EP4 - Ashmoon At The Ditch

Mara reaches the Ashmoon Forest border with partially transformed Bloodfang scent-trackers behind her, and the ditch becomes the line between pursuit and clan war. Ashmoon watchers reveal themselves but hold human shape. Kael intervenes in controlled partial form, fast enough to stop the hunters and disciplined enough to show danger is not only violence. His protection saves Mara and marks Ashmoon as involved. When the trackers retreat, Kael visibly suppresses his changed body rather than simply appearing human. Mara accepts rescue but refuses possession. Witnesses carry one question outward: did Kael save her, steal her, or begin a clan conflict?