A Hero Emerges.
The air was polluted by a harsh, distinct smell of blood. Isabella stopped in her tracks, her muscles tensed and her ears perked up. There was a problem.
The eerie silence of the forest was broken by a pained wail. Not that far. She ran in the direction of the sound, following her intuition into the thicket.
A young DeVargas scout was huddled defensively, his back against a tree, in a silver moonlit clearing ahead. Three wild wolves circled him, their eyes glimmering with savage laughter and their jaws bared.
The boy's voice was shaking as he stuttered, "Please." "I…I'd rather avoid trouble."
The tallest outlaw scoffed. "I'm sorry, puppy."
Isabella emerged from the darkness before he could leap, her dagger glimmering like liquid moonlight. Without thinking, she slashe
