The forest was alive with the sounds of snarls, howls, and the crunch of leaves underfoot. The Blood Moon cast its crimson glow over the trees, turning the world into a shadowy, blood-soaked landscape. Elena ran beside Kael, her silver fur blending with the moonlight as they dodged through the underbrush.
The hunt had begun.
Around them, the packs were already at each other's throats. Wolves clashed in the shadows, their growls echoing through the night. Elena's heart pounded as she tried to keep up with Kael, her senses overwhelmed by the chaos.
"Stay close," Kael growled, his voice low and urgent. "We need to find higher ground. If we can get to the ridge, we'll have the advantage."
Elena nodded, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. She focused on the moon's energy, letting it guide her movements. Her body felt stronger, faster, but the fear still gnawed at the edges of her mind.
They sprinted through the forest, their paws barely touching the ground. The trees blurred around them, their branches clawing at the sky. Elena's ears twitched as she caught the sound of footsteps behind them—heavy and deliberate.
"Kael," she whispered, her voice tight with fear. "We're being followed."
Kael glanced over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing. "I know. Keep running."
Elena didn't need to be told twice. She pushed herself harder, her muscles burning with the effort. But the footsteps grew louder, closer.
A snarl ripped through the air, and Elena turned just in time to see a massive wolf lunging at her. She ducked, her claws slashing through the air as she rolled to the side. The wolf—a member of the Nightfang pack—snapped at her, its teeth grazing her shoulder.
Elena let out a yelp of pain, but she didn't have time to recover. The wolf lunged again, its eyes filled with malice.
Kael was there in an instant, his powerful form slamming into the wolf and sending it sprawling. "Go!" he barked, his voice sharp. "I'll hold them off!"
Elena hesitated, her chest tightening. "I'm not leaving you!"
Kael's eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw something in them—something that made her heart ache. "You have to. The Blood Moon Hunt isn't just about strength. It's about survival. And you're the only one who can end this."
Elena's breath hitched, but she nodded. She turned and ran, her paws pounding against the earth as she left Kael behind.
The forest seemed to close in around her, the shadows growing darker and more menacing. She could hear the sounds of the hunt all around her—snarls, howls, and the occasional scream. Her heart raced as she pushed herself harder, her mind focused on one thing: survival.
But as she ran, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and her instincts screamed at her to be careful.
She skidded to a stop as the trees thinned, revealing a steep ridge overlooking the forest. The moon hung low in the sky, its crimson light bathing the land in an eerie glow.
Elena's breath came in short, sharp bursts as she climbed the ridge, her claws digging into the rocky terrain. When she reached the top, she turned and looked out over the forest.
The sight took her breath away.
The packs were scattered across the land, their forms shifting between human and wolf as they fought for dominance. The air was thick with the scent of blood and fear, and the sounds of the hunt echoed through the night.
But amidst the chaos, Elena saw something else—a flicker of light in the distance. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but it called to her.
She didn't know what it was, but she knew she had to find it.