Everything shattered. One moment, I was just Jake Hartwell, staring at the damn full moon. The next, Fur erupting all over my skin, bones snapping and reshaping themselves, a red-hot surge of something wild tearing through me. I wasn't me anymore. Not really.
The window exploded outwards, and I landed on the ground running. The forest slammed into my senses like a freight train. Pine needles, damp earth, all of it a thousand times stronger than I'd ever known. The moonlight burned, turning the trees into twisted, leering things.
I was terrified. Gut-wrenchingly, mind-numbingly terrified. What the hell was happening to me? I was losing myself, becoming something... else. But beneath the fear, a dark, twisted thrill. A release. For the first time in my life, I wasn't trapped inside my own head. I wasn't weak, or invisible, or alone.
My legs ate up the ground. Power surged through me with every stride. I was free.
Except... a tiny voice, a ghost of the old Jake, whispered in the back of my mind. This wasn't freedom. This was a cage of a different kind.And I had a sickening feeling I was about to find out just how much it was going to cost me. I ran through the woods with no destination, burning with rage fueled with primal instinct, I wanted to leave the woods but something stopped me each time I tried, sounds of bats that were hanging far away from me sounded like a blast in my hears, my abilities were better than before, I could hear from a very long distance, catch a scent better, I was faster, stronger and the worst part of it, I was a monster, I looked at the muddy earth and saw my glowing eyes, I saw a monster entirely, fury filled within me, I howled so loudly, every sleeping bird in each tree flew away then I heard footsteps, it was running closer to me, I balanced myself for the attack ready to defend and slaughter whatever was coming my way but all of a sudden a force pulled me back and held me so tightly, I could barely move but I couldn't resist the urge to fight back, my claw deepened in his arm tearing it out, giving him a bloody scratch mark, he let go of me which gave me a chance to see who it was.
Jake!!, ( arm heals ) you need to calm down,
who are you?, you did this to me right?, what the fucking hell did you do to me? (Roars)
I ran towards the figurine standing before me with brute force, pinning him to the ground, I raised my newly emerged claws ready to cause harm then I saw his eyes, they glowed, pure red, I felt overpowered by the sight of his eyes, I wanted to retrieve my claws by then the moon shined brighter on me, the urge to cause him harm raised to the bar, I growled loudly passing the message that whatever he was doing wasn't working, I stabbed him in the midsection, I retrieved and my hand was as bloody as hell, the sight of blood made me go wild, the hunger for blood rised within me, the passion to kill, I felt a change within me, I held my head in pain as the ringing sound in my head started, the ember color of my eyes changed to blood red, still in my werewolf form, I felt a boost of power, I was stronger than I was minutes ago, my vision cleared out, I figured out the guy standing before me was Jason, Clark told me about him but I didn't believe whatever he was saying the other day, Jason was a werewolf, he eyes still in glowing red but for some reason he seemed surprised.
Jake, what's happening to you?,
didn't you do this to me?, so why the hell are you asking me, I feel so blood thirsty, I feel the need for blood, you need to find a way to get me back to my normal self, Jake,
how many bites did you get that night?,
you bit me twice and you dare to ask how many I got, I'll kill you for this,
Jake you need to calm down, I can't,
I smell blood, I need to get it (runs off).
(Jason)
I watched him go, a blur of fur and fury disappearing into the trees. What the hell was that? A werewolf with a thirst for blood? It didn't make any sense. We don't crave blood. We hunt to survive, not to feed some… vampire urge.
I couldn't handle this alone. Jake was out of control, a danger to himself and everyone else. I needed help, and there was only one person I could turn to. A person I'd rather avoid at all costs.
The bar was called "The Devil's Ride," and it was exactly what you'd expect: a biker hangout on the wrong side of town, filled with leather-clad Reapers and the smell of stale beer and cheap gasoline. I hated this place.
