Forged Destiny [Book 1: Ch. 3]

Beowolf… the word came to me, even as the words above its head came into view.

[...]

I fled. I didn't even stop to hesitate. One second we were locking eyes, across a small pool of water. The next, my boots slammed down, propelling me down ruined pathways as fast as they could. I heard it behind me. Newly born, and so hungry, it chased after me on all fours.

[...]

It was already too close, I turned at the last second, the moment I felt its breath wash over me, to raise my shield.

The blow sent me skidding back, boots kicking up dirt and pebbles as I tried to absorb the impact. I didn't so much come to a stop as strike a building, the unforgiving brick providing the halt to my momentum. Eyes widened, I threw myself to the side, awkwardly rolling across the ground as a claw impaled the wall I'd been standing against. The beast grunted for a second, apparently trapped. I couldn't get there in time, already on my knees and far away.

—Forged Destiny [Book 1: Ch. 3]