The forest fell silent again after the Shadow Wolf vanished.
Only the distant rustling of leaves remained, slowly fading as the creature retreated deeper into the mountains.
For several long seconds, no one moved.
The destroyed house smoldered quietly, broken wood scattered across the ground.
Lena’s silver glow faded from her hands as the power inside her slowly calmed.
Her heart was still racing.
“That thing…” she whispered.
Kael’s voice was grim.
“It wasn’t a normal wolf.”
Rowan stepped forward, scanning the forest line carefully.
“And it healed instantly.”
Kael nodded.
“And it survived Moonborn energy.”
The realization settled over them heavily.
Lena wrapped her arms around herself.
“So someone built a creature specifically to hunt me.”
Rowan looked uneasy.
“That’s exac
