Marisol grew extremely worried about Cedric's well-being, and it was during that time that she noticed the increasing jumpiness of her own wolf, along with a noticeable shift in the atmosphere within the pack.
It belatedly occurred to her that a full moon was around the corner. Rumors began to spread within the pack. Pack members had witnessed firsthand the devastation Cedric could unleash when his wolf took control, and they were rightfully wary of what was to come.
While the full moon reduced every single werewolf to their savage form, Marisol realized that it would be much worse for Cedric. If it amplified the darkness that already lurked within him, that would be the same as driving him to the brink of madness.
As much as the realization filled Marisol with a sense of dread, a part of her relaxed at the explanation it provided for his sudden possessiveness.
As the days drew nearer, the apprehension and concern from those closer to Marisol increased, every one of them warning her to stay away from Cedric. Sophia and Lily especially tried to pry her away from him because they didn't think anyone would survive it.
Sophia was more concerned about the fact that if anything happened to her, the prophecy would be lost. Lily, on the other hand, begged her to stay away for Cedric's sake. She believed that if he lost control and harmed Marisol, he wouldn't forgive him, and that would make things worse for everyone.
Naturally, Marisol felt anxiety and fear settle heavily in her guts, but no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't bring herself to abandon Cedric, especially at such a crucial time. The connection she had with him was a deep-seated one, after all, one that transcended logic and reason. No matter the danger or uncertainty that lay ahead, Marisol was determined to stick by his side. So far, he had displayed a level of self-control that would make it unfair to judge him so quickly.
The day of the full moon finally descended upon Redwood, casting an eerie glow over the landscape as the sun dipped below the horizon. While the rest of the pack sought refuge within the safety of their homes, Marisol remained in the hidden castle, stubbornly following Cedric everywhere he went.
As evening descended, Cedric's restlessness intensified, his movements becoming erratic as he started to pace back and forth, seeking some sort of relief from the violent energy that had no doubt begun to take form in his veins.
Marisol watched him from the distance he'd put between them, apprehensive. The moon called to her too, but not in the same way it called Cedric. Seeing him like this made her heartache.
The darker it got, the worse Cedric became. His agitation finally reached a fever pitch, and he turned to Marisol with a wild look in his eyes. The moon had begun to travel across the sky, and just before it reached its peak, he shouted at Marisol.
"Leave now. You have to go!" There was a sense of urgency in his words, the veins in his neck growing more prominent as he struggled to stay in control.
Marisol felt another pang in her heart, but she did not let it show. Instead, she scoffed, rolling her eyes dismissively. "The last time I checked, I spent my nights here. I'm not going anywhere."
Cedric growled in frustration, his eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and desperation. "You don't understand!" he snarled before his voice softened, his next words almost a please, "I can't control it. I don't want to hurt you."
Marisol felt another tug at her heart, but she simply shrugged and sank even further into her seat. She was going to make sure they got through this together.
"Are you deaf!" He bellowed, following her lack of a reaction, "I can't control myself when I'm like this. I don't want to do something I'll regret, you cannot stop what's coming. Forget the prophecy and our mate bond for now. Just..... get to safety for Goddess's sake!"
"I trust you, Cedric," Marisol answered this time, her voice soft yet resolute. "I know that you would never intentionally harm me. I promised to stay by your side and help set you free. I intend to keep that promise." As she took a step closer at the end of her words, Cedric seemed to lose it. Stretching a hand forward as if to keep her away, he let out a painful cry, both hands holding onto his head as he doubled over.
"STOP MARISOL, STAY BACK!" He yelled just as he began to transform. His agonized yell as his features began to contort and twist had Marisol's own features down-turning, his pain so palpable it forced her to remain rooted in place.
"Get out!" Those were the last words he managed to utter before his transformation was complete.
Marisol watched in awe and trepidation as Cedric's human form gave way to that of the beast, his muscles rippling beneath his fur as he let out a primal roar that echoed through the walls of the hidden castle.
His enormous red wolf emerged and let out an earth-shattering howl, causing Marisol's heart to thunder in her chest as she faced the beast before her, her gaze unwavering. She remembered the subtle warnings Cedric had given her. His wolf hated weaklings.
"Don't be afraid." She muttered to herself, a shaky breath leaving her lips as she stood firm in its presence.
Everything about that moment reminded her of her nightmares, and Marisol braced herself for the onslaught, ready to face whatever trials awaited her. But to her surprise, instead of lashing out in a frenzied rage, Cedric's wolf seemed almost... hesitant as it stared back at her, red eyes narrowed as it seemed to study the figure before it.