Page 19 of Little Red Riding Hood (The GriMM Tales #1)

Ten

R ed sprinted, his boots pounding against the forest floor as he followed the commoners’ directions to the riverside trap. His heart raced with every step, every rustle of leaves, and every snap of a twig. His world narrowed to a point as finding Wim became his sole purpose.

The trees blurred together as he pushed himself to run faster, his legs burning with each stride.

Sweat trickled down his face, and his breath came in ragged gasps.

A sharp jolt followed by a hollow thud behind him told him the sack of carrots and potatoes—their hard-won bounty from the slavers—had fallen from his pack.

He couldn’t stop. Not now. Every time he slowed down, he pictured Wim eating one of the poisoned rats, his body convulsing, froth foaming at his mouth, pouring down his grey muzzle.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the foliage became less dense, and water gurgled nearby.

Red burst into a small clearing, the stream on the far side of it.

His eyes scanned the area, and his stomach dropped.

Three dead rats lay in a neat row, their bodies stiff and lifeless.

But it was the sound that followed that made his blood run cold: a scream.

Red’s gaze whipped to the left, and his heart stopped.

Wim stood close to two mangled, lifeless bodies, their clothes shredded and bloodied.

Red let out a small cry before slapping his hand over his mouth.

Holy shit. Ragged holes had been torn through their abdomens, revealing wet crimson cavities where flesh had been savagely ripped away, and he was fairly sure that the glistening, rope-like masses he could see were intestines.

“Jed and his lot,” the woman had said, and it looked like Red had found them. His mind stuttered, unable to process what he was seeing. Wim had done this. Wim had ripped those two poor souls to shreds.

And now, Wim’s massive paws pinned down a third man. The commoner’s eyes bulged as Wim’s jaws hovered inches from his face, ready to strike.

Red’s mind froze, paralyzed by the horror of the scene. Wim’s fur was matted with dirt, twigs, and blood, his eyes blazing with an unnatural hunger. The air reeked of death and bodily fluids, and Red’s stomach churned with the stench.

The man’s screams grew louder, more desperate, as Wim’s breath washed over his face.

Red’s hand instinctively went to his bow, but he hesitated.

What was he supposed to do? Kill Wim to save this random peasant?

His mind spun with the impossible choice.

He knew Wim, knew the man beneath the wolf, but in this moment, he was faced with a monster.

Wim’s muscles tensed, his jaws opening wider, ready to deliver the killing blow. Time seemed to slow as Red watched, transfixed, as Wim’s fangs hovered above the man’s throat. Red’s voice was stuck in his throat, unable to call out, unable to do anything but stand there and witness the carnage.

“Stop!” Red eventually managed. “Wim, stop!”

The massive wolf’s head swung towards Red, and his heart clenched. Though the creature wore Wim’s form—the same grey fur, the same muscular build—the eyes that fixed on him blazed with feral hunger. No trace remained of the warmth, the intelligence, the humanity Red had come to know.

A growl rumbled through the clearing, deep enough to vibrate through Red’s boots and up his spine. The wolf’s muzzle pulled back, revealing crimson-stained teeth in a grotesque parody of a smile .

“Ahhh,” the beast’s voice scraped like claws across stone. “It’s you, the delicious one.”

The pinned commoner seized his chance. He scrambled backwards on his hands and feet, then bolted into the forest, crashing through the undergrowth in blind panic.

Red’s fingers tightened on his bow, but before he could raise it, the wolf lunged.

The world spun as Red’s back slammed into the ground, knocking the air from his lungs.

His bow clattered away, far beyond reach.

Massive paws pressed into his shoulders, and the stench of blood and death washed over him as hot breath ghosted across his face.

Rising panic consumed Red as the wolf’s weight crushed him into the earth, leaves and twigs digging into his back. This close, he could see chunks of flesh caught between the beast’s teeth, could hear the wet sound of saliva dripping onto the ground beside his head.

Those weren’t Wim’s eyes staring down at him. They held no recognition, no warmth—just raw, primal hunger.

“I can’t wait to see if you taste as delicious as you smell.” The wolf leaned towards Red’s neck.

Think, think, think!

Could anything pierce through the feral haze clouding Wim’s eyes? The weight of the massive wolf pressed him further into the ground, and sharp claws pricked through his shirt.

“What would Tobias say if he saw you now?” Red spat. “His brave, strong Wim, reduced to this savage beast? Is this the wolf who protected a scared child from a storm?”

The wolf’s growl faltered for a fraction of a second.

