World of Darkness: Portland

Prologue
The smell of the man filled him,
S t o l e n Pr e y
an almost visible trail that he followed
down the pathway. The man stank of
sweat and fear, and Ashley salivated at his
prey’s taste floating to him. The streets
of downtown Portland were brightly
lit, but here near the edge of the water everything was dark, the only illumination coming from the monoliths in the
immediate foreground, reflected against the soft churning water of the Wilamette River. It was overcast, but Ashley
didn’t need a clear sky to feel the pull of Luna. She was waxing; it was his moon tonight, and he felt more alive than he
had in days. A fitting night for the hunt.
Beside him, Roxanna crouched close to the ground, feeling the earth. “He’s close,” she whispered. “And he’s ripe.”
“I know.” Ashley shifted from foot to foot, waiting for her to get to her feet. “Can’t you smell him?”
Roxanna’s lip curled upward as she rose. “You trust your nose, Ash. I’ll trust the earth.”
“Come on,” Ashley snapped, already in motion. It was an old argument, and a tired one. Besides, he should have
expected this; her moon had departed, and she would be naturally more cautious for the next week. “It’s time.”
Though they were in Hishu, both moved with the quiet grace of predators. None were out so late at night to
see them, and so neither bothered with the guises of humanity. They loped in two-legged fashion, quickly covering
the grassy strip that separated the western city from the river. Ashley had been tracking the man for three days. His
name was Sam, and his time of change was imminent. Sam was now wandering at night without knowing why, eating
without feeling sated, sleeping while dreaming of things his waking, human mind could not process. Ashley could have
felt his need even without his strong scent. The spirit side of him was clawing from the inside. The Uratha side.
Ashley was excited, and knew Roxanna was as well, however she might be acting tonight. Their pack had numbered
only the two of them for many months now, since the Bishlu had caught them unaware. They had kept tabs on the
Rats, and even know they knew where they lay hidden. But they were too few. With a third, maybe, and surprise on
their side, they could seek vengeance. Sam would not make their pack whole, but he would be the first part of the
healing process. Ashley could since he was strong.
As they neared, Roxanna dropped to all fours, and ran beside her packmate as wolf. Ashley allowed himself
Stolen Prey
“HE’S CLOSE. AND HES RIPE.”