The next day my father came and greatly reduced the number of journalists outside my house. He complained about doctors who after such a traumatic experience wanted to annoy me with more tests. He also complained about the inability of the authorities and that they had some problem with my insurance. He also brought me a new revolver. I thanked him and, as kindly as I could, indicated that I was no longer a child and he could return home.

Then I called the sheriff and agreed to return to duty. We agreed on tomorrow. Mrs. Wescott, my neighbor, brought me a batch of cookies.

The whole day my head pounded and the pressure in my joints was driving me crazy. It was like my whole body was waiting for something to inevitably happen. Whatever it was, it better hurry before I ended up in an asylum.

I stretched my neck, and my back cracked all the way down. I couldn't stand it anymore. I quickly put on my jacket, walked out the back door to avoid journalists, and headed for the police station. A quick pace and a lowered head guaranteed no one would try to stop me for a chat. After twenty minutes, I finally got inside.

“Cross! Hey people, the celebrity has arrived!” officer Lewis called across the station.

"Nice to see you, too," I said with a smile and returned the pat on the back. Several policemen came to greet me. When I finally got into the main room full of officers’ desks, Caroline stood there with the K9 trainer. I glanced at Caroline. Her body was all curves and muscles. One strand of hair rocked restlessly beside her face while the rest was pulled up in a ponytail. She talked to the dog breeder with a cold look.

The strange lust I felt before was nowhere to be seen. She was beautiful, in a way, but I had no desire for her. Not like at the bar... I took a few steps toward them when suddenly all hell broke loose. The two adult German Shepherds by the breeder's side and their four puppies immediately started barking madly. The puppies hid behind their parents, obviously terrified, staring right at me.

The adult dogs stood up defensively and barked shifting on their paws nervously. Everyone began to comfort them. Confused, I backpaddled. I could swear I heard their hearts pounding, that I could feel their fear and determination to protect their people. I ran out of the station and far away through the streets until I couldn’t catch my breath and slowed into a walk.

What the hell happened? They just went mad! Did that mean something really was wrong with me? Dogs could sense evil, right? I was lying to myself when I tried to convince myself that nothing bad or unusual was happening, that the weird things I felt were just side effects of the drugs and trauma. Because deep inside I felt it. I felt something that desperately clawed at my flesh trying to get to the surface.

No... I was delirious, I was just imagining things. There was nothing inside of me, just flesh, blood, and bones. Nothing else. Nothing. Maybe I should call Simon, maybe I should take the tests the doctors suggested. What if I really caught something? Virus or a dangerous infection that spread through my body. Headache, joints pains, muscle pains, agitation, nervousness, aggressiveness, sudden mood swings, itchy skin. All of this could be a symptom of illness... Dogs could smell a disease, right? That must have been it.

Goddamned beast! You freak of nature! You horrible monster! What have you done to me? I cursed at the wolf. When I looked up, a forest stretched ahead of me. The darkness of the setting sun was tempting. The last remnants of light were running to hide from the creature in this forest. Come and get me! We'll measure our strengths once again! How safe the forest seemed, how it deceived with its peaceful mask and magnificence. It held out its warm fingers and I let myself be drawn inside.

"Fuck!" I slammed my fist against a tree trunk to relieve the damn pressure, but it didn’t help. My knuckles practically creaked, and the pressure became more urgent. My heart raced and it felt like there were thousands of red ants running over my skin. A dull ache pierced my every muscle, I gritted my teeth and cried out my frustration into the still night.

The forest surrounded me in a warm embrace and gave me strength. Nature called for her son because I was promised to her. So, come Monster... Come you Wolf Devil! I thought, but this time I didn't mean the white wolf that killed so many people. Claw your way out Beast! Come and join me!

So, with open arms, I greeted the Beast and let it float to the surface. I fell to my knees, my whole body cramping. The pressure in my joints finally made sense when my bones began to move, lengthening and shortening. My muscles eager to move finally got their chance, they stretched, tore, and reshaped to satisfy the Beast in me. My teeth grew into huge fangs and my jaw extended. The horrible agony inside my whole body almost made me faint, but at the same time, there was something more. Excitement and ecstasy-like feeling. The itching of my skin grew stronger as fur sprung up all over my body, replacing the torn clothes with something better, warmer, more useful. I gasped in agony, but I knew the forest would protect me from unwanted eyes and ears. I surrendered to the pain, to the Beast that desperately asked for control over my poor body. I was happy to give it…