Ten: The Wolf Within

SORAYA

I’m surrounded by flames. I can’t see anything; the only thing I see is fire, but I can smell the burning houses, the burning bushes and the burning flesh. I don’t know how I ended up here, but I know that I have to leave this place before I get consumed by the flames. But I don’t know where to start moving.

I’m stranded, and the fire seems to be coming closer and closer. I begin to cough, the smoke choking me. I have to get out of here ASAP, but I don’t seem to find a way out; it feels like I’m going to be stuck here, and when I’m stuck here, I’m going to get burned alive.

I have lost all kinds of hope, at least I think. I scream and scream for help because it feels like the fire is whipping me over and over, and it’s getting closer.

“HELP!” I cry out. I continue to shout and shout for help until I see a wolf just standing there looking at me. It’s a small wolf, and it just stares. Doesn’t it know that there’s danger? Why isn’t it running?

He finally runs, and then I see my chance. I see a way out, and now I think that wolf is trying to help me. I’m such an idiot; of course it's trying to help me.

I rise to my feet, and I follow the wolf at once. I go in his direction, and I run and run and run until I’ve gotten free from the cages of the smoke and the fire.

I fall to the ground, but I don’t stay grounded for long. All of a sudden the fire is gone like it was never there in the first place. At first I’m deeply confused, but I don’t think I pay attention to the fire anymore and its disappearance because now I’m looking at the wolf who saved me.

And I know this might sound crazy, but there’s a kind of familiarity to this creature, almost like I’ve known it for ages. I stare at it the same way it stares at me, and my eyes widen at the recognition.

“Mom?” I say. The wolf turns around, and she runs. I chase after it. “Mom! Mom! Please come back!”

And my alarm wakes me up. Because of course it does.

I look around me, and I’m no longer in that weird, weird place; I’m in my room, and it was all just a dream a dream that felt too real.

Speaking of dreams, I bring up my hand, and my claws shoot up. Yep, that one wasn’t a dream; everything that happened last night was real. Werewolves exist, and I’m one of them, but not the stereotypical werewolf everyone knows: a shifter and an alpha, and there’s a shifter hunter that wants me dead and maybe a hot werewolf who wants me dead as well.

I was hoping that it was all just a dream, but it wasn’t; it’s all real. I’m not human, and I have to face my dad, but first let me face my work.

So I get into the bathroom, brush my teeth, shower and put on my work clothes. I work as an intern/assistant at Vander Woodsen fashion house, and one always has to be fashionable, not that I’ve had that problem- never!

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been fashionable, dressing differently from my other classmates. Looking like a child star or a child to stars.

I still think of the prom dresses I made for myself and my friends, but sometimes I don’t like thinking about the prom itself because my mom died that night. It’s a memory I like to keep locked away.

But the dress, the dress I made, is unforgettable. Zayden doesn’t let me forget it.

It was one of the reasons they considered me to work with them in the first place. This was my first step to greatness, and I was so happy when I got considered; this was everything I worked hard for.

I stand in the mirror admiring my look. A stylish dark academia-inspired outfit is what I’m going for.

A high-neck, off-white blouse with volumetric bishop/puff sleeves. A black square-neck pinafore dress paired over the blouse. Black sheer tights styled with black leather ankle Chelsea boots.

As for accessories: I have on a deep burgundy leather crossbody satchel bag and a subtle gold pendant necklace.

Now this is the life I’ve always wanted. Not me being a fucking werewolf and being chased by werewolf hunters.

I walk away from the mirror, and I pick up a picture frame of Mom and I at a Central Park I was sixteen, and I didn’t want to hang out with her because I wanted to go shopping with my friends. I was angry throughout our hangout, but my mom has a way of making one’s anger turn into happiness.

If someone were to see this picture, they’d think I was happy throughout the day, but little do they know I was being a brat before smiling for the cameras.

I miss her so much.

