Special Containment

Jayden blinked, completely speechless. He was still trying to process his identity as a werewolf. And now, suddenly, he wasn't the only one.

Strangely, he wasn't even thinking about how this same woman had given him the worst beatdown of his life just minutes ago. He should be cautious… angry even. But he wasn't. Something inside him, instinctual.. was holding him back. Something that didn't let him see Miss Kate as a threat.

It almost felt like… he trusted her.

"How?" Jayden finally asked, his voice low. "How are you… a werewolve?"

Miss Kate chuckled. "Um… let's see. My father was a werewolf, so… here I am."

Jayden's eyes widened. "Wait, does that mean the principal...?"

"No," she interrupted sharply. "He's human. Brother to my mum. She was also human."

Jayden nodded slowly, trying to keep up. He had more questions.. too many, but before he could get the next one out, Miss Kate raised a hand.

"I know what you're trying to ask," she said with a slight grin. "And I believe you've already read it multiple times in your mythological lores and stories."

Jayden's eyes widened further. "You don't mean…?"

Miss Kate nodded. "Yes. The story of Lycaon is true. And we are his… wolflings," she chuckled.

Jayden sat back slightly, his mind spiraling. That bedtime story, his mother's favorite to tell him as a child.. was real. All of it.

"But…"

"Hold up," Miss Kate cut in. "I know you've got tons of questions, but there's no time to explain them all right now. Since you already know what you are, I'm guessing you already know what would happen tonight, yes?"

Jayden sighed. "So it's true? It's really going to happen?"

Miss Kate nodded, her expression tightening. "Yes. Tonight is the full moon. And since you only just activated the curse, you'll undergo a forced transformation into a lycan… and you won't be sane. Your primal instincts will take full control."

Jayden swallowed hard. His throat felt dry, but he wasn't surprised. He had sensed this.

"But don't worry," Miss Kate added. "This will only happen once. After tonight, the full moon won't force your transformation anymore."

Jayden's face lit up a little. "Really? I won't transform again after tonight?"

Miss Kate chuckled. "Well, you still can. If you want to. But the moon won't force the transformation, and it would be less painful. You just have to get through this night," she stated

Painful?" Jayden echoed.

"Yes," she said plainly. "Your first transformation into a lycan will be long and extremely painful. But after the pain… you'll feel like a newborn. A free creature."

Jayden snorted a laugh. Pain wasn't something that scared him anymore. Not after what he'd endured... from the beast integration to the partial transformation into a Wolverine Stalker. If he could survive that, he could survive anything… right?

Then a thought clicked into place.

"That day we walked back to class from the principal's office," he murmured. "Is that why you told me those things?"

Miss Kate nodded. "Yes, it is. In that moment, you'll need to breathe. Think of something you love… or hate. It'll distract you from the pain."

Jayden nodded slowly. He got it. But another question had been bothering him for a while now.

"Are there more like us?" he asked. "And… how did you know my mother?"

Miss Kate leaned back, exhaling through her nose. "Well, currently on this planet… it's just you and me. That's all you need to know."

Jayden raised a brow. This planet?

"And as for your mum…" Miss Kate paused, then smiled sadly. "She was my mentor."

Jayden's breath caught. That explained so much. But the mention of his mother caused his expression to darken. That pain never truly left.

Miss Kate stood and approached him. Then—without warning—she hugged him. "I'm sorry about what happened, Jayden. And I blame myself every day for not being able to stop it. I'm truly sorry."

Jayden nodded, wiping the single tear escaping his eye as she pulled away. "Thanks. But I'm still confused about something."

"What's that?"

"If my mother was your mentor," Jayden said with a pout, "then why did you beat me up for no reason earlier? And why were you like a whole different person while doing it?"

Miss Kate chuckled dryly. "Oh, I didn't mean to go that far. I just… got carried away in the moment. But I'm fine now."

Jayden gawked. "Is that all you have to say? That you're fine?"

Miss Kate shrugged. "What else do you want me to say?"

