A mumbled groan broke from Peter’s body, and I knew that he was awake. His legs weren’t moving, but his arms were. It was a split-second decision, but I couldn’t help but punch his spine with as much strength as I could muster. The sound of his vertebrae shattering was music to my ears. His arms stopped moving, but he was still breathing, still groaning.
“So, when the board realizes that all the research is gone,” I spoke to him, calmly, “and all the beasts are gone, do you think that they will still treat you as they have? I’m pretty sure they won’t. I’m pretty sure that they will try to wring you dry in order to keep their losses to a minimum. And while they do that, I will live in freedom, with my family and my baby boy, knowing that you will pray and beg for me to reveal the board to the world.”
I got onto my feet as I heard the door of Daniel’s cell unlock. Despite us having to rush, I just had to look down at Peter a little longer, as he was incapable of moving his body, apart from his head. But he didn’t have enough strength to move it to look at me.
“You know I won’t expose them, why should I?” I told him, and I felt how my rage and hatred seeped out of me when Daniel placed his hand at the base of my neck.
It was almost as if he was sucking the darkness from me. I loved him even more for it.
“I won’t expose them and they won’t try and look for us,” I continued with a reverent calmness. “For us. For me, and my family. This is goodbye, Peter. I hope you live a long and non-healthy life.”
Sometime after
We watched it on the news, and later a documentary. The official statement was that they had found a heavily funded terrorist cell that was testing biological weapons on US soil. They celebrated it as a huge success and admitted without WikiLeaks they wouldn’t have had the intelligence to take down the enemy.
Just as I had promised myself, we had no casualties, some wounded, but all of them healed well and fast. In my absence, Austin had used a big portion of the money we stole to purchase materials we needed to renovate the estate. It had been important to me that we wouldn’t have anyone we didn’t know on our property, and I knew that it would be a good distraction for all the beasts to do some handiwork instead of training to kill.
Of course, for those who loved their life as a soldier, we set up a darknet site for people who needed, some black ops team to do their work. We did need the money, after all. But other members of my chosen family found peace in farming the land or carpentry, blacksmithing, or anything else that has nothing to do with killing.
To the closest town, we are no different from any Amish people, and we like to keep it that way.
Of course, these people are very skeptical regarding us, but we stay friendly and patient with them. They believe that I am some long-lost heiress finally claiming the estate and feel strange about our ways, but I have a good feeling about them. They will get used to us, eventually, because we might be strange to them, but in the end, they will learn that we bring money to their pockets.
Austin has moved to town and opened an IT shop, making a truckload of money, as all the people from the other towns come to see him, too. He met a girl at the library and fell madly in love. It was so cute when he introduced her to us, because he was so nervous and uncertain how to do that. He hadn’t told her anything about us just yet, but he told her – Sarah – that I am his little step-sister. And even though he’s not a beast, he belongs to our family nonetheless. Everything feels the same about him. Without Austin, we wouldn’t be free. Without him, we wouldn’t have these acres of land and our freedom. We owe him, but he doesn’t want to hear any of that. To him, we are family, too.
John injected himself with the beast virus. We were all there to be with him when he suffered from the pain the transformation entailed. Austin managed to find someone on the Darknet who reproduced a few more injections for John, so that he could complete the transition. He is the last human to ever undergo that procedure. I don’t want to say never, but I don’t want to witness this transformation ever again in my life. So much pain and agony.
But John, after it was done, was so happy, it almost made me cry. When I met him the first time, I would have never thought of him being a part of my new family. But he had become precious to me and to anyone else at the beast estate. And little Danny just loves Uncle John.
John and Nina are expecting their first child. That little doll will be the second born beast among us and we all are somewhat nervous, of course. John and Nina are made beasts, when I was a freak of nature. I keep telling them that everything is going to be just fine with their girl, but they are just as nervous as any parents.
I won’t get into any details about little Danny’s birth. Just know that both Daniel and Jay were there, each one of them holding my hands, enduring the pain as I basically broke theirs through childbirth. Danny is a normal baby, as normal as he can be.
For whatever reason, ‘mother nature’ was reasonable with him, and he doesn’t warp into a beast when he has a little baby tantrum. It’s only his eyes that show when his emotions get the better of him, but until now, he is just a normal baby. I’m a completely overbearing mother. I can’t leave him alone. I get anxious if he’s out of my hearing’s reach. No matter if Daniel or Jay is with him. I should get used to giving my baby some space. After all, I don’t want him being a clingy child. I want him to be strong like me, witty like his godfather, and as caring as his dad. I don’t need to point out how perfect he is. My little man. My little Daniel Austin Gray.
