Sydney
After dropping off my stuff in my Jeep I rushed off to the forest in hopes of finding my phone. I had swung by the lost and found hoping maybe someone had found it and brought it in, but that didn't appear to be the case.
I knew it would look bad if someone caught me revisiting the scene of the crime, but I knew my phone way laying out in the forest, there was the small possibility of it not already being destroyed from exposure of the elements, so time was of the essence.
I squatted close to the ground and began to search the mossy green forest floor for the phone.
After about ten minutes, I rose off the ground and let out an agitated groan.
With the back of my hand, I wiped the thin sheen of sweat off my forehead. Glancing overhead, I saw the beautiful orange sky was soon going to give way to a haunting dark gray mass that held rain clouds in it.
The massive pine and spruce trees stood at least two stories tall around me. The patches of thick grass occasionally swayed if the wind picked up long enough and the gust was strong enough to break through the upper vegetation of the trees with their strong protective branches. The late day's breeze tangled through and trashed the trees pine needles and leaves around in a flowy motion.
My hair was whipped up from the wind as well, effectively cooling the sweat on the pack of my neck and down my shirt. I started to relax.
It was peaceful out here listening to the wind and nature move together. I knew it was cliche to say, but I had always had a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I didn't know if it was growing up with such an adventurous dad, or what, but all of my life I had always had good experiences and memories outdoors.
After taking in a few deep breaths to further calm me from the frustration and anxiety of hunting my phone, I crouched back down onto the forest floor and continued along the trail.
Finally, about to give up, a sound from behind me caught my attention. Snapping up and spinning around I was greeted with nothing. It was then that I noticed the lack of chirping from birds and that I hadn't seen any squirrels or bunnies since I entered the wooded area.
"Damn Syd. You're just trying to rile yourself up," I whispered.
I tried reminding myself that I was still near the school, and the likelihood of a larger predator was unfound with how much activity was usually bustling around. I could almost see the lacrosse field from where I was, and I knew the parking lot was only a bit further in the opposite direction.
After taking another glance around, I found nothing was there and came to the conclusion that what I probably heard was a twig or pine cone falling from a tree.
I knew I was starting to be in a time crunch with the clouds approaching. With that, I turned back to progress on the trail I was investigating, and instead slammed into a hard form.
Damn, I'm a klutz.
Thinking I had spun into a tree, upon opening my eyes, a scream tore from me.
A massive hand cupped my mouth smothering my scream.
"Hush Sweetheart, I just wanna talk." The stranger's voice was smooth, but it gave me shivers and I was on high alert.
"If I let go will you keep your mouth shut?"
I slowly nodded, not sure if I could truly keep that promise.
"Alright..." He removed his hand.
I looked up and found his startling bright blue eyes staring down at me. I opened my mouth to let loose a scream when his hand slapped down across my mouth again and his eyes flashed with fury. "Come on Sydney, you gave me your word."
Fear coursed through my body, and I went to back away from the man when, instead, he seemed to read my mind, and his free arm wrapped around to press against my back. Contrary to my wishes, a tear leaked from my right eye.
All too often, I had listened to too many of my father's investigative stories and a slew of podcasts about predators and stalkers escalating and taking the lives of innocent girls.
The stranger smiled and watched the lone tear run down my cheek as it puddled when it hit his hand. It was his wide smile that allowed me to notice his massive canines poking at his bottom lip.
I tried to yank back again, and in response, he chuckled eerily. "Oh, I see what has you startled. Do you like them, Sweetheart? It comes with the territory of being a werewolf."
I felt my lip and chin begin to quiver under his hand.
"Goodness, I didn't have you pegged for a crier. Would've thought Jaycen's mate would have thicker skin."
Jaycen?
Deciding not to linger on the name drop of a guy I barely talked to. Instead, I knew I needed to act. I had to get his hand off my mouth, and away. Over his shoulder, I could see the lacrosse field and a few forms speckled on it.
Since the blue-eyed stranger had one hand on my mouth and his other was on my lower back pressing me flush against him, my right hand remained free.
Bunching up my fist I swung with all my might my right hand into his face. He seemed shocked when I connected, and that had given me hope, but before I could fully pull my hand back to run free, the hand that covered my mouth shot over and grabbed my wrist.
"Hel-" I was cut off by the startling quickness of his actions.
He yanked my wrist, spinning me around so now my back was flat against his chest, his arm wrapped around me pinning my arms to my sides and he quickly replaced his other hand back on my mouth.
