You pull out your pin and hold it in your hand, trying to think of words to draw his notice.

"My lord, you never let me answer you." You pause to lick your dry lips, but the most the duke offers you is a brief glance over his shoulder. "The smell... it was the scent of werewolves."

"Werewolves?" he growls, stopping in his tracks.

"Yes, werewolves are coming to attack the ball," you say, your voice strained. "They tried to coerce me into helping them, but I got away. I was able to fend them off with this silver pin. It's not much, but just a prick of it had them writhing in pain."

You hold up your pin before you and the duke's eyes dart between you and the silver needle. After a brief moment, his body shifts and a malicious smile curls his lips.

"You've done well human. Now out of my way." He lunges forward, knocking you back into the wall. He dashes into the hall, his booming voice ringing clear even out in the corridor where you and Ailisa remain. "Everyone, outside! The werewolves have declared war, but we will not let them win the night. This is our town and it will stay that way!"

The vampires roar with approval as humans gasp and groan, their night ruined by the unexpected lupine interference.

You hear the thunder of footsteps charging the door out to the main street and you wonder if your distraction will end out being a betrayal. You swallow hard, your thoughts reaching out to Ferris and the coven as if the essence of your spirit could somehow provoke them to chant faster and evoke their spell now.

Then, blood-curdling screeches and grotesque howls are punctuated by the surprised screams of humans. You look to Ailisa, the blood draining from her skin as you let your imaginations design the monster that must be causing those painful cries. You both run to the archway opening up into the ballroom and find pyres filling the room, culminating in one large inferno at the entranceway to the street.

Ferris's spell has caught the vampires aflame. Your prayers answered.

"What? What's going on?" mumbles Ailisa. But, you don't have time to provide an answer.

You dart through the ballroom, dodging piles of ash and the contorting bodies of the fallen vampires' drones who are transforming into killing machines focused on executing their master's murderer.

Fortunately, there's no reason for the drones to believe you were the cause of the vampires' doom. Instead they lash out at the most immediate threat, even if it isn't magical. The drones pour out onto the street and join the few vampires that made it out of the hall before the coven finished the spell. Even with the aid of the drones though, you can see from your vantage point by the entrance of the hall that the wolves have the vampires beat.

Though their numbers may be about even, the wolves thick fur keeps the vampires' teeth and claws at bay. The only hope a vamp has is overpowering the wolf and tearing out its throat. However, they need more bodies to manage that and the less than strategic drones offer no particular help other than to delay a wolf from pouncing on a vamp and crushing its skull.

You happen to notice that one particular wolf catches your eye. A lean, lithe wolf with blonde hair similar to Gianette's. With ruthless vigor, she races around, knocking into vamps so that they lose their footing and fall prey to the larger wolves that lack the blonde wolf's speed. With their seamless strategy and teamwork, the wolves finish the slaughter with little damage to themselves.

After the dust has settled, you walk down the street to where the blonde wolf transforms into the very sister she reminded you of. Though naked for a few minutes and shivering in the autumn chill, another wolf procures a cloak for her and she wraps it around herself before greeting you.

"Well, Micah, it took a bit longer than we hoped for them to come out, but I knew you'd eventually follow through."

"Sorry, I don't have the keen skill of a werewolf, so it took some time."

"You don't have it yet," says Gianette with a wink, "but the alpha admires your tenacity and you came through for the wolves. Should you wish, you are welcome to take the trial and join the pack."

A large, dark-haired wolf approaches Gianette. He sits beside her, his large blue eyes watching yours and you know Colin is there affirming her claim.

"I'd be honored," you say, "but under one condition. I wish to remain here and help Ferris protect the town. If the pack would consider..."

"That was the reason for the assault," replies Gianette with a wide smile. "We hoped to clear the town and make it free. And should you have connections with the town leadership, then I think we should be able to work an arrangement where we can ally against any further intrusions by the vampires."

And so you did. You pass the trial and become a full member of the pack. You also become the liaison to the town, coordinating with Ferris who assumed the role as mayor now that the duke is dead. He grants everyone the freedom to live their lives as they choose; while the pack makes a life in the forest on the outskirts of town, serving as its silent protector.

***

Congratulations, you found the successful ending for this branch of the story! Why not go back and see what happens if you fail to draw the duke's attention?