Ashlee’s hands fidgeted nervously over the picture of Sybil and Collin. Somehow, when she closed her eyes, she could see it—the entire assassination that took place months ago. The scene was vivid in her mind, as if she had witnessed it herself.

She saw Hagatha killing Sybil. How is this even happening?

“How am I seeing things?” she murmured, startled, pulling her hand away as she looked at her trembling fingers in disbelief. What did I just see?

“This can’t be real, right? It’s just my imagination,” she whispered, trying to calm herself.

“No, it’s not, you stupid ass bitch!” a sharp, shrill voice shouted in her head. Ashlee’s heart leapt into her throat.

“Who the hell are you? Stop messing with me. Please. I can’t take this anymore.” Ashlee collapsed to the ground, clutching her hair as if she might rip it from her scalp.

“Let me out! Stop testing my patience. We don’t have time. Kyle is in danger. Either let me out, or I’ll kill you!” the voice screamed from the back of her mind. Ashlee shook her head, fighting against it.

Suddenly, the sounds of breaking metal, wild growls, and howling wolves pierced the air, grabbing her attention. What’s going on? she wondered, standing up and wiping her tears.

She moved slowly toward the window, her eyes widening at the sight of wolves battling outside. She swallowed hard, barely able to comprehend what she was seeing.

In an instant, her gaze found Kyle. Though he was in his wolf form—strong and fierce—she could recognize him clearly.

Even Kyle noticed her standing at the window, watching him fight. For a brief moment, he stopped, gazing at Ashlee with love-filled eyes. She understood, then and there, just how much she meant to him. But his hesitation cost him; another black wolf launched at him from behind, wounding his shoulder severely.

Ashlee gasped, her heart missing beats as she witnessed his pain. Even though he didn’t cry out, even though he bore the wound with stoic resilience, all he wanted was for her to be safe and by his side.

She clutched the curtains, biting back her guilt. Watching everyone struggle, her regret grew deeper. Wolves were being injured, their strength waning.

She wanted to stop it all. Just as she prepared to step outside toward Kyle, she froze.

“What the hell?” she muttered, staring at a figure hovering in thin air. A witch with feet off the ground, her palms facing downward, a crow perched on her shoulder. A strange scent surrounded her as if she was cloaked in invisible protection.

Hagatha inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of her protection potion. Her excitement was immeasurable; the moment she had awaited her whole life was finally here.

After years of running from her own coven, hiding in wretched places, and fighting for survival, she no longer had to live in fear. The war had begun, and her time had come.

“Brennus, you’re about to enjoy the grandest feast of your life,” she sneered, chuckling as her magical globe displayed the ongoing battle below.

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“Let’s go,” she giggled, vanishing and reappearing in front of the two packs of wolves.

“Oh dear, have I startled you?” she cackled as everyone stared at her, confused and alarmed.

She sighed dramatically, then pointed at Kyle. “Oh, my poor devil, look at all that blood you’ve lost,” she mocked. “But it doesn’t matter—you’ll be dead soon anyway.”

“Who the hell are you?” Kyle growled, transforming into his human form. His shoulder injury was severe, healing slower than it should have been.

“That’s no way to address your elders. Such rudeness,” Hagatha sneered, shifting her gaze among the gathered wolves.

“Where’s my precious child?” she murmured, searching for Ashlee. When she noticed Ashlee wasn’t there, she frowned. “How tragic. I came all this way, and you won’t even bring her out to see me.”

“Is she crazy or what?” Collin muttered, transforming back into his human form, prompting the others to follow suit.

“I’m crazy?” Hagatha laughed hysterically, her breaths ragged with mirth. She looked at Collin, her gaze filled with disdain. “No wonder you lost your mate, you lowly piece of underworld trash.”

“What? How do you know about that?” Collin gasped, startled. The loss was known only within his pack, and he knew no one would reveal it without his consent.

“Shouldn’t the first question be, ‘Who the hell is she?’” Kyle groaned, frustration and pain etched on his face. He had come only to protect Ashlee, and now he had to deal with this madness, including Collin’s issues.

“Enough of your insolence. Let me show you who I am,” Hagatha hissed, growing annoyed with Kyle’s defiance.

She stretched out her hand, muttering under her breath. Suddenly, Kyle screamed, clutching his shoulder as he dropped to his knees. His blood turned black, his skin mottled with festering bruises.

“Stop!” Ashlee shouted, clenching her fists. Barefoot, she stepped out toward the gathering, her breath sharp and determined. She looked at Kyle, enduring the agony.

“Ashlee, stop. Don’t come here,” Kyle warned, wincing, swallowing his pain. But she held his gaze and kept moving forward.

“Finally, we meet,” Hagatha smirked, her eyes narrowing as she lowered herself to the ground to face Ashlee.

“Ashlee, stay back,” Collin grabbed her wrist, trying to hold her back.

“It’s okay. I know who she is,” Ashlee said softly, releasing Collin’s grip. Every gaze locked onto her, filled with confusion and disbelief.

Hagatha’s eyes gleamed. “How long I’ve waited for this beauty,” she murmured, reaching out to touch Ashlee’s face.

“I know what you want,” Ashlee said, her voice firm. “Let them go, and I’ll go with you.” There was something different about her—an air of strength and mystery.

Hagatha’s smirk faded. She searched Ashlee’s eyes but could no longer read them. “So, you’ve discovered who you are,” she whispered, stepping back.

Ashlee’s silence spoke volumes. She finally broke it with a single statement: “Let him go, and I’ll come with you.” She grabbed Hagatha’s arm, her grip fierce and unyielding.

Hagatha tried to shove her off, but Ashlee wouldn’t budge. Her eyes blazed with a fierce, unknown fire—eyes Hagatha had craved to see.

Hagatha smirked, seeing the shift. “But if I let them go, they’ll just become a nuisance. Wouldn’t it be easier to kill them? Don’t you feel the urge, too?” she taunted, her voice a whisper of dark temptation. “I can see it in your eyes—you’re dying to hunt, aren’t you?”

Ashlee said nothing. She released Hagatha’s arm, and Hagatha felt confident her plan was working. Manipulating Ashlee in her transitional state would be crucial.

“Let me show you how it’s done,” Hagatha whispered, raising her hand as ominous flames danced along her fingers. As she moved them, wolves collapsed to the ground, screaming in pain as black liquid oozed from their wounds.

Ashlee’s heart raced, watching her friends suffer. Hagatha’s spells were potent, pushing beyond the limits of dark magic.

“I said, stop it!” Ashlee screamed, her voice shaking the ground. Her body began to transform, her clothes tearing as she shifted into a majestic white wolf. Yet, only her upper body took on the wolf form, leaving her legs human.

The transformation drained her, but her eyes glowed with an intense golden flame. Not only Hagatha, but everyone, including Kyle, was stunned by the sudden shift in Ashlee.

Her breathing was labored as she released an aura of protection that enveloped the entire pack. In a flash, their wounds healed, and their pain dissipated. They had never felt stronger.

“Ashlee… she’s a werewolf?” Kyle breathed, barely able to believe it.

“But what kind of wolf is she?” Collin added, baffled by her half-transformation and the sheer force of her powers.

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