Marceline didn't know whether she should continue hiding or not. But since vampires considered werewolves as mortal nemesis, they might attack Marceline once they see her.
Hiding was the best option to avoid fighting with the vampires. Those were Kira's fellows so she didn't want to fight them.
It was too ironic since she's now a werewolf but she cared about vampires more than her fellow werewolves. In Marceline's mind, she had nothing to do with them as she was a human who was turned into a werewolf after being bitten.
"I have to leave and avoid bumping into them," Marceline mumbled, unconsciously telling her plan to Stella.
Stella agreed with her decision so she didn't say another word. Marceline was about to leave her spot when someone tugged the hem of her shirt.
Marceline automatically came into a halt, turning around to see the person who was holding her shirt tightly. To her surprise, she found a strange kid standing next to her.
Marceline was utterly astounded when she saw the appearance of the small child. It was a little boy with a dog's ears. His hands were paws like those of wolf cubs.
'What is he? Is he like me?' Marceline pondered to herself. Her question was heard by Stella so she answered her.
'He is a hybrid. Half-human and half-wolf.'
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt'Why is he here? What's the difference between us?' Marceline asked Stella in her subconscious but her eyes were fixed on the little hybrid boy.
'He is a combination of a werewolf's gene and a human's gene. He can't do a complete wolf transformation, unlike you. He can't have a complete human transformation too, that's why he looks like that, half-human and half-wolf.'
Marceline nodded her head as she understood Stella's explanation. For some unknown reason, the two were talking to each other comfortably as if they were getting along really well like close friends.
'As for your first question, I think he is here because he is trying to flee from the vampires. The vampires seem to be in their hunting mode right now!'
Marceline glanced at the boy. His clothes were covered in mud. She could also see some blood on the boy's head and his face.
But the boy was not saying a word. 'Is he mute or did he lose his ability to speak because of intense fear?' Marceline was still assessing the boy, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
If she estimated it right, the boy might be four or five years old now. She noticed that the little hybrid boy was gripping her shirt tightly. He didn't want to let go of her.
Though the boy was half a werewolf, Marceline didn't hate him. Instead, she felt sorry for him as she could see her young self in him.
Was he lost? Did he get separated from his parents? Did the vampires kill his parents? Did he also lose his parents?
Marceline bent down while holding the boy's shoulders. Her eyes were now at his eye level.
"Are you okay? What's your name? Where are your parents?" Marceline softly asked him.
The boy's expression was unreadable. He was just staring at Marceline's eyes without blinking.
After a few seconds, the boy finally uttered a word.
"Mama!"
Both Marceline and Stella were dumbfounded when they heard him call Marceline 'Mama'. Since Marceline was still in her half-wolf form, the little hybrid boy mistook her as his mother.
Marceline wanted to correct the boy's wrong assumption. But they heard several footsteps coming in. The vampires were already near their spot.
Marceline grabbed the boy, pulling him closer to her body as she tried to hide in the tree.
'They can smell his scent!' Stella informed Marceline.
Marceline looked down, watching the boy who was now hugging her waist tightly. She suddenly felt the need to protect the boy.
She thought she hated all the werewolves in the world, including herself. But now, she couldn't bring herself to hate this young hybrid boy.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm'He is still half-human. He is just a half-wolf. This might be the reason I want to protect him,' Marceline tried to justify her feelings.
On the other hand, Stella saw a gleam of hope as Marceline softened her heart toward the hybrid boy. She was hoping that Marceline would be able to accept her wholeheartedly.
'Stella… how many vampires are there?' Marceline continued communicating with Stella through their mind link.
'Four… No… There are five of them going this way. Get ready!' Stella reminded her once again. 'Don't worry. I will protect both of you!' she added, reassuring Marceline.
"Hide behind me," Marceline told the little boy.
The little hybrid obediently nodded his head before moving to her back. Marceline shielded the boy using her body as the five vampires reached their spots. Marceline was now facing the five vampires– one woman and four men.
They were all wearing black to camouflage themselves in the dark. The look of surprise could be seen on their scarlet eyes the moment they saw Marceline. They thought they already killed the adults. But one still remained alive!
"Is she a werewolf or a hybrid?" The female vampire asked her comrades.
"Werewolf or hybrid, no one cares. They will both die in our hands!" The oldest vampire among the group spoke up. His hatred towards werewolves was reflected in his eyes. He couldn't wait to crush Marceline and the young boy using his own hands.
"Catch them now! Myka, use your hypnotic ability against her. We can't let them escape. That young boy already delayed us when he got away!" The oldest vampire gave his order.
Using her vampiric speed, the female vampire whom he called Myka, moved in a flash, appearing in front of Marceline.
She immediately held Marceline's right shoulder while putting her right hand over Marceline's forehead. She forced Marceline to look at her eyes as she tried to hypnotize her.
"You will obey everything that I will say to you. Understand?" Myka mumbled with a playful grin on her face. She thought Marceline was already put under her mind control power as Marceline didn't try to struggle nor fight her.
"Kill that young cub in front of us! Shred his body into tiny pieces!" Myka ordered Marceline, making her purse her lips in a thin line.