f werewolves, once laughed off as mere superstition, had become reality, and the townspeople could no longer ignore the rising danger lurking in the shadows. Luke had stayed away from the town,

he knew the answer. "I came to speak with you," she said, stepping closer. Her voice, though calm, had an edge to it, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. "We need to talk." Luke nodded, his gaze unwavering. "About what?" "About what's coming," she replied, her tone sharp. "The town can't just sit idly by anymore. We've lost too many people, and there's more to come. The werewolves... they're coming for us. And we need to be ready." Luke felt a surge of anger rise within him at her words. The idea of the werewolves threatening the town, threatening the people he had once called neighbors, stirred something primal inside him. But there was more than just that. "I thought you were done with this, Mary," Luke said, stepping forward, his voice raw with frustration. "I thought you were finished with all the vengeance and the fighting." She met his gaze without flinching. "You don't understand," she said, her voice low but filled with conviction. "This isn't just about me anymore. This is about the people I care about. This is about the town. And I can't just stand by and let more people die." Luke clenched his fists at his sides, trying to steady his breathing. "So, what? You think we can stop them? You think a group of hunters can fight against the pack?" Mary's eyes hardened. "We have no choice." Luke stared at her for a long moment, his thoughts swirling. She was right. They couldn't sit by and wait for the inevitable. The werewolves had already claimed lives, and soon, they would come for more. But Luke knew there was more to her urgency than just the town's safety. Mary's quest for vengeance was still very much alive in her eyes. "The Shadows are gathering," Mary continued, her voice growing firmer. "We've formed a faction to fight back, and we need all the help we can get." Luke raised an eyebro