SCENE: Tears Beneath the Thunder
Prizey clung to Aliyah, her tears soaking into her best friend's shoulder. Her voice broke as she whispered,
"He betrayed me too, Aliyah… I'm not worthy of love. No one could ever love me. No one…"
Aliyah's own throat tightened, but she held her tighter.
"Don't you dare say that. Everyone loves you, Prizey. And what do you mean… he betrayed you? Simon?"
Prizey's trembling nod was enough.
Her voice cracked with rage and sorrow,
"Yes. He deceived me. I hate him, Aliyah. I hate him more than anything."
Aliyah tried desperately to calm her.
"No… please, Prizey. Don't say that. Just tell me what happened—"
But before she could finish, a thunderous explosion shattered the silence. The walls rattled.
Both girls froze.
"What… what was that?" Aliyah gasped, her eyes darting toward the hall.
They rushed out, but when Prizey turned toward her friend, Aliyah was no longer there.
"Aliyah? Aliyah! Where are you?"
Her voice echoed through the empty hall, met only with the buzzing hum of the flickering lights.
Then—darkness.
The bulbs sputtered, casting sharp flashes of light, and in one of those flickers, she saw it.
A monster towered before her. Twelve feet tall, with jagged fangs that gleamed wet with blood, claws sharp as blades, and molten red eyes burning in the shadows. Its grotesque body shifted like a twisted T-Rex, each step shaking the floor.
Prizey's breath caught in her throat. For a moment, terror wanted to claim her… but instead, her lips curved into a defiant smirk.
"Come on, then," she whispered.
The beast lunged.
Its claws ripped across her arm, blood spilling instantly, but the pain only ignited her fighting spirit. She struck back, dodging and countering, refusing to collapse even as exhaustion dragged at her broken heart and bleeding body.
The monster sensed her weakness, raised its claws for the final blow—
—but a white wolf burst from the shadows like lightning. Its growl thundered through the hall as it slammed into the creature. Claw against claw, fang against fang, the two titans battled savagely.
Prizey stumbled back, her chest heaving. She could only watch as the wolf outmaneuvered the beast, forcing it into retreat. Then, in a blinding flash of light, the wolf turned and leapt toward her—
—and the world vanished.
---
When her vision cleared, she was standing inside a villa. The air smelled of wood and old stone. Her heart raced as the white wolf shimmered and twisted into human form.
Simon.
No—Xavier.
His chest rose and fell heavily, his eyes burning with pain as he looked at her.
Prizey's hand moved before her mind could catch up.
SLAP.
The sound echoed through the room.
Xavier didn't defend himself. His head dropped, shame weighing his shoulders.
Her voice shattered as she spoke, broken and raw.
"Why did you do this to me, Simon? Or should I call you Xavier?"
His head snapped up, eyes wide with shock, searching her face.
"Prizey… please. Just listen—"
SLAP.
This time, her tears fell as fast as his.
"Shut up! Don't you dare speak! Why? Why me, Simon? Was I just another game to you? Another heart to crush?"
Her voice broke into sobs.
"You were watching me from the beginning, weren't you? Stalking me, hiding behind masks, feeding me lies… You even threatened me in the forest that day. You knew about my mark. And still, you came close to me. Still, you pretended to love me."
Her fists trembled at her sides.
"Do you know, Simon? I made the two biggest mistakes of my life… loving the wrong man, and believing the wrong man."
Xavier's tears slipped silently down his face. His lips parted to speak, but nothing came.
Prizey collapsed to the floor, clutching herself as sobs tore through her.
"And now what? Do you want to cry too? Do you think your tears will fix the pieces you've shattered? Tell me—what did I ever do to deserve this?"
The villa's silence swallowed her cries, broken only by the sound of Xavier's tears hitting the cold floor.
Prizey's hand trembled as she pulled herself away from Xavier. He had reached for her fingers, desperate to hold on, but she ripped free, her chest heaving as if every breath cut her open.
"I asked you something, Simon," her voice cracked, laced with venom and heartbreak.
