Epilogue: The Place Beyond the Fangs

  A startled silence followed the abrupt end.

  Even Not-Merlin choked out his laughter, trying to rise. When he did get his feet under him, he started for the trees. Unbothered by the sudden change of scenery.

  Wesley and the others let him go.

  They simply stood, looking around them.

  “Are we—” Esther began.

  “Yes,” Wesley said slowly. “We are.”

  “And–”

  “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” a familiar voice boomed. “THERE WAS ONE THING THAT YOU NEEDED TO DO. ONLY ONE.”

  Wesley was not in the mood. “Where are you? You could stop him right now. He’s injured.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “NO. I CANNOT LEAVE MY CASTLE. YOU MUST STOP HIM.”

  Something hit Wesley in the stomach. Or…felt like it did.

  Then something cracked. He looked down. His leg was at an unnatural angle.

  Another crack.

  His angle snapped and he fell to his knees.

  It became a cacophony of breaking bones. Wesley listened to it like a passive observer, the pain so extreme he could only gasp.

  Then…well, he changed.

  His fingers elongated, becoming like claws. Hair appeared on his arms in great tufts. His clothing ripped apart, tearing at the seams. His teeth became fangs extending past his lips.

  The pain was secondary to the elation his muscles began to feel. It was like a joyous explosion of intense hunger.

  “WHAT ARE YOU?” the voice asked.

  A roar erupted from Wesley’s throat, drawn from his burgeoning hunger. Drawn from his desire for the hunt. To stalk prey.

  He tried to control his mind. To think of anything else other than the hunger. But there was nothing to keep his mind latched to sanity. It was running wild away from him.

  As his claws dug up dirt, he saw that Esther was stumbling away, her own body contorting. Wings popped out of her back, thin and leathery. And her eyes had become a glowing golden color.

  Wesley fought his change, knowing he was lost to himself.

  “FIND ME WHEN YOU COME BACK TO YOURSELF.”

  Wesley’s legs moved without his direction, dragging him towards the forest.

  He couldn’t stop it. He didn’t even know how to begin to cage this animal within himself.

  Wesley let the wolf take over.