Saving Ariel

I'm pretty sure I heard Carter wrong. A wolf? Is he kidding me. I felt my skin beginning to tear at the seams, a deep growl leaving my mouth as the nurse placed her hand upon Carter's shoulder. What in the world? I thought to myself.

Don't struggle, it'll hurt more. I'm not looking forward to your girlish screams. An inner voice howled inside my mind. And here's the bit when you think you're going crazy. It laughed.

"I can hear voices," I clinged onto the hospital bed tighter, crushing the poles in my hand. "Make it stop!"

"We can't, relax Ariel!" Rose cried out, grasping my hand eagerly. I'm not sure how she's enduring my grip, the only sign of pain showing was her furrowed eyebrows and the way she bit her tongue.

"Let your inner wolf take control," carter whispered before everything went black.

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Beyond the mist stood a figure on all fours, moving through the smoke as though hunting for prey. I stepped back, an invisible force bringing me to a halt. I felt my skin turn to ice, the anticipation building up inside of me.

"Isabel," the mysterious figure laughed to herself. "Are you scared?" I gulped, squeezing my eyes together tightly - hoping that I was stuck in a dream. "You should be."

"No." I stuttered. I stared at the wolf, stalking towards me with - what looked to be - a smirk on its face. It placed one paw in front of the other, as though ready to pounce. I would have moved if I got the chance. I was mesmerized by it's white and golden coat, it was unique, definitely not what I imagined a wolf to be like.

I was now pinned to the wall, its paws either side of me. It let out a low growl, and then nuzzled its head against my shoulder. "Good," the wolf seemed to mutter. "I'm Daisy." I felt frozen in time, my jaw slacked open in astonishment. The wolf can talk? "I know it's a lot to take in," she began. "But I'm your inner wolf."

"You're my what?" I mumbled. "Wolf? Why does everyone keep saying that word?!"

"You were bit by a wolf with immense power, they have the ability to transfer a human to a wolf, now you are one." The wolf stood back, howling as it's body began to concave into itself. I closed my eyes again, scared that she was dying in front of me. "Open your eyes."

I listened instantly, my eyes fluttered open and in front of me stood a girl that looked identical to myself. The only difference being that I didn't have the mark of a paw on my neck. What the hell was going on?

"You're a..."

"I can change form, it's not a big deal." She laughed. "I think you've had enough time here with me, Carter's wolf is practically drooling over me and I can't do anything without your consent. It's like a gravitational law, kinda pulls me away. I wish it didn't, his wolf is hunky." She grinned.

I nodded in agreement, feeling urges building up inside my body. "How do I go back," I muttered. "I don't know how..."

"Close your eyes, and I'll take you there." She smiled. "I'm in control, I just have to let go." I squeezed my eyes shut as a rush of pain exploded inside of my skull.

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When I finally came back to reality, the room was pitch black, the only sound invading my - now sensitive - ears was a low breathing beside me. I turned my head towards the sleeping figure. Carter.

He looked so peaceful, his hair was scruffy and he now had stubble. How long was I asleep for? I moved around silently, trying to avoid waking him up. I reached out for the cup placed beside Carter, when his hand came flying up to my wrist. He growled.

"Oh, Ariel!" He smiled. He pulled me off the bed and into his lap, nuzzling his face against my hair. Did he just inhale?

"How long was I out for?" I stuttered, tingles were erupting through my body, and boy did I want to kiss him.

"Three days," he whispered, pulling me closer to him. He placed his lips against my cheek, mumbling against it. "God, I've missed you!"

I relaxed against his warmth and found myself smiling. I was supposed to get married a few days ago, and now I'm here, with a man that cares more than my fiancée. "I could sleep for a week," I chuckled.

"No! How did it go with your wolf?"

"She's sweet, kinda perverted, and very respecting you could say. She tried to scare me at first, but I wouldn't stand for that." I laughed again. "She thinks your wolf's hunk."

"And you don't?" He winked. "Well, me, not my wolf."

I felt a blush creep up to my cheeks. I hit his chest gently and attempted to get off his lap, only to be pulled back down. "Where are you going?" He pouted.

"I need to pee!" I muttered. "I'll be two minutes."

"Ok, I'm counting!" He joked, at least I thought he was. When I finally walked out of the bathroom, he pulled me up into his arms and held me close once again. "Let's go to my pack house."

"Pack house?" I stuttered.

"Yes, where most of the wolves live. We'll take this one step at a time, I'll try not to scare you." He smiled, lifting my bag up and carrying me out of the hospital. Once we reached his car I slid into the passenger seat, unable to relax, this was not going to be an easy day.