The needle pierced my arm, and an immediate surge of fiery liquid coursed through my veins. I clenched my teeth tightly, knuckles whitening as my fingers gripped the cold metal armrests with fierce determination. A scream threatened to escape from deep within my throat, but I fought to keep it locked away. Despite preparing myself mentally this time, the agony was just as intense, relentless in its grip.
“Try to breathe through it,” Dr. Scott advised, her tone clinical yet not devoid of kindness. “I’ve fine-tuned the dosage for this round, so it should be more precise.”
I gave a stiff nod, unable to utter a word as the second injection of “Wolf’s Shadow” surged through my body. The initial burning gradually softened, morphing into a prickling sensation that radiated outward from the injection site. My skin tingled uncomfortably, a constant reminder that the compound was taking hold.
Jennifer lingered at the edge of the sterile medical room, her arms crossed and expression unreadable. Once my breathing steadied, she spoke again, her voice sharp and focused. “Remember your mission parameters: observe, document, confirm. No unnecessary interaction with anyone attending.”
“I understand,” I replied, flexing my fingers as the worst of the pain ebbed away. “Get in, identify the Triad leadership, get out.”
Jennifer’s gaze hardened. “Your survival depends on it. If they discover you’re human…”
She didn’t need to finish. We all knew the fate of humans caught infiltrating wolf gatherings—merciless and swift.
Rebecca stepped forward, carrying a garment bag. She unzipped it to reveal a sleek, navy evening gown—elegant yet understated. “Something sophisticated, but unremarkable,” she explained as she helped me slip into it. “You want to blend in, not draw attention. Tonight, you’re Emma Thornwald from the Northern Peaks pack.”
The dress hugged my frame perfectly, tailored to conceal the monitoring device strapped discreetly to my lower back. Catching my reflection in the mirror, I saw a pale face and tired eyes, but there was a new glint—an unmistakable shimmer that hadn’t been there before the injection. I was caught between two worlds: not quite human, not quite wolf.
Andy approached with a small velvet box in hand. “These earrings contain both communication and recording tech,” he said, helping me fasten them. His fingers brushed lightly against my neck, and I struggled to ignore the warmth and familiarity of his touch. “Tap three times quickly if you need emergency extraction.”
“How do I look?” I asked, managing a faint, uncertain smile. “Wolfy enough?”
His expression remained serious. “The compound masks your human scent well, but don’t let anyone get too close for too long—especially not anyone who knew you… before.”


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