The night was thick with the scent of damp earth and blood. A low growl rumbled through the darkened forest, a warning, a promise of violence. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the towering trees as Artemis prowled through the undergrowth, his fur matted, his breathing ragged. His limbs twitched uncontrollably, his transformation glitching, caught between human and beast. The hunger gnawed at him, primal and insatiable.
A rustling in the bushes snapped his head to the side. The girl had wandered too close.
"What... are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling. Her wide eyes locked onto his monstrous form..half-man, half-wolf, a creature of nightmares.
Artemis bared his fangs, saliva dripping onto the forest floor. His hunger surged. She reeked of fear, of vulnerability, of prey.
The girl screamed and bolted.
He lunged.
