The forest was heavy with the scent of wet earth and pine as the late afternoon sun cast long shadows between the trees. A thin mist clung to the ground, weaving around roots and fallen branches, and the air felt alive with movement. Every sound seemed sharper, every shadow more purposeful. The wolf inside me stirred restlessly, sensing something beyond my vision, a presence that was deliberate, measured, and dangerous.
Kael moved silently beside me, his eyes scanning the perimeter as if he could see through the dense foliage. “The rival pack is close,” he said quietly, his voice low but carrying authority. “They are not like the hunters you have faced. Their blood carries history, ambition, and pride. They will test you, your instincts, and your ability to assert yourself. You must remai
