Chapter 21

Ryker’s POV

I watched in awe as Eleanor transformed before my eyes—from a powerful werewolf into a sleek, agile wolf. It wasn't even a full moon, and the sky was still bright with daylight. How could she do that? I wondered if she possessed other hidden powers that even she had not yet discovered.

The more time I spent by her side, the more impressed I became. Eleanor was changing, growing into a strength I had never seen before. She was discovering new parts of herself, and it made her different from the little girl I once knew in the castle. I remembered how timid and alone she had been in her childhood, always hiding in the shadows. Back then, when Loretta was still around, her father never let her truly shine. But now, without Loretta, it was as if Eleanor was finally spreading her wings—wings that were beautiful and full of promise.

I had never before seen a werewolf transform into a wolf during the day. It was a rare and wonderful sight. I watched her with a mix of amusement and curiosity as she moved carefully among the fallen bodies, sniffing them as if trying to learn their secrets. Each gesture of hers revealed more of the mystery and power that lay within her.

Then, in a sudden shift, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they burned red with rage and fury. In that moment, I could almost see the storm of anger and pain swirling inside her. Before I had time to understand what was happening or call out to her, Eleanor dashed away, running deep into the forest with a speed that left me breathless.

I knew in my heart that she had caught the scent of the killers. Without a second thought, I ran after her, my legs pounding the soft earth. I was not in my wolf form, so keeping up with her swift, agile strides was a challenge. It was clear—a wolf was faster than a werewolf, and she was leading the way.

I called her name, urging her to slow down and wait, but Eleanor was already far ahead, disappearing into the dense forest. All I had to go on was her trail. Thank goodness it had rained the night before, for the muddy tracks left behind were clear and would guide me until I could find her again.

After a few minutes of chasing her scent, I spotted her stepping into a dark cave. My heart tightened as I realized that this cave was where the werewolf hunters must be hiding. I felt a surge of both fear and determination as I prepared to follow her inside. I had no idea what was going to happen when we stepped into that cave, but one thing was certain—I was ready to do whatever it took to defend and protect my Alpha.

In that tense moment, with the forest whispering secrets around me and the cave looming ahead, I steeled myself for the unknown. I knew that every step I took was a step closer to confronting the danger that had tormented us for so long. And with a determined heart, I ran on, ready to stand by Eleanor, no matter what lay ahead.

As we stepped into the cave, the dim light revealed a group of human beings standing before us. They were dressed in dark robes with mysterious symbols that hinted at a sinister purpose. I could sense that these people belonged to a secret sect, and their tense expressions made it clear they were not welcoming.

Eleanor moved forward, her eyes glowing a fierce red in the low light. The sight of her made the hunters startle. They quickly stood up, grabbing whatever weapons they could find. One of them, his voice shaking, demanded, "Who are you? Why are you here? We have done no harm. Why are you attacking us?"

Before I could say anything on her behalf, Eleanor spoke in a low, menacing tone. "You are liars," she growled. "I know what you are doing. You have been hunting and killing my kind, and I am here to put an end to it right now." Her words rang with anger and determination.

The hunters looked at each other in panic. In a flurry of movement, one of them managed to grab a gun while others fumbled for knives. They charged at us in a desperate attempt to fight back. But Eleanor was ready.

In a flash, she moved in her wolf form. Her claws extended and her teeth sharpened as she lunged at the attackers. I watched in awe as she tore into them with swift, brutal force. Her claws ripped through flesh, and her teeth sank deep into their skulls. The cave quickly erupted into chaos, with shouts echoing and bodies flying as the fight raged on.

Within seconds, Eleanor had cleared half the room. The remaining hunters, two or three in number, cowered in a dark corner, trembling with fear. I did not hesitate. I rushed forward to finish them off. Though I was not in wolf form and could not match her speed, I fought hard, driven by loyalty and the need for justice.

The battle was swift and savage. Every move was filled with purpose as we defended ourselves against the attackers. When the last of the hunters fell, silence settled over the cave. Their weapons lay scattered on the ground, and the dim light revealed the grim scene of defeat.

Eleanor stood tall in the midst of the chaos, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. I felt a strong sense of pride and admiration for her. She was a true warrior—a fierce leader who fought for our kind without hesitation. In that moment, I was honored to have fought by her side.

As I looked around at the fallen hunters, I knew this victory was only a small step in our larger battle. But it filled me with hope and resolve. We had shown that we would not let those who threatened our people go unchallenged. I silently vowed to protect her and our kind, knowing that together we were strong and would continue to fight for justice.

Standing there beside Eleanor, I felt the weight of our mission and the strength of our bond. No matter how dark the path ahead, we would face it together—defending our people and ou

r future from those who would harm us.