Kana's heart raced as the strong arms holding her finally loosened.

She stumbled forward slightly, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling in ragged motions.

The adrenaline of the chase still surged wildly through her veins, leaving her half-thrilled and half-terrified.

Slowly, she turned her head to see who had caught her.

And then she froze.

Standing behind her was a woman—no, a creature—unlike anyone she had ever seen.

Her silver hair flowed like liquid moonlight, tumbling over her shoulders in soft waves that caught the pale glow filtering through the forest canopy.

Two sharp, lupine ears twitched subtly atop her head, betraying her inhuman nature, and behind her, a long, plush tail swayed lazily, each motion precise, controlled… predatory.

Her skin was pale, flawless, and faintly glowing under the ethereal light, and her golden eyes locked onto Kana's with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

Beautiful. Strong. Dangerous.

The perfect embodiment of the wild.

Kana's instinct screamed at her to step back… yet, strangely, another part of her couldn't look away.

Something deep within her stirred—an odd, restless pull she didn't understand.

Before she could react, the woman stepped forward, closing the space between them with quiet dominance.

Her hand pressed lightly against the tree behind Kana's shoulder, caging her in place.

Kana's back met the rough bark, her breath caught in her throat.

"W-Who… are you?"

Kana managed, though her voice trembled despite her effort to sound composed.

The woman's lips curved into a soft, knowing smile, her golden eyes glinting faintly under the moonlight.

"I am someone who has been watching you… little one."

She said, her tone low and velvety.

Kana stiffened.

"Watching me…?"

"Yes. I've seen everything. The battles you've faced. The people you've saved. The ones you've lost."

The wolf-lady murmured, her gaze sharp but not unkind.

Her voice was calm, yet there was something dangerously alluring in it, pulling Kana closer without her realizing it.

"I've seen your pain, Kana. I know the disappointment gnawing at you… knowing that no matter how hard you try, no matter how strong you become, you're still bound by the limits of being human."

She whispered, leaning slightly forward.

Kana's chest tightened at the words.

Because they were true.

Seraphine's near-death, her own helplessness, the frustration of always being one step too slow—it all came rushing back, making her heart ache in silent acknowledgment.

"You… were watching all that?"

Kana whispered softly, almost accusingly.

The wolf-lady nodded slowly.

"And because I have… I want to give you a choice."

Kana blinked.

"…A choice?"

"To become more than human."

The woman said simply, her voice curling like smoke in the cool air.

Kana stared at her blankly, her mind slow to process the meaning of those words.

"I can turn you into one of us. A wolf. My kind. With instincts sharper than any blade, strength greater than any mortal, and the bond of a pack that will never abandon you."

The woman continued, her ears twitching faintly as her tail swayed behind her.

She leaned closer, her warm breath brushing softly against Kana's cheek, making her shiver despite herself.

"You would never be alone again, little one."

Kana's lips parted, but no words came out. Her mind was caught between chaos and temptation, torn between everything she wanted to reject and everything she secretly desired.

It felt like a trap.

It had to be a trap.

But deep down… a part of her wanted it.

She thought of Seraphine bleeding out in her arms. Of how powerless she'd felt. Of how close she'd come to losing someone she'd sworn to protect.

If she'd been stronger… things might have been different.

And now, that strength was being handed to her.

Right here. Right now.

Suddenly, a soft ding echoed in her ears, and Kana's vision flickered faintly as the system's voice cut in.

[Administrator Override Available.]

[Would you like to use your Manager Rights to initiate permanent transformation?]

Kana froze, her breath catching.

Even the system… was acknowledging this.

Her fingers curled into trembling fists at her sides.

She hesitated—not because she didn't want strength, but because this meant more than power. It meant giving up a part of herself. Her humanity.

Her old life.

Her memories as Kana.

The wolf-lady tilted her head, watching the silent conflict in Kana's eyes with patient amusement. Then she stepped even closer, her voice soft and intoxicating.

"You've been fighting against your nature for so long. But you're not like them, little one. You've always known there's something inside you that doesn't fit within the shell of a human."

She murmured.

Kana flinched, startled at how easily the woman's words struck home.

"If you accept, you'll never have to suffer again. You'll never be weak. You'll never be abandoned. And when the time comes…"

The wolf continued, her golden eyes gleaming.

Her hand gently brushed against Kana's cheek, her touch strangely warm despite the cold forest air.

"…I will come for you. You will have me. You will have my pack. You will have a home."

Kana swallowed hard, her throat dry, her heart pounding against her ribs.

The system chimed again.

[Awaiting confirmation…]

Kana hesitated for just one breath longer.

But then… she nodded.

"..Maybe it won't be a bad idea…"

The words left her lips before she could think, soft but certain.

The wolf-lady's expression softened into something unreadable—part pride, part triumph, part something deeper she didn't name.

"Good girl."

She whispered, her voice like silk.

A warm breeze swept through the forest, carrying a strange, intoxicating scent that made Kana's head spin.

Her surroundings shimmered faintly, the trees glowing faintly under the dreamlike haze.

The woman leaned close one last time, her lips near Kana's ear.

"Not yet. When you're ready… I will find you."

She whispered.

And then she smiled. A breathtaking, wild, dangerous smile that etched itself into Kana's mind.

The world dissolved into white light.

Kana woke up with a sharp gasp, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Her room greeted her with quiet stillness.

For a moment, she stared at the ceiling, trying to slow her breathing, trying to shake off the vivid fragments of the dream clinging stubbornly to her thoughts.

She remembered… running.

Golden eyes.

Silver hair.

And a promise.

But everything else blurred like mist slipping through her fingers.

Kana sat up slowly, rubbing at her forehead with trembling hands. Her gaze drifted downward—and then froze.

Lying neatly beside her on the bed… was a book.

The same book she'd read days ago.

The one about the lone wolf named Rimeru.

Kana's breath caught in her throat.

"…Why is this… here?"

Her fingers brushed lightly over the worn cover, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

She didn't have an answer.

But deep down, she knew one thing for certain—

This wasn't the end.

Something had begun.

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