Feral Awakening

The sun drifted below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The campsite shone softly. The bonfire crackled in the center, sending sparks spiraling into the cool night air.

The seasoned smell of grilled meat and sweet cider loomed, as laughter and a cool acoustic music from Kelvin, one of Evelyn's mates filled the camp. Evelyn sat along with Riley on a log near the edge of the fire, nursing a soda. And trying her best to blend into the lively energy of the party.

"Come on girl..! Smile for once!" Riley nudged her playfully, shoving a paper plate loaded with roasted marshmallows into her lap.

Evelyn's face lite up a bit, accepting the plate. "I'm smiling, aren't I?"

Riley arched a brow, giving her a look. "Barely." She emphasized, "This party was your idea, Ev. You're supposed to be the life of it."

Evelyn glanced at the flickering flames, the weight Liam's silence pressing on her chest. She had been looking forward to this night— escaping the boredom of life, celebrating with friends. But Liam's absence had cast a shadow over everything.

"You're thinking about him again, aren't you?" Riley asked, her tone softening.

Evelyn hesitated, then nodded. "He promised he did come. And I've called him like five times, but he hasn't answered any. It's just... I don't know."

Riley sighed, pulling Evelyn into a side hug while the music blend in . "Look, Liam's probably just caught up in something dumb. Don't let him ruin your night. You deserve to have fun for once."

Evelyn smiled faintly, grateful for her friend's attempt to cheer her up, but it neither lessened her unease. Riley on the other hand had other concerns. She tilted her head slightly, studying Evelyn for a moment before shifting the conversation.

"Hey," she said, her tone light but curious, "you're not still having those dreams, are you?"

Evelyn's smile faltered, her expression tightening. "What makes you ask that?"

Riley shrugged, setting her empty paper plate aside. "You just seem... off lately. Like, more than usual. I figured maybe they were back."

Evelyn hesitated. Unlike those past years when she only habe them on her birthday, this had haunted her for weeks now— looking back. Nightmares of running through endless forests, her senses sharper than seemed humanly possible, her body weightless but powerful. And now the sight of a white wolf.

She never told Riley the full details of them, not the parts where her reflection in rivers showed glowing eyes. Or where the scent of blood lingered in the air.

"They're just dreams," She finally said, though the words felt hollow.

Riley drew her a skeptical look but didn't press. "Well, if they get too freaky, you know you can talk to me, right? Weird as you sound sometimes, you're still my best friend." She grinned, elbowing Evelyn playfully.

She smiled. "Thanks, Riley. I mean it."

"Good. Now come on," Riley interjected, nodding toward the group around the fire. "Let's eat, drink, and act like idiots for the rest of the night."

Evelyn laughed softly, but shook her head. "You go ahead." she said, setting the plate aside. "I'll be right back— I just need some air."

"Evelyn..." Riley started, but her friend was already stepping away, phone in hand. "Don't wander off too far!"

"I won't," Evelyn called over her shoulder.

Riley watched her disappear into the woods, a flicker of concern crossing her face but she didn't go after her.

---

Evelyn had just said she won't go far, but didn't even realized when she wandered away from the laughter and music. The cool night air wrapping around her. She dialed Liam's number again, her thumb trembling slightly as she pressed the call button.

The phone rang and rang, each ring sharp ache in her heart as it ended. Anxiety chunk in her chest as she paced.

"Come on, Liam," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The call went to voicemail, and Evelyn lowered the phone, her shoulders sagging. She didn't want to admit it, but the nagging silence felt like a rejection she wasn't ready to face.

Suddenly, a faint snap of a branch echoed behind her, making her freeze. She turned slowly, scanning the shadowy trees.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Riley? Is that you?" she asked, trying to sound casual, but there was a quiver in her voice. "Come on, this isn't funny. You should stop now."

But there was no responds. The forest was silent, unnervingly so. The air felt heavy, charged with something she couldn't name.

And then it came— a low, growl that sent a chill down her spine.

From the darkness, two golden glow eyes hide, then a massive wolf emerged. Its tankled fur stood up as it crouched low, lips curled back in a snarl.

Evelyn stumbled back, her phone slipping from her hand. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her legs felt numb. Rooted to the spot as they refuse to move.

"Com on... this can't be happening, not now." she muttered, but before she could even make the effort of running, the wolf lunged.

His claws slashed at her shoulder, sending a shock of pain through her body as she sprawled to the ground. Evelyn gasped, clutching at the wound.

Adrenaline surged through her veins as the sense of escape kicked in. She tried to push herself to her feet, but the pain was overwhelming.

With all the strength left in her, she pushed off the ground. Immediately lurching for safety as she made the ran. Each step frantic, as she darted into the woods. Branches and underbrush scraped at her arms as she raced by. But she didn't slow down.

The sounds of the wolf's growls echoed behind her as it made the chance. Louder now, each step it took in pursuit making the ground tremble beneath her.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she forced herself to run faster, heart pounding in her ears. But she wasn't fast enough. Her foot caught on something— roots tangled in the underbrush which sent her flying to the ground. She fell hard, the earth rushing up to meet her with a sickening thud. Pain surged through her leg as she spiraled into the dirt, the sharp sting of roots twisting around her ankle.

"Come on, get up!" she cried, her voice a desperate whisper as she held on her spiraled foot.She scrambled to push herself upright, but she was trapped. The wolf was nearly upon her, its massive form closing in. There was no escape now.

It bared its teeth, its eyes gleaming with hunger as it stepped closer. Evelyn's mind screamed in panic, her breath shallow and fast. There was no way out.

Before she could think of an escape, it charged. But then, something inside her shifted.

She felt her blood like fire in her veins, her heart pounding with a ferocity she didn't recognize. Her vision blurred briefly, and she gasped as a raw, unfamiliar power surged through her body.

The rogue wolf lunged at her but Evelyn was ready. With a snarl that didn't feel human, she rose on four legs. Legs covered in sleek white fur. The ground felt different beneath her, more alive. Her vision sharpened, her senses clearer than they had ever been.

With a feral snarl, she met the wolf's charge head-on, her teeth sinking deep into its shoulder. The rogue wolf yelped, stumbling back, but Evelyn was relentless. She pushed forward, her strength and speed overwhelming the creature.

The wolf snarled, baring its fangs, but Evelyn was too fast. With one last lunge, she forced it back, driving it into the darkness of the forest.

Leaving her alone in the silence of the woods. Evelyn stood trembling, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She glanced down at herself— at the perfect white fur covering her body, at the paws where her hands should have been.

"What... what's happening to me?" she thought, her mind spinning as she stared into the dark forest.