I must've blacked out again because the next thing I knew, I stood on the compressed dirt floor of a... cave? I didn't even know there were caves around these parts.

As it's been, I couldn't be sure if this was all some sort of fever dream or hallucination or if, somehow, this was really happening.

Nothing made sense.

I did my best to ignore the orange text and symbols floating before my eyes and scanned around to get my bearings. For the second time in who knows how long, a blood-curdling scream rang nearby. This time, there wasn't even time for thoughts to register in my mind before I sprinted toward it.

I soon came to a screeching halt before a large boulder. It rose from floor to ceiling, barely enough room for a raccoon to fit through the gap, but I could hear shrill cries just on the other side. I skittered up the rocky slope to find a man firmly planted atop a woman. At first, I thought what anyone would've, and this was some sort of sexual violence situation, but during the split second it took me to register what I was seeing, I realized I was wrong. Human as the man looked, long fangs sank into her neck.

A sudden surge of rage seized me, and without conscious thought, my body transformed into an animalistic monster.

Again, it felt like my bones were breaking and reconstructing in my body—and I supposed they were. In the midst of it all, my vision turned red, and I barreled toward the man and his victim. He must've heard me—and no wonder, I think I was growling. He spun and snarled, revealing an assortment of sharp, blood-stained teeth, but I didn't care. I had only one thought: tear his head off.

The man's dark hair hung below his shoulders. Though he looked enraged and, frankly, terrifying, I couldn't help but notice how well-groomed he was. Though his eyes were sunken into his head with dark bags under them like he hadn't slept in years.

More bones in my lower half crackled and popped, causing me to lurch forward. I felt like I was going to puke. At the sight of me, he relinquished his grip on the woman and let her limp body fall to the cave floor. His lips twisted into a smile, showing even more rows of razor-sharp teeth. Then, he darted forward in a flash and pistoned me with a right hook.

It felt like I got hit by a freight train. I flew back, crashing hard against the boulder, feeling it shift under the weight of the impact. The numbers on my HUD changed. I had no time to determine what they meant—the fight was on, and my enemy was intent upon doing the same to me as I wanted to do to him.

The pain ceased, and it appeared the transformation of my body was complete. I rose—and kept rising—until I towered over the now puny, sharp-toothed man. I threw my head back and howled something horrific.

You have entered [Werewolf] form.

But it didn't stop the man. He raised his arms, preparing to attack me again. At the same time, the woman who had been screaming scrambled to her feet. I lunged forward, opening my giant mouth wide, and drove my canines into the man's neck. He shrieked, so I bit harder. When I pulled away, a baseball-sized chunk of his flesh hung from my lips. It was disgusting.

The woman screamed. It took me a moment to realize she was doing so because of me.

With my attention stolen by her, I felt an impact—no, not impact—a stabbing sensation in my back. Then, it burned as if I'd been branded like a cow. I twirled and spotted a newcomer: a man brandishing a bright, gleaming sword.

Concentrating through the pain was difficult, but I pushed forward, an instinct to survive kicking in. I pounced at the man, falling short as his guard came up. Meanwhile, the woman crawled away from all of us, and the sharp-toothed man squirmed on the ground, clutching at his neck.

Screams echoed in my ears, disorienting me. I moved in a hunched-over gait, circling the sword-wielder. I knew I had to do something before he got the upper hand.

I charged at him again, but he sidestepped and slashed at my side. Another painful burning. My anger rose, blood filling my vision. I limped forward, my muscles moving on their own. I didn't have to think or reason—I just had to bite.

As I stalked the man with the sword, the fanged man staggered to his feet and jumped onto my back. His long fingernails pierced my flesh, and I sensed his teeth hovering just above my hackles.

With effort, I managed to shake him off, but when I recovered, a sword was pointed at my chest. The sharp pain in my side was too much. I couldn't fight anymore.

I stumbled backward. I was surrounded by Inigo Montoya and freaking Dracula.

The sword touched my skin, and smoke rose from the spot.

The man's eyes bore into me with lustful death. I panted, my massive, hairy chest rising and falling as I waited for the end. Then, suddenly, a whir of fur appeared in the corner of my vision.

The man cried out as another werewolf barreled into him. Then, behind me, I heard another attack. The sharp-toothed man wailed angrily, and three more werewolves emerged from the darkness, surrounding us.

I took deep, slow breaths, my body relaxing as time passed and the other werewolves dispatched my would-be killers.

The white-furred one stood. It was now more pink-furred than anything, blood soaking from maw to toe. It bowed, then transformed into a gorgeous woman with long, platinum blonde hair. She smiled at me—which looked gruesome, considering the gore. Then, she glanced at the other werewolves, slowly transforming back into people.

"Thank you," I said, panting, my voice coming out as a quiet growl. My throat was dry, and my mouth tasted funny. Probably from the blood.

