Jayden and Jessica were still locked together, the air thick with tension and quiet emotion. Jessica was now in front of Jayden, her hands moving gently across his face, her fingertips brushing over his sharp cheekbones, her thumb tracing the edge of his lips—carefully skimming over his lengthened fangs.
Jayden flinched slightly, nervous, his breath shallow. His eyes darted to hers, searching, half-afraid of what he might see.
But Jessica didn't back away. Not even a bit.
There was a flicker of fear in her eyes—how could there not be?. But it was dwarfed by something stronger.
Love.
She cupped his face, her palms warm against his coarse, fur-lined skin, staring into his golden, glowing eyes as the relentless crack and pop of bones continued. His transformation wasn't done, not yet—but the worst of the agony seemed... bearable now.
Jayden grunted as his spine lurched with a nasty snap, his teeth clenched hard. His ears were now elongated, tufts of fur sprouting along the sides of his face, and his jawline was pushing outward, beginning to form a snout.
Yet.. miraculously—he stayed grounded.
Jessica was his anchor.
And then their eyes met—deep, burning, soul-baring. Jayden's heart squeezed at what he saw: Calmness. Trust. And a small, reassuring smile on Jessica's lips.
It warmed him to the core.
"Jessica," he rasped, voice low and thick with gravel. The transformation had already distorted his throat, every word sounding deeper, more beast than boy.
"Hm?" she hummed, brushing stray locks of hair from his forehead.
"Thank you... for staying with me."
Jessica smiled softly, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion. "Of course. We promised, remember?"
Jayden's glowing eyes softened. "Yeah..."
"And I remember vividly," Jessica grinned playfully, "That it was a pinkie promise. The strongest kind of promise there is."
Jayden let out a low, rough laugh, a rumble from deep within his chest. Even with the pain slicing through his body, Jessica still found a way to make him laugh. It brought a flash of clarity, a rush of bittersweet nostalgia—Jessica was always like this. Mischievous. Playful. Brave even when everything was falling apart.
They stayed like that, holding each other's gaze, hearts locked in a quiet, unspoken exchange. Jayden's transformation was near its peak... he had longer limbs, fully stretched bones, his torso now broader and more animalistic. But he still seemed calm... or not.
BAM.
A sudden jolt of mind-splitting agony ripped through Jayden's skull, like knives stabbing into his brain from all directions. His entire body seized up, his breath catching in his throat.
The migraine. The final blow.
Jayden staggered back, clutching his head with both clawed hands. He groaned, snarled, his voice devolving into ragged growls.
Jessica stood up, eyes wide, her heart pounding. "Jayden?!"
He snarled, his whole frame shaking violently. "Jessica," he growled, his tone low, ragged, wild. "You need to go. Now."
Jessica's brows furrowed, her feet rooted to the floor. "I can't leave you like this!"
Jayden shook his head violently, veins bulging in his neck. "No. You don't understand—" his breath hitched, fangs bared, eyes glowing brighter, "I'm... losing control. I won't be able to stop what happens—"
"I don't care!" Jessica cried out, tears brimming. "I don't want to leave you!"
Jayden grit his teeth so hard it looked like they might shatter. His claws dug into the floor, his muscles rippling under the strain. "It's gonna be fine. I promise, Jessica. But you have to go,"
Jessica shook her head fiercely, heart thundering in her chest.
Jayden's golden eyes flared, the beast within surging to the surface. His voice dropped into a terrifying, guttural growl. "GO!!"
That broke her.
Shaken by the sheer ferocity of his roar, Jessica stumbled back, heart racing in terror. She hesitated, tears welling up, but finally with reluctance, she turned and bolted for the door.
Jayden's eyes followed her until she was gone.. but she didn't go far. Jessica froze by the entrance, her breathing ragged, her whole body trembling. She couldn't bring herself to leave him completely.
And then—it happened.
Jayden's snout stretched out fully, his nose reshaping into a wolf's muzzle. His body bulked out, his muscles tearing through the last shreds of his humanity. Fur sprouted rapidly along his arms, chest, and legs, his fingers curling into razor-sharp claws, and his ears stood tall, sharp and twitching.
Then... Jayden stood tall, over two meters, baring his fangs and snarling like a wild beast... because he actually was. He had lost his human consciousness completely.
Now, only the primal beast remained.
His growl deepened, chest vibrating like a wild drumbeat.
[Partial Transformation(Lycanthrope) Complete)
Jessica's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes went huge. She couldn't believe her eyes... or reality even.
Jayden hadn't just became any random beast like she'd expect, he was...
A lycan.
The stories, the movies, the fairytales.. they were real. Right here. Right in front of her.
Jayden's beast form was towering and terrifying, a creature of primal rage and feral hunger. His eyes.. once so warm—now glowed with savage fury. Drool dripped from his sharp fangs as he snarled, his claws flexing with lethal precision.
Jessica's whole body trembled, her knees locking up. Every instinct screamed at her to run.
But her legs wouldn't move. She was frozen.
The lycan's eyes locked onto her—sharp, wild, murderous.
Snarl.
The room felt like it shrank, the tension thick enough to choke.
