Forest of Lies

[auntiesunny]

The stars overhead, she walked on. Searching, screaming. Lost. Alone....
I awoke in a jolt. The pain of last night flooded over me, and I gasped in pain. "No...." I choked. "I can't... Remember..." The morning sun kissed my skin, but it offered no warmth. I got up and crept into the forest quietly. I ran faster and faster... All I felt was pain... Raw pain... The full moon... I felt like a monster. A freak. No one loved me. I've never met one of my kind. I isolated myself to prevent heartbreak. Look where that got me. My anger just exploded last night... I couldn't help myself. The sound of his shrieks thrilled me. I blew my cover... I thought I had it all, now my life is crumbling. Crashing on top of me.. I hid my lies as well as I could. Every full moon I left... But last night's caught me off guard... I changed that night... And that mistake will ruin me. I ran here. I had no home anymore. I didn't even have a house. I couldn't go to the village to get food... I was positive I would starve... I still think that. Thinking about last night made my sick. I fell to my knees and cried in anguish.

[MIKHAIL VLADMIROVICH KNOROZ]

Yeah, I knew the South Woods weren’t a good place for me to be with being from Kinbok and all since the Rogue werewolves plagued these woods like rats. But I just couldn’t help but to find some trouble, I was bored. Nika wasn’t around for me to bother her any, meeting up with her last night was so good. I missed my Russia, I missed my pack. She was home, a good friend that I treasured. I’m not happy at all that we had to part ways the same very night, I never wanted to leave her side but she has a man toy that she had to go play with or something. It hurt my pride to say that she wanted him more than me. Thus, the reasoning as to why I’m out here in these woods looking for some poor unsuspecting werewolf to pick at.

The Rogue werewolves are so uppity. They think they are so high and mighty just because they don’t have a pack structure. More like just lot of mental patents that should be in strait jackets to me. I don’t know why someone wouldn’t want to be part of a pack. You don’t have to make any decisions other than basic care for yourself really, your alpha – or lack their of in the case of the Kinbok who’s alpha was murdered by a pair of Rogue brothers – make all the life changing choices for you. Your alpha told you how to behave and how you would be punished if you didn’t. Well, of course the punishing was always dealt out by me. I was the evil doer of my Russian pack as well as the Kinbok; I did all the dirty deeds that the alpha doesn’t have the stomach to do himself. I punish all the bad doggies who step out of line. Of course, I’m one of those who steps out of line, which is why I’m here in America and not back in my beloved Russia but that is a story for another time.

Back to what I was doing out in the woods, the air was crisp with the new morning. Fog hung low under the trees but was slowly dispersing with the rise of the sun and the temperature. I was out well before the sun and witnessed the heavy fog that had taken hold before the sun started breaking it up. It was quiet out here, I quite liked it. I think I need to take part of these woods away from the Rogue and make my own territory here, call it my home. The trees are heavy, plenty of shelter naturally made from fallen trees; dens abandoned by some creatures or our brethren wolves. Moss hung from the old trees with years of silence and no disturbance of humans coming to claim these lands for their blight on the land with buildings and waste.

Black Nike running sneakers moved quietly over the fallen leaves as I moved virtually without sound; muscles moved in ways that no human possessed the ability to do so which allowed for the lithe movements without detection from the Rogue werewolves or the fauna. I was clad in just a pair of black gym shorts, leaving my chest bare, as I was expecting that I would more than likely shift on the fly before the day was out since I was invading the Rogue’s territory. I moved along a narrow, winding deer path when in the distance I could hear twigs snapping, feet pounding against the earth. My head cocked to the side, listening intently. My chest expanded as I took in a deep breath, taking in the scents around me. Unfortunately what was running like a raging rhino toward me was no in a favorable location down wind, I got no indication of who or what it could be. I glanced up at the big red wood that like its kind grew massive in these parts.

With the ease that is known to us lycans I jumped and used my height as an advantage to grab hold on the lowest branch, hauling my body up onto the limb, muscles could be seen working under my flesh. I leapt and climb many more sturdy branches so I was well off the ground and could see what was coming toward me without being spotted myself. I lounged across the branch as if lying in trees was a hobby I did every day. My left leg bent at the knee casually while my right dangled from the branch and swung slightly. I folded my hands over my stomach, my fingers lacing together. My head and shoulders were propped up against the trunk of the tree as I settled in comfortably to wait to see what was heading my way.

