Beast by Jay Mirano (color ebook reader .TXT) 📖

was dead, splayed out next to your father’s body. You assumed your father had killed him, perhaps as he himself lay dying, and I knew that brought you great comfort.
I’ve always sworn to myself never to hurt a human. There have been times – especially in winter – when prey is so hard to come by that I almost starve. But I could never bring myself to hurt those I so strongly wish to be like. I couldn’t inflict my curse upon your kind.

Celia

The creature is nearly upon the bait now, and I can barely contain myself. Its large paws scratch at the area around it; it’s clearly still on guard. We’ll have to wait until the beast starts to eat before we make a move. Without warning, the wolf’s head snaps up, and I swear it stares right at me. I’m struck by a profound sense of recognition. Where have I seen those eyes before? There have been times when I’ve sworn I could see a pale amber eyes flickering outside my bedroom window, or in the forest outside town. But never have I seen them so close.
Caleb sees the beast eying me, and reacts swiftly. He loads his bow and unleashes the arrow before I have a chance to signal him against it. The bolt strikes the creature through the ankle, and it lets out an earth-shattering howl of anguish. My heart leaps up into my throat as I see its blood begin to seep out onto the grass, seeming to shine in the light of the moon. I let out a panicked owl hoot, but it’s too late. Caleb lets loose another arrow, this one hitting the wolf in the thigh. The creature casts me one final, sorrowful stare, before turning on its haunches and disappearing into the woods.
“Caleb, you fool!” I hiss, rushing at him with my blade still unsheathed. “We could have had him if you’d waited!”
He shakes his head, not hearing a word I say. He taps Curt hurriedly on the shoulder, and they both break into a run, heading in the direction the beast went.
“No, stop!” I scream, although I’m not entirely sure why. I rush after them, suddenly gripped by a need to stop their murderous campaign. When I looked in that wolf’s eyes, it wasn’t evil I saw. It was love.

Axel

I never hoped to make you love me. I knew I could never sway you from the deep-seated hatred that all villagers have for my kind. All I wanted to do was be near you, to protect you from harm. I hope I’ve done that. Despite everything, I still love you. And I always will.

Celia

Why won’t my brothers listen to me? I need them to stop! I can see them, up ahead, following the wolf’s tracks. The ground underfoot has softened with the rain, and the creature’s footprints are unmistakable. Mingled with the muddied water flowing down the mountain is the wolf’s blood, still glowing, but fading. I’m gripped by such desperation to stop my brothers, and yet on they climb, as if possessed.
Finally we come upon a sheer cliff, looking down upon the village. I can see the lights of houses below, completely oblivious. The wolf is perched on the edge of a large rock that juts far from the cliff-face. He’s waiting for us, I know. The two arrows Caleb launched are still protruding from his matted fur.
As if waiting for our arrival, the clouds above suddenly disperse, unleashing the full intensity of the moon. The wolf gazes upward, bathed in a beam of bright moonlight. As we get closer, his shape seems to waver. He’s flickering, one moment a wolf, the other a human. I rush ahead of Curt and Caleb, skidding onto the rock and falling to my knees. In front of me kneels a man, a man whose face I know, whose face I feel I’ve always known. His eyes are shining more fervently than usual, those eyes that have followed me all my life.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, tears forcing their way from my eyes and down my cheeks. He smiles at me, a crooked half-smile that seems so familiar.
“Don’t be,” he says, closing his eyes. “This is all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Celia, get away!” Curt shouts, grabbing my arms and pulling me to my feet. “Get away from that thing.”
I struggle against his grip, but he’s simply too strong. From the corner of my eye, I see Caleb ready an arrow. I let out a panicked cry, almost a howl, but Caleb ignores me. He lets the arrow fly, striking the wolf in the neck. He crumples to the ground, panting slowly. He flickers back into human form once more, and locks eyes with me.
“I love you,” I hear myself whisper, and he smiles that crooked smile again.
Another arrow hits his chest, and another. I’m screaming for Caleb to stop, but he continues firing until all his arrows are spent.
Curt’s grip on me finally slackens, and I crawl towards the man. I wrap my hand around his, the warmth of life ebbing away from him. He’s no longer a wolf at all, but in that moment I know he never was. Not in his heart. I hold him in my arms until he’s completely still, his blood drenching my skin and clothes.
An auroral ray of moonlight envelops us both, and his body begins to fade. I look up, to see him standing before me. He’s no longer bloodied, but draped in a cloak of the darkest onyx fur I’ve ever seen. He extends a hand for me to take, and I stand with him. He takes my face in his hands and kisses me, the sensation nothing but a soft caress on my lips, like a gentle breath of wind. And with that, he disappears.

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Publication Date: 03-30-2012

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