THE STARS SEEMED TO STRETCH ACROSS ZARA'S FACE LIKE CESTIAL FINGERS AS SHE YAWNED, FEELING A SOFT HAND COIL AROUND HER HIP. Mando's gentle voice cooed in her ear, "Little wolf, you need to wake up." Startled, Zara's brown eyes flashed from gold to red before settling back into their calm, drowning brown depths, like mudflats studded with diamonds. Mando felt himself almost lost in the galaxy of her gaze, but he cleared his throat and jerked his head backwards towards the cockpit.

Zara understood and stood up, her hands instinctively reaching for the Child, who cooed and gripped her thumbs. Zara carefully hoisted herself out of the cot that Mando had kindly lent to her. "Thank you," she said softly, smiling at Mando as she made her way to the cockpit.

Mando grunted and followed her up the ladder to the cockpit, where they both took their seats. Zara held the Child on her lap as the ship exited hyperspace, revealing the burning planet of Nevarro before them. Zara felt a sigh escape her as the grip around her heart tightened, a vice-like pressure that clamped down harder. She knew that once they collected the bounty, they would have to part ways, and she didn't want that.

She didn't want to be caged behind rusting gates while the winds of time ran their course. Zara yearned to be free, to hunt, to live like the creature she was—a werewolf. The thought of being separated from Mando and the Child was almost unbearable, and she struggled to suppress the rising emotion within her.

Noticing her discomfort, Mando cocked his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You okay?" he asked. Zara snapped her gaze to his, their brown depths matching. "I'll be fine," she muttered, her tone as cold and glittering as an icestab. Mando felt his own heart sour at the thought of leaving behind this strong, fierce woman who had grown on him, though he would never admit it to her.

She was just an acquaintance, really. Just like she had said to the Jawas, they were nothing more and would never be. But some deep, hidden part of him wanted her more than he thought he would ever want any woman. He pushed these thoughts away, forcing his focus back to the task at hand. "We need to concentrate on getting that bounty," he said gruffly, turning his attention to the planet before them.

They soon touched down on the barren spaceport of Nevarro, and Zara gently lifted the Child into its pram. Giving one ear a gentle stroke, she kissed its nose, whispering, "Be strong, little one." The trio walked down the ramp with Mando by their side, the Child nestled between the two hunters. Many people looked them over—some curious, others sneering—but they paid them no mind.

They quickly found the safe house, and Mando held up the white ship card. The eyeball mechanic snuffed and then laughed a bit, saying something in Huttese that Zara couldn't have cared less about. The door opened, and two dirtied stormtroopers emerged, blasters in hand.

"Ah," one of them breathed before they waved the group inside. One soldier grabbed Zara's arm roughly. "Hey, careful," Mando snapped. The soldier ignored him and tugged Zara along.

They were ushered into a large room where the Client and the Doctor awaited them, eagerness gleaming in their eyes. Zara bristled slightly at their enthusiasm, while the Child let out a soft coo.

"Yes, yes, yes," the Client exhaled, standing up from his seat. His red, rubbery robes floated around his hips like wings. He extended his hands expectantly towards the Child, who shrank back into Zara's embrace. The Doctor smiled gently, his eyes fixed on the young creature.

"Don't touch him," Zara snarled protectively, her maternal instincts flaring. The Client snorted dismissively and waved his hand at the trooper holding Zara. "Leash her," he commanded. The trooper nodded and released her for a moment, only to retrieve a studded collar and its accompanying leash. He walked over to Zara, roughly nudging her chin up to fasten the collar around her neck. The metal stung her, and she hissed in pain, but the trooper remained indifferent.

Mando watched the scene unfold, dark storm clouds brewing in his heart. He tried to ignore them, his fists clenching at his sides, as the Child was taken away from Zara. The little creature yelped and gurgled, reaching out desperately towards her.

Dr. Pershing studied the Child with a red device, his excitement barely contained. "Yes, very healthy, yes," he breathed, a hint of eagerness in his voice, but not malevolence.

The Client turned to Mando, his stormy blue eyes piercing. "You did your part and did not disappoint us. Well done," he said, his voice echoing in the silent room. Then, he shifted his gaze to Zara, a sinister glint in his eye. "And you, my dear, come here." He beckoned to the empty spot beside him.

Zara lifted her chin defiantly, her gaze icy as she stared back at him. The Client's expression soured, and the trooper holding her leash gave a sharp tug. Zara grunted in pain, her back slightly hunched, her hips shifting under the strain. Mando's eyes snapped to her, concern etched on his face, but she did as she was told and stepped to the Client's side, her head bowed.

