A layer of an invisible shield covered every single wolf. The ground beneath the layer was Ashlee. Unknowingly, she was holding it all. Her eyes filled with the glow of the flaming sun. She stared at Hagatha, her expression filled with the agony she carried.

Her head kept repeating the scene of Sybil’s death and the cruelty of Hagatha among her pack. Her teeth clenched, her breathing labored, and distressing expressions covered her face.

“That’s it.” Hagatha opened her mouth, astonished by what Ashlee had just turned into. “I waited for decades just to have a mere glance at this incredible sight.” She spoke, extending her hand out to touch the transparent sheet, which resisted her every spell.

“This will all be mine now.” She giggled, touching the layer and gliding her fingers across it. Instantly, she turned her head, locking her eyes on Ashlee, whose form now appeared with a half-human, half-animal body.

“Don’t be scared, love. I’ll free you from this curse. I know, Ashlee, you are inside there, hiding and scared. Come out. Give it to me. Shower it on me. Let me free you from this curse.” Hagatha’s eyes widened, nodding, shaking her head up and down. She smiled and laughed, as though anyone would trust her, regardless.

“Why? Why did you do it?” Ashlee growled. Everyone stepped back, stunned by hearing her yell. How is she speaking during her transformation?

“She can even speak?” Zoe let out a huff, truly surprised.

“What?” Hagatha stepped back, lowering her hand to her waist.

“I said why did you kill her?” Ashlee howled with the most power she could muster.

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Daria gasped upon hearing the loud growl. She was training her pack and suddenly stopped, looking the other way. The cold wind brushed her cheeks, affecting her heart, her wolf, and her body.

“Alpha Daria!” Charlotte came forward, finding Daria distracted by something unknown in the air.

“Yes, dear?” Daria turned her attention back to her pack, noticing everyone confused, looking to her for an answer.

“We heard that too. Are you distracted by the howl?” Charlotte asked on everyone’s behalf, curiosity evident in her voice. She counted that every member was present. Then who could be calling them?

Daria sighed, now it was crystal clear to her. “Someone among us has separated a long time ago. I guess now she is free.” Daria smiled softly, looking back in the same direction.

“Who is it, Alpha Daria?” Charlotte asked, tilting her head slightly, pouting her lips in confusion.

“It’s the seed left for us by our savior,” Daria said, remembering the old days when they almost lost their whole community to the demons. All they could do was kneel until he arrived and got them all out of the misery.

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Hagatha fell to the ground by the sudden howling of Ashlee. What the hell is happening? Who is she talking about? The damned elf? How could she possibly know about her though? Who else did she kill?

“Don’t… Sybil?” Hagatha murmured, gaping at Ashlee’s sight. She could feel Ashlee growing stronger with every second.

“I will show you today how to be selfish, you wench!” Ashlee’s wolf was in unimaginable agony. She was born for justice and peace, with wishes of prosperity. How could she stand before a murderous psycho witch?

“How did you find out?” Hagatha breathed, and the next thing she knew was being strangled by Ashlee’s arms around her neck. Ashlee was determined to kill her. To be more precise, her wolf was.

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“Wh… What?” Cough! “What… do you…” Cough, choked, “Want from me? What?” Hagatha managed to push out some distorted words from her mouth. Her eyes almost blacked out.

“Confess!” Ashlee muttered, loosening her control on Hagatha’s neck.

Hagatha coughed violently, crawling away from Ashlee. It was turning into quite the scene for everyone watching. They were bewildered to see Ashlee even laying hands on the powerful witch.

“What… What to confess?” Hagatha supported her body by leaning on her hands, her world spinning. What strength Ashlee has!

“What you did to every person just to get me! Tell them!” Ashlee stood there, keeping her eyes firmly on Hagatha. She wanted Hagatha to admit every sin she had committed.

Hagatha chuckled. “You want them to hear about my achievements?” She laughed, manically. “Fine! Fine!” She inhaled loudly, growling with an open mouth.

“Let’s start with this deluded-soul!” Hagatha pointed at Collin, who just stood there, surprised to be chosen.