Then—
AWOOOOO!
A deafening, blood-curdling howl that shook the walls. Jessica fell to her knees, hands flying up to her ears, heart hammering wildly in her chest.
When she dared to look up again.. the lycan was on all fours, muscles taut, ready to strike.
"J-Jayden—" she stammered, tears pooling, her breath coming in panicked gasps. "Are you still in there?"
But the lycan snarled in response, and in a blur, it lunged, claws outstretched, racing toward her with terrifying speed. Jessica's eyes bulged in horror. She barely had time to raise her hands to her face, shielding herself in one final, desperate act of defense.
"This is it," her mind screamed. "I'm going to die.."
But then—nothing.
No impact.
No pain.
Only silence.
Shaking uncontrollably, Jessica lowered her hands, blinking through her tears... and gasped in shock at what she saw.
The lycan's claws were frozen inches from her head. His arm trembled violently in mid-air, muscles spasming like he was wrestling with something invisible.
But there was nothing there.
It was him.
Jayden.
Jessica's eyes flooded with tears, her breath hitching in awe and heartbreak as she realized the truth—he was fighting it. Fighting with everything he had.
Jayden's eyes... those fierce, wild eyes—locked with hers. She could see the strain, the sheer willpower it was taking for him to hold back. Every fiber of his being screamed to attack—but somehow, he resisted. He wouldn't bring himself to hurt her.
Jessica's heart shattered, the scene was comforting yet painful.
And then, suddenly, without warning—Jayden roared in agony, yanking his claws back and plunging them straight into his own shoulder.
Jessica screamed. "Jayden!!"
With a vicious swipe, Jayden dragged his claws down his chest, slashing himself from shoulder to gut. Blood spurted out, matting his fur, and his howl of pain rattled the walls.
Jessica's hands flew to her mouth, tears spilling freely. Her chest ached watching him hurt himself... for her.
He staggered back, panting heavily, every breath ragged. Then—with one last look at Jessica, a wild mix of pain and fierce determination, Jayden dropped to all fours.
And bolted.
Dashing through the balcony door in a blur of fur and muscle, Jayden's massive form disappeared into the night, leaping from rooftop to rooftop before veering off toward the forest, vanishing into the darkness.
Jessica stood frozen, her legs finally giving out as she slumped against the doorframe, her breath coming in jagged, panicked gulps.
She stared at the moon, her tears falling unchecked, her heart still thudding like mad.
He'd... spared her.
He hadn't hurt her.
He'd fought for her.
Jessica's whole body trembled, her mind spinning.
And then—her eyes hardened with resolve. She had seen the look in Jayden's eyes. There was fierceness, yes. But there was also... fear. Even in his lycan form, Jayden was scared.
She pushed herself up, wiping her tears fiercely. "No way am I letting you do this alone, Jayden," she whispered to herself.
Jessica spun on her heel, sprinted to her room, grabbed her jacket and sneakers—and without a second thought, bolted out of the house, her heart set on one thing:
Finding Jayden.
Because when she said she'd never leave him alone— she meant it.
No matter what.
*******
Messier 81,
Ursa Major Constellation
In the heart of the vast, spiraling brilliance of Bode's Galaxy, a colossal planet floated in the silent black sea of space, lazily orbiting its radiant sun. It was a beautiful world, a celestial giant wrapped in swirling clouds and shimmering with shades of deep violet and sapphire, its surface barely touched by the human eye.
Two moons danced gracefully around it, tethered by invisible cords of gravity. One gleamed with a serene blue glow, rippling softly like a sapphire caught in eternal twilight. The other was a haunting greyish-white, an eerily reminiscent of Earth's moon pocked with ancient craters, its rugged terrain bathed in soft silver under the ever-watchful sun.
But we were not here for the planet. Not today.
We're focusing on that greyish-white moon... a humble yet powerful satellite that carried a secret of its own.
It wasn't just a moon, it was home to one of the most formidable people in the universe.
Nestled at its center was a sprawling futuristic settlement, alive with shimmering lights and bustling activity. Sleek hovercraft zipped through translucent tunnels, and pedestrians moved along floating platforms, going about their daily lives as if nothing in the universe could disturb them.
And towering high above this moonlit civilization stood a breathtaking fortress... a castle like no other. Its architecture was a mesmerizing fusion of the ancient and the futuristic: obsidian spires stretched toward the stars, their edges lined with gleaming silver; the walls shimmered with etched lunar runes, glowing faintly under the twin moons. Massive stone wolf heads, mouths open mid-howl, were sculpted into the outer ramparts, while holographic banners flapped high above, bearing the sigil of a crescent moon entwined with a spear. The structure was a perfect balance of grace and menace—a kingdom born of the stars and bound by tradition.
Inside, the grand throne room pulsed with quiet tension. Moonlight poured in through towering arched windows, kissing the polished marble floor that seemed to glow with its own inner light. At the far end of the room, on a magnificent silver throne adorned with subtle engravings of wolves and constellations, sat a woman who exuded power and regal grace.
