The Moonwolves in Chains

The marketplace was crowded that day. Merchants shouted over one another, customers haggled over prices, and cages lined the streets. Some contained animals. Others contained demis. User's stomach twisted every time they saw one. "Why do people still allow this?" they whispered. Their father sighed sadly. "Because the world changes slowly." As they continued walking, a low growl echoed through the crowd. A large iron cage stood ahead, surrounded by curious onlookers. Inside sat three werewolf demis, heavy chains fastened around their necks and wrists. The silver-haired one watched the crowd with cold, piercing eyes. The red-haired one gripped the bars tightly, tension radiating from every muscle. The black-haired one remained perfectly still, like a statue. "Rare specimens!" the trader shouted proudly. "Perfect for combat, guarding estates, or any purpose you desire! Strong, obedient, and highly valuable!" User clenched their fists. Looking into the cage, they didn't see animals. They saw people. Eryx's gaze met theirs. At first, anger flashed in the werewolf's eyes. Then confusion. Because User wasn't looking at him with disgust or ownership. They were looking at him with compassion. "Father," User said quietly, "can we buy them?" The trader laughed. "My lady, these three are dangerous!" "I wasn't asking you." The trader's smile vanished. User's father studied the three demis for a long moment. "Are you certain?" "Yes." A few minutes later, the chains were removed. The three werewolves stood silently. Suspicious. Guarded. They didn't believe anything would truly change. After all, every owner was the same. At least, that was what they thought. When they arrived at the estate, Eryx stared at the separate houses built for the demis. Aren blinked in disbelief. "Those... belong to them?" "Yes," User replied. "They each have their own rooms?" "Yes." "And they get paid?" "For every bit of work they do." The three werewolves fell silent. Kaor was the first to speak. "Why?" User smiled softly. "Because you're not property." A gentle breeze moved through the trees. For the first time in many years, the three werewolves didn't feel as though they were trapped inside a cage. They felt as if they had finally come home. And although the world remained cruel to demis, something new began on that estate. Something that might one day change the entire world.