Beyond The Edge of Instincts

Chapter 10: On the Edge of Humanity

- What exactly is going to happen to her? - Alex asked, his voice was firm, but there was anxiety in it.

"Her body will start to transform," the doctor explained.

- But it won't be a complete transformation into a werewolf. She'll be a hybrid-her muscles will enlarge, her eyes will become animal-like, and she'll have fur on some parts of her body. But she will keep her face and appearance close to human, though her consciousness will be clouded for a time. Her claws will lengthen, her teeth will become fangs, but her mind will be torn between rage and trying to retain the remnants of humanity.

- So she won't be in full control of herself? - Alex squinted.

- Exactly. If she can't suppress her aggression, it will be a disaster. Her condition could harm her and everyone around her.

Alex stood silently looking at Luna lying motionless on the hospital bed. Her breathing was heavy and black veins continued to show through on her skin. The full moon was already rising over the horizon, and time was running out.

"We need to prepare everything for the ritual," the doctor said, checking Luna's pulse.

- Her body must be cleansed to remove the toxin. If we do it right, she'll survive the night and won't lose control of herself.

Alex nodded and immediately gave orders to his men.

- Prepare a place in the open clearing behind the mansion. We will perform the ritual there.

He looked at the doctor and added:

- You stay with us. If anything goes wrong, you will have to intervene.

The doctor only nodded, looking at Luna with professional calm.

- It would be up to her.

As Luna began to be carried out on the stretcher, her body began to shake and she cried out as a new wave of pain hit her. The black veins became even brighter, her muscles visibly enlarged, as if the transformation had already begun. Claws began to appear on her hands, and her eyes began to glow with a yellow light, like an animal's gaze.

"It's beginning," the doctor said quietly, looking at Alex. - It's already moving into phase two.

"We have to make it in time," Alex whispered, urging his men on.

Luna began to burst out of the stretcher, her breathing becoming ragged and her face contorted with rage and pain. She was on the edge - between man and beast, between reason and instincts. Alex leaned toward her and said quietly:

- You're stronger than this, Luna. Hang in there. I'm here. We'll get through this together.

When Luna was carried out into the clearing behind the mansion, her body had already begun to change. Her muscles tensed and long claws showed through on her hands. Her eyes glowed with a bright yellow light, and her face was contorted with an animalistic grin. Her skin began to become furred in some areas, and convulsions shook her body.

"The transformation is going too fast!" - shouted the doctor, examining her as she walked. - The toxin is stronger than I thought.

"Will we be able to hold her?" - Alex asked, glancing nervously at the gathered werewolves, who stood in a semicircle, ready to prevent any unforeseen incident.

"We have to. Otherwise she won't survive this phase," the doctor quickly took out a vial of her blood. - I'll analyze it and make an antidote. It's not an ordinary poison... It's ancient dust, a poison used against werewolves.

Alex clenched his teeth.

"Wolf dust... Someone had specifically targeted her."

Luna's body wriggled in pain, and her screams merged with the roar of rising animal instinct. She was almost losing control, tossing between human consciousness and beast instinct. Everyone around her realized that they had to hold her, or she might break free and make trouble.