softened a little. “And Harper… seriously, watch yourself. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” The line went dead, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The sun was already starting to set, casting long shadows across the yard. The woods loomed like a dark barrier, hiding whatever secrets they held. For the first time in years, I felt alive, my blood pumping with adrenaline instead of numbness. Why couldn’t I shake the dread that clung to me like a second skin, then? I needed more information. I needed to talk to someone who might know more about what was happening in those woods, and I knew the perfect candidate to talk to. If anyone knew anything, it would be her. Grabbing my jacket, I headed out the door, my breath fogging in the cold air. The walk to the diner was short, and when I arrived, the place was still quiet, the lunch crowd long gone. Mrs. Pritchard stood behind the counter, wiping down the tables with a dishcloth. She looked up when I walked in, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Elliot? Twice in one day? You must really like my coffee.” I managed a weak smile as I approached the counter. “It’s not the coffee, Mrs. Pritchard. I need to ask you something about those claw marks you mentioned earlier.” Her expression darkened immediately, and she set the cloth down, folding her arms across her chest. “I figured you’d be curious about that. It’s not the first time we’ve seen marks like those around here, you know.” I raised an eyebrow. “It’s not?” She shook her head. “Nope. About twenty years ago, we had a similar situation. Deep claw marks on trees, strange animal sightings, and pets disappearing. Folks were spooked back then, too. But it all stopped after a while, like whatever it was just… left.” My mind raced. This wasn’t a new phenomenon. It had happened before. “Do you remember what people thought it was? Did anyone ever figure it out?” Mrs. Pritchard hesitated, her eyes darting around the empty diner as if she was afraid someone might overhear. “There were rumours. People talked about wolves, but not the kind you see on those nature documentaries. These were bigger, smarter. Some folks said it was a curs. Others thought it was a government experiment gone wrong. But no one ever found any real proof.” I frowned. “And now it’s happening again?” She nodded. “Looks that way. But this time, it feels different. People are more on edge, and the animals… Well, they’re acting stranger than usual.” “What do you mean?” “Just last week, someone found a deer carcass near the ridge.The thing was torn apart like it had been attacked by something big. But no bear or mountain lion does that kind of damage, at least not around here.” I swallowed hard, my mind flashing back to the creature I’d seen in the woods. “Did anyone see anything?” I wouldn’t be surprised if it was responsible for that. Mrs. Pritchard leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “There’s been talk of something… large, moving through the woods at night. Some say it walks on two legs, and others say it’s a giant wolf. But whatever it is, it’s fast. And it doesn’t leave any tracks.” A chill ran down my spine. “Do you believe it?” She studied me for a long moment, her eyes hard and unreadable. “I’ve lived here long enough to know when something’s off. I don’t know what’s out there, but I do know one thing… it’s not natural. And it’s dangerous.” I nodded slowly, the weight of her words sinking in. This wasn’t just some local legend or overactive imaginations. Something real was out there, and it was big. “I’ll be careful,” I said again, though this time, I wasn’t sure how careful I could be when the pull to uncover the truth was so strong. Mrs. Pritchard gave me a tight-lipped smile. “You do that, Elliot. And if you find yourself out in those woods again, keep your eyes open and your head on straight.” I thanked her and made my way out of the diner, the evening air biting at my skin. The sun had set, and the sky was a deep, inky blue, the first stars just beginning to twinkle. The woods loomed even darker now, an ominous presence on the horizon. I tried to convince myself that it was just a story... just a wild animal gone wrong on the prowl, nothing more. But as I walked back toward my house, with the woods behind me, the hairs on the back of my neck prickled, and I swore I heard a low growl, distant but unmistakable. No, it wasn't finished. And neither was I.Elliot.The early morning fog clung to the forest like a secret, the sun barely breaking through the thick canopy of trees.I stood at the edge of the woods, my breath misting in the cool air.It was now or never.Every fibre of my being screamed at me to turn back, to leave thus cursed place, and never look back. But something deeper... some kind of pull I couldn't explain drew me in.It wasn't just curiosity anymore.My boots crunched against the dried leaves and twigs as I took my first steps into the woods, the sound echoing unnaturally loud in the otherwise silent morning.The trail was faint, barely recognizable from the surrounding undergrowth, but I remembered the direction I had run the previous night. The glowing eyes, the sharp claws, and that howl... it seemed to plague my dreams now.If that creature was out there, I had nothing but an axe I had found in the garage of my house. It wouldn't kill him, but I had to know more.Figure out what was in these woods, not just for
