บท 20: Chapter 20: Unleashing the Wolf
The days that followed the battle with the Wraiths were tense, but relatively quiet. Alex tried to adjust to the changes within himself—the new power, the control he had gained over his transformations. It felt strange, having so much power at his fingertips, but he knew he couldn't afford to let it go to his head.
He spent most of his time training, pushing his body to its limits as he tried to understand the full extent of his abilities. The demi-wolf form was still new to him, but he was learning to control it better with each passing day. The wolf transformation, however, was a different story.
Unlike the controlled strength of the demi-wolf, the wolf form was pure, raw power. It was more primal, more animalistic, and far more dangerous.
It had been three days since Alex's confrontation with the Wraiths, and though the world had settled back into a semblance of normality, he couldn't shake the lingering unease in the pit of his stomach. Every night, his dreams were filled with visions of the Wraiths, of shadowy figures chasing him, whispering that ominous prophecy in his ear.
Bonnie had assured him that the ritual had bound them for now, but the darkness always seemed to loom just beyond his reach, waiting for the right moment to strike again. He could feel it — a tugging in his soul, a deep connection to something far more powerful than he was willing to admit.
But right now, his focus was elsewhere.
Standing in the woods behind the Salvatore mansion, Alex felt the wind rustling through the trees. It was quiet here, removed from the chaos of Mystic Falls, and yet it wasn't peace that Alex sought. He was training—trying to master the power that had nearly consumed him during the battle.
He could feel the wolf inside him, coiled like a spring, waiting to be released. He hadn't fully transformed into it since that night, but he knew it was time to learn how to control it before it controlled him.
"Focus," he muttered to himself, standing in the center of the clearing. His muscles tensed, and he closed his eyes, concentrating on the shift within his body. He had learned to control the demi-wolf transformation, to summon it at will, but the full wolf was still elusive, volatile.
With a deep breath, Alex felt his body start to change. His muscles rippled, his bones shifted, and a familiar heat coursed through his veins. The transformation was beginning, but this time he wasn't fighting it. He was embracing it.
The pain of the transformation was intense, but Alex gritted his teeth and powered through it. His senses sharpened, his vision blurred for a moment before snapping into focus, and then, suddenly, the world around him seemed... different.
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer standing on two legs. His perspective had shifted, his body lower to the ground. He glanced down at his paws—massive, fur-covered paws—and felt the power coursing through him. This wasn't the controlled, humanoid form of the demi-wolf. This was the full wolf—a creature of pure instinct and raw strength.
Alex let out a low growl, feeling the power surging through him. His senses were heightened to a degree he had never experienced before. He could smell the earth beneath his feet, hear the soft rustle of leaves from miles away. Every fiber of his being was attuned to the world around him.
But with that power came a danger—a temptation to lose himself to the beast within.
[Stay in control,] he reminded himself. [You can't let it take over.]
He tested his new form, taking a few tentative steps through the clearing. The movement felt natural, almost too natural. The wolf wanted to run, to hunt, to claim the forest as its own, but Alex held it back. He wasn't ready to unleash that side of himself just yet.
A twig snapped behind him, and Alex's ears perked up. Instinctively, he whipped around, baring his teeth, only to see Tyler standing at the edge of the clearing, his arms crossed.
"Well, look at you," Tyler said, smirking. "Finally decided to join the club?"
Alex growled, but it wasn't an aggressive sound—more of a warning. He had been trying to keep this transformation private, but of course, Tyler would track him down. The werewolf had a knack for knowing when something was up.
Tyler walked closer, unbothered by Alex's wolf form. "You know, the first time's always the hardest. You're doing pretty good for a newbie."
Alex forced himself to shift back, the transformation receding as quickly as it had come. He stood up, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead.
"Hard to control," Alex admitted, running a hand through his hair. "The wolf... it's stronger than I thought."
Tyler nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, that's the thing about the full transformation. It's raw power, but it's also instinct. You have to learn to balance the two, or the wolf will take over."
Alex exhaled, the weight of Tyler's words sinking in. It was one thing to have the power, but quite another to control it. If he wasn't careful, the wolf could become a danger—not just to others, but to himself.
"I need to figure it out," Alex said quietly. "Before things get out of hand."
Tyler gave him a pat on the shoulder. "You will. It takes time, but you'll get there. And if you ever need help... well, you know where to find me."
Alex nodded, grateful for the offer. Tyler had been through this transformation countless times, and though they weren't exactly best friends, Alex knew Tyler understood the struggle better than anyone else.
As Tyler turned to leave, Alex called after him. "Wait, Tyler. What about the Wraiths? Do you think they're really gone?"
Tyler's expression darkened. "I don't know. But if they come back, we'll be ready for them."
Alex wanted to believe that, but deep down, he knew it wasn't over. The Wraiths had retreated, but they hadn't been defeated. And the prophecy still lingered like a dark cloud over his head.
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