It was a vast and disasterous night for the unfortunate campers yet to come. The gloomy woods was dimly lit by lanterns, hanging of delicate tree branches. The trees were tall, imtimidating to those who went passed. The leaves from the trees shook in the breeze, some flying down to the cold floor. The ground was cold, cold as ice. Dead leaves, seeds and shrubs were scattered amongst the lush grass. Further into the forest was a wide lake, the moonlight shining directly in the center. It looks crystalized, the light sparkling on every part of the lake. It was the heart of the woods, legends had it that the water held a secret which only the bravest could unfold.

There were other legends and myths too of these woods, which campers used to mock, the tales they used to joke about. But one was true, the one they most joker about, the one they most cried with laughter, the one they most dreaded that it wasn't true. One which would stand against anything which tried to tresspass the forest or harm its wildlife in any way.

As the wind blew onto the trees, there were bright lights shining, meters from the lake. Tents were set up with solid wood blocks, campfires were up, the smoke rising into the air above.
In the middle was roughly fifteen men, laughing and cheering to eachother. There was one lady though. Martina, she was quite a vision of elegance and intellegence, she was twenty-five. She never described herself as beautiful though she recieved the compliment every now and then.

"Martina! Any matches?" One of the older men called, sitting on the log right near the fire.

"I thought you had some, Jas. But here." Martina blew her dark blonde hair out of her face, throwing him a couple matches.

"Cheers, my dear. Hey, lads, tommorow we should take a trip to that lake over there! Maybe cut down a few trees. This would give us all a bit of money if we headed back, selling prized wood." He chuckled, carelessly.

"Oh Yes! We shall. And then if they build houses here, part of the cash will go to us." Another man, quite younger, replied.

"All of you shut up! We can't destroy the forest. Aren't you mad? What about the creatures? The nature?!" She faced them all, with a glare.

"Ugh." Jas groaned,trying to go off subject. "Creatures? What creatures, you say? The legends? The so called vampires,werewolves or even witches?" He crackled,earning a chorus of laughter from the other men.

"Oh shut up." Martina muttered, resting down on the out-skirts of the camp by a dimly lit tree. She noticed a moving figure in the distance. "Hmm, who's that?" She called,boredly. "I wont hurt you,little creature.." She whispered then heard a few rustles
Eventhough she didn't know it, something was staring ditectly are her.

Suddenly a faint growl was heard.
Martina swallowed and jumped to her feet. "A Wolf! I need to warn- wait. No! They'll kill it! No, I'll just-"

Suddenly a loud crack was heard, Martina turned around,facing the men,seeing one with an axe, ramming into a side of a tree, viciously.

She stared, wide-eyes. "What did I tell them, those drunk-"

A loud howl quickly cut Martina off, a few screams now being heard.

"A wolf!"

"We must kill it!"

"Grab the spears and guns!"

The men chanted, grabbing all there weapons,creating a protective circle around the camp.

"Guys! Stop-" Martina tried to shout but it couldn't be heard over a loud howl and yelling.

The howl grew louder,suddenly making the men silence. The rustle of bushes got more intense.

"What if its a werewolf?" One of the youngest boy gulped,shaking as he took hold of a spear.

"Werewolves aren't real you twit!" Jas growled, yanking the boys spear out of his hand and snapping it.

"Jas. Stop! Don't kill it! It's an animal-" Martina blurted out.

"Shut up! Martina, I've had enough of you!" Jas growled loudly,pushing Martina over violently. Martina screamed and fell on the ground, her dress becoming dirty and her skin grazed.

"Jas! You can't do that!" Another boy interupted.

"I can do what I wish! She hasn't got a husband, you don't even have a proper job!" Jas yelled at Martina.

The howl had stopped without them knowing and the creature has sneakily crept into the camp. It's silent growls could be faintly heard.

"We will burn this forest even if it takes us ten years to find this wolf and become rich!" Jas cackled,evilly, full of rage.

The creature had, had enough. It let off and loud bark and lept out of it's hiding position, exposed.

The men gasped,dropping all there weapons.

Martina weakly shuffled backwards to the shadows of a tree, seeing the horrific sight. She didn't scream, she didn't try to run. She stayed there,staring at the creature.

