Danger Incoming
372 Words
Morning came slowly to the forest.
Mist clung to the trees like thin silk, and the first rays of sunlight filtered through the tall pines around the clearing where Aria had spent the night.
Not sleeping.
Watching him.
The werewolf—who had finally introduced himself as Kael—sat across from her near the small fire he’d built before dawn. He had found spare clothes in a pack hidden beneath a fallen log, though Aria suspected he kept more secrets buried around these woods.
Kael stared into the flames.
“You’ve been glaring at me for three hours,” he said calmly. “If you plan to stab me, at least do it before breakfast.”
Aria leaned against a tree trunk, arms crossed.
“I’m still deciding.”
He glanced up, golden eyes bright even in daylight.
“You saw me save you.”
“You also admitted you’re a werewolf.”
“Which part bothers you more?”
Aria didn’t answer immediately.
Her entire life had been built on one belief:
Werewolves were monsters.
Her father had died hunting one.
Her mentor had trained her to kill them without hesitation.
But last night…
Kael had fought the wolf attacking the village.
Protected her.
And let the other creature escape instead of chasing it down.
“That wolf,” she said slowly. “Why didn’t you kill it?”
Kael’s expression darkened.
“Because killing it wouldn’t solve the real problem.”
Aria frowned.
“That wolf isn’t hunting livestock on its own,” he continued. “Something is driving them.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“Driving them?”
Kael nodded.
“Werewolves don’t behave like that. Not unless something is forcing them.”
Aria pushed off the tree.
“Are you saying there’s someone controlling them?”
“Something,” Kael corrected quietly.
The forest fell silent around them.
Birds that had been chirping suddenly stopped.
Aria noticed it too.
Her hand moved to the dagger at her belt.
“You hear that?” she whispered.
Kael stood instantly.
“Yes.”
Then—
A scream echoed from somewhere beyond the trees.
From the direction of Blackridge village.
Aria’s heart dropped.
Without another word, she ran.
- Writer
