The forest went quiet again.
Too quiet.
I hated that.
"You said they were called Void Beasts," I said as we walked.
"Yes."
"And they just… appear?"
"They hunt for energy."
I frowned slightly.
"What does that even mean?"
His gaze flicked toward me.
"It means they found you."
Not comforting.
At all.
I kept walking.
But now I listened harder.
Every sound mattered.
Every movement.
A low growl echoed somewhere ahead.
I stopped instantly.
He did too.
"There," he said quietly.
I narrowed my eyes.
At first, I saw nothing.
Then
Movement.
Three shapes stepped out between the trees.
Void Beasts.
Bigger than before.
Their bodies looked twisted, almost unstable, like shadows trying to become real.
My wolf growled low.
Ready.
The stranger glanced at me.
"Can you fight?"
I scoffed lightly.
"I survived three mates. I'll manage."
That almost earned a smile from him.
Almost.
The beasts attacked first.
Fast.
One lunged straight at me.
I moved quickly this time.
Dodge.
Turn.
Strike.
My fist slammed into its side
And energy burst from my hand.
Silver light flashed.
The beast flew backward violently.
I froze.
The creature hit a tree hard before collapsing.
Dead.
Silence.
I stared at my hand.
"What was that?"
The stranger looked at me sharply.
Interesting.
"You tell me."
"I've never done that before."
Another beast charged.
No time to think.
I reacted on instinct.
My wolf surged forward.
Heat rushed through my body.
This time, when I struck
The silver energy returned.
Stronger.
The beast screamed before disintegrating into dark smoke.
I stepped back slightly, breathing hard.
My pulse raced.
Not fear.
Shock.
Power.
Real power.
The last beast hesitated now.
Watch me carefully.
Good.
Let it fear me.
"Come on," I muttered.
The beast growled
Then I ran.
Gone within seconds.
The forest fell silent again.
I looked down at my hands.
Still faintly glowing.
"What is happening to me?"
The stranger stepped closer.
For once, he looked less calm.
More serious.
"You're awakening early."
I looked up sharply.
"Awakening into what?"
A pause.
Then
"Something rare."
I sighed in frustration.
"You really enjoy vague answers."
"It keeps you alert."
"It's annoying."
That almost made him smile again.
Almost.
I folded my arms.
"Start explaining."
Instead, he looked toward the trees.
Listening.
His expression darkened slightly.
"We need to move."
I frowned.
"That's not an explanation."
"No," he said quietly.
"It's survival."
That got my attention.
The air had changed again.
Heavy.
Wrong.
Even my wolf sensed it now.
Danger.
Bigger than before.
I looked at him.
"You know something."
"Yes."
"Then say it."
His gaze met mine.
"The Void Beasts don't hunt ordinary wolves."
A pause.
"They hunt bloodlines."
A cold spread through my chest.
"What bloodline?"
His eyes stayed on mine.
"Yours."
Silence.
Then
A distant howl shattered the forest.
Not a beast.
Wolf.
Multiple wolves.
Coming closer.
Fast.
The stranger cursed softly under his breath.
My stomach tightened.
"That doesn't sound good."
"It isn't."
Another howl echoed.
Closer this time.
He grabbed my wrist suddenly.
"Run."
And this time
I did.