rced through the thick canopy in slender beams, and the earthy scent of moss and damp leaves clung to the air. She adjusted her pack and tightened

n? How had he subdued a bear with such ease? An

ity kept her steady. She pulled out her field notebook and began sketching the claw marks and the positioning of the body. Whatever had hap

the golden-eyed man. Silas. She didn't know why, but his name

he page. The hairs on the back of her neck rose as the sound grew closer, del

're

ut of the shadows, his golden eyes glinting like the sunlight filtering through the trees. H

fe," he said, his tone carrying a

ck. "I don't scare that easily," she replied, trying t

sion unreadable. "Your job will ge

erself with her boldness. "You seem to know your way around th

. "You don't understa

een studying wolves for years, but this pack... they're differen

r answers in the swaying branches. When he looked back at her,

oice barely above a whisper. "They're part of something

mind racing. "Olde

ommanding. "You're treading on sacred ground, Aurora. Th

they only fueled her determination. "If thi

cross his face, but it was gone as quickly as

oed through the forest. It was low and mournful, yet

ing like a predator ready to s

. "Not until you tell

napped, his voice sharp

s com

was firm but not painful and began leading her away from the clear

My eq

," he growled. "Your l

her through the dense underbrush. The howling grew louder, closer,

, her boots catching on roots and uneven ground. She opened her mouth to ask him where they were going, but the lo

ed, guiding her into a narrow ravine hidden by thick

, his breath warm against

ool, damp earth. She could hear them now-the wolves. Their footfalls w

sunlight. It was massive, larger than any wolf Aurora had ever seen, and its eyes glowed with

the pack sniff the air. One of them-a black wolf with pi

eassuring. She glanced at him, and for the fir

ears pricking forward. Aurora's pulse quickened as the pack bega

spered, her voic

, his golden eyes fixed o

ora could feel the weight of its gaze as it searched the shadows. Jus

The black wolf froze, its head tilting as if in recognition. For a mome

he wolves turned and disappeared into the

er body sagging with relief. "Wh

sed her hand and stood, his expression un

ave?" Aurora pressed

filled with an emotion she couldn'

d Aurora stared at him, her mind racing. "W

ening. "Someone who's trying to

egan walking back toward the clearing. She h

can't just say something

"There are things about this forest

ront of him. "You owe me an explanation. Those wo

lden eyes searching hers. Finally, he sighe

itted. "I'm not normal

h caught. "The

loser, his gaze piercing. "You want

ed, her hea

still standing," he said. "And

she struggled to process their meaning. "Y

just part of the pack,"

eyes, the way he had subdued the bear, the growl th

of them," sh

o you understand why it's da

er pulse racing. But as th