She looked to be in her early fifties, yet her beauty was timeless, almost otherworldly. Her flowing silver hair cascaded in waves down her back, framing a face marked by sharp cheekbones and honey-golden eyes that gleamed like liquid amber—intense, calculating, and weary. She wore a suit of silver and white armor that hugged her body with flawless precision, its surface decorated with delicate engravings of moons and runes. A trailing, silk-like robe was draped over her armor, soft yet regal, cinched at her waist to enhance her queenly curves. Atop her head rested a slender crown... a circlet of silver adorned with a single crescent moon, the insignia of her rule.
Beside her throne stood a long, intimidating spear, its blade shimmering faintly under the moon's glow. Her fingers danced across a holographic screen, scrolling through endless reports, her brow furrowed in deep frustration.
Suddenly, the massive doors at the far end creaked open. A man strode in, tall and formidable, clad in polished combat armor complete with a white cape that trailed behind him like a whisper. He walked with purpose, his boots echoing across the chamber until he reached the throne. Removing his sleek helmet, he revealed strikingly handsome features.. long, black hair, sharp jawline, and eyes dark with worry.
The queen didn't look up immediately. Her attention remained fixed on the glowing holo-screen until she finally sighed and spared him a sidelong glance.
"My queen," the man spoke, his voice steady but tense. "The foot soldiers have returned from their raid on Cipen."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as the screen dissolved into nothingness. "And?" she demanded, her tone cool and cutting, the mark of a ruler who tolerated no nonsense.
The man swallowed hard, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. "It... it was nothing, Your Highness. Cipen was barren—no resources, no leads. We found nothing of value."
A sharp breath left her lips, and her honey-gold eyes darkened. "So you're telling me we wasted precious fuel, enough for ten ships, to chase shadows?" she snapped.
The man winced, shoulders stiffening under her gaze. "I... Your Highness... we—"
"Enough," she said coldly, waving him off with a flick of her hand. "Bring me the commander who suggested that raid. Now."
"Y-Yes, my queen," he muttered quickly, bowing before hurrying out of the room.
The queen sighed heavily, pressing her fingers to her temple. Her voice dripped with frustration. "Fools. Wasting resources on a fable... while we teeter on the edge of ruin."
"It's not their fault, Callisto," came a soft, familiar voice.. one that echoed only in her mind. Warm, knowing, and exasperatingly gentle. "Everyone's desperate."
Callisto's jaw tensed, but she responded without hesitation, as if talking to herself was the most natural thing in the world. "No, Cynthia. This isn't desperation. This is stupidity. If I were desperate, I'd be knocking on the Ice Giants' door begging for aid. Not sending my fleet chasing fairy tales."
The voice... known as Cynthia, sighed. "They are your people. As queen, you must be patient. If you lose their trust, you lose the war."
Callisto let out a humorless laugh. "Still dispensing wisdom after all these centuries, huh?"
"You might be thousands of years old, my dear," Cynthia teased, her voice smug. "But I'm far older. And far wiser."
Callisto smirked, eyes gleaming with dry amusement. "No. You're just a grumpy old goddess who got herself stuck in my head. And now I'm stuck with your endless nagging."
A giggle echoed softly. "Oh, please. You love my nagging."
Callisto chuckled, her stern facade cracking just a little. "I've had a thousand years to get used to it. What choice do I have?"
They shared a brief silence, both lost in their own thoughts, before Cynthia's voice gently cut in again. "Have you spoken to Castor recently? About the kingdom's state?"
Callisto's eyes darkened. "It's been a few months. He's... busy with his affairs on the human planets."
A note of disdain crept into Cynthia's tone. "What could possibly be more important than his own people? His own family?"
Callisto's expression softened, but her voice remained sharp. "Believe me, I've asked myself the same. But... he's laying foundations. He's gathering strength. And besides..." she hesitated. "He's watching over Cyllene's children."
There was a pause, and then Cynthia spoke again, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Are they not old enough to join the fight?"
Callisto's lips curved into a sad smile. "Not yet. They're still young. Still... innocent. And they haven't awakened their capabilities yet,"
"Suit yourself," Cynthia sighed. "But I'll keep pushing you until we win back what's ours."
Callisto laughed softly. "Always the nag."
"And proud of it," Cynthia teased. "Without me, you'd have gone mad ages ago."
Callisto opened her mouth to retort when suddenly—her body tensed. A sharp jolt of energy surged through her, quick and fleeting, but unmistakable. Her breath hitched.
"What is it?" Cynthia asked, concerned.
Callisto's eyes gleamed with sudden fire. "I felt something... a notification of awakening."
Cynthia's voice was electric with excitement. "You mean—?"
"Yes," Callisto whispered, her pulse racing. "One of Cyllene's children... they've activated their curse."
A thrill of hope sparked between them. Callisto quickly tapped her ring, summoning a holographic screen. She typed rapidly, her eyes fierce with purpose.
A moment later, a voice responded crisply: "My queen, how may I serve?"
"Phastos," Callisto commanded, her voice like sharpened steel. "Go to the human planet Beta. Find Castor—and tell him..." Her eyes narrowed, a slow smile curving her lips. "Tell him... I want to meet my grandchildren."
*******