"I'll show them," the young werewolf growled. "All of them will learn what it's like to lose everything."

20 years later...

Katelyn's POV

My name is Katelyn. My friends call me Katie. I’m headed back to California after way too long living in Arizona with my ex-husband. Lexie, my sister, warned me. She said he wasn’t the right guy, but of course, stubborn me didn’t listen.

Even Carrie Underwood rubbed it in. As I pulled into a gas station, "Good Girl" started playing on the radio. I laughed, but it wasn’t a happy laugh. More of a ‘what-a-mess-I’ve-made’ kind of laugh. The woman filling her car next to me glanced over like I was a weirdo. Well, I kinda am. I wanted to cry instead, and when I did, she got even more weirded out. Fun times.

Back in California now, I’m starving. 

"Siri, find the nearest restaurant…" 

No response. 

"Siri, FIND THE NEAREST RESTAURANT!" 

Still nothing. My patience was already running thin. 

“SIRI! SHOW ME WHERE I CAN GET SOME FOOD!” 

Finally, she wakes up. A restaurant around the corner. “Good enough,” I mutter. Dumb Siri.

I’m just about to make the turn when people start screaming and running. Out of cars, out of buildings, everywhere. I slam on the brakes and stare at the chaos. What the hell is going on?

Before I can make sense of it, a man pounds on my window, making me jump. 

“Why are you sitting here? Are you crazy?!” he yells, sweat pouring down his face. 

I just blink at him, too stunned to react. He shakes his head and takes off with the rest of the crowd. Well, that was weird. Bored, I glance At my phone, scrolling through a mountain of unread messages. Then my car shakes.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

What the fudge? My car shook with every thud. Is it an earthquake? I slumped down in my seat, still holding on to my steering wheel. What am I doing? It was an enormous....mechanical....wolf? I say this again, 'What...the fudge.' What is this place really? Is it a villain and hero city or something like that? I sighed dreamily at the thought. I would love to meet their hero.

What the fudge? My car shook with every thud. Is it an earthquake? I slumped down in my seat, still holding on to my steering wheel. What am I doing? It was an enormous....mechanical....wolf? I say this again, 'What...the fudge.' What is this place really? Is it a villain and hero city or something like that? I sighed dreamily at the thought. I would love to meet their hero.

Then the military rolls in—police cars, helicopters. Missiles.... MISSILES?! Is it really that bad?

“Shoot,” I whisper. Looks like I’ll need to pull a Fast & Furious if I wanna survive this mess.

One of the police cars drifts next to mine and I see my dad step out of the passenger side. I remain silent. I watched the missiles, I watched the gunshots. It's strange that I nearly fell asleep through the entire darn thing. That was until the mechanical wolf fell in front of my car with a loud THUD!

I sit up, heart racing again. Through the debris, I think I see someone—a man—looking right at me. Did he see me? Before I can figure it out, he disappears into the smoke.

Who was that? I know I shouldn’t, but something makes me want to follow. I quietly get out of the car and chase after the shadowy figure. I pause for a second, bending down and resting my hand on my knees.

Jason's POV

Finally, I’ve escaped. The metal casing of the machine has shielded me long enough. The couch practically groans under my weight as I collapse onto it. 

"One more fight like that, and I'll be dead before the chief of police becomes president,” I mutter with a dark chuckle. "Heh. Heh, heh. That's funny."

Hur? Why do I hear screaming? It's close. Too close. I groan, irritated. Can’t people read the signs? 'No Trespassing' means stay out!

Katelyn's POV

OH CRAP! OH CRAP! I'M GONNA DIE I'M GONNA DIE! My legs were moving on autopilot as life-size mechanical wolves chased after me. I could feel their cold, metallic breaths on my heels as I scrambled up a pole to escape. I looked down, heart pounding in my chest.

Suddenly, a calm voice cut through the chaos.

"Shut down."

Is it him again? The same guy I saw earlier? Yes! It is him! The wolves stopped in their tracks, power draining from their bodies. He stepped closer, and I tried not to look like a terrified deer caught in headlights.

Uh, um, "You're... quite strange."

"How's that?" he asked, amused.