Elliot.I had to keep moving, forcing my legs forward, even with each step heavier than the last.The man I was dragging through the woods felt like dead weight now, his body limp, bleeding, and barely conscious.I glanced over my shoulder, heart pounding in my chest. It was hard to see anything behind me, but I knew something was out there.Lurking."Come on, man. Stay with me," I muttered through clenched teeth. His weight dragged me down, each step slower than the last. "Just hold on a little longer."He groaned, his head rolling to the side in his barely conscious state. Blood seeped through his torn shirt, and I could feel the wetness of it on my hands as I tried to support him.It was everywhere.I glanced down at him, shaking him lightly. "Hey! Hey, can you hear me?"His eyelids fluttered, and a weak gasp escaped his lips. "Run," he managed to say, though the words were barely audible."I'm not leaving you," I said firmly, trying to ignore the panic clawing at the edges of my m
Elliot. The fire in the living room crackled softly as I knelt beside the unconscious man, cleaning the gashes on his chest with as much care as I could muster. My mind still raced as I tried to piece together what had happened in the woods. The creature behind us. How it suddenly disappeared the moment we were out of the woods. What was it? I glanced up at the man's face, pale and slick with sweat, as I worked on bandaging a particularly nasty cut on his side. Only something as horrible as what was in those woods could have done something like this. I was sure of it. As I finished wrapping the last bandage, his body stirred. His eyes fluttered open, bleary, and unfocused. “Hey, take it easy,” I murmured, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him from moving too quickly. “You’re safe. Just… try to relax.” His gaze darted around the room, panic flashing in his eyes before they landed on me. He flinched, trying to sit up, but I gently pushed him back down. “Where am I?” he
Damien. The air in the woods had been heavy, thick with the scent of my blood and the howl of something I wished I'd never heard. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, urging me to go back, to get to him. To the nameless stranger that had rescued me. I never should have let my guard down. Should have kept running. That was what rogues do. We did not get involved. We did not stay. We survived. But him... I clenched my fists, the human side of me fighting the wolf, torn between instinct and reason. My legs were aching from the miles I'd covered since I'd heard the howl, but something kept pulling me back. Him. How on earth had that puny human run with an unconscious me through this woods? My wolf growled low in my chest. "He's our mate." He didn't understand why I was hesitating. It never did. Wolves weren't wired like humans, they didn't care about logic or consequences. And it knew the man was ours. Ours to protect. Ours to stay with. But we couldn’t stay. Not with what w
Elliot. It was hard to think yesterday had actually happened. But after giving him a room to use as his and watching him eat cereal from a bowl this morning, I couldn't deny it. Damien. His name echoed in my mind, an unwanted anchor tied to my thoughts. I'd spent the night pacing, replaying every moment from yesterday, every word spoken. But right now, I didn't need this. This tension which seemed to simmer under my skin. Not when the mayor had sent someone to track whatever was happening in these woods. And that person was Frank. By the time I walked into the newspaper office, I was already on edge, barely holding it together. The tiny bell above the door jingled, and I braced myself. But Frank was already there, leaning against my desk, a smug grin stretching across his face. His eyes scanned me, searching for something to arouse his suspicion again. "Rough night, Elliot?" He asked with a pointed tone. I forced a smile, dropping my bag onto my desk. "Nothing a little coff
Elliot. It took a few days for me to get used to seeing Damien in my cabin. To get used to his… presence. The crackling of the fireplace filled the quiet cabin as I glanced over at Damien, who lounged on the old leather armchair across from me. He had been staying with me for almost a week now, and we had settled into an unspoken truce, an odd but comfortable rhythm of shared meals, stolen glances, and late night conversations that never strayed close to the truth. Or the questions I wanted to ask. There was something comforting about him being here. The way he was always watching, always on edge, as if he were guarding something precious. "So," I started, breaking the silence. "When would you tell me about how your wounds disappeared within a day." Damien's lips rose in a half-smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I have really good genes." “Good genes,” I repeated, leaning forward. “First time I'm hearing of such a thing. Good genes don't usually lead to fast wound h
Elliot. Before I could ask again, my front door slammed open with a bang, yanking both Damien and me from the silence that had settled between us. I barely had time to react before Frank burst into the cabin, looking like he'd just unearthed a buried treasure... or worse, set a deadly trap. "Harper!" He practically shouted, his voice brimming with urgency. "You won't believe what I found!" Damien's sort of relaxed posture changed instantly, vanishing as he reclined deeper into the chair. His hazel eyes watched us, cold and calculating. "Frank," I snapped, struggling to keep my irritation in check. "What the hell are you doing barging in here?" Frank’s gaze darted to Damien, his frown deepening before snapping back to me. "I need to talk to you. Now." "About what?" I asked, glancing nervously at Damien, who just watched us, unnervingly still, his eyes locked on Frank. I wondered what was going through that mind of his. Frank hesitated, his tension evident when he finally spoke.
