Chapter 60: Christopher's Wild Side Unleashed

Chapter 60: Christopher's Wild Side Unleashed

The training grounds echoed with the sound of clashing bodies and fierce growls. At the center of the commotion stood Christopher, his usual boyish charm replaced by an intense focus that bordered on feral.

"Again!" he barked, helping a young wolf to his feet. "You need to be faster, stronger. The Shadow Walkers won't give you a second chance."

Jessica watched from the sidelines, concern etched on her face. Since Matthew's revelation and Daniel's return with news of the Northern pack, Christopher had thrown himself into training with a fervor that bordered on obsession.

James appeared at her side, his expression mirroring her worry. "He's pushing them too hard," he murmured.

Jessica nodded. "He's pushing himself too hard. I'm worried, James. This isn't like him."

Before James could respond, a yelp of pain cut through the air. Christopher had pinned one of the younger wolves, his claws digging in a little too deep.

"Christopher!" James's voice cracked like a whip. "That's enough."

Christopher's head snapped up, his eyes wild and unfocused for a moment before recognition set in. He quickly released the young wolf, looking horrified. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

James strode forward, his authority radiating off him in waves. "Training's over for today. Everyone hit the showers."

As the other wolves dispersed, Christopher remained rooted to the spot, his hands shaking slightly. Jessica approached him cautiously. "Chris? Are you okay?"

Christopher's laugh was bitter. "Okay? None of us are okay, Jess. We're facing an enemy that nearly wiped out an entire pack, and we're nowhere near ready."

Jessica reached out, laying a gentle hand on his arm. "And working ourselves to exhaustion is going to help? Chris, talk to me. What's really going on?"

For a moment, it seemed like Christopher would brush her off. Then, like a dam breaking, words poured out of him. "It's my fault. All of it. If I had been stronger back then, if I had seen through their lies... maybe none of this would be happening."

Jessica's heart ached for him. "Chris, you can't blame yourself for the actions of the Shadow Walkers. You were young, you made a mistake. We all have."

Christopher shook his head. "You don't understand. The things I did, the power I tasted... part of me liked it, Jess. And now, with all this training, pushing myself to the limit... I'm afraid of what I might become."

James, who had been listening silently, stepped forward. "You're not alone in this, Christopher. We all have our demons to face. But you can't let fear control you."

Christopher looked between them, vulnerability clear in his eyes. "How do I fight this darkness without becoming it?"

Jessica took his hand, her touch grounding him. "Together. We face it together."

A howl from the forest's edge interrupted them. Michael emerged from the trees, his expression urgent. "We've got company. A lone wolf, injured, asking for sanctuary."

James frowned. "In these times? It could be a trap."

"Or someone genuinely in need of help," Jessica countered. "We can't turn our backs on them without at least hearing them out."

Christopher straightened, a determined glint in his eye. "I'll go. If it is a trap, I'm best equipped to handle it."

James hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, but be careful. Jessica, go with him. Your presence might help calm the situation if it's a genuine refugee."

As they made their way to the border, Christopher's steps were tense, coiled with energy. Jessica could practically feel the turmoil radiating off him.

"Chris," she said softly. "Whatever happens, remember who you are. You're not defined by your past."

Christopher's lips quirked in a small smile, some of his usual charm peeking through. "When did you get so wise, Luna?"

"I had good teachers," she replied, bumping his shoulder playfully.

Their banter was cut short as they reached the border. There, leaning heavily against a tree, was a young woman. Her clothes were torn, and blood matted her hair.

"Please," she gasped. "Help me."

Christopher moved forward cautiously, his senses on high alert. But as he drew closer, his eyes widened in recognition. "Sophia?"

The woman's head snapped up, fear and hope warring in her eyes. "Chris? Is that really you?"

Jessica looked between them, confusion clear on her face. "You know her?"

Christopher nodded, his expression a mix of emotions. "She... she was part of my old pack. Before the Shadow Walkers."

Sophia stumbled forward, reaching for Christopher. "They found us, Chris. The shadows. They're back, and they're stronger than ever."

As Christopher caught her, supporting her weight, a surge of energy pulsed through the air. Jessica gasped, feeling a familiar darkness pressing in.

"Chris," she warned. "Something's not right."

But Christopher seemed entranced, his focus entirely on Sophia. "It's okay," he murmured. "You're safe now."

Sophia's grip on Christopher tightened, and suddenly her eyes flashed with an unnatural light. "Oh, Chris," she purred, her voice taking on an eerie echo. "Always so trusting. So easy to manipulate."

Before Jessica could shout a warning, tendrils of shadow erupted from Sophia, enveloping Christopher. He let out a roar of pain and fury, his body convulsing as he fought against the dark energy.

Jessica's own power flared instinctively, moonlight radiating from her in waves. "Let him go!" she demanded, her voice carrying the authority of the Luna.

Sophia – or the thing wearing Sophia's face – turned to Jessica with a cruel smile. "The little Luna, all grown up. But still so naive. Did you really think you could protect them all?"

Christopher fell to his knees, his body wracked with tremors. But as Jessica watched in horror, something changed. The shadows weren't just attacking him – they were being absorbed.

With a primal roar, Christopher surged to his feet. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, a mix of his natural wolf and something darker. When he spoke, his voice was a growl that sent shivers down Jessica's spine.

"You want darkness?" he snarled. "I'll show you darkness."

In a blur of motion, Christopher attacked. His movements were faster, more brutal than Jessica had ever seen. The shadow creature wearing Sophia's form screeched, clearly caught off guard by the ferocity of the assault.

Jessica stood frozen, torn between the need to help and the fear of making things worse. She could feel the clash of energies – moon and shadow, light and dark – swirling around them.

The fight was intense but brief. With a final, savage strike, Christopher tore through the shadow creature. It dissolved with an unearthly wail, leaving behind only the broken body of Sophia.

As the echoes of battle faded, Christopher stood panting, his body still crackling with dark energy. Slowly, he turned to face Jessica, and the look in his eyes made her blood run cold.

"Chris?" she whispered, taking a tentative step forward. "Are you okay?"

Christopher's gaze seemed to look through her, unfocused and wild. A low growl rumbled in his chest.

"Christopher," Jessica said more firmly, drawing on her power as Luna. "Come back to me. Come