The Shepherd’s Pack

In the quiet mountain village of Vardara, nestled against the ancient woods of Lycoris, a mysterious new shepherd arrived. His name was Callum, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shaggy mane of black hair and eyes the colour of the stormy skies. The people welcomed him with open arms, eager to have someone tend to the flock that grazed the hills, protecting them from the dangers of the night.

Vardara had always known strange tales—whispers of creatures lurking beyond the trees, shadows that moved under the full moon. But life was peaceful under Callum’s watch. His sheep grew fat and healthy, their wool thick and rich, more so than it had ever been. The villagers marvelled at his skill, speaking of how he seemed to understand the animals in a way that was almost unnatural.

"He has a gift," the village elder often said. "A blessing to our land."

But there was something else, something unspoken that clung to the air whenever Callum was near. His arrival had coincided with the sudden end of the wolf attacks that had plagued the village for years. No longer did the howls of the beasts’ echo in the night, and no more blood-streaked fields greeted the villagers at dawn. The people were grateful, but behind their smiles lingered a fear they could not name.

Callum’s hut sat on the farthest edge of the village, where the hills met the dark forest. He was often seen walking alone at dusk, his shadow long and wolf-like under the fading light. The sheep followed him as if they were enchanted, never straying, even when the full moon hung heavy in the sky.

One night, young Anwen, the blacksmith’s daughter, noticed something strange. As she wandered near the edge of the village, collecting herbs for her ailing mother, she saw Callum standing at the edge of the forest, his back to her, still as stone. The full moon was rising, and as its silver light bathed the land, something began to change in the shepherd.

His form rippled, his shoulders broadened even more, and his limbs stretched unnaturally. His hands, which had once guided the sheep gently, now ended in claws. His face, usually calm and composed, elongated into a snarling, lupine muzzle. Fur sprouted from his skin, and within moments, the man was gone. In his place stood a massive, terrifying werewolf, its yellow eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

Anwen gasped, stumbling backward, but the sound caught the beast's attention. Callum—the werewolf—turned toward her, and for a moment, their eyes met. She expected him to lunge, to tear her apart as the wolves of old had done. But instead, the creature froze, a flicker of recognition in its eyes. Then, with a low growl, it turned away and disappeared into the forest.

Anwen ran back to the village, her heart racing. She wanted to scream, to warn everyone of what she had seen, but something stopped her. The wolves had not attacked since Callum had come. The sheep were safe, and so were the people. He had become their protector, even if he was something monstrous.

The next day, she watched as Callum returned to the village, his human form restored, calm and quiet as always. He nodded to the villagers as he passed, and no one suspected the beast that lurked beneath his skin.

Over time, Anwen realized the truth—Callum was both shepherd and wolf. He was the guardian of the flock, not only from the dangers of man but from his own kind. His curse was his gift. In the skin of a man, he cared for the sheep, guiding them with gentle hands. In the form of a wolf, he roamed the wild, driving away the predators that would harm them.

The people of Vardara lived in peace, never knowing that the shepherd they trusted was the very beast they feared. Only Anwen knew the secret, and she kept it close, watching as Callum continued his silent vigil over the village, both man and wolf—a werewolf in shepherd’s clothing.

And as long as he remained, the village was safe, though the howls of the forest never truly died. They were just waiting.

Hey yall, i'm back again with another piece of writing! I went well away from what I originally had in my mind (I went through roughly 6 different re-writes within a day of first writing this) so I hope you enjoy reading it!