Elliot. "If you're so interested in dying, then be my guest. Go into the woods." Damien's words lingered like smoke in the air, poisonous and suffocating. I should have let it go. Any sane person would have. My body still ached from the last time I set foot in those cursed woods, and every nerve screamed at me to stay far away. Yet here I was, perched on the cabin steps as twilight deepened, my curiosity a dangerous vice. Damien had been restless for days, vanishing into the night without a word. Ever since that night, he had avoided me like I was the plague, leaving only the faintest hint of his presence... muddy boots by the door, or the lingering scent of pine and earth. Reports of claw marks spreading through town had reached fever pitch. Everyone was afraid. I should have been too. But fear was nothing compared to the pull for answers. The cabin door slammed shut behind me as Damien stalked past, his jaw clenched, his hazel eyes glinting under the fading light. "Are yo
Elliot.And people blamed me for disappearing for five years.What the heck had just happened?The night felt heavier after Damien left. His silhouette disappeared into the darkness, and with it, any sense of normalcy I thought we still had.Something was wrong... terribly wrong... and if he wouldn't tell me, I'd figure it out myself."Elliot, honey, what's going on? Is Damien alright?"I hesitated, not wanting to alarm her. “I don’t know, Mom. He just… needs some time to himself.”She wanted to say more. The way she moved around and her lips purse together. But thankfully, she kept them to herself and just motioned for me to come inside."You too. It's late, and you shouldn't be out in the cold."Yeah, she was right.I nodded but didn't move. "Mom, who was that man? Ryan?"Her brown eyes narrowed slightly, the worry on her face deepening. Once upon a time, my mom was the prettiest woman in the land, now the stress of old age, a child who disappeared for years, and work had worn her d
Damien."We need to talk."It was one thing for someone to barge into someone's house, neighbour or not. It was another thing for said person to come after a person eating dinner and minding their own business.The tension in the dining room was suffocating. The burly man, Ryan, stood close to the doorway, his shoulders blocking out the light. His eyes were still locked on mine, and I felt the weight of it as though it could crush me where I sat.Elliot’s family watched warily, their smiles vanishing. I would have given a million bucks to know what was going on in their mind."I said," Ryan repeated, his tone low and deliberate. "We need to talk, Damien."Elliot bristled beside me, his chair scraping the floor as he stood. "What the hell is going on? Who are you?" His voice was like sharpened knives. Ryan didn't spare him a glance. His focus was entirely on me, his lips curling into something between a smirk and a sneer. "You know who I am, kid."My stomach twisted.I didn't know thi
Damien.I didn't feel much better the next morning.No matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was probably imagining things, and I couldn't probably have gutted a random girl in the street of New York.Not even a little.My stomach was a tangled mess of nerves, excitement, and uncertainty as Elliot drove us to his childhood home deeper in the city of New York.I had no idea what to expect from meeting his family... what kind of impression I would make, and whether they would accept me.But as much as I hated to be introduced as just a friend, part of me was eager to just see the life he had grown up in, to understand him a little better.Elliot tightened his hand on the wheel, his eyes focused on the road. He looked different today... a bit more casual, no more of the anxiety filled, heightened senses, intense persona he'd been wearing.He looked lighter, almost... happy.It made me want to reach out, slam my lips on those perfect lips, and continue our activity from yester
Damien.This probably wasn't the best time for this.I didn't kiss Elliot because I wanted to. Not that I didn't want to, but not when he was confessing his guts out about what happened to his dead fiancée five years ago.That wouldn't be fair. Not to him. Not to me. But he was so close.His lips trembling with each word, his breath ragged as if the weight of the past was too much to carry on his own.And his eyes... moon goddess, his eyes... they were darker than usual, filled with so much pain that I could feel it in my own chest.And yet... all I could think about was how much I wanted him.Maybe it wasn't the best time. Maybe it was a terrible idea.But the way he looked at me, the way he leaned into me when I touched his face, it felt like an invitation I couldn't turn away from.I cupped his jaw, brushing my thumb over the stubble on his chin, the action almost instinctive. This wasn't the first time we kissed. He had a whole mark on his neck from me.But it just felt right.
