Mason stood naked and alone in a forest. Twisted trees with faces carved into theirs trunks surrounded him, the faces expressions seemed to be frozen in terror. Their gnarled branches reached high, blotting out most of the moonlight. Only small pillars of silver light managed to break through the up reaching limbs. A bone chilling breeze cut through him, the breeze shifted the spindly branches, causing the light to dance. It would've been an awe inspiring sight, if it wasn't for the uneasy feeling settling in his gut. Mason hugged his arms across his bare broad chest, head turning to the snap of a fallen branch, "Who's there?" He barked. Nothing replied, just stillness.

But then the stillness fell apart as a blood curdling howl bellowed, Mason's eyes widened in horror. The wind blew, the branches shifted, the moonlight danced. He barely managed to stifle his scream once he saw a figure peel itself away from the darkness. The figure stood before him, its eyes were like small pools of black oil. A beam of moonlight danced in front of the figure, just briefly Mason was able to make out reddish brown fur and a set of jagged teeth. The creature jaw clenched then a toothy grin oozed onto its face, it lifted one of its arms and began wriggling its clawed finger in the air.

Mason was confused until his chest started to burn; he grabbed his tender skin above his heart. The stench of burning flesh filled his nostrils, looking down he could see a strange symbol burning into his chest. It looked like an upside down tree inside a circle.

"You've been marked, boy." the creature croaked. "Marked for sacrifice." A raspy laugh tumbled out of the things vile mouth.

"No, this isn't real... just a bad dream." Mason uttered, trying to distance himself.

He took a hesitant step, his bare feet pricked by the hard unforgiving ground. Suddenly the ground gave way and he fell backwards, his stomach flipping because of the sudden vertigo. As he fell down the dark pit, the creature peeked over the ledge, its lips moving silently but Mason can hear the words as clear as day in his head.

"I'm going you kill you boy, dance in your blood and innards. You will be my ultimate sacrifice, I will become a god."

A laugh rasped and followed Mason on his descent; it haunted him to his core.

*****

His eyelids were so heavy they felt as if they were being held down by boulders. Once his eyes were opened, he found himself staring into the eyes of another person. He shook his head, trying to shake off the chills from the nightmare.

"Hey there sleepyhead. You lost consciousness on the ride here, how many fingers am I holding up?" Devin raised one finger in front of Masons face, his middle finger. 

"I'm hoping it's two, because otherwise it seems uncalled for." Mason croaked through his dry throat. "Where are we by the way?" He turned to survey the room he was in. It was a small space, just about big enough for the twin sized bed he laid on and the miniscule dresser on the opposite wall. A strong aroma of coffee caressed his nostrils, making his stomach ache reminding him that he still hadn't eaten.

"You puked in my car, runt! Do you have any idea how hard it's going to be to get the smell of bile out of my car?" Devin bellowed. "I knew I should've just dumped you in a river when I had the chance." 

"Really? Then I would've haunted you, your whole life! The Ring style." Mason quipped, then attempted to make the gurgling sound from the horror film. 

A soft chuckle cut them off from any further banter, Mason turned to see that a man was standing in the small rooms' doorway. The man had a slim build; his skin looked as pale as porcelain and just as smooth. Bright red hair rostered on top of his head and rested at his shoulders though the sides were shaved short. If Mason didn't know any better he would've mistaken him for a woman. He wore a close fitting gray t-shirt, with white jeans, and an apron. The apron said: Hyper Bites! Get hype from a single bite. Then there was a smiley face with a fanged grin underneath the words. 

A gentle smile spread on the man's pink lips, "Oh you wolves look so darn cute when you bond," He said, his voice coming out sing-song. "I wish my kin were as fun." 

Devin made an audible sigh, and then straightened. "Sorry about the ruckus, Alfriedicus. Wouldn't want your customers to get upset." He glanced at Mason, who was struggling to sit up in the bed. "Pup, thank Alfriedicus for his hospitality. If it wasn't for him, you'd still be seizing in my backseat" 

Mason nodded his head slightly. "Thanks, Alfreddikus... Alfreeducis?" he continued to attempt to correctly pronounce the name, failing each time. 

Devin slapped him upside the head, "Alfriedicus. AL-Freyd-A-Coz, don't you know proper English boy?" 

"There's nothing English about that name!" Mason snapped 

Alfriedicus chuckled at them and waved his hand, "It's alright. You can call me Alfie, everyone else does. Well, except Devin. I swear you two deserve your own sitcom. Oops, I almost forgot." Alfie went out the door, and then came back with a tray of food. He placed the tray onto the side table next to the bed; on the tray was a wild assortment of small roast beef and ham sandwiches, a steamy mug of hot chocolate, and a few donut holes. "You must be famished, help yourself." 

