Chương 37: A Dangerous Gamble

**S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters, Fury's office**

Fury's office was as dimly lit as always, the atmosphere heavy with the weight of unspoken conversations.

Fury sat behind his desk, his one good eye fixed on the report in front of him. Across from him, Clint Barton stood with his arms crossed, waiting for Fury's response.

Fury's fingers tapped the desk as he closed the file. "So, that's it, huh? Another army," Fury said, his voice calm but with an undercurrent of concern.

Clint sighed. "He's not gonna use them as an army."

Fury leaned back in his chair, locking eyes with Clint. "Doesn't matter if he uses them or not, Agent Barton. It is an army. Trained operatives with specific skill sets, following orders. Whether they answer to him or not, they're still a force."

Clint's jaw tightened slightly. "Logan's different. He's not looking for power or control like some of the others we've dealt with. He's just... keeping them safe. That's all."

Fury raised an eyebrow. "Safe? Or waiting for the right moment?"

Clint gave a small smile, shaking his head. "You're too paranoid, Fury. I've seen what Logan is capable of, but he's not out there trying to start wars. He's looking out for his own, and these Widows… they deserve a second chance."

Fury didn't respond immediately, his mind racing with the implications. "And what about Natasha? She's been running from this for years. Why would she want to work with us now?"

Clint's smile widened slightly. "Guess we'll find out soon enough. She's got her reasons, but trust me, we can trust her."

Fury considered the words for a moment. "So, she's still in the wind. Doesn't sit right with me, Barton. A lot of pieces are moving on the board, and I need to know where they all fit."

Clint shrugged. "You'll figure it out. You always do."

"Alright, make sure to teach her how we do things here. You're dismissed."

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A Few Hours Earlier – Red Room Destruction

Boom!

The sky lit up with flames and smoke as the Red Room building crumbled in the distance. From a safe distance, Natasha and Logan stood, watching the spectacle unfold. The air smelled of ash and burnt debris, but the mission was finally over.

Logan turned to Natasha, his gaze softening slightly. "So, let's go home." He extended his hand toward her, expecting her to take it.

Natasha hesitated. She looked at his hand, then back up at his face.

With a heavy sigh, she shook her head. "How about you take care of Yelena and the others for me?"

Logan's brow furrowed. "So, you're not joining the pack? May I know the reason?"

Natasha hesitated again, before saying "It's personal."

Logan's lips curled into a slight smirk. "You think you've got too much blood on your hands to live a normal life, don't you?"

Natasha didn't respond immediately, but the look on her face said it all.

Logan sighed, but his voice was kind. "Do what you gotta do, Red. But remember—you've always got someone to turn to."

Before she could respond, a portal opened beside them, showing Clint, Yelena, and Sebastian on the other side.

Logan glanced at Natasha one last time and then teleported away using Flying Thunder God.

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Whitehaven – Logan's Home

Later that night, after making sure Yelena was with the other Widows and putting Jack in charge of their training, Logan teleported home to Whitehaven.

The house was quiet as he walked through it. He entered Laura's room, finding her sound asleep. A peaceful smile crossed his face. He sat beside her on the bed, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Carefully, he placed his hand over her heart and marked her with the Flying Thunder God symbol.

Logan then made his way to Jean's room. She stirred from her sleep as he entered, sensing his presence even before her eyes opened. "You're back," she whispered.

"Yeah," Logan said softly, sitting on the edge of her bed.

They talked quietly for a few minutes, and before Logan left, Jean asked, "Can you mark me too? I want to feel connected."

Logan nodded, pressing his hand over her heart. A glowing 'W' appeared on her skin, symbolizing his mark.

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**S.H.I.E.L.D Headquarters – Present Day**

As Clint left the office, Fury sat back in his chair, lost in thought. Logan was an enigma—an immortal werewolf with power beyond anything most people could understand. But it wasn't just his strength that concerned Fury. It was the way Logan had maneuvered himself into a position of power, without drawing too much attention.

He knew Steve Rogers was back, and Peggy Carter—now also a werewolf—was another wildcard in this evolving game.

The government would undoubtedly want to use their abilities, and it was only a matter of time before Logan's pack became a target of interest. Fury could already sense the tension building.

He then stood up and went towards the window.

As Fury stared out the window of his office, his thoughts were consumed by the weight of what was about to unfold. Ross was making his move, and Fury knew it was a dangerous gamble—one that could spiral out of control.

The general wasn't just trying to build a stronger military. No, Ross was obsessed. Obsessed with getting his own version of a super-soldier, something beyond what Steve Rogers represented. Something that could rival or even surpass the power of Logan and his pack.