I’m guessing you are wondering about Jay. His mind and his memory are just fine. Both have recovered well. It needed some time, but he is doing better. I had to stay clear of him during my pregnancy, which was torment for the both of us, but little Danny’s health was our priority. After that, we, of course, couldn’t keep our hands off each other and I caught the virus. I had hoped and aimed for it. A few other beasts were infected, too, but just like Jay, we lived to become even stronger.
Yes, Jay is still a beast, and he has embraced it. There is this peace emanating from him ever since he woke from that coma. Like he used those few days he was under to find his peace with his fate. He is so calm and collected now, and so content. It almost makes me cry every time I look at him because every time he smiles. Just imagine how big this smile becomes when he looks at his little son.
He won’t tell me about his coma though. I hear him talking in his sleep, when I stay with him. It sounds almost as if he is deliberating with someone else, but when I do ask him about it, he just smiles and tells me to be patient. It is a little unnerving, but for me, the only thing that really counts is that he is happy.
Jay has become our spiritual leader of sorts. And that feels exactly right. He was never meant to be the alpha of our little family. Jay’s simply not carved from that kind of material, but no one here is able to comprehend and understand others like he does. Spiritual is the only way to describe him. It has been a blessing for all of us. But in a way, it is strange to me. I must get used to the fact that he doesn’t need me the way he used to anymore.
But his change, his evolution, hasn’t changed the way I feel about him. Not at all. I still love him with every fiber of my being. Things have just… evolved.
I’m sure you want to hear about Daniel, too. He’s just the same cocky asshole as he was when I met him, after I nursed him back to health, twice, and now at the estate. I could punch him in the face and then lick up the blood dripping from the split lip I created. He infuriates me, still, and he still makes me want to jump him, in every possible way imaginable.
While Jay is my moon, Daniel is my sun, and I will not ever, never choose between them. And I don’t have to. No one really cares about me being with both of them, and I’m sure that no one ever will.
Daniel makes me feel the way I should feel as a woman of my age. He has this unique skill to lift off the weight from my shoulders that I have to carry as the alpha. And I need that as much as I need Jay’s sincerity.
It has been a year since Danny’s birth. And this is the reason I send all these diaries to you. It is a reminder for the board that we are still there, we are still a threat and they should not forget that we are holding all the trumps in this game. We are still awake and ready to fight, now more than ever.
Especially with the fourth beast child, on the way. Another one of my family is expecting their first child and I am expecting my second. Another boy. And this time Daniel’s the father.
There is an entirely new generation of beasts waiting for the members of the board. They better not forget that.
Again, it’s up to you. Publish this story, or don’t. Leak it all across the internet and hide your identity. Spread this, or don’t. But we are out there. Man-made were-creatures. We are as peaceful as we are lethal.
My name was Meghan Singer. I was a college student.
I died in a dorm fire.
I was reborn a beast.
They call me phoenix.
The End
Thank you for accompanying me on this adventure.
It’s a strange feeling to have your first series come to an end, eventually. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
D.S. Wrights was born and raised mostly in Germany.
She speaks three languages fluently: English, German, and Dutch.
Her name is a pen name, and she describes writing as her passion and calling. Two short stories were published during high school, one as a school project and one in a regional newsletter.
Later she worked at a publishing house where she earned insight into the work, process, and production of publishing books.
In the last few years, she has published several fan fiction books to which the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Her first novel was The Beast and Me, first of this series.
Visit: www.dswrights.com
Amazon: http://amzn.to/29FZfW2
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dswrights
www.facebook.com/thebeastandme
Tumblr: www.dswrights.tumblr.com &
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/DSWrights
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/list/8433369
Howl
By D.S. Wrights and Lilith Dark
What was supposed to be an extended family camping trip turns horribly wrong.
All Liala wanted for her 21st birthday is to reconnect with her long dead mother at the place her parents met and they used to visit until her death.
Despite an old woman's warning the camp of her extended family and friends is eventually set up at a secluded little piece of paradise... and right in the middle of the local were-wolf pack's territory.
Howl is a horror/paranormal/erotica story and contains topics that are not suitable for minors or the fainthearted, such as gore, non-con, and borderline interaction.
Publisher's comment: D.S. Wrights returns to what had held us at the edge of our seat reading The Beast and Me and beyond.
Prologue
Panting... Muffled sounds of feet running, naked feet. It’s pitch-black. Just until my eyes get used to the pale moonlight, searching its way through the crowns of the trees.
Tall trees... And old... A forest. Big, dark, and cold. I can smell the moisture of the ground beneath me, the softness beneath my feet, the freshness of wood and pine needles.