“He adores you.” Red twisted the knife deeper. “Called you his hero. But look at you—nothing but a rabid dog who can’t control himself. He’d be disgusted .”

Wim’s jaws snapped inches from Red’s face, but Red caught a flicker of something in those wild eyes—pain.

“You don’t deserve his trust. Or his love.” Red’s words dripped with venom. “What kind of monster murders innocent people? You’re worse than the slave traders. At least they kept their victims alive.”

The wolf’s grip loosened slightly, a whimper escaping his throat.

“You promised to protect him. To teach him. But you can’t even protect yourself from your own savage nature.” Red made his lip curl in disgust. “You’re nothing but a disappointment. A failure. Tobias deserves better than a beast who’d rip apart humans like they were prey.”

Red was making himself sick with the words, hurled at Wim like poisoned arrows.

The massive wolf’s body began to tremble, violent shudders racking his frame. His head dropped, ears flattening against his skull as whimpers escaped his throat. The sound pierced Red’s heart—raw, wounded noises that spoke of deep pain.

Guilt crashed over Red. His cruel words had cut through the feral haze, yes, but at what cost? Each tremor that passed through Wim’s body felt like an accusation. Red had weaponised Wim’s love for Tobias, turned it against him in the most vicious way possible.

The pressure on Red’s chest eased as Wim lifted his paw, backing away with his tail tucked between his legs. Blood still matted his fur, but the wild hunger had vanished from his eyes, replaced by something worse—shame.

Red didn’t think. He surged forward and threw his arms around Wim’s neck, burying his face in the thick grey fur. The wolf stiffened at the contact, but Red held on tighter, fingers curling into the soft strands.

“I’m sorry,” Red whispered into Wim’s fur. “Come back to me, Wim. I just need you to come back to me,” he rasped. “I need you with me, Wim. I won’t make it to the Dark Forest alone. I’ll be walking in circles, starving half to death by nightfall. And who will keep me warm at night?”

“Get off me,” Wim said. And it was Wim now, Red knew it for sure… somehow. “Red, get off me,” he growled, though he made no attempt to shake him away .

“No.”

Red’s face was buried in Wim’s fur, his cheek pressing against a bloody mat. He couldn’t face the fully gut-wrenching display he was sure he’d see in Wim’s eyes.

“Get off me.” Wim’s words were strained. “I’m covered in their blood. Their flesh . I can still taste it in my mouth.” A shudder ran through his massive form. “You were right. I’m nothing but a savage beast.”

Red’s arms tightened around Wim’s neck, even as the wolf tried to pull away. The copper tang of blood filled his nostrils, but he refused to let go.

“I should have ended this months ago.” Wim’s words came out in a broken whisper. “Before I killed anyone else. Astrid…” His voice caught. “She found me with the rope. Stopped me. Said there had to be another way.” A bitter laugh rumbled through his chest. “But look what I’ve become. Those men—”

“Stop.” Red pulled back just enough to meet Wim’s gaze. The feral hunger had vanished completely, replaced by a deep well of self-loathing that made Red’s chest ache. You did this, you stupid fool. “I shouldn’t have said those cruel things. I only wanted to break through to you.”

“Every word was true.” Wim’s ears flattened against his skull.

“What kind of creature rips men apart like that? You were right about Tobias. That boy thinks I’m some kind of hero.

I’m not.” He jerked his head towards the mangled bodies.

“I’m a fucking monster. Only thing left is to remove myself completely, make it so I can’t kill again. ”

“No!” Red cried. “ You didn’t kill these men, Wim!

It’s just a bit further to the Dark Forest. You’re going to cure your illness, and all will be well again.

You’ll go back to your pack, and cook for everyone again, and hunt and play with Toby.

” And never see me again. “ Please, Wim, let’s finish our journey. I can’t do this without you! ”

A distant shout pierced the air. Wim’s ears shot up, his massive head turning towards the sound. More voices joined the first, growing closer with each passing moment.

“That man must have found his friends.” Red’s heart raced. “We need to leave. Now.”

“Maybe I should stay here. Let them finish it.” His eyes were fixed on the mangled corpses. “Their families deserve that much.”

“Like hell you will.” Red grabbed a fistful of Wim’s fur, yanking the wolf’s head around to face him. “You think dying will solve anything? Those men chose to lay poison for you. They weren’t innocent victims—they tried to murder you first!”

“That doesn’t excuse—”

“Shut up and listen to me.” Red pressed his forehead against Wim’s muzzle, ignoring the blood. His fingers tightened in Wim’s fur. “I won’t let you give up. Not when you’re so close.”