"Well, it's not Halloween, and you're..." I gestured vaguely toward his head. "Wearing wolf ears."

"They're not pretend wolf ears," he said flatly.

"Right, and I’m a talking cat," I scoffed.

"They’re real wolf ears."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sure, buddy. Real ears."

He sighed and crossed his arms. "Listen, Kitty, I’m a werewolf."

I stared, waiting for him to crack a smile. Nothing. Just those serious red eyes. "You're funny," I replied, unconvinced.

"Clearly, you don’t believe in legends, do you?"

"Legends are... unusual."

His gaze darkened, and he leaned in slightly. "Legends are supposed to be unusual, genius. What I find unusual is that you’re the first one stupid enough to follow me here."

I rolled my eyes at his sudden attitude. "So what?" I asked, my tone sassy, not backing down. His angry expression was almost funny, like a kid throwing a tantrum.

"Are you from around here?" he asked, ignoring my sass.

"Well, I was born here, but I left when I was nineteen, but then things got bad—"

"I didn't ask for your life story, Kitty," he muttered. Oh, he's walking away. I jumped down from the pole and continued to follow.

Why does he have on that black hoodie? It's not that cold.

The only movement was a simple twitch. "Don’t touch my hood," he growled, eyes burning into mine.

"Believe me now?" he snarled. "Still think I’m pretending?"

I hesitated. Every part of me screamed to run, but my curiosity was stronger. He was real—a real werewolf, standing right in front of me. He looked... dangerous, but intriguing.

Yeah, um, no. I'm not sorry, sir. But I'm too curious. Really, if my friend, Anna were here, she would drag me away. But she's not here...any—more. I shake away the thought. No sadness. So, to follow or not to follow. That is the question. "What am I sayin? I ain't Shakespeare! My sister would kill me if I talked Shakespeare in front of her! And then my mom would try to kill her for trying to kill me, and then dad would get very mad because we are going at each other's throats! And then..."

Jason's POV

Very interesting story, Kitty. Is it a story? She just keeps talking. I'm pretty sure she doesn't realize that. But she will. She should. She has to. I will go crazy if she doesn't. Actually... "Listen, I need you to stop talking, okay?" And just then, she got quiet. Who's laughing now, Kitty? I sighed and rolled my eyes, then continued my walk home. Running footsteps. Hers? Most likely. I turn to the side. It is her. Grr. Wait, I can run from her! No mere mortal can outrun the great speed of the werewolf!

I dashed forward, only to fall flat on my face before running a mile. My ears dropped. I am a disgrace to my ancestors. And there she is, again.

"Of all the bad days...this is the baddest day yet, NO THANKS TO YOU," I barked.

The stubborn lady gave me her hand. "You're quite welcome. Now come on, let me help you."

Help. I don't want help. I don't NEED help! "Fine," I growled. I've been growling all day. But hey, I'm a wolf. It's what I do. I took her hand and she helped me up. She was surprisingly patient. Does she deal with this same crap every day? I showed her the way home. Well, told her anyway.

Katelyn's POV

I kept my mouth shut. I'm a ticklish person, and with his tail fur touching the back of my leg, it just feels uncomfortable. I'm pretty sure he already knows I feel uncomfortable though, because he's a werewolf. But he'll never know why. Hopefully.

Jason's POV

She let me go, and I immediately regretted it. Her hands were cold! I’m talking Antarctica cold. With a sigh, I took off my jacket. And leaned onto the wall.

I started to wonder, why did she continue to follow me? Now look, Kitty, my house is a mess. I don't think you would want to be in here. I saw Kitty looking around in her bag. What's in there that she has to open it in here oh. Medical Kit. So that means...cold hands...again.

"Are you a nurse," I asked. "No," she replied, "My mom was a doctor though. I learned a few things."  Oh, how nice. Her mom's in the 911 club!

Katelyn's POV

I take a another look at the werewolf, he's quite handsome if I'm being honest... but I'm keeping that comment to myself. He's also quite strong too, however, it seems he has too many injuries. Taking care of him should be easy. I just have to disinfect his wounds and...

"Stay still." I gently dabbed at his injuries. GENTLY!

“YOU’RE HURTING ME!” Jason howled like a wounded puppy.

