2025-04-07 03:50:29"Lucas!" Dylan shouted.
Before he could react, something big slammed into Lucas. "What the hell is that?!" Dan yelled, backing up. The impact sent Lucas crashing to the ground, the wind knocked out of him. Lucas groaned, coughing. "I can't breathe..." He gasped for air, struggling to push himself up. But before he could react, something heavy slammed into his side, knocking him back down.. "Aaaaaah!" Lucas screamed, his body going rigid as pain exploded through him. The creature's claws raked across his chest, dragging him into the dirt. He tried to push it off, but his arms were too weak. "Please" His voice barely came out, a desperate plea. The creature snarled, leaving Lucas in a pool of his own blood and vanished into the darkness. As Lucas lay motionless, Dan and Dylan crouched in the shadows, peering out from behind a thick tree. “Do you think he’s dead?” Dan started, voice trembling with fear. “No,” Dylan replied sharply, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Not yet. But if we don’t move now, we might not get another chance." Dan swallowed hard, eyes wide. “But we can't just leave him out there!” Dylan pulled him back into the shadows. “We have to. That thing... it’s too dangerous. We wouldn’t be able to help him anyway, not yet. It’ll track us if we stay too long.” Dan clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. “So we just let him die?” “I said no,” Dylan snapped, his voice low but firm. “But we have to make sure we’re not next. You don't get it. He's not the only one the creature’s after. There are others, and it's not just him it's hunting now. It’s all of us.” Dan hesitated, staring in the direction of the attack. “Then why does it feel like we’re already too late?” Dylan’s eyes hardened as he took one last look before dragging Dan away. “Because we’re already too far gone.” “Dan!” Lucas called out with his last strength, his voice weak. “Dylan?” No answer. He looked around. There were No sign of Dan. No sign of Dylan. He struggled and pushed himself to his feet, leaning against a tree. Every part of him hurt, and his legs felt like jelly. Something was wrong, though. He is infected with the beast's venom. His hearing was sharper. He could hear leaves rustling from far away. The faint sound of water dripping somewhere. “What’s going on?” he whispered. Then he noticed his was healing. Not just clotting or scabbing like a normal cut. The torn flesh was closing rapidly, the skin pulling itself together with unnatural precision. “What... the hell?” Lucas muttered, eyes wide in disbelief. His breath came out in sharp, unsteady bursts. His heart thundered. He stumbled forward, grabbing onto a tree for balance. The bark felt too real, too sharp. His fingers trembled as the pain in his shoulder melted into a strange, burning warmth. He could hear everything. The chirp of a single cricket a hundred feet away. The flutter of wings from a bird perched far above. The dripping of water echoing like it was right next to his ear. His vision sharpened. The moonlight no longer cast shadows; it carved details. Every blade of grass. Every moving leaf. A squirrel darted past, but its heartbeat boomed in his ears like a drum. Lucas spun around, panting. His breathing was no longer just breath, it was growling. The trees blurred around him as he stumbled through them, fear and confusion driving his every step. He didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t have a phone. No flashlight. Only this change. His limbs moved faster than he thought possible, like something else was guiding them. He ran all the way home. His lungs didn’t burn. His legs didn’t ache. He felt invincible. He burst through the back door. His mom was sitting on the couch, reading a book. She stood up fast, dropping it. “Lucas?” she gasped. “What happened to you?” He tried to speak, but all that came out was a low growl. Her eyes widened. “What was that sound?” “I don’t know,” he said, his voice shaky. “I think I got attacked by something in the woods.” She rushed to him, inspecting his shoulder. “Oh my God. That’s deep, how are you still not bleeding?” He didn’t answer. He couldn’t. He didn’t understand it either. “I’m calling the doctor,” she said, grabbing her phone. “No! No doctors,” he said quickly, panic rising in his chest. She