Teeth Beneath the Skin
1008 Words
Calen didn’t stop running until the forest thinned and the air shifted.
Lena barely felt the ground beneath her feet. Everything blurred—trees streaking past, cold air slicing into her lungs, the pounding rhythm of her heart syncing with something deeper, more primal. Calen’s grip on her wrist was iron-strong, unyielding, yet strangely careful, as if he knew exactly how much pressure she could take.
She should have been exhausted.
Instead, she felt alive.
They finally came to a halt near a narrow creek, moonlight glinting off the water like shattered glass. Calen released her and turned, scanning the darkness with sharp, predatory focus.
“They won’t follow us here,” he said.
Lena bent forward, hands on her knees, sucking in air. “Those were hunters,” she said, more statement than question.
“Yes.”
“You knew they were close.”
His jaw tightened. “I suspected.”
Anger flared—hot, fast, uncontrollable. “So you dragged me into the woods anyway?”
Calen faced her fully now, amber eyes blazing. “The woods are safer for you than town ever will be.”
“That doesn’t make sense!”
“It will,” he said quietly. “Sooner than you’d like.”
The words sent a chill through her, even as heat pooled low in her body. Her emotions felt wrong lately—too big, too sharp. Every feeling surged to the surface, demanding attention.
She crossed her arms, trying to steady herself. “You said I was Moonborn. What does that actually mean?”
Calen studied her, as if weighing how much truth she could survive. “It means your wolf was bound at birth. Hidden. Locked away to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“From everyone.”
The creek gurgled softly beside them. The forest watched in silence.
“And now?” she asked.
“Now the lock is breaking.”
A tremor ran through her at his words. Her skin felt too tight, as if something beneath it was stretching, testing. She rubbed her arms, trying to chase away the sensation.
Calen noticed immediately. His gaze darkened.
“You’re close,” he murmured.
“Close to what?”
“Losing control.”
Her breath hitched. “That’s not comforting.”
A faint, dangerous smile touched his lips. “It’s honest.”
The moon slipped free of the clouds, flooding the clearing with silver light. Lena gasped as a wave of heat surged through her body, fierce and sudden. Her knees buckled.
Calen caught her instantly.
The contact sent sparks racing across her skin. She clutched his shirt, fingers curling instinctively, her nails sharper than they should have been. She could feel his strength now—solid, unmovable, grounding in a way nothing else had ever been.
Something inside her howled.
“I don’t feel right,” she whispered, panic creeping in. “Everything hurts. And burns.”
“I know,” he said softly. “Look at me, Lena.”
She did—and nearly lost herself.
His eyes glowed brighter now, molten amber rimmed with something feral. His scent surrounded her, thick and intoxicating, making her head spin. Her body leaned into his without permission, seeking heat, safety… him.
Calen inhaled sharply. “Easy.”
“Don’t tell me to be easy,” she snapped, though her voice trembled. “I feel like I’m about to tear apart.”
His grip tightened at her waist. “That’s your wolf pushing forward.”
“My what—”
A sharp pain ripped through her spine.
Lena cried out, arching against him as pressure built beneath her skin. Her bones ached, muscles tightening, senses exploding outward. She could hear everything—the creek, the insects, Calen’s heartbeat, steady and strong.
Too much.
“Make it stop,” she gasped.
Calen’s forehead pressed to hers. “I can’t. But I can help you ride it.”
The words sent a shock through her—half comfort, half something dangerously intimate.
His hands slid along her arms, grounding, firm. “Focus on my voice. Anchor yourself.”
She clung to him as another wave crashed through her. Her teeth ached. Her gums burned.
She tasted blood.
Terror flooded her eyes. “My teeth—”
“I know,” he said, voice rough now. “You’re doing well.”
“Well?” she laughed breathlessly. “I’m growing fangs!”
A low, involuntary sound rumbled from her chest—not a scream. A growl.
They both froze.
Calen’s pupils blew wide. “Lena…”
She felt it then—the presence inside her. Not foreign. Not evil. Just… waiting. Strong. Female. Furious at being caged.
The wolf lifted her head and looked through her eyes.
Heat coiled low in her belly, sharp and needy. Her gaze dragged to Calen’s mouth, to the pulse jumping in his throat. The urge to bite—to mark—rose fast and wild.
She recoiled in horror. “Get away from me.”
Calen didn’t move.
“If I do,” he said quietly, “you might hurt yourself.”
“Or you,” she shot back.
A slow smile curved his lips. “I can handle it.”
The arrogance should have annoyed her.
Instead, it made her pulse race.
She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the instincts clawing upward. “Why you?” she whispered. “Why does it want you?”
Calen’s voice dropped, thick with meaning. “Because you’re mine. And because I’m yours.”
The truth slammed into her, undeniable and terrifying.
A howl echoed in the distance—answered by another, closer this time.
Calen stiffened. “We don’t have long.”
Lena opened her eyes, fear and fire burning together. “Then teach me,” she said. “Before I lose myself completely.”
His expression softened, pride flickering beneath the intensity. “I will.”
The moon pulsed overhead, bright and merciless.
And deep inside Lena Ashcroft, the wolf smiled—baring her teeth.
- Writer
