Chapter 3: Chapter Three

In a split second, my body switched and I lost control of myself. My body contorted, muscles stretching and bones cracking as fur erupted from my skin.

The pain was burning, tearing me apart and I watched through my wolf’s eyes as the men halted, fascination and horror displayed on their faces as they took in the sight before them. I didn't want to fight, didn't want my wolf to transform but I had no control over her, she was an untamable beast and I could taste her wrath and desire for retribution, and no matter how hard I struggled for control, she’d overpowered me and I had to watch with full consciousness because, unlike last night, I hadn't consumed the dark liquid before the transformation to make me lose awareness of my wolf’s actions.

Within moments, the shift was complete and a lethal snarl escaped my throat as I launched myself at the nearest man, moving faster than he could react. My jaws clamped on his arm holding the blade, yanking it from its socket. His scream was cut short as I tore into his throat, blood spraying on the forest ground.

Disgust coursed through me at my wolf’s actions. I needed her to stop, sent a silent plea through my mind at her, begging her to stop. The horror of the killing shook my core and I hated myself for it but I couldn't stop, I had no control over her actions and her movements were swift, filled with fury.

“You beast!” One of the men yelled. “I'm going to kill you and I'm going to take my sweet fucking time!” he swore, lunging at me.

I evaded his blade and it slipped off his hand, clanging to the ground. I leaped toward him, my claws raking across his chest with a sickening sound. He fell, clutching his wound but I didn't bother with him anymore, he won't be getting up.

The acidic smell of fear clouded the air and it pleased me immensely. I glanced at the three other men left, the leader still stood fearlessly but the two behind him scrambled backward, watching me with panic in their eyes.

One of the men took to his heels, screaming and I pounced on him, cutting short his cries as I tore into him, bones snapping under my jaws.

I glanced behind at the last two left, blood dripping down my jaw, staining my brown furs.

“Get her!” The leader yelled at the last man and he rushed toward me, blade in hand as he moved but he was trembling in fear and the blade barely scratched me before I closed the distance in a heartbeat, swiping at his legs and sending him sprawling on the ground. The last thing I registered in his eyes was fear before I sank my teeth into his neck, feeling the life drain from him.

I looked up at the last man left, the leader. His confidence hadn't waned and he was watching me with the same vile disgust he'd had on his face all this while. He pulled out a set of knives and bared his teeth at me before flinging two knives at me at a go.

I felt the pain searing through me as one of the knives hit its mark, burying itself into my shoulder. The action only served to fuel my rage and I let out a roar that echoed through the forest before I charged at him. His eyes widened, his confidence dropping just as I tackled him to the ground.

I pinned him beneath me and slashed my teeth through his arm, shattering bone and tearing muscle. His scream ricocheted through the air, pleasing my ears but it didn't last long, and with one final blow, I snapped his neck, ending his life.

The forest fell silent and I pulled away from the dead men, yet again surrounded by bodies, blood dripping from my jaw, staining my fur.

Slowly, I felt my body revert to my human form, my claws redacting until I was back in my own body. Exhaustion and pain washed over me and I collapsed to the ground, my bloodied cloth hanging onto my body by the threads.

I stared up at the sky, tears rolling down the corners of my face. I hated myself with an intensity I never thought I could feel.

I'd never felt so much disgust and hatred for myself as I did now and I simply lay there amongst the bodies of the men I had killed, the emptiness in my heart deafening.

I lay there for what felt like long, agonizing days but in reality, it was just hours and slowly night fell over the forest but I continued to lie there unmoving. My wolf tried communicating but I blocked her out and kept my eyes focused upward.

What had I done so terrible to deserve to be a Wild Wolf? It had to be my fault somehow, I had to be responsible for this. I knew deep in my heart that this must be a punishment for something I’d done but despite how hard I thought, I couldn't rationalize it.

Wild Wolves were considered an anomaly in my kind. They were ruthless and revered by everyone. From stories I'd heard, other werewolves usually haunted Wild Wolves for sport, and if they managed to kill them, they were rewarded for their actions.

And now I was a Wild Wolf.

I let out a bitter laugh that rang through the forest, I laughed for minutes straight, tears running down my face as I continued to laugh until my cries turned into a sob.

I'd never been one to cry. I'd always been strong and in control but now I had nothing and I was completely terrified of what lay beyond this forest. I couldn't deny that I'd been sheltered by my family, loved by my parents with an intensity that was suffocating, and I had been in line to become a Luna to the sweetest person ever.

I choked out a cry at the memory of Caspian and the fact that he was dead and it was all because of me. I could never forgive myself for that, for any of the actions I'd committed since last night until now.

This was all my fault. I must have done something so terrible the Goddess was punishing me through this.

With that thought in mind, I struggled to my feet. My teeth were chattering from the cold, goosebumps appeared all over my body and I could feel my toes going numb. My clothes were tattered and torn and barely covered my body but I put one foot in front of the other and staggered off with no idea where I was headed.