The Beast Awakens

CHAPTER 35

Ethan stood up, his gaze sharp and determined.

"Listen… just act normal. Do whatever you usually do. When night falls, meet me back here," he said, his voice calm but firm.

Jessica frowned slightly. "Alright… but please, be careful, okay?"

A faint smile tugged at Ethan's lips. "Don't worry. I'm always careful. Now go. Don't let anyone suspect a thing."

Jessica nodded quietly and slipped out of the room. She walked toward the section where the other prisoners were kept, unlocking the heavy door. Ethan, now alone, moved without hesitation. He silently broke his room's door, making it look undisturbed so no one would suspect Jessica. Then he crouched low and crept into the shadows, his eyes scanning the courtyard.

Right in front of him, leaning against the wall, were two soldiers. They were talking, unaware of the predator lurking behind them. Ethan held his breath, listening closely.

"Hey, what are we supposed to do with all these prisoners?" one soldier asked, his tone anxious. "We've brought too many useless people. The camp is full. How many more are we gonna keep hauling in?"

The other soldier gave a dry, mocking laugh. "Don't question it. Just follow orders. Unless… you want to end up like them. You understand?"

Before Ethan could process the conversation further, a loud metallic creak echoed from outside. A massive gate was opening.

Ethan turned his head.

Twelve armored military trucks rumbled into the camp, their engines roaring and kicking up clouds of dust. Soldiers poured out with precise movements, heavily armed.

But these weren't normal soldiers.

The one who stepped out of the main vehicle their leader was different. Even at a glance, Ethan's instincts screamed. This man wasn't human. He was a werewolf.

And not just him. Most of the soldiers exiting the trucks carried the same aura.

Ethan realized immediately this was why they'd kept him alive. This was why he'd been brought here. But whether that meant opportunity or a trap… he wasn't sure yet. Trusting anyone was out of the question.

So he stayed still, watching, waiting.

The soldiers began to spread out. When the moment was right when the crowd was thinner Ethan struck.

He moved like a shadow. Silent. Deadly.

The two soldiers by the wall didn't even have time to scream. Ethan's right claw sliced one throat, his left claw slit the other in a single, fluid motion. Blood sprayed, warm and metallic, dripping onto the dirt. Their bodies collapsed lifelessly.

But as the blood ran over his claws… Ethan felt something. A surge. A wave of raw power rising inside him. His vision sharpened, his muscles tightened, his heartbeat thundered.

The ritual's effects.

It was working.

But this was just the beginning. He needed more blood.

Ethan moved with new speed. He lunged toward the unsuspecting soldiers patrolling the camp. His claws gleamed like razors as he tore through them. One soldier's neck snapped under his bite; another had his chest ripped open before he could even raise his weapon. Screams echoed briefly, then were swallowed by the darkness.

When the courtyard was clear, Ethan climbed onto a higher vantage point.

And then… it began.

His bones cracked. His claws stretched longer. His teeth sharpened, jagged and deadly. His face twisted, no longer human. His fur thickened. For the first time his body was fully embracing the werewolf transformation.

Above him, the full moon broke through the clouds.

Ethan threw his head back… and howled.

But the sound that left his throat wasn't just a howl. It was guttural, distorted, monstrous. The ground seemed to tremble under the weight of it.

The other werewolves in the camp immediately turned toward the sound. They started running toward him.

Ethan waited. Patient. Ready.

The first two to reach him were the weakest.

One lunged. Ethan moved faster. He grabbed the creature's throat, sank his teeth deep, and ripped it clean off. The second jumped from behind but Ethan caught it midair, his claws piercing its ribs, then with a brutal twist, tore its head from its shoulders.

The blood of these werewolves was different. Stronger. Wilder. As it splattered onto Ethan's skin, his eyes blazed even brighter. The primal hunger grew.

Then… the command building's door slammed open.

The commander stepped out.

He was massive, his presence alone making the air heavy. His sharp eyes scanned the chaos, and a low growl rumbled from his throat. He tore off his uniform in one swift motion his muscles bulged, his frame shifted. He was transforming.

He was an Alpha.

But not for long.

"Leave him to me!" the commander roared at the others.

Ethan's instincts locked onto him immediately.

This was it. Two predators. Two potentials. Only one would walk away stronger.

The commander was here for the same reason. To become something more. To rise beyond Alpha. To use this camp, this blood, this ritual… for himself.

And now, only one could claim the next step.

They faced each other in the center of the courtyard.

Ethan crouched low on all fours. Muscles tensed. His claws dug into the dirt.

The commander snarled and charged.

Ethan ran straight toward him, feinting a leap. At the last second, he spun midair and slammed both feet into the commander's chest. The impact made the larger werewolf stagger back, but only for a moment.

The commander roared, pounding the ground with both feet. He lunged with terrifying speed, swinging his massive claws. Ethan ducked, slipping to the side, slashing across the commander's abdomen a shallow cut, but a cut nonetheless.

The commander growled, grabbed Ethan's wrist mid-strike, and lifted him off the ground with ease. He was twice Ethan's size stronger, heavier, more experienced. He drove a brutal punch into Ethan's stomach, making blood spray from his mouth.

He was about to land another killing blow

BANG!

A gunshot rang out.

The commander froze for half a second.

Jessica.

She had taken a fallen soldier's rifle and fired at the commander.

The Alpha turned his head toward her. Slowly. His lips curled back, revealing jagged teeth. He growled a deep, terrifying sound and hurled Ethan aside like a ragdoll. Then he charged Jessica.

She barely had time to react. He grabbed her by the throat, lifting her high into the air. She clawed at his hand, gasping. He was about to snap her neck

But Ethan was faster.

He grabbed a shotgun from the ground and, with one motion, rammed the barrel into the commander's chest right into his heart.

The commander roared in pain, dropping Jessica to the ground.

He staggered, trying to pull the weapon out of his chest.

But Ethan didn't give him the chance.

In one swift movement, he leapt onto the commander's back, hooked his claws under the jaw, and ripped.

Blood sprayed in a crimson arc as Ethan tore the Alpha's head clean off.

The body fell with a heavy thud.

And at that moment… Ethan's eyes glowed with a terrifying, unholy light.

He had claimed the Alpha's power.

His full transformation was complete.

From there, it was a massacre. The remaining werewolves were nothing before him. Ethan slaughtered them all.

He was an Alpha now. But deep down… he knew there was still something beyond. A form even stronger than this. He had felt it during the ritual. The hunger for more power still burned in him.

When it was over, the camp was silent.

Jessica lay unconscious on the ground.

Ethan cleared the area, freed the remaining prisoners, and carried Jessica in his arms back to the room where he had first awakened.

He laid her gently on the bed… and sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up.