Chapter 7 #3
The closer the beast inched to the surface, the more amplified the sounds, allowing me to hear heartbeats from a significant distance.
Along with the feeling that I would soon be losing control, I was also overwhelmed by a stark feeling of euphoria.
I’d forgotten how intense the feeling of freedom could be.
I crouched to the ground, placing one hand on the earth, able to feel the vibrations of other creatures through my fingertips.
Bright colors formed across my field of vision, every hue more vivid.
With my heartrate increasing, I allowed my wolf to pull apart the surface, becoming exposed to the night air.
The transformation started with a painful, sickening crunch in my spine, a snap that forced me onto all fours as I gasped for air. My skin felt as if I was being ripped apart from the inside, the wolf eager to break free.
Coarse fur erupted through my pores, every uttered sound one of anguish as my jaw had already elongated. Within seconds, teeth were altered, forming sharper, denser points. I was shaking as muscles reshaped, stretching as the final steps took place.
Soon, there was little left of my humanity, only a sheer joy in the rush of sensations that hit me with a heavy electrified charge.
After pawing the ground, I scanned the area, searching for any predators. There were none, only small creatures that had already sensed the extreme danger, leaving in droves. While my wolf was very hungry, there would be no feeding. That’s not who we were any longer.
However, we would run free. With human logic fading, my concentration shifted to the feeling of true freedom. As I took off sprinting through the trees, my focus was sharper, every muscle and tendon working in unison.
Every movement was effortless, running at a speed no human could ever accomplish.
I jumped over fallen logs, fighting my way through the underbrush.
Every smell was richer, tastier. The scent of wet dirt and pine hit my senses, keeping them heightened.
My paws fell against the soft soil in a perfect rhythm, orchestrated from instinct, not training.
The wind sang in my ears, a frenetic heartbeat of the wild, pumping in time to my pulse. Before I knew what I doing, I’d run several miles, moving closer to civilization.
By instinct, I knew to avoid the area, a pristine location with several streets of pretty little human homes. But the draw to the area was powerful, preventing me from turning back. I padded closer to one house, easing back on my haunches and studying it.
There was no movement inside although there were lights on. I took a deep whiff, able to detect a faint scent of something soft and feminine.
The fragrance filtered into my core allowing a brief moment of recognition. The woman. Georgia. A low growl permeated the night air and I shifted further into the protected shadow line of the forest when the headlights of a vehicle came into view.
I remained where I was, drawn to the location in a way I couldn’t understand. The car pulled into the driveway, and the lights cut off. Only seconds later, long legs stepped from inside.
Instantly, my pulse increased. Under the full moon, she was even more beautiful than before, her skin glowing while her long hair danced back and forth across her shoulders.
A deep, unsettling wave of hunger swept into every muscle, racing through my bloodstream. Remaining completely still, I enjoyed the sanctity of watching without interference. She took something from the backseat, holding it in her hands while remaining unmoving.
Every inch of me filled with desire, carnal hunger that wasn’t satisfied by either a hunt or fresh kill. The sensation drifted into full vibrations, the effect pushing me to an entirely different edge of need.
As soon as she closed the door, she started to turn toward the house then stopped. Very slowly, she lifted her head toward the exact location of where I was standing. She searched the woods, her scent altering as a moment of true, raw fear gripped her entire body.
Within seconds and against all possibility, her eyes found mine. With her pulse slowing, she dared take a step closer. Then another.
Then even another.
My longing increased along with my heart thudding, beating against my chest. She was coming too close, her fear fading. Another growl rose from my throat, louder in hopes she would hear the sound.
She did, stopping long enough to control her breathing.
Every bit of my body was on fire, every muscle moving from a dull ache to brutal agony.
With almost every scrap of my humanity completely gone, I sensed the danger soon to erupt. She could be hurt or worse. That couldn’t happen.
Backing away, I disappeared further into the woods, jogging a few yards before looking over my shoulder.
At least she’d backed away. I watched as she walked inside, closing and locking the door. She’d be safe for now.
From predators like me.
The desire refused to fade, furrowing even deeper in the darkest recesses of my being. Whether as wolf or man, the longing was as pronounced as it was unacceptable.
I’d need to stay away if for no other reason than to keep her safe.
With every muscle still electrified, I threw my head back and howled.