Escape

3

I walked to the edge of the forest and took my clothes off, leaving them on the bench where my mom would place new clothes. I knew exactly where I wanted to shift for the first time.

In the forest there is a little clearing where the moon shines perfectly through the tree.

After another minute, I felt my bones start to break. Everything breaks and shifts. I have never felt more pain and pleasure at one time. But the pain is stronger. It takes about another three minutes to fully shift.

'Hi, Vinny. I'm Seven."

Was that my wolf?

'Yes' she answered again.

'Nice to finally meet you.' I was shocked. I didn't realize that my wolf would sound like my own thoughts in my head. It's an odd feeling, she is a part of me, but she is also a whole separate personality.

It was then that the smell hit me. The best smell I have ever smelled. Roasted Cinnamon Apples.

'Mate.' Seven said and immediately started running.

'Seriously?! It must be Gio!'

I was so excited to get back to the house. The closer we got, the stronger the smell got, turning my insides to jelly.

I have never been this happy. The love of my life is in fact my mate.

We were within sight of the house when my wolf slowed down.

'Do you smell that?' my wolf asked.

'Is that blood?' Couldn't be. Where would it be coming from?

'Smells like a lot of it.'

I shifted back, it didn't take me as long the second time. I would say it was under a minute.

I grabbed the clothes my mom left and headed back to the house. The two smells mixing made me feel uneasy.

'Our mate is okay. I can feel it.'

I stopped in my tracks.

On the porch, I could see my mom lying down in a pool of blood.

"Mom?" I cried out.

I could see her throat had been slit. I tried to put pressure on it, hoping I could do something, anything. Tears started to run down my eyes as I held her head. There was nothing I could do.

"Dad?" Where was he? What happened to my mom? Where is Gio?

I ran into the house, following the smell of my mate. I just want his comfort and protection.

Of course, I found him. Everything happens in slow motion, as I can't believe what happens next.

I got there just in time to see him rip my father's throat out. His lifeless body fell to the floor. I fell to my knees, confused. There is no way this is happening. On my birthday, to my parents. By the love of my life, my mate.

Gio takes a sniff, realizing I am behind.

He rushes over to me, trying to lift me up off the ground, but I just sit there, limp. Not wanting him to touch me.

"No, no, no baby."

He says something, but everything just falls on deaf ears.

"I'm sorry. I am so sorry."

That's all he keeps saying.

'There must be a good reason for what we just saw. He is our mate, he wouldn't do anything that would hurt us.' my wolf said, but I know she just wants the chance to be with her mate.

There is no reason that would make this okay. There was always another option. They were my parents.

"I can explain everything, baby." he said, pulling me into his body.

"Explain?! Are you serious right now?!" I couldn't contain my emotions. "You can explain to me why you killed my parents?"

He reaches for my hand, my eyes filling with tears. “Vinny, I-"

Before he could say anything else, I ran out to the car, and drove away. Leaving him stranded.

I felt bad about leaving my parents' bodies behind. I knew I needed to get out of there. For my safety and my sanity. My heart couldn't handle what was happening.

All I knew was that I needed to get away from him because I wanted to kill him, but he was my mate, I would be harmed too.

I never wanted to see him again.

Four months later.

I moved to New York City.

I know it's a human city, but there's still a large supernatural population. It's just not like what I am used to, there aren't any packs or covens, or anything here. Everyone just exists, and everyone is aware of each other's existence.

I have never been a city girl, but I thought all the different people and smells would keep Gio from being able to find me, even if he did visit the city.

I got my own place, my own place, I even just downloaded a dating app, thinking I was ready to find love. Maybe nothing like I had with Gio, but I knew I didn't want to die alone.

Of course, everything came tumbling down one night.

I was walking home from the office; it was only a ten-minute walk. I carry things to protect myself, but I am also a weapon. Or at least I thought.

But apparently, muggers nowadays are prepared for supernaturals and lace their bullets with wolfsbane for wolves and vervain for vamps.

I wasn't aware, but I am now.

I was almost home when three guys walked out of the alley, approaching me.

"Hey, beautiful" one of the men started.

"Sorry, I'm not interested," I retorted.

"You aren't even going to look back at us? How do you know you aren't interested?" another one asked.

"Because I'm not looking for anybody."

"Maybe you should turn around." he said as he grabbed my wrists, turning me around. As he released my wrist, he slid off my bracelet.

I knew I should let it go. It was a charm bracelet from Gio. But I just couldn't part with it. It reminded me of when my life was perfect.

"Give that back!"

The guy examined it and saw that it was high quality.

"What else you got?" one of the guys asked as they all moved closer to me.

Their hands started grabbing and touching all over me. I could stop Seven from making an appearance.

But the second they saw my canines protrude and claws stretching out. One pulled out a gun and shot me once, twice, three times.

Immediately, I knew they were laced. These bullets burned a lot more than they should have. They wouldn't heal and I couldn't find Seven.

It was seconds before my eyes went black.