ading light, disoriented and gasping for breath. The weight of the night's events pressed heavily on her chest, and panic surged as she realized she was alone. "Lucas?" she called

able air of hostility. Lucas stepped forward, his posture tense. "Ethan! We're here!" One of the wolves turned, and Elena recognized Ethan instantly. He was battered but standing tall, a commanding presence among the gathered pack. His eyes flickered with relief when he saw them, but there was also a caution that made her heart sink. "Lucas, Elena," he called, his voice steady. "You shouldn't have come here." "Ethan, we need to talk!" Lucas said urgently, moving closer. "They're not going to let us leave without a fight." Ethan's gaze shifted toward the gathered wolves, who were watching them with burning intensity. "You don't understand the gravity of the situation. They think you're a threat, Elena. We need to calm them down before this escalates." Before Elena could respond, one of the wolves at the edge of the circle stepped forward, his hackles raised. "You brought her here? After everything that's happened?" His voice was low and menacing, filled with barely restrained anger. "She's the reason for all this chaos!" "Enough!" Ethan's voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "We need to hear her side before making any decisions." Elena's heart raced as the wolves turned their attention to her. She felt their gazes piercing through her, assessing, judging. "I didn't ask for this!" she shouted, desperation spilling from her lips. "I didn't know any of this was real until tonight!" "What do you mean?" the aggressive wolf pressed, stepping closer, his eyes narrowed. "You're the one who unleashed that power. You're the reason we're in this mess!" "I didn't mean to!" Elena exclaimed, frustration boiling over. "I'm trying to understand all of this, just like you! I'm not your enemy!" But the wolf wasn't convinced. "You may wear the guise of a human, but you are part of the bloodline. You're dangerous!" "Elena doesn't even know what that means!" Lucas interjected, stepping in front of her protectively. "You can't blame her for something she didn't choose." "Enough!" Ethan's voice thundered, and the pack fell silent. "We need to approach this rationally. We cannot afford to tear ourselves apart over fear. We have faced numerous threats before, and we will face this one together." The tension in the air crackled like electricity, and Elena felt the weight of their mistrust pressing down on her. But just as Ethan began to speak again, a low growl rose from the trees, freezing them all in place. "What was that?" one of the wolves whispered, fear edging into his voice. "Shh!" Ethan urged, his senses heightened. "Everyone stay alert." Elena's pulse quickened as she turned her gaze toward the shadows. A figure emerged from the darkness, massive and imposing. It was a dark wolf, its eyes glowing with an unsettling light as it stepped into the clearing, its presence sending ripples of unease through the gathered pack. "Who dares to summon the shadows?" the wolf growled, its voice a deep rumble that echoed through the night. The pack shifted uneasily, exchanging glances filled with trepidation. "This is our territory!" Ethan declared, stepping forward. "You have no claim here!" "I have every claim," the shadow wolf growled, its gaze locking onto Elena. "And she belongs to me." The words hung in the air like a death knell, sending ice through Elena's veins. She felt the weight of the wolf's gaze, piercing and predatory, and panic surged within her. "What do you mean?" she managed to stammer, grasping Lucas's arm for s