Chapter 4


    Something shifted next to me and I slumped sideways onto the ground. Snapping my eyes open at the sudden pain radiating from my shoulder, I sat up. Surprisingly I hurt far less than the last time I''d awoken, but the hot ache had only grown stronger. My skin felt tight and the texture of my clothes brushing againstwasvivid and raw. Finn had stretched out along the ground to grab an apple and woken me. Hunger gnawed at my stomach as well so following his example I gathered a few myself. Looking to the sky, I grimaced. Sunset. I''d slept almost a full day. A faint thumping grew steadily louder and Jaron strode into the clearing followed by a dozen people I didn''t recognize along with the big bald man, Kelber, and the skinny man from yesterday. They all dressed in clothes clearly looted from our village and carried people I did recognize.


    "Dad!"


    He was unconscious over the shoulder of a largebrown-hairedman with dark eyes. Dried Blood coated his face and a crude attempt had been made at bandaging his eye and ear. His pants and shirt were stained red but I couldn''t make out anyinjuriesother than a badly torn legunder the mess of his clothing.


    Our fellow villagers were dumped in the center of the clearing raising a chorus of groans and whimpers. There were fewer of them thanthereshould have been. Out of near sixty of us there couldn''t be more than thirty left. Rushing todad''sside I checked his wounds. Besides the ear and eye his worst injury was his ankle,which was bent to the side unnaturallywiththe whiteness of bonevisible up against the skin. His breath pressed faintly against my face. He was alive. Silent tears slid down my cheeks as I held him.


    "Ali!"


    "June!Mr''sMariet! I''m so glad you''re alive!Where''sPieter?"


    June''shappy expressionat finding me alive soured, replaced quickly with angerfollowed immediately by sorrow.


    "Just there." Shepointed to the edge ofthe gathering. "He''sbreathing,buthe hasn''t woken up atall, noteven when they triedhurtinghim!"


    True to her word Pieter lay on his back upon the grass. Laying dads head gently back on the groundI movedto kneel beside Pieter. His jaw slanted wrongly off the one side, clearly badly broken, and the entire right side of his face was a mottledpurple and black.


    Fury filled me. My glare found Jaron. He stood off to the side, his people at his back and Kelber at his side. They laughed and milled about completely untouched by the suffering around them, suffering they had caused. We were in the grasp of true monsters;monsters who apparently wanted to make us like them.


    With that thought my fury was joined by an equal amount of fear and I turned away. Finn and I tried to make everyone as comfortable as possible before we sat together with June, each being careful not to jostle our injuries.Shouldn’t I be in more pain? Icould still feel the pull on the torn skin of my shoulder every time I moved,but it was just pressure and the tingling hot aching.


    "Is this everyone?"Finn asked June.


    "I think so."


    They both lookedextremely paleand I’m sure I was the same.


    "Where- What are they doing with the bodies?"June’s voice was quiet and quivered slightly, as if she didn’t really want to know the answer.


    Looking over to Old Joe our eyes met and he answered simply.


    "You meanthey''re not in the village?"


    "No."


    "Then don''t think about it. It''s not important right now, just keep doing what you can for them." He nodded to the worst off in the clearing center.


    "Oh gods!How can this be happening?!" June exclaimed.


    "Hah. Youain''tseen nothing yet girlie. The real show''s about to start."Looking up we foundKelberleeringdown at us.Hegestured towards Joe, Mayor Thomas and the others propped upnext to the trees. I couldn''t seewhat he was getting at and just as I went to look awaypale moonlightfelluponthem.With sudden gasps twin beacons of amber lit upthe faces of everyonewhoseskin thelight touched. A sudden cacophony of cracks andgrindingbone drowned out theirgroansa moment later.


    "Time to cull the weak from the strong!" Jaron''s exclamation was met by cheers from his people that quickly grew more guttural, but I was unable to tear my eyes away from the spectacle in front of me.


    My friends, the people I''d grown up with, were transforming into monsters before my eyes. Old Joe started coughing, convulsing violently on the ground. A few moments later he spasmed and went still, his face towards me. I watched as life faded from his eyes, followed soon after by the amber glow that had taken it from him. The ethereal light crawled across theclearingtowards me. The aching heat I''d been feeling grew to an infernoas it crept ever closer, shining upon the grass.June struggled to stand, screaming, while Finn remainedstaringslack jawed.


