Chapter 1

I had known Liliana since our university days. We both shared the same dream: to become successful, professionally independent women, and, above all, excellent veterinarians. Back then, however, I had no idea that Liliana was much more than just a woman—not until the day she revealed her secret to save my life.

We had visited a local nightclub, as we usually did on Friday nights. But that night, as we were leaving around 1:00 AM, two men waited for us in the shadows. With no warning of what was to come, we simply headed toward the college campus, but within seconds, we were attacked.

Liliana’s sharp instincts kicked in, helping her react and defend herself immediately, but I was not so lucky. Easily distracted by nature and lacking any kind of self-defense training, I was an easy target for my predator. The wretch struck me with a powerful punch, immobilizing me before dragging me into a dark, filthy alley.

"LILIANA!" I tried to scream her name as I noticed her self-defense techniques working well against the man attacking her, but my throat was suddenly constricted, cutting off my voice.

With great effort, I turned my head. Even from a distance, I strangely noticed her eyes glowing intensely in the dark, locked onto mine. I immediately pleaded in a whisper, "Please… Liliana… help me…"

My tears streamed down my face. My body trembled as I felt the cold, sharp blade against my neck, accompanied by the wretch's hands touching me maliciously, revealing his disgusting intentions. Disgusted, I tried to break free, punching him fiercely. I closed my eyes as pain flooded my body the moment the thin blade began to cut into my skin. Even so, I did not give up; that wretch wouldn't take me so easily.

But within seconds, the weight on my body was lifted, and the man who had been threatening me lay motionless beside me, in a huge pool of blood.

Liliana knew those human beasts were no match for her. She didn't hold back; her punches were powerful, leaving the man in front of her stumbling within seconds. But when she saw her best friend lying on the ground with an idiot on top of her threatening her with a knife, she did exactly what was right. Unleashing her inner animal, she killed her opponent in seconds, doing the same to the other attacker as she rushed to Cassandra’s rescue.

"Cassandra... are you okay?" Liliana immediately tried to communicate mentally with her friend, not caring about being seen as a huge, fierce wolf. But Cassandra only stared at her, horrified, blood trickling down her neck. "Please tell me... did he... did he hurt you?"

"Liliana...?" Completely terrified, I stared at a massive, furry animal. Her amber eyes analyzed me with concern, and I gasped. "Is... is it really... you?"

I had truly heard Liliana’s voice in my mind, but how was that possible? In silence, I stood there completely shocked—not only by the fact that I was seeing Liliana as a massive wolf but also by the sight of blood dripping from the torn throat of the wretch who, a few minutes later, could have ended my life in the worst way possible.

"We have to go!" Liliana quickly shifted back into her human form, looking at Cassandra with some apprehension.

"But... but... just now..." I stuttered, completely incredulous to see Liliana naked and covered in blood in front of me. Was my mind playing tricks on me? "You... you were a wolf!!!!"

"Yes, I was..." Liliana bit her lip, worried, quickly helping Cassandra up. Gathering her clothes scattered on the ground, she dressed quickly. "I’ll explain later."

Looking around to check if anyone was watching—if they were, she would be in big trouble—she urged, "We have to leave here now."

Dragging Cassandra out of that place, Liliana considered whether it would be better to call her Alpha. She was forbidden from revealing herself to humans; it was the only condition her leader had imposed on her when he let her study in the city. Shaking her head, she quickly dismissed that idea, taking her friend straight to the dormitory and shoving her under the cold shower without hesitation.

"Ow... hell..." I shouted, almost hysterical, staring firmly at Liliana. "It’s freezing!"

"I'm sorry..." Liliana sighed deeply, analyzing Cassandra’s posture. Her friend had been staring at her intensely since everything happened and hadn't said a word. "It was the only way to get you to react..."

"Liliana!" I gasped, shaking my head, still a little disbelieving. "You were a wolf?" Looking at her slim, fragile body, I added quietly, "That’s what I saw... wasn't it?"

"Yes..." Liliana sighed in frustration, smoothing her golden hair back. "You can be horrified, or even afraid..." Looking at Cassandra, she became restless. "But I had to kill him."

"Is that what you're worried about?" I gasped. Suddenly, the image of that man dragging me into the alley surfaced in my mind, as well as the disgust of his mouth on mine and the pain in my body. My hand slid carefully to my neck; the wound he had caused with the sharp blade was still there, pulsing, reminding me of what could have happened.

Tears immediately began to run down my face, mixing subtly with the water. Even soaking wet, I hugged Liliana, sobbing as I realized what could have happened to me if she hadn't done what she did. "You saved me, Liliana..."

At that moment, I couldn't control myself. I cried hard, and she let me, returning a hug that was exactly what I needed—strong and protective. "That’s all that matters to me..."

"I am a werewolf!" Liliana finally spoke, cautious, facing Cassandra after giving her the necessary time to release her soul from the shock.

"So..." I looked at her with a mix of concern, skepticism, and then curiosity. "It’s not just... something from fiction stories?"

"No..." Liliana sighed, a little wary of her friend's reaction upon learning that she was so different. "We truly exist."

"How is it possible that I never noticed?" I declared, perplexed, analyzing Liliana’s face in detail. There was no trace of fur on her face or body. "I’ve slept in the same room as you for two years; I spend my days with you."

