Chapter 6 The First Strike

The night air was thick with tension. The full moon loomed overhead, casting its silver glow over the village, bathing the treetops and rooftops in eerie light. It was the only time when a wolf’s true nature could break free. Kaela crouched behind the marketplace stalls, hidden in the shadows, her heartbeat steady but her muscles coiled tight. She, Elira, and Sienna had returned to the village in disguise, walking among the others as if they were nothing but obedient women. Their sisters were scattered, still reeling from the chaos of the night before. The hunt had been brutal—Ulrich and his enforcers had almost caught them—but they had managed to escape. Now, they were here, watching, waiting. Luna stood only a few feet away, hooded and blending into the night. The little girl had done well to remain unnoticed since their return, but Kaela had seen the signs—Luna’s hands had begun trembling at dusk, her breath coming in shallow bursts. She was close. Too close. Kaela prayed they could make it through the night without incident. But fate had other plans. A sharp, strangled gasp broke the silence. Luna’s body jerked violently, her small hands clawing at her chest as a pained whimper escaped her lips. The villagers turned. Kaela’s stomach clenched. No. Not now. Not here. Luna’s eyes widened in horror as the transformation began—her nails lengthened into claws, her body trembling as the wolf within her fought to emerge. She convulsed under the moonlight, her muffled sobs lost beneath the sudden murmurs of the gathering crowd. A scream shattered the night. “She’s shifting!” The marketplace erupted in chaos. Women shrieked. Men rushed forward, their eyes filled with rage and disgust. Kaela moved in an instant, shoving through the scattering villagers and reaching Luna just as the girl fell to her knees. The child whimpered, her body burning with the force of the transformation. “Luna, listen to me,” Kaela whispered, gripping her arms. “You have to control it. Breathe.” But the damage was done. Heavy boots thudded against the earth. The enforcers had arrived. Ulrich stepped forward, his hulking form cutting through the terrified crowd. His piercing gaze locked onto Luna’s trembling body, and his lips curled in disgust. “She’s broken the law,” he said coldly. “Kill her.” Luna sobbed, clutching at Kaela’s cloak. Kaela’s blood boiled. She stood, placing herself between Luna and the enforcers. “You’ll have to go through me first.” Ulrich’s expression darkened. “That can be arranged.” The enforcers moved in, claws gleaming under the moonlight. Then—movement from the crowd. Terren, Elira, and the others emerged from the sea of frightened villagers, their hoods falling away, revealing defiant gazes. One by one, they took their place beside Kaela, forming a protective circle around Luna. Ulrich sneered. “So, the She-Wolves show themselves at last.” A slow hush settled over the marketplace. The villagers held their breath, caught between fear and fascination. Kaela’s heart pounded. This was it. There was no turning back. “We were always here,” she said, voice steady. “You just refused to see us.” Ulrich’s growl rumbled through the air. “Then let this night be your last.” He lunged. Kaela barely had time to shove Luna aside before Ulrich’s claws slashed toward her. She dodged, rolling under his strike, then sprang to her feet. Terren moved beside her in an instant, catching an enforcer’s wrist mid-strike and twisting it until bone cracked. Sienna let out a feral snarl, clawing at the face of another enforcer, while Elira shoved Luna toward the alleyway. “Run!” Elira ordered. But Luna was barely holding herself together. Her small form still shook violently, her breath ragged, her golden eyes flickering between human and wolf. “Not without Kaela!” she cried. Kaela gritted her teeth as she blocked another strike. They couldn’t hold their ground here for long. There were too many enforcers, and the village was against them. “We have to go!” Kaela shouted. Terren took down another enforcer, then grabbed Luna by the arm, dragging her toward the side street. “Now!” The She-Wolves broke into motion, scattering as Ulrich bellowed orders. But Kaela was the last to move, her eyes locking onto Ulrich’s. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. —To Be Continued—