The Client's fingers grazed Zara's chin, feigning a tender touch. But there was no warmth in his gaze as he held her face, the cold serpents of his words slithering from his mouth. "You're dirty, dear. Go and wash." His tone was condescending, the power dynamic between them clear.

Zara let out a low, animalistic growl as the trooper pulled her away by her leash. Her eyes darted to the Child one last time, filled with concern and longing. Then, her gaze found Mando, and she mouthed one word to him: "Be safe." With that, she disappeared around the bend of the wall, leaving only the chilling air to fill the space she had vacated.

Mando watched her go, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that Zara was capable of taking care of herself, but there was something unsettling about seeing her led away like that. He shifted his focus back to the Client and Dr. Pershing, who were engrossed in discussing the Child.

Mando's voice was ice as he spoke, "What will you do to her or the Child?"

The Client looked up from the Child, a sneer curling his lips. "Is it not the code of the Guild that these events are now forgotten?" he countered sourly. The Client then turned away, making his way to a small table where he retrieved a silver canteen of beskar. "You've got your payment, now leave. The woman will be quite safe. She belongs here, after all."

Mando's grip tightened around the beskar canteen, his thoughts racing. He knew the Client was right about the code, but something didn't sit right with him. He took a step back, then another, until he was out of the room, the door shutting behind him with a heavy thud.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

"GAH!" ZARA SNARLED AS THE WHIP LASHED ACROSS HER ALREADY BRUISED BACK. Pain seared through her, but she remained defiant, gritting her teeth.

The Client's voice rang out, cruel and unforgiving. "What did we say about disobedience?" The whip cracked again, this time wrapping around her back, leaving yet another mark on her delicate skin. The pain was almost unbearable, but Zara refused to give in. She merely grunted, crumpling under the onslaught.

The Client loomed over her, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. "You'll learn your place soon enough, Zara Lupa."

Zara, her vision blurred with pain, could feel the energy within her stir, her wolf clawing to break free. She knew she couldn't let that happen—not yet. She forced herself to stay in control, to bide her time.

The Client gripped Zara's chin roughly, forcing her to look up at him. She could feel her bones snapping under the pressure. "You and the Child are ours, you know that, right?" he cooed, his leathery fingers tracing her cheek. Zara hissed in response, her anger and disgust rising.

Without warning, her fangs lengthened, and she lunged forward, sinking them deep into the Client's hand. She ripped off his pointer finger, blood spraying from the wound. The Client yelped in pain, stumbling backwards and releasing Zara's chin. She spat out the disgusting pulp of flesh.

Another whip lashed across her back, but this time Zara didn't buckle. Instead, she stared hard at the Client, her eyes a fiery red. "All men must die," she growled before backing away, her body coiled like a viper ready to strike.

The trooper, taken aback by the sudden violence, rushed to the Client's side. "Sir, are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face as the Client cowered against the wall, his hand bleeding profusely.

"Get Dr. Pershing," the Client barked, his voice trembling with pain and fury. The trooper immediately escorted the doctor out of the cell, leaving Zara alone.

Exhausted from the fight, Zara finally allowed herself to succumb to the sleep that had been calling her, her body succumbing to a restless slumber.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

HEAVY FOOTSTEPS ECHOED IN ZARA'S DREAMSCAPE, DRAWING HER ATTENTION TO A FAMILIAR FIGURE - HER MOTHER, A BEAUTIFUL WHITE WOLF WITH PIERCING BLUE EYES.

"Mom," Zara breathed, her heart swelling with emotion.

Talia smiled and spoke, her tongue lapping across Zara's face. "You need to wake up, darling dear. Your journey is not yet written."

Zara sighed, curling her claws into the soft ground. The sky above them was cloud-studded and tranquil, the trees swaying gently. "I don't know if I should, Mom," she confessed. "The Child is back in Imperial custody, and he's going to get his powers drained. I just don't know what to do."

Talia nuzzled Zara lovingly, her white fur shimmering. "You are strong, Zara. You will find a way out of that safe house, with or without the Mandalorian. Trust your instincts and remember who you are—a proud werewolf. You have the heart of a wolf and the mind of a warrior. You can do this."

Tears welled up in Zara's eyes, blurring the scene around her. She released a shuddering breath, overcome by the love and comfort her mother provided. "Thank you, Mama," she whispered. "I miss you so much."

Talia's smile remained, her warmth and presence a soothing balm to Zara's soul. She curled herself around her daughter, offering solace and strength. "I miss you too, darling dear. But you must live on for yourself and for us. Be strong now, darling. Wake up."

