Forced Into Destiny

Jerrod realized hiding from the authorities in the park would be especially difficult. It was bad enough that every step he made in the dry leaves crunched to announce his position. To make it worse, the light from the full moon was perfect for locating fleeing quarry in the dark.

If he could just make it out of the park, he'd be fine. At least that was his hope. Karen was dead, and whoever had put that lipstick in his gym locker wanted him to look like the guilty one. He needed to get to her house. But, the only realistic way to do that was to go through the park. Then, he could worry about finding Karen's murderer.

The time spent ducking and hiding finally paid off when he reached the other side. After a quick check for police, he darted across the street to Karen's house. Using the side window he'd gone through dozens of times, he landed softly in her guest bedroom.

The room light immediately turned on, and he shot a glance to the doorway with the light switch.

“Karen!?”

“You have to go, Jerrod.”

“But...why...how...what's going on!?”

Karen calmly reached out her left hand. “Go home, Jerrod. You're needed there. Give me the pendant.”

“I like my life here, Karen!”

“They think you killed me. You can't have that life, now.”

He began to cry. “I never chose that existence!”

She placed her other hand on his cheek, softly. “I know. But, it's your destiny. You're their prince. You have to go back.”

Jerrod sighed and removed the silver pendant from his neck. Instantly, his werewolf blood reacted to the moonlight, and he changed into his canine form. Without looking back, he leapt through the window, heading for the kingdom he was born to lead.