Riot

The howling was loud. People shut their windows for fear.

James, Andrew, Lucas, Julia, Andrea, and Teresa were in the forest waiting for their own army. Tonight, they had planned to snatch Tom out of his drinking and gambling hole but Tom and his buddies were quick to detect what was likely to take place. They changed into their beastly form dangerous enough to engage—their venomous canines glaring in the dark—they howled louder, sending signals and telling their enemies that they were up for the fight. The army of Apollo fought hard to subdue Tom and his company, but the enemy was strong. They retreated to the forest where John and Nenita's friends waited. Tom and his friends pursued them until finally, they came face to face.

Looking at each other, Apollo was the first to ask. "Why?" his eyes dark and red—he and the rest, they were ready to avenge John and Nenita's death. "Blood for blood," said Apollo.

"You are mistaken," Tom defended himself.

"You selfish, dishonorable wolf. You have the gut to make an excuse and the face to show up," Lucas jumped at Tom, his sharp claws coming out. The latter was wounded on his belly as they both lunged and Lucas reached him ahead. Tom would not relent and the rest of his gangs lunged at Apollo and his friends; both sides aggressive.

That night, Isabella realized that she was alone in her bed. She had wondered where nanny Teresa was. She looked at the clock; it was past midnight. "Hmm…" she thought she knew. She ran fast outside to look for her and when she couldn't find her around, she ran deep into the wilds. There— were the packs of wolves killing each other.

It surprised her that her father and mother's friends were all there. She could recognize them even as they were in their animal form. There were sharp exchanges of claws. Some were already wounded. Isabella's adrenalin rush gushed forth. Suddenly, she was staring straight at the enemies, not moving—her eyes flashed. To everybody's surprise, the enemies were falling down, one by one. Apollo, Lucas, and the rest were astounded. Aunt Teresa was not surprised at all. Uncle Tom and those remaining retreated, too scared of Isabella.

When all the enemies were gone, Isabella told Apollo and friends that she was personally touched by what Uncle Lucas and their friends did—that they were ready to die for her father and mother. She and Aunt Teresa thanked them. From that time on, all that she wanted was to be brave, like them.