Yousef's breathing grew heavier, more like a muffled growl.
His face hardened, his eyes sparking with fury, his body trembling with rage. Within seconds, he began to transform before Sarah's trembling eyes…
Her breaths quickened, her steps instinctively retreating, her feet frozen in fear.
In a single, startling moment, Yousef turned into a furious wolf — towering, covered in thick fur, his eyes glowing with a bloodthirsty gleam. He stepped toward her, claws digging into the wooden floor, his roar filling the room.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Eva strode in, standing confidently before the wolf, her expression a mix of astonishment and excitement.
Eva (in an astonished tone):
Wow… a real wolf!
But the scene left her no time to marvel. Adam entered next, his small hand trembling as it gripped the trigger of an old weapon, his eyes brimming with fear.
He raised the gun hesitantly… then the shot rang out.
The bullet pierced Yousef's shoulder. A muffled cry escaped him as he staggered back, then leapt through the window in a fierce bound, carrying his wounded body away from them.
Sarah rushed to Adam, snatching the trembling gun from his hands and pulling him tightly into her embrace.
Adam (his voice teary but bold):
I won't let anyone hurt you, Mom!
—
At his door, Yousef stood swaying from the pain. He knocked once… then collapsed to the ground.
In that instant, his wolf form faded, leaving his human body bloodied and broken.
Inside, Judy and Noah were sitting on the couch. Shocked by the sight, they rushed over to help him.
They laid him on the bed. Judy began dressing his trembling wound, while Noah stood frozen, staring at him in awe.
Yousef opened his eyes slowly… the first face he saw was Noah's, who couldn't hide his fascination.
Noah (with a dumbfounded smile, his voice hoarse with amazement):
Are… are you a werewolf?!
Judy (sharply, still tending to the wound):
Stop, Noah!
Despite the pain, Yousef smiled faintly at the innocence in Noah's eyes.
Yousef (weakly, with a half-smile):
Am I really that impressive?
Judy (without looking up):
Who shot you, Yousef?
He froze for a moment. The scene replayed in his mind like stabbing flashes — the gunshot, Sarah's terrified gaze, Adam's tears.
His eyes welled up, his lips quivering with the words.
Yousef (in a broken whisper):
Am I… am I a bad person?