the pack leader Jyrus

Chapter Seven: The Game-Changer

( next day )

The football field  buzzed with energy as the pack gathered around, clapping and cheering for Cyrus's unexpected success in the agility drill. Jonah's eyes never left him, full of pride and warmth, a rare, comforting sight that made Cyrus's heart beat a little faster. He had proven something to himself today—something bigger than just completing the course. He had proven he could overcome his doubts, even in front of the pack, and that felt like a victory in itself.

But as the applause died down, there was a shift. The lightness in the air, the moment of triumph, was short-lived. Cyrus could feel it before he saw it—a subtle, unnerving energy that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up. It wasn't just the endorphins from the physical exertion. Something was off.

Jonah's gaze shifted, scanning the surroundings. He turned to Cyrus with a serious look, his posture alert. "Something's not right," he said quietly, his voice low but urgent.

Cyrus met his eyes, instinctively reaching for Jonah's hand, grounding himself in the familiar warmth. The air felt thicker now, a strange tension in the atmosphere.

"You feel it too?" Cyrus asked, his voice tight with apprehension.

Jonah nodded, his jaw set in a firm line. "Stay close."

Before Cyrus could respond, the sound of distant yelling reached their ears. It wasn't coming from the pack—it was the sound of panic, people shouting in fear. The ground seemed to tremble slightly, as if something heavy was moving closer. The cheer from the game in the distance had gone from a cheer of victory to one of alarm.

TJ, who had been laughing and joking just moments before, now stood rigid, his eyes scanning the tree line at the edge of the clearing. "That's not good," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with tension.

A sudden crash echoed from the far side of the clearing, a deafening, unnatural sound that sent a wave of panic rippling through the group. Trees splintered in the distance, and an inhuman growl reverberated through the air.

"Get to the trucks!" Jonah commanded, his voice commanding the attention of every pack member. He gave Cyrus a quick, meaningful look. "Go. Now."

Before Cyrus could argue or ask for clarification, Jonah was already shifting, the transformation happening so swiftly it left no room for hesitation. The Alpha's wolf burst forth in a whirlwind of fur and strength, eyes glowing with the unmistakable fury of a leader ready to protect his pack.

Cyrus hesitated only for a second, watching Jonah's wolf charge into the trees. Then, with a quick nod, he turned to follow, his own transformation already starting to take hold. His bones ached as he shifted, fur sprouting from his skin, muscles lengthening and reshaping. The power of his wolf side surged, but there was an underlying uncertainty, a reminder of how hard it was to control Snow in these moments of chaos.

As the change completed, Cyrus took off in pursuit of Jonah, his paws hitting the ground with the force of a stampede. The pack was scattering, following their Alpha's lead, but there was something different about tonight—something darker lurking on the horizon. His heart hammered in his chest, and the adrenaline made everything sharper, more intense.

The football stadium was a blur of lights and sounds, but to Cyrus, it felt as though the world had slowed. The distant roars of the crowd, the players on the field, the final minutes ticking down in the game—all of it seemed to fade as he and Jonah moved in tandem toward the danger. The pack's heightened senses could pick up on the vibrations in the air, the unnatural energy crackling in the distance.

Cyrus could feel Snow now, fully awake and urging him forward. There was a deep sense of something about to break—something big was coming, and it wasn't just the game on the field. The vibrations in the earth beneath his paws told him this was no ordinary threat. His heart pounded as his wolf instincts pushed him faster.

They reached the edge of the field just as a massive figure appeared on the horizon. The shadowy form was unlike anything Cyrus had ever seen. It stood at least ten feet tall, its broad shape looming menacingly against the night sky. The creature's eyes were an unnatural glow, predatory and calculating, as it surveyed the field where the game had just been interrupted. The crowd had already begun to scatter in panic, but the creature was moving toward the center of the field, where a handful of players had frozen, too terrified to act.

Jonah was ahead, his wolf form moving with grace and precision, a blur of speed as he darted toward the beast. Cyrus's breath caught in his throat, a mix of awe and fear. This wasn't just about defending the pack anymore—it was something far more dangerous.

"Stay close," Jonah's voice rang through his mind, even though it was distant. The Alpha's presence surged through their bond, a deep connection that anchored Cyrus as he sprinted to catch up.

The ground rumbled beneath their paws, and the creature let out a guttural roar, causing several nearby trees to snap like matchsticks. The players who hadn't already fled were now scattering in all directions, but the creature was fixated on them, its movements swift and violent.

Jonah reached the creature first, launching himself at its side with a ferocity that shook the ground. His wolf, massive and powerful, collided with the creature's hulking form, the sounds of battle filling the air. The two beasts were locked in a deadly struggle, but even from the sidelines, Cyrus could see the creature's unnatural strength.

Without hesitation, Snow pushed forward, Cyrus's wolf instincts taking full control. He leapt into the fray, his teeth bared, claws digging into the earth as he joined Jonah in the battle. The two of them, together, were a force, but even with their combined strength, the creature was unlike anything they had ever faced.

The night was no longer about the game. It was about survival.

The tension in the air was thick, and with every passing second, it became clearer: whatever this creature was, it was just the beginning. And the pack would have to be ready for what came next.