Chapter 1: The Full Moon's Call

The moon hung low in the sky, a silver crescent that seemed to grin at me like a mischievous lover. Its light cast an otherworldly glow on the trees, making their branches seem like skeletal fingers reaching for me.

I felt its pull, an ancient, primal call that stirred something deep within my chest. My heart quickened, pounding out a rhythm that echoed the beat of the forest. The sound of crickets and rustling leaves filled the air, a symphony that heightened my senses.

I stood at my bedroom window, the cool night breeze rustling my hair as I gazed out at the darkness. The scent of damp earth and leaves filled my nostrils, transporting me to a world beyond human understanding.

"Anya come back to bed." My boyfriend, Mark murmured from behind me, his voice laced with sleep.

I didn't respond. Couldn't respond. My attention was captive to the moon's allure. Tonight was the night I'd been dreading and anticipating.

The full moon.

The one time each month when the transformation took hold. A time when my body surrendered to the wild, and my mind struggled to maintain control.

Fear and excitement wrestled within me. I'd learned to live with this secret, but the weight of deception was suffocating.

"Anya ?" Mark's voice held concern now. "What's going on?"

I turned, forcing a smile onto my face. "Just... admiring the view." My eyes locked onto his, searching for any sign of suspicion.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "You okay? You seem... different." His gaze lingered on mine, and for a moment, I thought he saw the truth.

Different. Yes. That was one word for it.

"I'm fine," I lied, retreating from the window. But the moon's call still echoed in my mind, a siren's song that beckoned me to surrender.

As I lay beside Mark, pretending to sleep, my mind raced. How much longer could I keep this secret? How much longer before the wolf within consumed me completely?

3months ago was a narrow escape. I was almost caught. The full moon fell on a Sunday night. We were at a friend of Mark's party downtown. The party lingered through the deep of the night. I felt the surge of the wolf within me and quickly asked Mark to take me home. But he was so adamant and insisted I stay for a while. 

I felt it again. This time, stronger than the first time. The claws on my right hand were already visible as I ran out of the sitting room to the balcony. 

The night was so cold and the little crowd had found their ways inside the house for the sake of warmth. Outside was quiet and I walked some distance away from the building into the dark backyard. 

I felt it so strong this time and I decided to set it free. Claws replaced my fingers, my skin stretched, allowing the wolf in me to find expression. 

"ahhh Wolf". 

I ran into the darkness without looking back. My heart racing so fast. Suddenly the wolf gave way to my human body and I was myself again. 

From a distance I saw the lady who's scream startled me and some young men armed with baseball sticks and knives asking which way did the wolf go. 

I found a way of escape and came right back to the house through the main entrance. 

"hea, I'm glad you're safe" he said with a fake concern 

The moon's call still echoed in my mind, a reminder that tonight would change everything.