Amara groaned softly, pushing herself up from the ground. Her breathing was uneven, her body still trembling from the transformation. As the dust settled, she stood — completely bare, her torn underwear in shreds beside her.
Tolu blinked, looking away immediately. "You should put your clothes back on," he said firmly. "We're done for today."
Amara brushed dirt off her arm and smirked. "No. I want to go again."
Tolu turned back to face her. "There's no need. You've done enough for—"
"I said I want to go again," she interrupted, stepping closer, eyes steady. "And besides…" she tilted her head slightly, that mischievous spark in her tone, "…I have a feeling you'll be seeing me naked a lot during training."
Tolu's jaw tightened. "That's not the point."
"For some reason," she continued, completely unbothered, "I don't even mind."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. She's serious.
"Fine," he said finally. "But this time, focus. No distractions. You want to control it, right? Then prove it."
A grin spread across her face. "Now you're talking."
She took a stance, bare feet sinking slightly into the soft ground. Tolu mirrored her posture, his expression calm but sharp.
"Round two," he said.
They lunged at each other — her strikes wild but more measured this time, his movements smooth and calculated. Dust rose around them as fists and claws clashed, the forest echoing with the rhythm of their sparring.
---
After a while, they both slumped down on the fallen log, sweat glistening under the fading sunlight. Amara slipped on her clothes quietly, her breathing finally steady.
Tolu stood, dusting off his hands. "One last time," he said.
Amara nodded, closing her eyes. When she opened them again, her irises glowed violet. She raised her hands, claws extending with a sharp hiss — then, slowly, the color shifted to crimson as heat rippled off them. She held it for a few seconds, then forced it back down.
Tolu watched carefully. "Good," he said. "And don't use the heat unless it's life or death. That ability isn't normal — it'll draw attention."
Amara smirked faintly. "Got it. I already know. It's not something to flash around."
"Exactly."
He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Amara suddenly wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"Thanks, Tolu," she said softly.
He paused, then nodded once. "No problem."
She smiled, releasing him, and jogged off toward the road, clutching her bag and the torn remains of her clothes.
Tolu sighed, shaking his head. She should burn those before someone starts asking questions.
He checked his phone — 1:58 p.m.
Still early.
Looking out toward the distant forest, he muttered, "Time to find the yeye agba."
Whatever his bloodline carried, Amara's strange power had confirmed it — every wolf he turned might inherit something more than just strength. Something ancient. Something dangerous. This is a kind of power wolves would kill for. If he can choose who he gives it to all is well. But, of the powers can be stolen he's gonna be in big trouble.
And he needed answers. If he knows enough he can plan well for the future.
---
Amara hurried up the front steps, glancing around before shoving the torn, dirt-stained clothes deep into her backpack. She zipped it shut, took a breath to calm herself, and pushed open the door.
The familiar sound of video games echoed through the sitting room — her younger brother, Chisom, sat cross-legged on the floor, eyes glued to the TV as he mashed the buttons on his controller.
"Chisom!" her mother's voice rang out from the kitchen, firm but gentle. "If I come there and you're still playing, you'll read till night!"
"I'm almost done!" he shouted back, not taking his eyes off the screen.
Amara shook her head with a small smile and walked toward the laundry room. "Good afternoon, Mom."
Ifunanya turned, wiping her hands on a towel before leaning in to kiss Amara's forehead. "Welcome, my dear. How was the study session?"
"It was fine, Mama," Amara said, forcing a tired smile. "We studied lots of topics, but I'm okay."
"Good. Don't overwork yourself," Ifunanya said warmly. "Your father stepped out, but if you need anything, check the pantry. And please tell Adaeze to help Chisom with his homework — he's been pretending to 'take breaks' all morning."
"I will," Amara replied, heading toward the stairs.
As she climbed, she could hear her mother scolding Chisom again and the faint sound of her sister Adaeze's laughter drifting from her room. The house felt warm — a typical family day— but deep inside, Amara's chest tightened. After everything that had happened two nights ago, it almost felt like stepping into another world.
---
Amara entered her room and dropped her bag beside the desk. She peeled off her outdoor clothes and changed into something lighter — a simple gray tank top and soft cotton shorts, the kind she always wore when she just wanted to breathe. She tied her hair up in a loose bun, then stepped out to find her sister.
She didn't bother knocking before pushing open Adaeze's door.
Adaeze was sprawled comfortably on the bed, dressed in a loose white T-shirt tucked halfway into blue joggers, earbuds in her ears and a novel spread open across her chest.
"Mom says you should study with Chisom," Amara announced.
Adaeze groaned dramatically but smiled, pulling out one earbud. "Again? That boy doesn't even listen unless I bribe him with snacks."
Amara chuckled. "Well, Mom said it, so…"
"I know, I know," Adaeze said, sitting up and brushing her hair from her face. "I'll help him. He just needs patience, not shouting."
"That's your specialty," Amara teased, leaning against the doorframe.
Adaeze smiled softly. "You sound tired. Did the 'study session' wear you out that much?"
Amara shrugged. "Something like that."
Adaeze tilted her head, studying her younger sister. "You know, you can always tell me if something's up. You've been quiet lately."
Amara smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Dee. Promise."
Her sister gave a knowing look but didn't press. "Alright. But rest, okay? I'll handle Chisom."
Amara nodded, turning to leave as Adaeze stretched and muttered, "If that boy gives me attitude, I'm switching off the Wi-Fi."
Amara laughed under her breath as she walked back to her room. For a moment, the normalcy of it all — her sister's calm teasing, her mother's gentle voice downstairs — felt like the only thing keeping her grounded.