" The darkness within is always more terrifying than the darkness without"- Anonymous
As the stranger's ominous words hung in the air like a challenge, the forest seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening into abysses that threatened to swallow them whole. Gravill's gaze darted around nervously, and he saw eyes watching them from the trees - a sea of unblinking gazes that seemed to bore into their very souls like cold, calculating knives. The air was heavy with tension, and the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the distant hooting of an owl.
Suddenly, three wolves emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing like lanterns in the dark. They shape-shifted into humans, their bodies contorting and twisting until they stood on two legs instead of four. One among them, a tall, lean figure with piercing yellow eyes, stretched out his hands and cast a spell on the web-like vines that held Nicholas and Gravill captive. The vines erupted into flames, burning away like dry tinder, but Nicholas and Gravill were left unscathed.
Gravill watched in horror, his mind reeling with shock and fear. He noticed the intricate patterns on Rosa's hands were mirrored on the hands of the shape-shifter who had cast the spell. What did it mean? He had no time to wonder, as he felt a metal cuff being clamped around his wrist, draining his power with each passing moment. He felt weaker, his energy sapping away like sand between his fingers.
Elsa and Nicholas were similarly cuffed, their faces etched with pain and fear. The three wolves who had shape-shifted led them deeper into the forest, their pace relentless and unforgiving. Gravill stumbled, his legs trembling beneath him, but a harsh growl from one of their captors kept him moving.
Their journey to the pack house was a blur of pain and fear, punctuated by the occasional blow or kick for any slightest movement gone wrong. Gravill's body ached all over, his muscles screaming in protest. He had never experienced this level of pain in his entire life, and he couldn't help but scream as a rod connected with his back.
"Shut your mouth!" their captor snarled, his eyes blazing with fury.
The other shape-shifters laughed, their cruel amusement echoing through the forest like the howling of wolves. Gravill's eyes met Elsa's, and he saw the fear and helplessness mirrored there. Nicholas was silent, his eyes fixed on some point beyond their captors.
As they approached the pack house, a sprawling structure of wood and stone, Gravill saw that the Alpha was nowhere to be found - nor was Rosa. A sense of unease settled in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong.
Their captors led them inside, where the air was thick with the scent of wolf and smoke. Gravill's eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light, and he saw that they were surrounded by the pack - their eyes gleaming in the dark like a sea of lanterns.
One of the shape-shifters, a burly man with a cruel grin, reached out to touch Elsa, but she kicked him with a fierce cry. He slapped her, his hand connecting with her cheek with a loud crack.
"You bitch!" he snarled, his eyes lewdly raking her body.
Gravill roared with anger, his heart racing with fear. "Don't you dare try that again!" he shouted, his fists clenched.
The shape-shifter sneered at him. "Oh, I see. Is she your girlfriend?" he taunted.
Gravill's face burned with anger. "None of your business, you punk!" he spat.
The shape-shifter punched him, his fist connecting with Gravill's jaw with a loud crack. Gravill's head spun, his vision blurring.
"Enough!" the shape-shifter holding Nicholas growled. " Mel, behave yourself. You're fighting with a kid."
Mel, the burly shape-shifter, glared at Gravill, but he backed off, his eyes never leaving Gravill's face.
Just then, a figure emerged from the shadows - the Alpha. His eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity, and his voice was low and menacing.
"Welcome, Gravill," he said. "I've been waiting for you. You see, I have a little proposition for you... one that will change everything."
Elsa and Nicholas were shocked.
Gravill's heart raced with fear. What did the Alpha have planned?
And then, just as the Alpha was about to speak, a loud crash echoed through the room, followed by a chorus of growls and snarls. The pack was on the move, their eyes fixed on something - or someone - behind Gravill.
Gravill spun around, his heart racing with fear. What was happening?
But before he could see what was behind him, everything went black.