Chapter 105

Lucas POV

Today was Saturday, and I had big plans prepared for the day. Plans that slightly veered away from the norm. Plans that I didn't share with Shana.

She had agreed to rest at home while I headed for an early morning training session with my team.

Or at least, that's where I told her I was going.

When I told Shana to skip this practice, I lied. I had plans to go meet with the professor who might have all the answers about Shana's condition.

His name was Professor Black, and after spending a few hours last night researching him thoroughly, I truly believed he would be able to tell me what was wrong with Shana.

He was one of the only wolfless specialists in the area, and he'd conducted hundreds of studies on their kind.

I was both anxious and excited to meet him.

He worked at the local university in town but asked to meet at a local coffee shop.

Curiosity and a touch of anxiety coursed through me as I opened the door to the cafe. I wondered how this conversation would go and if Professor Black would be able to solve this problem for us.

If he didn't know what to do, I doubted anyone else would know.

As I walked further, I saw an older man slightly overdressed sitting near the back by himself.

I approached him hesitantly. When he saw me standing near him, he raised his head to look up at me.

Hey there, I'm Lucas, I introduced myself, extending my hand. Are you Professor Black

Yes! That's me, Professor Black shook my hand enthusiastically. Please take a seat.

I sat across from him and took in his appearance. I had expected Professor Black to be an older, strict man, typical of most professors, but he was quite the opposite.

He was probably in his mid-thirties and sported a modern style of eyeglasses perched on the bridge of his nose. His was just as black as his last name implied.

Did I keep you waiting long I asked politely.

Oh, no. Not too long, he answered, giving me a mischievous look. But I've already ordered for us. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm an early bird, so I usually have an early breakfast. The menu spoke to me.

No need to apologize. I chuckled. No problem. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right

Yes, exactly. Professor Black smiled at me. So, Lucas, I understand there's a lot we want to talk about today. Let me tell you a bit about myself first.

Okay, I agreed and listened as Professor Black gave me a quick rundown of his experience and expertise.

What made you want to study the wolfless I asked, genuinely curious. Most people were afraid to have any association with wolfless, but this man had dedicated his career to it.

It's fascinating stuff, Professor Black answered. There's so much mystery surrounding their kind. I wanted to search for the answers.

We continued to engage in light conversation before our coffee and pastries finally arrived.

Okay, Professor Black said after taking a sip of his coffee. Tell me about your friend, Shana Was that her name

Yes, I nodded. Shana. She's my best friend, and as I told you earlier, she's wolfeless. But lately, she's been experiencing very strange side effects...

I began to tell Professor Black everything that I could remember in as much detail as possible. I even brought up how she had been training more recently, and how much progress she had seen in a short amount of time.

As I talked, Professor Black stared at me completely still, as if he was taking everything in.

It was a little strange that he was being so still, but I thought maybe that was his way of processing information.

However, just as I finished telling him everything, the conversation took a turn that I hadn't anticipated.

Professor Black immediately turned the tables on me, delving into my life, and probing into personal matters as if conducting an interrogation.

How long have you known Shana What were you training her for Do you attend Shadow High Is your father Kendrick Busch Has anything caused you any stress lately What about Shana Are there any other symptoms she noticed in previous years

It made me uneasy, but I remained composed and answered every question as honestly as I could.

Seeing the sincerity in my eyes, Professor Black dropped a heavy piece of information that made my heart sink. This is not going to be easy for you to hear, but I think I might know what Shana's symptoms mean.

What I asked, leaning closer toward him. What do you think it is

It's highly likely that Shana's symptoms, as a wolfless, stem from a congenital deficiency. It's a very grave matter, one that shouldn't be taken lightly. The biological makeup of a wolfless isn't equipped to handle their circumstances. It might, unfortunately, result in Shana having a shorter lifespan than others.

I was silent for a moment, digesting the gravity of what I had just been told.

Shit… I knew that might be the case, but hearing it coming from Professor Black made it worse.

I couldn't imagine losing Shana, especially when her friendship meant the world to me. Desperation crept into my voice as I asked, Is there anything we can do Are there any alternatives Any medication she could take

Professor Black paused, considering this.

He chose his words with care when he said, If Shana receives proper care and undergoes regular medical examinations, she should be okay. But she must be vigilant and cautious for the rest of her life.

So, you're saying there's a chance she'll be fine

Yes, a chance, Professor Black nodded. But nothing is guaranteed. I don't want to make that promise to you, but it is possible. Anything is possible.

Relief washed over me, and gratitude swelled in my chest for the professor's guidance.

Even though it seemed like it wasn't one hundred percent certain, it was something, and that was enough for me.

There was a chance that Shana could be okay if she took proper care of herself.

But my thoughts were far from settled... The other half of what Professor Black said weighed in the back of my mind. I couldn't help but worry about Shana's future even more now.

Realizing it was time for me to go, I stood from the table to say my goodbyes when Professor Black stopped me.

Before you go, Lucas, I want to share something with you... The professor's tone grew serious, and his eyes held a hint of something ominous.

Once, I encountered a case similar to Shana's. It was a boy, but this boy was different. He turned into a wolf, not at thirteen, but at sixteen, and what emerged wasn't a wolf but a... strange, unusual monster. 'Monster' is the best word I can conjure to describe the boy's state. I've never seen anything like it before. I'm not sure if anyone ever has.

I was shocked, my mind racing to try to understand what Professor Black had just revealed.

What did this mean for Shana