Beast

Monika arrived at the school, stomach churning with conflicting emotions as she parked. Why does Janice have to be so cool? She knows I’d do anything for her, and I don’t care what other people say. We belong together, and I’m not going to let anyone get in our way! She let the guard give her instructions to find Pugsley, but she barely listened.

I wonder if it would make a difference if I told him we’re in the same pack? Not many humans know about werewolves, but it isn’t uncommon for us to make friends… Or allies that can be expendable meat shields if we choose to doublecross each other. Monika kept her face calm as she navigated the halls.

Most students and staff were in class, but there were a few stragglers here and there. Monika kept her head high. It wouldn’t due to appear nervous. Pugsley might just want me to do a good job and let me be on my way. There’s no reason to believe he’s up to something… She didn’t believe that when she knocked on a class door.

“Come in?” Monika obeyed and flashed a friendly smile for the students' benefit.

“So nice to hear from you again, Mr. Pugsley! I was told you wanted to speak with me as soon as possible. Is now a good time?” Pugsley’s face went from confused indifference to nervous excitement as he gestured to a young woman to take his place in front of the class.

“Ah, Monika. Always nice to see you. Wait outside, please. I’ll be right there. We can talk in my office.” Monika shrugged, letting the door close as Pugsley hurriedly told the class what to do before joining her in the hall.

“Sorry about that. They said you’d be here closer to noon. So, I figured you’d be sleeping in from a different job.” Monika remained silent as she followed Pugsley to his office. You’re not going to get any information out of me that easily. Pugsley pulled out a chair for her, but Monika shook her head.

“Out with it, Pugsley. You didn’t ask for me just to talk about some books… What’s going on?” Pugsley laughed as he pulled out a small cardboard box and placed it on his desk.

“I don’t know what you mean, Monika. This is just another job. One that can make a headache of mine turn into easy cash for you.”

“It’s also one that you can avoid by contacting the supplier and demanding the books in the right language. Don’t treat me like a fool. Packmate or not, I’m not above taking matters into my own hands if I have to.” Pugsley looked at the closed door in a panic, causing Monika to snort as she reached for the box.

How can someone who’s known who and what they are their entire life be this jumpy? At least he thought far enough ahead to provide a prop. Pugsley followed Monika’s movements and slowly relaxed as she picked up the first book. “This is what all the fuss is about? These books are bestsellers. You can find them anywhere.”

“Not limited-edition signed copies, you can’t. At least, not for the prices that I got them for.” Monika raised an eyebrow as Pugsley puffed his belly out with pride.

“You got them for? I was told these were for the library. Since when are you responsible for buying books on behalf of the school?” She carefully removed the dust jacket, feeling a surge of delight as she took in the cover and found the author’s signature on the front page… Only to have her happiness die when she read the message.

“To my number one fan, Monika.

May you live a rich life with your pack.

And never regret embracing your true self.”

She closed the book with a snap, quickly repeating the process and feeling her anger rise. “Pugsley, I’ve told you I’m gay! You can give me a million autographed copies, but I’m not going to be your mate!”

Pugsley’s face fell as he stared at the floor before meeting her eyes. “It's for the best, Monika. You heard what the alpha said at the last meeting”-

“You mean your obnoxious brother who thinks every woman is in love with him?!” Pugsley sighed and carried on like he would with an unruly student.

“And you know he’s right. Packmates are meant to protect each other. But what you’re doing is a risk. Not to mention an insult to our kind”- Monika saw red, slapping Pugsley across the face and punching him in the stomach before he could move. He crashed into the side of his desk, spilling papers and the box to the floor as Monika grabbed him by the throat and growled.

“I. Love. Her. I will not. Be told. Who to take to my bed. Do you understand? If being in the pack means I have no say in who I spend my life with, then I’ll leave it!”

“They’ll never let you do that! Don’t you understand what being in a pack means, Monika? You’re one of us. You can’t just leave, especially for some demon who makes you go out to kill pets every night!”

“She doesn’t make me do anything!” Pugsley smirked, pushing himself to stand upright, and grabbed her wrist.

“Listen to me. That thing is using you. I don’t care that you like women. You can pick a new one to play with every night if you wish. But my brother will not hear any defiance. He’ll sooner see you dead, and that demon of yours will be before the next full moon because of it.”

“What is that supposed to mean?!” He can’t be serious. Werewolves are territorial, but they have no right to tell Janice what to do. They don’t even know her! Pugsley let a growl emerge as his eyes flashed yellow, close to letting his inner wolf take control but not willing to risk causing a scene where humans can hear them.

“You know exactly what it means. Your demon won’t submit to my brother’s rule. She doesn’t respect our boundaries or our numbers. It's only a matter of time before she talks you into doing something stupid, so we’re taking the fight to her. I’m sorry, Monika. But your Janice has to die!”

Monika didn’t feel him move when he kneed her in the stomach, her grip weakening on his throat, letting him push her hands aside as he grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and took off his tie. “I really am sorry. You can hate me if you want, but this is for the best”-

“The hell it is!” Monika stamped down on his feet, smirking as the heel of her boot sank into the top of his foot, making him howl. Pugsley reached for her with a snarl, but Monika tore the door off its hinges and barreled down the hall. People began trickling into the halls, but Monika shoved past them like a fish through water.

Pugsley yelled for her to stop, but she continued through the doors and into her car. Is it a good or bad thing that he didn’t follow me? Can I make it past the guard? What if he calls the police?! Monika shook her head and drove. The guard was on the phone when she reached the gate. He stepped out to wave her down, but Monika accelerated as fast as the car could go and plowed through.

The scream of metal on metal pierced her ears, making them bleed as she ducked instinctively as something smacked against the windshield. Smoke began leaking out from the hood, but she continued driving. Please, let me make it in time. Please, let Janice be ok. Why didn’t I think about the pack attacking her? They’ve told me how much they hate her!

The car managed five more turns before the wheel began to jerk in her hands. Monika parked it next to a sidewalk, grabbed her phone, and ran while she dialed. Please, pick up. Come on, Janice. I know you love to mess with me and keep me waiting, but this isn’t the time! The phone went straight to voicemail.

Monika swore, shoved it into her pocket, and let her instincts take over. She felt the wolf pulse under her skin, eagerly sniffing the air as she borrowed some of its strength. I can’t risk transforming here. There are too many humans around. The wolf didn’t care. Janice was being threatened by the very people who swore to protect Monika and those she cared about.

Why should anything else matter? If Janice died, then Monika would follow her… after ripping apart everyone who ruined their happiness. Monika didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. The wolf barely listened to Monika. She only hungered for one thing in their old life, but that desire paled against Janice.