Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38523 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
The werewolves’ prints are similar to wolves’ but much, much larger. All this morning I started to worry I was wrong and that they were only the marks of abnormally large wolves, but then I saw the change and human footprints replaced the paws. Watching the transition was electrifying. It’s hard to explain the rush of emotion knowing how close I am to them. Is it against the law? Yes. Did that keep me from documenting it? Hell no. It lit a fire under my ass to catch up to them when I saw those prints. It’s odd enough that there are only two of them. I expected to see more prints by now since loners are a rarity. Supposedly. At least that’s what my research has hinted at.
I should’ve headed back yesterday as soon as it got dark. It’s not like I’m really prepared to be out here on my own, but I’ve got a few power bars, another two bottles of water, and a blanket in my backpack. I’ll deal with it. All I really need is something to sleep on and something to eat. Not that I slept much last night. How could I when I’m so damn close to them?
The scout that led me here is probably shitting his pants thinking I’ve died. There’s no one who could sue him if I died on his land though, so he’ll be fine. I should’ve called him yesterday when I had a signal and told him that I found tracks and was going to follow them. I doubt he’ll come search for me. It may be his land, but he’s not a fool. The shifters have been hunting here, and he has no intention of coming between a wolf and his prey. I might believe we shouldn’t be separated, but not everyone thinks that way. Most people don’t. Because we don’t know enough.
My career is finally going to take off once I get video evidence to back up my data. I’ve been studying werewolves for years, but it’s always been received with heavy skepticism. I’m the most widely talked about journalist and researcher, and definitely respected by many, but with all of the false information out there…well, at this point I need proof to take me to the next level.
I’m willing to do whatever I need to in order to get this story. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for and I’m not going to back down for anything.
The Authority knows I want an interview and to stay among the werewolves. Their PR response that it would be unsafe for both species still enrages me. I wouldn’t have to be out here tracking prints like a hunter if they would have simply given me any contact whatsoever. Just a chance. That’s all I wanted. I’ve seen werewolves at the offerings, I’ve listened to them and their mates. It’s so obvious to me. It’s enraging that no one believes me. Humans want to believe the worst of them, and with all the propaganda and unfortunate history, it’s easy enough to simply believe what’s been fed to us. But I know the truth and I’m going to film it. I want to see a werewolf with a human mate. I know they exist. I know it in the core of my soul. Then they’ll take me seriously and my petition to merge our worlds could possibly gain some traction. If the Authority doesn’t like it, they can shove it up their asses.
The two sets of large paw prints are closer together as I near the small clearing in the woods. No longer distance between the prints that indicates large steps, they’re now merely inches apart and twist in the dirt, becoming a confusing mess. My gaze narrows as I try to differentiate the paths of the two wolves. The dark forest is bathed in filters of light as I follow their messy trail.
The scent of woods is intoxicating and the fresh air is cool against my skin. I take a moment to steady my breathing and then try to make out what exactly they were doing.
They slowed down nearly to a stop right about here, right at the entrance to the small clearing. That makes me nervous. It takes everything in me not to touch the prints. Something feels off. For the first time since I began, it feels unsettling. It’s only been about an hour since the sun rose and I found where they slept last night. They didn’t slow to eat or drink. They slept by the river, so I imagine they drank and ate there. The only other reason I can think for them to slow their approach at this clearing is because there was something here that made them stall. Other shifters maybe? Vampires?
The thought makes my blood run cold and my breath stalls in my lungs. Werewolves I’m familiar with, but other species? No. I don’t know much about other species other than what we’re told, and even though I don’t believe much of it, it doesn’t stop me from thinking the worst right now. I don’t know how to avoid conflict with any other supernatural beings. Werewolves are easy, simple submission is all they require, and I intend to submit once I finally reach them.