Aria and Luna followed Asher out of the cottage, their eyes scanning the surroundings. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape. But Aria's attention was focused on Asher, her mind reeling with questions.
As they walked, Asher's pace was swift and purposeful. Aria and Luna had to hurry to keep up with him. Aria noticed that Asher's injuries seemed to be healing at an alarming rate, his wounds closing before her eyes.
"Who are you?" Aria asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher glanced at her, his eyes piercing. "I'm someone who's been sent to protect you," he replied, his voice low and husky.
"Protect me from what?" Aria pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Asher's expression turned grim. "From the ones who seek to harm you. You're not safe here. We need to get you to a safe place."
Aria felt a surge of frustration. She didn't know what was going on or who to trust. But something about Asher's words resonated deep within her. She felt a spark of trust, a sense that he was telling the truth.
As they walked, the landscape shifted from rolling hills to dense forest. The trees towered above them, casting long shadows in the fading light. Aria felt a sense of unease, as if they were being watched.
Suddenly, Asher stopped, his head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Aria listened, and soon she heard it too - the distant howling of wolves. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"What is it?" Luna asked, her voice trembling.
Asher's eyes locked onto hers. "It's the pack. They're coming for us. We need to keep moving."
Aria's heart was racing as she followed Asher through the forest. The howling grew louder, and she could feel the ground shaking beneath her feet. She knew they were running out of time.
As they emerged from the forest, Aria saw a sleek black wolf bounding towards them. But as the wolf approached, Aria realized it wasn't just any wolf. It was Asher, his eyes gleaming in the fading light.
"Climb onto my back," he growled, his voice low and raspy. "We need to get out of here, now."
Aria hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. But Luna was already climbing onto the wolf's back, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
Aria followed suit, her heart racing as she wrapped her arms around Asher's neck. She felt a surge of fear as the wolf began to run, his muscles rippling beneath her.
The forest blurred around her as they ran, the howling of the pack growing fainter in the distance. Aria felt a sense of freedom, of exhilaration, as she rode on Asher's back.
But she knew they weren't safe yet. They still had a long way to go, and the pack was still out there, hunting them.
As the night wore on, Aria's thoughts turned to her sister, and the danger that lay ahead. She knew she had to be brave, for Luna's sake, and for her own.
The moon rose high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the landscape. Aria felt a strange tingling sensation, as if the moon was calling to her.
She looked up at the moon, feeling a sense of wonder and awe. And as she did, she felt a surge of power and strength, a sense that she was capable of overcoming anything.
But what lay ahead, Aria had no idea. She only knew that she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way...