Chapter 204: That Is Not a Dog

“Where is she going this late?” Mikey asked, pressing her face closer to the van’s window as they all watched Arabella turn the corner into what looked like a narrow, poorly lit alley.

Theo shrugged. “Well, it’s just after eight. It’s not that late. She’s probably just going to get something.”

Lila shot him a look. “Did you forget this is the exact area where the rabid dog sightings happened? The news literally told people not to go out this late.”

The group fell into uneasy murmuring.

“Yeah, why would she go down there alone?” Ethan muttered.

Before anyone could answer, a low, guttural growl echoed from the direction Arabella had gone.

Leitana’s eyes went wide.

Without thinking, she shoved the van door open.

“Leitana!” Lafu and Marco shouted at the same time.

But she was already running, feet pounding the pavement toward the alley.

“Leitana, wait!” Ethan yelled, scrambling out after her.

Mia threw her hands up. “God, this girl is gonna get us killed!”

Leitana didn’t stop. Her heart hammered as she turned into the darkened alley, breathing fast.

“Arabella?” she called, voice shaking. “Are you there? Yu okay? It’s mi, Leitana from Juilliard!”

No reply.

Ethan caught up, grabbing her shoulder. “Lei, we need to go back….”

A strangled voice came from deeper in the alley.

“Leave…”

It sounded like Arabella… but mixed with something else, a low, inhuman snarl.

Leitana stepped forward. “Arabella? Yu okay?”

Lila’s voice trembled behind them. “I don’t think it’s only Arabella that’s there…”

Theo whispered, “We need to leave. Now.”

Suddenly, a large shape stepped out from the shadows at the end of the alley.

They all froze.

Mikey’s voice came out in a terrified whisper. “T… that is not a dog?”

Standing in front of them, snarling with bared fangs and glowing eyes, was a massive wolf, far bigger than any normal dog, muscles rippling under dark fur.

Lafu’s voice cracked from behind them.

“RUN!”

The massive wolf lunged forward with a blood-chilling snarl, its powerful muscles rippling under dark, matted fur. Yellowish eyes glowed with feral hunger as its jaws snapped open, revealing long, razor-sharp fangs.

The group exploded into motion.

Leitana ran as fast as her legs could carry her, heart slamming against her ribs. The wolf was terrifyingly fast, its claws scraping and clicking against the pavement like knives on stone. Hot breath and guttural growls chased them down the alley.

It was gaining.

The wolf snapped at Leitana’s heels, its jaws missing her ankle by inches. She screamed, stumbling forward. The animal’s teeth grazed the back of her shoe, nearly ripping it off.

“Leitana!” Ethan shouted.

He spun around and shoved her hard, putting himself between her and the beast. The wolf didn’t hesitate, it launched itself at him with terrifying speed. Its heavy body slammed into Ethan’s chest, knocking him to the ground.

Ethan screamed in agony as the wolf’s jaws clamped down on his left forearm. The teeth sank deep, tearing through skin and muscle with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed instantly, splattering across the pavement and the wolf’s muzzle.

“ETHAN!” Mia shrieked.

They all skidded to a stop, horror freezing them in place. Ethan was on his back, desperately pushing at the wolf’s head with his free arm, trying to pry the massive jaws off. The animal shook its head violently, yanking and tearing at his arm like it wanted to rip it clean off. Blood poured freely, soaking Ethan’s shirt and pooling beneath him.

“Get it off him!” Leitana cried, voice breaking.

Marco sprinted back to the van, yanking open the duffel bag. He grabbed one of the telescoping animal control poles (catch poles) and extended it to full length in one swift motion. Lafu grabbed the heavy-duty capture net, unfolding it as they both rushed forward.

The wolf was in a frenzy, growling and thrashing, its teeth still buried deep in Ethan’s arm. Ethan’s screams had turned hoarse, his face pale with shock and pain as he kept fighting, kicking at the beast’s body.

Leitana stood frozen a few feet away, tears streaming down her face, too horrified to move.

The wolf suddenly released Ethan’s arm with a wet, sickening rip. Blood poured from the deep wounds as the beast turned its glowing amber eyes directly toward her. Its lips curled back in a savage snarl, fresh blood and saliva dripping from its massive jaws onto the pavement.

It lunged.

Leitana screamed, stumbling backward as the huge animal launched itself at her with terrifying speed, claws outstretched and teeth bared.

“LEITANA!” Ethan shouted hoarsely from the ground, clutching his mangled arm.

But Marco and Lafu were already moving.

Marco extended the telescoping catch pole to its full length in one swift motion and thrust it forward just as the wolf was mid-air. The looped end of the pole slipped perfectly around the animal’s thick neck. He yanked back hard, using all his strength to pull the wolf off course.

The beast let out a furious, guttural roar as the pole tightened, jerking it sideways in mid-leap. Its claws raked the air inches from Leitana’s face.

Lafu didn’t waste a second. She unfolded the heavy-duty capture net with a sharp snap and hurled it over the struggling wolf. The weighted edges landed perfectly, tangling around its powerful body. She and Marco worked together, pulling the net tight while Marco kept the catch pole locked around its neck.

The wolf thrashed violently, snarling and snapping, its massive body twisting inside the net. It was incredibly strong, far stronger than any normal dog. Its claws tore at the thick mesh, nearly ripping through it as it fought to get free.

“Hold it! Hold it tight!” Marco yelled, muscles straining as he kept the pole steady.

Lafu was breathing hard, sweat on her forehead. “This thing is not normal! It’s way too strong!”

Leitana backed up against the wall, chest heaving, staring at the writhing beast with wide, terrified eyes. Ethan was on the ground behind them, groaning in pain as blood continued to pool beneath him.

The wolf’s glowing eyes locked onto Leitana again through the net, and it let out a deep, unnatural growl that sent ice down everyone’s spine.