The forest was too quiet.
Lily felt it the moment she stepped out of Derek’s truck. No birds. No insects. Even the wind through the pine needles had stilled, like the entire mountain was holding its breath.
Something was wrong.
Derek noticed too. His body went rigid, every instinct sliding into place.
“Get inside,” he said quietly.
Lily hesitated. “What about Luna,”
“Now.”
She obeyed, heart pounding as she hurried toward the cabin. Luna pressed close inside her chest, restless and growling.
Before Lily could reach the door, a sound ripped through the air.
A howl.
Not a pack howl.
A ragged, broken cry that scraped against her bones.
Lily spun around.
In the treeline, shadows shifted.
Three figures emerged, wolves, but twisted. Their fur was patchy, their eyes glowing a sickly
