The next day, David woke up early, took a bath, and prepared breakfast. He carried a tray to his mum's room, which surprised her.
She smiled and joked, "Look who's up early. What's the occasion?"
"Nothing," David replied. "I just decided to make you breakfast in bed."
She laughed softly. "I could get used to this."
David laughed with her. As she grabbed the toast he had made, she asked casually, "So… did you ask Sarah?"
David stammered at first. "Y-yeah… yeah." Then he regained his composure and continued, "Turns out I'm a red werewolf."
His mum nodded thoughtfully. "That would explain the red hairs."
"Yeah," David said, glancing at the door. "Well, I have to go to school now."
He was about to leave when his mum called out, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
David turned back, smiled, and walked over to her. He kissed her on the cheek, and she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you too, Mum," David replied.
Then David left for the woods.
When he arrived, he found Sarah already there. She called out to him when she saw him, but David only waved, making things a little awkward. Soon after, Alex arrived. Sarah and David climbed into Alex's jeep, and they drove off.
When they reached the downtown woods, they began heading toward the Seer hideout. Suddenly, Sarah paused.
"Guys, listen," she said quietly.
Alex stopped and replied sarcastically, "Come on, I can't hear anything."
He then turned to David. "Do you hear anything?"
David shook his head. "No."
Alex shrugged. "See? Not even he hears anything."
Sarah frowned. "Exactly. We're in the woods—and even the birds aren't chirping."
Alex scoffed. "Maybe they all went on spring break or something."
Sarah shot him a look. "Seriously?"
"Okay, fine," Alex said nervously. "I don't know. Let's just find this werecoyote woman before I pee my pants out of fear—and trust me, you do not want to see that. So let's keep moving."
The moment Alex took a step forward, a trap hidden beneath the leaves snapped shut around his leg. He was yanked into the air and hoisted upside down against a tree.
Before David or Sarah could react, a pack of werecoyotes emerged from the shadows and attacked.
Seeing this, Sarah shifted into her werecoyote form, while David transformed into his werewolf form. The sight of David briefly stunned the pack—but only for a moment—before they regrouped and continued their attack.
The werecoyotes tightened their circle around David while Sarah was held back. Realizing she couldn't move, David shifted fully into his wolf form and launched himself at them with a furious snarl.
He barely made it two steps.
A werecoyote burst from the shadows behind him, locking an arm around David's upper body and lifting him clean off the ground. Before David could struggle free, he was slammed hard into the forest floor. The impact rattled through him, driving the breath from his lungs.
David tried to rise, but the werecoyote yanked him up again and smashed him down a second time. Pain exploded through his body, and a howl tore from his throat as his strength began to falter.
Still holding him, the werecoyote hauled David upright and drove a crushing strike into his back. David screamed, his body arching as his legs gave out beneath him. The grip tightened, trapping him completely as the werecoyote twisted and forced him down again, leaving him barely able to move.
David's howls echoed through the woods—louder now, desperate and raw—before the werecoyote flung him away with brutal force. David was thrown high into the air and crashed onto the ground, landing flat on his back.
The world went silent.
His wolf form dissolved as his body went limp, shifting back into human form as he lost consciousness.
The werecoyote straightened slowly, his eyes glowing blue as he looked down at David's unmoving body.
Sarah watched helplessly, tears streaming down her face. Rage filled her, and she broke free from her captors and charged at him. But the werecoyote struck her before she could reach him, knocking her back.
"A coyote,a human and a wolf," he scoughed. "I haven't seen that since the dark ages."
Sarah tried to fight back, slashing at him, but he dodged easily. He grabbed her and slammed her to the ground. Dazed and injured, Sarah struggled to stand, but another blow sent her into darkness.
The werecoyote turned to the rest of the pack. "Chain them. Make sure the wolf is secured tightly."
They obeyed, binding both Sarah and David with heavy chains.
Then the werecoyote walked over to Alex, who was still hanging from the trap. As Alex was lowered, he tried to speak.
