Claudine's eyes fluttered open, groggily taking in her surroundings. She was in a cozy room with soft, white walls and a comfortable-looking bed. But something felt off. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her head, making her wince.As she looked down at her hands, she noticed they seemed stronger, more defined. Her nails were longer and sharper but still elegantly feminine. Confusion etched on her face, she threw off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.That's when she saw it. A faint, crescent-shaped scar on her left shoulder. A memory tickled the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.Claudine stumbled out of bed, her heart racing. What was happening to her? She staggered to a mirror on the wall and gasped at her reflection.Her eyes were brighter and more vibrant, with a hint of gold around the irises. Her skin glowed with a subtle, ethereal light. She looked...different.Panic set in as she stumbled backward, tripping over her own feet. She fell hard onto the floor, scraping her palms.As she struggled to stand, a figure rushed to her side. "Claudine, easy! You're still recovering."Claudine's gaze locked onto the stranger's face. "Who...who are you? What's happening to me?"The stranger's expression softened. "I'm Mary, a healer. You were brought to me yesterday, You were attacked and bitten. We've been taking care of you."Claudine's mind reeled. Attacked? Bitten?And then, like a floodgate opening, memories came rushing back. The fight, the pain, the feeling of her body breaking..."Ezrianna!" Claudine cried out, scrambling to her feet. "Where's Ezrianna? I have to find her!"Mary's face fell, and Claudine's heart sank."I'm so sorry, Claudine. Ezrianna didn't make it. She died yesterday."Claudine's world shattered. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her."No...no, that can't be!" she wailed, collapsing to the floor.The stranger tried to comfort her, but Claudine pushed them away. She curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably.Ezrianna, her friend, her confidante...gone.As the tears flowed, Claudine's body began to shift, her senses heightening. She felt the wolf rising, taking over.Her heart raced, her muscles tensed, and her senses exploded. She could smell the stranger's concern and taste the salt of her tears.But amidst the chaos, Claudine felt a deep connection to Ezrianna. She remembered their laughter, their whispers, their late-night conversations.And in that moment, Claudine knew she was alone once again. She was a monster now, a creature driven by instinct and rage.But as she wept, she vowed that she would make those responsible pay.Mary watched, helpless, as Claudine's body shook with sobs, her heart broken, her spirit forever changed.As the minutes ticked by, Claudine's tears slowly subsided, replaced by a deep, burning anger.She stood up, her eyes blazing with determination. "I want to see her body" she growled.Mary nodded and led her out of the roomClaudine's heart raced as she followed Mary through the winding halls of the mansion. She had been dreading this moment, but she knew she had to see Ezrianna one last time.As they turned a corner, Claudine caught sight of a door shrouded in black. Her breath caught in her throat. The somber decoration seemed to whisper the devastating truth: Ezrianna was gone.Mary's gentle hand on her shoulder guided her forward. "It's okay, Claudine. She's at peace now."Claudine's legs trembled beneath her as Mary pushed open the door. A soft, golden light spilled out, illuminating the dark hallway. The warmth seemed to envelop Claudine, but it brought no comfort.With a deep breath, Claudine stepped inside.The room was small, with cream-colored walls and a single, velvet-draped window. The soft fabric filtered the sunlight, casting a gentle glow over the space. And in the center, on a soft, white bed, lay Ezrianna.Claudine's world shattered.Ezrianna's eyes were closed, her face serene, but her skin was deathly pale. Claudine's gaze roamed over her friend's still form, taking in the delicate features, the soft curves. She looked almost peaceful as if she were simply sleeping.But Claudine knew better.A sob burst from Claudine's lips as she rushed to Ezrianna's side. She collapsed onto the bed, wrapping her arms around her friend's lifeless body."Ezrianna, no, no, no!" Claudine wailed, her voice echoing off the walls. "Please come back, please!"Mary's gentle touch on her shoulder offered little comfort as Claudine's body shook with sobs. She buried her face in Ezrianna's hair, inhaling the sweet scent one last time.Memories flooded Claudine's mind - laughter, whispers, late-night conversations. She remembered Ezrianna's bright smile, her infectious laugh, her unwavering loyalty.Their first meeting flashed before her eyes: Ezrianna's bold introduction, her sparkling eyes, and her captivating grin. Claudine had been drawn to her warmth, her kindness.As the tears flowed, Claudine's heart broke into a million pieces. She had never felt such a deep, crushing pain."Ezrianna, I'm so sorry," Claudine whispered, her voice cracking. "I should have protected you. I should have been there."Mary's grip on her shoulder tightened. "It's not your fault, Claudine. There was nothing else you could do, you tried your best."But Claudine insisted it was her fault. She had been so blinded by her fear, her doubts. If only she had been stronger...The what-ifs swirled in her mind like a vortex, consuming her.As the minutes ticked by, Claudine's sobs slowly subsided, replaced by a deep, aching sadness.She gently stroked Ezrianna's hair, her fingers tracing the soft curves of her friend's face."Goodbye, Ezrianna," Claudine whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll make them pay. I promise."Mary's hand on her shoulder offered a silent promise of support.As Claudine held Ezrianna's lifeless body, she knew that her life would never be the same. She had lost a part of herself, a part she could never get back.But in that moment, Claudine vowed to honor Ezrianna's memory, to make her proud. She would find those responsible and make them pay.The room fell silent; the only sound was Claudine's ragged breathing.
