The forest grew darker the deeper they walked, the soft laughter of children and the glow of lanterns from the fair fading behind them. Soon, only the shadows of trees and the crunch of leaves under their feet filled the silence.
And then Athena heard it… low, pulsing music, vibrating through the ground like a heartbeat.
When they reached the clearing, her breath caught.
The woods had been transformed into a den of wildness. Bonfires roared high into the night sky, sparks flying into the canopy above.
Wolves… Some half shifted with glowing eyes, some half naked and others fully in human form… danced wildly around the flames, their movements primal, feral.
The air was thick with the scent of smoke, sweat, and spiced liquor. Laughter mingled with growls and the pounding drums stirred something deep inside Athena's chest, making her heart race faster than it should.
She clutched Gina's arm instinctively. "This is insane," she whispered.