“Oh mom, why didn’t you tell me about any of it, and who killed you?” I mutter, adding that to the list of things I have to do. I have to look for my mother’s killer and explore this wolf thing. But in the meantime I have to get to work.

And firstly I have to face my family and friends. I let out a heavy sigh, and I walk out of the room.

I move straight to the kitchen to meet Diana in her robe, dancing everywhere to a Beyoncé song while she makes pancakes. This is something she does every morning; at least we’re both morning people. The only people who don’t like mornings are Zayden and Celeste; they’re probably still asleep.

When she finally sees me, she immediately reduces the volume to one of her favourite Beyoncé songs. I was the one who put her on to Beyoncé, by the way.

“Well, well, well, she’s alive.” She folds her arms.

“Yes, I know, I know. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Are you going to tell me what the hell happened last night? What happened to your phone, and why did you come back in another dress that was ugly as fuck.”

Tell her

Tell her everything. Where do I even start? I am planning on telling Zayden all this, and I don’t know how to begin or where to end.

“Uh, it was a wild night; me and George just couldn’t get our hands off each other.”

“Really?” she says with a smile on her face. “Please tell me everything.”

Oh Christ.

“We had sex, wild sex. I lost my phone when I got into his car because I just couldn’t wait to have sex with him and when we did have sex, he ripped my dress off, and it got damaged, so I put on one of his mom’s clothes after the sex. That’s why I came late.”

Diana just looks at me with her mouth wide open; I can’t tell if she’s buying it or not. I really can’t tell.

“Oh my God, he destroyed your dress, and you didn’t scream?” Yes, because I’m known for doing all that.

“Actually, I did panic a little; the sex was so hot that I didn’t let it get to me that much.”

“Wow, Soraya Blackwell had sex and enjoyed it; she enjoyed being with a man. God, I wish I was there to witness it.”

“Eww, you’re gross,” she says, and I laugh; she joins me.

Diana can be a real comedian sometimes I’m surprised she isn’t a full-time comedian. She works as a bartender, but she would love to start her own business soon, own her own club.

Diana can be a real pain in the ass sometimes, but she’s very loyal, and she loves her friends dearly.

“Just don’t scare me like that again, okay?”

“Yes, I’m sorry.”

“You got to call your dad though, and Zayden; they were both worried sick.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Still have your old phone?” I bring out my old iPhone I haven’t used in a long time.

“I’ll call them when I’m going to work.”

“Good, now sit your ass down. I made pancakes.” I laugh, and then I shake my head at her ridiculousness.

After eating Diana’s wonderful pancakes, I leave the house with a quickness, and I have my phone in my ear as my dad yells at me about how a woman like me shouldn’t be out at night. I mean, he is right; a man is looking for me to kill me.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” I say for the tenth time, and I try my best to hail a ca,b but the cabs in New York are crazy, especially in the mornings.

Dad sighs. “I’m glad you’re okay; just don’t scare me like that again.”

“I know, I’m sorry, Daddy.” I say in that little cringe girly voice, so it softens him up. It’s a bit manipulative, but hey, at least it works.

“You’re going to work?”

“Yes, I’m on my way right now. But I will call you when I’m done.”

“Okay, I love you.”

“I love you too,” I say, and then I hang up. I sigh because I actually have to see him. He and I have so much to discuss.

“God damn it!” I shout as another cab drives past me, and then I flinch as soon as I hear a scream.

I look around for the scream, and then I spot a woman in danger. I hope that someone is going to help her because I’m not gonna.

But then I have this urge to save her.

There’s a literal gun pointed at her. Save her!

What? I turn around.

“Who said that?” I ask, but there's no response. The lady screams again.

Save her!

“Okay, okay!” I can’t believe what I’m about to do, but I run toward the chaos to rescue a woman who is about to get shot if she doesn’t hand over her bag.

And I’m not going to let that man take her bag. No way!

It’s fucking Prada!