บท 9: Hunter's Moon
The full moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the town. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off tonight. The air felt charged, like the calm before a storm.
I paced in my small apartment, unable to settle. It had been three days since I'd witnessed Damien's transformation, and my mind was still reeling. Werewolves were real. And somehow, I could sense them.
A sharp knock at the door made me jump. I approached cautiously, my newfound strength thrumming through my veins. "Who is it?"
"It's James. We need to talk."
I hesitated before opening the door. James stood there, his usually calm demeanor replaced by barely concealed agitation. "May I come in?"
I nodded, stepping aside. As he passed, I felt that now-familiar tingle that indicated his werewolf nature. It was still strange, this sixth sense I'd developed.
"What's going on?" I asked, closing the door.
James paced the small living room. "Hunters. They're in town."
My blood ran cold. "Hunters? You mean...?"
"Werewolf hunters," he confirmed grimly. "They arrived this afternoon, posing as wildlife control. But I recognize their type."
I sank onto the couch, my mind racing. "Does Damien know?"
"Not yet. I came to warn you first." James's eyes met mine. "You need to be careful, Isabella. Your ability to sense us... it's rare. If the hunters find out, they might come after you too."
A chill ran down my spine. "What do we do?"
"For now, act normal. I'll warn the others." He moved towards the door, then paused. "And Isabella? Stay away from Damien tonight. It's too dangerous."
After James left, I tried to distract myself with TV, but my mind kept wandering. I couldn't just sit here while Damien was in danger. Before I could talk myself out of it, I grabbed my jacket and headed out.
The streets were eerily quiet as I made my way to Damien's place on the edge of town. Every shadow seemed to hide a potential threat. I stuck to the back alleys, my senses on high alert.
As I neared Damien's street, a flicker of movement caught my eye. I ducked behind a dumpster, heart pounding. Two figures in dark clothing moved stealthily along the road, rifles slung over their shoulders.
Hunters.
I held my breath as they passed, praying they wouldn't sense me. Once they were out of sight, I slipped out and hurried towards Damien's house.
Just as I reached his front yard, a hand clamped over my mouth. I was pulled backwards, my back pressed against a solid chest.
"Shh," Damien's voice whispered in my ear. "Don't make a sound."
He slowly removed his hand, and I turned to face him. His eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, a reminder of the wolf within.
"What are you doing here?" he hissed. "It's not safe."
"I came to warn you," I whispered back. "There are hunters in town."
His expression darkened. "I know. I've been tracking them. You shouldn't be here, Isabella. If they find you with me—"
A twig snapped nearby. We both froze.
Damien grabbed my hand. "Run," he commanded.
We took off into the woods behind his house, moving as quietly as possible. I could hear footsteps behind us, gaining ground. Damien was holding back, I realized. He could move faster, but he was staying with me.
"Go," I gasped. "I'll distract them."
He shot me an incredulous look. "Not a chance."
Suddenly, he pulled me down behind a fallen log. We lay there, barely breathing, as flashlight beams swept the area around us.
"I swear I saw something," a gruff voice said.
"Probably just a deer," another replied. "Come on, let's circle back."
We waited until the footsteps faded before moving. Damien helped me up, his touch sending a jolt through me that had nothing to do with fear.
"We need to get you out of here," he said.
I shook my head. "I'm not leaving you."
His eyes softened for a moment before hardening with resolve. "Fine. But stay close."
We moved deeper into the woods, Damien leading the way with a sureness that spoke of familiarity. I tried to match his silent steps, wincing every time I snapped a twig or rustled a leaf.
After what felt like hours, we reached a small clearing. Damien stopped, tilting his head as if listening.
"I think we lost them," he said finally.
I sagged against a tree, the adrenaline leaving me shaky. "What now?"
Damien ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I was beginning to recognize as frustration. "We can't go back to town tonight. It's not safe."
"So we stay here?"
He nodded. "There's a cabin nearby. We can hole up there until morning."
As we started walking again, a howl pierced the night. Damien stiffened.
"Was that...?" I began.
"Another werewolf," he confirmed. "And they're in trouble."
I could see the conflict in his eyes. "Go," I said. "I'll be fine."
He shook his head. "I'm not leaving you alone out here."
"Damien, they need help. I can find the cabin. Go."
He stared at me for a long moment before nodding. "Head north. You'll see a stream. Follow it upstream and you'll find the cabin. Lock the door and don't let anyone in but me."
"Okay. Be careful."
He squeezed my hand, then turned to go. Before he could leave, I grabbed his arm.
"Damien, wait."
He looked back, and I did something I'd been wanting to do since that night we met. I kissed him.
It was brief, urgent, filled with unspoken words and fears. When we parted, his eyes were glowing brighter than before.
"I'll come back," he promised.
Then he was gone, melting into the shadows.
I took a deep breath and started north, trying to ignore the growing sense of dread in my stomach. The woods seemed darker now, every sound magnified.
I had just spotted the glimmer of water through the trees when a scream shattered the night. It was followed by a roar that made my blood run cold.
I froze, torn between running for safety and going back to help. The roar came again, closer this time. And with it, a familiar presence tickled my senses.
Damien.
He was in trouble.
Without thinking, I turned and ran back the way I'd come. Branches whipped at my face, roots threatened to trip me, but I pushed on.
I burst into another clearing and stopped dead.
There, in the moonlight, stood the largest wolf I'd ever seen. Its fur was jet black, its eyes glowing red. At its feet lay a crumpled form I recognized with horror as James.
And facing the monstrous wolf, bloodied but standing, was Damien.
As I watched, frozen, Damien's form began to shift. Bones cracked and reformed, fur sprouted from his skin. In seconds, a massive brown wolf stood where Damien had been.
The two wolves circled each other, growling. Then, as if sensing my presence, the black wolf's head snapped in my direction.
Our eyes met, and I felt a jolt of recognition. I knew those eyes.
"Sophia?" I whispered in disbelief.
The wolf's muzzle pulled back in a snarl. And then it lunged – not at Damien, but at me.
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