Chapter 55

Ashley's Point of View:

The sun-drenched day at the lakeside had been perfect for a day of fun with the boys. We were splashing around in the water, the laughter and shouts echoing across the serene landscape. But then, a sudden shiver ran down my spine, and an instinctual urge compelled me to glance beyond the trees that stood a bit farther from the lake.

To my utter astonishment, there, lurking in the shadows, stood the same mysterious figure I had spotted earlier in the morning. My heart pounded in my chest as I involuntarily let out a startled cry, my hand moving to cover my mouth.

Derek, ever the attentive one, was the first to react. "What's wrong?" His voice cut through the tension, and I could sense the others' eyes locking onto me, mirroring my intense gaze fixed upon the enigmatic presence behind those trees.

"Ashley," Fenrir called out to me, his concern evident in his voice. However, my attention remained firmly fixed on the shadowy figure.

My trembling hand slowly extende