new better than to transform into her werewolf self for quick healing; the risks were too high in an unfamiliar territory. Sighing in frustration, she tried to stretch out the stiffness

n this remote area."Do you need help?" the man called out, his voice carrying an undertone of something Vanessa couldn't quite place. She took a step back, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious."I'm fine," she replied curtly, her eyes never leaving his face. The man's smile was meant to be reassuring, but it felt off. Despite the unease prickling at her skin, Vanessa couldn't deny the intense, almost predatory look in his eyes before she turned away.Ignoring him as best as she could, Vanessa continued her desperate search for Elena. She moved further from the road, her pace quickening despite the pain with each step. The forest loomed ahead, dense and foreboding, but she didn't hesitate. Elena had to be out there somewhere, and Vanessa couldn't waste time worrying about the strange man. As she pushed through the underbrush, her mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Had Elena been captured? Was she hurt? Vanessa's determination hardened, overriding her fear. She couldn't lose Elena, not now. The bond they shared was too deep, their survival too intertwined.Hours seemed to pass as Vanessa searched, calling Elena's name until her throat was raw. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm her, she heard a faint sound-a rustling in the bushes ahead. She