Episode 4

That night, it wasn't just the storm that erupted; an invasion attempt also took place. It was a bloody battle, and many werewolves perished, especially from Rude's Pack, and he retreated, leaving the dead in his wake. Ramon's Pack boasted a powerful witch as an ally, and it was for this reason alone that he had not yet triumphed.

Kurt was among those who fell during the invasion, ambushed in the woods after he had left Jade at the cabin. Fortunately, they did not find her, or her fate would have been sealed.

The witch assisted in burning the bodies, and the wounded were tended to by Doctor Malek and his assistants. The injuries were not dire, and upon realizing Kurt's absence, Malek, as soon as calm was restored, went looking for the young man, tracing the path he last saw him take. He found Kurt gruesomely torn apart and howled for the guards, who swiftly came, transporting what remained of his body.

Malek continued onward, seeking the spot where Kurt had hidden June. He stumbled upon the ruins of a shabbily built cabin and couldn't fathom that it was the right place. Kurt wouldn't subject such an innocent human girl to this. He was about to move on when he heard a moan and began clearing the debris of the cabin.

"June, June, are you there? It's me, Malek."

"Mmmmm."

He persisted in removing planks and dried leaves from the roof, guided by the whimpering until he discovered her curled up, shivering, and when he touched her, he felt her raging fever. He cradled her in his arms like a sheet of paper. He didn't head for the clinic but instead took her to his home. He bathed her in cool water to reduce the fever and gave her medicine before laying her in bed and covering her. Then he went to the kitchen to prepare broth.

He fed her and nurtured her for three days until she recovered and eventually helped her escape the Pack. He put his plan into action, taking her to his property on the other side of town. He notified his human partner, and when he arrived, everything was ready and waiting.

"Welcome, dear, you will be the daughter we never had. My name is Rosa."

"Thank you, Mrs. Rosa."

Malek had always been a respected doctor, his career well-established, married to the love of his life, until he was bitten by Alpha Ramon while tending to an injured soul from the Pack. Henceforth, his life was torn between his wife and his duties to the Pack. He faced challenging days, grappling with his transformations at the onset.

His wife couldn't have children, as transformed werewolves were unable to impregnate those who were not their mates. He had not taken a werewolf spouse, understanding that his human wife would age and die, while he would remain unchanged. She had no desire to be turned, and he honored her wishes.

June found solace in the home, responding well to Rosa's care and embracing the new identity, residence, education, and training offered to her. Time passed; she improved in health and appearance, learned to read, write, and her strength increased with exercises. She learned to cook and matured into a beautiful and accomplished young woman.

A year later, while in town running errands for Rosa, she walked the streets, glancing at shop windows when rough hands seized her arm, yanking her against a broad chest.

"Look at the little mouse, become a tigress. I've missed you, pretty thing."

"Let go of me, I don't do those things anymore."

"That's a shame."

She couldn't break free; a blow to the head subdued her, and she was dragged into a building and locked in a dank basement.

When June awoke, shaken by the man, she was unaware of her whereabouts and soon found herself prisoner to his imposing frame, victim to a man's force and desire, as she had been many times before. When he finished, she was left bruised, broken, and filthy. The torture continued day after day until she regressed to the frail and ruined girl she was before.

Malek was beside himself searching, imploring all his police contacts to find her, but no trace emerged, and whoever had taken her was too significant to be apprehended. With no other option, he sought help from the Pack's witch, who proposed a deal to him.

"I've already lost too much in life; I won't sacrifice more for your whim," the doctor protested.

"Even for your daughter?"

"Don't deceive me, witch. I have no children."

"The girl you seek is your daughter. From when you were turned, you followed the scent to your mate and mated with her, but in your frenzy, you left, never to find her again."

He growled, clutching his chest, feeling his heart beat fiercely and ache. It hurt for all the child had endured and what she must be experiencing now.

"Fine, save her, witch."

"I am not a witch, you ignorant doctor; I am a sorceress. My request is that you let me have her for a year. I will test her, and if I find magic within her, I will pass on my knowledge."

"She will be a sorceress?"

"We shall see what prevails."

"Agreed, but only if she consents."

"Agreed."

She blew a mist of golden dust over them, forming a bond. The sorceress instructed him to leave and began her quest for June, tracking her through the spectral trail left behind. Dusk approached, and the full moon ascended.

In the filthy room, discarded in a corner, the young woman, abused nearly all her life, could no longer bear it and let the hatred within flood out, tainting her very essence with poison. She rose, eyeing the small barred window that let in moonlight, waited to see a sliver of the resplendent full moon, and with eyes shut, she cried out with all her rage.

"If there's a supreme being that created and governs the stars, that conjures power from sun and moon, hear me now and come to my aid, or I shall perish amidst my hatred and distress."

The silver rays struck her, pain sweeping through her body. She thought the supreme being disapproved of her plea and chose to end her life. But after a moment, she underwent a transformation into a gigantic black wolf with eyes of flaming red, and she vanished into the shadows of the filthy room.

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