Zara nodded, the resolve in her mother's voice echoing within her. With a final, loving nuzzle, Talia began to fade away, her image dissipating into the dreamscape.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

ZARA'S EYES SNAPPED OPEN; HER BODY JOLTED, WAKED BY THE SUDDEN REALIZATION OF HER SURROUNDINGS. She hissed, feeling the uncomfortable weight of the collar around her neck. The leash was fastened to a clamp in the door, holding her captive.

Dr. Pershing was bustling around in the room beyond, seemingly unaware of Zara's wakefulness. As he closed the door, he didn't notice that Zara had been working on her restraints.

Zara smiled to herself, a glimmer of hope igniting within her. She got to her feet and walked over to the wall, where the clamp held her collar in place. With determination, she began biting and gnawing at the metal, her sharp teeth gradually wearing it down. Freedom was within reach, and Zara was determined to seize it.

Just as Zara's teeth started to make progress on the clamp, a sudden bang echoed throughout the safe house. The Force spiked in alarm, and Zara paused, her ears twitching at the sound of approaching footsteps. A familiar scent reached her nostrils, and she couldn't help but let out a purr of satisfaction.

Suddenly, the door to her cell burst open, flying off its hinges. Standing in the doorway was Mando, clad in his gleaming silver armor. "My, my," Zara chuckled, letting go of the leash. "I see you've come back."

Mando stepped inside the room, his helmet tilting slightly as he assessed the situation. "I couldn't leave you behind, Zara. Not after everything we've been through."

Zara grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Mando charged towards Zara, a bundle nestled in his arms. Zara's eyes widened in surprise as she caught sight of the precious cargo. "You took the kid too?" she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

Mando gently placed the sleeping Child at Zara's paws. "I did," he replied, his voice firm with conviction. "I can't let you two be tortured by the Empire."

Zara gazed down at the peaceful, slumbering face of the Child, her heart swelling with affection and relief. "You're something else, Mando," she murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thank you."

Mando simply nodded, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever.

Sparks showered Zara and Mando as the clamp securing her leash to the wall finally broke free. Zara let out a triumphant howl, shaking herself free of the restraining collar. She gently grasped the Child in her teeth, being careful not to hurt it, and waved her tail towards the door.

Suddenly, four stormtroopers flooded into the room, blocking their escape. Mando wasted no time, launching into action and taking down the troopers with swift, precise movements. Zara joined the fight, dispatching troopers here and there when Mando was unable to reach them.

Throughout the chaos, Zara kept the Child secure in her mouth, doing her best not to jostle it too much and risk causing any harm. Together, Mando and Zara made their way through the safe house, leaving a trail of fallen stormtroopers in their wake.

Bursting into the meeting room, Mando and Zara were met with a swarm of stormtroopers, their weapons trained on the two hunters. "Stop! Drop your weapons!" the troopers shouted, their blasters primed and ready to fire.

Zara huffed, her eyes darting between the troopers and Mando. Mando's gaze met hers, and he whispered, "Let the Child down."

Zara's heart pounded in her chest, but she could sense through the unspoken bond between them that Mando had a plan. Trusting him, she carefully lowered the Child to the ground, holding it steady with her forepaws.

With a swift motion, Mando launched a series of whistling birds from his gauntlet, the lethal projectiles whirling through the air towards the stormtroopers. Zara ducked instinctively, letting out a small yelp as one flew over her head, taking down a trooper in an instant. The remaining troopers fell in quick succession, each one meeting their end at the hands of Mando's deadly birds.

Zara laughed, relief washing over her as she scooped up the Child once more. With a quick leap, she escaped the meeting room, Mando close behind. They found themselves back in the cold corridors of the safe house, the night air biting at their skin. Zara shifted back into her human form, the Child now cradled safely in her arms. Mando walked beside them, his demeanor calm and collected.

"That was a close one," Zara whispered, her breath misting in the chilly air.

Mando nodded. "Too close for comfort."

They continued down the corridor, their footsteps echoing against the walls. Despite the danger they had just escaped, Zara couldn't help but feel a sense of peace. Mando was by her side, and the Child was safe in her arms.

As they emerged from the corridors and into the city streets, a chill hung in the air. Something was amiss—the night was cold, and there was no warmth to be found, despite the fact that people were indoors for the evening. Hunters lurked in the shadows, their presence palpable. Zara and Mando exchanged a worried glance, before spotting a group of figures pursuing them. They had no choice but to flee into the darkness, the shadows becoming their only refuge.

They managed to make it to the outskirts of the city without being shot down, the Razor Crest coming into view. But their relief was short-lived as the Black Man emerged from the shadows, gripping Greef Karga by the throat. The Bounty Hunters Guild leader's child stood beside him, a pistol pressed against her temple.

