The forest grew darker the deeper I walked. The tall trees pressed inward, their branches like skeletal fingers clawing toward the path. Mist crawled along the forest floor, thickening with every step I took, swirling around my ankles like ghosts whispering warnings.
I kept going. North. Always north.
I tried not to think about the wolf I left behind.
I mean, I definitely imagined it limping away the moment I turned my back. That's what wild animals do, right? They heal, they vanish, they forget. Still… part of me kept glancing over my shoulder like I felt something there.
But the forest was empty. Or so I thought.
It was nearly midday when I reached a clearing surrounded by towering black thorns. The path split in three directions—each one swallowed by dense fog. I paused, pulling out my compass.
Northwest.
I had just started forward when the hair on my arms stood on end. A sound, Twigs cracking. Then again, Something—or somethings—were following me.
I spun around, Nothing. Not a shadow. Not a breath.
"Get a grip, Sophie," I whispered, clutching the strap of my pack. "It's just your mind playing tricks." But it wasn't. From the fog, they emerged. Wolves.
Not like the gray one I helped. No. These were leaner. Mangy. Their eyes burned red instead of gold. Foam dripped from their jaws. Their fur clung to their bones like it had been soaked in blood. They circled me like vultures. I froze. Completely.
My breath caught in my throat.
There were four. No—five.
One stepped closer, growling low, and I could smell its rotting breath from where I stood.
"Please…" I whispered. "Please no…"
My legs trembled. I took one slow step back and another until my back hit a tree.
Trapped.
I reached for my blade. Tiny. Useless. I was going to die. In the middle of this cursed forest. All alone.
I was going to die before ever finding the Miracle Leaf.
Before ever seeing Grandma smile again.
Before I could run, the first wolf lunged.
I screamed and dropped to the ground, arms wrapped around my head.
Tears ran hot down my cheeks.
"Please—if there's a god, please—I just wanted to save her. I'm not ready to die. Please—don't let it end like this!"
And then…
Chaos.
A deafening snarl tore through the air.
I opened one eye.
Something had slammed into the attacking wolf midair, sending it crashing against a tree.
Another leapt at me—only to be caught mid-jump by a massive blur of gray fur and claws. A savage roar shook the clearing. Blood sprayed the leaves. Screams—wolf screams—ripped through the forest as fangs collided with flesh.
My heart couldn't keep up.
One wolf tried to escape—only to be slammed into the ground so hard I heard its spine crack.
I couldn't move. I couldn't even breathe.
It was him. The gray wolf.
But he wasn't limping. He wasn't weak.
He was feral—a blur of power, fury, and terrifying grace. His golden eyes glowed like fire in the mist. He moved like something more than animal… more than beast.
He moved like vengeance. In seconds, it was over.
The last of the wolf lay broken in the brush, whimpering before it dragged itself into the fog and vanished.
The clearing fell silent again.
I blinked back tears as the gray wolf turned toward me, chest heaving. His fur was darker now—streaked with blood. His wound was torn open again, bleeding down his side.
He took one slow step toward me. I flinched.
He stopped. His eyes… softened.
There was no hunger in them. No threat.
Only… concern?
I stared at him, still crouched on the ground. My heart thundered in my chest, and my mind spun wildly.
"You… you followed me?" I whispered, voice hoarse.
The wolf didn't answer, obviously. But he dipped his head—barely, subtly—as if acknowledging the truth.
"I… I don't understand…" My voice cracked. "Why would you do that? Why would you save me?"
He tilted his head slightly, those golden eyes burning into mine.
And somehow… I knew.
He had been watching me the entire time.
He hadn't left. Not after I tended to him.
And now he'd just saved my life.
I should've run. Screamed. I should've been afraid.
But instead… I whispered, "Thank you."
The wolf lowered himself to the ground with a soft grunt, keeping his eyes on me. Guarding and Protecting.
That's when I realized…
I wasn't alone in this forest anymore.