**Elena’s POV**
The forest felt alive, its energy pulsing like a heartbeat as Jake and I stepped out of the car. The rustling leaves whispered secrets I couldn't quite catch, and a shiver of anticipation ran down my spine. This wasn't just any forest; this was the gateway to the wolf's world, the place Winter called home. As I looked over at Jake and watched him take in the towering trees and wild terrain, I could see the awe in his eyes.
"Is this... what it feels like for you guys all the time?" Jake asked, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and hesitation.
I smiled, trying to offer reassurance. "It's a bit different for a fairy without wings," I replied, a teasing note in my words. "But don't worry. I've got your back. I won't let anything happen to you." My words hung betw