Xavier rose to his feet slowly, his eyes locking on hers—not with defiance, but with a love so heavy it almost broke her.
"Yes," she sneered, her lips curving into a painful smirk. "Yes, Mr. Xavier, you are the one, aren't you? The werewolf who haunted me since childhood. The shadow that stalked me in dreams, that stole my sleep, my peace—everything. You gave me nothing but pain… pain… pain."
Her laughter came sharp and bitter, echoing in the hollow villa. "And you know what's funny? Everyone knew. Master Shifu, the dream reader, all of them—they knew the truth about you. But me?" She jabbed her finger against her chest. "I was the cursed one. The unlucky girl who didn't even recognize the monster breathing down her neck."
Xavier said nothing. His head bowed, shoulders trembling with words he couldn't—or wouldn't—speak. His silence made her angrier.
"Answer me, damn it!" Prizey's voice cracked, her fury breaking under the weight of her tears. "I'm tired of this. Tired of you! I can't take it anymore." Her chest rose and fell in wild sobs. "This ends here, Xavier. Our bond, whatever it was, ends now."
She turned to leave. But in a blur, his hand caught her arm, and before she could react, her back was pressed hard against the cold wall. Her eyes widened in shock as Xavier leaned close, his breath hot against her skin.
"Don't—" she tried to push him away, but her words died in a strangled gasp. His fangs sank into her neck—right where the wolf mark burned beneath her skin.
Prizey's body stiffened. Pain shot through her veins like fire, but then—something changed. The agony dulled, replaced by a strange, unnerving calm. Her pulse slowed, her sobs stilled. Against her will, the storm in her chest began to ease. Why… why does it feel like this? Her mind screamed to fight, to push him away, but her body betrayed her.
After twenty unbearable, breathless seconds, Xavier pulled back. His lips were stained red. He staggered, almost ashamed of what he'd done. Prizey pressed her palm to her neck, trembling, staring at him with wide, glassy eyes.
"You…" Her voice was barely a whisper. "What did you do to me?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he took her hand again—gentle this time, fragile as if she might shatter. Without a word, he guided her to the old wooden bench nearby. She sank down, numb, her eyes never leaving him.
Then, to her shock, Xavier knelt at her feet. A wolf king, humbled. Carefully, he took her wounded arm in his hands. His fingers brushed against the torn skin where the monster had struck her. He tore a strip of cloth and began to bandage the wound, his touch trembling yet tender.
Prizey couldn't stop staring. This man, this monster, this wolf… why does his silence feel louder than any lie? Why does his touch feel like both a curse and a prayer?
Xavier lifted his face at last, his voice breaking as he whispered, "Prizey… please. Let me explain.
The Flashback – The Fall of the Clan
Xavier's tears shimmered in the dim light. He lifted his hand gently, wiping away the streaks that stained Prizey's cheeks. His touch lingered, soft as a whisper. Then, forcing a small, fragile smile, he spoke.
"Prizey… please. Just give me a chance. Let me explain."
Prizey said nothing. Her lips quivered, but her eyes locked on his, searching, demanding answers. And Xavier… finally broke.
His voice fell into a hush. "It all began… when I was just a child."
---
Flashback Begins
"Xavier? Xavier, come back here this instant!" His mother's voice echoed across the courtyard, laced with laughter.
A six-year-old Xavier darted through the garden, a mischievous grin on his face as he ran faster, his tiny legs carrying him in playful rebellion. "Catch me if you can, Mama!"
He didn't see the tall figure until he crashed right into him.
Strong arms steadied him, and a deep, booming laugh rolled through the air. "Ah, caught you, little wolf."
Xavier gasped, pouting. "No fair, Grandpa! You cheated!"
"Cheated?" The old king chuckled, hoisting Xavier up with ease. "You ran into me yourself. That's not my fault."
His mother, Keller, finally caught up, slightly out of breath but smiling. "Thank you, Father. He's been driving me mad all day."
At the sight of her, Xavier squirmed and hid behind his grandfather's shoulder. The ex-king only laughed harder, patting his grandson's head.
