Lonely Lovers

The howls tore through the still air like screams.

Favour froze where she stood, her breath coming out in ragged clouds. The road behind her was empty, and Ibrahim had vanished into the trees. All she could hear was the forest shifting dry leaves rustling, low growls weaving through the mist.

“Ibrahim!” she shouted again, voice cracking.

No reply. Only silence.

Then, from the darkness movement. Shadows darting between the trees. The air grew heavier, the scent of wet earth and something metallic filling her nose. Her instincts screamed run, but her legs refused to move.

And then a figure burst out of the woods.

Ibrahim.

But not the Ibrahim she knew. His shirt was torn, his hands slick with blood not his, she hoped. His eyes glowed brighter now, fully golden under the moonlight. His veins pulsed with light, like something inside him was trying to break free.

“Get back in the car!” he shouted, his voice rough, echoing.

Favour stumbled backward. “What’s happening?!”

“They’re here for you,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don’t ask questions, just”

A massive shadow lunged from the darkness, knocking him to the ground. The sound of claws on asphalt scraped the night. Favour screamed as Ibrahim rolled, striking the creature a wolf, twice the size of any normal one its eyes glowing silver.

Another one appeared behind her. Favour spun, heart hammering, and tripped on the curb. The wolf pounced but before it could reach her, Ibrahim roared, leaping between them.

For a moment, the world froze.

His form shifted, bones cracking, muscles expanding his clothes tore apart as fur rippled across his skin. Favour stared in shock, unable to breathe.

“Ibrahim…” she whispered.

But he wasn’t listening. He was fighting.

He slammed into the wolf, claws flashing, teeth snapping. The sound was primal, raw, unreal. Blood splattered across the road as the beasts clashed under the moonlight.

Favour crawled backward, trembling, tears streaming down her face. She wanted to help, to scream, to run but her body locked in place.

Then, out of nowhere, a dart whistled through the air. It hit Ibrahim in the shoulder. He staggered, growling, and another dart hit his chest.

“Run!” he roared, his voice half-human, half-beast.

Favour turned and something heavy struck her from behind.

Everything went black.

She woke to the hum of an engine. Her head throbbed, her wrists were bound. The smell of metal and disinfectant filled her lungs. She blinked, trying to focus. She was in a van cold, dimly lit, and moving fast. Two figures sat in front, their faces hidden under dark hoods.

“Where… where are you taking me?” she managed to whisper.

Neither answered. One of them glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his eyes pale gray not human.

Her heart dropped. “Please,” she begged. “I didn’t do anything. I just want to go home.”