Elliot."You can't possibly know that."I pushed Damien's hand off my shoulder, barely sparing him a glance. "Leave me alone.""Elliot...""Just... please." I didn't wait for a response, ducking out of the restaurant and into the streets.I heard Damien's footsteps behind me at first, his steady, relentless presence tracking me, but I didn't turn around.He'd catch on eventually. I just needed space.My feet took me though blocks and alleys without thought, my mind whirling with everything Ethan had thrown at me, every accusation he'd nailed to my skin. I didn't care where I was going, as long as I was alone.Everything...The neon lights outside an old boutique caught my eye, and I stopped, hesitating. This was her boutique.The one she dragged me to whenever she could. One she loved.How did I make it here?I knew every inch of the store... each table, every display, the delicate scent of lavender that lingered on everything she’d brought back from it on the days she didn't drag m
Elliot."Ethan, enough!"The walls here felt like they were closing in on me the moment I heard Ethan’s voice. His eyes, so similar to mine in shade but hardened with something darker, held a glint of satisfaction at catching me off guard and making me lose my marbles.The asshole.I felt Damien's hand under the table, firm on my knee, grounding me. But my heart was already pounding so hard, and my grip on the glass of water tightened as I forced myself to meet my brother’s eyes."I'll meet them when I'm ready." I managed, voice barely above a whisper."When you're ready, huh?" Ethan laughed exactly like he did when we were younger. Mockingly. He drew curious glances from a few tables nearby. "That shouldn't surprise me. It also wouldn't surprise me if you never showed up. That's your specialty."The words sliced through me, unearthing memories I'd tried to bury. Damien's hand tightened on my knee, but it did nothing to soften the impact. My throat had closed up, my mind already spir
Damien.The moment we crossed into New York, I could feel the tension building in Elliot.His body had gone rigid beside me, his fingers clenched tightly into the fabric of his jeans.His face was drawn, mouth a thin line as he stared straight ahead, his eyes wide, darting from side to side like he couldn't keep up with everything.“Elliot.” I kept my voice calm, steady. “You okay?”His shoulders twitched, but he didn't answer, his eyes flicking to the blaring car horn, the flashing billboards, the sea of people moving like a torrent down the side walks.It was rush hour, and every sound seemed amplified.I could feel Elliot's pulse racing just by looking at him. "Damien," he finally whispered, voice trembling. "It's… it’s too much. It’s..."His words cut off as a siren blared behind us, and he clamped his hands over his ears, wincing. I watched his face go pale, his eyes glassy as he tried to steady himself.I was so glad we changed positions earlier when he complained of cramps."A
Damien."Two weeks. No more."Frank's truck was actually not what I had expected. It wasn't a beat-up old thing that reeked of stale cigarettes and sweat.There weren't food wrappers and coffee mugs littered around.It was clean. Smelled like lavender with very comfortable seats.Which, in turn, made me very uncomfortable. But the moment Elliot slid into the driver’s seat, his hands curling around the steering wheel, I felt something strange... almost like I was where I was supposed to be.Frank had thrown the keys at him with a hard look, grumping. "Nothing should happen to it, Elliot. And if you dare extend this so-called break with a minute, I'll consider you as good as gone. I'm already hanging by a thread with the last break you took."He'd walked off with barely another word, but I hadn't missed the anger in his eyes when he glanced back at me.After all, I made him give Elliot his truck."Ready?" Elliot’s voice brought me back. He was watching me, eyebrows raised, as if he cou
Elliot.The next morning came in a haze of soft, warm light filtering through the thin curtains.The world outside was quiet, as though it respected the fragile calm that was within me.Damien left earlier.Perhaps to do some light hunting or other werewolf stuff.It gave me time to let my fingers grazed where he had marked me last night. A reminder of the bond we had forged... another reminded that Damien and I were actually mates."One cannot mark someone who is not their mate." A line from the book jumped at me.I was lost in the sensation, the dull ache of the mark that seemed to reach deeper than the skin.My hand lingered there, pressing against the slight swell of soreness when the door opened, and in walked Damien, a wolfish smile tugging at his lips.His eyes drifted immediately to my hand resting on the mark."Does it hurt?" He asked, concern lacing his voice."A little," I admitted, trying not to sound too vulnerable. "But it's... manageable."He sat down on the edge of the