CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE – LOSING CONTROL

The marketplace erupted into chaos. People screamed and ran, stalls overturned in the panic. Karl's men skidded to a halt, their eyes wide with shock and fear. Maxwell acted quickly. "Cassie, run!" he shouted, pointing towards a narrow alley. The wolf that was Cassie hesitated for a moment, her wild instincts warring with her human consciousness. Then, with a final growl at their pursuers, she bolted for the alley, Maxwell close behind. They ran through the twisting back streets of Moscow, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them. Finally, when they were sure they'd lost their trackers, they ducked into an abandoned building. Cassie, still in wolf form, paced anxiously as Maxwell barricaded the door. "It's okay, Cassie," he said soothingly. "You can change back now. We're safe." Slowly, painfully, Cassie transformed back to her human self. She collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. Maxwell quickly covered her with his jacket. "Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on