The Hunters Wolf

The sun was still rising as Evelyn bounced down the stairs wearing one of her favourite red dresses, her auburn hair tied neatly in a bun. Her parents were already awake. Her father sat reading the paper in his favourite chair while her mother fetched him a warm drink. "Good morning, Papa," she said, kissing he top of his head. "You're up early this morning." he looked up from his paper, eyeing her quizzically. "I dont suppose the market would have anything to do with that, would it?" "Papa i -" he held up his hand to silence her mid sentence before she could start her pleading. "You can go...however you must take your sister with you," "But Papa! Primrose is -" his hand shot up to silence her again. "Would you rather not go?" he asked, and Evelyn shook her head."Very well... now, go help your sister get ready." he returned his eyes to his paper, signalling the end of the conversation. Evelyn loved her sister dearly. However, market days were the only days Evelyn got to spend solely with her friend, and they had hoped to promenade around attempting to attract the attention of possible male suitors. That was rather difficult to do with her younger sibling in tow. Evelyn knew better than to argue with her father, and if she showed even the slightest distaste to taking her sister, she very well could lose her own right to go to the market. The market was buzzing with life as people bussled between the different stalls, which sold various items and trinkets from silks to silver and gems from all over the world. Evelyn linked arms with her best friend Sonya as they walked along the street, sharing gossip. Sonya always had the best gossip, and there was rarely anything she didn't know. Primrose tottled behind wide-eyed as she took in all the various goods for sale. "Primrose, keep up. You dont want to be left behind, " Evelyn called, holding out her arm for her younger sister to take. "Oh! look, ladies, this is the stall i was talking about." Elizabeth pulled the three of them towards one of the silk stalls. "Help me find something to finish my new dress." Elizabeth pleaded, and they all took to shifting through the soft, delicate fabrics. "This ones beautiful!" Primrose gasped, holding up a pale pink shimmering sash of silk. "Oh no, that won't do at all! Completely the wrong colour, " Elizabeth tutted, then returned to her search. Primroses eyes grew sad as she slid the fabric back. She was trying so desperately for the approval of the other girls. She had practically leapt out of bed when Evelyn told her she could join them. "Do you really like that one?" Evelyn asked her little sister. "It's the wrong colour," Primrose sighed, not wanting to look her sister in the eye. "That was not what i asked." Evelyn took her hand. "Do you Primrose Evergreen like that silk sash?" Evelyn asked her again. "I do, very much." Everlyn opened her small purse holding the coins her father had given her and handed her sister enough to purchase the sash. Her father hadn't given them a lot, just enough to buy them both something nice. However, the silk was rather expensive. Primrose beamed and skipped away to the vendor while Evelyn slid the emerald green sash she had been eyeing back with the rest. "Dont be hiding that away. Something so fine should be on show for the world to see." A deep voice came from behind Evelyn, making her jump. The voice belonged to a tall, dark stranger. He stood at least 6ft2 and was by far the most handsome man Evelyn had ever seen. He kept his amber eyes fixed on Evelyns as he stepped towards her, gently grabbing the silk from her hands and tying it around her neck loosly. "There that's much better, it matches you eyes," he winked, then smiled the most dazzling smile. Evelyn was surprised she didn't swoon there and then. "That's very kind, sir," Evelyns voice came out ropeier than she intended as she pulled the silk down from her neck. "But i am not in the market for one today. Thank you. " "Then consider it a gift from me," he said, handing the vendor the money. Evelyn hadn't even realised he was standing right behind her. "I couldn't accept that," she began to protest. "I insist! where i come from, it's rude to refuse a gift. " "And where might that be?" Evelyn asked, her curiosity of this handsom stranger peaked. "A place far from here, I've travelled to more places than you could ever imagine, do you like to travel, miss..." "Evelyn," she filled in the pause. She hadn't realised how close they were now stood. Everyone else seemed to fade away as if she was in some kind of trace, mesmerised by this man. "I've always dreamed of travelling," a small tugg on her dress brought her back to reality as Primrose tried to get her attention. "Primrose darling, why dont you help me and Elizabeth pick out something. You clearly have a good eye. " Sonya scuttled Primrose away, winking at Evelyn, as they left her to chat to the handsome stranger. "My name is Henry. It's a pleasure to make your aquantance. Would you walk with me, Miss Evelyn. I'd love to share some of my adventures with you. " he offered her his arm, and she hisitated for a fraction of a second before taking it. Part of her new she shouldn't, but she just couldn't resist this man. Evelyn listened so intently to his stories that she didn't realise they slipped away from the market and towards the old mill and houses surrounding it, which had long been abandoned on the outskirts of town. Henry had a strange rhythem to his words that swept her away so much it seemed the rest of the world and time faded away. It wasn't until they stopped walking that she realised she didn't know where exactly they were. All she knew was that they were in the woodland bordering the old mill and that they were alone. "Apologies, Mr Henry. I have taken up far too much of your time and must be heading back. Thank you for sharing your tales with me. They really are riviting. " Evelyn tried to excuse herself. Henry turned and looked deep into her eyes. Evelyn took a deep breath and staggered backwards. "You dont need to apologise. How about we continue this conversation over dinner" he was stood so close that she could feel his breath on her skin, making it tingle. She took a step backwards, but she was already backed up against a tree. "I -" she began, but Henry cut her off with a finger on her mouth. "I shouldn't do this, not here. But I just can't fight the temptation around you," Evelyn didn't know what he was talking about. His eyes seemed to flash breifly gold, which both excited and scared her. Before she knew what was happening, he