Jas groaned. "What are you all staring at?!" He then turned, seeing the tall werewolf. "Oh my! Shoot it!" He grabbed his gun, but everyone else screamed and ran.

The werewolf stood high and dominantly howled, his narrowed eyes sending a death glare to the man.

Jas gulped and suddenly ran with the crowd, screaming.

The werewolf sniffed the air,drool escaping from its mouth, its teeth bared. It had dark brown fur and a bushy tail. He turned to be facing the weak Martina. Their eyes locked,staring into one anothers eyes.

Martina's eyes gleamed at the werewolf,biting her lip keeping back any screams.

The werewolf approached her slowly with a light growl.

Martina glanced at her arm which had a cut from when she fell. Slowly her eyes flickered shut, passing out.

The werewolf whined slightly and picked her up gently, tossing her over his shoulder. He then ran, past the camp, past the lake and to a hidden cave.

He rested her down at the back of the cave then ran out,hiding until she was awake.

Martina flickered her eyes open as she felt the cold,stone floor of the cave. It was dark , she shivered. "W-Where am I?" she thought, patting down her dress but winced from her cut arm.

The creature growled lightly, with a whimper. "You're in my cave." He said in a deep voice.

"What?" Martina asked,puzzled.

"I'm glad it's dark so you cannot see me as my fur blends in well with the night. Dark brown." The werewolf mutterer, sneakily crawling in the cave.

"Fur? Wait...are you a-"

The werewolf shook then growled, cutting her off. "I hate the word. You seemed nice,stopping those from destroying the wildlife. I like you. Your eyes took over me." The werewolf said without a hesitant thought.

"O-Oh..Thankyou?" Martina blushed slightly.

"You must understand that my species are probaly becoming extinct right? Some legends are real, some people are too curious and kill them out. That's how I lost my mother." He trailed off near the end.

"Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that...I only came as they promised to give me a free job..." She sighed deeply.

"I'll give you a free job..." The werewolf accidentally purred.

Martina stared at the creature, from what she could see from in the darkness. She blushed lightly. "What would that be?"

The werewolf blinked at himself, shaking his head. "Let me introduce myself first, my names Xiao."

"I'm Martina." Martina replied with a slight purr.

"Beautiful name.." Xiao smiled in the darkness then sighed. He glanced out the cave, seeing the moonlight disappearing behind some clouds. He smiled widely then growled lowly.

"Martina, have you ever been a, hmm, prey of some sort?"

"Um, no." She replied wearily.

Xiao smirked evilly. "Okay." He wagged hid bushy tail slightly and stepped back a few steps. "You're going to be my own personal prey." He growled.

"W-What?!" Martina screamed as he lept towards her,closing her eyes shut.

Suddenly an ear piercing scream was heard, then going into silence.

Martina opened her eyes immediately as she felt someone right close to her.

The werewolf, Xiao had transformed in mid air back to his human self; since the moonlight was covered by clouds. His face was only a few centermeteres apart from hers.

"Wh-" Martina whispered, there eyes locking again. Xiao had pale smooth skin, peach lips and beautiful green eyes. His hair was ruffled, a chocolate colour and quite long though still short.

"You're eyes are even more beautiful close up..." Xiao breathed, with a very small smile.

"Thankyou, Your's are too..." Martina whispered, shaking slightly from nervousness.

Martina had bright ocean blue eyes, and when they gleamed they were a sight of beauty, to Xiao especially.

"I only have matter of time since the moon comes back out." He purred, not caring if she judged him. "I have been curses I hope you've guessed, moonlight changes me back, non-moonlight changes me human. Sadly I still don't know how to stay human." He sighed.

"Well, if I cannot change you back to human, what can I do?" Martina asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Just stay there, your bringing me happiness this very moment." He replied, sweetly. Before she could say anything else he leant forward and kissed her, softly. Even if they just met, Xiao knew it was meant to be. It was his wolf instinct, knowing they were destined to be mates.

Martina shook slightly but slowly kissed back,closing her eyes.

Xiao smiled, grabbing her hand gently, pulling her towards him into a hug.

What they both didn't know, was that single action would affect their whole future in months too come.