In Gideon's cabin, a small lamp lit up the room. Rainer, Marcus, and Gideon were seated, while Alex watched from a corner, his mind processing the last few hours.
Rainer spoke first, his tone serious. "Alex, you need to know who your enemies are now. We can't fight blindly, and these hunters... they're a threat we can't ignore."
"Hunters?" asked Alex, frowning.
"Exactly. They're not just humans hunting beasts. They specialize in the supernatural," explained Marcus, leaning against the wall. "And the most disturbing thing is that those who fall into their hands... are never seen again."
Alex felt a chill run down his spine. "And what do we know about them?"
"The basics," answered Gideon, while flipping through an old book he had been reading. "Mystical tracking, an ability that lets them sense beings like us from afar. They're also resistant to magic."
"Magic? So magic is real?" said Alex.
"Yes, but it's not something we can use," answered Gideon.
"And that's not all," added Rainer. "They have speed and strength that match ours, but nobody knows where these abilities come from."
Gideon nodded, his face worried as he ran his hand over a yellowed page. "I've found references to them in the oldest books in my collection. There are rumors that their abilities come from a contract with a powerful entity... possibly a demon."
Silence filled the room. The word "demon" hung in the air. Finally, it was Alex who broke the silence.
"Demons? They exist too?"
Rainer sighed, resting his arms on the table. "No one has seen one in centuries. At least not since the ancient civilizations disappeared. But if the hunters really have a deal with them, it means they're playing with forces that none of us should underestimate."
Gideon closed the book with a sharp thud. "We can't take anything for granted. We must prepare for the worst."
Rainer stood from his seat, with a determined look. "It's time we move on to something more practical. Alex, we need to train your control."
Alex stood up, his body tense. He knew what was coming. Training with the transformation... since the full moon, he felt it was a power he could barely contain, and it felt closer to overflowing.
The clearing was quiet, except for the soft whisper of wind through the trees. Rainer, Marcus, and Gideon formed a circle around Alex.
"Let's do this," said Rainer, watching Alex intently. "I want you to change to berserk, but this time, you must control it. Don't let it take over you."
"Berserk? What form is that?"
Marcus laughed from his nearby position. "That's Gideon's thing. He likes the technical stuff, but most of us call it berserker mode because, trust me, when you use it, you become uncontrollable."
Alex understood they were talking about the hybrid mode. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his breathing. He could already feel the wolf inside him pushing to get out, tearing at his control with fury. Alex's hands began to transform, his nails lengthening into sharp claws.
Fur emerged across his body, his bones cracked while his size increased. But the power was overwhelming, and before he could react, everything changed. Alex opened his eyes and he wasn't himself anymore. The gold in his eyes shone, and a low growl resonated in his chest.
"Control your breathing, Alex!" shouted Gideon. But the wolf had already taken control.
With frightening speed, Alex lunged at Rainer, who barely had time to dodge the claws that cut through the air. Marcus ran to help, but Alex's unleashed strength knocked him down with a single blow.
"Alex, stop!" shouted Marcus, trying to get up from the ground. But Alex's berserk mode didn't recognize voices, only the need to attack.
Rainer blocked the next attack, but didn't come out unscathed. Alex's claws reached his arm, leaving a trail of blood that fell to the ground.
Gideon, seeing the situation getting out of control, stepped forward. "Alex, stop!" he shouted desperately. He ran towards him and stepped in just as Alex was preparing for another attack.
For a brief moment, Alex hesitated. The golden eyes blinked, and Gideon approached, placing a hand on the uncontrolled wolf's shoulder.
"Alex, come back," whispered Gideon, his voice firm but full of confidence. "You can control it. Remember everything I've taught you."
Alex's body trembled. The wolf's heavy breathing began to calm, and slowly, the transformation started to reverse. The fur disappeared, the claws became hands again, and Alex fell to his knees, exhausted.
Gideon knelt beside him, keeping a hand on his shoulder. "Well done, kid," he murmured. "There's still much to learn, but you'll make it."
Rainer, bleeding but without serious injuries, approached. "This is just the beginning," he said with a small smile. "Next time, I won't be so gentle with you."
Alex, still breathing heavily, nodded weakly. He knew the path ahead would be a long road full of challenges. But with Gideon and the pack by his side, he knew he wouldn't be alone.