Emma froze in shock, seeing a cougar dash and stand in front of her, blocking the exit; stopping her from making an exit.
The professor was a cougar? She watched Professor Brooks’ form which had morphed into that of a sleek cougar, and noted that its amber eyes were fixed on her with an unnerving intensity. Was he a natural cougar? Or was he a human that had been gifted a shifter’s abilities?
Her heart raced as a wave of disbelief washed over her. This shouldn’t be real. Professors were respected academics, not creatures reserved for the forest.
Emma’s mind struggled to grasp the surreal scene before her, and the speed of the shift. It could only mean that the Professor was highly trained; that this might be his strongest ability-shifting. She could read his aura, and it was terrifying, never mind that her wolf was stronger.
‘At least you acknowledge that.’
Emma held back a scoff. Were there others like him? She wondered, when the cougar began to circle her, preparing for an attack. Was this really happening?
She turned to the audience then, expecting the students and other professors to rush to her aid; to rush and stop the madness; to stop the professor-cougar from attacking. Instead, to her surprise, they stood back, observing with curious fascination.
Even the prince, known for his chivalrous demeanor, now leaned against the wall, watching intently as if waiting to see how Emma would handle the situation.
Okay, they were really doing this.
Emma perused the cougar again. It was the largest cougar she had ever seen in her life; in pictures or in reality. It was huge. It was bigger than a natural cougar. Had the male increased his size after gauging her power?
Suddenly feeling a surge of panic mixed with determination, Emma closed her eyes briefly, reaching out to the familiar presence within her mind. She could feel the warmth of her wolf, another constant source of strength and guidance. In this moment of distress, their connection grew stronger, reassuring her in ways words couldn’t.
‘Help me,’ She whispered mentally, her voice trembling with urgency. ‘But don’t kill him.’
She would never forget Casper, or the role that she had played in his death. Maybe, that was why his ghost had come after her. Yes, she had thought about it intermittently during the journey, and that had been the only explanation for the Casper she had seen with Slediv. Her friend’s ghost had been called upon to hunt her.
Emma gritted her teeth now at the thought. Whosoever had done it, whosoever had conjured his spirit from his dead body, whosoever had disturbed his rest, would surely pay. She vowed, clenching her fists as anger began to simmer at the thought.
She needed to see Prescott. The squirrel had promised that Casper’s spirit, soul and body were safe. What had happened?
She needed answers, but first she needed to deal with the issue in front of her.
‘Let’s go!’
Eden’s response was swift and reassuring, a silent understanding passing between them. With a deep breath, Emma felt the shift begin. And just as before, it was a sensation unlike any other; the physical world bending and reshaping around her as her human form dissolved.
In moments, she stood on her four legs, transformed, her wolf-self now fully manifested. Her senses heightened, she could feel the power coursing through her, a primal energy ready to defend against the threat before her.
A collective gasp swept through the assembled students, causing her ears to twitch, causing her eyes to peruse her audience.
There were eyes widened in disbelief, mouths that were hung open in awe, and whispers of astonishment that filled the air like a hushed symphony of surprise.
“She’s a wolf!”
“Look at those double stripes, I’ve never seen such coloration!”
“I didn’t know she could do that!”
The students exchanged hurried whispers, their shock palpable as they witnessed Emma’s multi-colored wolf form. Some edged closer, curiosity overcoming fear as they murmured about her strength and the unexpected display of power.
“She’s so strong!”
“Did you see how she just shifted like that?”
“It’s like she’s from a different world.”
However Emma’s attention returned to her opponent.
The professor-cougar paced slowly, its gaze never leaving Emma’s, a low growl rumbling in its throat. Emma could sense the aggression, the predatory intent lurking beneath the facade of familiarity.
“Give this up,” Emma warned aloud, through the paths similar to animals, her voice now a deep, guttural growl that matched the cougar’s. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
The cougar’s response was a challenging snarl, a flash of teeth as it crouched, preparing to strike. Emma tensed, muscles coiled, ready to defend herself.
“This is your test, Emma.” The prince’s voice cut through the tense silence, startling Emma.
Emma glanced briefly at him, confusion and determination mingling in her eyes.
