Chapter 77

“Cheryl, get down!” Luke’s voice comes through with a sharp edge of command, even as he lunges toward the intruder.

I dive to the side, hitting the floor hard and feeling a sharp sting in my shoulder. The pain is nothing compared to the rush of adrenaline coursing through me. I push myself up, trying to get a better look at what’s happening. The hunter is clad in dark, tactical gear, their face hidden by a mask. The room’s shadows seem to cling to them, amplifying their menacing presence.

The hunter’s eyes scan the room, cold and calculating. They spot me, and for a moment, their gaze seems to pierce right through me. There’s a flicker of recognition, but then they’re turning their attention back to Luke. The hunter pulls out a weapon—a sleek, silver blade with intricate engravings that catch the light.

Luke, in wolf form, is a blur of powerful muscle and fur, but the hunter’s movements are equally swift and precise. They dodge Luke’s powerful swipes with ease, their blade slicing th