The faint sound of muffled voices faded as Haelyn's consciousness stirred. She blinked open her eyes, the haze of her surroundings sharpening into the chaos of the banquet hall. She wasn't herself….her massive white paws stood atop the trembling black wolf beneath her. Gasps echoed around the room as the wolf beneath her began to chuckle, a low, sinister sound that made her hackles rise.
"You don't have it in you," the wolf sneered, its yellow eyes gleaming with malice. "You're weak. Too soft to do what needs to be done."
Haelyn hesitated, her claws hovering just above its throat. Am I weak? The words sliced through her. Her hesitation deepened as her human side clawed for control.
But then the laughter grew louder. "You're nothing but a pathetic pretender," it spat, the derision in its voice igniting a spark of fury deep within her.
Haelyn growled, a feral, bone-chilling sound that silenced the room. "Not anymore," she snarled, her voice raw and guttural. In one swift motion, her claw slashed across its face, tearing through flesh and bone. The black wolf's body went limp beneath her.
The silence that followed was deafening. She stepped back, blood dripping from her claws, her glowing eyes scanning the room. The terrified expressions of those present pierced her like arrows.
Her father's voice broke through the quiet. "What in the hell is going on?" Arthur's voice was trembling, filled with anger and confusion. "Where's Haelyn? What is this madness? Someone explain why my banquet is in shambles!"
Haelyn didn't wait to hear more. With a haunting howl, she bolted through the shattered doors, the sound of her claws scraping against the marble floor echoing behind her.
Arthur stormed toward Archer, his face red with fury. "You! I demand answers!" he shouted, grabbing Archer by the shoulder. "Where is my daughter? What the hell was that beast, and why did it destroy my home?"
Archer turned on him with a growl, his golden eyes flashing. "Get out of my way, Arthur," he snapped, shoving him aside. "This is bigger than you or your damned banquet."
"Don't you dare…" Arthur started, but Artemis stepped between them, his tone clipped. "This isn't the time. Stay out of it, Arthur, or you'll regret it."
Arthur's jaw dropped in disbelief, but before he could respond, Archer, Artemis, Ravi, Xander, and Rowena were already rushing out the door.
Outside, the moon cast a silvery glow over the forest. The air was thick with tension as the group shifted into their wolf forms, their howls piercing the night in search of Haelyn.
Archer's massive black wolf led the charge, his nose low to the ground as he tracked her scent. Artemis's gray wolf flanked him, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
"She's fast," Ravi's voice growled through the mind-link, his russet fur bristling as he pushed himself to keep pace.
"She's scared," Rowena's white wolf replied, her tone heavy with concern. "And dangerous. We need to reach her before she loses herself completely."
The scent trail veered deeper into the forest, leading to a rocky ridge overlooking the valley. As they reached the edge, Archer skidded to a halt, his sharp eyes spotting her figure illuminated in the moonlight. Haelyn stood at the cliff's edge, her white fur glowing like a beacon against the dark backdrop.
"Haelyn!" Archer called through the link, his voice commanding but gentle.
She turned to face them, her eyes wild and her chest heaving. Blood still streaked her muzzle, a grim reminder of what she'd done.
"Stay back!" she snarled, her voice laced with both fear and defiance.
"Haelyn, it's us," Artemis said, stepping forward cautiously. "You're not alone in this. Let us help you."
"You don't understand!" she howled, her voice breaking. "I'm a monster. Look at me!"
"You're not a monster," Archer said firmly, his wolf advancing a step. "You're powerful. There's a difference."
Her gaze flicked between them, her claws digging into the ground. "They were afraid of me. Even my own family…"
Rowena's wolf stepped forward. "Fear and respect often look the same. But you need to control this, Haelyn, or it will control you."
Haelyn shook her head, backing closer to the edge. "Maybe I don't want to control it. Maybe I'm better off out here, away from everyone!"
Archer's growl rumbled through the air. "You're not running from this, Haelyn. You're stronger than that. Stronger than…."
A low, menacing growl cut him off. From the shadows, another black wolf emerged, its golden eyes glowing with malice. Then another. And another.
"We're not alone," Ravi warned, his body lowering into a defensive stance.
Archer's eyes locked on the approaching wolves. "They followed us."
The black wolves, a dozen strong, formed a semi-circle around them, their teeth bared and their eyes fixed on Haelyn.
"Give her to us," the lead wolf snarled, his voice dripping with malice. "She belongs to the shadows."
Archer stepped in front of Haelyn, his fur bristling as he bared his teeth. "Over my dead body."
"That can be arranged," the wolf sneered before lunging forward.
The fight erupted in a blur of fangs and claws. Archer collided with the lead wolf mid-air, their bodies crashing to the ground in a tangle of fur and snarls. Ravi and Artemis took on two wolves each, their growls echoing through the forest as they fought tooth and claw to protect Haelyn.
Rowena's wolf unleashed a blast of energy, her mystical power surging as she sent one of the wolves flying into a tree.
Haelyn stood frozen, her instincts warring within her. "I can't…."
"Fight, Haelyn!" Archer's voice boomed through the link as he pinned the lead wolf. "You're not weak! Prove them wrong!"
Something inside her snapped. With a feral snarl, she leapt into the fray, her claws slashing through the nearest wolf. The taste of blood fueled her, the rage inside her finding its outlet.
But the black wolves were relentless. One latched onto Ravi's leg, another raked its claws across Artemis's side.
Rowena howled in pain as two wolves tackled her to the ground.
"Haelyn!" Archer shouted, struggling to hold the lead wolf down. "End this!"
Her glowing eyes narrowed as she let out a bone-chilling howl. Her body seemed to radiate power, the air around her shimmering with energy.
The wolves faltered, their movements slowing as if an invisible force was pressing down on them. Even Archer looked at her in awe.
Haelyn advanced on the lead wolf, her voice cold and unyielding. "You wanted me? Here I am."
But before she could strike, a shadowy figure emerged from the trees, its presence radiating an ominous power.
The figure's voice was deep and haunting. "That's enough, little wolf. Time to come home."
Haelyn froze, her body trembling as recognition flickered in her eyes.
"Who are you?" Archer growled, his golden eyes narrowing
The figures smile was chilling "the one whose been waiting for her all along"
Haelyn's terrified eyes met with the stranger's, her voice a whisper "No! Not you.."