“I remember. I remember it so clearly. Your whining over that stupid dead girl. But let’s not call her stupid anymore. She was quite impressive. I just got on her doorstep and she figured out a plan to trap me. That was impressive and foolish at the same time. I’m not even regretful. Shehad to die. This place is already filled with many fools, right?” She laughed manically at Collin.

Collin flinched, shaking his head slowly, “You were the one who killed Sybil?” He breathed, his mind completely blank. “I’m gonna rip you in two!” Collin lunged forward, trying to tear Hagatha apart, but her spells were stronger than him.

“Stop trying!” She muttered, sighing. Ashlee stood there, conflicted in her own mind. What was Hagatha about to say? She already knew, but she didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to face it.

“Now let’s move on to that ignorant wretch. But wait a second.” Hagatha sensed Ashlee’s secret power. She turned slowly to look at Ashlee. She was determined not to die today.

“Don’t you already know that?” Hagatha smirked, realizing Ashlee had already figured it out. “So this is how it works? You touch it and you can see everything.” She snickered. “That’s quite a unique power to have. Don’t you think so?” She asked Ashlee, still with a wide grin on her face.

“What the hell is she talking about?” Kyle stepped outside the layer Ashlee had formed to protect him.

Ashlee gasped, watching him step out. She was about to rush to him, but Hagatha pulled out her hand, strangling his neck. He couldn’t move a single step. His breathing became shallow as he collapsed to the ground.

Ashlee looked at Hagatha fiercely. “What?” Hagatha cackled. “Don’t give me that look. Now it’s your turn to tell the truth. Say it. Say it yourself. Tell him.” She stepped toward Ashlee.

Ashlee gulped heavily. “Oh dear demons, Don’t tell me you are already in love with him, knowing that he isn’t your mate,” Hagatha shouted, cracking into psychic laughter.

“What?” Kyle breathed. The strangling around his neck loosened, leaving a slight mark. Ashlee flinched, her fears surfacing again.

“Now isn’t this so entertaining?” Hagatha swirled around, laughing and enjoying the moment.

“Shut the hell up!” Ashlee growled, closing her eyes.

Hagatha stopped, staring at her. She could sense Ashlee getting nervous. This was her chance to steal what Ashlee held. She stepped forward, not closing her mouth, unfortunately.

“You still don’t know who you are, do you?” Hagatha started her manipulation. “Why do you even like a mere werewolf like him? You, my love, are much more powerful, stronger, and more beautiful…” She stepped closer, trying to touch her but restrained herself, “And rare.” She breathed, admiring Ashlee’s fur.

“You want to know who you are, don’t you? I can tell you everything.” Hagatha smiled, showing her evil face manically in front of her.

Ashlee scoffed, laughed, and opened her eyes. “You think I’m stupid too?” She whispered in Hagatha’s face.

“Huh?” Hagatha’s smile vanished upon hearing those words.

“I’m not human anymore. Can’t you see? Do you think I wouldn’t know who I am? And whose orders do I take? Why would I give in to you?” Ashlee stepped closer, slowly and steadily, her voice deepening with each word.

“What are you going to tell me? That I’m a Primordial wolf? That’s it?” She growled, closing the distance with every second.

“Didn’t those wolves vanish a long time ago while fighting demons? What is she talking about?” Zoe muttered to Ryan. He nodded, agreeing, wide-eyed, impressed to see one alive in front of his eyes.

“I… I…” Hagatha stuttered, guessing she was now in danger of losing her life.

“I’m Ashlee’s wolf and you haven’t seen the whole me yet. What do you even know about my powers? Count your seconds!” She growled, stretching her neck.

Kicking her arms on the ground, her lower body started changing into a pure white wolf. Her clothes ripped. She howled the bloodiest cry she could. Even those of guardian wolves could hear her.

“She can control her transformation?” Derion struggled to get those words out of his mouth.

The next thing anyone could see was omniscient flames blazing out of Ashlee’s wolf. Her eyes couldn’t be any brighter with the whole damn sun in them.

She jumped on Hagatha, her flames burned Hagatha’s crown into pure ash, not even leaving the bones. She ripped Hagatha apart, hearing her screams for mercy. She didn’t even need to hiss to burn Hagatha down on her own.