With Halloween just next week, what better time than to read some creeping new horror titles! Released as part of our most recent September Publication Day, we have Valhalla King’s shape-shifting novella – this is A BEAST’S CRY.
The synopsis to Valhalla’s book reads:
In this gripping tale, Chloe, a centuries-old wolf shapeshifter, confronts an enigmatic and vengeful adversary, Shannon, who seeks to harness her unique abilities for nefarious purposes. The story unravels against a shadowy organisation's relentless pursuit of the "marked ones", individuals with a special birthmark that grants them immortality as wolf shifters.
Wanting to sink your teeth in? Here is the book’s opening prologue:
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There was a dark aura in the sky when Chloe awoke next to the stream at the foot of the stone dam behind her town, feeling at peace. Her calm body relaxed, Chloe felt tired though happy as she could hear the sounds of the townsfolk. It was nearly time for lockdown and her name was being called. Chloe had to rise.
It was a short trip back to town. Along the way, Chloe could hear the wind blowing in the distance.
“A storm is on the wind. It’s going to be a loud night; though, there is a beauty in the night,” she whispered to herself.
Chloe was sixteen; smart, beautiful, though somewhat of an outcast and she loved that for this chick had a secret. Townsfolk feared a monster; they feared her.
“Chloe, you been at that dam again. Brave. Well, best get yourself home, pet, weather’s changing,” said Joan as she hurried with her washing.
“Here, let me help. So, do you think the hatches will hold or need to be replaced soon?”
“They lasted this long, our Chloe, going to last still. Thank you, pet, now home with you.”
“OK, Joan, take care. See you in the morning.”
“Where have you been? At that dam again right?” Chloe’s mother Susan asked with worry.
“Yes, Mum, my peaceful place, safe place, just me.”
“Well, have tea, then bath, please, our girl; we saved you hot water.”
“Thanks, Mum, I really do love you all,” Chloe responded. Though she was sitting down for food, she knew tonight she would get hungry—very hungry. The night brought with it an eerie moon, full blue, and the sound of wolves and foxes adding their songs to the music the darkness brings. The latch on Chloe’s window kept rattling, keeping her awake. From her window, she could see a distant light, faint yet dancing in the dull light of the moon. Chloe tried, though she could feel the call. The pain and the cramps started after all the town was locked down. This person had no business passing through, right? That’s how she saw it anyway. The wind whispered through the trees. The sound louder now. The traveller busied himself rummaging through papers and notes while logging a large chest on wheels, a salesman trying to live, trying to be honest about the pain overwhelming the hunger too much. Vision red Chloe, so hot, felt herself rip off her rags. A growl filled her room. “My love, are you OK?” Stanley, her father asked.
“Cramps,” replied Chloe.
“Sorry, darling, feel better soon.” Though her room did not host a girl, but a hungry beast jumped out her window, one mission, one hunger, another heartbreak. As much as the beast tried, she knew this poor soul would not be her only meal. A distant howl rang out as if to signify the satisfaction of a good kill, the taste of fresh blood now on the beast’s lips, and the lust so powerful it could hear footsteps of one of the towns folk drunk stumbling another poor soul, another meal. Chloe felt nothing but hunger. She pounced on the drunk, ripping him in two. Another howl to the towns folk; it sounded like wolves.
The moon was still full and the night young, though the beast found itself with no victims, the town locked down. So Chloe roamed the paths, looking for animals to feast on. When she found herself in a familiar place—the stream—her safe place—she headed to the water and caught sight of her current form—the fangs the hair, the red eyes, taking her paw, splashing the water—distorting her image—and two rabbits and a deer. Later, Chloe could feel the change coming; the moon was setting the sun had awoken. Chloe changed back to a girl. Only now, she was as naked as the night had been. Though she was ready and found clothes, she had hidden them for this reason and managed to return to her room just before her family stirred. Shattered, wanting to sleep, though she knew that the towns folk would soon awake to a nightmare—a nightmare of her doing. A small tear left her eyes, and as she lowered her head, one question remained: what had she done.
