'Beatrice, it's me; don't you remember me?'
Leon sat down on the ground. He raised one hand in the air. He was waving at the black wolf that was walking towards him. Despite his trembling hands, Leon summoned his courage to face the snarling beast.
He tried to talk to the wolf, hoping that it would remember him. He moved backwards so the wolf wouldn't pounce on him like he feared it would. Leon was almost desperate when he heard the black wolf growl at him, baring its sharp fangs dripping with saliva.
Leon closed his eyes as the wolf was about to leap at him. He heard heavy steps, then a stifled snore. Leon opened his eyes. He saw two more wolves coming. One white wolf was already on top of the black wolf's body, and another black wolf's body was bigger than the two wolves that were struggling on the ground.
'I'm sorry, Beatrice,' Leon whispered to the two wolves.
Leon saw the black wolf that was about to attack him earlier lying in a weakened state. Its body was full of open scratches. Seeing that made Leon feel sad, and he regretted that the wolf had to be injured.
Leon's eyes opened when he saw the white wolf shift into human form. His surprise grew as the larger black wolf did the same and darted away as fast as a blink of an eye and returned with its body already clad in clothes.
'Julie...'
Leon was shocked. Leon closed his eyes, not wanting to see Julie in her unclothed state. He felt a warm touch on his face. Leon opened his eyes again and saw Julie crouching in front of him.
'Are you okay?' Julie asked.
'You... um, yes, I'm fine. Beatrice, my sister, how is she? She's not dead, is she?' Leon stammered.
'No, she's alive, but she needs treatment for her injuries. You don't need to worry; she will recover soon.'
Leon saw the black wolf's body turn back into his sister. Kai covered Beatrice's body with a blanket and carried her. He left as fast as lightning away from the forest.
'Where is he taking Beatrice? I need to catch up with him.'
'Calm down. My uncle is taking your sister to my cabin. I'll explain everything that happened when we get there.'
They both walked back towards the camp, walking down the path at a brisk pace. The two of them did not engage in conversation but were silent to explore each other's thoughts.
It was only when they arrived at the cabin that Leon opened his voice. He saw Beatrice already lying on Julie's bed, closed and looking shabby. Julie pulled out a chair for Leon to sit in while she sat on the edge of the bed.
'I will treat your sister. She will recover within a day. Werewolves have the power to heal themselves. I'm just speeding it up.'
'Werewolf?' Asked Leon, still shocked.
'Yes, we are werewolves. Maybe you won't believe it, but we exist and mingle among you humans,' Julie explained calmly.
'I don't believe it, but how can you? She's been looking normal all this time.'
'It can. Those of us with pure or mixed werewolf genes will change for the first time between the ages of 15 and 18. Our change is triggered by something that makes our emotions overflow and become unstoppable. Did you have a fight?'
'Yes. She became angry when I forbade her to work part-time. She's still under the age to work.'
'Did your mom also have an emotional outburst?'
'No, she doesn't. She wouldn't even dare to kill an ant.'
Julie began to draw conclusions. Beatrice may have gotten the werewolf gene from their father, but she felt something was off. She couldn't feel the werewolf aura in Leon's body. She also noticed that Leon didn't have the labile temperament that werewolves usually have.
Leon saw Julie picking up the dark brown wooden box. He remembered that a few nights ago, he had been also treated with the same cold cream.
'I ask you guys to come out,' Julie said as she looked at Kai and Leon in turn.
Leon got up from his seat and walked slowly towards the door, followed by Kai, who walked like a normal human being. Kai sniffed Leon's body's scent as he passed by. The scent of his body was different from that of a normal human, making Kai frown.
'What are you doing, sir?' Asked Leon, who was uncomfortable, until he stepped aside.
'Your scent is unique; I've never sniffed anything like it. Are you sure you're human?'
'What do you mean?'
'Ah, I'm Kai, Skyler's uncle; I mean Julie, and also a werewolf-vampire hybrid. I sniffed the unusual scent of your blood,' Kai said with a smile as he introduced himself.
'Vampire...but you can come out during the day. This is unbelievable. Why do I have to experience this kind of weird streak in one day?'
'Chill out; a hybrid can come out during the day. Just so you know, I drank last night, so I won't taste your blood. Of course, Skyler will also go on a rampage if I bite you; you're safe.'
'How can Beatrice be a werewolf? I don't really believe they exist, let alone Beatrice being one.'
'Just ask your mom or dad if you want to know the truth.'
'Julie, she did everything, didn't she?' Asked Leon with some hesitation.
'I don't want to get involved. You can ask her directly. She's been sensitive lately. I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing.' Kai shrugged, going back into the cabin.
Leon followed Kai. He saw that his sister's appearance was better; her eyes were still closed, but some of her wounds seemed to be drying up.
'That fast?'
'Yes, I increased the dose. Listen, Leon, the first shift is painful for us werewolves. She won't remember anyone, but with time, her body will adjust. You don't have to worry anymore,' Julie explained to calm Leon down.
'Is there a possibility? Werewolves getting out of control and attacking humans...sorry no offence; they and vampires are basically...monsters,' Leon's eyes moved to Kai.
'There is nothing wrong with what you said. We learned to control our emotions, powers, and abilities. My uncle is one of the mentors at my school. He specialises in dealing with young vampires who have lost their way.'
Leon furrowed his brow. He still didn't understand Julie's explanation. So many questions were on his mind right now. He didn't know where to start. Remembering Beatrice, who had almost attacked him earlier, Leon decided to ask, 'Will Beatrice be able to control her powers if she goes to school there?'