Ethan was sitting at the bar, nursing a whiskey and surrounded by his crew. He looked up as I approached, his eyes cold and unwelcoming.
"Jason," he said, his voice flat. "What do you want?"
"We have a problem," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "A big one."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And why should I care about your problems?"
"Because this problem could become *your* problem," I said. "It's about Jake."
I explained everything: the attack in the woods, the dual bites, Jake's transformation, and the bloodlust. Ethan listened in silence, his expression unreadable.
"So, you're telling me you have a newbie werewolf who's also exhibiting vampire tendencies?" he said, finally. "That's your story?"
"It's the truth," I said, meeting his gaze. "I've never seen anything like it."
Ethan studied me for a long moment, his eyes piercing. I knew he didn't trust me, but I also knew he was smart enough to recognize a genuine threat.
"Alright," he said, finally. "Let's say I believe you. What do you want me to do about it?"
"I need your help," I said. "Jake's out of control. We need to find him and bring him in."
Ethan took a long swallow of his whiskey. "And why should I risk my neck for some stray pup?"
"Because if he loses control completely, he could expose us all," I said. "He could bring the humans down on our heads. Is that what you want?"
Ethan considered this for a moment. He knew I was right. Jake was a loose cannon, a walking disaster waiting to happen.
"Fine," he said, his voice grudging. "I'll help you. But you follow my rules. I'm in charge, and you do what I say. No questions asked."
I hesitated. I hated the thought of taking orders from Ethan, but I had no choice. "Alright," I said, extending my hand. "You have a deal."
Ethan shook my hand, his grip firm and cold. "Let's go," he said. "We don't have time to waste."
We left the bar and headed into the woods, the scent of Jake's blood still lingering in the air. As we walked, Ethan stopped suddenly, sniffing the air.
"He's not just running away," Ethan said, his voice grim. "He's running towards something."
Blood!!, let's track it together now!!, before he kills someone,
Jason calm down, you don't run behind a bloodthirsty monster you don't know anything about,
then what do you say we do ?,
if what you say is true, a vampire and a werewolf, we need to catch him together but right now we need to tame the part in action first, the vampire side, I'll try my best,
no Ethan, we can't deal with it like that, if we go separately, we're preys, a werewolf's bite can kill you and a vampire's bite can kill me, it's a risk, we need to do this together but first we need to keep him in the woods, if he steps into the city, there's going to be a blood bath.
(Jason)
"My eyes snapped open, and a jolt of recognition shot through me. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but I knew that scent. It was… *heightened*.
Ethan's brow furrowed. "Heightened? What does that mean?"
"It's like… the blood itself is amplified, richer, more potent," I explained, struggling to articulate the sensation. "It's not just the *smell* of blood, it's the promise of it. Like a beacon."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "And you can track that?"
"I think so," I said, my senses straining. "It's faint, but it's there. It's pulling him… that way." I pointed towards the densest part of the woods, where the trees grew thick and the shadows were deepest.
Ethan nodded, his expression grim. "Alright. Lead the way."
We moved forward, our senses on high alert. The forest was silent, holding its breath. The only sound was the crunch of our boots on the fallen leaves and the frantic thumping of my own heart.
I focused on the scent, letting it guide me. It was like following a thread through a maze, a faint but persistent pull that grew stronger with each step.
"He's moving fast," I said, my voice low. "He's not just wandering. He knows where he's going."
"Or something is telling him where to go," Ethan muttered, his eyes scanning the trees. "Keep your guard up. We don't know what we're walking into."
We continued to push deeper into the woods, the scent of heightened blood growing stronger with each step. The trees grew taller, their branches intertwining to form a dark canopy overhead. The air grew colder, and a sense of unease settled over me.
"He's close," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I can feel it."
Ethan stopped suddenly, raising his hand to signal me to halt. He sniffed the air, his eyes narrowed.
"I smell something else," he said, his voice low and cautious. "Something… metallic."
