The wind howled through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and something else—something metallic, like blood. Elena Blackthorn tightened her cloak around her shoulders and quickened her pace. The forest was no place to be after dark, especially not with the rumors swirling through the village.
"Stay on the path," her grandmother's voice echoed in her mind. "The woods have eyes, child."
Elena had always heeded the warning, but tonight was different. A wounded traveler had stumbled into the village earlier, his leg torn open by what he claimed was a wolf. As the village healer, it was her duty to gather the herbs needed to treat him. And so, she had ventured into the forest, despite the sinking feeling in her gut.
The moon hung low in the sky, its pale light filtering through the branches. Elena's breath came in short puffs of steam as she scanned the ground for the telltale silver leaves of moonwalk. She found a patch near a gnarled oak and knelt to harvest it, her fingers trembling slightly.
That's when she heard it—a low growl, so deep it seemed to vibrate through the earth. Elena froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes scanning the shadows.
There, just beyond the tree line, two glowing eyes stared back at her.
Elena's breath caught in her throat. The creature stepped into the moonlight, revealing a massive wolf with fur as black as midnight. Its lips curled back in a snarl, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
But it wasn't just a wolf. There was something… unnatural about it. Its eyes were too intelligent, its movements too deliberate.
Elena's mind raced. She had heard the stories, of course—whispers of werewolves that roamed the forest, hunting under the light of the moon. But she had always dismissed them as tales to frighten children.
Now, faced with the reality, she wasn't so sure.
The wolf lunged, and Elena screamed, throwing herself to the side. She scrambled to her feet and ran, her boots slipping on the damp leaves. The wolf was close behind, its growls growing louder with every step.
Elena's lungs burned as she pushed herself harder, her legs pumping furiously. She could see the edge of the forest ahead, the warm glow of the village lights just beyond. If she could just make it there…
But the wolf was faster. It tackled her from behind, sending her sprawling to the ground. Elena rolled onto her back, her hands raised in a futile attempt to shield herself.
The wolf loomed over her, its breath hot on her face. For a moment, they stared at each other, the world around them holding its breath.
Then, without warning, the wolf let out a yelp and staggered back. Its body began to convulse, its fur receding as its form shifted and twisted. Within seconds, the wolf was gone, replaced by a man—tall and muscular, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes.
Elena stared at him, her mind struggling to process what she had just witnessed.
"Who… who are you?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
The man's lips curved into a grim smile. "My name is Kael," he said. "And you, Elena B
lackthorn, are in grave danger."