Issue 1.7: Alpha Wolf

The night is dark when John Trent emerges from the house. Tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular, he’s easily recognizable even in the darkness. He’s shirtless, wearing only jeans, as he begins walking toward Wolf’s Woods.

You grit your teeth, breathing hard as you follow him into the woods. Your fingers tighten around the silver knife in your hand. Your father’s gun, loaded with silver bullets, is tucked into your waistband, and the makeshift silver-tipped spear is strapped to your back. The moon hangs above, casting eerie shadows through the trees.

John Trent stops in a forest clearing.

For a moment that feels like forever, nothing happens. Then, his body begins to twist and contort. You watch in awe and disbelief as Maria’s uncle transforms into a towering, muscular werewolf. His bones crack, his muscles bulge, and fur erupts across his skin. There’s no doubt now. This is the creature that killed Bill Stanler, David Rubenstein, and Jake.

With trembling hands, you raise the gun and fire. But the werewolf’s senses are too sharp. John Trent snarls and lunges before the shot even leaves the chamber. You miss. He’s on you in an instant, swatting the gun from your grip with terrifying strength. You curse and slash at him with the silver knife, but he recoils at the sight of the blade, his yellow eyes flashing with recognition. He knocks it away before you can stab him.

You fumble for the spear, but he bats it aside like it’s nothing. A veteran soldier, a Navy SEAL, a former powerlifter, now with the unnatural strength and speed of a werewolf. There’s no way you can win. He pins you to the forest floor, his massive claws hovering over your throat, his jaws inches from your face.

You brace for the end, waiting for him to tear you apart like he did the others.

But he doesn’t.

“Bennet?” His voice is human again, rough but recognizable. His body shifts back, the fur receding, the bones resetting, until John Trent stands over you in his human form, shirtless and breathing hard. His expression is a mix of surprise and something else, concern? “What are you doing?”

“You’re a werewolf,” you gasp, still struggling to catch your breath. “You murdered Bill Stanler, David Rubenstein, and my friend Jake!”

John shakes his head. “No, I didn’t.” He doesn’t deny what he is, but his voice is firm. “I’m a werewolf, yes. But I’m not the one who killed them.”

“Then why...” You blink, confusion and shock warring inside you. “Werewolves aren’t supposed to be able to control their bloodlust when they transform.”

“I can.” John’s voice is steady, almost proud. “Most lycanthropes struggle with the wolf for years, but I mastered it the night of my first transformation. My unique background, my training, my discipline gave me an edge.” He crouches down, his gaze locking onto yours. “I’m not the monster you’re hunting, Bennet. I hunt monsters. I’m a superhero.” His voice drops to a growl. “I’m Alpha Wolf.”