Chapter 2 The Awakening

I felt as if my legs were weighed down by lead. My chest rose and fell rapidly, yet no sound left my lips. The wolves-one as dark as the night sky, the other a foggy gray-crashed into each other again, their growls ringing out in the shop. The air was heavy with the smells of dirt, blood, and a sharp metallic scent that made me shiver. Broken glass glittered on the floor, reflecting the chairs happening right before me.

The wolves-one as black as the night, the other a foggy gray-crashed into each other again, their growls ringing out in the shop. The air was heavy with the smells of dirt, blood, and a sharp metallic scent that made me shiver. Broken glass glittered on the floor, reflecting the chaos happening before me.

I had to escape. Asher had urged me to flee.

But my feet remained frozen. It was as if an invisible force had anchored me in place. I could only watch as the gray wolf-a behemoth, nearly too big for the space-threw Asher against a bookshelf, causing books and relics to tumble to the ground. Asher growled, quickly regaining his stance. His dark fur stool on end as he circled the beast, moving with a deadly elegance.

My thoughts were racing. Werewolves were real. Everything was real. And these two men-if they could be called that-were not just random people. They were ancient and powerful beings. They had brought their conflict right to my home.

The gray lunged at me again, and this time, Asher bare manger to stop it. Their bodies collided, crashing into the counter and splitting it in two. I stumbled back, my hand gripping the edge of the shattered case. My fingers were cut by the sharp glass, but I hardly felt the pain. I was cornered. There was no escape.

Then, the door at the back of the shop burst open. My grandmother, Maria-small, fragile, yet incredibly calm-stood in the doorway, her face pale but her eyes sharp.

"Bonnie!" Maria called out, her voice strong and commanding. "Get behind me. Now."

I acted quickly this time. I hurried to Maria, and she held me tightly with her delicate arms. But instead of feeling the usual comfort and security, I felt that something was off. It felt cold. I looked up, my mind filled with confusion.

"What's happening?" I asked, my voice shaking. "Who are they? Who are you?"

Maria paused before answering, her gaze locked on the fight unfolding before us. The gray wolf had cornered Asher, its teeth dangerously close to his neck.

"This isn't the right moment." Maria said quietly. "But you need to understand something, Bon Bon. I've hidden things from you. Things about your history. Things about your true identity."

I blinked, trying to grasp what was going on around me. "What do you mean by that?"

Maria's grip became firmer. "You're not just any girl, Bon Bon. You came from a lineage that predates this town and its stories. You're the last of the Blackwood family. And that means..." She paused, her voice thick with emotion. "It means you're in more danger than you realize."

A loud roar echoed in the room, pulling my focus back to the wolves. Asher, Injured with a deep wound in his side, was struggling to defend himself. The gray wolf attacked fiercely, its eyes shining with a dark hunger. My heart raced, fear tightening around my chest.

"Asher..." I whispered, my voice shaking.

Maria's hand gripped my arm, pulling me toward the back door. "We have to go," she said with determination. "Right now, before it's too late."

I fought against it, my gaze fixed to Asher. "We can't just abandon him!"

"He's tougher than he seems," Maria replied, but urgency laced her words, revealing her doubt. "If we stay, you'll die. Do you get that?"

I paused for a moment longer before agreeing with a nod. We dashed through the back of the shop, the sound of claws scraping against wood and terrifying growls following them.

We stepped into the cold night, and I shivered as the biting wind hit my face. The narrow alley behind the store felt like another world-calm and almost serene, even with the turmoil nearby. My heart raced as my grandmother, Maria, guided me deeper into the shadows.

"We are not safe here," Maria said firmly.

"More are coming. Thane's pack won't stop until they get what they want."

My thoughts raced. Thane. That name again. Who is he? And why am I a target?

Maria faced me , and the intensity in her eyes made me uneasy. "Pay attention. There are things you don't know, things I couldn't share. But you must grasp this: you're more significant than you realize. Your bloodline holds the key to everything."

My voice trembled as I asked, "What do you mean? What am I?"

Maria glanced back, her eyes searching the shadowy streets as if waiting for someone-or something. "You're a Blackwood," she replied softly.

"The last descendant of the original werewolf line. This means... there's a power within you, Bon Bon. A power you haven't started to grasp yet."

I stared in disbelief, struggling to absorb the information. Me? A werewolf? How? It seemed impossible. I had always been a regular human. I wasn't like Asher or the others. I couldn't be.

"I don't get it," I murmured. "I'm just... me."

Maria's face relaxed for a brief moment. "I understand. I wanted to shield you from this, but we don't have time to prepare you. Thane knows who you are now, and he will do anything to take what belongs to you."

I felt a knot in my stomach. "What does he want?"

Maria's face grew serious. "Power. Control. The Blackwood line holds the secret to leading the packs. With you, Thane could become invincible."

Suddenly, we heard a noise from the alley behind us. I felt a chill run through me, Maria's gaze shot to the sound, her body tensing up.

"Run," she whispered urgently, her voice filled with fear.

My legs froze for a moment, but Maria pushed me forward, and finally I moved. I ran fast through the alley, my heart pounding. I didn't know where to head-just that I needed to get away and keep moving. Maria's footsteps were right behind me, but then there was a loud crash and gasp of pain.

I halted and turned around. "Grandma?"

Maria was on the ground, trying to get up. A dark figure towered over her, and I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. A man stepped from the shadows, tall and threatening, with eyes that glowed sickly yellow.

Thane.

He appeared just as the tales had portrayed him-strong, merciless, his presence darkening the alley like a storm. A sly smile spread across his face as he looked down at Maria.

"Interesting," he said, his voice smooth and threatening. "The old witch has shown up. I was curious how long you would survive."

I felt my throat tighten. "Leave her be."

Thane's eyes shifted to me, and his grin grew. "Ah, the Blackwood heir. I've been anticipating this moment for quite a while."

My hands shook, but I moved closer, trying to find the courage within me. "I don't know what you want, but I won't go with you."

Thane laughed, a sound that made me shiver. "Oh you will. You don't realize it yet, but your fate is already decided, little wolf. There's no escaping it."

Before I could reply, a deep growl came from behind me. I turned quickly to see Asher-still in wolf form, wounded but resilient-stepping out of the shadows. His gaze was fixed on Thane, and the air in the alley felt heavy with tension.

"Stay away from her," Asher growled, his voice rough but clear.

Thane tilted his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ah the Alpha heir. I should have expected you. But you're too late, Asher. The girl belongs to me."

Asher showed his teeth. "Not while I'm alive."

Thane's smile became sinister. "I can make that happen."

In an instant that froze my heart, Thane charged forward.

Just as I was about to respond, a brilliant light burst from the ground, creating a sound that shook everything around. I cried out as the impact sent me flying back, and as the shadows surrounded me, a wave of fear hit me-this was just the start.