His lips brushed my left ear, "Now now that's more like it Sydney now-"
I wasn't listening, I was shaking my whole body violently. I kicked my legs and tried to smash my heel into his shins. I wasn't going to let this happen to me.
"Damn it, stop fucking squirming around, or else I'm going to fucking hurt you!"
Tears were hot down my face, but I refused to stop fighting.
Not without my mother and Aaron, never knowing what happened to me.
Then to my surprise, he released me.
I didn't dare look back and started running.
My stomach dropped when I made it all of two steps when a force hit me from behind and pinned me to the forest ground. Everything was happening too fast, and my adrenaline and tears made it too hard to think or see clearly.
I felt the roots of trees digging into my abdomen and the roughness of the wild grass and dirt against my cheek.
"And here you thought you were gonna get away. That wasn't a smart idea Sweetheart. I do admit though, that was cruel of me to give you false hope. So, how do you know Jaycen?" He asked. I could feel one strong arm pressing against my neck. I was afraid if I tried to shift, he would break my neck with one wrong move.
"Wh-who?" I asked quivering in fear of this psychopath who thought he was a werewolf.
"Jaycen, popular kid who's about ya' high, girls always clinging to him? He has oceany eyes..." Mystery dude hinted scornfully.
"I-I don't know-know him. Like I'm not friends with him."
"You seriously think I'm that stupid?" He growled.
"I don't even know your name!"
"The name's Elliot, Sweetheart." He supplied.
Another cord of fear shook me.
Is he going to rape me?
"Please, don't hurt me. I don't know him!"
"I know you're Jaycen's mate."
"What?" I cried.
"Cut to the chase. I know you're Jaycen's mate."
"His what?" I asked my voice high pitched.
"Don't act like you don't know. You're his mate. His other part. The only thing I don't get is that you're human."
"What!? Of course, I'm human, is Jaycen not?!" I yelled.
Elliot frowned. "He's a werewolf Sweetheart and not just any werewolf; he's the alpha of the Starling Wolf Pack."
This time I frowned despite my trembling lips. "There is no such thing as werewolves, and least of all Jaycen.Wai-wait did he set you up to think because of the prank? I swear it was just a joke! Please I'll-"
Elliot growled and before I knew what was happening, a sharp pain shot through my arm and into my already injured shoulder as he yanked me off the ground and he pinned me roughly to the tree.
He held my shaking hands above my head with one of his own very large hands, his other shot out to grip my neck. His originally blue eyes darkened to black as he gazed upon me.
"Y-you said we were ju-just going to talk!" I cried out as he pinned me roughly to the tree.
My family is never going to know what happened.
"I'm so sorry Sweetheart."
I finally realized that tears had pasted to my face. My bottom lip was trembling in fear.
"W-Why are you doing this?"
Elliot's eyes lightened and a frown formed on his lips. "You honestly don't know anything do you?"
Sniffling I shook my head no.
Elliot swallowed. "I'm sorry Sydney. I have to do this."
"Please don't, please! NO NO!" I started screaming at the top of my lung and thrashing against him.
He didn't listen to my pleas and scream for him not to hurt me. Elliot's mouth opened and I saw the lengthy white fangs of his glistening.
Then his mouth moved out of sight and two pointy needle pricks penetrated my skin, piercing into my throat.
My screaming grew louder if that was even possible.
From there the pain only intensified as it felt like a part of my neck was collapsing and being crushed. Two more needle pricks poked the backside of my neck as his mouth was now around the side of my neck like he was devourer me.
My lungs were finally empty and I lost the ability to scream any more. My eyesight went blurry and my body started to become numb.
Elliot pulled away and wrapped me in his large arms.
I tried to talk to him, beg him to help me, but nothing came out other than gasps and raspy movement of air.
"Shush, Sweetheart, shush," Elliot whispered gingerly.
He knelt down and gingerly placed me in the grass and twigs of the forest. Once on the ground, Elliot brushed my blonde hair back and out of my face.
"I'm sorry, the pain will be over soon my little Sweetheart. Just breathe."
Tears continued to leak out of the corners of my eyes as I stared up at him.
"You will soon understand why I had to do this to you soon."
Elliot kissed my forehead softly.
"We will meet again my Sweet," Elliot whispered finally letting my headrest in the grass.
He stood up and dashed off into the dark forest.
My eyesight became worse as I let it lolly around to where I heard the howling of wolves.
The last thing I saw was a massive black wolf running at me with glowing sea-foam eyes.
☽✣☾
EDITED JUNE 18 2020