“You already have the power within you,” The prince continued cryptically. “Prove it.”
Just then, the cougar lunged with lightning speed, claws extended, aiming for Emma’s flank. Reacting swiftly, Emma dodged to the side, her agile wolf form weaving effortlessly through the air. She countered with a series of calculated strikes, teeth bared in a silent snarl.
The professor-cougar growled in frustration, its attacks becoming more aggressive as it sought to overpower Emma. But she was relentless, her tactics a blend of strength and cunning honed through years of training with her old instructor, Mr Tammy.
With a sudden feint, Emma darted behind the cougar, her jaws clamping down on its hind leg with a fierce grip. The cougar roared in pain and surprise, struggling to break free from Emma’s hold. She held on steadfastly, her muscles taut with exertion as she used her weight advantage to wrestle the cougar to the ground.
The arena echoed with the sounds of their struggle, the clash of fur and sinew, a primal dance of predator and protector. Emma’s multi-colored fur shimmered in the afternoon light, a mesmerizing display of strength and determination.
With a final surge of energy, Emma managed to pin the professor-cougar beneath her, her jaws firmly around its throat. The cougar struggled weakly, surrendering to the inevitable defeat. With a steady gaze, she locked eyes with the professor-cougar, whose shock was evident as he realized the depth of Emma’s abilities.
In a moment of unspoken understanding, Emma penetrated the cougar’s mind, a gesture of both dominance and compassion that left the professor reeling.
“You’ve won,” Professor Brooks conceded reluctantly, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and defeat. “Let me go.”
Emma did, without hesitation. She had after all fought with the intention to prove a point, and to kill. She didn’t want to kill again, unless it was necessary.
Emma watched the cougar go, her gaze unwavering as he retreated down the arena, through the second exit.
She remained on guard, her senses sharp despite the adrenaline that still coursed through her veins, until she was sure that the cougar was out of reach, until she couldn’t be attacked again.
As the students around her exchanged bewildered glances and whispered in awe about her display of power, Emma felt a sense of calm settle over her.
She shifted back to her human form, the multi-colored wolf fur dissolving into the simple clothes she had worn before the transformation. The sight elicited another round of gasps and murmurs among the students. None had witnessed someone shift into a clothed human form before, and Emma’s unique ability left them stunned and intrigued. Emma didn’t care to bask under the attention.
With steady steps, she walked over to where the prince stood, his expression thoughtful as he watched her approach. But before she could voice her question about why he hadn’t intervened earlier, why he had chosen to stress her this way, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. The intense battle had taken its toll, draining her of both physical and mental energy.
Weakness overcame her suddenly, and Emma swayed, her vision blurring at the edges. Without hesitation, the prince stepped forward, catching her before she could fall. He lifted her gently into his arms, a gesture that surprised everyone present.
“I’m taking her to a quiet place. Return to your classes.” He instructed calmly, his voice carrying authority that brooked no argument. His demeanor softened as he cradled Emma’s unconscious form, whilst his gaze briefly met the eyes of those around them.
The students watched in silence as the prince carried Emma away, his steps purposeful yet gentle. Whispers followed in his wake, speculation and curiosity mingling with admiration for the prince’s unexpected display of care and concern.
In a secluded room away from the bustling arena, the prince laid Emma down on a comfortable couch, ensuring she was settled before stepping back. He watched over her quietly, his expression a mix of contemplation and guarded emotion.
As Emma stirred, gradually returning to consciousness, she found herself under the watchful gaze of the prince. Confusion briefly clouded her features before recognition set in.
“Why… why didn’t you stop the fight?” Emma managed to ask, her voice hoarse with exhaustion.
The prince’s gaze softened, his voice low and reassuring. “You needed to prove yourself, Emma. And you did. Your strength and courage have shown me something I hadn’t fully realized until now.”
Emma nodded slowly, absorbing his words with a mix of gratitude and humility. She had pushed herself to the limit, faced a formidable opponent, and emerged victorious. But now, as she lay recovering under the prince’s watchful eye, she understood that her journey was far from over.
“Rest now,” The prince said gently, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder. “You’ve earned it.”