"Hey, I was just—"
The werecoyote cut him off with a punch, sending Alex stumbling back into a tree. Dazed and barely able to stand, Alex tried to steady himself, but another strike knocked him unconscious.
Alex was chained as well. The werecoyote lifted him onto his shoulder and ordered the others to carry David and Sarah.
Together, the pack disappeared into the woods, taking their captives to their alpha.
When Alex woke up, he found himself in a makeshift camp deep in the woods, surrounded by werecoyotes. His arms were stretched wide, each hand chained to a different tree. Sarah was restrained the same way nearby.
Alex squinted, staring at the chains in disbelief.
"Come on," he muttered. "Did they really have to chain me up? I don't even have human strength talk less of supernatural strength."
One of the werecoyotes snapped at him, "Shut up."
Alex sighed. "Couldn't you guys have used something less painful—like ropes—or better yet, not tied me up at all? It's not like I can escape."
"You'd better shut up," the werecoyote warned.
"No, really," Alex continued, "I'm just a human. You could've—"
The werecoyote cut him off, grabbing Alex's face and forcing him to look up. His eyes were cold and threatening.
"Say another word," he growled, "and you might find it hard to talk at all without a tongue. Now—will you shut up?"
Alex swallowed hard. "Yeah. Yeah, I got it."
The werecoyote released him and stepped away.
Alex turned his head toward Sarah. "Where's David?"
Sarah looked toward a cluster of tents. "He's in one of those over there."
"I thought you could sense when another supernatural being was nearby," Alex said.
"Some supernatural beings," Sarah explained, "can mask their scent to avoid detection. Unless you have very keen senses, you won't find them."
Alex scoffed quietly. "Like I said, we've really got to work on those senses."
Sarah shot him a look. "You were also distracting me with all the noise you were making in the woods."
Alex gasped. "Are you seriously blaming me? I thought werecoyotes were supposed to be nicer—well, except for Jack, of course."
Sarah lowered her voice. "Remember when I told you werewolves are territorial?"
"Yeah," Alex replied.
"Werecoyotes are even more territorial," she continued, "especially toward their own kind."
Alex nodded sarcastically. "No kidding."
A nearby werecoyote growled, baring his teeth.
Alex immediately went quiet and decided it was best to stay that way—for now.
Soon after, a woman stepped out of the tent where David was being held. At her presence, every werecoyote in the camp bowed. Standing beside her was the blue-eyed werecoyote who had injured David.
Sarah's voice trembled as she demanded, "What have you done to David?"
Before the blue-eyed werecoyote could answer, the woman spoke calmly, "Your wolf friend is in my tent. His injuries are serious, and if they are not treated, he could die."
Sarah's heart sank. She pleaded desperately, "Please save him. He means no harm. We only came to ask you some questions—questions only you could answer."
The woman studied Sarah closely, her eyes narrowing with recognition. "You look so much like someone I once knew."
"It's me," Sarah said softly. "Sarah, daughter of Chris and—"
Before she could finish, the woman completed the sentence for her. "Mary Timberstalk."
Sarah nodded. "Yes."
Hearing the name, the woman's expression broke. Tears welled in her eyes as she immediately ordered, "Bring Sarah and the human down. Now."
The blue-eyed werecoyote tried to protest, but in a flash of anger, the woman struck him across the face. The camp fell silent.
The werecoyotes quickly unchained Sarah and Alex and brought them forward. The woman rushed to Sarah and pulled her into a tight embrace. Holding Sarah's face gently, she said, "It's been so long, Sarah… since the last time I saw you."
"Yes," Sarah replied through tears. "Ten years ago."
"You know your father and I never got along," the woman said softly. "Our packs were rivals."
"I know," Sarah answered.
The woman smiled sadly. "You look so much like her."
Tears streamed down Sarah's face as memories of her mother flooded back. "Thank you… Ma."
The woman shook her head gently. "We're past that now. Call me Seleine."
