SHARP CLAWS

Jannie's Pov

Jannie pressed her body closer to him, balancing on her toes, trying to reach his lips. Zeke understood what she wanted, and he leaned down so their lips brushed lightly against each other.

All Jannie could think about was that she needed more.

And as if Zeke could read her mind, he lifted Jannie up so she could tangle her legs around his waist, and the kiss became more intense.

Jannie's hands were around his neck while their tongues danced perfectly harmoniously. Feeling his warm skin against hers.

Zeke turned around and pushed her up against the door while he began kissing her neck, and Jannie felt a rush of pure lust shooting through her body, wanting more.

His kisses traced down Jannie's cleavage, and she had never felt so wanted in her whole life.

"Ouch," Jannie mumbled when she felt something sharp on her thigh. "Shit," Zeke muttered, and Jannie was suddenly brought back to reality. Zeke set Jannie down, and she saw cuts on her leg. She was shocked.

Jannie was even more shocked when she looked up at Zeke. His eyes were glowing in the darkness, but his face was no longer recognizable. The Zeke she had known was gone; before she stood a man with a cracked, hairy face and a hunched back.

When Jannie saw his sharp claws, a cold rush washed over her. She backed up against the door with closed eyes, telling herself that this wasn't real; she was hallucinating.

"Jannie, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." Jannie heard Zeke's voice but was too scared to open her eyes.

She knew there was something he hadn't told her yet, but she hoped this wasn't it.

"Jannie," she felt his hands on her arms. Taking a deep breath, she opened one eye.

There stood Zeke, back to his usual self.

"What just happened?" Jannie whispered, feeling more confused than she ever had before.

"I'll tell you everything, but I can't do it here. I need you to come with me," Zeke pleaded, and Jannie hesitated. How could she leave with him after what she had seen? Deep down, however, Jannie knew he wouldn't hurt her—not intentionally.

"I promise I won't hurt you, Jannie," Zeke reassured her as if he could read her thoughts.

Jannie nodded. "I need to tell Jessie I'm leaving first," she replied.

"Of course," Zeke said.

Zeke's Pov

Jannie and Zeke drove to a secluded area outside the city that Zeke knew very well.

"Okay, this is getting scary, Zeke. Why are we out here in the middle of nowhere? Is this the part where you kill me?" Jannie asked nervously as they left the car and walked into the woods.

"You do realize I'm in heels, right?" she added, catching up to Zeke.

It was early in the morning, and the sun had just begun to rise.

"I really like you, Jannie. I can't find the words to express what you mean to me. All I know is that I need you in my life, and I can't stay away from you," Zeke said, observing her growing confusion.

"Okay, but what does that have to do with this?" Jannie replied as Zeke paused in front of a mountain wall.

"I'm going to show you something, and I need you to stay calm and not run away. I would never hurt you, Jannie; please know that."

"You're scaring me, Zeke," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

Zeke closed his eyes and let Nero emerge, revealing his werewolf form.

"This is me, Jannie; this is what I look like as a werewolf," Zeke said in a low voice. "We exist, but I'm still Zeke underneath the surface."

He stepped closer to Jannie but stopped when he saw the fear in her eyes.

"I know I may seem scary, and this form can be intimidating, but it's still me underneath it all," Zeke pleaded, hoping Jannie could look past his appearance and wouldn't run away. They had come so far together, and Zeke felt he couldn't survive without her. His love for Jannie was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. She was his salvation in his doomed life as a werewolf.

"I was born this way, which means my parents are also werewolves, including Hazel," Zeke continued, leaving Jannie even more confused and frightened. She visibly shook before him, but Zeke felt he needed to continue.

"I want you to meet my wolf, Nero. He's not dangerous, and he really wants to meet you," Zeke said as he began to undress.

"Whoa, what are you doing?" Jannie shouted, covering her eyes with one hand.

"Trust me, okay?" Zeke pleaded though he had left his boxers on.

Jannie stood frozen as Zeke stepped back and released Nero.

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Jannie's Pov

How was this real? How could this man transform into something so horrendous? How could this even happen? Werewolves were supposed to be myths—something frightening people dressed up as for Halloween or read about in books or saw in movies.

Jannie didn't understand how it was possible, but she witnessed a giant black wolf replace Zeke.

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"Where am I?" Jannie mumbled as she opened her eyes, feeling a ray of sunshine warming her face. She swallowed hard when she stared at a wolf glaring down at her.

"Oh my god, it wasn't a dream?" Jannie stuttered, slowly rising to her feet and backing away from the animal.

But then the wolf began to whine, lowering his head as if he didn't want Jannie to see him as a threat.

"This is crazy," she mumbled as the wolf crawled after her, but when she looked into his eyes, she somehow saw Zeke. A small wave of calmness washed over her.

Everything felt surreal. The wolf came closer, tilting his head like he wanted her to pet him.

"Okay, I'm going to pet you," Jannie said hesitantly, reaching out with a shaky hand to stroke the top of his head.

This isn't so bad, she thought, acknowledging the strange situation. Jannie was petting a wolf that had once been a man she had fallen in love with.

"So your name is Nero?" Jannie whispered. The wolf tilted his head and closed his eyes in response.

Nero laid down beside Jannie momentarily, allowing her to gently stroke his head. However, he soon backed away, and Jannie was startled to find a very naked Zeke standing in front of her.

Blushing, Jannie looked away, wondering what she had gotten herself into.