Morning light filtered through the curtains of Caleb's room. The events of the previous night felt like a dream, a distant memory. He sat up, his head throbbing with pain and confusion.
Anna had spent the night on the couch, refusing to leave him alone. She walked in with a tray of tea and toast. "Thought you might need this," she said, her eyes filled with concern.
Caleb took a sip, the warmth of the tea providing a momentary comfort. "Last night," he began, "was it real? Or did I just imagine it?"
Anna hesitated, her gaze falling to the floor. "It was real, Caleb. But you're not alone in this. We'll figure it out."
While Lycanridge was a small town, it was rife with legends of supernatural beings. Growing up, children were told tales of mysterious creatures that roamed the woods, but they were always dismissed as just stories to keep them in line.
Anna reached into her bag and pulled out a worn-out book. "My grandmother gave me this," she said, flipping through the pages. "It's a collection of old Lycanridge legends."
They spent hours pouring over the book, searching for any mention of werewolves. Finally, Anna pointed to a passage: "When the moon is at its peak, the chosen shall transform, revealing their true nature. Only with the help of allies can they hope to navigate the treacherous path ahead."
"We need to tell the others," Caleb whispered.
One by one, the friends were gathered: Leo with his fierce loyalty, Zoe with her healing touch, Marcus with his tech-savvy brain, and Elise with her knowledge of local lore. The group convened at the town's old mill, away from prying ears.
Caleb hesitated before speaking, "Last night, something happened." He recounted the events, the transformation, the fear, and the uncertainty.
There was a moment of silence, then Marcus broke the ice, "Well, looks like our group just got a bit more... interesting."
The friends pledged to help Caleb, promising to keep his secret and find a way to understand and control his newfound identity. However, as the wind howled outside the mill, they couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. The town's secrets were starting to unravel, and they were at the very heart of it.