Into The Woods

The forest felt different at night—alive with things that lurked just beyond sight. The moon filtered faintly through the branches, casting long shadows that twisted and danced with every gust of wind.

Selene's footsteps were light against the forest floor, but every snap of a twig beneath her boots made her flinch. She trailed behind Marcus, careful to keep enough distance so he wouldn’t sense her immediately.

She knew it was reckless to follow. Marcus’s warning had been clear. Stay here.

But something about the urgency in that distant howl pulled at her instincts, compelling her to keep moving forward.

The further she walked, the heavier the air felt—thick with tension and something darker she couldn’t quite name.

Selene slowed, stepping lightly around a thicket of brambles. Her breath came in soft, shallow bursts as she crept toward the ridge overlooking the northern border.

Her eyes narrowed when she spotted Marcus’s wolf crouched low in the undergrowth. Beyond him, Aiden stood in human form, half-shrouded by the mist curling along the edge of the forest.

She ducked behind a tree, pressing her back to the bark as she strained to hear their conversation.

"Another scent trail," Aiden murmured, his tone cold and sharp as a blade. "Too close to the village."

Marcus shifted beside him, his fur rippling as he turned his head toward the east.

"They're testing the borders," Aiden continued, eyes scanning the darkness. "Rogues don’t just appear here by accident."

Her heart thudded louder in her chest.

Testing the borders.

Her grip tightened around the bark.

Marcus let out a low growl, pacing along the ridge. Aiden’s gaze flicked toward him.

"They’re watching us." Aiden’s voice darkened. "And they know we're not at full strength."

Selene stiffened.

"What does he mean by that?" she thought.

Aiden’s tone dropped lower, his voice barely audible. "We’re vulnerable. After the last attack, it’s only a matter of time before they breach the border again."

Marcus finally shifted back, his body reforming with ease under the pale moonlight. "Then we hunt them down before they have the chance."

Aiden’s eyes narrowed. "It’s not that simple."

Marcus scoffed. "You’re starting to sound like Darius."

Aiden’s expression hardened at the mention of the name.

"Darius doesn’t want unnecessary bloodshed," Aiden said carefully. "But if these rogues keep pushing, we won’t have a choice."

Selene felt the chill in his voice sink into her bones.

Suddenly, Marcus stiffened, his head snapping toward the trees just beyond the border.

Her followed his gaze, her breath catching in her throat.

A pair of glowing amber eyes stared back at them from the shadows.

A rogue.

Before she could react, Aiden’s body shifted in a flash of silver light. His wolf sprang forward, tearing through the underbrush in pursuit of the intruder. Marcus followed closely behind, his dark form disappearing into the forest.

Selene hesitated, every rational part of her screaming to return to the village.

But something held her in place.

She stepped carefully toward the ridge, heart pounding louder than ever.

The rogue’s scent lingered in the air, sharp and acrid.

Her grip tightened on the dagger she carried at her waist—a small, unimpressive blade she’d barely used. But the weight of it in her hand felt reassuring, even if only a little.

She followed the path Aiden and Marcus had taken, moving silently through the trees.

The deeper she went, the quieter the forest became.

And then she heard it—low, guttural growls echoing through the night.

She crouched low, peering through the undergrowth.

In the clearing ahead, Aiden’s wolf circled the rogue, his fur bristling as he bared his fangs.

The rogue was smaller but wiry and fast, snapping viciously at Marcus as he tried to flank it.

Selene’s breath hitched as the rogue twisted sharply, lunging toward Marcus with unnatural speed.

"Marcus!"

Her voice broke through the clearing before she could stop herself.

Marcus barely had time to react as the rogue’s claws raked across his side, knocking him into the dirt.

Her feet moved before her mind could catch up.

She drew the dagger from her belt, heart hammering wildly as she ran toward the fight.

The rogue turned its gaze to her, eyes burning with predatory hunger.

Aiden snarled, leaping to intercept, but Selene was faster.

The rogue lunged, and she ducked beneath its swipe, driving the blade upward with all the strength she could muster.

The dagger sank deep into the rogue’s side.

It howled in pain, stumbling backward as blood seeped from the wound.

Aiden wasted no time.

His wolf struck in a blur of black fur, jaws locking around the rogue’s throat.

Within moments, the rogue fell limp beneath him.

Silence followed, save for her ragged breathing.

Aiden shifted back, wiping blood from his jaw as his cold gaze fixed on her.

"I told you to stay in the village."

Selene tightened her grip on the dagger, refusing to look away. "I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing."

Aiden stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You could’ve been killed."

"So could Marcus," she shot back, gesturing toward him.

Marcus, still holding his side, smirked faintly. "She’s not wrong."

Aiden’s jaw tensed, but he said nothing.

She met his gaze head-on, her chest rising and falling with every breath.

"I’m not as weak as you think I am, Aiden."

His eyes flickered with something she couldn’t quite place.

For a brief moment, Aiden looked like he wanted to argue—but instead, he turned away, calling over his shoulder.

"Let’s go. We’re done here."

Selene lingered for a moment before following.

Marcus fell into step beside her, his expression thoughtful. "You know," he said quietly, "most people would’ve listened to him and stayed behind."

She glanced at him. "I’m not most people."

Marcus grinned. "No, I suppose you’re not."