Connor cursed in his car. In the passenger seat, Valerie stared at him with wide-eyes. Her voice shook. "Connor, it's almost curfew. We're not supposed to be out after midnight."

He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. "I know!" With a frustrated groan, Connor peered into the darkness from the safety of the car's interior. Of course, a car couldn't protect them from the werewolves lurking in the shadows. The moon was high in the sky, and the soft light illuminated the broken down car. Half a mile ahead of them lay their sanctuary, the city surrounded by a towering wall. Humanity's protection against the werewolves in the midwestern part of the nation was just out of reach.

"Connor? What are we going to do?"

He closed his eyes. The werewolves would be on top of them in no time. Connor could feel them coming. The hair on the back of his neck rose as he saw the eyes glowing in the darkness. He froze. The werewolf's piercing gaze shot down any plan Connor made before. Just beyond the small dune, more eyes cut through the night's veil. Dread weighed in his stomach like a boulder, and Connor's mouth watered with the urge to vomit. He leaned back against the headrest, closed his eyes, and sighed.

He knew there was no other choice. There wouldn't be anybody riding like knights to save them.

"Valerie, listen to me." Connor grabbed his girlfriend's hand, unsure if the trembling was from her or himself. "I'm going to get you home, okay? I promise, but you have to promise me you won't tell anybody what happened here."

Tears glistened in her eyes. "Connor..."

"We don't have time for this, Val!" Connor yelled, then allowed the desperation to seep through. "Promise me."

She nodded. "I promise."

Connor tightened his grip on her hand, then released her. Several howls echoed outside the car as Connor spoke, "You have to make a run for the gate. I'll protect you, but you have to move fast." Before Valerie could respond, Connor unlocked the doors and pushed open the driver's side. He turned toward her. "Get out of the car, Val. We have to move. Now!"

Valerie could see the eyes getting closer, and a whimper escaped her lips. Connor begged, "Trust me, Val." The howls vibrated her bones, but she stepped out of the car and shut the door. With her heart pounding in her chest, she stared tearfully at her boyfriend. A small gasp escaped her lips when she saw his eyes glow an unnatural green. Connor's voice shook, "I swear I'll get you home. Now, move!"

As the words left his lips, Connor allowed the unfamiliar sensation to course through him. His bones broke and reformed with loud cracks. Claws pushed through his fingertips, blood covering them. Valerie watched, wide-eyed as Connor's body altered to that of a black-furred wolf. Remembering Connor's orders, she found the strength to move and ran toward the main gate. Desert sand coated the road, and Valerie had to watch her footing. Behind her, Valerie heard the snarls as werewolves attacked.

Connor lunged at the closest werewolf, slashing at its throat with razor-sharp claws. A snarl escaped his lips as his claws made contact, fresh blood spilling out onto the desert sand. A grunt of pain left his lungs as another werewolf's claws pierced his side. Ripped fur and flesh dangled as blood streamed from the gash, but Connor whirled around and snapped at the enemy. His teeth clacked together, meeting air as the werewolf pulled away, but Connor expected the move. He darted forward, allowing his fangs to dig into the werewolf's unprotected throat. The taste of copper filled his mouth as his jaws tightened, crushing the werewolf's windpipe.

Fangs dug into his shoulder as the weight of another werewolf landed on his back. Connor released the corpse between his jaws and reared backward on his hind legs. Another set of claws sliced open his stomach as another werewolf took advantage of Connor's vulnerable position. A yelp of pain rose from his throat. Connor knew he couldn't keep up much longer, for their numbers were overwhelming. Leaping into the air, Connor twisted and slammed the werewolf clinging to his back into the ground. A loud snap echoed as the werewolf's spine broke from the force. Rolling free, Connor ran toward Valerie. The terrified woman continued to run, panting from adrenaline and exhaustion. A werewolf intercepted her, standing ten feet in front of her with teeth bared.

Connor leaped past Valerie and collided with the attacking werewolf. His fangs ripped through the werewolf's ear, easily tearing off a portion of it. Connor turned his attention to Valerie, noticing the glowing eyes not far behind her. His body ached, each movement sending knives of white-hot pain coursing through him. With a desperate growl, he ran toward Valerie. Her stride faltered, unsure what to do as Connor approached, then stopped. Connor lowered his body beside her, nodding his head toward his back.

Valerie's hands shook as her fingers gripped a handful of black fur. She jumped and pulled herself onto the werewolf's back. After making sure she was secure, Connor bolted forward. Blood trailed the sand as he ran, and his body burned from the exertion. He pushed past the werewolf that was still writing in pain in front of him. Connor kept a steady pace but realized it was futile. Dread filled his chest at the realization of not making it to the wall with Valerie. He'd have to fight once again and hope she'd make it.

A weight crashed into Connor's side, knocking him to the sand. The breath left his lungs, and he couldn't make a sound as claws dug deep into his stomach. A moment later, more werewolves were on him, tearing into him with claws and fangs. Connor twisted to get his paws underneath him and tried to push himself up. His chest hit the ground, forced down once again. A soul-crushing scream erupted from Valerie, sparking a fear-filled flame within Connor. Regaining his breath, he snarled and pushed himself upward. The werewolves clinging to him fell away.

