The forest seemed endless, shadows twisting like living things under the silver glow of the moon. Tevlon stumbled over roots and rocks, her dress torn, heart pounding—not just from the running, but from the strange, unshakable pull she felt toward Kane.
He walked beside her, moving with effortless grace, alert to every sound, every rustle in the underbrush. Occasionally, his golden eyes flicked back at her, a silent question in their intensity: Are you ready for what's coming?
"I… I don't understand," Tevlon said, finally catching her breath. "You're… a wolf. Then you're… human. How is this even possible?"
Kane's lips curved into a faint, almost mischievous smile. "Not many understand the ways of Pack 23. I was born different, Princess. My bloodline gave me… gifts." His voice was calm, measured, but there was power beneath it that made Tevlon's stomach tighten. "We wolves of Pack 23 were never ordinary. Some of us are born with the ability to walk in two forms, to think beyond instinct, to sense the hidden threads of magic in the world."
Tevlon's mind spun. Wolves with intelligence like humans? Shapeshifters? And here he was… standing before her, protecting her from a beast the kingdom feared.
"You… helped me escape the castle. But why? You don't owe me anything," she said, testing him, though she could feel her trust tugging at the edges of caution.
Kane's expression darkened for a moment. "Some debts aren't about owing. Some debts are about balance. Posidus… he's more dangerous than you realize. And you? You're not ready to face him alone. Not yet."
A sudden rustle in the trees made them both tense. Kane's posture shifted, ears flicking back—wolf instincts kicking in. Shadows danced between the trunks, silent, waiting. Tevlon's pulse spiked as the air grew colder.
"Stay close," Kane murmured. "And don't run… not unless I say."
From the shadows, two dark shapes leapt toward them. Wolves. Not Kane's kind. Dark, twisted, their eyes glinting red with unnatural hunger. Tevlon froze, but Kane was lightning. In a blur, he shifted—claws and teeth appearing, snarls ripping through the night. The creatures lunged, and Kane met them head-on, spinning, striking, his movements both brutal and precise.
Tevlon gasped, ducking behind a thick oak. Magic flared from her fingers before she even realized she was doing it—light curling like tendrils, slamming into the wolves. Kane's eyes widened. "You… you have power."
"I didn't know," she whispered, awe and fear warring inside her.
When the wolves finally retreated, disappearing into the forest like shadows swallowed by night, Kane returned to human form beside her. His chest heaved, eyes scanning for more threats. "You'll need to control that," he said softly, eyes locking on hers. "Power without control is dangerous… and noticeable. Posidus will sense it if you're not careful."
Tevlon's jaw tightened. "Then teach me," she said, determination blazing where fear had been. "I'm not running forever."
Kane's lips curved slightly, not quite a smile. "Good. Because if we survive tonight, the real journey begins tomorrow."
The moon rose high above them, casting silver light over the forest. Somewhere in the distance, a low, rumbling growl rolled through the trees. Posidus was hunting. And this time, there would be no running.