"No, you're just being a puppy."

The werewolf gave me a cruel glare. Almost starting to growl again.

“No, you’re just being a puppy,” I replied, deadpan.

The werewolf shot me a glare that could have melted steel. “You didn’t.”

“It’s the truth.”

He growled. Again. I sighed and tried to keep my eyes open. The humidity in here was getting to me, and the exhaustion from last night was catching up fast. I almost fell on top of him. Great. Just what I needed. Passing out next to a cranky werewolf. I can't trust him. I mean how many villains in the world can be trusted?

Jason's POV

Why is she tired? I'm not usually nice, but...she did help me. Before she could fall on me, I caught her and laid her on my couch. I’ll sleep on the floor. Again.

I looked at her—she’s shivering. Wow, Kitty, I'm surprised. So hot in here yet you're still so cold. I groaned and curled up next to her, wrapping my arms around her to keep her warm. Let’s be clear: I don’t like her. I’m just keeping her warm. I guess..

This is awkward for me. Especially after a few seconds Kitty's already drooling...yeck, and cuddling me...ugh...like a little teddy bear. No. Wait. This is embarrassing. But I can't argue with a sleeping person. Eventually, I became tired myself, and I wanted to rest my eyes. But I can't. I have...to stay....awake.

Katelyn's POV

Huh? Where am I? My eyes look up. It's that werewolf. I felt so hot. It was bad enough that it was humid last night. Then the werewolf makes me feel hotter. So here's the question now: How am I supposed to get up without waking up--

"Now that you're awake, would you mind getting off?"

Oh, he's awake. But how'd he know I was awake? Uh, never mind.

"Sure," I replied.

I got off the couch and looked at him one more time. I'll be back. Don't think I won't. I ran out and found my car the way it was last night. In perfect shape and kinda dusty due to the event that happened last night. I smiled as a cool breeze touched my skin. But when I look up the clouds were gray. I began to feel raindrops. And I can clearly notice them on my car. I better get going before it possibly pours. Am I forgetting something?

Jason's POV

I hear knocking on my door. It's most likely to be Kitty. All her stuff is here. And I, a curious werewolf have been curled up on the couch, tempted to look through her things.

I got up from the couch and slowly walked to the door, then opened it. "Did you forget something?"

"Yes. My stuff. Now can I get it so I can go home?"

"Go ahead." I watched as Kitty ran. She ran to get her stuff, whatever it is, quickly. And she ran back out. Now, time for me to do some scheming.

Katelyn's POV

Jeez, he sounds grumpy. But I have an idea. Hopefully it will work. It has to. I went home, plopped down on my bed, and started to think. How am I going to earn his trust?

Jason's POV

Finally, she's gone. I need to start making weapons instead of stomping on everything. I'll watch the city go down in FLAMES! Yes. This is my master plan. I will burn the city down and watch it go up in flames! I'm the best at scheming. This will be simple. All I need is a severe oil spill over the city, then a spark of fire to make it explode. I know, I know. I'm a genius.

Katelyn's POV

My dad opened the door, making me jump. "Why did you jump," he asked. "Wh-why are you," I began to stutter, "What are you doing home?"

"I'm off today. Can you believe it?"

Well great. There goes my plans.

"Um, yeah. Sounds great," I said, trying not to sound sarcastic, "I really can't wait to spend time with you."

Actually, come to think of it, I haven't spent time with my dad for a long time. This is my chance. I smiled and lounged at my dad, then gave him a hug.

"Don't knock me over," he laughed.

"So what are we going to do," I asked.

Lexie suddenly barged into my room. "How about the park?"

"LEXIE!!!"

This happens everyday... Just about. I can never talk to anyone without her barging into my room. I mean, it's just so frustrating ya know? Yeah, I know I'm not the only one. But it's hard not to complain when they do it all the time, am I right? Through the entire day, we played board games that dad had kept in his closet. Who knew we would get so competitive?

For dinner I decided to order food for everyone. And the werewolf of course. I have to earn his trust somehow. Maybe this is how I can start. And while I'm ordering food, I feel stupid looking up "how to earn someone's trust". I mean who in the world would look that up?