"I don't know... maybe something like 'Sorry for throwing me across the room twice, bashing my head into the ground seven times, and carving my face with claws?'" Jayden said, visibly annoyed.

"You needed that pain to control yourself," Miss Kate said calmly. "And I gave it to you. You should be thanking me. I saw how you were acting at the hall. You needed to feel pain to minimize your rage and suppress those heightened senses. And it worked."

Jayden blinked in realization. He was… calm. Completely calm. His heightened hearing, vision, and smell were normal. The maddening rage was... Gone.

"But… how?" he asked. "I've been stabbing my own palms all day but nothing worked."

"Pain caused by someone else is more effective," Miss Kate explained. "And it wasn't just the beating. The growl you heard helped too."

"That growl… why did I suddenly feel loyal to you after that?" Jayden asked, his voice softer.

"That was an Elder Call," she replied. "It's like an Alpha Howl, but more specific. It only works if the person is younger… and connected to the one who calls."

Jayden narrowed his eyes. "We're connected?"

Miss Kate didn't answer. Instead, she stood up, her tone sharpening. "We don't have time for questions. The full moon is almost here."

Jayden frowned. "I thought the pain already cured the senses and rage."

"That was temporary," she said. "It'll all come rushing back soon, worse than before. You'll get unstable and aggressive. Until you lose control completely."

Jayden took a breath, already picturing the worst.

"You haven't planned for tonight, have you?" Miss Kate asked, raising a brow.

"I just found out I'm a werewolf today," Jayden muttered.

Miss Kate blinked. "Huh? But... you could already use the partial lupine form. How?" she asked

Jayden smiled wrly. "It happened some days ago when I almost got killed by a beast. My rage reached it's peak and I suddenly transformed... but I lost control," he stated

Miss Kate placed her hands on her chin. "Hmm, that's impressive. But today, you seemed to be in control when using the form,"

Jayden exhaled. "Yeah, I guess. I still don't understand how it works. Maybe you've got a 'How to Be a Werewolf' handbook lying around?"

Miss Kate sighed. "Now's not the time for jokes. The day's almost over and you've got a lot to learn."

Jayden's smile dropped. "Maybe we'd have more time if you'd told me this stuff earlier. You knew what I was. But you never told me anything about it, until today. And that makes me suspicious, but because of the Elder call or whatever. I can't seem to not trust you,"

Miss Kate took a deep breath and sat back in her chair. "Look, Jayden. I know how you feel, and it's why I decided to help you in the first place,"

Jayden frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"What I'm saying is, I'm a werewolf like you," Miss Kate replied. "But I wasn't supposed to interfere with your life. I'm not supposed to help you or even tell you anything like I'm doing now,"

Jayden furrowed his brows. "Why? I thought wolves moved as a pack and help each other out,"

Miss Kate sighed. "I thought so too, but he didn't. He claimed that you needed to grow on your own without the help of anyone. It's why he's only been interfering in irrelevant ways," she said

Jayden was confused. "He?"

Miss Kate nodded. "Yes, I'm sure the principal already told you about him,"

"Oh," Jayden muttered, he already knew who Miss Kate was talking about. It was the same person that the principal claimed had been watching over Jayden since he was a child.

"So you work for him too?" he asked

Miss Kate shook her head. "Not exactly, I'm here only for myself. You just happened to be a student in the school I chose to work. But for some personal reasons, I still have to oblige to his request of not interfering,"

Jayden scoffed. "So what changed? Why did you decide to reveal yourself to me?"

Miss Kate smiled. "Let's just say, I wanted to prove some people wrong. And frankly, I might be punished for this. But as long as I get to help you, I don't care,"

Jayden didn't know to say, he didn't know know that Miss Kate was risking a lot just by talking to him about these things. It made him grateful and respect her even more.

"Anyway, so now you understand why I had to beat you up first," she chuckled with an apologetic smile. "But don't worry, I promise to tell you everything you want to know after you have survived the full moon. For now, there's no time to waste,"

Jayden nodded, he felt he could trust Miss Kate a little. And it wasn't just because of the Elder call. It was also because he could truly feel some kind of warm connection to her. A familiar connection.