What came to a stop under a tree just a couple over from where I was casually perched was not what I was expecting; a very distraught woman. Just the thought made me blanch and want to just hop threw a couple trees and be along on my merry way without detection. Hell, I think I could probably star in a marching band and she wouldn’t notice the way she was carrying about with the crying. Did she not know what lurked in these woods? I wouldn’t worry about the Rogue’s at this point. She had a lecherous werewolf far closer to her than any Rogue at this point. A low humming growl, more of content and contemplating noise, rumbled deep within my chest as I plotted to what I should do. Of course I couldn’t just walk away, not without causing some sort of havoc of any kind.

”You know, running through the woods louder than an elephant sneezing with a cold and making all sorts of gross sniffling and sobbing sounds isn’t the wisest thing to do probably. You never know what could be lurking just above you without you even noticing.” A lop sided smirk pulled at the corners of my lips as I rolled from the branch I was on, appearing as if I was going to fall but a hand caught me and my feet settled on the thickest branch that was closest to the ground that could hold my weight. My arms folded across my broad chest, the smirk still firmly in place.

[auntiesunny]

I gasped, shocked. I had thought I was alone. I turned to him, still dazed. "whaa..?" I said, and then looked down and noticed I hadn't any clothes on. I was pure naked. I gasped in horror and gripped my arms across my chest and crossed my legs

Though she was embarrassed, she couldn't help but catch a whiff of his smell. He smelt... Musty. Couldn't be human. Had to be werewolf. She had avoided them her whole life.. Running, if you please. Now there was one in front of her....

The sounds of the forest would have been enough to calm any nerve, but it offered no soothing embrace to me. What happened last night, and now a strange man seeing her naked in the forest bawling? My flesh burned a bright, fiery blaze. It spread slowly up my spine and into my arms, devouring my limbs with it's furious hunger. Then I began to ponder why this man would talk to me, werewolves tend to avoid rouges like me, unless they want blood. Why? Did he think I was pretty? No, I probably looked ridicules, puffy eyes, tear streamed face, covered in dirt and blood, and overall naked. But what bothered me is that he found humor in my overall emotional state. Serves him right if he falls of that branch! I secretly prayed he would. I wanted him to!

I finally gave him a good look over, in case of a fight. Tall, that's for sure. He looked tough, and rather attractive. But that thought fueled the fire consuming me. 'What did he think of me?' I wondered. I wanted to ask him, but I couldn't find my voice.

[MIKHAIL VLADMIROVICH KNOROZ]

I couldn't help but to let a beguiling smile to tilt the corners of my mouth, softening my features from the rather lecherous smirk that had previously been displayed. I’ve never seen a werewolf quickly cover themselves as she had. It intrigued me. All the wolves I’ve met have been comfortable in their own skin and around their own kind with shifting to and from wolf form. Nakedness is inevitable when you shift from human to an easily six foot tall wolf; clothes just aren’t made for the wolf and human form alike.

My chest rumbled with a growling laugh as I hopped down from my perch. My knees bent to absorb the landing; quite easily I had landed on the balls of my feet and then straightened myself. My head tilted to the side as I took her in. A flush reddened her skin, which just caused me to shake my head, chuckling more. ”Why, aren't you a fierce little thing? Sitting there all huddled.”

I advanced closer to her but stopped a couple yards away from her, crouching down to be more at eye level with her. ”I can smell her. I know you’re a wolf. Why do you sit here cowering like a little rabbit? Is it because the lack of clothing? You are a lycanthrope. You should be used to such a state of undress, should you not?” A hand rose to scratch at my chin, feeling the slight stubble from the lack of not shaving this morning. ”I must express my surprise that your wolf will even allow you to huddle as you are. You must be very low in rank in your pack.” I nodded to myself, I guess I was more thinking allowed than actually talking to her.

Blue eyes narrowed momentarily with thought. ”Would it make you feel better if I gave you my shorts so you would at least have that kind of clothing? It’s not much… but you look as if you’re about to faint from fright.”

[auntiesunny]

"How would you without pants make me feel better?" I retorted. With a sigh, I unclasped my hands and sat down. "I have never met another werewolf, is all..." I couldn't believe a stranger could make me feel... Better. I could never undo my actions, but maybe I could forget...? "Why are you here?" I finally asked. I noted his smooth figure and broad chest. As much as I wanted to deny it, his smile brought warmth to me, but the fire that burned me had not yet seized. "And for your information, I have no pack" I finished

[MIKHAIL VLADMIROVICH KNOROZ]

I let out a rough snort and stood up. ”Well I tried to be a gentleman but now you’re not getting them. Suit yourself. I’m not naked under them so don’t flatter yourself woman, I’m not trying to get naked in front of you.” If she wanted to be that way she could. I did what I should as a man to a woman. If she didn’t want to accept my help no matter how small it was then she can just sit there naked. ”Maybe you can find a leaf or twig,” I said under my breath in a bitter growl.

