The first shot cracked through the air like thunder.
Alex flinched as sparks flew from the concrete near his feet. Panic surged through him, sharp and electric. The hunters moved with precision, spreading out, weapons raised. They weren't random civilians. They knew exactly what they were doing.
"Down!" Mara shouted.
Alex barely had time to react before she shoved him aside. Another shot rang out, followed by a flash of blue light that slammed into a nearby pillar. Symbols carved into the weapon glowed briefly before fading.
"That was for wolves," Alex breathed.
Rafe stepped forward calmly, his voice cutting through the chaos. "No killing unless necessary."
The words barely left his mouth before the packs moved.
Everything exploded into motion.
Alex watched as one of the wolves shifted mid-stride, bones reshaping, fur rippling across skin in a blur too fast for the human eye. Another vaulted over a hunter, knocking him to the ground with terrifying ease. The air filled with shouts, gunfire, and the sound of claws scraping concrete.
Alex froze.
Move, his instincts screamed. Fight or die.
A hunter spotted him.
"You!" the man barked, weapon snapping up.
Alex didn't think.
His body moved on its own.
He lunged forward faster than he ever had, slamming into the hunter before the trigger could be pulled. They crashed to the ground. The weapon skidded away, clattering against the wall.
Alex stared down at the man, chest heaving.
This was it.
The hunger surged.
His claws slid out with a painful, burning rush. His teeth felt sharper, his vision narrowing.
"Alex!" Mara's voice cut through his thoughts. "Control it!"
He clenched his jaw, forcing himself back. The hunter scrambled away, terror clear on his face.
Alex stumbled backward, shaking.
"I—I didn't mean—"
"You did exactly what you had to," Mara said, grabbing his shoulder. "And you stopped. That matters."
A deafening howl echoed through the underpass.
Rafe.
The sound rolled through the air like a command. The wolves regrouped instantly. The remaining hunters hesitated—then retreated, dragging their wounded with them.
Silence fell, broken only by heavy breathing and distant sirens.
Alex's legs gave out. He sank to the ground, staring at his hands as his claws slowly retracted.
He had fought.
And he hadn't lost himself.
Rafe approached, his gaze unreadable. "You held back," he said. "Most don't, the first time."
Alex looked up. "They'll come back."
Rafe nodded. "Yes. And now they know who you are."
Mara crouched beside him. "You crossed the line tonight. There's no going back."
Alex swallowed hard.
He felt it now—something solid forming inside him. Not fear. Not hunger.
Resolve.
The city had drawn blood.
And it wasn't finished with him yet.