My claws dug into the earth as I fought the urge to leap into the fray. Every fiber of my being screamed for action, but Liam’s steady presence held me back. His gaze, intense yet measured, kept me rooted, though the sight of Logan and Mal clashing felt like a storm raging before my eyes.
Logan didn’t back down. His movements were calculated, his strength tempered with precision. Mal’s attacks were wild and erratic, fueled by raw emotion rather than strategy. Their snarls tore through the clearing, a symphony of rage and defiance that sent shivers down my spine.
She’s testing him. Liam’s voice in my mind sounded calm, but there was an undercurrent of tension. If you interfere, she might see it as weakness-or worse, betrayal.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away as Logan dodged a snapping bite, his counterattack swift and controlled. He didn’t go for a killing blow, instead aiming to subdue. I felt a pang of admiration for him, even amidst the chaos. Logan’s resolve was unshakable, his focus razor-sharp.
But Mal wasn’t making it easy. Her claws swiped at his flank, leaving shallow marks against his dark fur. Logan didn’t flinch, his massive body shifting to block her next strike. He growled low and deep, a sound that seemed to vibrate through the ground.
Mal froze, her ears flicking back. Her breathing was heavy, her fur matted with sweat and dirt. For a moment, it looked like she might relent. But then, with a furious snarl, she lunged again, this time aiming for his throat.
“Enough!” I barked, the word ripping from me before I could stop it.
The sound startled them both. Mal hesitated mid-strike, her golden eyes snapping toward me. Logan seized the opportunity, pinning her to the ground with a forceful but not brutal grip. His teeth bared near her neck, a silent declaration of dominance.
Mal thrashed beneath him, growling and snapping, but Logan held firm. His blue eyes locked onto hers, unwavering. Slowly, her struggles lessened, her growls fading into a low whine. The shift in her posture was subtle-a slight lowering of her head, her ears tilting back. Submission.
Logan released her and stepped back, his chest rising and falling heavily. Mal didn’t move right away, her body tense as though ready to spring again. But then her gaze shifted to me, and something flickered in her eyes-recognition, maybe even regret.
Mal, I said softly, taking a tentative step forward. My wolf instincts urged caution, but my human heart ached to reach her. It’s okay. You’re safe now.
Her ears twitched, and she let out a low huff. Slowly, she rose to her feet, her posture wary but no longer aggressive. She glanced at Logan, then at Liam, before finally settling her gaze on me.
I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, she said, her voice raw and broken in my mind. I just… I couldn’t control it.
I took another step closer, my tail swaying gently in a gesture of reassurance. We know, I said. But running won’t solve anything. We’re here to help you, Mal. You don’t have to face this alone.
She looked away, her shoulders slumping. For a long moment, the only sounds were the rushing river and the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and sat down, her head hanging low.
Logan shifted first, his towering wolf form dissolving into his human self. He stood tall, his expression calm but unreadable as he stepped toward Mal. “You scared the hell out of us,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Whatever you’re running from, you don’t have to face it alone.”
Mal didn’t respond right away. When she finally did, her voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt anyone. But… I can not stop it. The wolf takes over, and it’s like I’m not even there.”
“You are there,” Logan said. “You just need to learn control.”
Liam shifted next, his human form emerging with practiced ease. “We’ve all been there,” he said. “The first few times are the hardest, but it gets easier. Trust me.”
I hesitated before following their lead. The transformation back was less painful but still disorienting. When I finally stood on two legs again, the cool night air prickling my skin, I stepped closer to Mal and crouched in front of her.
“You’re stronger than you think,” I said. “The fact that you stopped just now proves that.”
Her golden eyes met mine, filled with uncertainty. “What if I can’t? What if next time, I-”
“There won’t be a next time,” Logan cut in, his voice brooking no argument. “Not if we stick together. We’ll train, we’ll prepare, and we’ll make sure you have the control you need.”
Mal looked between the three of us, her expression softening. “You really believe that?”
Logan nodded. “I do. But it’s up to you to decide if you’re willing to try.”
For a moment, silence hung between us. Then, slowly, Mal stood and stepped forward. “Okay,” she said, her voice quiet but steady. “I’ll try.”
A wave of relief washed over me, and I couldn’t help but smile. “Good,” I said. “Because we’re not letting you go anywhere.”
Liam grinned, clapping her on the shoulder. “Welcome to the pack.”
Logan’s lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile, but his eyes remained serious. “We should head back,” he said. “The others will be waiting.”
As we turned toward the forest, the four of us moving as one, I felt a strange sense of unity. For the first time, I didn’t feel like I was alone in this. We were a pack now, bound by something deeper than blood. And no matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew we would face them together.
The forest embraced us as we moved, shadows and moonlight dancing in harmony. Each step echoed a silent vow-together, we would face whatever darkness awaited, as one unbreakable pack.