"It’s a well-kept secret." Liliana smiled slightly as she saw Cassandra examining her ears with curiosity. "I try my best not to expose myself." Sighing, she looked at her phone. "If the pack finds out I told you, I’ll have to answer to my Alpha."

"Alpha? Pack?" I covered my mouth in surprise. "Liliana, I know what I saw..." I bit my lip, looking at her. "But this is all surreal. Are there really many of you?"

"Yes." Liliana felt more at ease as she saw Cassandra sitting next to her on the bed. "I am a descendant of a long line of werewolves. There are as many of us as there are humans."

"Really?!" After calming down, I became increasingly curious. "Do you only transform during the full moon like in the movies?"

"No!" Liliana smiled, amused. "The transformation comes when we want it to. It’s very difficult not being able to transform to go for a run in the park. I feel trapped and restless, but I can't; we have to remain hidden." Liliana looked sad. "If they saw a lone wolf in the park, it would be shot immediately out of fear of attacks."

"Is that why I saw you so anxious?" I became thoughtful, slowly realizing that it wasn't easy for Liliana to hide her animal nature either.

"Yes." Sighing, Liliana faced her friend with a happier smile. "You now know the importance of a veterinarian in my pack."

"Of course I do." I looked at her, stunned. She would have to deal with many animals of her own kind.

"Will this change anything between us?" Liliana held Cassandra’s hands, looking at her with fear.

"Of course not." I responded immediately, giving her a tight hug. "Idiot, I’m completely surprised, not scared." Shaking my head, I declared emotionally, "I admire you even more, and I will never forget what you did for me."

"I'm glad." Liliana sighed with relief. "I treasure your friendship very much, Cassandra."

"Me too, Liliana." Looking at her, I showed a sincere smile. "I feel special that you trusted me with your secret."

"You are special..." Liliana smiled, getting up from the bed. "Just by the fact that you like animals." Picking up some pajamas, she held out her hand to Cassandra. "Now get dressed before you catch pneumonia." Looking at her hands stained with dried blood, she added, "I’m going to take a shower and be right back."

"Yes..." Biting my lip, I realized that for Liliana, it could also have been a shock to kill someone, even in self-defense, it would be a difficult thing to deal with. Dressing in my warm pajamas, I watched Liliana head to the bathroom. While she showered, I prepared a strong coffee, and as soon as she came out, I offered her a mug full of the hot liquid. "Now that I know... can I see you?"

"Aren't you going to be scared?" Liliana was a little surprised by Cassandra’s request.

"Of course not." I replied quickly, putting her at ease; after all, she had saved me from a man, so I knew she would never hurt me. "I know it’s you," I declared firmly.

At that instant, Liliana transformed into a magnificent gray wolf. Swallowing hard, I was simply fascinated. "Incredible..." My knees immediately hit the floor, bringing me almost to the same level as the animal’s body. I took a deep breath, mesmerized by her beauty. I stroked her head and then her back; her fur was soft to the touch, and even touching her, it all seemed like a dream. "My God, Liliana..." I declared, filled with emotion. "You are something unique... special... never forget that."

"NO and NO!" Liliana denied firmly with her head. "Cassandra! I am a wolf, not a dog to be kept on a leash."

"That’s exactly why..." I reinforced my argument, insisting a little. "No one could hurt you, whether you’re a wolf or not!"

"I love you, my friend." Liliana let out a deep sigh, staring firmly at her college friend. "But you’re not going to convince me of something like that."

"All right." I declared with an amused smile on my lips. It seemed that wolves really took the distinction to heart. "But the offer still stands."

"The offer can stay sitting or lying down..." Liliana huffed, turning her back to Cassandra and heading to the kitchen. "My answer will always be the same. It is NO, and that’s final."

"OK!" I declared in euphoria, watching my great friend moving with grace in the kitchen. "But now I have so many questions. I need to know everything about you."

"Then I’ll tell you one thing about us right now." Liliana faced Cassandra, smiling sideways and growling softly. "No wolf likes to be compared to a dog."

"Why not?" I said, astonished. "They are very similar, aren't they?"

"No! Although we are related, we are completely different; part of us is human." Liliana declared with a huff. "That distinguishes us quite a bit, doesn't it?"

"Yes, looking at it through that logic..." Biting my lip, I became a little thoughtful. "Perhaps..."

"I'm glad you agree." Liliana smiled, satisfied.

"Even so..." I declared cautiously as I moved toward her. "I think it would be a good way to let your wolf out... every now and then."

"Cassandra... NO!" Liliana shouted, placing her hands on her hips. "And let’s forget about this subject here and now, OK?"

"Ok..." I declared quietly.

Time passed, and despite Liliana’s refusals, a few months later, with the stress of exams, she quickly accepted the visits to the park with a leash. It was complicated at first; it was strange for her and for me, but because of it, we became closer, like true blood sisters.

By the end of the course, I knew everything about werewolves, about packs, about their lives. I had become fascinated by the way they treated each other; they valued females highly, protecting them above all else when they found their mate. When they loved, they were faithful, but they were also quite possessive. They could even kill others if they threatened their companion or their children. As soulmates, it was truly... beautiful... passionate.

After we graduated, our lives took different paths. Liliana settled into the pack, and I opened a veterinary clinic in the city center. But our friendship prevailed; we were in constant contact. Now, the opportunity had arisen to return everything she had previously done for me, helping with something that could seal the fate of her own life and perhaps even... of mine...