LightReader

Chapter 12 - The Big Cats

In the heart of the dense Beacon Hill woods, an unsettling stillness blanketed the air. A fog crawled low along the ground, wrapping around the gnarled tree roots and hanging moss like a shroud. Unseen creatures stirred beneath the brush, but 10 big shadows remained at the center of the unease—a predatory force that hunted in the shadows. In recent nights, whispers of missing hikers had spread through nearby towns, each tale darker and more harrowing than the last. 

It was that chilling atmosphere that drew Scott, Stiles, and Allison to patrol the woods under the guise of a simple evening outing. Equipped with youthful courage and the unyielding instincts of their werewolf heritage, the trio felt a sense of duty to protect both their community and their secret. Encroachments into their territory were a threat they couldn't ignore, and the stories of missing persons hung heavily in the air that night.

The sun dipped beyond the horizon, casting long shadows that danced with each creak of the trees. Scott led the way, his senses heightened and alert. "Can you smell that?" he asked, pausing to sniff the air. A faint metallic scent hung beneath the earthy aroma of damp soil.

"Ugh, what is that?" Stiles wrinkled his nose, his instincts conflicted by the smell of decay. "I mean, I know we're supposed to be hunting a big, bad cat, but this is not what I signed up for. Did it eat the person or...?"

"Focus, Stiles!" Allison snapped, though a hint of amusement broke through her serious demeanor. "The scent is strong this way." 

Together, they pressed on, weaving through the lush underbrush until they reached a clearing. The moonlight illuminated jagged claw marks on the nearest tree, the glaring evidence of something more formidable than a typical woodland predator. Scott crouched, examining the ground where tufts of fur, dark and matted, were intermingled with blood. 

"Not just any cat," he remarked. "This feels like something supernatural."

"Great. Just what we need—another supernatural problem," Stiles said, still keeping close to Allison, who moved with an unwavering calmness despite the rising dread coiling in her stomach.

Allison was no stranger to danger; she'd faced enough challenges in her life to understand what was at stake but the thought of a lethal predator that could track humans made every hair on her body stand on end. "Let's keep moving," she urged. "We have to find out what we're dealing with before it strikes again."

They followed the trail deeper into the forest, keenly aware of their surroundings. As they journeyed forth, the sound of low growls reverberated through the trees. A shiver ran down Scott's spine. It was a sound at once hauntingly beautiful and spine-chilling—a melody of predation.

Suddenly, the growls intensified, shifting from distant echoes to a visceral proximity that couldn't be ignored. The beasts were near and they were hungry.

"Stay close," Scott commanded his voice a low growl that matched the creature's feral symphony. They formed a tight circle, their senses primed as they prepared for an encounter that could either mean salvation or their end.

Then it came into view. A massive creature, part cat and part something primal emerged from the thicket, then 9 more followed. They moved with an elegance and ferocity that belied their size, muscles rippling beneath fur that glowed a ghostly silver in the moonlight. Its eyes locked onto the trio with an unsettling intelligence; it was assessing them, choosing its prey.

A low, guttural roar erupted from the creature as it lunged, unleashing a wave of primal energy that sent a shiver of fear down their spines. "NOW!" Scott barked, channeling the unyielding power within him as he shifted into full werewolf form.

With the force of the change surging through him, Scott unleashed a blast of heat, igniting the air around him. Flames sprang to life at his fingertips, wrapping around him in a fierce halo that flickered in the darkness. 

Stiles, always more of the jokester, found within him the same fiery impulse. "I guess it's time for a barbecue, eh?" he quipped, channeling his flame abilities as he conjured a searing wall of fire between himself and the beast.

Allison, fierce and focused, drew on her training. Her senses heightened by the adrenaline rush, she pulled an arrow from her quiver, its tip glowing with the light of the flames surrounding her friends. "We can't let them get away!" she yelled, steadying her breath as she aimed.

The beasts, momentarily halted by the sudden barrier of flame, hissed, revealing elongated fangs that glistened with saliva. With a swift kick of its hind legs, it bounded forward, leaping over the small wall of fire to target Scott, who was closest. 

In a brilliant flash, Scott sidestepped, summoning fire into his palm as he thrust it toward the nearest beast. The flames danced toward the creature, but it wove to the side with an agility that was too dangerous to comprehend. Suddenly, ten supernatural cats, fierce and cunning, emerged from the shadows, their eyes glinting with malice as they prepared to attack.

"ALISON, WATCH OUT!" Stiles shouted as one of the cats lunged for her. It was too late. In the blink of an eye, the creature was on her, claws swiping just inches from making contact. Through sheer instinct, Allison pivoted and launched her fiery arrow toward its eyes. The arrow struck true, bursting into flames upon impact and forcing the creature to momentarily retreat with a deafening roar.

"Nice shot!" Scott called out, his heart racing. "Keep them distracted!"

With the horde of ten cats surrounding them, Stiles unleashed wave after wave of fire, attempting to box them in and force them deeper into the woods. The flames lit up the trees, casting an eerie glow on the chaotic scene. But these creatures were not easy prey; they fought back ferociously, their movements a blur as they darted in and out of the inferno.

As the fight raged on, claws scraped against tree trunks while tempests of flame crackled through the air, creating a spectacle of shadows and fire. Scott felt the rush of power surging through him. They were no longer just fighting for survival; they were fighting for their lives, their friendship, and the people they loved back home.

The beasts let out guttural snarls as they charged, their eyes fixed on Scott, who stood his ground amidst the chaos. The air around him shimmered with flames, his aura brimming with energy and conviction. "Let's end this!" he yelled.

Scott launched himself forward, fire lashing out around him with every stride while Stiles and Allison flanked him, forming a triangle of blazing defense. They worked together, their flames intertwining in a beautiful yet savage display against the encroaching darkness. At that moment, they were not merely three friends; they were a united force against the overwhelming odds.

As the first cat lunged toward Scott, he was ready. He met the creature head-on, and in a whirlwind of fire and fury, he sank his claws into the beast's side, feeling the raw power coursing through him as it fell under his fierce grip. With a surge of energy, Scott absorbed the creature's essence, its strength melding with his own.

Stiles followed suit, taking down another beast with a flick of his wrist, the flames erupting in a brilliant blaze as he felt the vitality of the creature flow through him. "This is surprisingly invigorating!" he shouted, his confidence growing. Allison, with a fierce determination, unleashed her claws, striking another cat squarely between the eyes.

The energy crackled as she absorbed the magical essence of the fallen beast, feeling a burning rush fill her veins. "We can do this!" she called out, her heart racing with newfound power. One by one, they fought the magnificent beasts, each clash fueling their strength. With each fallen creature, Scott, Stiles, and Allison grew more powerful, their abilities sharpening and amplifying.

The forest became a battleground of fire and ferocity, where the trio, bonded by their struggle, stood unyieldingly against the supernatural threat. As the last beast fell, the air crackled with energy. The moonlight flickered, revealing the trio now more potent than ever, their senses heightened, their bodies crackling with the absorbed strength of the vanquished predators.

They felt invincible, united in their cause, standing tall amidst the aftermath of the fierce battle. "Let's head back," Scott said, panting but triumphant, "We can protect our town, together. And with this power, we're ready for whatever comes next." With that, they made their way back through the dense woods, their hearts racing and a newfound confidence swelling within them as they embraced their bond, their heritage, and the incredible strength they had claimed for themselves. 

The end. Thanks for all the support

60 power stones for the bonus chapter.

More Chapters