Chapter 63 The Hunter in the Shadows Quinton's POV The forest was unusually quiet. Too quiet. Every step I took felt amplified in the silence as if the trees themselves were holding their breath, waiting for something to happen. Fiona walked beside me, her eyes sharp and alert, though I could feel the weight she carried pressing down on her. I wanted to ease that burden, to take some of it away, but how could I when I didn’t even know what lay ahead? Arlena was still out there, lurking like a shadow that refused to be chased away, and each passing day felt like we were falling deeper into her trap. The rogue’s death earlier that morning had only intensified the tension, sending a chilling message: she was getting closer. “Do you think she’s watching us right now?” Fiona’s voice broke through my thoughts. Her gaze scanned the trees, her body tense as if she was expecting something to jump out at any second. “She’s always watching,” I replied, my voice low. “That’s what s
Chapter 64Beneath the SurfaceFiona’s POVThe camp had settled into a restless quiet, the kind that filled the spaces between heartbeats and made the silence itself feel oppressive. The aftershocks of the recent attack still reverberated through our pack, their echoes settling heavily in the atmosphere. I couldn’t shake the sense of unease that clung to me like a second skin.Lying in my tent, I stared at the canvas ceiling, the thoughts of our recent battles and the mysterious forces at play swirling in my mind. Despite the exhaustion that tugged at my limbs, sleep was elusive. The weight of the recent violence, the unanswered questions, and the looming threat of whatever lay in wait for us made it impossible to find solace.I rose from my bedroll, careful not to make a sound. The cool night air greeted me as I stepped outside, a welcome change from the stifling heat of the tent. I moved quietly through the camp, the flickering firelight casting long shadows across the ground. Every
Chapter 65Threads of FateFiona’s POVThe dawn broke with a cold, gray light that filtered through the trees, casting a muted glow over the camp. The tranquility of early morning was deceptive, masking the tension that lingered in the air like a storm cloud waiting to burst. I could sense it even before I emerged from my tent—the weight of uncertainty pressing heavily on everyone.I dressed quickly, pulling on my gear with automatic movements. The events of the previous day seemed to have accelerated the urgency of our situation, and I was eager to start the day. The sooner we could gather information and prepare, the better.As I stepped outside, I was greeted by the sight of the camp slowly coming to life. Some pack members were already gathered around the central fire, their conversations hushed and cautious. I could see the worry etched on their faces, a reflection of the anxiety that had become a constant companion for all of us.I made my way toward the gathering, hoping to off
Chapter 66Shadows in the DarkQuinton's POVThe firelight flickered in front of me, casting long shadows that danced eerily against the trees surrounding the camp. My mind raced with thoughts of the symbols we had found earlier. Despite Fiona’s insistence that we were on the right track, the sense of unease I felt refused to subside. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something much darker and more dangerous lurked beneath the surface.The pack gathered around the fire, discussing strategies and possible interpretations of the symbols. Everyone was on edge, but Fiona remained calm, her focus unwavering as she studied the crude carvings in a notebook we’d brought back. It was one of the things I admired most about her—her ability to keep a clear head under pressure. Yet, even with her calm presence, I could sense the weight of what we were up against starting to creep in.“Quinton.” Fiona’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but urgent. She looked up from the notebook, her brow furr
Chapter 67UnbreakableQuinton's POVThe twisted wolves were relentless, their snarls and howls filling the air as they circled us like predators closing in for the kill. The tension was unbearable, the stench of their decay wafting around us, making it hard to breathe. Every inch of me screamed with the urge to protect Fiona, to tear apart any threat that dared to approach her. But no matter how many we brought down, more emerged from the shadows. They were feral, rabid, driven by something beyond hunger. It was as if their very existence was bound to something darker—something far worse than we had anticipated.I blocked a vicious bite aimed at my throat, kicking the creature back with all my strength. Its glowing eyes locked onto mine, twisted with rage and something far more sinister. These things weren’t like us. They weren’t even wolves. They were abominations, their bodies broken and deformed, corrupted by whatever twisted magic had brought them to life.I slashed at another on
Chapter 68 Whispers of Fate Quinton's POV The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale silver light across the forest. It was quiet—too quiet. The stillness gnawed at me, and for once, it wasn’t the usual tension that came with the night. Something felt off. My instincts had been in overdrive since that encounter with Fiona’s hidden power, but tonight, it was different. It felt like the entire forest was holding its breath. I glanced over at Fiona, her face half-lit by the moonlight, and for a second, everything in me stilled. The way the light kissed her skin, how her hair shimmered in that faint glow—it stirred something deep in my chest. More than just the instinct to protect. I wanted her, needed her by my side more than ever before."Quinton," she murmured, breaking the silence. "What’s wrong? You’re too quiet."I gave her a reassuring smile, but my gut told me otherwise. "Just keeping an ear out. Something feels… off." I didn't want to burden her with my concerns, not w
Chapter 69The Darkness WithinFiona’s POVThe smell of burnt ash lingered in the air, a stark reminder of what we’d just faced. My heart was still pounding, but the adrenaline was starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained. I glanced at Quinton, his chest rising and falling heavily as he struggled to catch his breath. His wolf had taken the brunt of the fight, but I knew this was far from over.We stood in the eerie silence of the forest, our only company the faint rustling of the trees. The crack in the earth where the creature had emerged was still smoldering, a blackened scar in the ground. I exhaled slowly, my hand trembling as I tried to gather my thoughts. “What was that thing?”Quinton wiped the blood from his mouth, his jaw tense as he surveyed the surroundings. “Something far worse than what we’ve faced so far. I’ve never seen anything like it.”There was an edge to his voice, a mix of anger and fear that unsettled me. If Quinton was this shaken, then whatever we were
Chapter 70The Mark of ShadowsQuinton’s POVThe sun was starting to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in deep shades of amber and crimson. The tension in the air hung heavy like a storm waiting to break. Fiona and I hadn’t spoken much since our encounter with the woman in the woods, both of us lost in our own thoughts. But something was coming. I could feel it.My senses were on high alert, the primal instincts of my wolf stirring beneath the surface. I glanced at Fiona, who was pacing nearby, clearly unsettled. The woman’s warning had hit her hard, but we didn’t have time to dwell on it. We needed to stay ahead of whatever was coming for us.Just as I was about to say something, a sharp crack echoed through the trees, cutting through the silence like a knife. Instantly, my wolf reacted, muscles tensing as I turned toward the sound.“Quinton, did you hear that?” Fiona’s voice was low, wary.I nodded, my eyes scanning the treeline. “We’re not alone.”Suddenly, a figure stepped ou