The wind howled through the empty street like a warning.
The rain had become heavier, turning the asphalt into a mirror of dark reflections.
Nora stood frozen, staring at the man who used to be Daniel.
Or maybe… still was.
Her mind refused to accept what her eyes were seeing.
Golden eyes.
Sharp fangs.
A voice that no longer sounded fully human.
And yet…
Her heart still recognized him.
"Daniel," she whispered again.
This time softer.
More fragile.
The man closed his eyes for a second as if the name itself hurt him.
When he opened them again, the golden glow had grown stronger.
"I told you," he said through clenched teeth.
"That name doesn't belong to me anymore."
Nora shook her head slowly.
"That's impossible."
Three years of grief.
Three years of loneliness.
Three years of believing he was gone forever.
And now he was standing in front of her like a living nightmare.
Or a miracle.
"Then tell me your name," she demanded.
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he looked up at the dark sky.
The clouds were moving quickly.
Behind them, something bright was trying to break through.
The moon.
His breathing suddenly became uneven.
Nora noticed it immediately.
"Daniel?"
He staggered back.
"Stop saying that name!"
His voice was deeper now.
Rough.
Almost animal-like.
Nora's heart skipped a beat.
"What's happening to you?"
The man pressed his hand against the wall of a nearby building.
His fingers dug into the wet concrete.
Cracks appeared.
Nora gasped.
No human could do that.
"I told you to run," he said, breathing heavily.
"You shouldn't be here tonight."
Nora didn't move.
She couldn't.
Her legs felt rooted to the ground.
"Why?"
Her voice trembled.
"Why tonight?"
The man slowly lifted his head.
His eyes were glowing brighter than before.
Almost burning.
"The moon is rising."
The words sent a chill through Nora's spine.
At that exact moment, the clouds began to part.
A pale silver light spread across the street.
The full moon appeared.
And the moment its light touched the man's face—
He screamed.
A raw, terrifying scream that echoed through the empty street.
His body bent forward violently.
Bones cracked.
His shoulders expanded.
His hands twisted as claws slowly replaced his fingers.
Nora covered her mouth in horror.
"No… no… this can't be real."
The man fell to his knees.
His entire body shaking.
His breathing turning into growls.
And then…
He looked at her again.
But the eyes staring back at her were no longer human.
They were the eyes of a wolf.
"Nora…" he growled.
"Run."
But it was already too late.
Because in the distance…
From somewhere deep in the dark forest beyond the city…
Another howl answered his.
Then another.
And another.
Nora turned slowly toward the sound.
Her heart sank.
Dozens of glowing eyes were watching them from the darkness.
The pack had arrived.