Prologue

" L ittle wolf."

Fear pulses through my body at the sound of his singsong voice, my inner wolf screaming to be let out. My heart pounds against my chest as I look around the dark, dingy room for a way out—trapped. My dirty, unwashed hair clings to the tears rolling down my seven-year-old cheeks.

I hear footsteps making their way towards me. I would have known it was him by the sound of his shoes clipping against the floor, even without him announcing his presence with his favourite chant. As the sound of his feet get louder, so does my breathing. I know all too well the fate that awaits me on the other side of the door.

"Run, little wolf."

My fists clench as I fight the change, my nails digging into my palms as they transform into claws. My skin tingles. I don't need to look to know that fur is sprouting along my body. Closing my eyes, I force my wolf to back down, knowing that turning into my other form is exactly what he wants.

Keys clank in the lock, and the door squeaks as it's pushed open. Shadows creep into the room, almost seeming to crawl towards me. I force my weak, battered body to stand up, glaring at my tormentor as he fills the doorway.

"Hello, little wolf."