As Volk continued his march toward the sound of the two whimpering hounds, his focus narrowed on his goal.
His mind buzzed with plans, envisioning the chase, the capture, and finally the answers he sought. But then—
"Wait!"
A small voice cut through his concentration.
Volk paused, his massive form looming in the dim forest light, and turned his head.
There, a few paces behind him, stood the two girls: Lira and Mareen.
They had been spared and were now free to run, to disappear into the woods and vanish from his sight forever, yet here they were, watching him with an intensity he hadn't anticipated.
Volk frowned, crossing his arms as he faced them.
"What do you want?" he asked, his tone gruff and impatient. "Didn't I say you're free to go? So go. This doesn't concern you."
The two women exchanged a quick glance, and then Mareen stepped forward. "We… we know that, but… you… need us."
