The beginning
Zoe stirred awake, her body trembling from the biting cold, her stomach gnawing with hunger; they had been fleeing for countless months. The government had marked them for elimination, and humans were all too willing to assist. The catalyst? It all began half a year ago when a catastrophic virus swept through the United States. As people succumbed to illness, many discovered they carried a dormant gene – her family included. That's when she learned she wasn't just any werewolf but a rare and formidable one. Though that was getting ahead of the story. Every supernatural being was compelled to find sanctuary in the shadows. A compassionate neighbor guided her family toward the Rocky Mountains, promising refuge and expansive territories for all supernatural creatures. The werewolf king, who had remained concealed for years, was also heading there.
Zoe, a fierce and determined young woman, alongside her fiancé Jared, had embarked on this dangerous expedition. With them came her brother Tyler, whose tracking abilities proved essential, Ryker, their brilliant strategist, and her sister Katelynn, their group's nurturing guardian, along with her family. Their numbers had grown since then. They'd welcomed several werewolves, each contributing unique capabilities, and a few witches with extraordinary magical abilities. They'd formed a close-knit community, supporting one another, with their group particularly skilled at fishing and trapping. As her stomach growled persistently, she kicked off her sleeping bag and pulled on her shoes, resolved to check the traps and collect water. With luck, someone would have a fire blazing by her return. The warmth of their shared purpose and the support of her companions filled her with a sense of unity and fellowship.
She made her way to the river, its rushing waters providing a soothing symphony. Their fishing traps, expertly positioned with assistance from their experienced trappers, lined the waterline. The process of setting up these traps was precise and demanded a thorough understanding of the local fish species and their patterns. The dense forest surrounding them offered perfect cover, while the clear sky above promised favorable conditions for their journey. Danny had taught them all the craft of fish trap construction. They maintained proximity to water sources, enabling them to set traps while managing other tasks. Approaching the riverbank, she was pleased to find several traps filled with fish – sufficient to feed their entire group. She reached for the basket, skillfully woven by her sister Katelynn under the guidance of Aliza, their witch companion. After gathering all the fish, she filled their water container.
Upon returning to camp, she spotted Jared, Danny, and Eric huddled around the crackling fire. Their heads turned as she emerged from the tree line, basket of fish in hand. Eric's weathered face broke into a knowing grin as he quipped, "Someone must've been famished this morning?" She beamed back, proudly displaying their abundant catch from the previous night, responding enthusiastically, "Yes!"
Eric, a seasoned mountain man in his sixties who reminded her so much of her grandfather, offered to prepare the fish. His presence and his son Danny's brought a comforting warmth to their group. During nightfall, Eric shared tales from his younger days in Virginia's mountains before his westward journey. He had settled in Oregon with his wife Beth, where they raised their three boys amid the rugged wilderness. With a twinkle in his eye, he often recounted their astonishing discovery – he was a werewolf, and Beth possessed witch powers. Danny, their middle child, inherited both magical lineages, making him a rare hybrid. His two older brothers, however, only carried the werewolf gene.
They had encountered Eric, Beth, and Danny several days into their journey before their reunion with the older brothers in the Rocky Mountains. They quickly became their second family, sharing invaluable knowledge crucial to survival.
The story grew even more fascinating when they met Aliza, who became Danny's destined mate. She carried an ancient tome chronicling the intricate history of witches and werewolves, which she frequently shared. The revelation of supernatural beings among them seemed surreal, yet there they sat, sharing freshly caught fish around a campfire. Aliza suspected her grandmother's awareness of their witch heritage, having gifted her the book in her youth – a volume she'd dismissed as mere fiction.
As Aliza explained, the mate bond created an instantaneous, unbreakable connection. She described an irresistible pull toward Danny, while his wolf side became fiercely protective and devoted to her. Their connection ran so deep that they felt incomplete when apart. Though she found their bond beautiful and extraordinary, Aliza's book revealed that such mate connections were exceptionally rare, making their relationship all the more unique and special.