I sniffed the air, trying to discern the new scent. It was faint, but it was there: a sharp, coppery tang that cut through the sweetness of the blood.
"Iron," I said, my brow furrowing. "Why would there be iron out here?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Not just iron," he said, his voice grim. " *Cold* iron."
"This just got a whole lot more complicated," he said. "Cold iron is a ward. Someone doesn't want us following him."
Who might that be?, I don't expect anyone to know about this, let's split up and meet up alright?
Okay Jason, let's go.
(Jason)
I could still sense Jake running very fast, never in my life have I seen anyone as fast as he is or even what he is, a werewolf and a vampire, what should I call him, my beta or a vamp. The scent of the blood got deeper as I ran closer, I knew if he was able to get out into the city, it'll be havoc, a vampire running rampage, I just need to follow the plan that Ethan and I made but first I need to get him away from the moon, it's making him stronger.
Ethan!, where are you?
I'm right here, so this is where the scent stopped, Jake must be here somewhere
Ethan, I need to get him away from the moon, he just transformed for the first time and the moon gives power to new werewolves on a full moon, they'll become stronger
So what do you suppose we do?, how do we get him out of here?, how do we lure him out?, he's a bloodthirsty monster now
That's it, blood, we need to lure him with blood, we need to find something to lure him with
Caught one!
Seriously, a rat, oh wait, he's coming, run and meet me at our basement, please
I don't wish to be wolf food alright but I'll do it for him (runs off)
Now it's my turn (eyes glows)
(Jake)
Another scent of blood caught my attention, I ran towards it and I actually caught a glimpse of Jason afar, he's glowing red eyes still felt a bit overwhelming but my thirst for blood was much more stronger, my feet were moving as fast as the wind, he tried stopping me in my tracks but I was too strong, I held his hands but he didn't give up then he gave a very loud roar that echoed in my head, I felt a bit of power loss, as if I have to obey what he was saying but it was just a brief moment, the bloodlust was back, I threw him off a tree breaking it's branches, I ran towards the scent of the blood, I looked behind me and Jason was after me already but couldn't catch up.
Stop following me, you did this to me, don't add more to it, let me be!!
Jake!, you need to control yourself, this isn't you, I can teach how to control it, just stop running
I can't, so if you can't catch up then leave me
(Jake)
Jake's speed was unmatched to mine, he was different, stronger, faster, I didn't know one could be as fast as he is, I still stood ground and ran after him.
Hello!, you guys are having a very special visitor
What are you doing here Ethan?, leave this place now
Calm down Jacob, I'm with Jason, he's bringing a new member of the family
What are you talking about?, a new member,
Jason didn't tell us he turned someone
Yeah you're right Emma, but here he comes, take cover
( Door breaks open)
Jason, are you okay?
Yeah I'm fine, he's too strong, I don't think it's the moon anymore
Yeah, we vampires are powered by bloodlust for the very first time and not even an alpha like you can handle them
We need to bring him down but he's too strong
We'll help Jason
I'm sorry guys but we need to be very careful, he's very strong.
(Jake)
I walked through the broken door and saw them, people like Jason, their eyes were glowing but different to Jason's and mine, they had blue eyes, I knew they were all coming for me, I braced for impact as they all attacked me altogether, they were all stronger together, stronger than me, before I could even realize what they were doing, I was chained, I couldn't break the chain, I tried all I could but it didn't work, I tried to calm down before they all came before me.
Jake, are you okay?, how are you feeling?
Jason, what's happening to me?, what have you done to me?, this isn't the way planned to live my life, you changed my entire life, why?, why!!!!
Jake, I'm sorry but this isn't something you're supposed to regret at all, I know you're scared but this is an opportunity, this is a gift, one you'll appreciate later, you're not a monster, look at me, look at them, you are just like us, you're a werewolf.
