The days after Hailey's first training session were a blur of strength and discovery. Every morning, she woke with new energy pulsing in her veins—too much energy. It buzzed beneath her skin like electricity, making her restless and uneasy.
At first, she tried to hide it.
Claire caught her staring at her glowing fingertips one morning.
"Uh… Hails? Are you trying to turn into a lightbulb?"
Hailey quickly shoved her hands under the blanket. "I'm fine."
But she wasn't.
Her power wasn't just waking—it was rising, pushing against her control like a storm building pressure.
During training with Jason, she accidentally sent him flying ten feet with a single shove.
During meditation with Della, the ground cracked under her.
During endurance runs, trees bent toward her like they could feel her presence.
Liam watched quietly, concern growing in his usually calm eyes.
"Your power is evolving faster than expected," he told her one evening. "We must be careful."
Hailey nodded, but inside, panic tightened around her chest.
What if she couldn't control it?
What if she hurt someone?
What if Ricky was right—maybe she was dangerous?
The worst moment came three days later.
The pack had gathered for evening training. Hailey stood in her wolf form in the center of the clearing, ready to demonstrate the new control Liam taught her.
But when she inhaled—the world shifted.
Sounds sharpened. Colors brightened. Every heartbeat—from wolves twenty yards away—throbbed in her skull.
Too much… too much… her wolf whimpered.
"Hailey?" Claire asked, stepping forward. "Your eyes—"
Hailey's eyes glowed silver-white, brighter than before. The air around her crackled like lightning trapped in a cage.
Liam moved toward her cautiously.
"Hailey, breathe. Slowly."
She tried, but her wolf howled inside her, claws scraping against her mind.
The earth trembled.
Warriors stumbled.
Trees shook.
A wind whipped around her, swirling violently, pulling leaves and dust into a spiraling vortex.
Jason grabbed Claire and dragged her back.
"Everyone, give her space!"
Della lifted her hands, her aura flaring protectively around the pack.
"She's losing control!"
Hailey growled—low, shaky, terrified—and her body glowed brighter. Energy crackled beneath her fur like lightning crawling over silver.
Liam shouted, "Hailey! Look at me!"
But Hailey couldn't.
Her wolf surged forward with raw, wild power.
A shockwave blasted out of her in every direction.
Trees bent back.
Warriors were thrown off their feet.
The ground splintered beneath her paws.
Then—just as quickly—the energy vanished.
Hailey collapsed to the ground, trembling.
Her wolf form flickered, and she shifted back, panting and shaking violently.
Liam reached her first, kneeling beside her.
"Hailey… it's alright. You're safe."
She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I couldn't stop it. I—I felt everything. I heard everything. I couldn't shut it out."
Della wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
"It's not your fault. Your power is awakening faster than your body can adjust."
Hailey's voice cracked.
"What if it hurts someone next time?"
Jason crouched in front of her.
"Then we'll be here to stop it. You're not doing this alone."
Claire hugged her tightly from behind.
"We're your pack. You don't scare us."
Liam's voice was steady, calm, Alpha-strong.
"This isn't a weakness, Hailey. It's a sign of your potential. But you need guidance—real guidance."
Hailey lifted her tear-filled eyes. "From who?"
Liam exhaled slowly, his expression troubled.
"From the only wolf alive who understands powers like yours."
Hailey's heart skipped.
"Who?"
Liam hesitated.
Della whispered, "Your grandmother's sister… the one who left the pack. The ancient seer."
Hailey's breath froze.
She had only ever heard stories about her great-aunt—the rogue mystic who once wielded power that shook entire territories.
"Only she can teach you how to control what's inside you," Liam said quietly.
Hailey swallowed hard, fear and excitement twisting together.
Her power was rising faster than she could handle.
And the only person who could save her…
Was a legend whispered about in fear.