Who knew that I would ever remotely care about another person — especially to this level.

I remember centuries ago, the land bathed in roaring bodies with pitches of fire and wooden stakes, lawmen with rifles in front singing biblical scriptures, all looking for me. I was a demon to them — a monster.

I had stopped drinking human blood at that point, switching to the often repulsive taste of livestock in an attempt to stop the murder I caused. I loathed myself, my impulsive thirst caused by this curse of mine destroying any semblance of future livelihood. And of course, they only wanted my torture in return, making me certain that mortal contact or forgiveness would never bless my heart again for the countless years I shall live.

So, once I snuck away from civilisation, I settled myself in the darkest of forests that I could find, isolating myself till near insanity just to live without the violence and hatred from others. I was certain that I’d never love another, all until I met her.

My girl. A werewolf girl, ironically enough. Aurelia doesn’t treat me any differently after I explained my regretful past and the countless I’ve killed. We now live together in a clearing in this expanse of forest, hunting and living off the land whilst travelling into town in secrecy when needed. It’s nice, safe, and home.

Yet, I can never stop the full moon from arriving, and I’m unable to stop her when she turns into her werewolf form. She turns unpredictable and violent, and I’ve tried many times to calm her and keep her detained, yet in never works.

So, I’ve been waiting nervously until the next night for her to come home out of the dark woodland. Fear eats at me, an unsettling churning in my stomach with the constant thoughts of her never returning. She knows that she’s all I have, and I know that she’s still so capable even in human form, but perhaps it’s anxiety of not just her but myself — I don’t want to be alone again.

My hands drop the barely-read romance novel to the table, a mix of hope and panic as I hear a thump at the door.

I swing it open to find Aurelia back in her human form, hands bathed in blood — thankfully not hers, I can tell from the scent — clothes torn and barely strung on from being in her werewolf form, and her long, dog-like messy hair strewn all over her face. She looks up at me with her big pretty eyes, smiling with clear exhaustion and relief, knees on the doormat. She’s scattered in dirt, looking as though she didn’t stop for a moment until she found her way home.

“My love, I-… I was so worried,” I breathe out, my hands reaching to cup her cheeks in an affectionate hold. I don’t even care about the lingering wet dog smell, I’m just grateful that she’s here. My pup.