"Which truth, Mom?!" I shouted, my voice shaking as fear gripped my chest.
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest at any second.
But before she could answer
CRASH!
The sound exploded through the house like thunder.
The window shattered violently, glass flying across the room in every direction.
I stumbled backward, raising my arms instinctively as shards hit the floor.
A cold wind rushed in through the broken window.
And then…
Something stepped inside.
"Get behind me!" my mom shouted sharply.
I didn't hesitate. My body moved before my mind could even process what was happening. I rushed behind her, my hands trembling at my sides.
The room suddenly felt too small.
Too tight.
The creature emerged slowly from the shadows near the broken window.
At first, all I could see were its eyes
glowing faintly in the darkness.
Then its full form stepped into the dim light.
My breath caught in my throat.
It was massive.
Its body was covered in dark, rough fur, muscles shifting beneath its skin with every slow step it took. Its claws scraped lightly against the floor, making a sharp, chilling sound.
It wasn't just an animal.
There was something… wrong about it.
Something unnatural.
A low growl rumbled from its chest, deep and threatening, vibrating through the room.
My legs felt weak.
My mom reached for the locket hanging around her neck.
Her movements were quick, but controlled 'like she had done this before.
That alone terrified me even more.
She held the locket tightly in her palm and raised it toward the creature.
Then
She began to chant.
The words weren't English.
I didn't recognize the language at all.
It sounded ancient… heavy… like every word carried weight.
The air in the room shifted instantly.
It felt thicker.
Colder.
Like something unseen had just awakened.
The creature reacted immediately.
It stepped back, letting out a sharp, aggressive growl.
Its eyes locked onto the locket, and for the first time
I saw hesitation.
Fear.
The locket began to glow faintly, a soft light spreading from my mom's hand.
The glow grew stronger with each word she spoke.
"Stay back!" she commanded, her voice firm.
The creature resisted, its claws digging into the floor as if it was fighting against an invisible force pushing it away.
For a moment…
It was working.
Hope flickered inside me.
But then
The creature let out a louder, angrier growl.
Its body tensed.
And slowly…
It stepped forward again.
The glow from the locket flickered.
My chest tightened instantly.
"Mom…" I whispered.
She didn't respond.
Her focus didn't break, but I could see it
The strain.
The light weakened.
And then
The creature lunged.
I flinched, my heart jumping into my throat
But suddenly
A voice cut through the air.
Calm.
Sharp.
Powerful.
Chanting.
The same kind of strange language… but stronger.
Both my mom and I froze.
The creature stopped mid-attack, its body locking in place as if something had grabbed hold of it.
Then
A bright glow surrounded it.
Not soft like my mom's.
This one burned.
Like fire wrapping around its body.
The creature let out a loud, pained howl and collapsed violently to the ground.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unreal.
My breathing was uneven as I slowly lifted my head.
Someone stood near the doorway.
Stepping out of the shadows like they had been there all along.
My eyes widened.
"Leona…?"
She didn't look surprised.
She didn't look scared.
She just stood there… calm.
Like this was normal to her.
My mind raced.
How did she find this place?
How did she do that?
Everything Ethan said came rushing back.
She's not normal.
My legs moved on their own as I stepped closer to the creature lying on the floor.
My heart pounded harder with each step.
And then… I saw it clearly.
A wolf.
But not a normal one.
It was massive.
Its body looked powerful… dangerous. unnatural.
Its fur was rough, its claws sharp, its presence overwhelming even while it lay still.
My breath trembled.
"That's not just a wolf," Leona said quietly behind me.
I froze.
"Then… what is it?" I asked slowly.
There was a pause.
I could feel both of them watching me now
My mom… and Leona.
Then Leona spoke.
"It's one of them."