Sarah took a shaky breath. "Can you save him?"
Seleine nodded. "Yes."
"Please," Sarah whispered again. "Save him."
Seleine turned and motioned for Sarah to follow her. As they approached the tent, Alex tried to step forward too, but Seleine stopped him with a glance.
"Not you, human boy."
Sarah hesitated, then followed Seleine into the tent where David lay.
When Sarah saw David, her heart dropped.
He lay unconscious on a table, still dressed but not in his clothes, his skin burning with fever. His breathing was shallow and uneven. Sarah rushed to his side, cradling his head in her hands.
"David," she whispered urgently. "Wake up. Please… wake up."
There was no response.
The seer stepped closer. "He can't hear you," she said gently. "The injuries he sustained were severe."
Sarah looked up, panic filling her eyes. "Can you save him?"
"Yes," the seer replied, "but I will need herbs—and your help."
"My help?" Sarah asked, confused.
"You will have to restrain him," the seer explained. "His body will fight the pain even while unconscious. One wrong move could worsen his condition. You must hold him still while I set what was damaged. After that, he will drink herbs to heal from within, and I will apply others to aid the healing from outside."
Sarah swallowed hard, then nodded. "I'll do it."
The seer paused, studying her. "Why do you want to save him?"
"He's my friend," Sarah answered without hesitation.
The seer raised an eyebrow. "Since when is the daughter of the great coyote leader of Beacon Hills—Chris Walton—friends with a werewolf?"
"He's not like the others," Sarah said firmly. "He's different."
The seer's gaze softened. "Are you in love with him?"
Sarah froze. She couldn't bring herself to answer.
The seer smiled knowingly. "You are, aren't you?"
"I… I don't know," Sarah whispered.
"This boy carries a great destiny," the seer said quietly. "Greater than yours or mine. Many will oppose him. Some will try to twist his path. Others will one day stand beside him when they understand his strength. If you truly care for him—stay by his side."
Then the seer extended her claws.
Sarah stiffened. "Why do you need those?"
"To correct what was damaged," the seer replied calmly. "Now help me. Remove his shirt, turn him over, and hold him still."
With trembling hands, Sarah did as she was told. She held David firmly as the seer worked.
David's body reacted instantly. He cried out in pain, his muscles tensing as if trying to wake. He thrashed weakly, almost breaking free.
"Hold him!" the seer commanded.
Tears streamed down Sarah's face as she tightened her grip. "I've got you," she whispered desperately. "I won't let go."
The seer moved carefully to David's side to continue the healing. David let out a loud, guttural roar, his pain echoing through the woods.
Alex, hearing the roar, tensed immediately. Fear and restlessness took over him as he realized how serious David's condition was. He paced nervously, desperate but powerless to help.
The seer soon finished her work and began preparing a mixture of herbs. She turned to Sarah.
"Open his mouth," she instructed.
Sarah gently held David's mouth open as the seer poured the herbal mixture in. Once done, Sarah closed his mouth carefully.
The seer then applied the remaining herbs to David's back and sides, working quickly and efficiently.
"Now," the seer said, turning to Sarah, "all we can do is wait for the herbs to take effect. They will boost his healing, and soon his body should begin to recover properly."
Hearing this, Sarah nodded, and the two of them stepped outside the tent, leaving David to rest and heal.
Outside the tent, Sarah placed a reassuring hand on Alex's shoulder. "He'll be fine. The seer knows what she's doing."
But hearing how badly David had been injured, Alex's anger boiled over. Without thinking, he shoved the blue-eyed werecoyote.
"You almost killed him!" he shouted.
The werecoyote's lips curled into a cold smirk. "My only regret is not finishing the job."
Alex's blood ran hotter. "That's it."
He swung and punched the werecoyote in the face—but his fist barely made an impact. The werecoyote's head didn't even flinch.
"Ahhh!" Alex yelped, clutching his hand in pain.
