Stalk

MALIK

I watched from a distance as my beautiful Audra stepped out of her brother's truck. The two exchanged a few words before he drove off, leaving a cloud of gray exhaust in his wake. She lingered for a moment, shifting on her feet nervously, then finally made her way inside the building—likely heading to her first class. "MALIK! MALIK, WHERE ARE YOU?" My father's voice slammed into my mind through the pack link, his tone sharp with irritation. I rolled my eyes. It's not like I could see through walls anyway. "I'm coming, Father. I just wanted to see Audra for a little bit." "You're being creepy, son. Almost like a stalker. Quit it and get down here—we've got work to do," he growled. I huffed in annoyance and turned away from the school, heading back toward the castle. It took me about ten minutes to reach the grand stone estate, its towering walls shadowed by the morning sun. I strode into my father's office and leaned casually against his desk. He peered at me over the rim of his glasses, his eyes narrowing. I smiled nervously and quickly pushed myself off the desk. "Sit down, Malik." His voice carried a heavy weight. "Now that you've found your mate, your responsibilities have only grown. You inherit the throne when you turn twenty-one—that's only a year away. I understand your desire to watch over your mate, but what kind of king neglects his duties for pleasure?" His words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I lowered my gaze, feeling the shame settle deep. "Okay, Father. From here on, I'll focus on being King and not let my mate distract me so much." His expression softened—just slightly. "Good." He rose from his chair. "Follow me to the armory. It's time for a lesson in war." For the rest of the day, my father drilled knowledge into me—weapons, battle strategy, procedures, history, leadership—until my brain felt like it would burst. Finally, at seven o'clock, he gave a curt nod of approval. "You're dismissed." Relief flooded me, a grin creeping onto my lips. I bolted from the library, thundering down the halls, likely disturbing everyone in their rooms. I tore through the castle, burst through the front doors, and sprinted toward the changing area near the forest edge. Stripping off my clothes, I shifted seamlessly, my dusty brown and white-speckled fur glowing under the setting sun. My tongue lolled out, the wolf equivalent of a goofy grin. I need to see her. I pranced toward her house, excitement pulsing through me. Then my father's words echoed in my mind. What kind of King neglects his duties for pleasure? I skidded to a stop, my ears flicking back. He was right. I shouldn't be here. But… checking on her after training wouldn't hurt, right? Shaking off the guilt, I sprinted the rest of the way, slowing only when I reached her home. The lights were on. My heart thumped as I peered into the window. There she was—sitting at the table, eating. A smile tugged at my lips, my tail wagging instinctively. She was so beautiful. Her dark hair fell like a curtain, hiding her face, but I could still feel the warmth of her presence. I watched for a moment, simply content—until a voice echoed through the pack link. "Malik? Malik, where are you?" Isla's voice rang in my mind. "Outside Audra's house," I admitted. "You need to come home. The King is looking for you. If he finds out you ran off again…" she trailed. I frowned, letting out a soft whimper. "I'll be right there, Isla. Thanks for the warning." With reluctance, I turned away and headed back into the forest. I remained on castle grounds, hunting small game to clear my head. A rustling in the underbrush caught my attention—a rabbit. I lunged, but before I could snap my jaws around it, my father's voice interrupted. "Where are you, Malik? You better not be at your mate's house." I winced. Isla was right—he sounded pissed. "I'm hunting, Father," I responded quickly. "Hunting what? Audra?" he snapped. I bit back a growl. "No, sir. A rabbit." Silence stretched for a moment. "If I find out you're lying, there will be hell to pay," he warned. "Yes, sir," I muttered. My father had two personalities—and it all depended on who was in control. Werewolves shared their bodies with a wolf spirit. Most of the time, the human and wolf merged, coexisting in harmony. But sometimes, if the bond wasn't a perfect match, the spirits clashed—battling for dominance. That's when the split personality emerged. My father's wolf was too powerful for his human spirit. More often than not, the wolf was in control. And when he was, he was ruthless. The same gene ran in our family. I had struggled at first, losing control often. But unlike my father, I had eventually tamed my wolf, forging an uneasy truce. Most of the time. A Sudden Shift. I had just finished hunting when a new scent filled the air—blood. I licked my lips, following the metallic tang until I came across a wounded deer pinned beneath a fallen tree. Its eyes locked onto mine, filled with raw fear, and acceptance. I stared out at it, pity dancing in my eyes. I lunged, sinking my teeth deep into its neck. The warmth of its blood spilled into my mouth as its body shuddered, life slowly fading. A mercy kill. After removing the tree, I dragged the limp carcass back to the castle, stopping at the butcher's door. I let out a sharp bark, signaling my arrival. Seth, our butcher, opened the door and smiled. "A fine kill, young prince. Thank you." I gave a small nod and trotted toward the changing area, washing the blood from my fur before shifting back. Throwing on some old clothes, I headed inside, making my way up to my room. Something's Wrong The familiar scent of pine and earth greeted me as I entered my suite. My room was a deep forest green, the dark oak wainscoting giving it a regal yet grounded feel. The ceiling mural depicted my favorite clearing—the one with the waterfall, where deer often gathered. A place of peace. I sat on the edge of my bed, exhaling slowly. But something felt off. My wolf—normally at ease—was restless. I could feel him pacing inside me, his energy crackling like a brewing storm. Minutes passed. Then an hour. The feeling only worsened. Suddenly, my wolf snarled, his instincts surging forward. "Mate. DANGER." A wave of panic slammed into me just before my wolf took over. It had been three years since I was last forcibly overtaken, but this time… I was powerless to stop it. Half-shifted, my claws extended, canines sharpening. Fur sprouted across my arms. I tried fighting back—tried forcing control. But the mental wall he threw up was impenetrable. I barely registered my parents' door swinging open as I ripped through the halls. My mother's voice wavered. "Malik?" My father met my gaze—and in that split second, I saw it. Sadness. Understanding. Then I was gone, my body tearing through the castle, shifting fully into my wolf form— Sprinting toward Audra's home.