"No one scolds my Xavier," he said proudly. "Because my Xavier… is destined to be king. And a king fears no one."
Little Xavier peeked out, eyes wide, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Yes! A king! And kings… no one can tell them what to do!"
His grandfather laughed again. "Exactly."
Keller shook her head, smiling softly. "Fine then. Take him with you, Father. Perhaps you'll burn out some of his energy. But, Xavier…" she knelt, smoothing his hair with gentle fingers. "Be good. Listen to your grandpa."
"I will, Mama!" he promised with childish sincerity.
---
Moments later, the ex-king carried his grandson through the shimmering portal that bridged their realm to the human world. On the other side, they emerged into a lush forest where the sunlight danced on the river's surface.
"Come, Xavier," his grandfather said warmly, wading into the river. "The human world has much to teach us. Their ways, their nature… you must learn. For a king must know not only his own people, but all who live beyond."
Xavier's laughter rang out as he splashed into the water, trying to imitate his grandfather's strokes. "Look, Grandpa! I can swim!"
Their laughter echoed in the stillness. For a moment, the world was simple—just a boy, his grandfather, and the bond of family.
But joy never lingers forever.
---
Scene Shift – The Werewolf Clan
Back in the heart of the werewolf realm, shadows thickened. The skies twisted into swirling darkness, thunder rumbling as if the heavens themselves had turned against them.
King Robert, Xavier's father, stepped out into the courtyard, his face pale as he gazed at the unnatural storm. "What is this madness? Never… never before has such a darkness touched our skies."
Panic spread like wildfire. Mothers pulled their children inside, warriors rushed to the armory, and the clan descended into chaos. The howls of fear and confusion filled the air.
"Ready the warriors!" King Robert roared, his command cutting through the storm. Young wolves—males and females barely into their teenage years—stepped forward, trembling yet determined. Swords and claws glinted under the fractured sky.
And then—it came.
A monstrous creature, towering and grotesque, ripped through the veil of shadows. Its roar split the night, sending tremors across the land. Its eyes glowed crimson, its body a mass of scales and claws, like nightmare stitched into flesh.
The battle began.
---
The Fight
Wolves shifted mid-leap, their howls blending with the clash of steel. Claws slashed through air, teeth sank into the creature's hide, but the beast was relentless. One swipe of its massive arm sent three warriors crashing into stone walls.
Blood stained the ground. Screams rose with the storm. Yet the werewolves fought on—brave, unyielding.
King Robert himself charged forward, his blade glowing with ancestral power. With a roar, he plunged it deep into the beast's chest. The creature bellowed, staggering—but it was not alone.
From the storm poured more horrors. Dozens. Twisted abominations, each one more terrifying than the last.
The air became fire and blood. The ground shook beneath their fury. The wolves fought valiantly, but they were being overwhelmed.
---
The Keys
"Protect the realm!" King Robert shouted, his voice breaking. He raced into the Ancestors' Hall, the chamber aglow with runes. His trembling hands grasped the Seven Keys—ancient crystals glowing faintly, the lifeblood of their portal.
But before he could escape, claws wrapped around him. Dark creatures dragged him to the ground, snarling and snapping, binding him in chains forged of shadow.
"No!" Keller's scream split the air as she ran forward, her hands outstretched. "Please, leave him! Leave my husband!"
The creatures did not listen. They tore the keys from Robert's grasp, binding both king and queen in the grip of darkness.
Meanwhile…
Far away, Xavier's grandfather floated lazily on the river's surface, smiling at the boy paddling beside him. But suddenly—the water stilled. The air shifted. A sharp pain struck his chest as a vision burned behind his eyes.
His breath caught. His body stiffened. A butterfly, shimmering and unreal, landed softly on his shoulder.
"No…" his voice cracked, horror dawning in his gaze. "No… this cannot be…"
"Grandpa?" Xavier blinked, water dripping from his hair. "What's wrong? What can't be?"
The ex-king's face twisted with anguish. His roar shook the forest, drowning the birdsong.
"This cannot beeeee!"