"Stop right there, Mando," the Black Man commanded, his voice cold and unforgiving. Mando and Zara froze in their tracks, the Child whimpering in Zara's arms. They were trapped, with nowhere to run.

"We're just going to walk away," Mando tried to reason, but the Sour Man spat out a tooth, his gaze unwavering.

"Oh no, you won't," he retorted, his voice dripping with malice. He removed his hood, revealing a scarred face. "You've got two Force-sensitive creatures under that cloak, Mando, and they belong to me."

Zara gasped, recognizing the man from the Old Clan of Werewolves. "Bang Chan," she hissed, her blood running cold. This was a dangerous foe, one they couldn't underestimate.

Beng Chhan smiled, his gaze fixated on Zara. "It's lovely to see you again, Soojin. A shame that you ended up under the Empire's claws after returning home." He sighed, releasing Greef Karga and wiping the blood from his hands.

He then looked at Zara, his expression softening slightly. "I want you to come home again, but you know I can't let this hunter have you."

Zara straightened her shoulders, her claws flexing. "Mando is the one who rescued me from the Empire," she declared, glancing back at Mando.

Mando remained silent, his gaze unflinching as he observed the scene unfolding before him.

Bang Chan sighed. "You can't have bonded yourself to a mere mortal, dear Zara. You know it's against our code, against the King's orders."

"What is he talking about?" Mando asked in a low voice, confused by the conversation.

Zara sighed and looked to Bang Chan before turning back to Mando. She handed him the Child, who cooed softly in response. Zara then approached the handsome werewolf, her fingers dancing across her pistol. Mando noticed her actions and felt something stir within him, a smile spreading across his face. He nodded to Zara, bringing the Child closer to his chest.

The hunters around them stirred, uneasy with the situation. Bang Chan looked at Zara, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "So you've decided to come home again, beloved."

Zara grinned, baring her teeth, and her eyes shifted to a golden hue. "You're just as arrogant as you've always been," she hissed, transforming into her wolf form. The night sprang to life around her, the chill enveloping her fur.

Bang Chan roared as the large white wolf lunged at him, pinning him to the ground. Chaos erupted as the hunters were caught off guard by Zara's sudden shift. Mando, still clutching the Child, backed away from the fray, his eyes darting between the skirmish and the darkness around them, searching for a way to escape with Zara and the Child.

Zara fought valiantly against the leader of the Old Wolves, but eventually, she was thrown against a nearby wall, her head ringing from the impact. Shaking off the pain, she leapt up once more, only to be met by a large black werewolf that slammed into her, sending her tumbling to the ground. Claws raked across her fur, drawing blood as she struggled to regain her footing.

Mando, seeing Zara's predicament, knew he had to act fast. With the Child still in his arms, he darted forward, blasting at the werewolf with his blaster. The creature howled in pain, momentarily stunned by the attack.

"Hah! You're dumber than you look, Silver Head!" the werewolf roared, turning his attention to Mando. He lunged at the Mandalorian, who deftly ducked out of the way, the Child still safe in his grasp.

The werewolf let out a shriek as Zara, having freed herself from the fight, pounced on its back, pinning it to the ground. "Leave him alone?!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the night.

Zara leaped off the werewolf and landed beside Mando, who was still recovering from the near miss. "Beloved!" she exclaimed, joyously embracing him. The werewolf, now subdued, let out a howl of defeat.

After a tense moment, when they thought the fight was over, the wolves began streaming out in all directions, disappearing into the city.

Zara let out a soft gasp. "No," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Mando looked at her, his brow furrowed in concern. "You... you know them," he realized.

Zara nodded slowly. "The Grey... yes."

A slender, golden wolf stepped forward, nudging Bang Chhan back onto his feet. The black leader retreated into the shadows, his voice echoing through the darkness. "You should have joined us again, Zara Lupa," he declared.

"Felix," Zara called out, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and longing.

The golden wolf's gaze met Zara's. "You've changed your appearance," he observed, his ears pressed against his head. "I thought you might try to return to us after the Empire fell." His voice was tinged with sadness. "It's a pity, I truly thought we would one day be together."

Zara sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I thought so too, Felix," she replied softly. "But times have changed."

Felix nodded. "They truly have, and now that you've fallen so low, fraternizing with humans, you've changed as well." He glanced at the hunters lying slain beneath the wolves' paws. "It's unfortunate that humans still take such pleasure in bloodshed. When the time comes, Zara, come back to us."

With that, Felix disappeared into the night, the rest of the wolves following suit and melting into the darkness around them.