"The scriptures say that werewolves live forever." A lead pusher clicked behind my head. "Tell me, is that true?"

Dull kerosene light flickered in a lantern on the ground. When I made a forward motion, the sound of jangling chains followed. Sweat dripped from my arms and temple. Did I lose control again? Grassy herbs with a kick of pepper and sourness from the vinegar filled the air. Mutters came from different parts of the room as the light flickered, revealing men and women cloaked in patched brown clothing.

My eyes followed the voice behind me. "Where am I, and who are you?"

Clank!

"Don't you remember, Tom?" the male voice spoke in a soft-spoken tone. "Know your enemy — this silver might help you."

Bang!

I roared. The skin on my hand seared. The chains rattled together as I reached to grasp my wound. Hair gathered, turning into thick fur. My screams turned into howls.

"Two years ago, Tom, you murdered my woman and child! You barged into my home and mauled them. I shot you many times, but it did nothing as you left."

Clank!

Thud!

A book fell on the floor before me. The name marked on its worn cover was Lupi viri.

"If it weren't for this, I wouldn't have captured you. To have this moment of vengeance or understand my true purpose."

Bang!

I howled and grimaced. "What are you talking about? Maybe I lost control. Free me. I don't want to hurt any of you."

"You can't hurt me, Tom, more than you already did. You can't hurt us. This is prophecy. For our salvation has come; a boy that will end your kind and the scriptures will come to life."

What were these lunatics planning?

Chanting, they stepped into the light and formed a circle around me."Occidere bestiam, Occidere bestiam, Occidere bestiam."

What were they saying? The words crawled upon my skin, striking like daggers.

Clank! Clank!

As I resisted, the chains squeezed tighter. My fur thickened as the wild side of me took over. My body enlarged. No longer human — I howled. There was no answer to my call, and despite struggling, the chains didn't loosen.

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

"Occidere bestiam."

Why couldn't I break free? This was nothing. Saul and the others must be warned. The bloodline of an alpha runs through my veins.

"Occidere bestiam."

Clank!

I —

"This is justice, Tom. You are but the first."

Bang!