“RIDGE!”

Sweat dripped down my temples, crawling down the side of my face and neck. My racing heart stole my breath from another night of waking myself up from the repetitive nightmare I was having.

Still panting, my eyes wandered my dark surroundings and taking in the eerie silence of the woods. It was so dark I could barely see anything with my human eyes, and even with switching to my wolf eyes, I could barely make out the outlines of the leaves on the nearby bushes, the bark of the long tall redwood trees, and the nearby trail. Good enough, I suppose.

I bit my lip, raking my hand through my hair. The tension I woke up with slowly dissipated and I pouted, pulling my knees towards my chest.

I’d been hiding in the Santa Cruz State Park for the past five days after being chased out of Carmel. The group chased me until I crossed over the very edge of the forest outside of the town and out in the open.

The Warriors looked at me with their heads lowered, glowing eyes narrowed. As I stared back at them, I couldn’t help feeling so ashamed. The Warriors remained at the edge of the forest, spreading out to make sure I didn’t cross into their territory again. They were making sure I wouldn’t invade their home.

Home…

With a small whine, ears flattened, I whined as the Warriors stared back at me. They each lowered their heads before resting on their bellies. They were showing me they had no choice and were just following orders. I didn’t blame them, of course.

As I was turning away from the only home I’ve ever known, the leader of the group barked at me. I glanced over my shoulder and he threw his head back in a howl, letting it echo. His howl ended, staring back at me as a silent goodbye.

Even as I started making my way down the winding road leading through the city of between Carmel and Alpha Hannibal’s pack, I could feel the Warriors watching me. I had to make sure I was keeping to the shadows when traveling through because I didn’t want for anyone in Hannibal’s pack to catch sight of me.

For the rest of the day, I ran through the city, hoping to get to the next one over so I could find somewhere to hide for the night. I needed shelter before figuring out what I was going to do from here on out.

With the sun setting slowly, I came to the part of Santa Cruz where I located the state park that resembled something close to the familiarity of the forest back home. I still had to be careful traveling onto the site since wolves were not really part of its natural habitat.

Sure, the humans would understand that I’m a Werewolf… but I was alone. I didn’t want to arise any questions as to why I was alone. The humans might take advantage of that and I didn’t want to hurt them—something that was frowned upon in Werewolf society. We didn’t hurt humans. Or… We weren’t supposed to, anyway.

Tourists walked by the bush I had snuck behind and I lowered onto my belly to get some rest after all the traveling. I was deep enough between the bushes I was sure no one would spot me as I dozed off. But any tiny bit of chatter from those that passed by, or the crunching of the dirt trail or any other noise I heard, startled me awake.

I growled under my breath, knowing sleep wouldn’t come so easily. So I remained awake, no matter how badly I needed sleep. I had to wait until the sun completely set and those who spent the day in the State Park went home.

Only then was I able to come out from my hiding spot and search for water and food. I learned quickly, however, with my stay at the park that there was no water. Not unless you counted the water fountains located near parts of the trail and by the main office.

This meant I had to shift back to my human form during the night. That was the only time I would risk it, considering I had no attire with me and I’d be stark naked around the site.

Padding my way across the graveled trail, I slowed in front of the water fountain near the edge. I looked around, searching for anyone around then pushed off my front paws to perch them against the fountain. My paw scraped against the circular knob until I was able to hold it down to drink. I lapped at the water for a long time. The cool liquid seeped down my dry throat and splashed a bit against my fur.

Once I’d had my fill of the water, I hopped back down and looked around. The gold coating on my eyes disappeared behind the natural blue so I could see better.

I found a light on that I hadn’t noticed before. My nose lifted into the air, sniffing in its direction as I squinted until realizing it was a lamp post. Odd.

It was a few days later that I would find out the light post was because there were people who camped in this state park. Some happened to be minors whose parents the Park Keepers needed to contact in case of an emergency.

Turning back towards the trail I had come from, I went back to my hiding spot to catch some sleep. It would be a little easier now that people wouldn’t be walking about at this time of night.

Settling myself back down, I stared forward into the dark. Nightly critters made their presence known somewhere off in the distance.

My paw rose and laid on my snout and I whimpered. I wanted to go home. I didn’t want to be out here on my own in unknown territory.

I could feel my body shifting back to its human form and then curled myself up in the dirt. I pushed my hair out of my face, sniffling a few times before the sobbing came full force as I curled in my fetal position.

