Forbidden to mate

The blue cloud faded away into oblivion. I squinted my eyes in the dark building, unsure of what was happening or why it was happening.

The murmurs of the crowd quietened down as I listened to the thrums of their heartbeats and labored breathing. They were scared of the unknown, just like I was.

Slowly, the dark cloud disappeared, leaving behind a young lady. She approached the gate, her hands touching her face and cheeks. "Where am I?" she asked, her eyes darting around seeking a familiar face.

I looked at her curiously. Her dress was caked with earth dirt, and there were tiny twigs sticking out of her scattered long hair. She looked lost.

A young man smiled, approaching her, and made his way across the crowd. He took the strange girl's hands in his, moving back inside as the crowd shifted for them to pass freely.

"Where is this place?" the strange lady stared at the crowd of people, who were equally searching for answers.

"Elisa, you are in your village - Moon Fire," the young man spoke in a low tone, gently holding her hands.

"I-iiiiii don't know what you are talking about," she stammered, pushing his hands away. "I can't seem to remember anything." She cuddled both her knees, rocking back and forth.

"Remember Max, your fiancé?" he gestured to the dead body on the floor. "You two were planning on getting married."

"I-iiiiii don't know," she whispered, her voice trembling. "These voices in my head, they keep telling me it's not true. Please make it stop." She pulled her hair roughly.

"Plsssssss make it stop," she held the young man's hands in fright, her face looking pale. "It's making me want to do something really bad." She cried, her voice raising.

The young man draped his shoulders around her neck, pulling her close. "Sshhhh, it's okay now."

Everywhere was silent as they watched the drama unfold.

"No, no, no, nooooo!" she pushed him, his back landing on the floor as she sped out of the building, muttering incoherent words.

"No, wait!" the young man ran after her, but I pushed him back.

He stared at me, his eyes reddening. "You can't save her unless I come up with something."

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" he pointed his index finger at me.

"I take orders from no one," he picked up a wooden chair, throwing it at me.

"I am not your enemy, unless of course you want me to be," I said calmly, the chair breaking into pieces on my body.

I dusted my shirt, meeting the intense gaze of the young man.

"Party's over," I clapped my hands, demanding attention. "No one leaves this compound to do any stupid form of ritual. I will be back very soon."

I backed away from the crowd, moving slightly towards the gate.

"Who do you think you are, giving orders to us?" the young man's voice boomed across the hall.

I stopped midway. "We stubborn, ain't we?" I approached him, my veins pulsing as I jerked him by his collar.

"I leaned in, whispering in his ears, "Ever heard of Prince Derek?" I paused.

"If anything happens to any of these people here," I released my grip on him, gently patting his chest, "let's not say what Derek will do." I smiled, his face draining of color as he pushed my hands.

"Now that's a good boy," I said, as the ringing of the phone in my pocket invaded my moment.

I picked up the phone; it was Ray.

"What is it, Ray?" I spoke angrily.

"There's no one in the third village," Ray replied. "It's like everyone disappeared."

I slowly brought down the phone from my ear. If the creature had taken everyone from the village, then it was over - or was it stalling me?

Frightened, I picked up my phone, calling back Ray. The crowd watched me.

"Ray, please pick up," I whispered, sprinting outside.

I felt strange goosebumps all over my body. I threw my phone away.

There was no time; the circle had also been drawn in our packhouse.

I removed my clothes and transformed into a werewolf, the pain searing through my body.

I had no choice, even if I knew I couldn't handle my transformation. My family was in danger.

I raced through the forest in my werewolf form, aware of the sunset that covered the skies, reminding me of the dark creature's demand before midnight.

The closer I got to our packhouse, the more my wolf sensed danger.

I closed my wolf eyes, concentrating. That was how I could transform back to my human form.

"Please, Leo, help me save my people," I whispered to the dark in my mind.

Seconds later, nothing happened. My heart raced, I won't get stuck in my werewolf form.

"Pleassssss Leo!" Suddenly, it happened. I fell on the floor, my body and legs slowly transforming back to my human form.

"Thank you," I mouthed.

I looked up to see the guards gaping at my naked body.

"What are you staring at?" I yelled, quickly standing up from the floor.

"I-iiiiii am sorry, Prince Derek," he responded, facing the floor.

"Just open the damn gate," I barked, not minding the fact that I was naked.

He pushed the gate, his face peeled to the floor.

I stepped inside. "Can you get me clothes?" I asked.

"Nooo, yes, Prince," he stammered, racing inside. He came back with clothes, and I took them from him.

Wearing them, I stared at the packhouse, my eyes scanning the quiet surroundings. The usual bustle of activity was replaced by an unusual stillness. I could feel the weight of something being off.

"Where is everyone?" I asked the guard, my voice low.

He shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact. "I-don't know, Prince Derek. We were told to secure the perimeter and wait for further instructions... if..."

"If what?" I queried.

"If you came back," he pressed the red button on the wall with force.

All the guards in my pack surrounded me within moments. Their gaze pierced my skin with intensity, like I was the enemy.

"What's happening here?" I roared as they swung their weapons towards me.