CHAPTER ONE

Stacks of papers and notes surrounded Anna as she sat in her compact apartment. For several months, she had been studying the werewolf community to learn its secrets and bring them to the public's attention. She understood that it was her duty as a journalist to tell the truth, no matter how risky it might be.

Nobody was certain, but she had heard rumours of a pack of werewolves residing in the centre of the city. She only knew that they took great care to conceal their existence, even from the people who coexisted with them. She was lost in thought when she heard a knock at her door. Reluctantly getting up, she opened the door for her visitor.

Lo and behold it was her best friend Sophia.

"Hey bestie," Sophia said excitedly as she hugged Anna. "What's up with you? I have been calling you," She continued as she walked into the apartment.

As Anna closed the door, she muttered something. She threw herself onto the couch while appearing frail. "What's wrong with you?" Sophia asked as she approached her and sat next to her after noticing her expression. 

Anna responded with a dejected expression, "I have this research that I am working on, but it's taking over me. I need to learn their secrets and reveal them to the public. It's about the pack of werewolves that reside in the city's centre."

 Sophia looked at her in utter surprise, "Girl, how did you come up with such a thought? Don't you realize how dangerous the werewolf community is?" Sophia questioned, her face etched with worry.

"I think there is something about them but I can't put my finger on it" Anna replied as she stood and walked to the freezer to get water.

"l seriously need to uncover their secrets," She threw a bottle of water at Sophia.

"Anna, are you sure you want to do this?" Sophia asked as she uncorked the bottle of water.

"I have to, Sophia. As a journalist, I have the responsibility to reveal the truth no matter how dangerous it might be, I just have to do this," Anna replied, taking a sip of her water.

"But the world of werewolves is dangerous, Anna. You know that," Sophia said, concern etched on her face.

"I know, but I can't just sit back and let them continue to hide in the shadows. The public deserves to know the truth," Anna said, her determination clear in her voice.

"Okay then, let's assume you want to do this, how do you intend to achieve that? I mean, do you want to go to their abode?" Sophia asked with seriousness 

"Of course, I have it all mapped out. I know you may think that I am insane but I have been working on this project for some time now and I got some information about the werewolves. I learnt that they are dangerous people and they intend to invade the city anytime soon. I believe that they can be stopped and that's what I intended to find out," Anna said as she heaved a sigh.

"When I was scrolling through my social media feeds, an article caught my attention. It was about a series of strange attacks in the city, with witnesses claiming to have seen a large wolf-like creature prowling the streets at night. That was when my curiosity was piqued, and I began to research the topic further," Anna continued. 

"So what did you get from the research?" Sophia curiously questioned as she sat up to look at Anna eyeball to eyeball.

"Don't give me that look, Sophia," Anna said, smiling.

"Okay, my investigation led to a local Professor who had written extensively about the existence of werewolves. I was sceptical at first, but as I delved deeper into the research, I began to believe that there might be some truth about the stories. I also got to know about the existence of the two rival werewolf packs in the city. I must uncover their secret," Anna said with determination.

The shrill ring of Sophia's phone was heard from her bag. She took it out and picked it 

She told the caller, "Alright then, I will be on my way," and then she hung up.

"Where are you going?" Anna asked with an emotional voice. 

Sean just called, and I have to leave because I have some orders to take care of. Sophia responded, getting up and moving toward the door, "I want you to be very careful and give this some serious thought."

Anna nodded and murmured a goodbye as she stood to lock the door.

The moon became more and more noticeable as night fell. Anna was still considering her research in great detail. She had been working at the newspaper for a year now, but she still felt like an outsider in the bustling newsroom. She longed to break away from the mundane assignments and cover something truly exciting and this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. 

She got off the couch and entered the bathroom to take a shower.

She considered how her career would develop if she eventually learned the werewolves' secrets as the water ran down her back. She pictured the kind of fame and wealth she would amass as well as how she would be acknowledged as the best journalist in the city. 

She exhaled, "Wow," and grinned to herself.

"I have to get there tonight, this is the perfect opportunity for me to do my research " She hurriedly finished her bath and ran out of the bathroom.

She quickly dressed up and packed some of her essentials in a backpack.

She congratulated herself on her courage and fortitude as she made her way to her door.