Chapter 45: Destroying the Formula
288words
"We need to destroy it all," I said, gathering papers and sample vials. "Everything they could use to recreate the formula."
"Here," Sophia said, opening a cabinet to reveal flammable chemicals. "This should do it."
Working quickly, we doused the research materials and set them ablaze. The fire spread rapidly, consuming everything on the workbenches and triggering the lab's sprinkler system.
"That should buy us some time," I said, satisfied that my research couldn't be used to harm werewolves anymore. "Now let's find Liam and get out of here."
We had just reached the main corridor when a group of armed guards appeared, blocking our path. At their center stood Richard, his expression a mask of cold fury.
"Going somewhere?" he asked, his eyes fixed on me before shifting to Sophia. "And you. I expected better from a Hayes."
"I am a Hayes," Sophia replied steadily. "But that doesn't mean I have to be a monster."
Richard's face hardened. "Disappointing. But ultimately irrelevant." He gestured to the guards. "Take them. Kill the werewolf."
As the guards raised their weapons, a bone-chilling howl echoed through the corridor. From a side passage emerged a massive wolf with silver-streaked black fur and blazing gold eyes—Liam in his full wolf form, more magnificent and terrifying than I could have imagined.
Behind him came more wolves—at least five of them, including a smaller grey one I somehow knew was Maya. They moved with lethal grace, positioning themselves between us and the guards.
For a moment, everyone froze in the standoff. Then Richard broke the silence.
"Fire!" he commanded.