It had finally set in that Carmel was no longer my home. I had been kicked out. I had been told to never go back. And all because of my stupid lack of self-control! I had known the risk to let my wolf take some control and what did that get me?!

I had ended up hurting Ridge. He wasn’t moving when I saw him last.

I sobbed harder thinking about Ridge. My heart ached at how I missed him. So much more than anyone.

What made me cry more was that Ridge had been wrong this whole time. I couldn’t control the wolf side of me. It was impossible. With what little leverage I’d given to it, it’s power had taken over and went on a rampage. And Ridge was caught in the crossfire.

I shook my head, whimpering between sobs, “You were wrong, Ridge. You—You were wrong! I can’t stop it!”

The Darkness was taking over when I had attacked him. Though it had been set on Molly, my fury transferred over to Ridge because he intervened. There was no holding back no matter who he was to me.

And… and now I was out here… alone! And without knowing what to do about being the Quail Wolf, I was lost… and frustrated that I couldn’t pull myself back when I had the chance. I wasn’t strong enough…

I hardly got any sleep that first night.

Now it was the start of the sixth day in the state park, still a few hours before the sun would peek over the horizon. I looked down at myself, still naked but I could see the smudges of dirt and my hand rose to my unkempt and unwashed hair.

Bits of leaves were tangled in it and I could only get so much out as I tried to wash my hair in the fountain during the nights. But without soap to actually clean it, it was impossible to keep up with my hygiene.

With my sense of smell, I knew a shower was badly needed. I had used up the last of the tiny shampoo bottle I had stolen out of one of the camper’s bags some nights ago.

Yes, I had resorted to stealing.

But it was only when the humans weren’t looking or weren’t near their campsite. I know that didn’t make it any better of what I was doing, but I was on my own at the moment and I wanted to feel clean. Even just a little.

The thought of stealing a few clothing items crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to be hiding them and risk someone finding them and think the worst. That would just be asking for trouble with search parties for a body or something. Yeah, no.

So all day I remained in wolf form then at night was when I would turn back to human. It was the best time when no one would notice a naked teenager wandering the park.

I wiped the tears cried during my nightmare with the back of my hand. I sniffled, frowning a bit as I stared at my hand. My fingertips rubbing together at the dampness of my skin.

My lips rubbed together as I thought about the nightmare I’d been having over and over since my first night here at the State Park.

There was chaos everywhere.

Fire blazed almost everywhere and so strongly I swore I could actually feel the heat on my skin. There were humans screaming somewhere and others rushing past in shrieking panic. Then there were those unlucky enough tackled down by Werewolves in wolf form and tearing at the humans’ flesh.

The snarls and growls echoed from all over the place, and my vision was blurry in looking around. I couldn’t recognize where I was. But then I could hear a familiar howl. One that had my heart sped up.

I turned around, seeing Ridge’s wolf approaching with a handful of wolves flanking him.

With my focus solely on him, I hadn’t noticed the wolves heading his direction in a predatory pace. They were growling as they closed in to Ridge and his gaurds.

The line of wolves across from Ridge looked menacing and I caught sight of the wolf leading them at the front. Their gaze narrowed in on Ridge just as the alpha halted and gnashed his teeth at the challengers.

“Pretty little Quail Wolf…”

I shivered from the low raspy voice behind me, right by my ear. I twisted around, frowning and narrowing my eyes… only to find no one there.

“What trouble she’s caused…”

Again it spoke into my ear and I spun around, using my arm to swing at whoever was there but only cut through air. My breathing became ragged and this time I remained still as the voice lingered in my ear once more.

“What a price to pay for being so powerful. To have to lose the ones you love so much…”

My gaze shifted to the corners, seeing just enough of this faceless person’s smirk over my shoulder.

“What do you mean?” I asked, slowly turning around to, again, no one.

The voice chuckled. Its laughter surrounding me and echoed off invisible walls. I swallowed hard, looking around like it instructed me to.

“Look around you, Quail Wolf. Look around at what you see. Turmoil… chaos… revenge… Whatever you want to call it. It’s the consequence for being who you are. Wherever you are… wherever you go… only Darkness follows. What you see is what happens when the Darkness kills the light. And I’m afraid that light is running out… in you.”

I frowned, turning around as I growled out, “You’re wrong!”

“Am I…?” the voice teased, chuckling once more.

It spoke into my ear when I froze facing the wolves lined across from one another, Ridge leading one side and the main opposing wolf leading the other.