    Leaping to my feet, I grabbeddad under the arms. Ignoring mypain,Idesperatelydraggedhim away from the moonlight.


    "Finn! Help June!"


    With a shudder Finn seemed torealizehe should be doing something, but it was too late. The same amber light spilled from their eyesand they joinedthe others frantically pulling at their clothes, choking on screams.


    "Youucan''ttrunnnfrommtheemoooooon-lighhtttspearrrgirllll"


    Ignoring Jaron''s twistedtaunt,I pulled with all my strength once more, dragging dad another few feet. He was too big, too heavy;and my leftarm wouldn''t work right, theagony in my shoulder too debilitating. The lightonly gained ground despite my efforts, sliding over the edge of dadsscuffed leatherboots onto the bare skin of his injured leg. His eyes snapped open shininglikeallthe rest.Letting go,I stumbled backwards,falling to one side on the grass.


    "No. Stop this!" I pleaded without knowing who I was pleading too.


    Large, clawed hands closed around my shoulders, pulling me to my feet, facing me towards the light. The moonlight fell upon my face and a bolt of energy raced through me. Like feeding oil to a fire, the inferno inside me exploded outwards and I felt my skin stretch, unable to contain it. The grip on my shoulders released and I fell to my hands and knees screaming. My ribs flexed outward as muscles twisted, bulged and grew taut. I felt my jaw crack and begin to push out, growing fangs forcing my teeth apart. Pain filled every nerve but even it was not left unchanged,thefire inside consumed it,the pain evaporating into a strange sense of release. Staring down at my fingers in front of me among the grass, I watched with burning eyes as long black talons sprouted and grew. My new claws dug into the soil involuntarily as my hands shifted and changed, becoming almost paws but with longer more dexterous fingers. Light brown, almost red fur erupted all over and my poor shredded blouse finally ripped completely. With a series of cracks and pops I felt my spine curve, forcing me to hunch further forward on the ground.


    Panting, I realized it was over. A sudden howl started behind me and new, alien instincts pushed me to add my voice to theirs. Others joined the howl and it built until Ineededto join in. Thrusting my head backwards I howled for all I was worth. As it died down a large black werewolf, Jaron, growled.


    ''Follow. Hunt.''


    Somehow, I understood and adesire, aneedto obey the alpha of the packovercame me. New alien thoughts and feelings mingled with my own. Part of me realized I wasn''t thinking straight, that I''d changed, but an equal new part of me feltnothing but exhilaration.


    Jaron took off up out of the valley and we followed into the forest beyond. Air rushed through my fur, filling my ears as they twitched and swiveled strangely atop my head. Sounds and smells filled my mind with new explicit detail, atapestrythat had always been there just beyond my senses.The darkness barely hindered my vision as I ran, following the pack. New instincts guided me and flexing powerful muscles I leapt over a fallen log, dashing swiftly through the underbrush. A sense of freedom filled me. Moonbeams filtered through the canopy; shafts of light dancing with the movement of the leaves above. It felt right, like I belonged with the pack among the trees and brush. Yet at the same timea small sense ofwrongand fearatthe back of my mind persisted despite my new feelings.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Suddenly we changed direction and I smelt something warm, something alive; the scent offreshly kicked up dirt and wind beneath the trees. The new part of me that reveled in the strength was suddenlyravenous, flushed with the desire to hunt, tokill.Rushing through me it took full control as the thrill of the hunt stole what little focus I''d retained and the chase overtook me. We approached from downwind of our quarry, silent but for the soft pad of paw on grass. Loping swiftly, we broke from the trees with such speed that the small herd of grazing deer next to a large, clear pond never had time to truly escape. We allowed them to run for a few moments, drawing out the hunt, before Jaron leapt upon a large buck. Immediately I pounced upon the nearest prey, an older doe, bringing her to the ground with my jaws closed on her neck. Whipping my head to the side, I bit down hard. A single sharp crack and her struggles ceased beneath me. A quick death. Warm blood filled my mouth, running between my fangs. It was delicious, a rich tapestry I''d never tasted before. I was starving. Ripping and tearing I ate my fill, seeking the parts that smelt the best to my new senses.


