Chapter 1: Introduction
The storm came up violent and quick, a cacophony of howling wind and sheets of rain lashing against Sarah's small car. Where she thought she saw well-trodden forest trails only moments before, a deluge of inky darkness consumed all but her high beams' weak glow.
Her wipers couldn't keep up, a problem compounded by the lack of street lamps or any indication of civilization within the vast expanse of forest hugging the road's curbs.
She leaned forward, knuckles white on the wheel, brows furrowed. Her heart, already somewhat elevated, now raced.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure darted in front of her, causing her to swerve and slam the brakes. The car fishtailed, skidding in the mud, and stopping just short of a tree. Sarah gasped! Shaken, she spotted the figure crawling on all fours.
"What on earth...?" Sarah murmured, as she cautiously climbed out of her car, gripping her umbrella.
The wind howled, eager to steal it away. The figure raised its head, now more visible in her headlights.
Fear clutched at Sarah's throat, but she shook it off. She couldn't just leave and hope for the best. "Hey! Are you okay?" Sarah yelled, squinting against the rain. No answer. Just an eerie, lupine snarl.
Trepidation crept up her spine. She slowed her approach. Suddenly, the figure lunged forward, growling, displaying sharp fangs.
A scream died in Sarah's throat as she stumbled backward, umbrella clattering to the ground. The creature barreled into her, tackling her down with bruising force.
Underneath the matted fur, Sarah glimpsed human eyes—wide with frenzy. Hesitantly, she reached up to touch him, a strange warmth filling her core, concern melding with curiosity.
The beast recoiled, snarling. Sarah brushed tangled strands of hair from her eyes.
She hesitated, hand outstretched, the storm raging unnoticed around her as she locked gazes with the creature above her. His eyes seemed to be pleading, beseeching her.
What happened next, surprised them both.
Her fingers brushed against his cold, wet fur, a spark jumping between them. Sarah gasped softly, her heart skipping a beat. It was like tasting a current of electricity, the jolt causing a warmth, a desire to surge through her veins. He shuddered, gaze softening, eyes fluttering closed.
In awe, Sarah observed the almost imperceptible changes happening before her. A shimmering haze enveloped him, a hint of the moon's glow escaping its dense cloud coverage.
The creature's snarls faded, lips curled back in a grimace as his limbs shrank. Its fur dissipated, muscles relaxed, and the monstrous silhouette receded.
A handsome, naked man now panted above Sarah, eyes glazed in a distant haze.
"M-mark?" Sarah stammered, still trembling with aftershocks of fear and burgeoning desire. An inexplicable pull drew her closer. Was this the same man—or werewolf, she reminded herself—that had just attacked her?
Mark blinked, focusing on her face. Confusion momentarily clouded his features.
"Sarah?" he asked weakly, unsure. He struggled to remember.