“So wrong, am I, that you will kill your own mate for the power that is rightfully yours?”

My eyes widened, brows pinched together. I stammered, “What—what are you talking about?!”

The voice chuckled, whispering for me to keep watching. I zoned in on the leader of the opposing side staring down Ridge. The wolf growled, snarling and gnashing its teeth until it finally lunged forward. The others with the leading wolf followed suit. And it took on the alpha.

I tried to move from where I was, but my feet were glued. I gasped, panicked as I looked down at my cemented feet. No matter how hard I tugged to move forward, I couldn’t.

“Ahhhh. Such a shame, little Quail Wolf, to lose someone she loves so dearly. And by her own hands…”

The wolf fighting Ridge suddenly clamped onto his throat, making the dark furred wolf thrash about. The alpha’s escape was meek until the wolf holding onto him ripped out his jugular. Blood spewed from the Ridge’s throat and down his dark fur. And then his body collapsed heavily. The other wolves that had been guarding him fell to the same fate.

The manic wolf standing over Ridge slowly shifted, it’s back to me. It was admiring its kill while standing over the lifeless alpha. And then the person turned their head over their shoulder to look right at me.

The person’s eerie grin coated with the alpha’s blood dripping down their chin and their glowing electric blue eyes faded into brown. My eyes widened, my breath caught in my throat staring back at myself.

The voice whispered one last time into my ear, “You are the Queen of Darkness… and time is running out.”

And the piercing anguished scream I let out would wake me each time.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to block out the nightmare, tried to rid the pictures of seeing me drenched in Ridge’s blood after I’d killed him.

The look in my eyes when I’d looked back at the frozen me, was unsettling. There was no life in my eyes. Just rage and the satisfaction of the fresh kill I’d made.

I lifted my hand, running it down my face and groaned.

It was just a nightmare. It didn’t mean anything. It couldn’t. I was kicked out of my home, there was no way that I could go back and hurt Ridge.

Just thinking about him, I wondered if he was alright. If they were able to get him looked at after what I had done to him. What would he think of me now that I had lost control as I did?

A whimper played at my lips of what I had done would give enough reason for him to give up on me for good. I could just picture Mr. Beaumont coaxing Ridge to forget about me, and the pain in my heart of the love of my life being with someone else overwhelmed me.

I sighed out heavily, running my fingers (or trying to) through the front of my tangled, oily hair then grimaced at the icky feeling. I dropped my hand to my side.

My surroundings were still dark but I knew in a few hours the sun would be up and I’d have to be hiding around through the trees again, avoiding the humans.

Rising to my feet, I dusted off some of the dirt and leaves that stuck to my sweaty body then bent to pick up the knapsack I had stolen my second day of finding out about the campsites. I honestly felt terrible for stealing it, but I made sure to put whatever belongings were in it, in a different bag so the owners wouldn’t notice that only the bag was missing.

I made my way out of the treeline and onto the dirt path. I took a left, heading down where the trail led to the nearest of the two campsites. It was about a thirty minute walk if I took my time, but because I wanted to gather some water bottles and grab some scraps of food from the campers’ bags, I had to pick up my pace. It took maybe fifteen minutes this time.

My wolf eyes scanned the area, carefully eyeing the various shaped and sized tents scattered across the wide spanned land.

Most of the campers were smart enough to put their belongings in the tent with them, but there were a few I was glad had been lazy enough to leave their stuff outside of the tents where I could sort through them then move on to the next available one.

Peering from behind a tree and pursing my mouth to the side, I squinted trying ti figure out which tents had the bags outside. I tapped my pointer finger against the tree, I leaned against. I couldn’t take too much time figuring out how to go about my survival mission so I decided to focus on the three tents that were about twenty yards from one another.

I normally would shift to my wolf to snag the bags to make it faster to rummage through them from a distance and then turn back into a wolf once more to return the bags, in case the humans peer out and see me. It was better than seeing a naked girl, but I didn’t have a phone or watch to tell me the time so I wasn’t sure about how much time I had until sunrise.

So I opted to remaining in human form, stooping and bolted towards the first tent I targeted. Kneeling down, I glanced at the zipped up tent where the distinct sound of snoring was coming through.

Blinking repeatedly at the sputtering snore was a good distraction for a few seconds. I shook my head, refocusing and carefully latched onto one of the bags huddled together. I pulled back the zipper slowly at first then snapped it undone that made the snoring in the tent hitch. I froze, pausing until the sleeping form was shifting and falling back into their slumber. The snoring started up again.

