The lost girl and the Falling stones

Chapter 13: The Transformation

Catherine stood at the edge of the clearing, the cool wind brushing against her skin as the last rays of daylight faded into a velvet sky. The stars were already beginning to blink into existence above, but it was the stone in her hand that commanded her attention. It pulsed softly, almost as if it were alive, each beat vibrating through her body. It had grown stronger since the encounter with the wolf, Sable, and Catherine could feel the power within her growing as well.

The transformation had been terrifying—too quick, too powerful. She had never imagined she could change into something so... other. Yet, with each passing day, it became clearer that she wasn't just human anymore. She was something else entirely.

The stone's light flickered in the growing darkness, a reflection of the inner turmoil swirling in her chest. Catherine had never wanted this power. It was too dangerous, too unpredictable. But it was hers now. She couldn't ignore it.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned quickly, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Jake emerging from the shadows.

"You're still out here?" he asked, his voice gentle but laced with concern. "The others are getting ready to leave. You should come inside before it gets any darker."

"I... I need some time to think," Catherine replied, her voice sounding smaller than she meant it to. She hadn't had time to process what had happened—or what was happening to her. The power, the stone, the wolves—everything was shifting, and Catherine wasn't sure she was ready for it.

Jake nodded, taking a cautious step toward her. "You're not alone in this, Catherine. We'll figure it out together. But you have to trust me. Trust the pack. We're all here for you."

His words were kind, but they did little to ease the weight pressing on her chest. How could she trust anyone when she didn't even understand what was happening to her?

The stone in her hand pulsed again, brighter this time, as if in response to her growing anxiety. Catherine clenched her fist around it, trying to stifle the rising panic. She wasn't ready for this. She didn't even know what to do with the power she had.

"What if I can't control it?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "What if it changes me into something I'm not? What if it... takes over?"

Jake's eyes softened, and he took another step forward. "You're stronger than you think, Catherine. The stone... it's not controlling you. You're controlling it. You just need to believe in yourself. Believe that you can handle this power."

Catherine shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "How can you be so sure? What if I lose myself to it? What if it makes me something I can't come back from?"

Jake reached out, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. His touch was warm, grounding. "We'll face it together. You're not alone in this. The pack, me—we'll help you. We'll train you. You can learn to control it. You just have to trust that we'll be there to guide you."

For a moment, Catherine was silent. She could feel the stone still pulsing in her hand, the energy it contained almost overwhelming. But deep down, she knew that Jake was right. She couldn't do this alone. The pack was her family now, and they would stand by her, no matter what.

"I'll try," Catherine said, her voice small but determined.

Jake smiled, his eyes soft with affection. "That's all anyone can ask for."

But as he spoke, something stirred in the trees behind them. At first, it was barely a whisper, just a flicker of movement in the darkness. But then, as the night grew quieter, the sound grew louder—footsteps, slow and deliberate.

Catherine's heart raced, her instincts telling her that something was wrong. She spun around, her senses on high alert.

Jake immediately stepped in front of her, drawing his sword and looking into the darkness with a steely resolve. "Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice low and steady. "It's not safe out here."

But Catherine didn't listen. She felt a surge of energy, the stone pulsing violently in her hand as if urging her to take action. Without thinking, she pushed past Jake, her senses heightening as she tapped into the power within her.

For a moment, it was as if the world slowed down. Catherine could hear the rustle of leaves underfoot, the whisper of the wind through the trees, the faintest beat of a heart somewhere in the distance. She could feel the presence of the enemy before she saw them—dark shapes moving just beyond the tree line.

Then, through the shadows, they emerged. Figures cloaked in dark hoods, their faces obscured by masks. Catherine's heart sank as she recognized them: the aliens. They had come.

Jake's grip on his sword tightened, but Catherine felt a surge of something more powerful than fear. She could feel the stone's energy coursing through her veins, filling her with strength. It was the same power she had used to fend off the wolf, but now it felt different—more dangerous, more alive.

"Jake," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through her body. "Get back. I'll handle this."

Jake's eyes widened in surprise. "Catherine—no. You don't know what you're dealing with."

But Catherine didn't listen. She felt the stone flare to life in her hand, and before she knew it, she had shifted. Her body grew taller, stronger, fur sprouting from her skin as she transformed into the wolf. The power surged within her, filling every part of her, and for the first time, Catherine didn't feel afraid.

The aliens recoiled as they saw her, but Catherine didn't hesitate. She lunged forward, her powerful legs carrying her through the trees as she closed the distance between herself and the enemies. Her instincts took over, guiding her every move. The stone pulsed within her, fueling her every action.

She was a force of nature. She was a protector.

The first alien raised a weapon, but Catherine was faster. With a single swipe of her claws, the weapon was knocked from his hand, and he staggered backward.

The others hesitated, clearly unnerved by her transformation. But Catherine wasn't about to give them a chance to regroup. She bared her teeth and snarled, a deep, primal growl that rattled the air.

Jake was still behind her, but Catherine could feel his eyes on her, a mixture of awe and concern. He had been right all along—she could control this power. She could do more than just survive. She could fight back.

One of the aliens lunged at her, but Catherine was ready. She met his attack head-on, her claws sinking into his armor, knocking him off balance. He crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud.

The remaining aliens seemed to reconsider their approach. They backed away, clearly realizing they were outmatched.

Catherine stood tall, her eyes glowing with a fierce determination. The power inside her surged, and the stone pulsed once more, as if reminding her of the responsibility that came with it. She wasn't just fighting for her survival. She was fighting to protect everything she loved.

And nothing, not even these aliens, was going to take that away from her.