Dusk descended.
As the Capital's main urban area lit up with dazzling neon lights, the nightlife was just beginning. Groups of friends headed to bars and party to unwind, while others flocked to barbecue restaurants to satisfy their hunger and cravings.
On both sides of the street, the lights in the shops were as bright as daylight, and people came and went, a scene of prosperity and peace.
In a remote area away from the city center, the buildings were old and worn, streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, and pedestrians were sparse, with only the faint light of the lamps illuminating the way.
Suddenly, sounds of biting and growling came from a side alley, which subsided after a few seconds.
Then came a voice, accented and impatient.
"Tie its mouth shut! It's so noisy. Yes! Bind it tightly!"
"It's trash like you that's holding up my business! Might as well kick it to death; look at the mess!"
"Everyone, hold the line! Don't let these little punks enter the city!"
"We're having an easier time here; I wonder how Alpha is doing."
"It's because we're married with partners that Alpha didn't allow us to be on the front lines."
Meanwhile.
Deep within the forest, it felt as though one had entered a pitch-black cave. The woods were no longer silent; the fierce, piercing howls of werewolves shattered the stillness.
About a dozen foul-smelling fallen werewolves ran for their lives.
Leading the pack was a massive werewolf, as dark as the night itself, weaving effortlessly through the dense trees. Its sharp claws dug and scraped against the leaf-strewn ground, leaving behind a series of uneven craters.
"Awooooo—"
Scatter! Surround them!
The massive werewolf let out a low growl, then charged to the front, leaping between trees, leaving claw marks in his wake.
In just a few moments, he caught up with the pack of fallen werewolves. Leaping down from the trees, he landed on all fours, facing the fallen wolves, baring his teeth in a fierce snarl. The display was both threatening and terrifying, emanating an overwhelming sense of power.
His pure wolf form was enormous, like a yak from Snow Mountain, taller than a standing human.
A fallen werewolf that met his gaze yelped in fear and tucked its tail.
Soon after, the other werewolves surrounded them on all sides.
Among the trapped fallen werewolves, one of the larger ones stared fixedly at Roderick.
"Awooo—"
Roderick! You meddle too much! We have no grudge against you!
"Awooo— Awoo—"
"What we do to pure humans is none of your business!! They are my prey. Survival of the fittest! You are stopping me from hunting! You're a traitor; we are the same species!"
The giant black wolf's eyes glowed a faint green, exuding utter indifference. He let out a low growl, full of mockery and disdain.
"Despicable fallen beasts, who is of the same species as you?"
Amidst the strong smell of blood, one fallen werewolf after another fell.
As the number of fallen werewolves dwindled, the wolf pack, who hadn't rested in a long time, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Awoo! Awoo awooo!!"
Alpha Roderick! There are only a few left.
When there were no fallen werewolves left in the forest, all the wolves threw their heads back and howled in celebration.
The werewolves of Luna Palace heard their pack's howls and understood, leaping and running around the residence in great joy.
Black had also been guarding Luna Palace He dashed up the stairs and knocked on Catriona's door.
"Catriona! We did it! We won!"
Upon hearing this news, Catriona let out a huge sigh of relief. Her little cub stood beside her, looking up at Black. "Is Dad coming back?"
Black grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. "Yes! Do you miss your father?"
The small cub tried to keep a straight face, appearing somewhat shy but not wanting to show it. He pursed his lips and mumbled, "Just a little."
Catriona gently stroked her son's soft black hair, her gaze filled with affection. "Just a little, huh?"
Just then, a low howl echoed from outside the gates of Luna Palace.
"Awooo, awoo—"
"We're back!"
"Awoo—"
"There are injured needing treatment."
Black's eyes widened. "They're back so soon? I'll go check it out first!"
With that, he turned and dashed downstairs, followed by other werewolves running out.
As soon as they exited the residential area, they saw fully armed humans with guns lined up, their barrels pointed outward.
