Forbidden

xi

•Normani•

I have absolutely no idea how long I've been walking. Ever since the violent encounter with Lauren, she's been so depressed and upset. Roger and I had decided to take a vacation in upstate New York, taking her with us. Unfortunately, its been snowing all week. We haven't had a day of sunshine.

I trek in the forest, shivering in my coat. My boots make crunching noises in the snow, leaving deep imprints from my feet. I freeze, catching a whiff of something unpleasant. My face turns into a snarl, my eyes searching the woods. I can smell rogues.

I transform into my wolf state, my eyes turning into a bright amber color. I was naturally bigger than most of the werewolves back at home, larger than my mother but a tad bit smaller than my father. No wonder they wanted to use me as their assassin.

I let out a low growl, crouching low to the ground. I see blue eyes staring at me from behind a tree, and I can just barely make out the wolf's scrawny frame.

"Show yourself," I command, locking eyes with my attacker.

He walks out, shivering. His fur is matted against is body, a few infected cuts seen over hairless patches of skin. I can make out the outline of his ribs, and insanity dances behind his eyes. This wolf hasn't eaten in days, nor has he interacted with us.

"You," He says shakily. "You're Queen Normani."

"That I am," I growl. "Who are you?"

"Nobody," He whispers. "I'm just a lowly wolf to you." I smell two other rogues coming out of the shadows, the snow crunching under their paws.

"You think you can beat me if you have your little friends do it with you?" I ask, amusement ringing in my voice.

My gaze darts to the side as a female rogue attacks me, her teeth bared. I easily slide under her body, thrusting upwards and sending her flying into the air. I charge with blazing speed, knocking my full body weight into the other male rogue. He whimpers, sinking down on his paws.

I bare my teeth at the first rogue, a loud growl echoing in the forest.

"You disgust me," I bark. "You leave your duties in your pack to roam around the woods by yourself. There's nobody out here to help you, to save you. Look at you, scrawny and frail all because you haven't had a decent meal in days."

"I'm not scared of you," He murmurs. I chuckle as the strong scent of fear wafts from him. I stalk slowly towards him, my growl heightening which each step.

"Then why do you reek of fear?" I ask.

"I know what you're capable of," He snarls. "You're a cold blooded murderer. No wonder you're marrying that heartless bitch."

"Do not disrespect her," I threaten. "If I don't kill you now, I sure as hell will give you something worse than death." I lunge at him, my teeth sinking into his shoulder. I shake my head violently, digging my teeth into the foul smelling flesh. I pin the rogue down, digging my claws into his exposed stomach. I trace a line all the way down, pressing slightly so I drew blood.

I jerked my head forward, sinking my teeth down onto his throat. He squirmed slightly before freezing, his body limp under mine. I release my jaw, licking the blood off of my muzzle.

I needed to go back to Lauren.

* * *

•Lauren•

I threw the book against the wall. Rage swamped inside of me, coursing through my veins. I felt my face heat up, the anger clearly visible to those around me.