Connor's heart sank when he saw the werewolf standing over Valerie. The woman trembled underneath the monster, tears in her eyes spilling down her face. The scream in her throat died as if paralyzed by the werewolf's murderous gaze and fangs. Connor stumbled over a rock hidden by the desert sand and collapsed onto the ground. Eyes wide with terror, he could only watch as the enemy threatened to take the life of the woman he loved. A snarl passed his lips as he gathered his paws beneath him. Connor's muscles tensed, ready to attack.

The werewolf jerked to the side with a yelp as a hole appeared in its left side. The silver bullet that struck the beast burned a hole further into its body. Any other time, Connor may have felt pity for the werewolf flailing in the sand. He pushed the conflicted feelings aside and ran to Valerie. He stopped long enough to allow her on his back once again before running toward the city. Less than a quarter of a mile in front of them lay sanctuary.

Connor should've known it wouldn't be that simple.

A werewolf attacked him from behind, forcing Connor to stumble. Valerie's panicked scream reverberated in his ears as another attack sent them to the ground. Valerie rolled in the dirt, faint plumes of dust floating around her. Connor recovered quickly and placed himself between her and the enemy, a snarl showing his teeth.

Something slammed into Connor's right side, just behind his shoulder. He stumbled but refused to fall. The silver bullet that struck him burned agonizingly and his limbs trembled as the strength faded. Connor widened his stance. Blood trickled from his lips. The werewolf in front of him fell where it stood as another bullet took it down. Connor watched as the others fled into the darkness.

Connor heard the roar of engines as a city patrol came closer. A gunshot cracked, and another bullet pierced Connor's hip. Only then did Connor allow himself to sink to the ground. The stench of death filled his nose as the sand soaked up the blood pouring from his wounds. He knew it was the end for him. He knew what the outcome was going to be as soon as he left the car.

"Stop!" Valerie's voice mingled with the sound of engines as she moved between him and the group of people.

The patrol cars came closer, and Connor felt fear squirm into his heart. Humans didn't take kindly to werewolves, after all. Unable to keep the transformation going, Connor reverted to his human form. The wounds became pronounced on his skin, no longer hidden by fur. Agony slammed into him like a wrecking ball, and he wasn't able to stop the whimper as he closed his eyes. His own trembling hands prodded at the wound in his side in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding.

A shaky hand ran through his dirty hair, and he pried his eyes open. Valerie sat beside him, her knees planted into the cool sand. "It's going to be okay," she stuttered. She repeated the sentence and continued to run her hand through Connor's hair. Tears fell from her eyes at the lie.

The patrol cars finally came to a stop. Soldiers poured from the vehicles toting rifles and handguns. Connor watched as hands grabbed Valerie's arms and hauled her backward. With an angry cry, she kicked at the legs of those restraining her. Realizing she couldn't overpower them, she begged. "Please, don't hurt him! He protected me! He's not one of those monsters!"

A wet cough shook Connor's body, and he winced as it tugged on his wounds. Specks of red dotted his chin and cheeks. Even though he was a werewolf, Connor knew he was still a vulnerable being. No kind of advanced healing would help with fatal wounds. Valerie continued to thrash in the soldiers' hold, screaming to get away from Connor.

"We don't make the rules, foolish girl!" A soldier barked.

A sob broke past Valerie's lips. "Please! Please, don't do this! He protected me! He's not evil!" The men ignored her and watched as their commander knelt next to the fallen werewolf.

Connor swallowed the coppery liquid that settled in the back of his throat. "You'll..." A wracking cough interrupted him, and he had to try again. "You'll make sure she gets home safe?"

The commander stared down at the broken young man. He had never seen a werewolf with the morality of humans. What made the young man different? Connor was an anomaly. As he lay dying, Connor was still worried about the woman he loved. The commander decided the fallen man wasn't a threat. "We'll make sure she gets home safely. You have my word."

A small smile crossed Connor's face before the pain turned it into a wince. He closed his eyes again as another wave of agony crashed over him. Valerie continued to fight against the soldiers holding her.

"Take her home," the commander ordered. He watched remorsefully as the men dragged her away, kicking and screaming. Once forced into a vehicle, the men took Valerie away, heading toward the city. Eventually, her screams were drowned out by the roar of the engines. The commander turned his attention to the dying man. "Hey, kid. What's your name?"

Tears streamed down Connor's face as he watched the vehicle take Valerie away. He turned his gaze back to the commander. "C-Connor."

The commander knelt in the sand next to him. In a soft voice, the man continued, "I'm sorry, Connor, but I have to follow the law."

Connor trembled. "I know. Can you just..." He paused, swallowing again. "Make it quick?"

"You won't feel a thing."

Connor nodded. Seeing the acceptance of what was to come, the commander rose to his feet and aimed the handgun at Connor's chest. Connor stared down the barrel of the gun for a few seconds before closing his eyes.

He had kept his promise to Valerie, and she hadn't seen him as a monster wearing human flesh in the end. Connor had protected her until help arrived. He had no regrets.

It was the best way to leave the world.

Bang.