Rayne's POV:

The town of Grimswood was shrouded in darkness, save for the eerie glow of the full moon that cast long shadows over the deserted streets. It was a night unlike any other, as the few human households cowered in their homes, afraid of what lurked in the darkness. But I was not one of them.

I was perched atop a very tall tree, hidden in its branches and leaves, watching the town from above. I had to stay hidden, for I was not supposed to be there. You see, Lucian my father was the alpha, and leader of the pack gathering that was about to take place in the town square.

As the moon rose higher in the sky, the pack would begin their transformation into their wolf forms, their howls echoing through the streets, piercing through the silence of the night. As the pack howled, it wasn't just a display of their power. It was a reminder to the vampire folks who had been living in Grimswood for centuries.

A meaningless power tussle had lingered between the werewolves and the vampires, with each side trying to assert their dominance over the other. Personally, I see no point in this struggle. It's like two children fighting over a toy, both unwilling to give in.

My father gave a stern warning about my attendance to today's gathering, but I wanted no part in it. I had always felt out of place among the pack, with their savage ways and wild instincts. So, I had devised a plan to escape their gathering, at least for this night.

My heart raced in my chest as I heard the distant sound of howls and growls. I had to be careful, for my father's sense of smell was out of this world. He was famous for his tracking skills among other things.

If I got caught, I can only imagine what punishment would be meted out to me. But I wasn't worried, as being punished as become a daily routine for me.

As I sat on a sturdy branch, the moon shone down on me, its eerie glow igniting a sense of rebellion and excitement within me.

I knew that I was doing something forbidden, and that only made it more thrilling- The son of the alpha, absent from pack meeting. My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden rustling in the bushes below. I froze, my eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger.

And then I saw her– a vampire, her pale face glowed under the moonlight. She seemed to be struggling to run, and I can see an arrow piercing through her back. She had been shot! She stopped trying to move, and fell faced up to the ground.

Without hesitation, I quickly jumped down the tree and landed softly on the ground. I knelt down beside her, my eyes tracing her delicate features. Her high cheekbones, full lips, and long dark hair spread around her like a halo.

She was undoubtedly the most beautiful creature I had ever seen, and for a moment it felt like time had stopped. Her eyes fluttered open, and I found myself lost in the depths of her emerald green gaze. I could see the fear and pain in her eyes, and I couldn't bear to see her in such a state, even though I could sense that she was terrified of me.

I know she is a vampire, and probably she could already perceive that I was a werewolf.

'Are you okay?'

I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

She tried to speak, but her voice was weak. I looked around, trying to find something to help her, but the woods were barren. I took off my jacket and placed it under her head, trying to make her more comfortable.

'It's okay. I'll get you some help,'

I said, my hand caressing her cheek gently. As if sensing my sincerity, she relaxed a bit and gave me a faint smile. I couldn't help but smile back, enchanted by her beauty.

I didn't want to pull out the arrow so as to avoid more bleeding, so I broke off the piece that emerged from her back, leaving the rest of the arrow inside her. Then I carried her in my arms and started walking, trying to find a way out of the woods. She rested her head on my shoulder, and I could feel her warm breath on my neck.

I couldn't take her to a hospital. A vampire in a hospital? It was unthinkable, and I also know what would happen if my father or any other werewolf found her in our territory. She would be devoured without mercy.

The treaty between our two species was precarious at best, and any vampire caught on werewolf territory was seen as fair game for a hunt. I couldn't let that happen to her. My best bet was to take her to vampire territory, and hand her over to them- if I live that long to explain I wasn't a threat before the vampires tear me up in shreds.

I was willing to take that risk to save this damsel in distress. After what felt like an hour, we finally reached the other side of the woods. I saw a large fence that stood up so high, and it had a very big gate.

I've never been to this part of Grimswood in my entire life, as it would be regarded as trespassing- werewolf in vampire territory and rumor has it that no werewolf went to the other side of the woods and ever returned to tell the tale. I breathed a sigh of relief that I made it this far without being attacked, and wishfully hope my luck doesn't run dry.

'This is not the day I die.'

I murmured to myself. I approached the gate with the vampire in my arms still laying unconscious. As I approached the gate, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

I could feel a sense of danger looming ahead. Something was not right. As if on cue, the sky began to darken and the wind howled fiercely.

And then, just like that, the flashes of lightning started, illuminating the dark sky with each strike. For a moment, I froze in fear, unsure of what to do. But then, I saw them.

Three huge, menacing figures standing just a few feet away from me. My heart began to race as I realized that they were not just any creatures, they were vampires. With their pale skin, sharp fangs, and piercing red eyes, they were the epitome of every vampire legend I had ever heard.

I could feel my body trembling, but I summoned up courage and laid the vampire in my arms on the ground.

'What have you done with Lila?'

One of the three vampires asked me.

'How dare you come into vampire territory Lycan?'

Another one asked me, even before I answered the first question. I didn't want them knowing I was afraid, so I looked them straight in the eyes and answered;

'I saved her'.

Three words which I believe covered for both questions.

'And how do we know you didn't do this to her wolf?'

The third vampire said, looking at me suspiciously.

'As you already know, my kind do not have the habit of using arrows either for hunt or sports.'

I said firmly. The first vampire that spoke, reached to the ground and picked up the girl I had saved whom they referred to as Lila, and immediately moved swiftly into the gates with her. I could have sworn it was almost as if they vanished.

If not for the fact that I'm werewolf who possess heightened speed, I would not even get a glimpse of what had just happened. One of the two vampires that remained, made a move to attack me but was stopped by the other vampire. My claws and teeth already sprang out in that instant.

Even though I knew I was overly outnumbered and at a disadvantage in enemy territory, I wasn't about to give him an easy kill. Both vampires looked at me briefly and raced into the big gates leaving me. Without hesitating, I transformed fully into my wolf form so as to enable me move faster and then headed into the woods towards wolf territory.