Mason's eyes gleamed with joy; it took an enormous amount of willpower not to shove the entire platter into his gullet. "I certainly will! Thanks, Mr. Alfie" He was already snatching sandwiches' off the plate. "This must be heaven." He said gleefully. 

Devin shook his head at Mason, and then turned to the slender man. "Close, this is actually Alfriedicus' coffee and bakery shop. How much do I owe you?" 

The question seemed to make the gentle smile on the other man's face waver slightly; he put an adamant hand on his hip. "Really Devin, after all these decades of our friendship do you really think I'm going to charge you for a simple meal?" Alfie huffed. 

A disarming grim slid onto Devin's handsome face, "You're a good man Alfriedicus, and I wish more of your kind were as generous as you." He clamped a firm hand on Alfie's shoulder. 

A blush bloomed against Alfie's pale face, he tilted Devin's chin up to get a clear look at his throat. "I really wish you weren't straight right now," Alfie whispered, biting his bottom lip. "You are such a tease."

Devin stepped back smoothly, and then winked at Alfie. Too any other person their heart would've burst from the sheer thrill of getting such attention from Devin, with his devilish looks. Thankfully Alfie didn't really rely on his heart, since it hadn't beat in centuries. "Even if I weren't, you know Wolves and Vamps don't make good couples"

"Wait" Mason said, whipping crumbs from his lips. "You're a vampire?"

"Oh, sorry I guess I should properly introduce myself. I am Alfriedicus Michael Nosfortolla the 3rd, of the infamous Blood Clad Clan." Alfie bowed deeply, lifting his head. Fangs poked out from his friendly smile.

Mason screamed, clutching his chest. Ragged breathes flop out of his throat, his eyes going blood shot.

Alfie took a step back, "Wow, I'm not that scary..." A frown on his face.

"No" Mason huffed, "My chest. Burning!"

Devin shook his head slowly, "Could be heartburn, you were eating like a pig just a second ago."

Mason shook his head vigorously, tearing at his collar. The shirt gave away, giving everyone a clear window at the burn mark on his chest. He looked down at the mark in disbelief, his mind swirling with the pain. "Th-the dream. I-it wasn't, this can't be happening."

Devin's eyes widened so far, they nearly bulged out of their sockets. "That symbol... Dammit, Wogan!" 

Alfie turned from one to the other, "Um, I'm going to get my first aid kit" but before he went out the door, he called back "I want an explanation when I get back, Devin.

*****

Devin tore away the rest of the gas stop t-shirt, he knelled next to Mason, whispering intensely in his ear. Alfie rushed back into the room, holding a small white box in one hand.

"Tell me, what happened in the dream you had? You should have mentioned this the very moment you woke up!" Devin snapped. 

"Stop yelling at the boy, he's already hyperventilating." Alfie said as he began to treat the sizzling burn wound. "Looks like an upside down Christmas tree in a circle..."

Mason was biting his bottom lip to keep himself from screaming as the brand burned into his flesh. Blood began to fill his mouth, so he released his lip. "I was in this strange forest..." He told them the nightmare with as much description as he could remember.

By the end of his twisted tale, Devin's face twisted into sheer terror then to intense rage. Alfie on the other hand just shook his head slowly in bewilderment. 

"We are going to Sanctuary. Now" Devin ordered.

"These bandages and salve should treat the burn, but it will leave a mark... I've never seen a magical brand such as this before." Alfie said with a sigh.

"Thanks for treating him old friend, come Mason. We must go."

In a wisp of hurrying and a mildly awkward hug goodbye from Alfie. They were in the car and out on the highway.

Devin seemed to ignore the legal speed limit entirely; he gripped the wheel so tightly that Mason could clearly see his veins bulging. He opened his mouth to say something to lighten the mood, but was cut off as Devin yanked on the wheel and turned onto a bumpy gravel road marked Blue Moon Sanctuary Trail.

Mason gasped in awe as they approached a castle like wall, the ancient stone wall towered above them. The wooden gates creaked open as the car got closer, ropes connected on rusty pulley systems tugged at the heavy gates slowly.

"This place is amazing, is that a mansion?" Mason said in wonderment. Pointing towards a large house, with marvelous archways, and at least five floors worth of windows.

A sudden bang on the window close to Mason's head made him jump, which caused him to knock his head on the cars ceiling. He turned to find himself face to face with a wild albino grizzly bear.

"Welcome to Blue Moon Wildlife Sanctuary!" the grizzly bellowed. It was then that Mason realized that it was actually a man.

"Say hello to my boss, Hakan Stark. Alpha of the pack." Devin said, the anger from earlier finally sliding off him.

The window next to Mason rolled down and Hakan reached a surprisingly muscular arm in.

He grabbed Mason hand into his beefy mitt, "Welcome to the sanctuary, I've got plans for you boy." the man's eyes glinted maliciously.