Looking upward, I chastised myself for being too impatient. I needed to do things slowly, but not too slowly either. I had to find a happy-medium that would help me be precise and quick enough to get what I needed and get out.

After searching through the first tent’s bags, I had placed a bottle of hand sanitizer, a can of tuna with a metal handle to easily open it, deodorant, and a bottle of water into my knapsack. The other items weren’t useful to me; an iPod, clothes, head wear, and camping tools. My hopes of finding a watch of some sort was a disappointment, but I still had the other two tents’ bags to look through.

I scurried over to the next tent, cutting diagonally across the campsite and knelt beside the bags. I peered into the tent to check that the two sleeping persons were still asleep and hadn’t heard me approaching.

These humans didn’t snore, but I felt my face go hot seeing that they weren’t wearing anything. Perhaps it wasn’t so much that they were naked that made me blush, but just why they’d been naked crossed my mind and I got embarrassed.

Shaking my head to scold myself that I only had so much time, I began looking through the bags; trying to decide which belonged to the female. I guessed it was the yellow one with the white bunny stitched in the front it.

I found perfume, hair ties, lotion, and tampons in her bag. My nose scrunched at the idea of wearing a tampon, but I didn’t have any underwear to stick the pads onto so I would have to settle for these weird things. Figuring out how to use them was not going to be fun for me before I started my period.

I glanced at the girl in the tent, lowering an eyebrow as I wondered if she was supposed to be getting her period with these tampons and pads in her bag, or if she was already on it considering she her nakedness.

My nose scrunched before sticking my new found items into my knapsack.

The male’s bag didn’t have much in it that I could use other than the watch I was hoping to find. I grinned to myself seeing it in my hand then placed it into my bag. My knapsack was starting to bulge at the bottom, and I knew that I’d have only enough room left for food of some sort.

Shifting my gaze over to the last tent at the very end of the campsite, I rose and pulled the knapsack onto my shoulder before quietly jogging over. The bags were directly in front of the tent’s entrance and I froze and hesitated when seeing that the tent was unzipped. I looked around me quickly, narrowing my eyes for any sign of a human that had woken up to use the restroom or something.

I sniffed the air, trying to catch a human scent out in the open, but oddly… oddly it wasn’t human that I was smelling. My eyebrows twitched into a furrow when wondering why I could smell a werewolf instead. I bent my head, smelling my forearm and then smelled the air again and figured that all the dirt I had hadn’t covered my Were scent entirely.

Going back to what I was here for, I knelt by the bags and reached for the first one to find a bag of bread inside it, along with a jar of jam, a block of cheese and a small bag of ham. There was some granola hidden at the bottom of everything and I snatched that too.

After looking through the second bag and only took the four juice packs that were inside it— the other items were clothing—I shoved them into my knapsack.

With my eyes set on the last bag, I carefully stretched my hand out and grabbed onto the handle. I let out a yelp when a hand shot out of the tent and grabbed my wrist. I tugged my hand away with a growl and sprinted away, hoisting the heavy knapsack onto my shoulder.

I didn’t bother looking back since I didn’t want for the person to see what I looked like—though it would be hard to see with their vision since it was dark out. But I didn’t want to risk it either way.

I jumped over a log that I used as a breadcrumb being close to the trail I could return to my hiding spot. When I managed to run for however long, I slowed to a jog then to a walk. I looked over my shoulder, glad no one had followed me.

Chuckling to myself, I looked up at the horizon to see just the lightest shade of pretty colors peeking through and over the trees. This meant that I was going to have to be quick in making a few jam sandwiches and hide them beside the knapsack for when I get hungry throughout the day. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy one at the moment.

Turning to head into the treeline, I shimmied sideways to keep the bushes from scraping my skin too much and then wedged between them into my hiding spot. I tossed my knapsack onto the floor followed by falling to my knees to start on those sandwiches.

Pulling out everything I had collected from the campsite, I began organizing them into particular piles depending on if they were for hygiene, food, or tools.

The rustling of the bushes behind me made my eyes go wide and head snap up. I quickly twisted around, barring my teeth and growled at whatever was approaching. But then my face slowly faltered out of its defensive glare.

My eyes widened when a small boy poked his head into the open space of my hide out. He was smiling widely at me, his toothy grin showing that he wasn’t at all startled to see a naked teenager in front of him.

Well, this is awkwardly inappropriate…