Chapter 1700: The Heart of Darkness

The forest was eerily quiet as Elena and Liam made their way deeper into the woods. The air was thick with tension, and the weight of the unknown hung heavy in the air. The Alpha's words echoed in Elena's mind—*the true danger lies not in the forest, but in the hearts of men*—but she still didn't fully understand what he meant.

Liam moved with a quiet confidence, his steps sure and steady. He seemed to know where he was going, as if he could sense the source of the unrest calling to him.

"What do you think the Alpha meant?" Elena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam hesitated, his gaze flickering to the trees before returning to her. "I think he was warning us," he said. "The forest is a reflection of the people who live in it. If there's darkness in the hearts of men, it will manifest here."

Elena's mind raced as she tried to process his words. "So the unrest in the forest... it's because of the people in Blackwood Hollow?"