Untitled Episode The steel’s Wag
923 Words
Chapter 3
The steel’s Wag
Elara’s breaths came in ragged gasps as she followed Kael through the thick forest, the
shadows closingLeaneheuface. shifted expression, trying toer, punctuated by the snapping of
branches and the heavy thud of paws hitting the earth.
“Faster!” Kael urged, his voice shar.and
She didn’t need to be told twice. Her legs burned wthe ith the effort, but fear propelled her
forward. The forest was a blur of darkness and movement, her senses heightened to every
sounoutsidesmell.
Kael suddenly veered to the left, pulling her with him. They crashed through a dense thicket, the
sharp branches tearing at her clothes and skin. Just as Elara thought she couldn’t run any
further, Kael skidded to a stop in front of a large boulder, partially hidden byrummagednes.
“In here,
” forms sgoing ong to a narrow opening at its base.
Elara hesitated, her pulse pounding in her ears.
“What is this place?”
“Safe,
” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“For now.
”
She dropped to her knees and crawled into the dark space, the earthy scent of damp stone
filling her n The rtrose to the, pulling a large branch over the opening to conceal it.
Inside, the space was cramped but dry. Elara leanehe formssa shiftmy outsidentrying twas o
catch her breath. Kael sat across from her, his expression unreadable in the faint light filtering
through the cracks.
“What were those things?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Wolves,
” Kael replied grimly.
“Fenrir’s enforcers. They’ll tear apart anything—or anyonseconds
before shifting
Elara shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Why are they after me?”
Kael’s gaze softened, th Demeanour reand mained tight.
“Because you’re the key to something
they want. And Fenrir doesn’t let obstacles live.
”
The weight of his words settled heavily on her chest.
“What am I supposed to do? I don’t even
know what’s going onat
Kael sighed, running a hand through his silver-streaked hair.
“We’ll figure it out. But first, we
need to get you somewhere safe.
”
Before Elara could respond, a deep voice echoed from outside the boulder.
“Well, and isn’t this cosy.
”
Elara froze. Kael’s expression darkened as he rose tothe a crouch, his muscles tense.
The voice continued, calm and mocking.
“Come on out, Kael. I know you’re in there. And I’d bet
my rioutsidee girl’s with you.
”
“Who is that?” Elara whispered, her heart racing.
“Garridemeanourl growled.
“A hunter. He’s been after me for years.
”
Elara’s blood turned cold.
“A werewolf huntdefencesel nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Outside, Garrick’s voice grew sharper.
“You’ve got thirty seconds beforms shiftingut. And trust
me, it won’t be pleasant.
”
Kael’s hand brushed the hilt of a dagger strapped to his side. demeanourre,
” he said, his voice
low but firm.
“No!” Elara hissed, grabbing his arm.
“You can’t go out there. He’ll kill you!”
Kael’s gaze softened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something human in his eyes.
“I’ve handled Garrick before. He’s a pain, but he won’t risk harming you. You’re too valuable.
”
Elara’s grip tightened.
“Please. There has to be another way.
”
Kael hesitated, his jaw clenching as he considered her plea. Finally, he exhaled sharply and
nodded.
“All right,
” he said.
“But stay behind me.
”
They crawled out of the hiding spot, the cool night air hitting Elara’s skin like a slap. Garrick
stood a few feet away, his rifle resting casually on his shoulder. He was a rugged man, his
weathered face partially obscured by a wide-brimmed hat. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of
amusement and menace.
“Well, well,
” he said, his lips curling into a smirk.
“Looks like I hit the jackpot.
”
Kael stepped forward, placing himself between Elara and Gatrick.
“Walk away, Garrick. You
don’t want this fight.
”
“Oh, but I offencerrick said, lowering his rifle slightly.
“See, Fenrir’s offering a pretty hefty reward
for that girl. And I’ve got bills to pay.
”
Elara’s stomach churned as Garrick’s eyes flicked to her, his smirk widening.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,
” he said.
“I’ll make sure you get to Fenrir in one piece. Mostly.
”
Kael growled, his pohifting as though he were ready to pounce.
“You’ll have to go through me first,
” he said, his voice laced with warning.
Garrick chuckled, his grip tightening on the rifle.
“That was the plan.
”
Before either of them could make a move, a distant howl echoed through the forest, followed by
several others. Garrick’s smrk faltered, and his eyes darted to the shadows.
“Looks like we’re out of time,
” Kael saminding.oice cold.
“You’d better run, GdemeanourUnless
you want to deal with Fenrir’s pack.
”
Garrick muttered a curse under his breath, his fingers twitching on the rifle. After a tense
moment, he took a step back, his smirk returning.
“This isn’t over,
” he said.
“I’ll be seeing you both real soon.
”
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Elara and Kael alone.
Elara let out a shaky breath, her knees threatening to give out beneath her.
“What now?”
Kael turned to her, his expression grim.
“Now, we run.
”
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- Writer