Alright, don't sweet talk him, Jake, I'm Ethan, you're not a werewolf, you're also a vampire, we don't know how it happened alright?, all we know is we need to put you under control and find out what's wrong with you
What's he talking about?
He's right, we don't actually understand what's going on with you, you are able to exhibit both, you lost control of your werewolf first because of the full moon and a blood triggered the vampire side, we don't know how that's possible.
If you turned me into a werewolf, who turned me into a vampire?, there were two of you that night, who was with you?
I was with him because he entered our territory and it was a brutal fight and his blood...., oh, it wasn't him I bit, I bit you.
So, you turned me into a vampire, good, now that both of you are here, you need to find a way to reverse whatever you did to me this instant.
Jake, we can't reverse it, if it were possible we would have done the same, I'm sorry
You both, I hate you, you changed my life completely, unchain me!!!
I'm afraid we can't do that Jake, I'm sorry, you need to learn to control yourself.
I'm fine and I need to leave this place, I'm fine, I promise, please
If we release you, you need to fight it, the moon is very tempting, it's a full moon, you'll lose control again
No I won't, I just need to get home, my parents must be worried about me, I promise I'll be fine.
Emma, unchain him.
Okay Jason.
Jake, the guy's right, it's a gift and we're the only ones who can help you.
Ethan, I won't be needing your help thank you.
Ja....
Let him be Zoey, he'll understand soon
(Jake)
I felt tremendous pain in my fingers which seemed like they were going to pop out of my hand, I had never seen my hands that bloody, I was craving for blood and rage fueled every movement of mine, the cravings were still present in me but somehow I was able overcome it, I was in control but I didn't feel in control, it was as if something had closed the monsters in me. A new town, a new me, I am no more the Jake Hartwell that I knew, this was a whole new me. Thoughts ran through my mind not until something caught my attention, a force of speed ran through the woods, I knew I wasn't out alone anymore, at first I thought it was one of them again but when it appeared, I couldn't comprehend what I was seeing right in front of me, a gigantic bear like animal, fangs as long as a branch, it claws was enough to cut down multiple trees in a slash but at that point, the control I had left my whole body, it was as if someone was pressuring the monsters within me so I can be in my right mind, I lost control again but this time I was not craving or running wildly, I had to protect myself, I closed my eyes and I was in a full werewolf form, my claws grew out again, fur all over my cheek, my fangs pointed out and the ember yellow light glowed from my eyes, I let out a roar that was loud enough to be heard throughout the city, there it was, my first battle as a werewolf, I ran towards the animal and to it's surprise, my speed was unmatched, I deepened my claws in its ankles, it let out a growl, it went down on its feet, the ground shook, it was more like an earthquake, before it could stand, with brute strength, I stabbed its chest from behind, my hands buried in its back revealing its heart right in the front side, I withdrew my hand and found the beast's heart in my bloody hands, it fell to the ground lifeless, it lost its life to a new bitten werewolf, with the scent of blood, my form changed, the color of my eyes changed instantly to a very dull red, my claws retracted, I was left with a bloody hand, I ran towards the animal and before I could get back to my senses, I was a blood sucking maniac, I drained the lifeless monster of its blood, I looked at the sky and the moon was shining bright just like it did when I turned previously in my room. I didn't realize I had audience before me, who were shocked to see me.
Why are you guys here?, I told you guys in fine
Jake, did you kill that all on your own ?
Of course he did Jason, he drained the the lifeless monster, he was still bloodthirsty when he left
Ethan, no you don't understand, even an alpha like me can't take out a wendigo bear alone
Oh that's a wendigo bear, I didn't take a good look
What's a wendigo bear?, and yes it tried to kill so I defended myself by killing it
Jake, those bears have the capability to wipe out tons of packs, it wiped out up to 15 packs the last time it appeared here and you defeated it all by yourself, it seems impossible
Jason, legends did say the only things that can kill a wendigo bear is a cooperation of a vampire and a werewolf
(Both Jason and Ethan) He's both.