Chapter 5

Pack of Shadows

Evelyn was completely surrounded by the darkness of the forest, with the moon above her dangling in the sky like a sharp silver blade. Blackpine's deafening silence had been replaced by a spooky silence, punctuated only by the rustle of leaves. The dread that had gripped her seconds before had started to harden into something more primal, more focused, but her pulse still pounded from the encounter with the renegade werewolf.

The aroma of the forest overpowered her senses, causing her to breathe in short breaths. The savage, animalistic energy hummed beneath her skin, and she could still feel the excitement rushing through her veins. She appeared agitated by every noise and movement in the trees. She was no longer in control of her fear it was feeding her senses, sharpening them. Every twig snapping, every rustle of leaves seemed louder, more threatening.

Then it occurred.

A distinct sound heavy, purposeful footfall. Many, not just one. Her eyes darted to the trees surrounding her, her muscles tightened, and her heart stopped. It was too late. It wasn't until they were nearly upon her that she heard them coming and felt them.

Suddenly, a huge figure sprang out of the darkness. Claws cut through the air where Evelyn had recently stood, and she reflexively ducked to the side before she could react. The massive wolf that attacked her had eyes that glowed with a fierce hunger and fur that was matted with blood and grime. The beast circled her, snarling, its fangs shining in the moonlight.

But that was just the beginning. As Evelyn spun to face her attacker, she saw more three, no, four more wolves emerging from the trees, their forms hulking and monstrous, their eyes wild with fury.

The pack. The cursed.

The howl she'd heard earlier echoed again, this time not in the distance, but close, right above her. The air around her seemed to hum with tension, the forest itself seeming to hold its breath as the wolves advanced. Her senses screamed at her to run, but she couldn't there was nowhere to run. She was trapped in their midst.

In a flash, the largest of the wolves lunged at her again, its claws aimed for her throat. Evelyn's mind raced, but her body was already moving before she could fully process the danger. Her hand went to the silver dagger at her side, its weight familiar and comforting against her palm.

The blade collided with the wolf's claws, sending a shock of pain through her arm as the creature recoiled. The dagger had slowed it, but the attack had left her exposed. Another wolf came at her from the side, slashing with its claws.

Evelyn flung the knife in a broad arc with a savage snarl, striking the second wolf in the face. The wolf was still standing, angry, but it yelled in agony, its blood splattering across her arm.

As it closed in once more, a low roar rippled from its breast, sending a tremor through her bones. Her acute senses were not on her side. She could hear the shrill sound of breath rushing in and out of her lungs, the quick pounding of her own heart. But it was almost impossible to concentrate because every sound surrounding her the wolves' snarls, the crunch of leaves under their paws was amplified.

Evelyn was prepared when the third wolf pounced at her. Taking an instinctive step to the side, she stabbed the silver blade deep into its side. The wolf screamed in pain, but it stumbled back before it could strike back..

Evelyn's breath came in ragged gasps, the silver dagger slick with blood. She felt a surge of satisfaction at the wound she had inflicted but it was fleeting. The wolves weren't retreating. They were closing in.

She couldn't fight them all not like this. Her vision blurred at the edges, and her senses screamed at her as the full moon began to reach its zenith. She could feel the pull, the force of the curse drawing her closer to the edge.

The pack was upon her now, and she knew that if she didn't act fast, she would be torn apart. The fear in her chest roared to life, urging her to run. And for a moment, Evelyn listened.

With every ounce of strength left in her body, she turned and sprinted into the thick woods, dodging between the trees. The wolves were fast too fast but they were still behind her, snapping and growling as they chased her through the underbrush. She could hear their claws scraping against the ground, feel the hot breath of one of them on her heels.

Her body ached as the curse inside her clawed its way closer to the surface. But she refused to give in. Not yet.

Every heartbeat matched the thumping of her feet on the woodland floor as it pounded in her chest. She required a hiding place and a place to reassemble. The tiny cabin, nestled away and nearly obscured by the thick greenery, was then visible to her through the woods. She made no hesitation.

Just as the first wolf struck the outside of the cabin, Evelyn pushed open the flimsy door and slammed it shut behind her. Evelyn staggered back, her breath ragged and weak as the impact's force shook the building.

As she hurried out the door, she heard the wolves outside start to snarl and pace about it, waiting for her to make a mistake.

The cabin was abandoned. The air was thick with dust, and everything had the smell of decay.

The floorboards creaked beneath her feet, and the dim light from the slivers of moonlight filtering through the cracks in the walls cast eerie shadows.

Evelyn knew she didn't have much time, but her mind was racing. Before the wolves were able to infiltrate, she had to treat to her injuries, bandage herself as best she could, and move.

She scowled at the cuts on her arms and sides as she took off her ripped top, her fingers slippery with blood. Her body ached with the effort, but she forced herself to focus. The silver dagger had done its job, but it hadn't been enough to stop the pack. She needed to find something, anything. to help her survive the night.

She glanced at the walls as she surveyed the cabin. Strange, barely perceptible sculptures were carved into the wood. patterns, shapes, and symbols that she initially failed to recognize. However, as she looked more closely, a thought suddenly occurred to her.

The handwriting was that of her mother.

The symbols and cryptic warnings in the carvings bore a striking resemblance to the portions she had read in her mother's journal. It appeared as though someone had lived here someone who had been aware of the curse, the pack, and the item buried deep within Blackpine because the walls of this cabin were covered in the same phrases her mother had scrawled,

Evelyn felt a shiver go down her back. Her mom had been here. Had she, like Evelyn, once taken refuge in this cabin? Had she faced the same demons, experienced the same terror?

The understanding was like a kick to the stomach.

She never disclosed the full extent of her mother's knowledge. She had understood the curse, understood the danger. And perhaps... just perhaps... this cabin held more than just a place to hide.

Evelyn's fingers were shaking as she reached out and traced the designs on the wall. Something caught her eye as her hand moved across the rough wood: a secret compartment. It was first almost invisible due to its deft concealment. She opened the container with a hesitant breath and found a small, worn box within.

Inside, she found a bundle of old papers, wrapped in a faded cloth. Her heart pounded as she unwrapped it, revealing more notes, more of her mother's writing. There was a map. The map, she realized, was of the forest.

Her mother had been here. And she had left behind a trail one that would lead Evelyn to the next step in her journey.

But the sound of the wolves, circling outside, reminded her that time was running out. The pack was still out there. And Evelyn knew one thing with terrifying clarity: the wolves would not stop hunting her until they had her.

Her next move would determine whether she lived or became part of the shadows herself.