Chapter 5: Blood Awakening
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Ethan immediately turns to face Derek, instinctively shielding me, this protective posture surprising me.
"This isn't your business, Hale," Ethan says, his voice low and dangerous.
"Anything involving the McCall family is my business," Derek steps forward, "especially when an Alpha pack member tries to manipulate them."
I step out from behind Ethan, standing between them. "Enough," I say calmly but firmly, "I don't need anyone's protection."
Derek's gaze falls on me, mixing anger and some emotion I can't fully interpret. "You don't know what you're dealing with, Valerie. They're not here to make friends."
"I'm fully aware," I answer, "and I was getting information, until you interrupted us."
In the moonlight, the three of us form a tense triangle. I can feel the energy in the air fluctuating, the confrontation between the two Alphas almost tangible.
Suddenly, a piercing howl comes from deep in the forest.
"Scott," Derek and Ethan say simultaneously, then glare at each other.
Before they can react, I'm already running toward the sound. My movements are faster and more agile than usual, as if my body knows how to navigate in the dark. Derek and Ethan follow closely.
When we find Scott, he's fighting with a huge shadow, a creature that looks like a werewolf but larger, more primitive. Scott is already injured, blood pouring from his chest.
"Scott!" I call out, instinctively rushing forward.
Derek grabs my arm, "Don't get close! That's an Alpha."
But I break free from his control, rushing toward my brother. The Alpha turns to me, red eyes flashing, revealing sharp fangs.
Time seems to slow down.
As the Alpha lunges at me, I feel something inside me break, like an invisible barrier being shattered. Heat flows from my heart to my limbs, my vision suddenly becoming extraordinarily clear, able to see every detail even in darkness.
I dodge the Alpha's attack, my movement fluid unlike a human's. Then, my hand touches the Alpha's arm, silver energy surging from my fingertips, passing to the Alpha like an electric current.
The creature lets out a painful howl, recoiling as if burned. It looks at me confusedly, then turns and disappears into the forest.
I immediately kneel beside Scott, instinctively placing my hand on his wound. The same silver energy flows, and Scott's wound begins to heal at a visible rate.
"This is impossible," Derek whispers, his eyes full of shock, "unless..."
I feel dizzy, my vision beginning to blur. I hear Ethan calling my name, feel someone catching my falling body, then everything goes dark.
In my dream, I see my mother.
"Mom?" I search for that familiar figure in a white mist.
"My daughter," her voice comes from all directions, "your bloodline has finally awakened."
"What am I?" I ask, "Why can I influence werewolves?"
"You are the guardian of balance," she answers, "half human, half wolf, neither hunter nor prey. Your bloodline can heal, and it can harm. It is a curse, and it is a gift."
"I don't understand," I feel confused, "I'm not a werewolf."
"No, you're not," her voice begins to fade, "you are the heir of the Shadow Heart. Seek the druid, he will tell you the truth."
I jolt awake, finding myself lying in an unfamiliar room. Sunlight streams through the window, and I blink, adjusting to the light.
"You're awake," a voice says.
I turn my head to see Derek sitting in a chair beside the bed, his expression serious.
"Where am I?" I ask, my voice somewhat hoarse.
"My apartment," Derek answers, "you passed out last night, Scott wanted to take you home, but I thought it would be safer here."
I slowly sit up, feeling my body unusually sensitive, as if every nerve ending has been awakened. "Is Scott okay?"
"Thanks to you, he's completely recovered," Derek stares at me, "do you know what you did?"
I shake my head, "Not entirely. I just... felt some kind of power."
Derek leans forward, "You healed a wound caused by an Alpha, that's not something an ordinary person can do. Not even an ordinary werewolf can do that."
"I dreamed of my mother," I say quietly, "she said I am 'the heir of the Shadow Heart,' the 'guardian of balance.'"
Derek's expression becomes more serious, "I need to take you to see Deaton."
