Page 25 of Missing

"Alright, you furry bastard," I muttered under my breath, heading for the door. "Let's go."

As I stepped outside and into the early morning, the chill raised goosebumps on my skin. The world was still waking up, everything muted and hushed. A light mist hung over the forest floor, giving the trees an eerie yet enchanting quality. I walked deeper into the woods, feeling more alive with each step. It was like entering another world, one where my wild side could roam without fear or consequence.

"Damn, I love this," I thought, taking in the sight of the mist-covered ground, the damp earth beneath my feet, and the smell of fresh dew clinging to the leaves. This was where I belonged, where both man and beast inside me found solace.

As I ventured further, the mist grew thicker, creating a veil that shrouded the forest in mystery. The trees seemed to whisper their secrets as I passed by, ancient tales carried on the breeze. I felt the connection between my human self and the wild part of me grow stronger, urging me to give in to the primal need to run, hunt, and claim.

"Fuck it," I muttered, stripping off my clothes and tossing them onto a nearby rock. My skin tingled with anticipation as I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and focused my energy on the transformation. The change was always a rush—bones shifting, muscles contorting, fur sprouting from every inch of my body. It was like being reborn.

"Here we go," I growled, feeling the beast within me surge forward, my human form receding into the shadows. In a matter of seconds, I stood on all fours, my body now covered in thick brown fur. I shook myself, the sensation of having a tail both thrilling and strange.

God, this feels fucking great, taking in my surroundings with my heightened senses. This world was so much more vibrant as a wolf. Every scent, sound, and movement is amplified. The forest came alive around me, and I couldn't help but revel in its beauty.

Sniffing the air, I caught the unmistakable scent of prey. A wicked grin spread across my lupine face. About time for breakfast, I mused, following the tantalising aroma. Prowling through the underbrush, I spotted a small group of rats scurrying amidst fallen leaves. My stomach growled in anticipation as I stalked closer, feeling the thrill of the hunt.

Gotcha! I leapt, pouncing onto an unsuspecting rat before it could react. My powerful jaws snapped shut, and I felt the satisfying crunch of bones beneath my teeth. One by one, I hunted down the remaining rats, my primal instincts driving me forward.

Damn, I'm good, I thought smugly as I finished my meal, licking my chops. With my hunger sated, I decided to explore further, as I bounded through the forest, my sensitive nose suddenly caught a scent that stopped me dead in my tracks. Vanilla and musk mingled with the earthy aroma of the woods, drawing me in like an invisible thread. I felt an inexplicable pull, a yearning deep within my core as my wolf instincts urged me to follow the tantalising smell.

Fuck, what is that? I wondered, already on the move. My paws pounded against the damp ground as I raced through the trees, my heart pounding in my chest.

The scent grew stronger with every stride, the intoxicating aroma leading me to a clearing overlooking the harbour below. The sun's rays filtered through the trees, illuminating the mist that hung low over the water. And there she was – Harper – sitting on the ground, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. Her beautiful face held a mix of wonder and vulnerability that tugged at my heartstrings.

Shit, I thought, feeling a sudden surge of protectiveness. I could smell her fear, but also her curiosity as she noticed me emerging from the shadows. She hesitated for a moment, her eyes wide and alert, before slowly extending a hand toward me.

I cautiously approached her, sniffing her outstretched hand. The warmth of her skin and the enticing scent of her combined into a potent cocktail that made my head spin. What the hell was happening to me?

"Easy there" she whispered, her fingers gently brushing against my fur. My tail wagged involuntarily, betraying my pleasure at her touch. I couldn't help but lick her palm, savouring the taste of her skin – sweet yet salty, like the ocean waves crashing against the shore.

As Harper's fingers combed through my fur, the electricity between us intensified. The sensation made my heart race, and for a moment, I forgot that I was a wolf. All I could think about was how badly I wanted to mount her, to claim her as mine in the most primal way possible.

"Harper..." My thoughts were a desperate plea, but I knew she couldn't understand me. In this form, I couldn't express the overwhelming need burning inside me. I needed to change back, to show her the truth and make her understand.

Taking a step back, I focused all of my energy on shifting back into my human form. It wasn't exactly graceful – one moment, I was a sleek brown wolf, and the next, I was standing there, stark naked with a massive erection that left no doubt about my intentions.

"Mine," I growled, gazing into her wide eyes. "You're my mate."

"Wh-what the fuck?" she stammered, her fear replaced with shock and confusion.

"Harper, listen—" I tried to explain, but she cut me off.

"Wait... wait. Just hold on a fucking second. You're telling me that you're a werewolf, and now you're claiming I'm your...mate?!" She scrambled backward, her eyes darting around the clearing as if looking for an escape route.

My nostrils flared as I inhaled deeply, the scent of Harper's fear filling my senses. It was a potent mix of adrenaline and uncertainty. My chest tightened with each breath, knowing I was the cause of her distress.

"Look, I know it's a lot," I said, trying to sound soothing despite the intensity of my own emotions. Her green eyes met mine, wide and untrusting.

"Stay back! I don't know what the hell is going on, but I need time to think." Harper's words were sharp, her voice trembling slightly. The fierce independence she had always displayed was still there, even in the face of something completely beyond her understanding.

"Harper, please," I pleaded, aching to close the distance between us. But instead of moving towards her, I forced myself to stay put. I needed to respect her boundaries, even if every cell in my body screamed at me to claim her.

"Fuck this," Harper shouted, bolting away from me, her long black hair whipping behind her like a flag in the wind. My wolf instincts kicked into overdrive, and I wanted to chase her down and mark her as mine.

"Harper, it's okay! Don't run!" I yelled, sprinting after her, my erection swinging wildly as I ran. The air around me shifted, my body transforming back into my wolf form, brown fur sprouting all over me as I surged forward with newfound speed and power.

I barely registered the sudden absence of Harper's scent just before I skidded to a halt at the edge of a clearing. She was gone, vanished into thin air. A gut-wrenching whine escaped my throat as I realised what had happened – she had transported herself away.

Heartbroken and defeated, I reluctantly shifted back into my human form, the morning mist clinging to my naked skin. With heavy steps, I made my way back to my room, showering off the dirt and sweat from my failed pursuit.

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