stopped, confused. “Why?” “I just don’t want them to know,” he stammered. The next morning, Lucas barely made it through breakfast. “Lucas, are you feeling okay?” his mom asked, setting her coffee mug down and narrowing her eyes at him. “Yeah. Totally fine,” Lucas said, forcing a yawn. “Just... didn’t sleep great.” “You look like you haven’t slept in days.” “Well, I’m not exactly a beauty queen to begin with,” he said, trying to grin. She folded her arms. “Don’t try to joke your way out of this. What really happened last night? You came in looking like you fought a bear and refused to go to the hospital.” Lucas took a big bite of toast. “You know... wild raccoon maybe. Definitely not a bear. Could’ve been a shadow. Might’ve just tripped.” “Lucas.” He avoided her gaze. “It’s not a big deal, Mom. I mean, look at me. I’m fine now.” She leaned closer, eyes narrowing. “You were bleeding. Now you're not. You don’t even have a scar.” “Vitamin C?” he offered, shrugging. “Don’t get smart with me.” “I’m just saying... you raised a fast healer.” “Mm-hmm.” She sighed, watching him carefully. “You better not be involved in something stupid, Lucas. If you’re in trouble” “I’m not,” he interrupted gently. “Really. I swear. Today’s just a fresh start.” She tilted her head. “You’re acting weird.” “I’m always weird,” he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “That’s part of my charm.” She gave a reluctant smile. “Well, don’t get into any fights. And stay away from the woods.” Lucas paused by the door. “Yeah. The woods are overrated anyway.” “Lucas?” He looked back. “I love you. Be careful.” He hesitated. “Love you too, Mom.” Then he stepped out the door. The school football field was alive with energy during practice. Lucas stood on the sidelines, unnoticed as usual. He was the quiet backup’s backup, never chosen for the main lineup. “Tallman! You’re in!” Coach Rourke called out, clipboard in hand. Lucas blinked. “Me?” “Yes, you! Let’s see what you can do. Take Travis’s spot at wide receiver.” Lucas jogged onto the field, trying to steady his breathing. His heart thumped hard in his chest. The quarterback called the play and Lucas ran. And everything slowed down. Lucas moved with unbelievable speed and precision, weaving past defenders effortlessly. He spun around a linebacker and leapt to catch the ball mid-air. Before he realized it, he had landed in the end zone, stunned by his own speed. “Holy hell!” one of the players shouted. “Was that Lucas?” Coach Rourke’s whistle shrieked. “That’s what I’m talking about! Where’s that been hiding, Tallman?” Another player ran up, slapping him on the back. “Bro, that was insane! You got jets under those legs?” Lucas said nothing. He was stunned too. He felt like he was flying. Like the field was part of him. “Lucas the Flash!” someone joked from the sideline. Laughter and cheers followed. Coach blew the whistle and walked over. “Kid, if you play like that Friday night, you might just win us the game.” Lucas nodded slowly, still trying to process what was happening. “Are You okay, man?” asked Josh, the starting running back, eyeing him with raised eyebrows. “You look... different.” Lucas smiled faintly, trying to play it off. “Just... had a good night’s sleep.” “Whatever it was, keep doing it,” Josh muttered, shaking his head. “You’re moving like a damn animal out there.” Lucas felt like a real man for the first time in his life as he made his way across the street heading home. “You were bitten,” Dylan said quietly emerging from the alley. Lucas froze. “What?” “You were bitten,” Dylan repeated. “Last night. In the woods.” His mouth went dry. “How do you know that?” Dylan stepped closer. “Because it’s already started. The change. I can smell it on you.” “You’re not human anymore, Lucas,” Dylan said, his voice low. “And if you don’t learn how to control it... you’re going to hurt someone.” Lucas’s heart pounded. His hands shook. “What are you talking about?” Dylan glanced over his shoulder, like he was checking for something. Then he looked back at Lucas. “There are others,” he said. “Others like us. And not all of them are friendly.” He leaned in closer. “You need to come with me. Now. Before they find you.” “Who’s they?” Lucas asked, desperate. Dylan didn’t answer. Instead, he turned his head and his face went pale. “Run,” he whispered.
