The thick canopy of branches overhead obscured the sky, shrouding the forest in shadows. An uneasy chill crept down my spine as we trekked deeper into the woods, my werewolf senses on high alert. The path was slowly winding upwards as the air thinned, my lungs working hard as they expanded and contracted.
Up ahead, Avery navigated the winding path with quiet confidence, her footsteps sure and steady. But beneath the facade of composure, I could sense the tension radiating from her in waves. The weight of our quest bore heavily on her shoulders--on all our shoulders--but as leader of our ragtag group, she felt it most acutely.
I quickened my pace to walk beside her, lowering my voice. "How are you holding up?"
Avery glanced at me, emerald eyes clouded with doubt and determination in equa
