The Curse Of Black Hollow Pack

s of t

ountains, painting the mist

ces of his transformation clung to him - mud streaked across his skin, blood under

the night - the forest

the f

rrifie

m where he knelt, staring at his reflection in the rippling surface. For a long momen

ing as it hit him like knives. "Get a grip, Ai

he wasn't sure h

of sagging, but with a few forgotten clothes inside. He pulled o

ered from behind cracked windows, their fear thick enough to taste. News of the murd

the station, Chief Mar

" the chief said, his

ght," Aide

after midnight, and now..." Marlowe slid a photo across the desk - anoth

t tightened.

re lying," Marlowe interrupted. His voice was low but

into fists. "You thi

owe said softly. "You look... different. Pa

's voice cracke

t before sighing. "You need to tell me

ng - the attack, the curse, the transformation -

ut," he said final

ead. "Trust doesn't

picion pressing down on him. The pendant he'd found in the woods la

ds in his head: The curse doesn't choo

buzzed. Unk

wered.

calm, familiar. "You shouldn't

u're the last person

only one who can

t need y

pack knows who you are

tightened. "L

re just a man with a badge? The hunter does

ld reply, the

the phone, pul

e - a soft thud, followed by t

. He grabbed his gun, moving

the glass - large, quick. Th

ol

d react. Glass exploded inward. Aiden hit the floor as

e beast's shoulder. It staggered, snarling

d it across its head. Electricity sparked, and th

d, two more wolves cra

t the wall, heart ha

, then,"

y didn't

ng through the air, like thunder in their thro

dered. Eyes burnin

e A

heavy, electric, commanding. He wore no shirt, only a nec

aid, voice deep and rumbling. "

n. "You're not going

. "You're brave.

dare talk

closer. "Because he was one of us. He wa

se raced. "Y

," the Alpha sai

oss the room, the next, his hand wrapped aro

e," the Alpha growled. "You are

e Aiden snapped - not

ength, shoving the Alpha back. His e

not

n the jaw. The sound echoed th

instinct, half man, half beast. He fought like something ancient, pri

his knife, then kicked the Alpha hard en

rickled from his mouth. "Yes. Ther

Alpha and his wolves vanished into mist - fa

covered in blood and d

sirens were al

back, disappearing into the woods just a

Lyra waiting for him

like hell

have n

nd had healed completely - smooth s

d quietly. "Your body'

n't wa

ith something like p

through his hair. "That Alpha -

the curse. To destroy the magic that binds the Hollow. But bet

asked. "What am I

what he

, you'll have to embrace what you are. The curse isn't just a pu

re saying I have to become the t

times the only way to destroy

se around them, car

"They're moving again. The Alpha won'

e mist, his mind a storm

osing," he sa

. "Then the moon wi

town, drawn by the scent of something familiar - blood. H

torn open, still breathing shallowly. Her e

e..." sh

but the scent of blood hit him like ligh

inside h

ed, clutching his

urge was unbearable - the hunger crawling up hi

ed back, fi

tly in his memory: You can con

an again. With trembling hands, he tore hi

muttered. "You're

n the distance -

Only a blood-soaked piece of flannel remaine

e on the ridge overlooking the valley. His breath came o

elow was qu

the war between what he wa

ared from the shadows,

ed her,"

most d

ing the edge between man and monster. Stay bala

r, the night wind in hi

t, knowing smile. "Welcome

- two forces of the same curse, bound by blood and fate, ready f