Gamma rays. The word lingered in Fury's mind like a ticking bomb. This wasn't just another government project; it was personal. Ross wasn't simply trying to replicate the serum that had turned Rogers into Captain America—he was going beyond that, venturing into dangerous, uncharted territory. He wanted to create something that could take on both Rogers and Logan if it ever came to that.

The experiment with gamma rays was about more than just science—it was about control. Ross had never been able to control the Crimson Pack, one of the most prominent and mysterious werewolf packs in existence. They were tied to ancient lore, with power structures that went far beyond anything Ross could grasp or command. The Crimson Pack had always been elusive, independent. And that drove Ross mad with frustration.

Fury recalled the many times Ross had vented about it. How he'd spoken with thinly veiled contempt for Logan, for the werewolf lineage that had placed him beyond the reach of normal human authority. Logan was a force of nature, immune to Ross's influence, and the Crimson Pack was even more untouchable. Ross hated feeling powerless, and Fury knew that the experiment was as much about vengeance as it was about creating a new weapon.

Gamma rays. Ross was banking everything on it. He didn't just want to replicate Steve's transformation—he wanted to make something better. Stronger. Something that could rival or even dominate the supernatural forces that now existed in their world.

Fury sighed. If Ross's experiment worked, they might gain another super-soldier, maybe something even more powerful than they could control. But if it failed—if things went wrong—the consequences could be catastrophic.

Turning from the window, Fury made a mental note. He needed to speak to Steve and Peggy. He wanted to get their thoughts on Logan, especially now that Logan's influence was very high. He trusted Logan's intentions, but power had a way of changing people.

Logan cared deeply for his family, that much Fury knew. He would do anything to protect them, but power, especially the kind Logan possessed, could make people do terrible things.

Fury needed to be sure that Logan wouldn't cross a line, that he wouldn't let his personal power or the strength of his pack push him toward something reckless.

The world was changing, and the balance of power was shifting with it. Between Ross's experiments, Logan's growing pack, and the rise of new threats, Fury knew one thing for sure—he couldn't afford to lose control of the situation. Not now. Not ever.

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In the darkened alleys of a forgotten part of the city, a sinister presence roamed freely.

The female symbiote, untethered and wild, was searching for something—or rather, someone. It had used animals first, testing its limits, before moving on to a few humans.

But none of them were worthy. They were weak, fragile, unable to handle the power it offered. It needed someone more resilient, someone whose strength matched its own hunger for dominance.

The symbiote slithered through the shadows, unseen and undetected, until it came across her—a red-haired woman walking through the streets, moving with an intensity that caught the symbiote's attention.

This one was different. Strong. Determined. Someone who could handle the weight of its power and use it to full effect. Without hesitation, the symbiote lunged at the redhead, bonding with her instantly, its dark tendrils wrapping around her mind and body.

The redhead staggered for a moment, her breath hitching as the alien force invaded her. But instead of collapsing, she straightened and looked at her hands.

A new voice is heard in her mind, "Hello, Natasha."

The symbiote had found its host.

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Meanwhile, Logan sat at his desk in the Whitehaven headquarters, thinking about how to further solidify the growing influence of his kind.

He knew the world was changing, and it was time to ensure that werewolves were seen in a more favorable light. He turned to Tom, the Zeta in charge of the film industry, with a smirk.

"Tom, I've been thinking. It's time we made some real waves in Hollywood. Let's start with a few werewolf films—something that portrays us not as monsters, but as heroes. Make sure the public gets it. Werewolves aren't just beasts; we're protectors. Noble."

Tom nodded, already envisioning the projects ahead. "I'll get the best directors on it. We'll make them blockbusters."

Logan leaned back, satisfied. "Good. And make sure the games follow suit. I want people to love the idea of being a werewolf."

Tom grinned. "You got it, boss."

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But Logan knew that his film projects alone wouldn't be enough. He had Selene working her magic on another level.

Subtle and patient as always, she was already influencing key figures behind the scenes—politicians, media moguls, and even influencers.

She planted thoughts in their minds, making them see werewolves as friendly beings, misunderstood by the world for far too long.

Selene had a way of making people believe they'd come up with the ideas themselves. Soon, articles began to appear in magazines, highlighting the nobility of werewolf packs, drawing comparisons to family structures and protectors of nature.

Television talk shows discussed how werewolves, if they existed, would be humanity's allies, not enemies. Slowly but surely, the world's perception of werewolves was shifting, thanks to her subtle yet powerful influence.

Logan saw how easily the world could be swayed with the right narrative. Between Tom's films and Selene's mind games, the public would soon view werewolves not as creatures of the night but as protectors of the balance between man and nature.

It was a strategic move—one that would ensure their dominance in a world that was becoming increasingly aware of the supernatural.