I stopped running and crouched low, keeping downwind on the wet, muddy forest floor. Every sense was on high alert. My wolf and I listened for any sound—footsteps, breathing, snapping twigs—anything that could mean danger.
The earth squelched beneath my boots as I moved silently through the mist.
Then—
A sudden screech ripped through the trees.
My heart leapt to my throat. I froze, nails lengthening into claws, every muscle coiled to strike. My gaze darted through the trees…
A bird.
"Just a bird, Elena. Just a damn bird," I muttered, trying to calm my pounding chest.
I forced a breath and kept moving.
I'd barely gone a mile from the entrance when two she-wolves crashed through the trees ahead—snarling, claws flashing, fur flying. Fighting in their wolf forms.
I didn't linger. I veered off the path immediately, taking another route and hugging the shadows.
The forest pressed close, wet leaves brushing my arms. I stopped beside a wide oak, rubbing dirt and moss on my clothes for camouflage. As I looked up, I noticed something odd—a red arrow carved into the bark, pointing upward.
My gaze followed it and found a note pinned to the trunk with a sharp arrowhead.
Climbing carefully, I tested a branch for my weight, perched there, and unfolded the paper.
RULE: Two trees to the left, three sister trees to the right. My companion awaits.
"Two trees to the left…" I repeated, scanning the forest.
I was about to climb down when a blur flashed beneath me. Someone ran past my tree—fast.
I froze, holding my breath until the sound faded. Then I jumped down and sprinted left, counting the trees. My boots splashed in puddles as I spotted a narrow, hidden path.
Halfway through, I found a she-wolf sprawled on the ground, bleeding and gasping.
I knelt beside her. "Hey… it's okay. I just want to help."
She growled weakly, lips curling.
"I'm not here to fight," I said softly, hands raised. Her sides heaved. There was nothing I could do—she was fading. I stroked her fur gently. "I'll hide you," I promised.
I covered her with leaves, concealing her from sight. She whined faintly, eyes closing.
I swallowed hard and kept going.
Broken branches lined the path ahead, too obvious—someone else had already come through. I veered off again and found three identical trees standing side by side. Another red mark glowed faintly on the middle one.
I was about to climb when a low, guttural growl rolled behind me.
I froze.
Turning slowly, I saw a grey she-wolf crouched low, teeth bared, eyes locked on me.
"Let me out!" my wolf snarled in my mind.
Before I could respond, the she-wolf began to change—bones cracking, fur giving way to skin. Shifting mid-hunt was suicide; it left you wide open.
I paused. Then I saw her face.
"Rein!" Relief flooded through me. I rushed forward and threw my arms around her.
She laughed breathlessly. "I almost tore your arm off."
"Glad you didn't." I grinned. "Have you seen Amara?"
"No, but she can handle herself. Did you find the clue? I followed one here."
"It's right there." I pointed up.
Before I could blink, Rein jumped—so high it looked effortless—and snatched the note from the branch.
"Show-off," I muttered, smiling.
We read it together:
RULE: Follow where the wind blows and stands still—there lies your freedom.
"Wonderful," I said dryly. "Guess I won't be staying downwind anymore."
"The wind's the key," Rein said. "Someone with air signa must be controlling the direction. Come on—we need to move. Fast."
"Right."
We sprinted toward the path where the wind blew strongest. It was strange—almost alive, tugging at us, guiding us deeper.
Then I saw it. A brown wolf shadowing me along the treeline.
"Rein!" I called.
She pointed left. Another wolf trailed her.
"We're being hunted!"
We ran harder, branches whipping our faces, lungs burning.
"You can't outrun them on human legs," my wolf hissed. "Let me out—we fight!"
"I said no," I growled back through clenched teeth.
"Elena!" Rein shouted. "We'll have to fight—they won't let us through!"
Ahead, through the trees, I saw an opening—a faint light breaking through the canopy. Our way out.
But the brown wolf cut in front, blocking the path.
"Cover me!" Rein yelled, already shifting mid-run. Her bones cracked, fur bursting forth in a flash of grey and silver.
I unsheathed my sword, swinging it toward the wolf closing in on her left. Rein didn't need me—she was already on the attacker, fangs flashing.
I began my shift—but slower, clumsier. Pain rippled through my limbs as my hands stretched, claws forming.
The other she-wolf lunged—but Rein's wolf slammed into her, sending her sprawling.
"Finally," my wolf said, fully taking over. "Let's end this."
She and Rein ran side by side, fur brushing. Ahead, the brown wolf crouched low, blocking the only exit. The other she-wolf circled back to flank Rein.
There was no escape now.
The brown wolf attacked first, fast and brutal. My wolf met her head-on, claws slashing. She swiped across the muzzle, forcing the opponent back. They circled each other, snarling.
Then the brown wolf lunged again, biting deep into my wolf's paw. The crack echoed through the trees. Pain exploded like lightning. My wolf howled, blood pooling in the dirt.
"We're losing ground," she gasped.
The brown wolf slammed into us, throwing our body against a tree. The world spun; our skull struck bark with a sickening thud. Everything dimmed.
The brown wolf lunged for the final blow—but a grey blur shot past, colliding with her midair. The impact sounded like thunder. Both wolves tumbled into the dirt.
Somewhere far away, a deep gong echoed—one, long, metallic note that rattled through the forest.
My wolf collapsed. My vision blurred. The world faded into black.