I pushed through the bushes, sniffing the air for scents and listening closely for any sounds that might give away my missing friends. "Cara? Kingsley?"

I'd never admit it to anyone, but there was a tiny pinprick of fear at the back of my mind from the horror story Harry had told us about the Beast of Gevaudan that comes to life on Halloween night and hunts down wolves. Spooky stories always freaked me out, but of course I pretended they didn't.

Being born a runt meant that I'd had to work doubly hard to prove myself, but even though I could best almost any wolf except an Alpha, not many wolves respected me. Even my friends still liked to make me the butt of jokes. It sucked, and they knew I didn't like it, but they were also the only friends I had, so I put up with a lot more guff than I should.

But abandoning me when we were supposed to be sneaking into the Beta's house to "borrow" his prize elk antlers as part of a Halloween game of Truth Or Dare was going too far. They knew I'd look stupid if I didn't come back with them. That the rest of the pack would tease me as being too chicken to do it.

A twig snapped in the underbrush.

My wolf instincts immediately took over, heightening my senses. Silently I dropped flat to the ground. Lifting my nose I scented the air, trying to determine which pack member was out there.

I'd thought it was a bit fishy that Cara, Kingsley and I had gotten that dare. Maybe they wanted to prank me. Well, I'd show them who was the Alpha among us then wipe my hands of them. Better to be a lone wolf than nipped at continuously, but I didn't relish the thought of striking out alone. Getting into another pack would be difficult since it wouldn't take much for them to find out who I was and I'd probably lose any respect I'd earn faster than a wolf could eat a squirrel. Maybe I'd ask the Alpha if he'd let me join the scouting squad early so I could have a reason to spend most of my time alone.

The scent I picked up wasn't familiar. Yes! I crowed inwardly. Taking down an intruder would help with convincing the Alpha I was ready to be a scout.

I toed off my boots and raised myself on my fingers and toes to creep across the wet grass.

My sensitive ears picked up the scurrying of a mouse and the swoop of an owl. Bam! Dinner was served.

My hackles raised as I sensed something looming up over me from behind. Whatever it was moved so silently I hadn't heard it. Like a ghost!

I gulped and slowly looked back over my shoulder.

The wolf in me tucked its tail between its legs at what I saw. The Beast of Gevaudan towered ten feet tall behind me. Its wickedly sharp claws gleamed in the moonlight at the end of long, thickly muscled arms and glinted off sharp two inch fangs in its broad snout. Tufted ears stood tall from its shaggy head. Wide shoulders tapered down to powerful haunches.

I shrank in upon myself and slowly rolled over, exposing my belly, in response to the power of the Alpha that radiated from it. There was no way I could win this fight or even get away.

It dropped down to all fours, giving me a glimpse of a long sweeping tail, and sniffed me not in the normal way of introducing ourselves, but in the way you'd sniff delicious food when you were hungry and looking forward to a meal.

"Please don't eat me!" I begged. "I could be your servant." It was lame, but the best I could do.

It threw back its mighty head and laughed. "What use have I for a servant? I've no bags to carry. No house to keep. My only business is tearing and ripping, and that I manage quite well on my own."

At that moment Cara and Kingsley entered the clearing.

"Pat?" Cara called.

Both froze at the tense scene before them.

The Beast of Gevaudan's head snapped up and held them mesmerized in its black gaze for several long heartbeats.

It looked down at me and quietly said, "These two have done you harm. Mean you more. They see you as the runt you were, not the fine Wolf you've become."

It sniffed the air. "I do prefer to start my feast with she-wolf. This one is particularly nasty. She'll be delectable. The he-wolf, too...the awfulness just exudes from him. He'll be a treat to eat."

It stepped over me and paused to say in parting, "You're not an Alpha, but you've the makings of a fine Beta. I shall hunt you down if I catch wind you've gone off alone. You've been given respite this time. I won't be so easily swayed if there's a next."

Although I'm the fastest in my pack, I still hadn't managed to clear the other side of the meadow before Cara and Kingsley's screams were cut off and the tearing and rending began.

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