Her relationship with Jared differed significantly. Despite her love for him, it never matched the intensity of Danny and Aliza's connection. Her brothers' warnings about him being wrong for her went unheeded – she loved him, even if it wasn't the all-consuming passion described in the ancient texts. As they continued their journey, the constant threat of pursuit and an uncertain future weighed heavily on their minds. Still, their shared love and unwavering determination drove them forward.
Their contemplative moment was interrupted by Tyler and Chris, a fellow werewolf they'd befriended during their escape. Along with Ryker, they had been conducting their routine surveillance – a necessary precaution in their dangerous world. The human bounty hunters were mainly motivated by the substantial government rewards, especially for capturing them alive. They urgently advised breaking camp and moving forward. The group had spent several precious days at this ideal spot, perfect for fishing, accessing fresh water, and laundering their worn clothes. Though they'd relished the opportunity to properly clean up, they understood they couldn't risk lingering. These brief respites for recovery and rejuvenation had become treasured moments. Chris emphasized their pressing need to reach the mountains before winter's arrival. Their progress had been frustratingly slow, and they were forced to avoid populated areas and stick to the wilderness's relative safety. The urgency of their situation and the tension of their slow progress weighed heavily on their minds.
Katelynn's weary sigh drew attention to where her husband, Johnny, labored over their wagon. Their children, four-year-old Piper and six-year-old Junior, made the journey infinitely more challenging. The wagon had been a godsend for transporting the little ones, who quickly tired from walking. Before discovering this vehicle, they'd taken turns carrying them. Eric and Johnny's mechanical skills had kept it functional until a wheel gave out days ago. Eric's innovative repair suggestion had kept Johnny busy since they'd stopped. "It's not perfect," Katelynn admitted, her exhaustion evident, "but it should hold up for a while longer." The constant movement took its toll on all of them, but the children bore the heaviest burden. They continually reassured them of better days, promising fun and stability once they reached their destination. Everyone's heart ached watching Katelynn yearn for an everyday life for her children, knowing how desperately she wanted to provide them with the stability they deserved.
None of them had fully grasped why the government marked them for extinction and why peaceful coexistence with humans seemed impossible. Eric insisted it stemmed from their fear and lack of understanding about their kind. The others believed it was pure ignorance, and they desperately longed for home. Nevertheless, they rose, methodically packed their backpacks, and compressed their sleeping bags. Finding another secure campsite before darkness fell was crucial.
The group assisted Katelynn with the children and wagon preparations. Samantha, Craig, and another werewolf pair meticulously inspected the campsite, ensuring nothing remained behind. Eric, Tyler, and Chris took point position, ready to transform if threats emerged. Their wolf forms provided their first line of defense. Ryker and Danny guarded their rear, establishing a protective circle around the group. They remained shirtless, wearing only pants – a practical choice given their naturally elevated body temperature as werewolves. This minimal clothing also facilitated transformation, minimizing clothing damage. Though they preferred stripping before shifting, circumstances didn't always permit this luxury.
Her first transformation was an excruciating ordeal, with bones cracking and reconstructing themselves. While initial shifts universally brought pain, repetition eventually led to comfort and familiarity. Her transformation proved remarkable – her wolf form emerged snow-white, and she could shift swiftly, even mid-jump. This ability revealed itself during a bear's attack on Piper. She transformed mid-air, confronting the bear while Katelynn rushed Piper to safety. Astonishingly, her clothes remained undamaged post-transformation, leaving everyone stunned. However, she rarely shifts now; Eric and her brothers insist her distinctive appearance increases her vulnerability. To hunters, a white wolf represents a coveted supernatural trophy commanding an extraordinary price.
The group presses forward into unknown territory, seeking adequate distance and suitable shelter before darkness claims the sky. Their survival depends on constant vigilance and movement, always staying ahead of their pursuers.