As another Monday morning dawned, Ethan found himself reluctantly roused from sleep by the blaring of his alarm clock. Groaning, he resisted the urge to bury himself deeper under the covers, knowing that another week of university awaited him.

The sounds of his family already awake and bustling about the house reached his ears, a familiar background noise that signaled the start of another day. With a heavy sigh, Ethan dragged himself out of bed, his body protesting the early hour.

As he went through the motions of getting ready for the day ahead, Ethan couldn't shake the temptation to call in sick and spend the day in the comfort of his bed. The thought of facing another round of lectures and assignments felt daunting, and the lure of a day of rest was almost irresistible.

But he knew that his mother would know immediately that he wasn’t sick and so it was obvious that skipping class was not an option right now. With a resigned sigh, he forced himself to gather his belongings and head downstairs to join his family for breakfast.

The familiar sights and sounds of the morning routine greeted him as he entered the kitchen, the scent of coffee and pancakes filling the air. His family greeted him with warm smiles and cheerful chatter, their presence a comforting anchor in the midst of his reluctance to face the day ahead.

The morning sunlight spilled into the kitchen, casting a warm glow on the family gathered around the breakfast table. Plates of pancakes, eggs, and steaming mugs of coffee adorned the table, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. He took a seat, joining his family for their morning meal.

His fathe looked up from his newspaper and greeted him with a nod. "Morning, son. Ready for another week at university?"

Ethan offered a half-hearted smile, his thoughts still lingering on the allure of a day of rest. "As ready as I'll ever be, Dad."

His mother, ever a caring and nurturing figure, placed a plate of pancakes in front of him. "You'll do great, Ethan. Just remember to take breaks and not overexert yourself. Your health is important."

Caleb chimed in with a mischievous grin. "Speaking of breaks, have you seen the latest viral Cat videos? They're a great stress reliever!"

Ethan couldn't help but chuckle at Caleb’s attempt to lighten the mood, his obvious hinting at Ethan’s friendly relations with a certain Cat shifter. "I'll check them out later. Maybe they'll make Monday a little more bearable."

As Ethan bid his family goodbye and made his way towards the territory gate to meet Mikey and Sarah, he couldn't shake a feeling of unease that prickled at the back of his neck. The morning had started off so normal, but now an unexpected sense of dread crept over him.

Before he could process his thoughts, he was tackled from behind, a pair of strong arms wrapping around his torso and dragging him off the path. A hand clamped over his mouth, muffling any attempt to call out for help.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Heart pounding, Ethan struggled against his attacker, panic rising within him as he fought to break free. His mind raced with questions: Who was this assailant? Why were they attacking him? And where were they taking him?

Desperate for answers, Ethan wriggled and squirmed, attempting to free himself from the iron grip that held him captive. But his efforts proved futile as he was dragged further away from the safety of the territory gate, deeper into the shadows of the forest.

Fear clenched at his chest as he realized the severity of the situation. Whoever had ambushed him meant business, and Ethan knew he was in serious trouble. With his heart hammering in his chest, he braced himself for whatever lay ahead, praying that help would arrive soon.

As Ethan struggled to comprehend the sudden turn of events, a familiar voice cut through the chaos, sending a jolt of recognition through him. "Just keep quiet, Ethan. You'll be fine, I promise."

The voice was unmistakable, sending a wave of conflicting emotions crashing over him. Amaalie? Could it really be her? Despite the uncertainty, Ethan found himself unable to resist the calming reassurance in her words. With a nod of compliance, he allowed the mysterious assailant to guide him further into the depths of the familiar woods.

His mind raced with questions, his heart torn between relief at Amaalie's unexpected presence and apprehension at the circumstances surrounding their encounter. Why had she ambushed him? What did she want?

As they moved deeper into the forest, Ethan's senses remained on high alert, his every instinct urging him to stay vigilant. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when the situation was still shrouded in uncertainty.

As the mysterious figure led Ethan to the familiar spot in the woods, the tension in the air grew thicker with each step. When they finally reached their destination, the assailant released him, and Ethan wasted no time spinning around to confront his captor.

To his astonishment, standing before him was indeed Amaalie, but not in her usual panther form. Instead, she appeared in her human form, a sight that left Ethan momentarily breathless. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on her figure.

Amaalie's human form retained the same captivating aura that characterized her feline counterpart. She had an otherworldly beauty, with flowing dark hair that cascaded over her shoulders and framed a face adorned by emerald eyes that usually held a hint of mischief now serious. Her features were delicate yet held a subtle strength, and the moonlit glow seemed to accentuate the ethereal quality that surrounded her.

Dressed in clothes that seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows of the night, Amaalie exuded a quiet confidence. There was an undeniable grace to her movements, a fluidity that hinted at the same feline grace he had come to associate with her panther form.

Caught in the moment, Ethan found himself mesmerized by the sight before him. Amaalie's human form held a certain allure, a mysterious charm that added a layer of complexity to the already enigmatic creature he had known.

As he took in the details of her appearance, questions flooded his mind, demanding answers to the motives behind her actions.

Ethan's initial shock at seeing Amaalie in her human form quickly gave way to concern as her words sank in. "What the... Amaalie? Oh Goddess, I told you to be careful on Wolf territory. It's broad daylight!"

Amaalie's expression was grave as she met his gaze, her emerald eyes reflecting the seriousness of the situation. "I came to warn you, Ethan. The rogues. They're coming."