"All right, but first. I just want to be sure of one thing," he said. "My mother... was she a powerful lycan?"

Miss Kate smiled. "If she wasn't, then I wouldn't be able to call her my mentor. Would I?"

Jayden shook his head and smiled, he had asked that question for a specific reason. He had some sort of conspiracy theory concerning how his mother had died.

"Hm, that agent says mum was shot with some sort of silver bullet," Jayden pondered inwardly. "But... "

"Hey!" Miss Kate snapped Jayden out of his thoughts. "Are you with me?"

Jayden nodded quickly. "Yes, Miss Kate."

Miss Kate tilted her head. "You can call me big sis. Or aunt, if you want."

Jayden blinked, then shook his head instantly. "No, thank you. I'm good with 'Miss.'"

Miss Kate shrugged. "Suit yourself."

"Tonight," she said, crossing her arms again, "You will transform. And you won't be in control. You'll become dangerous… and vulnerable."

Jayden raised a brow. "Vulnerable?"

She nodded. "You'll be strong, yes. But your mind will be gone. That means no strategy. No restraint. If the EVA finds you… you'll be captured. Or worse."

Jayden nodded as he followed along with Miss Kate's explanation, he had failed to realize the dangers of being an unintelligent beast. He could be easily outsmarted and killed of like any ordinary Beast.

"Anyway, to prevent both you and other innocent people from getting hurt. The best intervention is that you stay locked up throughout the phase. Because the chances of you killing people is higher than the chances of you being killed," Miss Kate stated.

Jayden sighed, he had already planned to go deep into the forest during the whole phase. But thinking more about it, he realized it wasn't a good idea. Kate's idea was more effective.

"But would there be a place strong enough to hold me?" he asked

Miss Kate chuckled. "Of course, you're not the first werewolf to go through a first-time lycan transformation," she muttered with a sly smile

Jayden raised a brow. "You were also locked up on your first transformation?"

Miss Kate nodded. "Yes, I was. And because of that, no one got hurt. It's why I took it upon myself to make sure it stays that way with you as well. Besides, you roaming about the city as a wolf-man hybrid would not sit well with the EVA.. and the masses. The world doesn't need to know about the existence of shapeshifters, not yet. Probably not ever,"

Jayden frowned, remembering how the EVA had taken his mother's body probably for experiments. The thought of it made his blood boil.

"Okay, so is there a place I would be locked up in. Or do we have to search for one?" he asked

Miss Kate exhaled. "There is a place you can use, it's like a small containment space.. located in the Manhattan woods. It's the same one that was built for me years ago. But you'll have to go there and know it's location before nightfall,"

Jayden nodded. "All right, I should probably head there now. It's evening already," he muttered and stood up

"Change first," Miss Kate said, pointing to the private bathroom. "There's a clean tracksuit in there. Can't have you leaving my office looking like roadkill."

Jayden looked down at himself and sighed. "Gee, I wonder whose fault that is."

Miss Kate raised a brow. "Are you implying something, Jayden?" she asked with an innocent expression, while holding her hand out. Claws already protruding from her fingers.

Jayden quickly shook his head with a wry smile. "Not at all, Miss Kate. I was just wondering if it's okay that I wear your clothes," he muttered

Miss Kate shrugged. "I don't mind, I've only worn it once. And besides, you shouldn't be disturbed. We're family, so it's okay,"

Jayden blinked. "Family?" he asked, but Miss Kate didn't reply. This caused Jayden to frown, it was the second time she was avoiding a question on the topic. It made Jayden suspicious, but he disregarded it as something similar to the relationship between members of a normal wolf pack.

Miss Kate leaned in chair and began scrolling on her holo tab, completely dismissing Jayden. He sighed and dragged his feet to the bathroom.

