Wolves, along with their pups, ran in desperation as the beast approached ruthlessly, knocking down everything in its path, I thought as I watched them. To it, the innocence of the creatures before it didn't matter; they were all prey ready to be hunted. The wolves, attempting to protect their families and their pack, were taken down one by one, their lives brutally taken.“Perhaps the beast desired just that,” I pondered, “wanted me to witness everything that was happening to reinforce who was in control, reminding me that I belonged to it. This filled me with rage.”The creature stopped in front of a house, where several pregnant females with helpless pups sought refuge. It chuckled maliciously, I noted, and as it opened the door, I saw the females in a defensive stance, trying to protect their young. When the beast raised its claws to attack, I heard Sophie's voice echoing in my mind:“PROTECT THEM!” Her voice reverberated, freezing the beast in place. “I BEG YOU, MY ALPHA, DO NOT

“You two are enough already,” Elara warned us, rubbing her eyes. She seemed very tired. “Save that energy for the spell. Let's go.”We arrived at the garden and sat around the circle containing the engravings.“How are we going to do this?” I asked, not wanting to reveal my current state.“We need something to lead her to the Alpha,” Denver assessed. “Do you have something he gave you?”I put my hand directly on the necklace I had received on the day of training.“Yes,” I replied.“Great,” he responded. “When we start, you need to focus on the present, on all the memories with the Alpha, and, in the end, chant: Find my mate!”“Is it that simple?” I asked suspiciously.“It's not simple, child,” Elara replied, settling next to me. “I will hold your hand, channeling my magic to assist you. If you can't reach your Alpha, our spirits may be trapped in space-time with no return.”“I...” I said, biting my lip lightly. “I don't want to put you in unnecessary danger, Elara.”“It's my daughter,

“Do you also fear the darkness?” I finally commented, observing the shadows closing in around us.“I AM A SPAWN OF DARKNESS, WHY SHOULD I FEAR IT?” the beast roared.“Because you've tasted freedom and now shrink from your former home!” I impatiently retorted, struggling to dodge the creatures that came to haunt us.“HARVEY!” Sophie's voice grew more desperate, and I raised my head, the guiding light fading rapidly. The beast seized me with its jaws, forcing me to run at breakneck speed. However, the darkness seemed endless and unyielding. A bright light emerged in front of me, revealing a silhouette.“Take my hand, Harvey!” Agatha smiled, her beauty unchanged as it was in life.“Agatha?” I growled, assuming my human form, while the beast retreated within me.“Quick, I don't have much time... The darkness keeps calling us, they're hungry!” She pointed, and I looked back.A swarm of creatures approached, eager for her magic and anxious to consume us. I firmly grasped Agatha's hand.“Sav

I rose, standing tall like a werewolf, with sharp claws ready to tear her apart.“Child, don't be audacious; we don't want to kill you just yet.” The witch's eyes sparkled with deep darkness. “It's not the time yet, is it? Come with us, your destiny awaits.”“Go exactly where?” I growled, filling my hands with light magic. “What do you mean by 'they won't kill me yet'?”“You've always been so curious, haven't you, Sophie?” The witch smiled, revealing rotting teeth, while impatiently staring at me.I lowered my hands, sensing a faint familiar tone in her voice—my mother's voice. I recalled that out-of-body experience and the revelation she had brought me.“Mom?” A tear rolled down from my fierce eyes, wetting my facial fur. “Is it really you?”The witch raised her chin even higher toward me in a defiant pose.“Who do you think I am, hybrid?” She asked with disdain, toying with dark magic in her fingers, her eyes completely black.“Philippa!” I swallowed hard, realizing her indifference

“SOPHIE… You need to find us.” A voice echoed in my mind during the dream, like a whisper that crossed the veils of my consciousness.“Find who? Who are you?” I asked, confused, as the initial darkness gave way to a field of flowers, their beauty illuminating the scene.“We are the bearers of your answers... Come, child, destiny awaits you!” The voice resonated more intensely, revealing a splendid house in the center of the field. I approached, and the door opened before me. Inside, three women and the young boy that I had rescued in the forest were seated in comfortable armchairs, looking at me with expectation.The door slammed shut, and I felt myself being dragged backward as dark, dense clouds formed in the sky, heralding the arrival of shadows.“NO ONE CAN SAVE YOU!” The dark voice of the witch echoed menacingly.I woke up abruptly, my hand instinctively going to my ribs, which burned with each breath.“What happened, human?” The Alpha asked, assessing my condition, still sitting