An abandoned biotech facility on the contested property. A sprawling, dilapidated building surrounded by dense forest. Night. The full moon cast an eerie glow over the scene.
James, Eleanor, and Gareth approached the facility with a small team of tactical officers—a mix of human and supernatural. They moved in silence, their weapons drawn.
James whispered into his radio. "Eleanor, can you pinpoint the signal?"
Eleanor checked a handheld device. "It's coming from the basement level. Strong and steady. That's our Hound."
Gareth stared at the facility, his voice hollow. "I've been here before. During the lawsuit. I never knew... I never imagined..."
James's voice was firm. "Focus. We go in, we disable the signal, we subdue the Hound. Non-lethal force only. Whoever's inside that thing, they're a victim too."
They breached the facility. Inside, it was a nightmare of scientific equipment, cages, and the smell of chemicals and blood. They moved through the corridors, following Eleanor's signal.
They reached the basement. A heavy door. James signaled for the team to stack up.
"On three," he whispered. "One... two..."
The door burst open.
---
The basement laboratory was a vast, dimly lit space filled with monitors, control panels, and in the center—a large, reinforced cage.
Inside the cage was the Hound—a werewolf in partial transformation, its eyes glassy, its movements jerky and unnatural. It was a member of the pacifist, off-grid pack—its fur matted, its body scarred from repeated chemical exposure.
At the control panel stood a human man—mid-50s, silver-haired, wearing a lab coat. He was calm, almost amused, as he turned to face the intruders.
"Detective James. I've been expecting you. Though I admit, I thought it would take you longer."
James's gun was drawn. "Step away from the console."
Dr. Victor Reeves smiled. "Or what? You'll shoot me? That would be a shame. I'm the only one who can shut this down."
Eleanor scanned the equipment, her voice tight. "James, the signal is spiking. He's triggering the Hound."
The Hound let out a guttural roar, slamming against the cage.
Reeves chuckled. "You see, Detective, werewolves are magnificent creatures. Strong, fast, deadly. But they're also... chaotic. Unpredictable. They need guidance. Control. That's what I'm providing."
James's voice was hard. "You're creating weapons."
"I'm creating order. A better world. Where werewolves serve their purpose—as soldiers, as tools—instead of pretending to be equals."
Gareth stepped forward, his voice shaking with rage. "You're a monster."
Reeves laughed. "Monster? No. I'm a visionary. Just like Simone. We understand what the supernatural world needs. And we're willing to do what's necessary to provide it."
The Hound broke through the cage door. It lunged at the nearest officer, who barely dodged in time.
James shouted, "Eleanor! Disable the signal!"
"I'm trying! It's encrypted!"
James charged at the Hound, trying to subdue it without lethal force. The creature was faster, stronger, driven by chemical rage. It threw him across the room.
Gareth shifted into his wolf form. "I'll hold it! You find a way to stop this!"
He charged at the Hound, and the two wolves collided in a tangle of fur and fury.
Eleanor worked frantically at the console. Reeves tried to stop her, but she elbowed him in the face, sending him sprawling.
She muttered to herself, "Come on, come on... there's got to be a kill switch..."
She found it—a physical lever hidden beneath the console. She yanked it.
The Hound froze mid-attack. The glassy look in its eyes faded, replaced by confusion, then horror.
"What... what happened to me?" it whispered weakly.
It collapsed, unconscious but alive. Gareth shifted back to human form, breathing heavily.
Reeves tried to crawl away, but James was on his feet, gun aimed at his head.
"Dr. Victor Reeves. You're under arrest for multiple counts of murder, conspiracy, and crimes against humanity—both kinds."
Reeves sneered. "You think this changes anything? There are others. Others who believe as I do. This is just the beginning."
James's voice was steel. "Then we'll find them too. One by one."