After a few minutes, Jayden came out of the bathroom, already cleaned up and wearing a red tracksuit. And Miss Kate seemed to be waiting for him already, as she stood impatiently by her desk, crossing her arms and tapping her feet.

Jayden approached her but seeing the stern look on her face, he halted.

"You're late," Miss Kate scolded. "What were you doing in there? Meditating?"

Jayden was at a loss of words, he didn't even understand what was happening. He had only been in the bathroom for three minutes, and yet he was being scolded. What an unjust world. No, what an unjust woman.

"Do you have your mobile device with you?" she asked

Jayden shook his head.

Miss Kate tossed him a small black walkie-talkie. "Use that to contact me when you reach the woods. The exact location is hidden, so I'll guide you."

Jayden nodded. "Got it." he muttered and began walking out of the room

"Oh, and Jayden?" she called out as he opened the door. He turned back to face her.

"Try not to get really angry before the moon rises. Because if you do… and lose control… there's no stopping what happens next."

Jayden exhaled. "I understand."

And with that, he left the office… and then the school.

The city was alive.. hover cars flying overhead, lights glowing, streets buzzing. Jayden jogged across the sidewalks. He had decided to use his legs to get to the place, so as to complete a part of his daily quest.

Jayden jogged along the quiet edge of the city, the glow of the skyline fading behind him as he crossed the long bridge leading toward the Manhattan outskirts. It was a 6-mile stretch from the school, but after the massive boost in stats he'd received earlier, it didn't feel like a struggle. Not even close.

His body moved like a machine... smooth, precise, untiring. His steps were light, his breath steady. No stitch in his side. No fatigue. Just the steady rhythm of his feet hitting the pavement and the occasional whoosh of wind brushing past his ears.

[Run a total of 7km] (Complete)

The notification pinged across his vision just as he entered the dense woods. Jayden smirked and slowed to a walk, catching his breath. "Too easy," he muttered.

He reached for the walkie-talkie clipped to the waistband of his tracksuit and pressed the button. "Miss Kate, I'm here. Where do I go?"

Her voice crackled through the static, crisp and unbothered. "Keep heading north. Look for a rocky hill with a big oak tree leaning sideways. The entrance is right behind it.. disguised, so stay sharp."

Jayden did as instructed, weaving his way through thick underbrush and navigating around tree trunks and roots. Soon, he spotted the tilted oak tree she mentioned, its twisted limbs bent like old arms pointing toward the sky.

Just behind it, nestled into the base of a rocky hill, was a curious sight: a moss-covered cave mouth, half-hidden by vines and dense shrubbery. It looked like a natural cavern at first glance, but something was off. Jayden stepped closer, brushed aside the foliage.. and there it was.

A metallic door.

Its frame was built into the cave wall, covered in decades of dust, leaves, and grime. It didn't look like it belonged in the middle of a forest. It was advanced. Secret. Almost sacred.

"I found it," he said into the device.

Miss Kate's voice returned. "Good. There's a hidden panel on the right side. Brush off the moss. Enter code 2-9-5-7."

Jayden did just that. The moss peeled away easily, revealing a small keypad embedded into the rock. He typed the code.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Hisssss.

The door released with a gentle hiss, sliding inward and splitting apart like petals of steel. A blue glow spilled out into the forest, lighting up the night around him.

Jayden stepped inside, and his jaw parted slightly.

"Whoa…"

The interior looked nothing like the outside. It was sleek, cold, and futuristic, like a hidden test facility buried beneath the Earth. The walls shimmered with embedded lights, and thin neon-blue veins traced across the floor and ceiling like the circuitry of a machine. A low hum vibrated through the air, and in the corners, small panels pulsed with rhythmic glows.

But the walls… the walls were scarred.

Deep, jagged claw marks ran across the concrete, slashes that looked like they were made by something wild. Something desperate.

Jayden looked around again at the claw marks, the dents, the broken panel in the corner.

"Damn," he muttered. "Was all that from you?"

