Prologue Crimson's POV
The day that my soul was forever claimed by a beast is but a faint and distant dream to me, a bitter sweet memory fluttering away with the wind a little more each day. I was around eight or nine; I remember the cold nipping and worrying at my skin and shaking my frail bones. I suppose the wolves were there the whole time, but in my memory I am alone with the still, cold air and the wispy, powdered trees for a short time before I hear them, and smell them. The earthy, dully sweet smell that radiates from the beasts' fur filled my nostrils as I heard snow crunching and gentle growling. They surrounded me on all sides, warming and claiming me with feral curiosity. Most of the wolves had never seen a human whilst in wolf form, I don't know if I seemed to be a threat or a gift, maybe both, maybe something between. My eye lids were heavy and my brain fogged, making the pack look like a glorious chestnut, grey, white and black sunset, breaking over the pristine white world. However, that did not last long enough, as the wolf standing over my head and partly baring his sharp teeth made a loud, clipped growl-bark at the six other beautiful, bright eyed wolves circled around the rest of my body. The wolf at my head was even larger than the others and his thick coat was a deep, glossy black. His eyes were a clean, piercing blue; he had the face, voice and energy of a leader. He had looked into my eyes and sent me a special, silent message that I still to this day, am yet to uncover. I felt his longing to keep me as his own, to covet me from his pack and the world. He nuzzled my cheek slowly; his fur was as soft as an angel's wing. He trailed all the way down to my neck and then licked the side of my neck, not a slobbery dog lick, but a meaningful caress with the only gentle part of his predatory mouth. Unfortunately, that moment didn't last long either, as he hesitantly bit my right shoulder; his delicate and powerful paw planted in my chest, keeping his target shoulder steady. That was when I screamed, I don't think I meant to but I couldn't help it. The pain was a sharp sting on the surface that trailed to a burning sensation cursing through my swollen veins. I had never felt anything like that before and it was terrifying. Everything after that has faded with time. i just know I was lying on the brutal blanket of snow with my aching shoulder; listening to the distant howling and wondering when I'd see my precious beast again.
Chapter One Alice's POV