Shattered decorations and overturned furniture littered the basketball court, now scarred with claw marks and dotted with blood. Moonlight spilled through broken windows, casting long shadows across the devastation and illuminating three figures as they confronted the nightmare before them.

  Mark’s transformation had consumed him completely—eight feet of corded crimson muscle crowned with yellow eyes smoldered with primal fury as he surveyed the humans before him. A sound rumbled from deep within his chest, making the few intact windows tremble.

  "We need to surround him!" Jessica shouted, slipping her heels off her feet. "Kevin, is the antidote ready?"

  Kevin's knuckles whitened around the syringe. "I still got it. But look at him—how am I supposed to get close? That's not even Mark anymore."

  "He's in there somewhere." Salina never took her dark eyes off the creature while violet energy sparked between her fingertips. "We just need to reach him."

  The creature cocked its head at their whispers. Its massive jaws stretched into a grotesque smile approximation, revealing rows of serrated teeth. Then it lunged forward without warning.

  "Now!" Jessica's command scattered them in three directions.

  Salina struck first, releasing crackling energy from her palms. The spell struck Mark's chest, driving him backward. The creature's roar echoed off the gymnasium walls as its gaze fixed on Salina with newfound hatred.

  "That got his attention." Sweat beaded on her forehead as she prepared another spell. "Doesn't seem to appreciate the greeting."

  Jessica seized the distraction, closing her eyes and surrendering to the change. Moonlight sang through her veins like liquid silver. Her skin prickled as white fur sprouted across her body. Bones shifted and popped, her spine lengthening as her face extended into an elegant muzzle. The transformation brought a hurricane of sensation—familiar pain she'd weathered before.

  The world sharpened when she opened her eyes again. Scents and sounds multiplied tenfold. Her white-furred form towered over her human height, with powerful muscles coiled beneath her pelt.

  Mark's nostrils flared, catching her scent. He abandoned Salina, momentarily forgetting his prey as confusion and perhaps fear flickered across those inhuman eyes.

  Jessica pounced, streaking across the gym and colliding with Mark in a tangle of fur and crimson flesh. Her claws carved deep furrows in his chest, drawing rivulets of dark blood that steamed in the cool air. Mark bellowed, massive hands closing around her midsection before hurling her across the room.

  She twisted mid-flight, landing on all fours with unnatural grace. The impact sent shockwaves up her spine, but she shook it off and circled back toward her opponent.

  "Kevin!" Her transformed vocal cords rendered the word guttural but clear. "Ready with the antidote!"

  Kevin edged closer, syringe in hand, his complexion ashen despite the determination in his eyes.

  Mark charged again, this time toward Kevin, sensing the true threat. Jessica intercepted, her body a white blur, slamming into his side. They tumbled across the floor in a writhing mass of fur and muscle. Her jaws snapped for purchase while his fists hammered at her ribs with bone-crushing force.

  "Jessica, move!" Salina's command cut through the chaos.

  Jessica broke free just as another spell blazed past, striking Mark's back. The monster arched in pain, momentarily stunned. Kevin darted forward with the syringe raised high, but Mark recovered faster. With a bellow that rattled the scoreboard, he backhanded Kevin, sending him flying beneath the bleachers with a sickening crack.

  "Kevin!" Concern for her boyfriend fractured Jessica's concentration.

  Mark seized the opening, his massive hand closing around her throat. Jessica clawed at his arm as her lungs burned for air. Through darkening vision, she saw Salina prepare another spell, only to be sent sprawling by Mark's free arm.

  With a contemptuous snarl, Mark slammed Jessica against the wall. Stars exploded across her vision as she crumpled to the floor, fighting to stay conscious while Mark advanced on her.

  "This isn't—" Salina coughed, dragging herself upright. Blood trickled from her split lip. "Whatever that thing is now, it's beyond us."

  Jessica pushed herself up despite the stabbing pain in her side. Her broken ribs had already begun knitting themselves back together—one small benefit of her condition.

  "Where's Kevin?" She scanned the wreckage around them.

  "Under the bleachers." Salina gathered her strength for another spell. "I think it's bad."

  Mark stalked toward them now, unhurried. His yellow eyes burned with something worse than rage—cold calculation and cruel hunger replaced the mindless fury from before.

  Jessica positioned herself between Mark and Salina. "Keep him busy. I'll get Kevin."

  She darted sideways, faster than human eyes could track. But Mark cut off her path and caught her chest with one massive fist, sending her tumbling across the floor.

  Jessica sprang up, baring her teeth in frustration. Mark now stood between her and Kevin, learning their tactics faster than they could adapt.

  Salina unleashed another spell—a sphere of compressed energy that exploded against Mark's shoulder. The monster staggered but remained upright, turning toward this persistent annoyance with deliberate menace. Salina retreated, the color draining from her face as her magic drained her reserves.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Jessica used the distraction to dash toward the bleachers, diving beneath them to find Kevin. He lay crumpled against the wall, blood matting his dark hair. The syringe, miraculously intact, remained clutched in his fingers.

  "Kevin." She touched his face gently. "Kevin, wake up."

  His eyelids fluttered. "Jessica?"

  "I'm here." The knot in her chest loosened. "Can you stand?"

  "I think—" His attempt to move ended in a grimace. "Cheese balls! Something's definitely broken. But I saved this." He raised the syringe with trembling fingers. "You need to use it."

  Jessica took the antidote, cradling it between her claws. "I'll get him. Just stay—"

  A deafening crash interrupted her as the bleachers above began to collapse. Mark's arm punched through the metal supports, tearing through them like paper as he reached for Kevin.