"Shift," she said in a tone that carried commanding authority.

That one syllable sent my entire body into convulsions, and I suddenly stood there, naked as the day I was born.

You have returned to [Human] form.

My hands rushed to cover myself, but she smiled.

"We are the Midnight Hunt." The woman gestured to the group behind her. "And you are now one of us."

I glanced around at the others. They were all human and looked like they'd just gotten out of bed—other than being covered in the remains of my attackers. I was exhausted but felt invigorated by their presence.

"I don't understand," I said.

"In time, you will," she said, approaching me. "You are Werewolf. One of us now."

I knew it shouldn't have come as a shock. After all, I had just been standing seven feet tall and covered in fur. Still, you don't just accept "You are Werewolf" like someone is telling you, "You are human."

"Last night, Kareem bit you. Your actions, though seemingly heroic, were stupid. You interrupted his feeding last night."

The woman's eyes peered into mine. I knew instantly she was telling the truth.

"I am Cleopatra," she continued. "You can call me Cleo. I am the pack's Alpha, and I command you to come find us."

My brow furrowed. I looked around. "I... you're right here."

"This is but a dream, young pup," Cleo said in a tone that told me to drop the subject.

A dream? Everything felt so... visceral. "I don't understand."

"In time," she repeated.

"So, I'm supposed to be a werewolf now?"

Cleo nodded. "Yes, you are Werewolf. Find the Darkness underground, and there, you will find kinship with your kind."

I took a deep breath. "I just have a few questions."

Cleo's eyes narrowed. "We have no time for questions. We must go."

"I'm not going anywhere until you answer my questions!" I snapped.

She smiled. "Your primal instincts will begin shifting in the real world too."

One of the others, a guy with a puff of curls atop his mostly shaved head, stepped forward.

"You'll be working under me," he said.

I wanted to wipe the smile off his face. "And who are you?"

"I'm Kareem," he said, then glanced at Cleo, who nodded. "Your new daddy. I command you to come with us."

"No," I said, taking a step back. "This is a dream. You said it. I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what is happening."

Kareem gave Cleo a look that I didn't understand, and she stepped forward, pressing her hand against my chest. The touch made me shiver, but it also made me feel... safe.

"What you saw this evening was Earth's greatest threat. The vampires want nothing more than to see the world burn as they ravage humanity. We are the only thing keeping humanity safe."

Panic overwhelmed me, and I felt lightheaded. "I can't be a werewolf. No, I can't do that." I took another step back.

Cleo grabbed my arm. "Yes, you are. You are waking soon," she said. "There's no time. Find the Darkness underground, and find us, your pack..."

The scene around me faded, and I woke up in my apartment. My sheets were soaked with sweat. I glanced down at my leg. While it was still red and puffy, the bandages were gone. It had completely healed. The burn mark on my chest from the necklace, however, hadn't. What surprised me the most was the now crystal-clear HUD displaying numbers and menus in my vision.

A simple thought selected options and opened what I could only describe as screens. I was drawn to all the layers of information, especially what appeared to be information about the new me.

[Level: 1] Cub (Puppy)

[Auspice:] Crescent Moon (Theurge)

[Experience:] 0

[Humanity:] 100/100

[Health:] 10/10

[Current Form:] Human

[Strength:] 16

[Intelligence:] 18

[Dexterity:] 15

[Constitution:] 13

[Wisdom:] 15

[Charisma:] 14

[Current Skills:]

[Transform:] The ability to transform from [Human] to [Wolf] to full [Werewolf]. This skill is involuntary and will continue as such until you increase beyond the first five cub Levels. Upon reaching Level 6, new information about this skill will unlock.

[Unarmed Melee:] Your hands and feet are deadly weapons. At your Level, you have a basic knowledge of fighting and an instinct to survive.

[Sprint:] You can run as fast as most cars; faster if in [Wolf] form.

Below this, a section was grayed out, giving me a sneak peek at what was to come.

[Skill Focus:] Might, Intellect, Spirit, Stealth

[Levels 1–3:] Crafting, Healing, Knowledge, Research, Sense Motive, Search

[Levels 4–6:] Spiritcrafting, Heal Disease, Information, History, Affect Motive, Conceal

[Levels 7–9:] Spellcrafting, Death's Door, Understanding, Know Motive, Discover

In addition to skills, it seemed I also got to choose an Auspice Gift every three Levels.

[Auspice 1 Gifts:]

Commune with Spirits

Summon Omen

Sense Creature of the Night

Reveal the Hidden

[Auspice 2 Gifts:]

Reveal Secrets

Purge Toxin

Spirit Force

Spirit Shield

[Auspice 3 Gifts:]

Water-Walking

Summon Vision

Fire Force

Skin Shield

I managed to will the screens away, stood, and grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. After dressing, I headed downstairs to the kitchen for some breakfast. My brain needed fuel if I was going to figure out what was going on.