Chapter 5 The Hunters.

Maya's heart was racing with anticipation as she stood beside Liam, waiting for the pack to arrive. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew that she had to be ready.

As they stood there, Liam's eyes locked onto hers. "Maya, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his voice low and urgent.

Maya's eyes narrowed. "What is it?" she asked.

Liam's face was grim. "You're in danger, Maya," he said. "Not just from the pack, but from...others."

Maya's heart skipped a beat. "What others?" she asked.

Liam's eyes locked onto hers. "You're from the Malraux family, Maya," he said. "The last living heir of a family with a long history of power and magic."

Maya's eyes widened in shock. "What does that have to do with anything?" she asked.

Liam's face was grim. "Everything," he said. "You see, Maya, your family's history is...complicated. They were known for their ruthlessness, their cunning, and their power."

Maya felt a chill run down her spine. "And?" she asked.

Liam's eyes locked onto hers. "And there are those who would stop at nothing to claim that power for themselves," he said. "You're in danger, Maya. From the pack, from other werewolves, and from...human hunters."

Maya's heart was racing with fear. She had never imagined that her family's history would put her in so much danger.

As they stood there, waiting for the pack to arrive, Maya knew that she had to be ready. She was the last living heir of the Malraux family, and some would stop at nothing to claim her power for themselves...

Liam's words hung in the air, and Maya felt a sense of unease growing inside her. She had always known that her family's history was complicated, but she had never imagined that it would put her in so much danger.

As they stood there, waiting for the pack to arrive, Maya heard a rustling in the bushes. She turned to see a figure emerging from the trees.

It was a woman, tall and imposing, with piercing green eyes. She was dressed in a long, black coat, and Maya could sense the power emanating from her.

"Ah, Maya," the woman said, her voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."

Liam stepped forward, his body positioning itself between Maya and the woman. "Who are you?" he growled.

The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "My name is Sabine," she said. "And I'm here to take Maya into custody."

Maya's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Sabine's smile grew wider. "You're a Malraux, Maya," she said. "And that makes you a target. Some would stop at nothing to claim your power for themselves."

Liam's eyes locked onto Sabine's. "You're not taking her anywhere," he said.

Sabine laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, I think I am," she said. "You see, Liam, I have the backing of the Council. And they want Maya."

Maya's eyes widened in fear. What did Sabine mean? And who was the Council?

Liam's face was grim. "The Council has no authority over Maya," he said.

Sabine smiled again. "Oh, but they do," she said. "You see, Maya is a Malraux, and the Malraux family has been under Council jurisdiction for centuries."

Maya's mind was reeling. She had never heard of the Council before, and she had no idea what they wanted with her.

"What do you mean?" Maya asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Sabine's eyes locked onto hers. "The Council is a group of powerful beings who govern the supernatural world," she said. "And they have a special interest in the Malraux family."

Liam stepped forward, his body tense with anger. "What do they want with Maya?" he growled.

Sabine's smile grew wider. "Oh, they want to use her power, of course," she said. "The Malraux family has always been known for their magical abilities, and the Council wants to harness that power for themselves."

As Sabine reached out to grab her, Maya knew that she had to act fast. She summoned all her strength and pushed Sabine away, using her newfound werewolf powers to defend herself...

But as she looked into Sabine's eyes, Maya saw something that made her blood run cold. Sabine was not alone. There were others with her, others who were hiding in the shadows, waiting to strike...

Maya's eyes scanned the surrounding area, and she saw that Sabine was indeed not alone. Several others were lurking in the shadows, their eyes fixed on Maya with a mixture of curiosity and hostility.

Liam stepped forward, his body positioning itself between Maya and the newcomers. "Who are they?" he growled.

Sabine smiled again. "They're my associates," she said. "And they're here to help me take Maya into custody."

Maya's heart was racing with fear. She knew that she had to get out of there, and fast. She looked at Liam and saw that he was ready to fight.

Without hesitation, Liam launched himself at Sabine's associates, his body transforming into a powerful werewolf as he attacked. Maya followed close behind, using her own newfound powers to take down their enemies...

As the fight raged on, Maya felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. She was fighting for her life, and she was determined to win.

But despite their best efforts, Maya and Liam were outnumbered. Sabine's associates were too strong and too powerful, and Maya found herself being overpowered...

Just as all hope seemed lost, Maya heard a loud growl echoing through the forest. It was a sound unlike any she had ever heard before, a sound that sent shivers down her spine...

And then, a figure emerged from the trees. It was a massive werewolf, its body towering over Maya and Liam. The werewolf's eyes were fixed on Sabine's associates, and its body was poised to attack...

The massive werewolf charged into battle, its body a blur of fur and claws as it took down Sabine's associates one by one. Maya and Liam watched in awe as the werewolf fought with precision and skill, its movements almost choreographed.

As the last of Sabine's associates fell to the ground, the massive werewolf turned to face Maya and Liam. Its eyes locked onto theirs, and Maya felt a sense of calm wash over her.

"Who are you?" Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The massive werewolf transformed into a human, standing tall and proud before Maya and Liam. He was an older man, with a kind face and piercing yellow eyes.

"I am Alpha Jean," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "And I have come to protect you, Maya."

Maya's eyes widened in surprise. "Protect me?" she repeated.

Alpha Jean nodded. "Yes, child. You are the last living heir of the Malraux family, and some would seek to harm you."

Liam stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Alpha Jean's. "What do you know about the Council?" he asked.

Alpha Jean's face turned grim. "I know that they are a powerful and ruthless organization," he said. "And I know that they will stop at nothing to claim Maya's power for themselves."

Maya's heart was racing with fear. She knew that she had to get out of there, and fast. She looked at Liam and Alpha Jean and saw that they were ready to protect her...

But as they turned to leave, Maya saw Sabine emerging from the trees, a sly smile spreading across her face. "You may have won this battle," Sabine said, "but the war is far from over..."