  Jessica sprang forward with unexpected ferocity. Her jaws clamped onto Mark's forearm, teeth sinking deep into the tough flesh. The monster thrashed, trying to dislodge her, but Jessica held firm, her claws digging into his arm for leverage.

  Mark withdrew, dragging Jessica with him. She released her grip as they emerged from beneath the wreckage, landing in a defensive crouch between Mark and Salina.

  The gym had become a cage—too confined for proper maneuvering, with Mark's raw strength giving him the advantage at close range. Jessica glanced at Salina, who struggled for breath, her magic failing.

  "We need a new plan." Jessica shifted her weight, the antidote secure between her claws.

  Before Salina could respond, Mark charged. His attack came focused and brutal. He batted Jessica aside, sending her crashing into the remaining equipment. The antidote flew from her grasp, skittering across the floor.

  Mark loomed over Salina, who raised her hands in desperate defense. A weak flare of energy sputtered between her fingers—a pale shadow of her earlier spells.

  "I can't..." The words squeezed past her lips as strength failed her.

  Mark's massive hand closed around her throat, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. Salina's legs kicked uselessly, her eyes bulging as oxygen disappeared.

  Jessica struggled upright, vision swimming from the impact. Watching Mark slowly choke the life from Salina ignited something primal within her. A sound—more animal than human—tore from her throat as she launched herself at Mark's back.

  The impact drove Mark forward, forcing him to release Salina, who collapsed in a heap, gasping for air. Jessica clung to his back, her claws carving furrows in his crimson flesh. Mark howled, twisting to dislodge her.

  Jessica held on, searching for the antidote—now lost somewhere on the gym floor. She needed another strategy immediately.

  The answer came in an unexpected form.

  Three shots cracked in rapid succession, the sound reverberating off the walls. Mark stumbled forward, releasing a howl of surprise rather than pain. Three holes appeared in his back, oozing dark fluid, but they began closing almost instantly.

  Sheriff Daniel Tumblerlee stood in the doorway, his service weapon trained on Mark. He stood with squared shoulders and a steady hand, though his eyes flickered with recognition and disbelief when they landed on Jessica's transformed figure in her midnight blue dress..

  Father and daughter locked gazes across the devastated gym. Something passed between them—shock melting into determined resolve. He kept his weapon raised but held his fire.

  "Jessica?" The name emerged steadily despite the impossible scene before him.

  Mark spun toward this new threat, yellow eyes narrowing at the weapon. The bullets hadn't harmed him, but they'd captured his attention. His roar made the foundation tremble as he abandoned Jessica and charged Daniel.

  "Dad, run!" Jessica's transformed voice barely resembled her own.

  Daniel stood his ground, firing again as Mark closed the distance. The bullets slowed the monster but failed to stop him. Seconds remained before he would reach the sheriff.

  Salina, still struggling for breath, spotted the syringe near the overturned refreshment table. Her trembling fingers closed around it. "Jessica!"

  Jessica's head snapped toward Salina's voice. Their eyes met with instant understanding. Salina tossed the antidote with her remaining strength.

  Jessica leapt, snatching the syringe mid-flight. She landed between Mark and her father, white fur bristling as she faced the charging monster.

  "Dad, back away!" Her muscles coiled in readiness. "He's too strong!"

  Daniel retreated a few steps but kept his weapon trained on Mark. "What is that thing?" The question caught in his throat. "And what are you—"

  "Later!" Jessica scanned the decimated gymnasium, assessing their chances. The confined space gave Mark too much advantage, and she couldn't risk her father or friends getting caught in another attack.

  A desperate plan crystallized in her mind.

  "Salina! Get Kevin and get out! Take care of my dad!"

  Before anyone could protest, Jessica darted toward the far door leading to the football field. As she passed Mark, she slashed at his leg, drawing blood and a howl of fury.

  "Come on, you oversized cherry!" She waved the antidote. "Too slow to catch a girl?"

  Mark's gaze locked onto her with murderous intent. With a bellow that rattled the remaining windows, he charged after her, forgetting Daniel and the others.

  Jessica burst through the gymnasium doors, cool night air washing over her fur. The football field stretched before her, empty and silvered by moonlight—a perfect battlefield with room to maneuver. Behind her, the doors exploded outward as Mark smashed through, barely slowed by the impact.

  Daniel rushed to Salina, helping her stand. "What's happening? Where's Jessica going?"

  Salina leaned against him, exhaustion etched into every feature. "She's drawing him away," she explained, her voice raw from Mark's chokehold. "Giving us time to help Kevin."

  "But what is that thing? And my daughter—"

  Salina met the sheriff's bewildered gaze. "It's complicated, sir. But right now, we need to trust Jessica. She knows what she's doing."

  Daniel looked toward the shattered doors. Through them, he could see Jessica's white form sprinting across the football field, the crimson monster in pursuit. His daughter—transformed into something impossible, yet unmistakably Jessica in her courage and self-sacrifice.

  "She's leading him away from everyone," he murmured, holstering his weapon.

  Salina nodded. "That's who she is. Even before... this." She gestured toward the distant field. "Kevin needs medical attention. Then we can help Jessica."

  With a final glance at the figures diminishing in the distance, Daniel turned to rescue Kevin from beneath the collapsed bleachers. The sounds of pursuit faded as Jessica led Mark away from the school, away from anyone who might get caught in their confrontation.

  Out on the football field, Jessica ran, powerful legs devouring the distance, antidote secure in her grasp. Behind her, Mark's footfalls made the earth shudder, his rage a physical force driving him forward. She had drawn the monster away from her friends, her father, and innocent bystanders.

  Now just the two of them remained—werewolf against monster—beneath the watchful moon.