Chapter Ten

“We need to move quickly,” Carly said, trying to keep her voice steady. “The longer we stay here, the more likely Andrew and his pack will find us.”

The group nodded in agreement, though their faces were pale with fear. They were all exhausted, both physically and mentally, but Carly knew they had to push through it. There was no other option.

They left the cave, Carly couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The forest, which had once seemed like a safe haven, now felt like a trap, ready to spring at any moment.

Mark walked close to Carly, his hand gripping hers tightly. She could feel his small body trembling, but there was also a determination in his eyes that she hadn’t seen before. Whatever power he had, it was strong, but it also seemed to be taking a toll on him.

The group moved silently through the forest, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. Carly kept her senses sharp, listening for any sign of danger. She didn’t trust the quiet. It felt too... unnatural.

After what felt like hours of walking, they came to a small clearing. Carly stopped, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of life. It seemed deserted, but she knew better than to let her guard down.

“Let’s rest here for a bit,” Carly said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The group sank to the ground, grateful for the brief respite. Carly sat down beside Mark, her eyes never leaving the tree line. Something about this place didn’t feel right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

 Carly noticed Mark staring at something across the clearing. Following his gaze, she saw nothing but trees and shadows, yet the boy’s expression was one of fear.

“What is it?” Carly whispered, trying to keep her voice calm.

Mark didn’t answer at first, his eyes wide and unblinking. Then, in a voice barely audible, he said, “They’re here.”

Carly’s heart skipped a beat. “Who’s here?”

Mark's gaze shifted to Carly, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. “The others,” he said, his voice trembling.

Before Carly could ask what he meant, the shadows around the clearing began to move. A wolf pack emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing in the dim light. Carly’s breath caught in her throat as she realized they were surrounded.

Andrew’s pack.

The warriors leaped to their feet, drawing their weapons as the pack closed in. Carly grabbed the boy’s hand, her heart pounding in her chest. They were outnumbered, and there was no way they could fight them all off.

Andrew stepped forward, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “You didn’t think you could escape me, did you?” he sneered, his eyes fixed on Carly.

Carly’s mind palpitated again trying to come up with a plan. But there was no way out. They were trapped, and the boy was too weak to use his power again.

Andrew’s pack spread out, cutting off any chance of escape. Carly’s grip tightened on the boy’s hand as she tried to think of something—anything—that could save them.

It was someone she hadn’t seen in years, someone she thought was long gone.

It was Evelyn.

Carly’s breath caught in her throat. Evelyn had been one of the strongest members of her old pack, but she had disappeared years ago, presumed dead. Yet here she was, alive and well, and standing with Andrew’s pack.

Evelyn’s eyes met Carly’s, and for a moment, there was a flicker of recognition. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a cold, calculating stare.

“What are you doing here, Evelyn?” Carly asked, her voice shaking.

Evelyn didn’t answer, her gaze shifting to Mark beside Carly. A strange expression crossed her face, one Carly couldn’t quite place. It was almost... regretful.

“Leave Mark” Evelyn said, her voice flat and emotionless. “And we might let you live.”

Carly’s blood ran cold. There was something in Evelyn’s tone that sent chills down her spine. This wasn’t the Evelyn she remembered. This woman was dangerous.

“I’m not leaving him,” Carly said firmly, stepping in front of Mark.

Evelyn’s expression was darkened, and for a while, Carly thought there was something different in the woman’s eyes. Was it guilt? Fear? Carly couldn’t tell, but whatever it was, it was gone in an instant.

“Then you’ve chosen your fate,” Evelyn said coldly.

With a nod from Evelyn, the pack advanced, their eyes glowing with bloodlust. Carly was prepared to fight, knowing it was a losing battle.

Mark let out a scream. The light flared around him again, brighter and more intense than before. The pack was thrown back, their howls of pain echoing through the trees.

Carly watched in awe as the light grew, enveloping the entire clearing. The pack retreated, their snarls turning to whimpers as they were forced back by Mark's power.

But this time, Mark didn’t stop. The light continued to grow, and Carly could feel the ground beneath her shaking. The trees around them groaned as the force of the light threatened to tear them apart.

“Stop!” Carly shouted, trying to reach Mark But the light was too strong, pushing her back.

The boy’s eyes were wide with terror, his small body trembling as he struggled to control the power within him. Carly could see the strain on his face, the way his body shook with the effort. He was losing control.

“Please!” Carly screamed, her voice desperate. “You have to stop!”

But the boy couldn’t hear her.