“Final warning – stay away from me.” I point accusingly at Jason. “I won’t repeat myself.”
“You never had to. Treating someone who aided you like this is unprecedented.” He declares. “As the Alpha of this pack house, do you comprehend the significance?”
“I couldn’t care less. You nearly separated me from my destined mate. If you can’t offer genuine assistance, then you shouldn’t have offered at all.” I retort angrily.
“Now, leave this room. Use the door.” I command, devoid of any smile.
“From someone I generously provided a luxurious room to.” He sneers. “I’ll depart, but mark my words – within a week, I’ll come for you, and no one will question my motives.” He threatens ominously.
Sighing and rolling my eyes, I escort Jason out of the room and firmly shut the door. Leaning against it, I release my frustration by thumping my feet on the ground. Deciding I need some fresh air, I crack open the door and slip outside, closing it quietly behind me. As I make my way to the center of the pack house, I realize there are many areas Jason hasn’t shown me yet, perhaps because he’s occupied or deems them unnecessary.
“Hey! Wait up, I need your attention!” I shout at a wolf rushing past me. Struggling to catch up, I resort to yelling louder. “What’s going on?” The wolf turns, revealing a handsome face, and soon, more wolves emerge, all heading to their respective departments with serious expressions.
“I… um… who are you?” I inquire, trying to sound cheerful. His demeanor shifts upon hearing my question, and he sniffs disapprovingly.
“You don’t ask someone who they are the first time you meet them. It’s better to introduce yourself.” He corrects me.
“Ah, sorry about that.” I concede as a sudden noise startles us from behind. I instinctively cling to him for safety as he yells, “Find somewhere safe! Demons have invaded!”
My mind races as I glimpse the terrifying creatures. He releases me and flees, leaving me trembling on the ground. Before me, the demons mercilessly tear a wolf apart, its blood staining the earth. I scramble to my feet, ready to run, but they spot me and begin to close in.
What should I tell Jason? How about Alex?
I quickly dart into a dilapidated building, sealing the windows and breaking through the door for an escape route. Grateful for my quick thinking, I realize that waiting in the room would have led to certain death. Using the door as my escape, I join a chaotic mass of fleeing wolves in the pack house.
Finding a hiding spot in a corner, I contemplate the demons I just witnessed. A strange symbol adorns their heads, hinting at some form of power or broken agreement. Uncertain of their capabilities, I opt to stay with the crowd rather than risk being noticed by hiding. I’m not ready to confront or understand their powers just yet.
Turning to a fellow wolf running alongside me, I inquire, “Hey, what’s happening? Why has the pack house descended into chaos?”
“I have no idea.” She gruffly responds.
As she hesitates to respond to my question, I persist, urging her to say something. Angrily, she raises her hand to strike me, but I manage to evade her blow, causing her to accidentally hit an elderly man instead. He crumples to the ground in agony from the unexpected blow.
The chaos around us intensifies, prompting her to pause her movement and tend to the injured man to prevent his death, which could lead to her exile. As she focuses on healing him, she notices a looming shadow distinct from those cast by the pack’s leaders and ordinary wolves. Raising her gaze, she locks eyes with the demons.
Resigned to her fate, she sinks to her knees, understanding that escape is futile. A solitary tear traces down my cheek as I watch, knowing she won’t survive this encounter. The demons advance, swiftly ending her suffering by severing her head. It becomes clear to me that only demons possess the ability to kill wolves, and if other beings can, it’s not as swift or merciless.
As the demons mercilessly dispatch the elderly man, his final breath escaping him, my heart sinks further. The horror unfolds before me as they continue their rampage, now turning their attention to humans as well. I watch in horror as the wolves are torn apart, their agonizing screams echoing in my ears.
Seeking refuge, I dart into a closed room, trembling uncontrollably as I huddle in the darkness. Fear grips me as I await my inevitable demise, unable to bear witnessing any more bloodshed.
Despite the chaos and terror, I struggle to comprehend the unfolding nightmare. What could possibly be driving these demonic creatures to such atrocities? My mind draws a blank, unable to formulate a rational explanation amidst the chaos and terror.
Though I know Jason must be searching desperately for me, I can’t help but feel guilty for venturing out of my room. Perhaps if I had stayed put, I wouldn’t have attracted the attention of these malevolent entities. Yet, deep down, I know that these demons would have breached my sanctuary regardless.
As I huddle in the darkness of the closed room, a sudden flash of light catches my attention, illuminating the surroundings. Intrigued, I approach the source of the light and notice bold letters forming an encrypted message. Slowly, I decipher the words, piecing together the meaning with each revelation.
It turns out to be the fourth pack house mind link center. A surge of relief washes over me as I realize the significance of this discovery. Could it be that the demons haven’t breached this location because of its connection to the mind link network? Is someone orchestrating their movements from within?
With newfound hope, I cautiously approach the intricate machine, unsure of how to operate it. Despite my lack of expertise, I decide to try anyway, pressing a green button and triggering a soft, feminine voice to emanate from the device.
“Speak your mind.” The bot prompts, initially startling me before I realize its nature.
Feeling a mixture of fear and curiosity, I gather my thoughts, ready to explore the possibilities offered by this unexpected encounter.
As I address the mind link, attempting to establish contact with whoever might be on the other end, my voice echoes outside the room, blending with the cacophony of screams and chaos. Frustrated by the lack of immediate response, I decide to use the opportunity to offer words of encouragement to those fleeing for their lives.
“This is an opportunity to urge you all to stay safe amidst the chaos within the pack house.” I project my voice, hoping to instill some sense of reassurance. “Though our efforts to combat these demons may seem futile, we must persevere and prioritize our survival above all else.”
With a faint chuckle, I emphasize the importance of preserving life and caution against risking unnecessary danger. Satisfied with my message, I press the red button, anticipating a chance to converse with the Alpha.
However, before I can utter a word, an intruder disrupts the tranquility of the moment, abruptly terminating the machine’s functionality. My initial instinct is to retaliate, but the urgency in his voice compels me to listen.
“The demons can hear you.” He warns, his voice strained with fear. “They’ll trace you here.”
Shocked by the revelation, I obediently comply with his instructions, refraining from any further communication. The gravity of the situation sinks in as I realize the perilous implications of being discovered by the relentless demons.
As I attempt to inquire about Jason’s whereabouts and the ongoing efforts against the demons, the intruder’s stern warning silences me. Sensing the urgency in his tone, I reluctantly refrain from further communication, sinking to my knees in resignation.
However, my curiosity and concern compel me to seek more information. “Are there any actions being taken against the demons?” I inquire, hoping for a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
He confirms that the Security Team has engaged the demons in battle and that he has informed Jason, who is currently in a secure location. Despite my attempt to offer words of encouragement, he dismisses my optimism with a bitter laugh.
“They came in legions.” He explains grimly. “There are now over fifty of them within the pack house. Even our toughest warriors struggle against just one. And there are over fifty demons to contend with. The Moon Goddess never prepared us for this. At least, we’re safe here for now.”
His words weigh heavily on me as I realize the magnitude of the threat posed by the demons. With a heavy sigh, I resign myself to the grim reality of the situation, unsure of what the future holds.