Kyle ran for hours without taking a break, pushing himself to his limits in order to find his packmates quicker. It was just noon when he drew closer to the city and shifted, putting his sweatsuit on again. Werewolves were not permitted entry in the cities in their animal form, and anyone caught breaking this law would be detained.

The closer he drew to the city the more frequently he came across the human patrol officers. They wore a bright yellow uniform that stood out vividly against the highway in the distance. Kyle still made sure to keep his distance from the highway, wanting to keep to the woods until he got to the city gate. If any of those patrol officers saw him and got spooked he might be shot before even finding his packmates.

Kyle had always wondered why the patrol officers wore such a bright colour that made them an easy target, but he supposed since they lived within the protection of the city it made sense. The government wanted to make sure that they immediately stood out wherever they were as a warning and reminder to non-humans. 

They claimed the world belonged to humans and that every other species should be grateful the humans graciously allowed them to exist.

What a damn joke, Kyle thought.

Kyle was now at the tollgate and stood in line behind a couple of witches. They both wore long black coats that reached the pointy heeled black boots they wore as they chatted excitedly amongst themselves. He caught bits of their conversation, and apparently the city mayor was having a massive gala and had enlisted the service of their coven for a magic show. The young witches were fascinated by the lives of the extremely wealthy and could barely wait to enter the city. 

Even though he rolled his eyes, Kyle figured that if werewolves were as well liked as witches, he too might have been more excited to interact with humans. He hated to admit it but there was a certain mystery to the lives humans lived behind their high city walls and tall buildings.

Finally Kyle reached the tollgate and presented his entry pass and species identification card. The patrol officer took both and scanned him in, handing him an electric bracelet. It was small and silver with a tiny screen that blinked green. The silver burned against his skin and he grimaced as he put it on. 

“The bracelet stays on throughout your stay in the city,” The officer said, “The silver will prevent you from shifting and if you take it off we will be notified and you will be detained. It will monitor your emotions and any high spike in anger or aggression will have you detained.”

Kyle nodded, it was nothing new, he was used to the cruel methods of control that the humans used.

“Once you exit the city again the bracelet will be removed,” The officer continued, barely looking at Kyle as he completed the entry log. “You need to exit before nightfall and if you're still here you will be detained.”

“Yes, sir.” Kyle said, jaw clenched tight.

The officer nodded and finally allowed him into the city.

About an hour later, Kyle had made his way through the city towards the exit. The streets were loud with activity in the bright afternoon light and he could barely stop himself from gagging at the smell. 

Gods, he thought, this place stank.

Humans didn't have as strong a sense of smell so they probably didn't pick up on it, but it was overpowering to Kyle's werewolf senses. The diverse range of intense smells was something that he wasn't used to, having always lived outside the crowded city walls. It was as if the city had taken every scent in existence and combined them together in a strange melting pot that sent his head reeling.

The city was crowded and going by what those witches at the tollgate had said, Kyle figured it was due to the gala happening that evening. Even though most of the citizens wouldn't be permitted entry to the high class event there was still palpable excitement in the air. It had been a while since the last big city event and people were craving release.

Kyle stood over a head taller than all the humans roaming about and because of this he stuck out like a sore thumb, causing everyone to give him a wide berth. He was grateful for this as it allowed him to pass through the city without having to weave through the dense crowds. His height wasn't uncommon among werewolves and other non-humans, but in this city it made him feel like he didn't belong.

The tall buildings towered over Kyle, and he felt uncomfortable as if they might reach down just to crush him at any moment. He hated the way humans created their cities, with the high walls, tall buildings and the abundance of bright flashing screens everywhere. He wondered how the same humans who created this hateful city could have made the beautiful hotel in the woods that he called home.

No matter where he looked his eyes were overwhelmed by the multitude of screens displaying everything from upcoming events to government sponsored messages. Everywhere he looked, Kyle saw different wonders of human technology, from the street sweeping robots to the humanoid companion androids that walked hand in hand with humans in the streets. 

It struck Kyle as odd that humans saw those lumps of machinery as more human than the supernatural species. Pretty humanoid androids traipsed around the city without a care in the world, meanwhile non-humans could only dream of that type of freedom.  

Kyle felt bile rise at the back of his throat as a pair of androids danced past him, their mechanical laughter grating against his ears as their blank eyes roamed over him as if he didn't exist. They wore bright neon dresses that changed colour and length as they swept past him in a blur of motion. It was all just too overstimulating and manufactured.

As if humans were being conditioned to be as happy as the carefree androids.

Although the city was filled with people, it felt so extremely lifeless that Kyle wanted to leave immediately. He hadn't found any sign that Robyn and Anastasia had stopped in the city for longer than they needed to, so Kyle made his way in the direction of the goblin tribe on the outskirts. He filled his lungs with the fresh cold air of the woods, glad to be away from the stench of the city.

Kyle massaged the spot on his wrist where the silver bracelet had burned his skin and swore under his breath. Silver burns usually took a few weeks to heal, about twice as long than any other injury. Even Annie's broken leg would heal faster.

As he continued on his way Kyle stopped cold in his tracks as he picked up on a familiar scent. His pulse quickened as the scent developed and before he knew it he had shifted and was making a full sprint in the direction it came from.

It was his packmates. He clearly picked up the distinct scents of Anastasia and Robyn. 

As well one other scent that had his heart booming in time with his footsteps.

Vampire blood.