Werewolf

Katelyn’s POV
The rusty door creaked violently as it burst open, and a blinding beam of light pierced through the dim, suffocating room.
Then Gunshots.
The sharp cracks echoed like thunder, deafening in the silence that had swallowed me for hours. Instinct took over. I flinched hard, eyes squeezing shut, twisting my body to avoid whatever was coming.
A heavy thud slammed into my side. I was hit in the abdomen by something falling from the factory.
Pain exploded in my abdomen. My breath hitched, and black spots danced in my vision. My knees buckled, and I hit the floor hard. For a terrifying moment, I thought I’d been shot. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, until I heard a voice.
“Drop your weapon, now!”
My eyes fluttered open, blinking past the tears and haze of pain.
Ethan.
He stood just inside the door, gun raised, jaw clenched, fury carved into every inch of his face. Smoke trailed 

Katelyn’s POV
The sterile scent of antiseptic filled my nose before I even opened my eyes. The white noise of beeping monitors, distant voices, and rustling gowns pulled me slowly out of the darkness.
My body felt impossibly heavy. My limbs were numb. My eyelids fluttered open, and at first, everything was a blur, just pale ceiling tiles and fluorescent lights.
Then I saw Ethan.
Sitting by my bedside, elbows on his knees, head bowed, hands clasped as if in silent prayer.
I blinked a few times, unsure if I was dreaming. But when his head lifted and our eyes met, the pain in his gaze was undeniable.
“You’re awake.” His voice was soft, hoarse, almost reverent. He sat up straighter, reaching out tentatively like he wasn’t sure if I’d let him touch me.
I didn’t move.
He exhaled slowly. “You fainted. You lost a lot of blood. Internal bleeding… The doctor says it is severe.”
There was a tremble


Katelyn's POV
A few hours earlier, I'd just received an urgent new interview assignment. It involved undercover work-something I usually left to my subordinates. 
Initially, I asked my subordinate, our newest employee, to handle the investigation. Unfortunately, the moment he heard it involved secretly entering a factory suspected of animal cruelty, he panicked. 
His courage vanished instantly, leaving him trembling at the mention of going undercover.
"I'm sorry, Miss Katelyn, I-I just can't do it," Philip had stammered nervously. "Please, anyone but me!"
I sighed, realizing it was useless to push him. With no other suitable candidate available on short notice, I knew I had no choice but to handle this myself.
"Fine," I replied gently, trying to ease his fear. "I'll go myself. But next time, be honest about your limits, okay?"
He nodded quickly, guilt clear in his eyes. "I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"It's alright," I said softly, dismissing him.
I quickly changed into casual clothes, wearing jeans, a hoodie, and tying my hair into a simple ponytail. 
I grabbed my hidden camera and notebook, and after making sure my phone was fully charged, I left the office, heading to the factory located on the outskirts of town.
I had disguised myself as a buyer to investigate this place, suspected of animal abuse.
As I approached the factory grounds, I felt a growing unease. The building was run-down and isolated, hidden away from the public eye. I slipped quietly around to the back entrance, careful not to be spotted by security.
The rusty back door creaked open, but thankfully, no alarms went off. Inside, it was dark and silent, the air thick with the stench of dampness and neglect. 
I quietly made my way through the dim corridors, my heart beating faster with every step.
Suddenly, a pitiful sound caught my attention. Tiny cries-painful, desperate-filled the silence. My heart clenched at the noise. I moved cautiously, following the faint, heartbreaking sounds deeper into the factory.
I quickly reached a large warehouse. My breath caught sharply in my throat. 
Inside, rows of cages lined the walls, each one holding animals-puppies, kittens, rabbits-all weak and malnourished. Some were injured, whimpering helplessly, their eyes filled with fear.
Swallowing down the anger rising inside me, I took out my camera and swiftly snapped several pictures, documenting the horrifying scene.
"I'll expose you," I whispered fiercely, determined to bring justice.
Just as I turned to leave, a shadow shifted in front of me. I froze in shock.
A strange man stood there, blocking my path, his face hidden by a hat. Before I could scream or even move, his arm swung suddenly, something hard slamming painfully against my head.
Everything went dark.
When I woke up, the world spun dizzyingly around me. My head throbbed painfully, my body heavy and weak. 
As consciousness slowly returned, panic rose sharply inside me. I was bound tightly, my hands painfully tied behind my back. Cold fear rushed through me.
My eyes quickly scanned my surroundings, widening in horror. 
The room was dim, lit only by a single weak bulb hanging from the ceiling. Plastic sheets covered a long metal table nearby, smeared ominously with dark stains. 
Blood-though I couldn't tell if it belonged to animals or humans.
Chills ran down my spine, dread seizing my chest. Struggling was pointless; the ropes dug painfully into my wrists. I swallowed hard, trying to control my breathing.
Across the room, the kidnapper stood silently with his back to me, busy arranging tools on a small tray. I couldn't see his face clearly beneath the hat, but his calm movements terrified me even more.
Taking a deep breath, I forced my voice steady.
"Listen to me," I said cautiously, keeping my tone gentle. "Whoever you are, it's not too late to stop this. Let me go, and I promise I'll help you. If you surrender now, your punishment can still be lighter."
He didn't react, continuing his silent preparation as if I hadn't spoken at all.
"Please," I urged desperately. "Think about what you're doing. If anything happens to me, they'll find you easily. You can't get away with this."
Again, no response. He calmly picked up a scalpel, examining it carefully beneath the dim light. My heart raced painfully, fear gripping me tightly.
"Who are you working for?" I asked sharply, hoping to provoke a reaction. "Who's behind all this? Tell me-I'll protect you. Just don't do anything you'll regret."
Still, he ignored my words completely, placing the tool down again, as if debating its usefulness. The eerie silence stretched on, suffocating me.
"Answer me!" I demanded loudly, losing control. "Are you really willing to go to jail for someone else? Is this really worth it?"
Finally, slowly, he placed the tray down. His shoulders rose slightly, as if taking a deep breath. With deliberate movements, he turned around.
I froze completely, eyes widening in disbelief.
The face beneath the hat slowly became clear under the dim light. My heart started beating faster. I noticed familiar features-the shape of his jaw, the curve of his lips, the look in his eyes.
My breath quickened as I realized who it was.
It was someone I knew. Someone I trusted. Someone I had smiled at just hours earlier.
Cayden.
"Cayden...?" I whispered, my voice shaking with shock.

Katelyn’s POV
The rusty door creaked violently as it burst open, and a blinding beam of light pierced through the dim, suffocating room.
Then Gunshots.
The sharp cracks echoed like thunder, deafening in the silence that had swallowed me for hours. Instinct took over. I flinched hard, eyes squeezing shut, twisting my body to avoid whatever was coming.
A heavy thud slammed into my side. I was hit in the abdomen by something falling from the factory.
Pain exploded in my abdomen. My breath hitched, and black spots danced in my vision. My knees buckled, and I hit the floor hard. For a terrifying moment, I thought I’d been shot. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, until I heard a voice.
“Drop your weapon, now!”
My eyes fluttered open, blinking past the tears and haze of pain.
Ethan.
He stood just inside the door, gun raised, jaw clenched, fury carved into every inch of his face. Smoke trailed from the barrel of the pistol.
Cayden was on the floor, clutching his bleeding leg, his knife spinni

Chapter 52 Stay with me, Katelyn!