As night began to fall, the vehicle pulled up in front of a truly magnificent residence. Mega got out first, followed by Liliana, who walked without needing to be told.
"Go on. Follow him. He’ll take you to your temporary lodgings."
Liliana nodded and followed the servant who had been waiting for her. However, after just a few steps, she sensed a pair of eyes watching her from the darkness.
"Miss, this is your temporary residence," the werewolf said politely.
"Thank you," Liliana replied stiffly. She stepped inside and immediately realized just how luxurious the room intended for her was. This was the first time she’d stayed in a room this beautiful at least, before she was expelled from her original home along with Valerie.
"Miss, there will be an important meeting in our pack tonight. If you need anything, you can let me know now."
Liliana turned to look at him. "May I use a room other than this one? I mean... maybe, could I take a look around the estate?"
The werewolf nodded casually. "Sure. This temporary living space is in a separate building from the main residence, so it’s not a restricted area. If you want, you can look around, and you’re welcome to use the kitchen if you’re hungry. But I’m warning you, don’t step outside this property’s fence until you’re officially accepted as a member of our pack."
Liliana nodded in understanding. "I understand. Thank you."
After the werewolf left, Liliana walked around to inspect the building. There was only one bedroom for her there. She immediately understood this was how the pack handled the quarantine period, to ensure her suitability before she was fully accepted and integrated with the other members.
Spotting the stove and various ingredients on the kitchen table, Liliana walked over. Her hands moved deftly as she prepared a simple meal. Before long, a bowl of hot noodles was ready. She sat down and began to eat. The hot steam touched her injured face, making her wince slightly. But a warm smile spread across her lips as the hot broth slid down her throat. It had been a very long time since she’d dared to enjoy a meal this delicious.
But before she could finish her second bite, the sound of gunfire rang out from outside the compound.
"Humans are attacking again!" shouted a young werewolf as he ran past the front of the building, warning the other members.
Liliana immediately stood up and hurried toward the door.
A mob of humans dressed entirely in black, weapons in hand, moved swiftly, trying to break through the compound’s fence. Liliana stood frozen in front of the window, her heart pounding. She knew humans and werewolves had never lived in harmony, but as far as she knew, both sides had signed a peace treaty.
Liliana, we have to get out of here! This place is too dangerous! Silver hissed in her mind.
"But..."
You don’t have enough power yet. Don’t be stupid! Do you want to die at their hands?
Liliana fell silent. She realized she was still weak, her body hadn’t fully recovered, and she had only recently awakened her wolf form. But the thought that a young werewolf just as weak as she was could die at any moment broke her heart.
Her gaze fell on a young werewolf girl who was now being held by one of the intruders.
"Please... help me!" the little girl cried, left alone in the middle of the crowd of humans.
Liliana clutched her clothes tightly. She remembered Valerie, whose life had once nearly been taken by a bear attack.
Silver, I know life is hard. But I can’t just let them who are just as weak as I am die like that.
Liliana threw the door wide open. She had never transformed into a wolf before, but her instincts acted faster than her hesitation. In an instant, her body transformed into a silver-furred wolf. Under the light of the full moon, her fur shimmered with a mesmerizing glow.
She sprinted like lightning toward the intruder, then gently yet firmly snatched the little girl in her jaws. Liliana let out a deep growl, glaring intently at the humans who were now beginning to surround her.
The werewolf had mentioned earlier that they would be holding a meeting at the main residence that night. However, Liliana hadn’t expected there to be no strong guards stationed at the border.
The little girl in her mouth struggled in panic for a moment. Liliana murmured softly in the language of the wolves, "Calm down. I’ll protect you."
The girl looked up at the sound of her voice and immediately calmed down once she realized that this wolf was not an enemy and had no intention of harming her.
One of the humans aimed a pistol directly at her. "I didn’t expect there to still be an adult werewolf hiding out here."
Liliana didn’t answer, but her claws dug firmly into the ground. She had never fought before, let alone in wolf form this was her first time.
"Sis, put me on your back. I’ll show you the way to our leader’s lair," the little girl whispered in wolf language.
Without hesitation, Liliana placed the girl on her back.
"You want to run? Go ahead, but leave that kid here!" the man snapped.
Liliana furrowed her brow. She didn’t know who this little girl was, but her presence here without supervision clearly suggested one thing, these humans wanted to do her harm.
"Sis, can you handle this? If not, just run toward the four o’clock direction. There’s a secret path that leads straight to our Alpha’s lair. A meeting is taking place there right now."
Liliana nodded, then focused her gaze on the path ahead. Hold on tight to my fur.
Her claws began to emerge, and she immediately charged at the human blocking her path.
"Stupid wolf!" the human cursed, seeing that Liliana wasn’t obeying at all and was actually attacking.
He raised his weapon again. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of gunfire continued to ring out from behind.
"Liliana, use all your strength. I’ll cast an illusion to blur their vision!"
Liliana followed Silver’s orders so she could use her abilities. Thanks to that, many bullets missed her. However, they didn’t give up and immediately gave chase in a specially modified black car.
Liliana was panting heavily. Her body hadn’t fully recovered yet, and running this fast clearly exceeded her current limits.
"How much longer?" she asked the girl on her back.
"Sis, turn left up ahead. After another hundred meters, there should be guards in front of the Alpha residence."
Liliana quickened her pace. Her silver fur fluttered in the night breeze. But before she reached her destination, the sound of gunfire once again shattered the silence.
Liliana’s steps faltered instantly. A stifled growl escaped her throat. The bullet struck her right leg squarely, leaving her unable to take another step.
"Damn it, Liliana!!" Silver screamed in panic inside her mind.