THE ALPHA'S PAWN

thia, Ingrid could feel the tension in the air. The land itse

not just respect but a primal fear. He was m

she traveled, each one cold

more oppressive the atmosphere became. It w

me of this man, her target, got stuck on her

rius

ere wary, their eyes darting around as if expecting danger at any moment. She approached

old woman suddenly grabbed her shoulder. "Yo

oice steady. "I'm looking for a place called: Enig

ar. "Why would you seek him?" she asked, her voice tr

ed. "I need to find him, my life

sides up ahead, in the Blackwood, a forest where no light

wood loomed ahead, its trees twisted and gnarled, thei

. Her black assassin attire are perfectly blending in the s

ert, and every muscle tensed fo

The deeper she went, the more she felt an oppressive presence, a sense

ing, whispering to her to turn back. Bu

light. Her breath misted in the cold night air as she moved with silent courage. In

Her voice was steady, but her heartbeat w

e used her dagger to get most of the thick black veins enough for her

. Enigma was nothing like the crumbling ruins she had imagined. Instead, it was a dark grand cas

, between them was a large fountain, its water clear and s

eached into the sky, and its windows gleamed faintly. Though the castle felt

d an undeniable air of danger, li

could step forward,

spine. The distinct feeling of being watched.

" she demanded, her voice cutting

g eyes appeared in the shadows. No. Three pairs. Each a shade of

t. Their sheer size dwarfed any natural predator Ingrid had ever encountered. Their e

owl that sent a shiver down Ingrid's spine. It's be

" she muttered, her grip

In a movement so fluid it seemed unnatural, it began to shift. Bones cr

hair was tousled, and his golden eyes held a glint of mischief. He was tall, his

d, his voice smooth as he teasingly sni

dless of whether they are born or bitten, it only me

er chin, meeting his gaze with defiance. "I-I'm not a threat. I-I go

air to raise no suspicion but the man only chuckled, a low, velvety

are feet silent against the forest floor. "This is no pla

narrowed. "You

man on top of her. Causing Ingrid to be caught off guard. She quick

air and from her chest he saw the white crescent moon tattoo. "The in

show. "If you know me, then you should als

her words. Then his smile widened, revealing shar

to ask. "Are you. . .V-Ves

ng that name being spoken, their voices

ook Ingrid's dagger with ease before he got up, leaving Ingrid

nd. "I didn't come th

oment, replaced by something unreadable. Th

tly. But she knew this was far from over. Whateve

around now, and we'll let you leave in one piece. You

eir movements slow and deliberate. It was

er ground. "An

ther very brave or very stupid." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a l

ith tension. Ingrid's heart rac

aving," she

at her for a long moment, then let out a low chuckle. "The ma

a wolf. The pack melted into the shadows, their glowing eyes

she knew better than to think she was alone. Steeling herse

in Enigma, whatever kind of monster resided in this place. Ingrid made up her mind and wil

to do it and that is: t

ttle did she know, this first bold move was the start of a ga