    Once sated, I raised my head to gaze out upon the rest of the pack among the trees and my elation at a successful hunt faded. Deer littered the groundand a sense of unstoppable power filled me.Some of the othersdancedaround a pair of adolescent fawns,taking turns swiping them with their claws, reveling in their pain and fear, in their own strength.A feral desireto join them and show my own strength washed through me, but at the same time a sense that this was cruel,wrong occupied the same space. Frozen in place I tried to reconcile the conflicting thoughts fighting for control. Behind the urge to join in, a small sense of confusion came from the new part of my mind.Hunting was for food, drawing out the prey''s pain and death waspointless. Watching a moment, the sense ofconfusiononly grew.Leveraging theconfusion, the sense of wrongness won. Some control returned and suddenly what they were doing was repulsive.They were torturinghelpless fawns,getting off on it,and I''d wanted to join them?I felt sick.Tasting blood and feeling it covering my fingers I looked down at my furred paw-like hands.I''d changed more than just physically, that much was clear. From what was happening in front of me it wasobviousthe others had as well.


    Staring at my sticky, red stained fur, a bottomless pit opened up in my stomach, I felt empty inside.I’m a monster.


    Raising my head, I found a brown furred werewolf pacing toward me. Sniffing the air out of instinct, his scent identified him as Kelber. My new instincts rose up again, only this time in complete agreement with my old self. Crouching, I baredmy teeth, a growl rumbling up my throat involuntarily. Stopping a few feet in front of me he stared into my eyes, seeming enraged at my reaction.


    ''Submit.''


    I felt no need to obey him as I had Jaronand ifhe thinks I''m letting him anywhere near me he''s got another thing coming.


    My growl continued unabated and Kelber stretched himself up to his full height, advancing claws outstretched. His muscles tensed just before he charged, attempting to knock me to the ground. From my crouched position it was easy to dart forward, thrusting upward into his stomach with my claws. The strength of my new muscles surged and his feet left the ground.Forward momentum from his rush causedhim to fly a short distance before slamming headfirst into the trunk of a largetree. He recovered quickly, scrambling up in only a few moments;although he continued shaking his head as if to clear it even after he gained his feet.


    Kelberbegangathering himself for a second charge when Jaron stepped between us, human once more.


    "Looks like we''ve a fight on our hands." His gazeflickeredover me from head totoe, grinning. "Littlemissspear-girlwon''t go easily to hands and knees like a good bitch ayeKel? I''m not one to turn down free entertainment. Go on then." Hestepped back.


    Rage rose within me, along with a feral anticipation for the fight to come. I''d show him who the real bitch was here.


    We stared at each other, neither making a move. If he wanted me, he''d have to come to me, so I waited. This time, he approached slowly, takingcautioussteps forward until he stood just beyond my reach. Lightning fast he jumped forward arms outstretched, attempting to grapple metheground. Yet I was faster still, as he began to move I saw my opening and took it.Withhis arms raised to encircle me I simply leapt directly at him. Colliding with his torso, the force of my leap knocked him onto his back with me directly on top of him.


    Not wasting anytime,I swiped furiously at his neck. The scent of blood from the deer already saturating the air grew thicker as I rippedbloodychunks from his throat with feral glee. Kelber bucked upwards and threw me to the side. I felt to the forest floor, jumping back to my feet the moment after impact.


    Spinning around, I found Kelber crouched low, one hand clutching his throat, the blood pulsing from his throat had already began to slow as his unnatural healing kicked in. I howled in furious joy and scenting his fear, his weakness I pressed my advantage. Darting forwardIwent to rake my claws across his face but he blocked with a forearm and backpedaled. I matched him step for step growing more and more angry as he deflected my swipes with his arms until finally Ithrew myself at him. He didn''t waste his chance. Thrusting his claws outward, the force of my own leap worked against me. His right hand glanced off bone but I felt my ribs crack and his left -hand claws dug deeply into my upper right torso. My own blood joined his on the air, pain washed through me and I was suddenly short of breath as blood bubbled up my throat. Then I landed on him, crushing him to the ground with my weight. Gripping his arm, I ripped his hand out of my chest, ignoring the flash of agony thataccompaniedit. Opening my jaw wide I crunched down on his hand savoring his blood as it ran across my tongue. I felt his bones breaking and he roared in agony, desperately gripping my muzzle with his free hand, trying to pry me off. Releasing his hand, I gripped his shoulder, raising one arm, swiping downwards with all my might towards his face.


    "Enough!"


