SHADOW OF THE ALPHA

ting into a wolf lingering in her mind like a twisted dream she couldn't wake from. Her body was so

e the day before. People hurried in and out of shops, eyes darting nervously as if they were aware of something Lyra

settl

couldn't shake the feeling that the man in the forest, the enormous wolf, and the strange markings on the

es upon shelves of ancient books lined the walls, and Lyra found herself drawn to the sec

forgotten legends, that she first

He was a protector, a mythic figure to the wolves and to the townsfolk. The stories spoke of his strength, h

spered that he had gone into the forest and never returned. After his disappearance, the pack was left leaderless, f

in the woods, a figure with glowing silver eyes. Some even b

true? Was the man in the clearing somehow connec

ked open. A man entered, tall and broad-shouldered, his face obscured by the

g at her for a moment before disappearing between the s

she stood and followed him,

d map of Black Hollow. His hand rested lightly on the table, and

her voice steady despite the n

met her gaze. It was him. The same man from the woods. His silver e

hispered, st

here," he said softly, though there was no malice in

ant answers. About the wolv

thing, just watching her. His

ant. "Just a shadow of what once was. But you...

took a step closer. "No. I won't leave. No

nt. "You don't understand. There are forces at work here-forces older

rds, the truth hidden behind them. B

," she pressed. "Wh

. "Kael is... gone. And his return would mean more death. His pac

mething Lyra didn't understand. But she was beginning to realize that this wasn't just about wolves. This

m despite the fear gnawing at her insides. "Te

u were always meant to be here," he said, his voice low, almost as if he were speaking

d them. Footsteps echoed on the wooden floors, hurried and frantic. Lyra turned,

ptic words, or of the strange energy that seemed to surround him. But there was one thing she was sure

tant howl pierced the air. Lyra froze. It wasn't the howl of a single wolf. I

one. The town felt smaller now, as though the walls were closing in. And

t as she crossed the threshold,

y want to kno

owly, her eyes scanning the darkene

ice, though familiar, was not the m

the air, unanswered: Ar