I looked at her with blatant shock, my brows raised. Hell, even my jaw dropped a little. ”You never met another wolf? How did you gain control over your she-wolf?” My voice carried with obvious excitement and curiosity as I bombarded her with questions. I moved with quick movements toward her again, stopping a short distance away from her and lowered my lean frame to the ground in front of her. I held no regard for personal space and it showed when I adjusted my long leg crossed under myself, my knees were almost touching her. I leaned forward, blue eyes bright with eagerness.

I gave a quick wave of my hand to her question of why I am currently here… not where I should be at all… ”It is no matter, you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about why I am here.” I scooted myself even closer to her, even leaning forward a bit. I resisted the urge to poke at her like she was a science experiment. ”How were you able to become one with your she-wolf? Does she still fight you? So you had no guidance in becoming a wolf? However did you manage? I think I would have gone insane without my pack guiding me when I was turned. My wolf,” My hand rose to touch my chest, indicating my wolf within, ”has a block for a head. He and I didn’t get a long when he first came to live in my body. I felt as if I was going to be eaten from the inside out. Did you feel any of this? How did you even know what was going on? Did you believe you were going insane? The questions came out in rapid fire. I barely took a breath let alone gave her time to answer them.

I gave her an unconvinced look when she stated she has no pack. Yes she said she has never met another werewolf but I had such a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that there are some wolves out there who don’t want the comfort of the pack structure. She didn’t seem as fierce and cunning as all the other Rogue werewolves that I have met. All of them have gone for the jugular, instantly trying to kill me. Well… I may or may not have initiated the fight… that is beside the point. She looks so soft and fragile, nothing like the hard and well muscled Rogues I have met in the past. Again, I resisted the urge to poke at her.

[auntiesunny]

"I never thought about it. I ran as far away as possible during a full moon. I avoided wolves, because I didn't want to be a killer... But that failed. My inner wolf is starved. She wants out. She wants a pack. She wants love..." I said the last part under my breath. " I struggled the first few months. I thought I would go mad. Every time I tried to meet one, I would punch myself. I trained my wolf, so to speak." I continued "in return, my wolf during the full moon is hellish. I leave town to avoid injury. Of me and others..."

I didn't like being interviewed, especially naked. I moved around, uncomfortable, and hated him looking at me like a freak. Maybe I was a freak. Some mental ill weirdo that needs to be locked up forever. Let them, I would be away from the added stress. "I would feel more comfortable with clothing..." I murmured really quietly and hoped he didn't hear. I felt bad for giving him the cold shoulder like that. I regretted acting like one of those snobby chicks I disliked. He was only trying to help, after all... I was embarrassed enough. I once again considered if I looked terrible. I must have, I had been crying for hours running and slapping myself. I must look like a swollen, red, monster.

The forest felt like it was closing in on me. Creeping up on me. The air felt thick and I was lightheaded. My eyes longed to sleep. For the first time since I was changed, I felt cold. I shivered, despite my abnormal body temperature. I knew the feeling was all in my head. I could never be cold. Then why am I? Cold... So so cold... In a way twisted sort of way, it's all funny. I must look so stupid and yet he can sit here and talk to me in an adult manner and think of me as normal person, as if I was a normal person. He was also... calm. I mean, come on. If a human found a naked women running around in the forest, their last thought would be about my emotional state. I suppose werewolf men work different.

"What are other wolves like?" I asked. "Are they loyal? Are they murderers?" I was only curious. "Do they eat in wolf form?"

I had to take my mind off of this whole situation. The more I thought about it, the more it hurt. Like a bear struggling in a hunters trap. The more he struggled, the worse the cut. Yes, I was exactly like a trapped bear. Wanting to howl in pain, but unable. To ease the wound, I thought on 5 odd things that happened today. One, I met a werewolf for the first time. Two, I killed a good man. Three, I'm in the forest naked. Four, there is a stranger talking to me, while I'm naked. Five... Five? What for five? Of course. Five, I am a murderer. Cold blooded murderer. Evil, vicious, unwanted, murderer. That was the stupidest idea I've ever came up with I thought. The trap got tighter.

I frowned to myself and pondered how the people at town thought about me. Tighter, the trap felt.

Finally, I thought about his family. How did they feel about his death? They must hate me. Too tight... The trap was too tight. I felt like giving up.

I turned my head to face him, and found my face uncomfortably close to his. I looked down quickly