pressed his lips to hers. His kiss was rough and urgent as he pressed her hard against the tree. His hands were everywhere as he tore at her dress to get to the flesh underneath. Evelyns brain screamed at her, telling her to push him off and run, but her body would not respond. Part of her wanted this. He trailed kisses down her neck, which sent shiveres down her spine, which settled between her legs. "It always tastes better in the throws of pleasure," he growled as he tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck to him. "but this will have to do," Evelyn barely registered his words, but as she glanced up at him, his face changed. His eyes were no longer amber but bright gold, and his teeth elongated into fangs. Before Evelyn could scream, he sunk his teeth into her neck, stifling her scream. She kicked and clawed, but the sheer muscle of man before her never even flinched. She could feel her energy levels ebbing, and her arms fell limp at her side, and her vision darkened as she slid down the tree, landing in a heap. When Evelyn awoke, it was dark, and she was alone. She scrambled to her feet, feeling trapped and restricted in her dress. As she stood, she felt dizzy. Every sound was magnified, making her head drum and her eyes sting. She could smell a metalic tang in the air, which made her mouth water. Blood! she new the smell imediatly. Her fingers shot to the wound at her neck. The collar of her dress felt damp from her own blood, but the wound itself had healed other than the small raised lumps of a scar. She scanned around her, but her assaultant had long gone. She could hear voices in the distance, although they seemed so loud the people could have been standing next to her. They were calling for her. Evelyn made her way towards the voices. At first, she felt shakey and weak, but the strength soon returned to her legs. "Evelyn!" she heard a familiar voice calling her. It was the bakers son. But she couldn't see him, she kept running towards the direction of thee voice. It hammered in her head, It was so loud, but she couldn't see him. Panic started to set in as she kept running more frantically out of the woods and towards the buildings. He had to be close now. She turned a corner behind the old abandoned mill and crashed into something. It was Harry, the Bakers son. He landed hard on his ass with Evelyn on top of him. "Everlyn, there you are! are you alright? " he said, standing and helping her up. "Your fathers been so worried. The whole village is looking for you. " "Im fine, I just..." Evelyn froze. The metalic smell was back in the air. She put her hand to her neck, but the wound was still sealed closed. This smell was different. It made her mouth water again, and her stomach growl. She looked towards the bakers son and noticed a trickle of blood down his arm from where he had fallen. She grabbed his arm, holding it firm as she examined the wound. "Dont worry about that. It's just a graze." Harry tried to pull his arm back, but Evelyn wouldn't let go. Her heart beat so loud she thought it would rip from her chest. She breathed heavily and licked her lips, feeling a hunger like nothing she had ever felt before. "Evelyn, let me go." To his credit, Harry tried to keep his tone steady and calm, but it wasn't Evelyns heartbeat she could hear...it was his. It grew more erratic as he looked straight at her, and his expression changed to one of dread. Evelyn could see why in the reflection of his eyes. Her face changed, looking more monstrous with bright shining green eye and long pointed teeth. Her jaw seemed to stick out at an odd angle, it supprised and amazed her. Harry wriggled, trying to escape her grip, but Evelyn wouldn't let him go. Instead, she raised his arm to her mouth, licking the trail of blood away. He tasted good, sweet. She wanted more. Harry stared at her in shock, horror. The vein at the side of his neck practically stuck out throbbing. She couldn't resist! before she knew what she was doing, she clamped her mouth around his neck, sinking her teeth in. The blood was warm and sweet as it slid down her throat, warming her insides. Evelyn felt Harrys body begin to shake and convulge, but she couldn't let him go. she bit harder, sinking her teeth in deeper to his flesh. When she was done, Harrys limp body slumped down into a heap, his head still in her hands. Evelyn screamed in horror. Surely she hadn't done this! How could she! but she knew deep down she had done. She could hear more voices getting closer. They would find her and lock her up. She deserved it. She was a monster! She had just murdered a boy she had grown up with in cold blood. He tried to help her, and she tore his head off. The voices grew louder and louder as they drew closer. It was a large group but one of the voices she recognised instantly. Her father. She imagined the look on his face and the disappointment as he saw what she had done. Then another thought came unbidden as she looked down at the head she had thrown on the floor next to the lifeless body. The face looking at her no longer Harry the bakers son, but her fathers, then her mother, then her sweet, innocent little sister. She covered her mouth to stifle a sob. No, they couldn't find her. what if she did to them what she did to Harry. She wouldn't be responsible for her familys death! So she ran, ran as fast as her legs would carry her. As she ran and adrenaline fuled her, she became overwhelmed with a painful sensation. It felt like every bone in her body was braking and re-forming. She stumbled, rolling across the floor, letting out a loud ear peircing scream. However, it came out as more of a howl. She tried to stand but was unable to get up on her two legs. As she looked at her hand, she saw that instead, they were paws. She looked around at herself, her clothes ripped to shreds on the ground and her skin covered in red/brown fur similar to the colour of her hair. She could hear voices getting louder again in the distance, and without thinking, she began to run again. This time on all fours. At first, she was unbalanced and kept timbling, but soon she found her balance, and everything shot past her in a blur, the voices grew fainter and fainter until she could no longer hear them, but still, she kept running. Tears streamed down her face, but she pushed on, determined to get as much distance from her family as she could. Her world was over now. She was a murderous monster, She didn't know whether she would be stuck in this form forever. All she knew was she couldn't bring any more harm to anyone else, especially her family.