Serene was frozen, her mind racing. The creature was gaining on her, its low growl a menacing drumbeat in her ears. She was cornered, trapped at the edge of the mountain. One wrong move and she would plummet to her death.
The bird's voice echoed in her mind, a sharp command to run. But her muscles betrayed her. Fear had rendered her immobile. The creature was closer now, its eyes glinting with predatory hunger.
"You're not welcome here!" it roared, its voice a guttural rumble that shook the ground beneath her feet.
Panic surged through her. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I didn't mean to disturb," she managed to squeak out. "I was just looking for a flower and to prove myself to some werewolves."
