The forest was silent.
Matteo moved through the shadows like breath, his boots soft on the wet earth. The moonlight painted silver lines across his face. His heart beat fast—too fast.
He didn't know why he was out here.
Only that something inside him was pulling him forward.
Then he smelled it.
Blood.
And fur.
The Wolf Girl
He found her near a dry riverbed, lying still in the grass. A wolf—white fur stained with blood, breathing slow and shallow.
Matteo froze.
He knew what she was.
A wolf. An enemy.
But she wasn't fighting. She wasn't even moving.
Her eyes flickered open—golden, glowing faintly—and met his.
Pain filled them.
And something else.
Fear.
Matteo knelt beside her.
"You're dying," he whispered.
She growled weakly. Her voice cracked like broken glass.
"Go… away."
"I can't."
A Dangerous Choice
His hands hovered over her wound. He could hear the vampire part of him screaming—kill her, drink, end this.
But another voice howled inside him, softer, warmer.
He listened to that one.
"Stay still," he said.
Warm light spread from his hands, just like before. The bleeding slowed. The broken bone shifted, mended, straightened.
The glow faded.
The wolf lay still for a moment… then began to change.
Becoming Human
Bones cracked softly. Fur melted into skin.
Matteo's eyes widened.
A girl now lay in the grass where the wolf had been.
Her hair was long and dark, tangled with leaves. Her skin glowed pale in the moonlight. Her lashes trembled as her golden eyes slowly opened again.
Matteo's breath caught.
She was beautiful. Too beautiful.
She blinked at him, confused.
"You… healed me."
"I guess," he said. His voice sounded strange, like it wasn't his.
She pushed herself up on shaky arms. "No vampire should be able to heal."
"I'm not… just vampire," he muttered.
Her gaze sharpened. "Then what are you?"
Matteo had no answer.
Names and Walls
She stood, unsteady but proud, and brushed dirt from her torn dress.
"I'm Kiaro," she said.
"Matteo."
She tilted her head. "You shouldn't be here. If my people find you…"
"They'll kill me?"
"Worse." She took a step back. "Vampires are forbidden near Tukwai. It's our law."
"Tukwai?" he echoed. The name tasted strange.
"It's where I live," Kiaro said. "Where wolves are safe."
"Safe from what?"
"From people like you." She gave him a small, sad smile. "Thank you… but you need to go."
The Pull Between Them
She turned away, limping toward the trees.
"Wait," Matteo said.
She stopped.
"Will I see you again?"
Kiaro looked over her shoulder. Moonlight caught her golden eyes, and for a moment she looked almost unreal.
"Maybe," she said softly.
"Maybe not."
Then she was gone, vanishing into the dark trees like a dream.
Matteo stood there for a long time, listening to the forest breathe.
Something inside him was still glowing, and he didn't know why.
Only that he wanted to see her again.
He needed to.