Katie didn't know how long she ran. She only knew that she couldn't stop. The forest blurred around her, trees rushing past in dark streaks as her lungs burned and her chest tightened. Every cruel word from earlier replayed over and over in her mind, each one sharper than the last.
Whore.
Slut.
Disgusting.
Her fingers curled into fists as she pushed forward, her boots slipping on loose dirt. She didn't even know where she was going. She just needed distance. Maybe even som peace. But that peace never came. Because their voices were still there and so were the looks, the whispers, the judgment. Katie finally stumbled to a stop when her legs gave out beneath her. She dropped to her knees in a small clearing, breath shaking as she pressed her palms into the cold ground. "I didn't do anything," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I didn't…" The words dissolved into a sob. Tears blurred her vision as the weight of everything crashed down on her. The humiliation. The constant feeling of being wrong just for existing. "Why does everyone hate me so much?" she choked. "Like what the hell did I do to deserve this shitty life!!?" The forest answered with silence.
For a long moment, there was nothing but the sound of her breathing and the distant rustle of leaves.
Then.... You are not alone. Katie froze. Her head snapped up, heart slamming violently against her ribs. "…What?" The voice had been clear, calm, and strong. But no one was there. Her pulse quickened. "Hello?" Nothing. Her breathing grew uneven as panic crept in. "Okay… okay, this isn't funny. Am I going crazy or something?"
Katie. This time, it was unmistakable. The voice was inside her head. She staggered to her feet, eyes wide. "No. Nope. I have officially lost it. My life is already shit as is and now I'm going crazy."
You are not going crazy Katie.
The calmness in the voice made her chest tighten. "…Who are you?" she whispered. A pause. Then, steady and sure....
I am Rachel.
Katie's breath hitched. Her wolf? Her mind raced back to the dreams. The glowing eyes. The powerful presence that had always felt just out of reach. Her voice trembled. "Are you… are you my wolf?"
Yes.
For a moment, Katie just stood there, stunned. Then relief flooded her so suddenly her knees almost buckled. "You're finally talking to me," she said, half laughing, half crying. "This is amazing. This means… this means everything is going to change, right? People won't look down on me anymore. I won't be weak anymore." Rachel was quiet for a moment.
You were never weak it just wasn'ttime for me to come out yet.
The words wrapped around Katie like warmth. Her throat tightened. "Then why does it feel like I am?"
Because you have been alone.... And treated terribly and for that I am sorry
Katie swallowed hard. "I'm not alone anymore?"
No, I'm here.... you'll never be alone again.
The words settled deep in her chest. For the first time in a long time, something inside her loosened. But before she could speak again, Rachel's tone shifted slightly.
We are being watched.
Katie stiffened. Her head snapped up, eyes scanning the trees. The shadows between them suddenly felt heavier. Her heartbeat sped up. "What?"
Someone has been following you.
A mix of anger and nerves surged through her. Of course.....Of course he would. Katie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she turned toward the darker part of the forest. "Liam, I know you're there," she called out. "Stop watching me like some creep. I told you I don't want to talk to you. Seriously, this isn't funny."
No Katie this is not our mate..... though they do smell familiar....
She grew irritated. "Who ever is out there I'm not playing around so you better come out now!" Still nothing. Katie huffed. "Wow, very mature." Behind her, unseen, red eyes watched. Lucian stood in the shadows, perfectly still. He had followed her the moment she left the pack grounds. Not because he didn't trust her. Because something inside him refused to let her out of his sight. And now, standing there, he could feel it. The other part of her. The one sleeping beneath the surface. His gaze darkened. "Finally," he whispered. Katie froze. Her body went completely still.
"…Did you hear that?" she murmured. Rachel's voice was sharp. Yes. Katie turned slowly. But there was still no one. Her heartbeat quickened. "Okay, Who's out there!? seriously!-....." The scent hit her. It was rich, dark, and most definitely intoxicating. Blood. Her pupils dilated instantly. Her breath hitched. Her heart slowed. Somewhere deep inside her, something else woke. Lucian stepped forward just enough for the moonlight to catch his face. Katie's eyes widened. "Who-" But she didn't finish. Because his wrist was already at his mouth.
He bit down. Hard. Blood dripping from his wrist. The sweet scent filled the air. A drop of blood fell to the ground. Everything inside Katie snapped. Her eyes flashed a beautiful amethyst purple. Lucian's breath caught "There you are," he murmured. Katie didn't hear him. Because Katie was gone. Daya surged forward. The world sharpened, colors deepening, sounds growing louder. Hunger roared through her veins as she moved faster than time itself.
She collided with Lucian, fingers gripping his shoulders as she pulled him closer.
Her fangs Katie never knew she had sank into his wrist. The moment his blood touched her tongue, power exploded through her body. It was ancient and sweet. Lucian's hand moved to the back of her head, steadying her, his eyes closing briefly.
Mmmph! He bit down on his lip. "Yes," he breathed. "Drink." For several seconds, the world didn't exist.
There was only hunger and their new strange connection. Then suddenly... Katie gasped. Her eyes returned to normal. She jerked back, stumbling away from him. "What....what just happened?" she whispered, breathing hard.
She brought her fingers to her lips, her hands trembling and now filled with deep, crimson blood. Horror filled her face. She looked up at him. "Who are you?..... What did you do to me!?" Lucian opened his eyes, something dark and satisfied in them. But before he could answer, Katie's vision swayed. The forest spun. "I…" she murmured. "I don't feel so…" Her body collapsed. Lucian caught her before she hit the ground. He looked down at her, brushing her curls from her face."You're not ready yet," he said softly as he leaned down and kissed her forehead. Then he vanished into the night, carrying her with him.
When Katie woke the next morning, she was in her own bed. Sunlight streamed through the window, warm and soft against her skin. For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, her mind foggy and slow. Her body felt normal. Everything felt normal. Too normal. She sat up slowly, confusion clouding her thoughts. "…That was a dream," she whispered. It had to be but..... The forest. The strange guy, the blood and his glowing eyes. It was all too real to be just a dream. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, rubbing her face.
That wasn't a dream Katie. Rachel says.
Rachel?.... It wasn't? So who was that guy?..... Goddess this is just too much going on at once. She puts her head in her hands but the pauses. A faint sweetness lingered on her tongue. Sweet like strawberries. Her brows furrowed. "…Weird." She shook her head, No.... There's no way. So I actually drank blood... I'm a vampire??? And a werewolf.. Rachel?
Yes, you're a lot more than that but we can't reveal ourselves just yet... you aren't strong enough.
Katie sighs and lays back on her bed putting her hands above her head. "Fine.... it's not like I can do anything about it. Except get stronger so I know what you're talking about.
And somewhere far but not too far, Lucian smiled.