    Powerful hands stopped me mid swing, liftingmeoff the whining, whimpering little bitch and threw meto the side. Slamming into to the ground a second time, I was slower to recover, panting desperate for air as my right lung failed me. Crawling to my hands and knees, spitting blood, I looked over toKelber. Jaron stood between us, staring at me. Sliding my gaze off himI found a blood covered lumplyingonthe grass behind him.


    Jaron stared at me and all thoughts of continuing, fell away. Still, I''d won.I felt the urge to howl my victory but didn''t have the air to do so. I relaxed. Now that the fight was over the pain I''d been ignoring came to the forefront and I looked down. Fuck. He had made a ruin of my torso. It looked as though I''d been impaled on a spear and I was utterly drenched in blood;his blood from when I tore his neck open, and mine from the gaping hole in my chest. The anger returned and placing a hand over the wound I glared over at Kelber once more. I wanted to kill him, but Jaron wouldn''t allow it,that much was clear from the way he watched me as he stood between us.


    I couldn''t get enough air, but as I sat panting it slowly grew easier and I could feel my lung healing. Glancing around I found the others watching me, bloodlust shining in their eyes.


    "We''ll return to village to sleep and get some clothes. Then I hear there''s some peddlers on their way to the city with news of our attacks, giving away our location." He grinned at ussadistically."We can’t have that.”


    We all watched as Jaron shifted into werewolf form in front of us.


    Forcing Kelber to his feet, howling a successful hunt and with another''Follow'', he entered the trees.Pressure toobeyhis command filled my mind, growing by the moment. I fought to resist howling and succeeded in releasing only a quiet whine. Instead I took what small rebellion I could and dashed to the pond where the deer had grazed.


    The splash of cold water brought me fully back tolucidityand I found myself filled with a raging hurricane of emotion. I hated Kelber. He just expected me to submit to him simply because he wanted me and thought himself the big strong man and me the weak little girl. I''d showed him just who was weak and I felt nothing but satisfaction about it.Bright sparks of bloodlust and desire mixed with confusion,horror and revulsion at the others torturing helpless fawns and getting off on it. And finally, I felt fear. Fear stemming from the fact that I didn''t understand some of my own thoughts and emotions, knowing that I''d never have felt like this before. Fear that I was and forever would be a monster. Even that was tinged with confusion, the new part of me not understanding why I''d feel that way.I’d torn outsomeone''sthroat without the slightest hesitation and all I’d felt was glorious bloodlust driving meforward.Finally, there was Jaron. A disturbing mix of fear, hatred, awe and submission came to the forefront as I thought his name. He''d done this to us, killed so many...and yet he was the alpha, wasn''t it his right?


    The whirlwind of emotion tore at me, threatening to tear me apartand I whimpered, covering my eyes a momentas Itriedto regain control of myself.


    --------


    Running through the treeswasa different experience now that I''d shakenoffsome of the instinctsoverrunningme during the hunt. I still felt the power, the freedom, but they were outweighed bymy growing knowledge that Jaron was right. I had changed in both mind andbody, and so had the rest ofGlimmerdale; those that survived anyway. It happened so quickly, one moment I was a human girl, the next a ravenousbeast.Amonster.


    I caught up to the others back at the clearing amongstthe apple trees, just outside town. Jaron had become human again and was putting on clothes. While everywhere werewolves dragged corpses away. I hadn''t realized so few of us survived, the bodies of my former townspeople littered the ground.


    Stopping beside Joe''s twisted corpse I stared down, crying silently. He lay curled up in the grass, a frozen expression of agony upon his face. Jaron was right again, the weak had been culled from the strong. Only, the strong died instead of letting themselves become monsters,and Joe was the strongest of us.


    Looking up from Old Joe my gaze passed over lifeless faces but I couldn''t find my dad. Relief filled me but it came with an equal amount of guilt and uncertainty. I was so happy he was alive yet also uncertain if this was a fate worse than death.Either wayguilt plagued mefor having our little family remain intact while so many others were shattered or wiped out entirely. On top of that, shouldn''t I feel more grief? There was sadness,but it was distant, an entire lifetime ago;the change had taken it too, leaving a dull achefar less raw than when I''d sat with Finn just yesterday.


    “Guess he was weak after all.” Jaron spoke to me from the clearing center before addressing everyone."We''ll burn the bodies tomorrow before we leave." His lips spread in a sinister smile. "We''ve places to be."