Bitten

By Jessi L. Roberts

Only someone with a death wish would risk trespassing on werewolf territory during the full moon, but Tari was good as dead anyway.

Even though the night was cool, sweat ran down her brow as she forged through the dense underbrush. Her body fought a losing fight against the venom from the vamp bite. If she didn’t get help soon, she and her unborn baby would die while their bodies lived on.

Most people said those bitten by vamps should kill themselves, rather than turn into a bloodthirsty monster, but with the baby, that wasn’t an option. She pushed deeper into the forest, her breath making clouds of mist that sparkled in the moonlight.

She shivered, not from the cold, but from the sickness running through her body. She had to find the werewolves before she turned. If her soul was gone, there wouldn’t be any coming back.

She came to a clearing and strode into it, glad for the space. At least she could walk easily, and the moonlight was enough here.

Something pale moved in the trees.

Tari froze, her eyes locking with the wolf’s. The creature watched her, its nose lifted, scenting her. It growled.

Tari dropped to her knees. “Please, I need you to bite me.”

The wolf stared, then threw back its head and howled.

More wolves arrived, blending in with the darkness of the forest and moving like phantoms. There might have been five. She wasn’t sure.

A massive dark gray wolf, his size dwarfing the rest of the group, padded toward her.

She looked up at him. The beast had to be bigger than a black bear.

Tari shook and bowed her head as the creature sniffed her, his warm breath on her neck. One bite, and he’d crush her skull.

“You’ve been bit by a vamp,” he growled, his voice deep. “Why did you come here?”

She looked up into his golden eyes. “I’m pregnant. My child will die with me. I heard that you are immune, and I thought—” She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

“We are immune to their bites because we’re werewolves.”

She held up her arm. “Please, bite me. Please. You’re my only chance.”

“You do realize this will turn you into a werewolf, correct?” He gazed up at the moon. “Not only that, you’ll be a halfblood. The other packs will never accept you.”

“Just do it,” she said. Her whole body trembled from fear.

His massive head lowered. “Be glad our pack cares little for pack law. No other alpha would dare change a human, even when it was a matter of life and death.” He seized her arm and bit down, his teeth sinking deep.

Tari cried out.

He released her and stepped back, waiting.

Tari’s body blazed with an inner fire, one different from the painful sickness of the vamp bite. Her skin prickled and burned, the fire sinking deep into her bones. The baby fought within her as she doubled over.

Her teeth elongated, and bones rearranged themselves. Her cry of pain came out in an animalistic yelp. As her body grew, her clothes tore.

Finally, the changes stopped. She climbed to her feet, panting. The sickness had burned away. Instead, she was powerful, strong, and the night had become as bright as daylight. Her eyes widened as she stared down at paws that had been hands. Wild smells and sounds hit her from all directions. She ached to follow her new senses, to run and hunt.

The big wolf stood in front of her, still towering over her.

“Keep control of yourself,” he growled. “That new instinct is powerful.”

She felt her child move within, alive but changed like she was.

“Let’s test out those legs,” the dark wolf said. “Best thing for a new wolf is a good chase.”

Tari raced with the pack, her mind buzzing with excitement, the smell of prey strong in her nose.

Then, another scent hit her, one like stale blood. A vamp. Her hackles stood on end.

The other wolves turned to follow it, and Tari ran ahead of them, the thrill of the hunt surging through her. It was time for a rematch, and now she had a pack on her side.

The vamp wouldn’t stand a chance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi L. Roberts lives and works on her family’s cattle ranch in eastern Montana. She has some cows, a golden retriever, and a few horses. Her head is full of wild Sci Fi story ideas covering everything from apocalypses and werewolves to aliens and talking animals.

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