Moonlit Captive

Chapter 05: The Alpha returns.

Dr. Marcus pov.

I have studied so many strange things in my life. I have seen animals change, fighting to survive. I thought I knew everything. But then I met Ava. And then Ryder and now Viktor Thornwood.

That name alone makes my skin crawl, gripping my body in fear.

It all started when I noticed something much more dangerous. Something much darker. I kept studying the footage every night and I kept writing down so many times but one name kept popping up.

It was the name Viktor Thornwood which was tied to an old story.

People talked so much about it but never believed. They talked about him and stories of a powerful wolf. He could command death itself.

A wolf who once ruled every pack with fear. A wolf who was supposed to be dead.

But now….maybe he wasn't.

As the night dragged near I sat with Ava in the little cabin we were hiding in. We had maps spread across the table, old books and dusty papers.

Ava leaned over one of the maps, her long hair brushing my arm. I tried not to notice how beautiful she looked when she was focused but it was hard.

“We’ve tracked all the disappearances,” Ava said, tapping the map. “All these red circles…..it's like they form a pattern and they could mean something”.

I nodded. “They all lead to one place”. I pointed to a dark forest at the edge of the map. “Possibly they could be leading to Shadow Creek”.

Ava shivered. “That place gives me nightmares. I don't think I can go any further".

I looked at her. “It should. That's where Viktor was seen last…..before he disappeared”.

She bit her lip thinking. “You think he's alive, don't you?”.

I swallowed hard. “I don't just think. I know he's alive”.

A loud growl suddenly came from outside. It was low, angry and close.

Ava froze, her eyes widened. “Did you hear that? It seems we are surrounded…by….. wolves”.

I nodded slowly reaching for the old hunting rifle that I kept under the table. My heart, hammering in my chest.

“Stay behind me and don't move”.

We carefully moved towards the door and another growl, struck in again but this time it was louder, it shook the windows.

Was it Viktor?

Or was it Ryder?

We hadn't seen Ryder, he’s just the mystery type now. Last time he barely held himself together. His wolf side was getting stronger. Wilder which was harder to control.

Ava slipped her hands into mine. It was warm and trembling.

“Dr. Marcus,” she whispered. “What if it's Ryder? What if he's not himself anymore?”.

I squeezed her hand. “Then we will handle it together”.

“I hope it ends well because I had to escape from Ryder's grip yesterday not knowing where he was taking me to”.

I swiftly interjected. “Then we need to stay alert at all times to watch the unseen danger”

We slowly opened the door and then the cold night air hit us heavily. The forest became very silent except for the low growl coming from the trees.

A shadow moved between the trees. It was huge. Dark and angry.

Then out of the darkness, Ryder stepped forward.

But he wasn't the Ryder I remembered. He really had something different in him.

His eyes were pure gold. His claws were longer. His muscles ripped under his torn clothes. His mouth curled into a snarl as he fought to stay human.

“Ryder?” Ava whispered.

Ryder's head jerked towards her voice. His breathing was rough. His body shook like he was fighting something inside of him.

“Stay back!” He growled, his voice rough and deep. “Don't even think of coming close, I don't want to hurt you!”.

Ava took a step forward. “Ryder it's me, please listen!”.

I gently pulled her back. “Ava he's not himself, he's too far gone, you need to stay back”.

I thought I could convince her but she fiercely shook her head. “No. I know he's still in there”.

Ryder's eyes softened for a second. His body relaxes just a little. Ava's voice had reached him.

But then another sound filled the air.

A long, deep howl.

It wasn’t Ryder.

It came from deeper in the woods. A howl filled with rage. Hunger. Power.

Ryder dropped to his knees, grabbing his head and flinching like he'd been hit..

“No, you've no right to control Me! ” he whispered. “No, I won’t obey!”

Ava gasped. “Marcus… something is wrong, he's not himself someone’s controlling him.”

My eyes gaze at him strongly tightened my grip on the rifle. “Viktor.”

Before we could do anything, Ryder looked up again. But this time, his face was twisted with pain and fury.

“I can’t stop it,” he said. “Run. Please!”

We didn’t run.

Instead, Ava walked right up to him. Brave. Stupid. Beautiful.

She knelt beside him and put her hand on his cheek. “You’re stronger than him, Ryder. Fight it.”

For a moment, everything was silent. Just the three of us under the stars.

Then, Ryder screamed. His body shifted. Bones cracked. Fur sprouted from his skin. He transformed fully into a massive wolf—black as night, eyes glowing gold.

But he didn’t attack.

He stood in front of Ava like a guard, snarling at the forest.

And then, from the trees, another figure appeared.

Tall. Broad. Cold.

Viktor.

Even in human form, he looked terrifying. His black hair fell to his shoulders. His eyes were red, burning like fire.

He wore dark clothes, and around his neck was a silver chain dripping with charms—each one stolen from the wolves he had defeated.

“Hello old friends, is been a while good to see you,” Viktor said smiling coldly.

Ava slowly stood up. “You're supposed to be dead by now. You b***h!”. She spat.

Viktor laughed. “Well you may be right or wrong. But death forgot me just like the way your little Ryder will forget you”.

Ryder growled low stepping between Viktor and Ryder.

Viktor smiled. “Good boy. Come now and bow to your Alpha together will rule this kingdom”.

Ryder violently shook his head growling louder and snapping his teeth.

I raised the ruffle my hands weren't even shaking. “Stay away from her or you be dead”.

Viktor’s eyes flicked to me, amused. “The good doctor. Always studying, never acting.”

Without warning, Viktor moved—fast as lightning. He grabbed Ava by the arm.

Ryder lunged, but Viktor threw him across the clearing like a ragdoll.

“No!” I shouted, firing the rifle.

The bullet hit Viktor’s shoulder, but he barely flinched. He smiled wider, like it amused him and vanished in the air.