SHADOW OF THE ALPHA

glowing silver eyes watching her from the darkness, a low growl rumbling in the distance. But

ie gray light over the town, and the ever-present mist curled around the rooftops like ghostly finger

vy, like the calm before a storm. Lyra didn't know where she was going, but her

of the previous night flashing through her mind-the man, the wolf, the sense of someth

ds of the town faded into silence. Even the birds seemed to avoid this part of the forest. Her boots cru

, and his cryptic warnings echoed in her ears. You don't know what you're g

ed answers, and she wasn't going to find them

sted branches forming a canopy so thick that barely any light seeped through. A chil

a froze, her heart leaping into her throat. The sou

to close in around her. The growl came again, louder this time, and she

he darkness. It was unlike any wolf she'd ever seen-larger, mor

ng back to reveal sharp, glistening fangs. It didn't move, but

ing. "Easy," she whispered, her voice

. For a moment, Lyra thought it might leave, but then i

n breathing loud in her ears. The forest blurred around her as sh

ootfalls, the snap of twigs under its weight. It was fast-t

d. Pain shot through her knee, but she forced herself to scramble to h

overing her ears as the sound echoed through the forest. The wolf s

l and broad-shouldered, his presence commanding. His silv

rom the clearing, the

wled, his voice

ning against its head. It let out a

slow and deliberate. "Leave," he said

defying him. Then, with a reluctant growl,

he ground, her chest heaving. The man t

re," he said, his voice sof

't have much of a choice, did I? You keep showing up, say

h his dark hair. "You're stubborn. Th

what's going on. Why are the wolves a

ptions. "You're asking questions y

er feet, ignoring the pa

orest. It's a sanctuary, a battleground, and a prison all at once. The wolves you've seen-they'r

ed. "Where do you f

once. A long time ago. But now... I'm just t

ords. "This is about Kael, isn't it? The Alpha w

ader once, but his disappearance left scars that haven't healed. If

ld up a hand. "That's all I can tell you for now.

otest, he turned an

fter him. "I don't e

ck over his shoulder.

the shadows, leaving Lyra alo

The wolves, the forest, the legend of Kael-it was all connected

asn't going to get any answers by staying on the sidelines. If she wanted the truth, she was going

tance once more, Lyra knew that th