Rejected by the Alpha, Claimed by his Brother

I was running.

María José was ahead of me, draped in white. However, her white dress was torn and trailing behind her as she fumbled through the darkness. Her bare feet bled against the jagged rocks, but she didn’t stop.

Couldn’t.

Behind her, a shadow moved, long and twisting, swallowing everything in its path.

I tried to reach her, my legs burning as I pushed forward. But no matter how hard I ran, I wasn’t fast enough.

She turned back to face me and I could see just how chalk-white her face had paled. In her mouth was a silent plea.

"Wait!" I screamed, extending my hand as long as I could as if it could turn elastic and reach her.

It didn’t.

Then the darkness swallowed her whole.

I woke up gasping.

******