Lila's heart beat faster as she processed his words, a chill running through her spine as she thought about the pendant, the way it had come alive in her hands, the way it had glowed in response to the strangers' presence. 'But why me?" she whispered. 'Why now?"

Ethan's eyes softened, a mixture of longing and sorrow behind them. 'Because the time has come. The pack needs its true heir. And you are that heir, whether you were ready for it or not."


The words hit her like a shockwave. The heir. The weight of the title settled heavily on her shoulders. She had always thought of herself as an outsider, a visitor in Pine Hollow. But now, the truth was undeniable. She was tied to this place in ways she couldn't even begin to understand.

'I'm just... me," Lila said, her voice thick with uncertainty. 'I'm not a leader. I'm not ready for this."

Ethan's grip on her hand tightened. 'You don't have to be ready. You have everything you need inside you. The wolves will help you find your way. They'll guide you, just as they always have."


A sharp, distant howl echoed through the trees, sending a shiver down Lila's spine. It was the same haunting sound she had heard her first night in Pine Hollow, and it still held that same eerie power.

Ethan's expression darkened. 'That's a call. A challenge," he muttered under his breath. 'And it's coming from deeper in the forest. The pack is restless."


Lila looked at him, her heart racing again. 'Should we—?"

'We go together," Ethan interrupted, his voice filled with quiet resolve. 'Whatever this is, it's bigger than both of us now. The pack will stand with you, and I'll be right beside you."

Lila nodded, the pull of something ancient and powerful rising within her as the moonlight shimmered across the forest. Without another word, they moved toward the trees, the wolves falling into step behind them, their eyes glistening in the dark. The town square was left behind, the sense of impending danger growing stronger with each step they took toward the unknown.

The forest seemed alive tonight, the trees whispering in the wind, the ground beneath their feet almost humming with energy. Lila could feel it, the power of the land beneath her, as if the earth itself was calling out to her, urging her forward.

As they walked deeper into the woods, the howl came again, louder this time. It echoed through the trees, filling the air with a sense of urgency. Lila's chest tightened, her pulse racing in response. There was no turning back now. The strangers weren't the only threat. The pack, the town, and the ancient force tied to her bloodline—all of it was reaching a tipping point.

Suddenly, the air shifted, the hairs on the back of Lila's neck standing on end. She could feel eyes on her—silent, watching eyes—hidden in the shadows of the trees.

Ethan noticed too. He reached out, gently pulling Lila closer. 'Stay close," he murmured. 'We're not alone."

The wolves began to growl low in their throats, their fur bristling as they formed a protective circle around them. Lila's heart raced. She couldn't see anything in the darkness, but she could feel it—something was out there, something that was just as connected to the forest as the wolves.

The howl came again, this time closer, sharper. And Lila knew, deep in her bones, that they were being drawn toward something ancient and powerful. A challenge had been issued, and the pack would answer.

But would Lila?

'Are you ready?" Ethan asked, his voice a whisper, the weight of the question settling between them.

Lila didn't hesitate. She felt the power surge through her again—the wolves, the pendant, the forest—all of it coursing through her veins. She was ready. She had to be.

'Let's go," she said, her voice firm, filled with a newfound strength she hadn't known she possessed.

Together, they pushed forward, the wolves at their side, as the forest seemed to swallow them whole. Whatever came next, whatever awaited them in the heart of the woods, Lila knew she couldn't face it alone. But with Ethan and the pack by her side, she felt ready to embrace her destiny—and whatever darkness lay ahead.