The scent of wolves thickened in the air.
Panic tightened around my chest, but I forced myself to stay still, listening. The stranger I had met moments ago had vanished like a shadow, leaving me alone. I didn't know if he was a threat or just another mystery in my already chaotic life, but I had bigger problems now.
They were coming.
I turned, heart pounding, I ran.
The cold night air burned my lungs as I pushed forward, my bare feet barely making a sound against the forest floor. The witches had always trained me to move like a ghost silent, unseen but I had never been hunted like this before.
A growl echoed behind me, too close.
I pushed harder, weaving through the trees, my mind racing. Think, Elara. You know these woods.
Then I saw it a fallen tree, thick and rotting. Without hesitation, I dove beneath it, pressing myself against the damp ground. I curled in on myself, slowing my breath, willing my scent to blend with the earth.
Seconds later, dark figures moved past me.
Wolves.
Not just any wolves,THEM.
Their presence sent a chill through me. They weren't mindless hunters. They were tracking me.
I stayed frozen, barely daring to blink. My heart slammed against my ribs as they sniffed the air.
One of them, a massive black wolf with scars along its side, halted.
I clenched my jaw. Move on. Move on.
But then, just as I thought I was safe, he turned his glowing amber eyes locking directly onto mine.
I had two choices: Stay and die.
Or run and fight for my life.
And I was done hiding.