SHADOW OF THE ALPHA

y lit cabin. The sound of his retreating footsteps disappeared i

d at her to run. But where could she go? The forest outside was tee

small and sparse, with a single window, a bed pushed into the corner, and a fireplace that offered little war

Lyra jumped, her breath hitching.

as out

ith the red-eyed beas

rom the inn. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. Gripping it tightly,

in the darkness. Shadows flitted between the trees, too fast and too large to be huma

r, low and menacing, and Lyra

ed to herself, her voice

en every instinct screamed

the door, her grip on the knife tightening. The sound of claws scraping against the cabin's walls made

st the hearth, its iron tip glinting in the firelight. W

dered under the force of another blow, a

at would Ash do? Could she trust him to

ghts as the door burst open, shar

ever seen. It was massive, its fur as black as midnight and its eyes glowing red with an unna

ed, its gaze l

haking. "Stay back!" she shouted,

movements slow and deliberat

e repeated, her

olf l

strength, the iron tip connecting with the wolf's shoulder. It

ng, and Lyra knew she coul

air, and the wolf froze. Its ears perked

e and saw a figure st

asn'

leaming with amusement. The wolf growled low in its thr

ice smooth and mocking. "Most huma

o catch her breath. "Who are you?"

's not important. What matters

re," Lyra snapped, ra

ollow. "Brave, aren't you? I can see

e sent a shiver down her

"You've been chosen, Lyra. Kael has plans for you. And wh

tened. "I don't even know Kae

ok of impatience. "You'll understand so

to enforce the man's command. Lyra's hear

a deafening roar ech

tensing as another figur

was

te power. He stepped inside, his movements deliberate and cont

Ash growled, his vo

odigal wolf returns. I was w

ed to Lyra, and for a moment, his

ugh her hands we

ing. But you're outnumbe

into a snarl. "We'

poised for a fight. The wolf snarled, and the man's smirk faltered a

s voice a low growl. "Or

ering. Then he let out a sharp whistl

. "Kael will have what he wants. And when he

appeared into the night, the

t, Lyra sank to the flo

on filled with concern. "It's okay

r voice barely audible. "But

htened, and h

admitted.