6
Larz
“Strange to be out here at this time of night.” An aggravating, familiar voice stopped me as I made my way back into the forest.
I turned cautiously, finding the girl who had tried to ask Ilona out earlier observing me from just beyond the trees.
She stood with her arms crossed and chest puffed.
Her pale skin glowed under the moonlight, her icy blue eyes piercing holes through my skin.
She was clean cut and stiff, completely opposite from me.
“Strange to go on a nighttime stroll?” I countered.
“It's pretty well-known to avoid the woods at night.” She stepped towards me and my body thrummed, ready to shift.
“Oh, is it? Then what are you doing here?”
“Stay away from her.” She stepped towards me, her scowling face coming clear into view. Threads of hate twisted in the wrinkles on her forehead as her brows knit, looking me up and down.
“You mean Ilona? The girl whose name you barely know? The one who chose to spend time with me over you? Seems like you’re the one who should take the hint and keep your distance.”
“I know what you are, and I’ll tell her.” I’d never heard a voice so thick with hate.
A throaty chuckle escaped in a huff as I stepped closer, towering over her. An ancient alarm screamed deep in my bones, penetrating through every cell from my very DNA. Whoever she was, she was dangerous.
The thrumming urge to shift became too strong to control. I felt the stinging pressure of my claws and stinger, begging to grow. I clenched my teeth, only allowing myself the slightest relief. I let my eyes shift to their natural black.
The tiny punk in front of me gasped as the whites of my eyes disappeared. I leaned down, so close to her that I could smell the coffee on her breath and fear simmering under her skin.
“What makes you think she doesn’t already know?” My voice lowered to a threatening growl, “What makes you think she doesn’t like it?”
Her nostrils flared, her spittle splashing against my cheeks as she seethed. “You’re a fucking freak.”
“And you’re about to regret setting foot into this forest.” I was teetering on the edge of control.
My entire body pulsated like a giant heartbeat.
It would be so easy to shift and rip her into shreds.
Searing pain stabbed into my palms as I squeezed my fists, my nails digging into the soft flesh.
It was the only thing keeping me grounded and unshifted.
She backed away slowly, her chest still heaving as she disappeared behind the trees. I might regret what I’d just done, but I couldn’t help it. When it came to Ilona, the possession I felt was too strong to control and this small, irritating woman needed to know she couldn’t have what was mine.
Some might’ve called it controlling. Jealous. Crazy. I didn’t care. Ilona was mine and I’d rather expose myself to the world than have anyone else think for a second they could lay claim on her.