I closed my eyes without thinking and allowed my inner energy to rise. It was strong and wild, and it swept through me like a hurricane. Every part of me buzzed with strength I never knew I had, and I gasped as the force surged into my veins.
My surroundings were brighter and sharper when I opened my eyes once more. The power was surging within me, waiting to be let go.
Marcus froze in place, his eyes narrowing when he saw how I had changed. Confused, he hissed, "What is this?" "What are you?"
I didn't respond. I didn't have to. With each passing second, I sensed the strength within me increasing. It no longer frightened me. I could use it to defend the people I cared about because it was a part of who I was.
I lifted my hand in a single motion, and a surge of energy erupted from me and struck Marcus. The intensity of the strike stunned him, and he stumbled back.
"Leave him alone!" With a voice full of authority I didn't realize I had, I yelled.
Everyone turned to stare at me, and the whole battlefield seemed to pause. Everyone was in awe of what they were witnessing, including the rogues and pack members.
I sensed the change beginning. I moved more quickly and had keener senses. I wasn't the helpless misfit they all believed me to be. More than that, I was something strong.
Marcus growled as he regained his strength. He snarled as he charged at me, his claws outstretched, "You think you can stop me?"
However, I was prepared this time. I easily deflected his blows, meeting his onslaught head-on. Every time he swung, I was stronger and faster. I felt invincible because of the force within me.
As I sidestepped another of his blows, I murmured, "You're not going to win, Marcus," in a firm voice. "This ends now."
I pushed him back with one more surge of energy, and he fell to the ground. His face contorted with anger and incredulity, he fought to stand up.
He spat, "You!" but I gave him a final blast of power before he could continue, rendering him comatose.
Marcus lay motionless, vanquished, and the battlefield grew quiet. My pulse was pounding from the ferocity of the battle as I stood over him, panting.
Scott was still on the ground, staring at me with wide eyes when I turned around. He was hurt, with blood on his side and his shirt ripped, but he was still alive. I felt a wave of relief.
"Helen," Scott spoke in a quiet, incredulous voice. "How... How did you do that?
Seeing his wounds made my heart hurt, so I took a step in his direction. "I couldn't let him hurt you," I said in a tremulous murmur. "I had to stop him."
Scott's eyes never left mine as he fought to sit up. I had not noticed anything different in the way he looked at me previously.
He said, "You're not the person I thought you were," in an emotionally charged tone. "I thought you were weak, but... you saved me."
To help him sit up, I knelt next to him. I said, "You would've done the same for me," even though I knew in my heart that it wasn't the same. Scott had always thought of me as vulnerable and in need of protection. He was aware of the truth now, though.
Scott put his hand on mine and whispered, "I was wrong about you." "You're stronger than I thought you were."
I felt a range of feelings as I gazed into his eyes, including relief, fatigue, and an unidentified sense. I whispered, "I didn't do it for recognition." "I cared about you, so I did it."
But the world began to whirl around me before I could say another word. I could feel the energy leaving me as my body, which had been so powerful just seconds before, became heavy.
"Helen?" As he reached for me, Scott's voice sounded worried. "What's wrong, Helen?"
I struggled to keep upright and said, "I... I used too much." My legs felt like they were giving out under me, and my vision became blurry.
I started to collapse, but Scott's arms were there to support me. "Helen! Remain with me! I could sense the terror in his voice as he spoke in a panic.
"I am... I said, "I'm sorry," as my eyelids grew heavier by the moment. "I was unaware."
Scott snarled, "Don't you dare apologize," while embracing me. "I was saved by you. We were all saved by you.
I could hardly hear him, though. The stress of using so much energy was finally getting to me, and my body was shutting down. I tried to hang on, but the darkness was encroaching and threatening to drag me down.
Scott's voice trembled as his hands tightened around me. "Please, Helen. Stay with me.
I wanted to reply, to assure him that I wouldn't, but I couldn't find the right words. My strength was gone, and Scott's regretful and guilty expression was the last thing I saw as everything turned black.
As the world faded around me, I could hear Scott's voice, barely a whisper now. "I should've never doubted you..."
But it was too late. The darkness had swallowed me whole, and I didn't know if I would ever wake up again.