Freda Pov
I stood between Urdon and the approaching threat and tried to make my thin body seem bigger than it was. I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin and kept my feet planted even though every instinct I had was screaming at me to run. I was trembling with fear and weakness, but I would not show it. Not to them.
The second howl echoed through the trees. So close now I could almost feel the vibration of it in my bones. Multiple wolves answering the call, their voices layering on top of each other, building into a wall of sound that surrounded us from every direction.
"Stay back," I shouted into the darkness. My voice rang out stronger than I felt. "This is your last warning. Leave now or face the consequences."
