Chapter 10

The Hunters' Siege

As Evelyn and the renegade werewolf got closer to the ancient temple, its crumbling stone façade half-swallowed by the growing Blackpine woodland foliage, the woodland appeared to hold its breath. The air buzzed with an uncanny silence, and the vines hung like the hands of forgotten souls. As they got closer, Evelyn's pulse accelerated and the artifact's tug intensified.

With its snout twitching, the rogue werewolf that had been moving forward suddenly stopped. 

It snarled in a deep, piercing voice, "We're not alone."

With her heart racing, Evelyn gripped the silver dagger tighter. "The hunters," she whispered. It wasn't a question. She could feel the tension in the air, like the calm before a storm.

They barely reached the temple's steps before the first arrow flew.

Evelyn ducked instinctively as the rogue leaped forward, snarling, to intercept the projectile. 

The silver point of the arrow, shining in the low light, struck a tree behind her. The hunters, four of them in black, their faces hidden by hoods, stepped out of the darkness. Their weapons, which included swords, crossbows, and knives, gleamed with the icy gleam of silver and were all made with the sole intent of killing animals like her.

One of the hunters yelled, "Don't let them get to the temple!" in a stern command.

A second arrow whizzed past Evelyn before she could react. With a roar, the renegade werewolf slammed its enormous body into the closest hunter. Fangs on steel, growls against yelled orders—the clash was swift and vicious.

Evelyn's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as she flattened herself against the temple wall. Her hands trembled as she gripped the silver dagger; she was no warrior. 

It was no accident that the hunters were present. After pursuing her, they now stood in the way of the relic, which was the only thing that could save her.

One of the hunters shouted, "Over there!" and gestured toward her.

Evelyn fled into the darkness as her instincts took over. Another arrow whizzed past, barely missing her shoulder, but she was spared by her enhanced senses. She crouched behind a crumbling pillar, trying to steady her racing heart.

The rogue werewolf was holding its ground, tearing through one of the hunters with terrifying efficiency, but the remaining three were closing in. One of them broke off, heading straight for Evelyn.

She gripped the dagger tighter, her palms slick with sweat. "You're not taking me without a fight," she muttered under her breath.

The hunter moved silently, his crossbow aimed squarely at Evelyn's chest. He stepped into the moonlight, his hood falling back to reveal a weathered face marked by scars. His eyes were emotionless and frigid.

"Remain where you are," he said in an unforgiving tone.

Evelyn's thoughts whirled. The beast inside of her gnawed at her awareness, encouraging her to fight, but she couldn't outrun him in her current state. She wasn't sure she could control it if she let it out, though.

She tried to maintain her composure as she added, "I don't want to fight." "The artifact is all I want."

The hunter grinned. We also do. However, you? You are a liability. An impending monster

Evelyn threw the silver dagger before he could shoot. Although it wasn't a flawless toss, he stumbled after it grazed his shoulder. 

Adrenaline taking over, she sprang forward, snatching his crossbow and pushing it away. With a mechanical clunk, the bolt hit the temple wall as it discharged.

With a swift recovery, the hunter pulled a silver sword from his belt. Evelyn retreated, reaching for another weapon with shaking hands, but she was too slow. Her skin burned like the silver he cut at her arm did. She screamed, clutching the wound, as pain radiated through her.

As she fell back, her eyes caught a faint glow emanating from deep within the temple. The artifact. Its light was soft but insistent, like a heartbeat, and it seemed to call to her, pulling her toward it. 

For a moment, the pain in her arm faded, replaced by an overwhelming urge to reach the source of the glow.

"Evelyn, move!" the rogue werewolf's voice snapped her out of her trance.

The werewolf slammed into the hunter, sending him sprawling. It turned to Evelyn, its fur matted with blood. "Get to the artifact. Now!"

The remaining hunters regrouped, their movements coordinated and precise. They circled the werewolf, their weapons gleaming under the fractured moonlight. Evelyn wavered between supporting her ally and giving in to the artifact's allure.

She made up her mind in a flash. Her pulse thumping, she sprinted through the confusion toward the shrine door. She was already inside when one of the hunters saw her and yelled.

The temple's interior was darker and cooler. Her way was illuminated by the artifact's radiance, which also created unsettling shadows on the walls. 

These elaborate carvings showed images of anguish and metamorphosis, with humans writhing in agony and wolves howling under the full moon. 

Every step Evelyn took felt heavier than the last, and the air was heavy with an ancient strength.

The artifact's light pulsed like a living thing as it sat on a pedestal in the middle of the room. 

Evelyn approached it cautiously, her breath hitching. She could feel its power, almost taste it, and for a moment, she forgot about the hunters, the werewolf, and even the curse.

The sound of footsteps interrupted her reverie. She had been followed inside by one of the hunters. He approached swiftly, glinting his blade as he got closer to them. Evelyn didn't have time to reflect. She picked up a loose rock off the ground and threw it at him. His aim was thrown off when it hit his shoulder. 

Just a few moments later, the rogue werewolf roared into the room. It struck the hunter, their battle short and vicious. When the werewolf triumphed, blood trickled from its claws.

With panting, it hissed, "We don't have much time." "The others will arrive shortly." 

Evelyn looked back at the relic and nodded. Her fingers trembled as she extended her hand over its surface.