Breathing leaves little clouds in the air as I run. My heart is beating in my ears. And then I know why my lungs are aching: Snarls, barks. Right behind me. I am followed, hunted. Wolves. Panic grips me by the throat and I try to go harder. My feet hurt and I’m sliding, tumbling. Looking down I see that they are naked. I’m not wearing shoes. My skin is clammy. I’m freezing. I have to run faster. Faster.
Snatching, breaking twigs resound behind me. They are coming closer. Are they? I don’t dare to look back, or I will fall. Still, there’s barking, growling behind me, further away and yet next to me.
Are they trying to surround me?
I can’t go faster. I’m already stumbling, risking a fall. Then they will get me for sure. A snarl. It’s too close. My hackles rise. I feel tears of fear in my eyes. Faster. Why can’t I go faster?
Twigs are scratching at me. Are my legs naked as well? It’s so cold. I feel the freezing air on my skin. My bare skin. Am I naked? I can’t look down. I have to run.
My lungs are aching even more. My throat is dry and disgusting spit gathers in my mouth. I swallow and it hurts.
A howl right next to me. It’s like a whip to my spine. I almost fall, but catch myself, sliding on moss, twisting my ankle. A whine escapes my mouth. Another snarl is the answer. Right behind me.
My heart beats against my chest, trying to break free. Tears on my cheeks. I just want to stop. Let them get me. Rip me into pieces, limb by limb. But I can’t. I have to run.
The further I go, the thicker the brush seems to get. Twigs are tearing at my skin. It hurts. It burns. And it slows me down. I fight the urge to look behind me, because I can’t hear them anymore. The cracking, breaking twigs drown out every other sound. Everything hurts, aches, but I have to go on. Run.
Suddenly the brush is gone and I almost slow down instead of speeding up. I tense and fight against the weariness. Run. Faster. Ignore the surrounding. Find life. Find people. Save yourself. I hear myself panting again. Still, it’s silent. Did they give up? Don’t turn around. Run! I stumble, but catch myself again. My feet are getting numb. A good thing, I guess. I stumble once more. Everything aches. Everything hurts. Yet I run.
A hit. Against my back. Throwing me forward. More weight. My torso falls over. My feet can’t follow. Pain in my spine, in my muscles, in my bones. I fall. Hard. Instinctively my hands snap forward, trying to catch my fall. I tear up my wrists and palms. Get up! Up!
Despite the dirt and burning pain I try to struggle up, but a heavy weight pulls me down, my legs give in. Then a snarl. Against my ear. I freeze. Realize. The wolf got me. And I feel his paws on my bare back, his claws in my skin, drawing blood.
My heart tumbles, my lungs ache, and I can’t move, don’t dare to move. My skin is moist and I notice that I’m naked. Really naked. Completely. Against my will, I shiver and the wolf snarls into my ear. Panic. Please, let it be quick.
I close my eyes, trying to prepare myself.
Wet. My eyes tear open. I feel the wolf licking my neck and I tense up, making him snarl again. Again, I freeze and he lies down. On me. He’s tall. Taller than normal? Do I even know? It doesn’t matter. He still pins me down with his weight. Fur covering my whole back and my butt. No. I close my eyes again. I can feel skin. No. Just kill me. Not this. The weight is suddenly shifting and I press my eyes shut. Suddenly my head gets torn back by my hair. I feel skin against mine, not fur, hard skin against my rear.
“Yield,” a rough deep voice snarls into my ear, lips against it.
I can’t believe it, gasping. My eyes try to catch a glimpse, but I can’t move enough to see him. The man. Not the wolf. He presses himself against me.
“Yield,” he repeats.
A snarl escapes my throat. Much too inhuman. Suddenly my body begins to struggle, to fight, even though I still feel paralyzed.
“No!” I hear myself growl.
I hear bones snapping. Unknown pain in my muscles, sinews, limbs. Tearing pain. I scream, arching, squirming, and rearing up. I can see how my hands clench, deform. This pain.
I still scream, and then suddenly I howl. I howl. Everything is bright and strangely green. I’m free. I howl again.
Panting. Muffled sounds of feet running. Paws running.
The moonlight brightens my path.
Tall trees. And old. A forest.
Big, dark, and mysterious.
Breathing leaves little clouds in the air and I run. I can smell the moisture of the ground beneath me, the softness beneath my feet, the freshness of wood and pine needles. My heart is beating in my ears. Wild and strong.
I am a
wolf.
Table of Contents
My Beasts and Me
D.S. Wrights
Day 387
Day 388
Day 389
Day 390
Day 391
Day 392
Day 393
Day 394
Day 395
Day 396
Day 397
Day 398
Day 399
Day 400
No need to take count
Day 400
Day 401
Day 402
Day 403
Day 404
Sometime after
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Howl
Prologue
My Beasts And Me (The Beast And Me Book 7) Page 11