TIDES OF FATE

er delicate frame and pallid skin, always a few shades too translucent, contributed to her sense of alienation in a realm that demanded strength-both emotional

, her escape. She had always been drawn to the tranquility of the forest, the manner in which the trees whispered secrets in the wind. However, tonight was different. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as an uneasy

erved pressed heavily against her chest. Her heart began to race. Perhaps she was merely imagining things; after all, she had never been one to subscribe to beliefs in ghosts or monsters. However, the sound was drawing nearer and it certainly was not the gentle rustle of animals or th

ma

awness to him, something untamed. He appeared out of place in the softness of the moonlight, his eyes gleaming with a faint, unnatural gold. The strangest aspect, though, was his presence. It felt as if the

move. Could

us. Before she could think of another word to utter, a sound emerged behind her. A growl-a deep, guttural noise that reverberated in her chest, freezing her in place. Another figure emerged from the darkness, a wolf. Not just any wolf, however; this one was larger, more menacing, its eyes glowing yellow, reflecting the same unsettling light as Dante's. Fear coursed through her like a jolt of electricity. This

d to avoid causing her any pain, although she found it hard to fathom how anyone could feel weak in his presence. "W-What's going on?" she stammered, her voice barely escaping as a whisper. Dante did not respond immediately. He lowered her carefully to the earth, kneeling beside her, yet his piercing gaze remained fixated on the wolf lurking behind him. The beast growled once more, but Dante shot it a look that compelled it to retreat, st

oncern in his voice-just a matter-of-factness that made her feel even smaller. "No," Lila responded weakly, shaking her head. "I'm fine." It was a lie, because she wasn't fine. Her heart was still racing and a strange buzzing filled her head. This wasn't a typical encounter. Nothing about this man-no, this... creature-was normal. "You need to come with me," Dante asserted, his ton

almost as if her very soul acknowledged him. However, the intensity of that connection was both thrilling and unsettling. This sensation lingered, because

eyes d

ably low). "And whether or not you are prepared for thi