Chapter 1 The Night Hunt

The forest was lively as the crickets were noisy. The full moon floated high in the sky and its light brightened the darkest places. This may have been a dangerous place, but it was also where I lived. The smell of wet earth and leaves were strong as my nose reacted to it.

My movements were silent, with boots merely scratching the fallen leaves, my senses were strained. My mask tugged my face, hiding my features, concealing my identity.

My hair stood up when I heard a low rustle beside me. My hand clawed to the hilt of my dagger, feeling the warmth of the grip, under my fingers. A rogue had dared to step in my territory. Its decision to come out tonight was a poor choice.

I hid behind a tree as I watched carefully. Creases forming in-between my eyebrows as I frowned. The animal grunted, as it walked around on all fours looking for what to eat. It had wounds on its body, like it came from fighting for survival.

Its little eyes sparkled under the moonlight. It looked weak and hungry.

I drew in a deep breath, as I calmed my nerves. Rodrick had taught me to fight me well. My moves were calculated. I had been preparing for this moment, since the day I was born, in addition to my hatred for these beasts that murdered my parents in cold blood.

The wolf attacked before I was fully prepared but I was already. My dagger shone under the moon as it sliced through the rogue across the shoulder. The wolf cried out sharply, almost sounding human before I took advantage. I pierced through it three times more without any pause before it fell to the group with a loud thud and everywhere was silent again.

I stood up, my breaths heavy as my eyes scanned through the trees. I don't believe in victories, because there's always more out there. The hunt was never ending and tonight, I feel that another surprise could be waiting for me.

Soon enough, I heard an almost silent growl behind me. I turned around, my heart beating against my ribs. A larger presence appeared from the shadows_a werewolf, but it was bigger and had more presence than any ordinary werewolf that I had ever seen. His fur was dark, with silver strips on its shoulders. That was when I realized_this was an alpha. It was literally aura farming and the vibe around him was different.

He looked at me like he was ready to rip me apart. My grip tightened around my daggers, trying to calm my shaky hands.

"You aren't supposed to be here," his voice deep with command. "This fight isn't yours."

"It's none of your business." I spat back, sweat dripping from my forehead. How could it speak in its wolf form? Well, I guess that's one of the perks of being an alpha.

My saliva almost choked me as I swallowed hard. I felt the urge to run, but how could I run because of their kind? I would rather die in battle than admit defeat.

"You should go home now, while I'm being nice." I continued with a firm voice as I held my head up high. He should realize that I'm not here to play.

The alpha bent his head. His gaze locked on me intently like he was studying me. Perhaps, he wanted to know if I'd make the first move. His looks pierced through my chest, and for a second it felt like he saw me for who I really was.

The alpha came closer to me and lunged at the dead wolf, growling to show control. His presence was already powerful enough. “Show off." I said, rolling my eyes.

I prepared to protect myself, knowing that I was next. But, he just turned around and stared at me while circling me. A flicker of recognition in his golden eyes.

Soon, something unexpected happened. My body began to vibrate. My bones cracked. Muscles stretched. My senses became more aware- sight, sound, smell. Everything was faster and clearer than ever before.

I looked down and there I was on all fours—my hands had turned into fore limbs and my legs became hind limbs. My once hairy skin had become furs.

I ran to the river nearby and looked at my reflection. My heart literally stopped for a minute before I realised—I was a werewolf. How was it possible that I had become the very beast that I swore to kill?

I looked up at the full moon and snarled. The sound was from my throat but it felt unfamiliar. The dead rogue was forgotten. I was now the spotlight. I didn't know when I did that, but my heart yearned for it.

For the alpha? He just stood there, staring at me. Like, a mix of shock and surprise. It also showed recognition, though it didn't make sense to me.

I felt the urge to dig the ground and I couldn't control myself the dust packed beneath my claws. This change wasn't what I ever expected, yet everything about it felt right. It made me feel whole and powerful.

The alpha came closer carefully, not in a way like he wanted to attack me. Instead, his eyes narrowed. He walked around me like he was calculating his steps. I think he was studying me.

"You're one of us." He sounded sure, yet fascinated.

I staggered back, still trying to catch up with what happened. "No. That's not possible." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I am or should I say, I was a normal human, trained to destroy these beasts. And now, I had become the very thing that I swore to kill.

My nose caught a mix of scents_earth, wood and rain. I don't know why, but it smelled so good.

The alpha stepped closer. Why won't he just leave for crying out loud. I've had enough of him already.

"Mate." He coughed out of his muzzle in an annoying way.

My stomach growled, not from hunger but from confusion and other feelings that I couldn't explain.

From my study of werewolves, I knew what a mate was. It wasn't an ordinary word. It carried weight, meaning and a deep connection. I shook my head, trying to shake off this feeling that made my wolf stir inside me.

I could see his doubt, marked by caution. "You can feel it too." He mumbled, almost like he was only speaking to himself.

I moved backwards, realising how serious this was. Everything I thought I knew was useless. My world had changed and I wasn't even ready.

"Don't come close." I screamed with a voice that my eyes couldn't recognise.

My mind raced, trying to process everything. This wasn't part of the mission. Not a part of my uncle's teaching. Not a part of my training.

He didn't come closer. He just simply stood there, watching me fight within myself. My confusion, my fear was in the air as the wind brushed by.

There was a commanding presence he had that I couldn't ignore. And though I tried to fight it, a part of me wanted to reach out to my mate.

But I didn't want to. Not now. I had something to fulfill. It was revenge and nothing else mattered to me, not even this stupid mate.

Then, I turned around and ran through the forest. My claws scratched the earth as I ran with a speed that I had only imagined as a human. My senses were unbeatable as the wind slapped my fur.

I stopped towards the end of the trees as I fell behind a thick bush, trying to catch my breath. The moon looked fuller and brighter than it did before. It now meant something to me. I felt something tug inside me. Must have been my wolf, I guess. It was restless, hungry for freedom and wanting to take control.

I had taken a hint of a power that I was never aware of, and a connection that I couldn't bring myself to understand. And the alpha, I know he was out there somewhere, waiting and watching me.

Suddenly, everything became blurry, I staggered as my eyes became heavy and everywhere went dark. I was falling into a deep sleep that I had no control over.