Pain seared through me as my paws stumbled over the uneven ground. My chest heaved, my lungs struggling to suck in breath.
Despite the pain blazing through my body, my mind returned to the life-changing–and likely life-ending–moment that caused this.
As I’d loped through the darkened forest, a scent had hit my nostrils, sending alarm bells ringing in my head. Vampire!
The threat sent a tremor through me.
Werewolves and vampires didn’t mix. And if one was trying to move in on my newly established territory, I had to put a stop to it.
I raised my nose into the air, taking in another few sharp sniffs. Something else walked with the blood-sucker. A human.
Humans were quite easily disposed of in my current form. I’d take care of that then move to the real threat.
I stalked closer, following their scent trail. My yellow eyes made it easy to see them despite the darkness.
My hackles raised instinctively as I spotted them. The human, a female, stood merely feet from me. One quick tear at her throat would end her.
I stepped closer, rustling a pine bough.
My own carelessness could cost me my life, so I had to act fast. With my powerful back legs engaged, I propelled myself forward between two trees and leapt into the air to pounce on the woman.
She shrieked as my claws cut into her flesh. The scent of blood in the air sent me into more of a frenzy as I raised my hackles, saliva pouring into my mouth at the thought of the kill.
“Emily!” the vampire shouted from behind me.
“Get off her, werewolf,” he growled at me.
