CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FOUR – FACE TO FACE

As her team rushed to free the captives, Cassie faced off against Karl. Both of them transformed, their werewolf forms towering in the confined space. The battle that ensued was brutal and intense. Cassie and Karl were evenly matched, their strength and speed pushing the limits of what should have been possible. The laboratory was torn apart around them as they fought, equipment smashing and walls crumbling under the force of their blows. Cassie was dimly aware of her team working to free Florian and his mother, of the sounds of more guards approaching. But her focus was entirely on Karl. She knew that as long as he lived, none of them would ever be safe. The fight seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Cassie took hits that would have killed a normal human, her healing factor working overtime to keep her in the fight. But she gave as good as she got, her claws leaving deep gashes in Karl's flesh. Just when it seemed the battle could go either way, disaster struck. A stray blow from