LANDON: The haunting howls of Venita reached me, an agonizing heightened wave of pain that stirred unrest within me. My initial intent was not to return home for any reason, especially since I had been preparing to go to my pack for the first time in years. The pull toward my pack felt undeniable, a strong force that hinted at a different full moon experience. While concern for Venita remained, the priority rested with my pack, particularly the new wolves set to undergo their inaugural transformation. I hadn't seen the situation of things, and it was only right I went following the attack we suffered. I feel I have been focused on every other thing, neglecting my primary duty as an Alpha to a prestigious pack.I had Cross gather supplies essential for pain, food, and random gifts. I don't know why I went for those nonetheless. It made me feel good. My pack was rich. Had everything anyone could desire. Lived in luxury. We were all around prosperous. Don't even get me started on the har
LANDON: When we stepped outside, the cool night air caused her fur to rise. In the moonlight, Venita looked every bit like the magnificent creature I had glimpsed in my dream back in Shanghai. She seemed to embrace her newfound confusion, jumping up and down on her paws. Sprinting from one end to the other, I found myself catching up with her each time. She was like a kid with a new toy, recklessly enjoying the freedom of her wolf form. "What are mine? I mean, I know. But, am I really a wolf?" she asked, her excitement overflowing. Without waiting for an answer, she began howling, a spontaneous expression of joy pulsating through her. Her howls echoed in the night until she strained her voice. I was happy that she embraced this aspect of herself, finding joy rather than fear. Yet, a lingering worry tugged at me. What if she had noticed she was surrounded and about to be shot at if I didn't intervene? I had Cross send Greg back to the pack house for security since I was with him. I n
LANDON: With each cautious step, I surveyed the area, ensuring our safety as we traversed the woods. We remained in our wolf forms, a decision made to heighten our senses and evade any potential threats. My focus was on guiding us back to my house; a place where I could better control the environment and protect us from the unknown danger that lurked in the shadows. The moonlit path was both our ally and enemy, casting silvery beams that illuminated our way but also left us exposed to prying eyes. I traded glances with Venita, a silent exchange of reassurance as we moved with a heightened awareness of our surroundings. Leaves slapped against our furs which bristled in the night air, dust filling our nostrils from each paw that undug some part of the earth we trod on. Approaching the turn in the woods that led back to my house, a subtle bolt of a sense of security hung in the air. It was a crucial juncture, a point where our path took a different, ominous turn. As we neared the fami
LANDON:Venita, caught in the throes of her primal nature, chased after him. "Stop!" I commanded again as I ran after her, but she paid no heed, catching up to the kid and sinking her teeth into his ankle. The boy's screams pierced the night, and I knew the situation had escalated beyond my control. Without hesitation, I leapt in, shoving her hard with my hand. She took a defensive stance, sneering at me. The child seized the opportunity to limp away while I struggled to slow Venita without causing harm. In an unexpected turn, she retaliated, biting into my side, a sharp pain radiating through me. I wasn't healing, a troubling realization that slowed me down. "Venita..." I groaned in pain as she took off, deviating toward the main road. This was a nightmare unfolding before me. She would be spotted by other humans. As a first-time wolf, little things triggered their hunting instinct. On her note, it was the flashlight and calling her a monster that caused it and she wouldn't stop unt
LANDON:I struggled to rein in my anger, knowing that the fury coursing through me had the potential to sever the fragile bonds within our pack, especially with Cross. The intensity of his words stung, each accusation piercing through the armor of leadership I had worn for years. "You brought this upon us, choosing her over your own people. How could you leave everything for that woman with a child? Is our pack going to accept a bastard child? That would bring shame. You sacrificed the lives of over two hundred wolves for one. Look at the lifeless bodies; women, men, and children whose futures were cut short because of your selfish choice," Cross's accusations were like a heavy fog, trying to cloud my mind, each word a dagger aimed at the core of my decisions. I had bottled up this anger and shielded myself from the inner demons, but now it threatened to spill over. The lifeless bodies around us bore witness to the consequences of my choices, the toll of a path chosen with the heart
VENITA:I found myself lying naked in Landon's basement. Chains bound my ankles and wrists, and my throat felt parched. The darkness made it challenging to see, and my body ached as I tried to adjust. "Help! Is anyone out there?" a hoarse cry escaped me, seeking any sign of life. Struggling against the restraints, my skin scraped against the unforgiving chains. Numbness spread, making it difficult to move. Swallowing felt like wrestling with lumps in my throat, a strange taste lingering in my mouth. With slow effort, I managed to sit up, my back meeting the cold wall. The basement had transformed. No weird weapons or wolf heads remained; it was now an empty space with chain loops on the walls. Exhaustion overwhelmed me the more I tried to stay awake.The more I sat silently, chained, the more memories flooded in like an ocean. Memories of me becoming a wolf, my daughter calling me a monster, Landon revealing his nature to me until I lost control killing...The steel door cracked open
VENITA:"I'm sorry about the chains," he apologized, reaching for an oil in the small box I hadn't noticed was placed on the bed. He massaged each wrist with the oil before moving to my ankles, his touch tender and precise, conveying a sense of safety. He returned the oil and sat next to me.Slowly, I dragged my gaze to meet his, searching his eyes for something. Landon was a master at hiding his emotions, but this time, it wasn't hidden. His eyes held sadness and pain."I will start from the obvious. You're a wolf," he announced. "I already told you that during your transformation. Why are you like this?" he asked, "I don't know. We're still trying to figure it out given that your parents weren't wolves, and you weren't bitten. Nonetheless, during when we met, the first stages of carrying out tests on you, we found out that your genetics were mutilated.""By who?" I abruptly asked, surprised at that information. "If I'm getting this straight, you're saying that you carried out tests
LANDON:There was nothing more frustrating than fighting a ghost as an enemy or dealing with disobedience. Venita having access to my basement, despite all the warnings, was intolerable. Yet, at that moment, there was nothing I could do. My plate was full, and thoughts of punishing her for her disobedience weren't a priority.Dr. Grant checked her out with Cross guarding, cautious in case she retaliated. Even if she went feral, I didn't want to see her treated like a slave. I didn't realize Cross would go for that, even though she had a tendency to tear everyone who crossed her path into pieces. Her fierceness intensified with her wolf.Over the next few days, I went about my work as usual, even granting a couple of interviews. I was clear of the virus, and there were no recent deaths. Venita wasn't infected either, but she underwent training to master herself, overseen by Cross and Dr. Grant. Cross wasn't happy, but I didn't care. Dr. Grant was always excited to talk about each encou