“I figured you’d be here,” Paul’s footsteps echoed around me as he approached. “So I took the liberty of inviting over one of your friends. It was difficult I'll admit after most are furious at you for the notes you were leaving Lily or whatever her name was.” He shrugged. I never did that though. Great, I shouldn’t of trusted Lila, I’m so dumb. I don't know why that thought ran through my head, it was a silly thought in this situation but it was a nice normal one before chaos. My goodness Marinette! You really shouldn't be this calm with what's happening.

“Nevertheless, at least one person is rushing for you, a gentleman named Adrien is it? He seemed really worried after you had disappeared. Anyways, he’s on his way now and if you don’t spread the curse, I’ll have to get rid of you.” I stood clumsy, I had yet to get used to being a wolf. As soon as I was on steady legs, my lip curled and positioned myself to attack.

He tisked, waving his finger. “You aren’t experienced enough to do much damage. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you and everyone else will never have to worry about getting used to being a wolf.”

I gave a sharp threatening bark, or, at least I hoped it was threatening. I guess it wasn't because he started to laugh hysterically.

“Don’t try and fool me, I know your bark is worse than your bite otherwise I’d be lying in a pool of my own blood right now.” He calmed his laugh and focused on me. “Now sit in the corner like a good pup and wait for your friend.” He glared. In defiance, I stood where I was just giving him the dirtiest look I could muster.

“Oh come on, don’t give me that look, I’m doing you a favor.” I kept trying to murder him with my glare. “Alright, fine, would you feel better if I gave you a chance to say goodbye before either of you die?” How is that supposed to make me feel better?! He started to say more when my head turned sharply to the door, there was someone right outside.

“He must be here now.” Paul wickedly grinned towards the door, baring his teeth. The footsteps outside slowed, there was slight hesitation before the door creaked open. No! I just need you to give me a few more minutes!

A head of fluffy golden hair peaked inside, emerald eyes squinting, struggling to see in the dark. Paul gave me a nod in the darkness, indicating that I should get it over with. Like hell I will. I kept my feet, paws, whatever they were, planted where they were.

“Ma-marinette?” Adrien’s voice rings through the room as he takes a few steps in. Paul finally got the message that I wasn’t going to anything, especially when I started trembling from the transformation back to human.

“Goodness, you and your morals.” He scoffed at me under his breath before stepping closer to Adrien.

“Wh-who’s there!” He took a defensive position. Adrien’s eyes widened seeing paul step into the light before his face shifted into a glare. “You! Where’s Marinette?!”

“She’s right there.” Paul calmly stepped to the side, waving his hand at me. Adrien furrowed his brow, trying to see me. My voice came back and I let out a shriek of pain from the transformation. Adrien's face was drained of all colour and he started to blindly run to me, still not knowing where I was only determined to help me when Paul stepped between us.

“Adrien! Run!” I managed to yell.

“What did you do to her!’ He ignored me, brandishing his fists at Paul.

“Nothing today… yet.”

I gasped for air as my bones shifted back to those of humans, my ears shrinking, fur receding. Tears dipped from my eyes, splattering on the concrete beneath me.

“Well, now that she didn’t pass on the curse, I’ll have to kill her, but to be nice, I’ll leave you alive unless you don’t think you could keep your mouth shut on this and werewolves.”

“If you think you’ll be hurting her at any time, you have another thing coming.” My body was weak but I tried my best to stand on jelly legs. My vision swam and through the tears, I looked at Adrien. For a moment, I thought I was looking at Chat, but that couldn’t be because it’s Adrien.

Adrien catches sight of me for a split second. Paul saw his small attention shift and looked back at me.

“Ah! I see you're a full human again.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a knife, moonlight simmering off it. I backed away, my hand searching for a wall to stable myself on, my eyes wide and my lip trembling.

“Back away from her!” Adrien’s voice boomed, furious. Paul ignored him and advanced on me.

“Claws out!” There was a brilliant flash of green and Paul lunged at me, knife in hand.

His knife just managed to tear through my shirt before his arm was pushed away by Chat, Adrien gone.

“Ch-chat?” I stumbled over my words, studying his face. I couldn't believe he was Adrien all this time.

“Marinette.” His hands were shaking in fear, his words laced with sorrow. I noticed his eyes were on my stomach.

“What’s wrong?” I looked down at Paul, his knife was missing from his hand and I couldn’t find it.

“Marinette,” Chat repeated. “I’m so sorry.” My legs gave out under me, unable to hold me anymore and I felt a flash of, I don’t know how to describe it, it was worse than the pain of transforming, worse that the night I got the curse. Chat caught my arms, laying me on his lap.

With quivering hands, he pulled out the knife sheathed in my side and pressed his hand into the would, putting pressure on it. He weeped silently over me.

“Hey, it’ll be okay. I can get through it.” I gently squeezed his other hand with mine.

“He-here, I can call you an ambulance.” His breath labored. He dialed something on his baton. “Hello? Marinette- she’s, she’s bleeding out- I’ll send you the location- she was stabbed- please hurry.” he set it aside and focused on me, brushing stray strands of hair out of my eyes.

“Hold on, just a little while longer, okay?”

Behind him, Paul just cackled at our misery.

“Enjoying your just deserts? Serves you right for trying to keep that demon alive, she's not your beloved girlfriend anymore, hasn’t been for a month, the smartest decision you could make would be to leave her on death’s doorstep.” Chat hugged me closer, grimacing at Paul's words.

“I would never do that, stay away.” Chat growled. “She’s not a demon, but you seem to be.” he shifted a bit, the movement rippled through me to my wound. I squeezed his hand hard, wincing.

“I’m sorry!” he yelped focusing on me again.

“I-I’m fine, it just was sharp.” I drew deeper breaths.

“don’t, you’re going to start hyperventilating and will pass out.”

I winced, sirens in the distance, shattering my ear drums. “Are you okay?! Is it the wound?” Chat fussed in panic, a moment later he heard the ambulance. “Oh, right, that might not be pleasant for wolf ears.” he concluded. He kept one hand on my injury and removed his other hand from my grip, holding my head to his chest, covering my ears, lessening the deafening wail coming closer to the building.

The door burst open with EMT’s, they ran to me and Chat, he was pushed from my side and they got me onto a stretcher, trying to slow the bleeding first.

In the chaos, I look through the swarm of medics to Chat. his face was overwhelmed with emotion and behind him, a small, black butterfly landed on his bell.

“Chat! No!” I shouted, my hand reaching out to him, begging him to not fall into Hawkmoths trap. I was too late, Chat’s black suit changed to white, and somehow I could tell, his beautiful green eyes became an icy blue.

Dedicated to their job, they continued to treat me, shivering under the Akuma’s cold stare.

I had exhausted all of my energy and my vision started to fade to black while I was lifted and brought into the ambulance.

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It's the last chapter! Yay! I have one more surprise for you guys but I want to put all of the announcements here if that's alright.

So, I won't be posting the sequel for 3 weeks. Oddly enough, the day i post the first chapter is the day that book starts on which will be cool!

I also forgot to mention at the time but the last day in November was when the first chapter took place, it was also the day my best friend/editor for all of my books posted/occasional character in this book (Bella), got her license so happy late birthday to her!

With that said, I'll put a chapter in this book to direct you to the sequel when its out. Until then, happy holidays! I don’t know what everyone celebrates and would love to hear some of your favorite traditions in the chat if you'd like. Thank you so much for reading! I can't wait to see you in the next book!