"God… damn it! My hand! Are you made of bones or metal?" he groaned.
The blue-eyed werecoyote's smirk widened. "Now it's my turn."
He extended his claws, aiming for Alex's face—but before he could strike, the seer shouted sharply, "Michael! Stop! Leave the human!"
Alex quickly gasped, pointing at Michael. "Yeah, Michael! Leave the human!"
Michael's eyes narrowed, frustration and fury radiating off him. "You protect them," he spat at the seer.
The seer didn't respond, her gaze calm but unwavering,Michael's voice dripped with contempt. "First, you request they be brought down. Then you save the wolf. And now… the human?" He scowled. "You're growing old… soft."
The seer's eyes glowed red, and her voice cut through the air like steel. "I am still the alpha."
Michael sneered. "Keep going like this, and maybe you won't be, for long."
The seer tilted her head, a slow smile curling her lips. "Is that a challenge?"
In one fluid motion, she twisted her neck and began shifting into her werecoyote form. Her eyes deepened to a fiery red, her claws elongated, and her presence radiated power. "Do you really want to challenge me?" she asked, her tone calm but deadly.
Michael's claws retracted, and he lowered his head, silent.
The seer relaxed, shifting back into her human form with a smile. "I didn't think so," she said.
Turning to Sarah, she asked gently, "Which questions do you wish to ask me?"
Sarah shook her head. "It's not me who wishes to ask. It's David. We'd best wait for him."
"Very well," the seer replied, her expression softening. And so, they all waited for David.
David had just woken up and felt a wave of relief wash over him. He tried to stand, but his legs gave out and he stumbled, falling back down.
Sarah, hearing the noise from outside, rushed into the tent, with Alex and the seer close behind.
"David!" Sarah exclaimed as she helped him to his feet and guided him to lean against the table for support.
David rubbed his head and asked weakly, "What happened?"
Hearing him speak, Alex threw his arms around David in a quick hug, then stepped back, placing both hands firmly on David's shoulders. "You almost went to visit Grim Reaper Junior," he said with a grin, nodding toward the seer. "If it weren't for our seer over there, you'd be toast."
David chuckled at Alex's joke, then turned to the seer. "Thank you."
The seer shook her head with a small smile. "All the thanks shouldn't go to me. It was the one who was so eager to save you."
David looked at Sarah, his expression softening. "Thank you."
Sarah grinned teasingly. "No problem, You do owe me one."
David smiled back. "Indeed I do."
The seer's eyes sparkled as she asked, "I hear you have some questions for me?"
David nodded. "Yes."
With a deep breath, he straightened, steadying himself, and asked, "Are there more werewolves like me?"
The seer nodded. "Yes."
"Are there any more dire werewolves?" he pressed.
"Yes," she replied.
"And the remaining red werewolves—are there many of them?" David asked.
"No," the seer said gently. "The same goes for dire werewolves. That's why they're considered rare species."
"Where can I find more red werewolves?" he asked eagerly.
The seer shook her head slightly. "I don't know. But I do know that you will find them when the time is right."
David frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"You'll understand when the time comes," she said softly.
"Where can we find help in the upcoming battle?" he asked next.
The seer's lips curved into a small smile. "Help is all around. It's just a matter of reaching out for it."
David blinked, a little confused. "That's… all the questions I had."
"Come on," the seer said, her voice teasing. "Ask more."
David hesitated, then said, "Okay… what kind of werewolf is leading the battle?"
The seer's face fell, shadows of worry crossing her features. "I wish I knew," she admitted. "If I did, I'd be better prepared for what is to come."
David placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. There's still hope."
The seer's lips curved into a faint smile. "I like your enthusiasm. Well… you three better be going now."
Sarah, David, and Alex all thanked the seer for her hospitality. With bows and nods, they bid her farewell and left the camp, stepping back into the woods with renewed determination.
Alex, David, and Sarah had just emerged from the woods. They climbed into Alex's Jeep and drove off, leaving the camp behind.