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Chapter 22: Hollow Stone
Lauren stood at the grove’s edge. “This is it,” she murmured, breath fogging in the cold. The trees inside spiraled unnaturally, their roots coiling like snakes.“The wind doesn’t even move here,” she muttered, stepping forward. The ground felt off. Alive. Watching.She tightened her cloak’s silver clasp and crossed the threshold. The Hollow Stone Grove which was sacred once, now feared was exactly as her grandmother’s book had warned.“No one remembers you,” Lauren said, glancing at the silent trees. “But I do.”Her fingers brushed the glyph stitched into her sleeve. That glyph had led her here—hidden deep in her grandmother’s spells.Each step pulled heavier than the last. The magic wasn’t passive; it pressed down, thick in the air.Finally, she reached it.“There you are,” she whispered.The Hollow Stone. A massive black slab, buried halfway in the earth, runes glowing with a pulse like a slowed heartbeat.She knelt and pressed her hands to its surface.“I call the blood, Witch bor
Chapter 21: The Blade and the Broken Line
The trail curved west of Frost Hollow, weaving through the icy pines like a serpent. Skylar walked ahead, her cloak pulled tight, every movement calculated. Dan followed a step behind, breath fogging in the crisp morning air.“You don’t have to walk like we’re heading into a death trap,” Dan said, trying for humor.“We are,” Skylar replied, voice flat. “These aren’t rogues. They’re former hunters. The kind that don’t forgive easily.”Dan adjusted the strap of his pack. “And here I thought you’d be happy for a little adventure.”Skylar shot him a look. “I’d be happier if we were both invisible.”They passed a twisted tree marked with a red X.“That’s the sign,” she said. “We’re close.”Dan looked around. “So where’s the welcoming party?”Right on cue, a bolt of energy struck the ground inches from his boot.He jumped back. “Okay! Welcoming noted!”Figures stepped from the trees.Five in total.Two held silver-loaded crossbows. One carried a short-spear laced with runes. The last, a tal
Chapter 20: Chains of Ash
The outlaw’s voice faded into the crackling fire, and silence settled like frost over the gathering. The pack stared, unsure whether to speak, run, or attack. Lucas stepped forward. “What do you mean ‘erase me’?” The old wolf—Grath, they had called him—nodded once. “The Ash Queen doesn’t see you as a threat. She sees you as a flaw. A mistake that never should’ve existed. A True Alpha who slipped through the cracks of her prophecy.” Kalen folded his arms. “Then she wants to rewrite the bloodline.” “Not rewrite.” Grath looked up. “Purge.” Lucas glanced at Kalen. “What does she gain by killing me?” Grath answered, “The prophecy that crowned her—the one carved into the Moonstone altar—it only works if your bloodline is extinguished. She’s holding her return until she’s sure you’re dead.” Lucas frowned. “So… she’s stalling?” “No,” said Grath. “She’s gathering. Strengthening. Binding the old magic to her bones. And when the last Tallman falls, she rises as something else.” Skylar m
Chapter 19: The Law of Fangs
Lucas stood by the frost-covered outcrop overlooking the valley of Frost Hollow. Wolves moved below like a silent army—training, preparing, bracing for the war ahead. His mark still tingled faintly from the contact with Elaris. He hadn’t slept. Not after what she’d shown him.Behind him, footsteps approached. Lauren joined him, arms folded against the wind. “Didn’t sleep either?” “No.” She nodded. “Your aura’s brighter. The vision changed you.” Lucas turned. “It showed me what I’ll become if I fail.” Lauren was quiet for a moment. “You won’t fail. Not if we move first.” He looked down at the camp. “Today we begin. Everyone leaves at noon. Four directions. Four missions.” --- Inside the war room, Lucas stood before the map. The council had gathered—Skylar, Dylan, Lauren, Dan, and now Kalen, who lingered in the shadows, as always. Lucas pointed at the northern peak. “Kalen and I, will track down the outlaw packs. We need them.” Kalen gave a small nod. “They won’t be
Chapter 18: The Deep Seal
“The air just changed,” Dan muttered, squinting down the stairwell. “I can’t feel my toes.” “Then walk faster,” Skylar snapped, her hand already resting on the hilt of her blade. They moved down the spiraling staircase, stone steps worn with age. Each step echoed, and with every turn, the temperature dropped more. Lucas kept his eyes on the runes flickering along the walls. “These weren’t here before.” “They were dormant,” Lauren said, brushing her fingers over a glowing sigil. “Now they’re awake.” “Why?” Dylan asked from behind. “What triggered them?” “Lucas,” she answered simply. Dan sighed. “Of course. The guy with the family discount on cursed ruins.” They reached the bottom. A massive stone door loomed before them, flanked by two wolf statues—one snarling, the other silent and watchful. At the center of the door was a crest: half-moon, fangs, and a single crimson eye. Lucas stepped closer. “That’s mine.” Skylar stood behind him. “It matches the mark on your shoulder.”
Chapter 17: The Witch Returns
Frost Hollow hummed with activity. Tents rustled in the cold wind, and the new war room glowed with quiet energy as wolves filed in and out, carrying relics, weapons, and maps recovered from the Silver fang vault.Lucas stood at the center table, inspecting an artifact—an obsidian ring etched with runes that pulsed faintly whenever he touched it.Skylar leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “That thing gives me bad vibes.”“It’s not reacting to me,” Lucas muttered. “But it’s reacting to something.”Dan entered, holding a scroll. “I don’t read ancient wolf-scratch, but this one was stored in a reinforced tube. That’s gotta mean something.”Dylan took the scroll and unrolled it. “These symbols... they’re not just werewolves. They’re mixed. Part of them are... witch marks.”Lucas blinked. “Witch marks?”Skylar straightened. “You think the Silver fangs worked with witches?”Dylan nodded slowly. “Not just worked. They were bound to them. There’s an old legend about a witch-wolf alliance d