A Human Ally

The sun rose lazily over the forest, its golden rays spilling through the trees and into the camp. Cinder stood near the edge of the clearing, her eyes scanning the horizon. She felt the weight of her role as Alpha, especially now that the pack was divided. Every decision mattered, and every moment brought new challenges.

Today, however, brought something unexpected.

It started with the faint rustle of leaves. Cinder's ears perked up as her sharp senses caught the sound of footsteps—light, careful, and very human. She tensed, signaling Jason and Marcus with a subtle nod. They flanked her silently, ready for anything.

"Who goes there?" Jason called out, his voice firm but not unkind.

A figure emerged from the trees, hands raised in a gesture of peace. It was a man, perhaps in his mid-thirties, with scruffy brown hair and glasses perched crookedly on his nose. He wore a worn leather jacket and carried a bag slung over one shoulder.