Chapter 144

Claire's POV The news alert that flashed across my laptop screen at eleven-thirty that morning made my hands freeze above the keyboard, my heart hammering against my ribs as I read words that transformed theoretical concern into living nightmare. "BREAKING: Multiple Hospitalizations Following Experimental Werewolf Treatment - Eclipse Syndrome Trial Participants Experiencing Severe Adverse Reactions." I clicked through to the full article with trembling fingers, my scientific mind immediately cataloging symptoms that felt sickeningly familiar despite their clinical terminology. Severe organ dysfunction. Progressive neurological deterioration. Complete dissociation between human consciousness and wolf nature. Each description matched projections I'd run weeks ago during my initial stability testing—simulations that had shown exactly what would happen if the synthetic protein compound was released without proper stabilization protocols. My blood ran cold as I scrolled through medical repo