Chapter 59: Confrontation
312words
"I expected better from you, Charlotte," he said coldly. "After I introduced you to your mother, gave you the family connection you've always wanted."
"Family doesn't imprison family," I replied. "Something Elizabeth understood even if you never did."
At the mention of his sister, Richard's eyes narrowed. "Where is she?"
As if in answer to his question, the lights throughout the facility flickered, then went out completely. Emergency lighting activated moments later, casting everything in a red glow.
"What's happening?" one of the guards asked nervously.
"She's disabled the power," Richard realized. "The containment systems—"
A bone-chilling howl echoed through the corridor, followed by another, and another. The sound of fighting erupted from multiple directions.
"The pack is here," I said, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice. "It's over, Richard."
"It's never over," he snarled, drawing a gun from his jacket. "Not while abominations like you continue to exist."
He aimed the weapon at me, but before he could fire, a blur of motion knocked him sideways. Elizabeth, partially transformed with claws extended and eyes glowing gold, had him pinned against the wall.
"Run!" she shouted to us. "Now!"
The guards raised their weapons, but Sophia moved with surprising speed, disarming one while I tackled the other. In the confusion, we broke free and ran toward the exit.
Behind us, I heard Richard's voice, pleading with his sister. "Elizabeth, please. We're family."
"Yes," came her reply, cold and final. "We are. That's why I can't let you continue this madness."
What happened next was lost to us as we burst through the exit doors into the cool night air. Outside, chaos reigned as werewolves in both human and wolf form battled with Richard's remaining forces.
