Before Marie and the others could head out to where Gary was, there was one grim, unavoidable task that needed to be dealt with first, getting rid of Ghost’s body.
Werewolves consuming other werewolves still provided a boost, and Ghost, being one of the Ironfangs, was no ordinary prey. The strength gained from devouring him would be significant, a rare chance to sharpen claws and senses before the next fight.
“We can’t waste this,” Midwak said bluntly, his eyes lingering on the still form. “If no one else is going to eat it, then I’ll take it.”
“You’re going to eat it now?” Olivia asked, her nose wrinkling. “While you can’t transform? You’ll have to use your real teeth... it’ll take forever.”
And it wouldn’t just take time, it would be unpleasant to watch. When werewolves transformed, their predatory nature rose to the surface, and with it came a shift in demeanor. The act of consuming another’s flesh felt... natural in that form, primal even. But in human shape, the thought alone was stomach-churning.
To devour something in that state meant desperation, the kind of moment when strength was slipping away, when instinct seized control and pushed out all reason. Most avoided it unless they had no other choice.
“Shouldn’t we let Marie have him?” Xin suggested, his gaze flicking to her. “She’s the one who took him down. Feels only fair. And... with the way she is now, she’d be able to... clean him up without much trouble.”
Park shook his head slowly, muttering under his breath.
This is insane... Everyone was speaking about eating a body like it was some casual takeout order. I guess I’m no better, he thought grimly, remembering the time he’d been forced to deal with that one gang.
“There’s no point in me doing it,” Marie replied calmly. “My body’s already stronger from this form’s boost. It would barely affect me. Better that someone else, someone who can still gain a real advantage from it, takes the body.”
That left only one logical choice. All eyes drifted toward Kevin.
“No way,” Midwak cut in immediately. “He already got the damn mask. I’m taking this one. The rest of you go help Gary, or whatever. Once I’m done here, I’ll catch up.”
There wasn’t much room for argument. Kevin didn’t seem eager to contest it, if anything, he looked relieved not to be volunteering. So, with no objections left, the group turned away, leaving Midwak behind with Ghost’s body, while they set off toward Gary.
“Are we sure he’s going to be okay?” Park asked, his voice tight with concern. “I mean... what if the others attack him?”
“Maybe you can’t sense it because you’re not transformed,” Marie replied, her tone steady but eyes scanning the streets. “But I can tell there’s a large concentration of them in a specific area. Honestly, the other reason I came here instead of heading straight for the park was because I had a vision... I saw something happening to you.
“I was trying to see how the rest of the Howlers were going, or maybe where Kai went, but the moment he had trasnfomred, he had gone far ahead of me.”
The group exchanged glances. The urge to ask what she had seen pressed heavy on them, would they all have been killed by Ghost? Was that the fate she had glimpsed? But the thought was dangerous. Knowing about something that hadn’t happened yet could be more of a curse than a warning.
Maybe it would stop them from trying rash thing’s in the future.
“There shouldn’t be any of Lupus’ group in this direction,” Xin said, his voice low. “But what I am worried about is what you said about Kai... is he in a crazed state right now? Is that why he went ahead, what if he attack’s Gary instead, or if he attack’s the citizens of Slough, you can only somehwat control him when your near him right, not when he’s far away .”
“Kai...he never stopped thinking about how he could help everyone.” Marie answered. “In the short time we were away, it seem’s like we went through quite a lot.”
Marie’s thoughts drifted back to the moment she and Kai had left the manor.
There had been so little time. She’d wondered then, would they spend it searching for a way to halt the transformation altogether? Would they try reaching out to Unzoku, desperate for some kind of deal? Or maybe... just vanish into a remote place, far from anyone they could harm.
But when she looked at Kai, there was no uncertainty. His expression was set in stone, eyes burning with the kind of resolve that left no room for hesitation.
“I failed in preparing for the situation we’re in,” Kai had said, voice quiet but unshakable. “But I won’t fail again. This time, we’ll cover every angle, every possibility. We’ll do whatever it takes, not just to save Slough, but to protect the Howlers as well. Are you with me, Marie?”
“Yeah,” she’d answered instantly. “I already decided that, remember?”
Right as they stepped outside, a car was idling at the curb, its headlights slicing through the shadows. They climbed in without a word, the door thudding shut behind them. The driver, an unfamiliar man with sharp eyes in the rearview mirror, waited for instructions.
Kai leaned forward, murmuring their destination.
Marie’s head snapped toward him. “Wait, why are we going there?”
“I told you,” Kai said firmly, his gaze fixed ahead, voice carrying a weight that made the air in the car feel heavier. “I’m going to make sure the Howlers survive this... no matter what.”
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