Outside the gates, nearly twenty werewolves had transformed back into their human forms. Each of them bore wounds, looking as though they had just emerged from the water, drenched and utterly disheveled.
Water could wash away a large portion of scent.
A man in a white T-shirt, with a full beard, tiredly scratched his head.
"We're the injured; Alpha Roderick sent us back early."
"Alpha Roderick will be back soon too. Don't worry, we were victorious."
Black looked at the unfamiliar faces without suspicion; Alpha Roderick had hundreds of followers, so it was common not to know many of them.
He was only familiar with the few werewolves at Luna Palace. It was normal for him not to know those scattered throughout Capital.
Those werewolves usually lived quietly and only appeared when needed.
He sniffed the air, smelling only the damp and bloody scent on the werewolves.
"I haven't been back in days. Just saying hello. Call us if you need us in the future. Goodbye."
As he finished speaking, the group of wet werewolves turned to leave.
Bruce, wagging his tail with emotion, opened the gate and said, "Bro, you've worked hard and must be hungry. Come in to heal and eat."
"Exactly!" Black stepped forward, grabbing a werewolf in each hand, saying gruffly, "Don't forget we're one pack. Why leave? Eat first, then go!"
"Then thank you, bros."
Lightblaze glanced at the soaking wet werewolves. "Did you all fall into the river?"
"Don't even mention it. We nearly drowned chasing those fallen werewolves."
Lightblaze's eyes showed admiration. "Bros, you've been through a lot!"
As they passed the armed humans, Lightblaze explained, "They're part of our pack; it's fine."
The man in the soaked white shirt let his gaze linger on the dark gun barrels for a moment. "Alpha Roderick must really love his mate to have gathered so many humans for help."
Black replied, "Of course! Our Luna is beautiful and gentle; Alpha Roderick can't even take his eyes off her at dinner."
The man in the white shirt's eyes darkened slightly. "Is that so? That's nice."
The lights of Luna Palace shone brightly as the night breeze blew, and the werewolves from Luna Palace led the group toward the residential area.
Draven was coming up from the deep ice chamber below, having fetched the cold spring water for the little one, and saw the scene as soon as he stepped onto the ground.
He observed the pack in the distance. The Blacks leading the way seemed unaware that the werewolves trailing behind walked awkwardly, their necks twisting in a distorted manner, resembling zombies desperately trying to pass as normal humans.
Draven frowned, ready to take a deep sniff to discern their scent, only to find that they were soaked to the skin.
Immediately, his expression darkened!
"Freeze!!"
He shoved the cold spring water into his pocket and charged forward in a few large strides. As he ran, his body transformed.
With wolf ears, claws, and a tail, he transformed completely as he ran, becoming a massive pure brown wolf. On his wolfish face, a prominent scar crinkled, telling tales of battles fought and survived.
Black hadn't reacted yet when he saw the group of wet werewolves all howling, transforming into their pure wolf forms—ugly, with patches of missing fur, and reeking of a foul stench.
"Holy crap!! They're fallen lone werewolves!"
"We've been tricked!"
"Don't let them into the main residence!!"
The human's silenced guns fired with muffled pops, and one by one, the fallen werewolves fell. The sound of wolves snarling and biting filled the air, and chaos broke out.
A human watched the pack of wolves tearing into their target, stepping back with a gun in hand. "I can't tell anymore... I just accidentally shot one..."
Black, enraged by the betrayal, went berserk, tearing into anything in his path.
But only ten wolves remained in Luna Palace, while over twenty fallen werewolves attacked with the intent to fight to the death. They went wild, clawing and biting as they surged toward the main residence.
The wolf pack scattered, with some leaping through windows and growling as they charged up to the second floor.
Lightblaze felt his scalp prickle in alarm.
Catriona and the cub!!
This was their true aim!
A massive pure brown wolf burst through the shattered window, biting down on a fallen werewolf's neck and violently tossing him down from the second floor.
The elegant chandelier came crashing down with a thunderous crash, sending shards flying everywhere.