"Well, it wasn't exactly me in my right senses," Miss Kate giggled. "But yes, it was me alright... When I was going through the transformation. Worst night of my life,"

Jayden chuckled wrly. "Now you're just making me scared," he muttered, gazing through the other noticeable features of the container.

His eyes darted across the room... And there were the chains.

Jayden's gaze was drawn to the centerpiece of the room: an array of restraints set against the far wall. Thick silver shackles hung from reinforced hooks. One for each wrist. One for the waist. The neck. The ankles. All bolted into the wall with brutal precision. The cuffs themselves gleamed with a metallic sheen… unnaturally so.

Jayden approached, curiosity outweighing caution. He crouched, reached out, and brushed his fingers against the nearest cuff.

Sssssszzzt!

"Agh!" he yelped, recoiling immediately. A thin wisp of smoke rose from his palm.

"Pfft—Hahahaha!" Miss Kate's laugh burst through the walkie-talkie. "Oh, right. Forgot to warn you. Don't touch the cuffs."

Jayden gritted his teeth and hissed in pain, shaking his hand. "What the hell was that?"

"They're made of silver and laced with wolfsbane," she said casually, still amused. "Both are pretty toxic to our kind. That burn is just a sample. Try wearing them during a full transformation... it'll feel like your whole body's on fire. Keeps us nice and docile."

Jayden muttered under his breath, "So the articles were right about wolfsbane, afterall. But do I really have to wear these? They burn... a lot,"

"Don't complain. They've saved lives," Miss Kate said, her tone shifting to something more serious. "Without those restraints, you'd be tearing through buildings before midnight. You've seen what you can do even when half transformed."

Jayden sighed. "All right, fine. But I have a question... Silver, can it kill us werewolves?"

Miss Kate exhaled through the device. "Not exactly. Just like wolfsbane, it causes a burning sensation and can sometimes slow down our healing factor,"

Jayden placed his hand on his chin. "Hmm, so what if it's incorporated as a kind of bullet or blade? Can it kill a werewolf then?"

Miss Kate sighed. "Oh, dear. Jayden, is this about your mum?"

Jayden frowned. "So, you knew how she was killed?"

"Yes, I did," Miss Kate replied. "And yes, she wasn't supposed to die from an ordinary mercury bullet. But it's... complicated than that,"

Jayden furrowed his brows. "How so? I want to know,"

Miss Kate exhaled sharply. "Jayden, we don't have time for this. I already promised to tell you everything you want to know, didn't I? So, for now. Forget about this, and focus on what is at hand. Understood?" she said in a stern, almost commanding tone.

Due to Elder's call, Jayden could not refute Miss Kate's 'request'.

"Understood," he muttered in defeat

Miss Kate sighed. "Good,"

Jayden stood in silence for a moment, eyes drifting to the ceiling as it flickered with a soft blue light.

"Anything else I should know?" he asked.

"Yeah. A few things," Miss Kate said, her voice firm now. "First, when it starts, you'll feel it in your chest. Like your ribs are trying to break outward. It'll start slow… but once the pain hits full throttle, there's no stopping it."

Jayden nodded slowly, listening carefully.

"Second... your mind will fade. You won't remember much from tonight. Only flashes. Instincts. Rage. Hunger."

"And third," she continued, her voice lowering, "if for any reason you break free, do not head for the city. Go deep. Deeper into the forest. Run until your legs give out. The further you are from people, the better."

Jayden clenched his jaw. He could already feel the weight of night pressing in.

"Got it," he muttered.

"Good. I'll also be there later to keep an eye on you," Miss Kate said. "Now get out of there and set whatever other preparations you have before the full moon,"

Jayden nodded, rubbing his scorched palm. "Copy that."

He turned, walked out of the container, and let the metal door seal shut behind him with another soft hiss.

The woods were dimmer now, touched with orange as the sun began to dip beneath the horizon.

Jayden walked over to the nearest tall tree, a massive oak with a thick, uneven trunk. He stared at it for a second, rolled his shoulders, cracked his knuckles, and grinned.

"All right. Time to finish that climbing quest," he muttered.