Hacked By The Wolf

chapter 6

The alarms screamed louder. Red lights flashed across the steel walls. Zara felt the pack's fear and anger mix with her own excitement. Hundreds of wolves waited for Roman's orders. Some were in human form, some half-shifted, some fully wolf. All eyes turned to their alpha and their new Luna.

Roman raised one hand. Everyone went quiet.

We fight tonight, he said, voice strong and calm. But we fight smart. This tower is our home. We know every floor, every door, every hidden path. They do not.

He pointed to the screens. Rival wolves poured into the lobby below. Black fur, gray fur, brown fur — packs from all over the city. Cassian's wolves led them, eyes burning with hate.

Zara stepped forward. Her naked skin did not bother her anymore. The pack was family now. She felt their love through the bond like warm sunlight.

I am new to this world, she said clearly. Hours ago, I was only human. But now I feel all of you. Your strength is my strength. We protect each other.

The wolves howled in answer. The sound shook Zara's bones and made her smile.

The elder wolf — his name was Garrick — walked to a large metal cabinet. He opened it. Inside were weapons: guns, knives, and strange silver collars that made Zara's skin hurt just to look at them.

For the ones who want to take you alive, Garrick explained quietly to her. Silver burns us. Weakens us. Never let them put one on you.

Zara nodded. She would remember.

Roman dressed quickly in black clothes from another cabinet. He handed Zara a new set. This time it was stronger — made for battle. She pulled on the pants and shirt. They felt good against her skin.

A young wolf ran into the room. He was breathing hard.

Alpha! They broke the main doors. Cassian's beta is leading the first wave. They have guns with silver bullets.

Roman's face turned hard. Then we meet them before they reach the upper floors. Teams of five. Protect the stairs and elevators. No one gets past level twenty.

Wolves moved fast, forming groups. Zara felt their courage flow into her.

Roman turned to her. Stay close to me. Your first real fight as wolf — I want you safe.

Zara touched his cheek. I am not weak, Roman. My wolf is awake now. Let me fight beside you.

His eyes softened. Always beside me. Never behind.

They ran together toward the stairs. Zara's heart pounded, but not from fear. Power rushed through her blood like fire. She could smell the enemy now — anger, jealousy, greed.

On level twenty, the fighting had already started.

Zara saw her first battle.

Roman's wolves held the wide hallway. Rival wolves charged, teeth flashing. Guns fired. The air filled with growls, shouts, and the sharp smell of blood.

Roman shifted in one smooth motion. Black wolf, huge and fierce. He jumped into the fight, tearing through two enemies at once.

Zara let her wolf out again. Silver fur exploded across her body. She landed on four paws, bigger than before, stronger.

An enemy wolf — gray and scarred — saw her silver fur and stopped. His eyes went wide.

Silver blood, he whispered through the open pack link that all wolves could hear. The cure...

Greed lit his eyes. He lunged for her.

Zara met him head-on.

They crashed together. Teeth snapped. Claws slashed. He was older, experienced, but Zara was faster. Her new power burned bright.

She twisted, caught his throat, and pinned him to the floor. He struggled, then went still in submission.

Zara let him go. She did not kill unless she had to.

More enemies came. Zara fought beside Roman. Black wolf and silver wolf, moving as one. The bond told her where he would strike; she struck first to clear his path. He guarded her back without thinking.

Slowly, the rival wolves fell back. Roman's pack was smaller, but they fought for home. For family. For their Luna.

Cassian's beta — a large brown wolf with one blind eye — pushed to the front. He stared at Zara.

You belong to Cassian, he growled aloud. He will take you. Break the Vale pack. End this war.

Roman stepped in front of Zara, hackles raised. A deep, dangerous growl rumbled from his chest.

She belongs to no one but herself. And she chose me.

The beta laughed, an ugly sound. Then we take her by force.

He charged.

Roman met him in the center of the hall. The two big wolves slammed together like thunder. Blood sprayed. Teeth tore fur.

Zara wanted to help, but Garrick's voice came through the pack link.

Luna, hold the line. Trust your alpha.

She did.

Around her, the battle continued. Zara fought three wolves at once. Her silver claws cut deep. Her jaws crushed bone when needed. She felt pain — bites on her shoulder, a bullet that burned across her side — but the pain only made her stronger.

Above the noise, she heard Roman's roar of victory.

The brown beta lay still, throat torn open.

The rival wolves saw their leader fall. Fear spread through them like cold wind.

They began to run.

Roman shifted back to human. Blood covered him, but he stood tall.

Chase them out! he commanded. Show the city we are not broken!

The pack roared and followed the fleeing enemies down the stairs.

Zara shifted to human form. Her body ached, but the wounds were already healing fast. She walked to Roman.

He pulled her into his arms, not caring about blood or dirt.

You fought like a true Luna, he whispered against her hair.

Zara looked around at the wounded pack members helping each other, at the bodies of enemies being dragged away, at the proud eyes watching her.

This is only the beginning, she said softly.

Roman nodded. Yes. But tonight, we won the first fight.

Far above them, thunder rolled. Rain began to fall on the city.

In the distance, new howls answered — not enemies this time, but lone wolves and small packs hearing the news.

The silver Luna had risen.

And they wanted to see her. To join her. To follow her light.

Zara closed her eyes and felt the bond stretch across the city, pulling good hearts toward them.

The war had begun.

But hope had begun too.