Chapter 46: The Shadows Approach

The air was thick with tension as Dante and Kavy stood motionless, waiting for whatever was drawing near. The forest had fallen silent, as though even the wind dared not disturb the impending danger. Kavy's senses, heightened by the wolf within her, flared, scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. Her heart hammered in her chest, not from fear, but from the instinct to survive, the primal call that pulsed through her veins.

Dante's eyes narrowed, his every muscle coiled as he prepared for what was to come. Kavy could feel the power radiating from him, the predator that he was, ready to strike when needed. She could sense that he was hiding something, though—an unease that betrayed his calm exterior. There was something he wasn't telling her, something about the approaching danger that had him on edge.

"Dante, what is it?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, though she knew he could hear her clearly.

His gaze flickered to her, his jaw tight. "It's not just any danger, Kavy. We're not alone out here. There are others who are hunting. They know what you are now."

Her stomach churned at his words. It wasn't just the wolf inside her that had been unleashed—it was her very existence. The fact that she was becoming something more, something beyond human, had attracted attention. Unwanted attention.

As if on cue, the first sound broke the silence. A distant rustle, followed by a faint growl. It was low, menacing. The forest seemed to hold its breath.

"They're close," Dante muttered, his voice darkening. "And they're not here for a friendly visit."

Kavy's heart beat faster. She had no idea what these creatures were or what they wanted with her, but one thing was certain: they weren't here for peace. And she wasn't ready to face them, not like this. She wasn't strong enough.

But Dante was beside her, his presence like a shield, even in the face of whatever threat was closing in. He took a step toward her, his hand brushing her arm, grounding her. "You have to trust me, Kavy," he said, his voice low and steady. "Whatever happens, stay with me. Stay close."

Her throat tightened. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, feel the weight of his words. It wasn't just his protection she needed now—it was the strength of the bond between them. The wolf inside her may have been wild and untamed, but it was still connected to him. And right now, that connection felt like the only thing holding her together.

Before she could respond, the first shadow emerged from the tree line. A tall, dark figure, cloaked in shadows, stepping forward with unnerving grace. Its eyes gleamed with a predatory light, and Kavy felt the chill of its gaze penetrate deep into her core. She stiffened, every instinct in her telling her to run, to fight, to do anything to escape.

But Dante stood firm, his body a protective wall between her and the intruder. The figure didn't speak at first, but Kavy could sense the malice radiating from it. This was no simple creature—it was something darker, more powerful.

The figure took another step closer, its form becoming more solid, and Kavy could see its features more clearly now. It was a creature of the night, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light, its lips curling into a snarl.

"Dante," it spoke, its voice a low rasp that seemed to vibrate through the air, "We've been watching you. And now we've come for her."

Kavy's breath caught in her throat. Her.

The figure's gaze shifted to her, a gleam of interest flickering in its eyes. "The one who carries the curse," it said, its tone laced with something dark and predatory. "The one who is both human and wolf. You're a rare specimen, Kavy Carter. Too valuable to be left to run free."

Kavy felt the wolf inside her stir, a dangerous growl rising in her chest. She wanted to fight. She wanted to tear this creature apart, to show it that she was not to be underestimated. But Dante's hand shot out to stop her, his fingers gripping her arm gently but firmly.

"Stay back," he murmured. "Let me handle this."

But Kavy wasn't sure if she could. She could feel the danger of this creature. The power in its eyes, the certainty with which it moved. She knew it wasn't just Dante who was in danger now.

The creature continued, its voice filled with disdain. "You don't even understand the power you're wielding, do you? You think you're safe, that you're untouchable. But you're nothing more than a tool. A weapon to be used."

Kavy felt the words cut deep, a cold knot forming in her stomach. She had spent so long trying to understand what was happening to her, trying to reconcile the human part of herself with the wolf that was now a part of her. And now this creature was telling her that she was nothing but a pawn in a larger game.

But Dante's voice cut through the darkness, as steady and calm as ever. "You don't know her. You don't know the strength she's capable of. And if you're here to take her, you'll have to go through me first."

The creature tilted its head, its lips curling into a smile that sent a shiver down Kavy's spine. "Oh, we'll see about that." It raised a hand, and the air seemed to shift, darkening with an unnatural weight.

And just like that, the fight began.