THE HIDE

depths of the night. Zayne awoke, blinked slowly as he got out of bed. It was a sound unlike any he'd heard before, urgent, desperate. He saw a mo

is face saying one thing but his voice another, he was already dressed and moved into the cool night air with the effic

as grimy with grime, and its sides quivered as it took ragged breaths. The wolf transformed to human appearance and appeared to be a thin o

couldn't hear their words, but the tense set of their shoulders and the lo

re's trouble near the northern borders. Strange figures. They w

rd and gave a strong back to the messenger.

caught their smell. It was sharp, acrid-like burnt wood. I followed it, and that's when I saw them. They're not human,

ened and quickened more and more as he listened, his thoughts fueling h

on asked, his tone measured

shame flickering in their eyes. "But they're close,

sibilities. "You've done well to bring th

woods' edge. "Be careful, Alpha. The shadows... they felt aliv

d warriors and his voice called out the bante

berated with the pride of his father's hulking physique, however, an umbilical tie of terror w

tered, her face pale but composed. She crossed the room and sat d

g on?, Zayne said, bare

r came from the northern border. There have bee

eats they represented, but all of that had always seemed remote, like legends mean

ne blurted out, his frustrati

m his brow. "Your time will come, Zayne. But for now,

as she began to speak. "Do you rem

of his favorite tales, though he'

stroy the whole village. The flames were relentless, and the pack was terrified. Many wanted to flee, but Orion refused. He led the pack, c

tly, his fear moment

s always found a way to protect us. She paused, her voice softening. "But that doesn't mean he'

worry etched in her features, despite her attempt to remain c

look at the power of the group and the wisdom he's impart

n time got to witness Orion leading t

his utility. But as the time disappeared and the veil of the forest became thi

ugh his thoughts. "Come,

itted, his eyes fi

y, she said, leading

d how they had overcome many challenges. Now, Zayne was trapped in w