The towering trees of the Silver Forest loomed above us, their thick branches twisting like gnarled fingers reaching for the sky. The deeper we ventured, the more the shadows seemed to cling to us, and I could feel the tension building in the air. This wasn't just any forest—it was alive with danger, and something more than just wolves was lurking within.
I shot a glance at Stern, who strode confidently beside me, his staff tapping against the ground with each step. His dark cloak swayed with every movement, and the smug smirk on his face was impossible to miss. Stern always had that air of superiority about him, like the world was beneath him, even out here in the wild. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned our surroundings, but his expression betrayed nothing of the unease I was beginning to feel.
"Let me guess," I said with a grin, breaking the silence. "You're already thinking about how you're going to take down an entire pack of wolves with one spell, aren't you?"
Stern scoffed, barely glancing my way. "One spell? Please, Held. It'll take half of one. If anything, I should be concerned about you getting in the way."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his arrogance. That was Stern—always prideful, always acting like he was leagues ahead of everyone else. But that didn't bother me. In fact, I found it amusing. Where I saw challenges, he saw opportunities to flaunt his magic. We were opposites, but that's what made us work. He could be as arrogant as he wanted, but I knew when the time came, I could count on him.
"Guess I'll just have to impress you then," I said, giving him a determined look. "You'll see—when those wolves show up, I'll be the one saving your arrogant hide."
Stern raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let's just hope you can keep up, Held."
Earlier that morning, back at the Adventurers' Guild, the atmosphere had been far less tense. We stood at the counter as May, the guild attendant, eyed us with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"You two are taking on a Rank E quest?" she asked, her eyes darting between us as she held the quest form in her hand.
I leaned casually against the counter, my usual enthusiasm bubbling to the surface. "Yep! Stern and I are officially a party now. And the rules say we can tackle higher-rank quests as long as we're together."
May bit her lip, clearly unsure. "Just because you can take on a higher-ranked quest doesn't mean you should." Her voice was tinged with caution. "This quest is different. The wolves in the Silver Forest are becoming aggressive. Normally, they're only Rank F monsters, but in packs, they're far more dangerous. You're dealing with a real threat here."
Stern, who had remained silent up until now, waved a dismissive hand. "Wolves in packs are hardly a challenge for someone of my skill level. I doubt they'll even make me break a sweat."
I rolled my eyes but grinned. "You heard him. We've got this."
May sighed, clearly not reassured by Stern's arrogance or my enthusiasm. She glanced at the quest form once more, as if reconsidering her decision before finally relenting. "Alright," she said, resigned, "if you're determined to go through with this, here's the reward for completing the quest: 200 silver coins, a normal health potion, a normal mana potion, and a rare-grade item of your choice—either a sword, a staff, a bow, or a dagger."
I could see Stern barely paying attention as May listed the rewards. He was never one to care much about material rewards—at least, not when it came to money. His eyes only gleamed at the mention of rare magical items.
"Sounds like a fair deal to me," I said, giving Stern a confident nod.
Stern, on the other hand, simply brushed it off. "The reward is irrelevant. Let's just get this over with."
Now, as we ventured deeper into the forest, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The air was thick with tension, and it wasn't just from Stern's overinflated ego. We hadn't seen a single animal since we entered the woods. Not a bird, not a squirrel—nothing.
Suddenly, I stopped, crouching down to examine the ground. Deep paw prints were embedded in the dirt, the spacing wide, as if the wolves had been running in a frenzy.
"They've been here," I muttered, feeling my heart pick up speed. "Recently."
Stern didn't even bother looking. "Of course they have. Try to keep up, Held. I'd rather not waste my time on obvious observations."
I shot him a glare but shook it off. "Right, because you already knew everything, didn't you?"
Stern smirked, that irritating confidence gleaming in his eyes. "Naturally. Try not to fall behind."
We pressed on, the trees growing denser, and soon enough, we found them—wolves. Three of them, slinking out from between the trees, their glowing eyes fixed on us. They were larger than I expected, their fur matted, and their eyes… there was something off about them. They were glowing faintly, an unnatural light that sent a chill down my spine.
Stern narrowed his eyes. "These wolves are being controlled. Look at their eyes. This isn't natural."
I felt a twinge of fear but pushed it aside. "Controlled? By what?"
"Does it matter?" Stern replied coolly, raising his staff. "Whatever it is, I'll handle it."
The wolves growled, their low snarls vibrating through the air. Their movements were coordinated, deliberate, and they were circling us now, clearly preparing for an attack. The largest of the three, a massive black-furred beast, bared its teeth, muscles rippling beneath its thick fur.
I drew my sword, feeling the familiar weight in my hand. "They're not backing down," I said, my voice steady despite the growing tension.
Stern didn't flinch. "Of course not. They're wolves, not cowards. But it'll be over soon enough."
The largest wolf locked eyes with me, its glowing gaze burning into mine. Without warning, it charged, muscles coiled like springs.
"Stay behind me, Stern!" I shouted, stepping forward, my heart pounding.
Stern, ever the prideful mage, simply smirked. "Don't be ridiculous, Held. I'll take care of this."
As the wolf lunged toward us, its fangs bared, eyes glowing with an unnatural light. I didn't hesitate. With a surge of mana, I covered my entire body, feeling the familiar rush as it enhanced my speed and strength. The world seemed to slow down around me as I dashed forward, sword raised, ready to meet the wolf head-on.
But before I could close the distance, a voice rang out behind me, sharp and confident: "Spirits of flame, heed my call, grant me power to burn them all!"
A bright flash of light burst past me, and a scorching heat seared the air. I barely had time to react as a fireball flew dangerously close to my head. I ducked instinctively, feeling the heat lick the back of my neck as Stern's spell slammed into the wolf.
The beast yelped in pain, its fur catching fire, but I wasn't focused on that. I whipped around, glaring at Stern. "What the hell was that? You almost burned me alive!"
Stern stood a few feet behind me, his staff still raised, a look of indifference plastered on his face. "If you had moved faster, you wouldn't have been in the way," he said dismissively, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Maybe next time, let the magic do the work."
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on my sword. "This isn't a competition, Stern! We're supposed to be a team. You can't just throw spells around without thinking about me!"
Stern rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by my frustration. "I'm the mage. I'm the one with the power. If you can't keep up, that's not my problem."
I let out a frustrated breath, ready to fire back at him, but the sound of a low, deep howl cut through the tension like a blade. We both turned as the Alpha wolf, the one Stern had scorched, struggled to its feet. Its charred fur was still smoldering, but its eyes blazed even fiercer than before. It threw its head back, howling into the air, and the sound echoed ominously through the forest.
Suddenly, the forest came alive with movement. Shapes darted between the trees, quick and silent, and before we knew it, we were surrounded. A pack of wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes all glowing with that same eerie light. They moved as one, their formation tight, their coordination perfect.
My heart raced as I took in the sight. This was no ordinary pack of wolves. They were organized, disciplined. Far more than I had expected.
"Great. Now we're surrounded," I muttered under my breath.
Stern didn't seem fazed. He stood tall, his pride still intact, though I could see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He tightened his grip on his staff. "I can handle them," he said, his voice firm but lacking its usual arrogance. "These beasts are nothing compared to my magic."
I shot him a sharp look. "That's the problem, Stern. You can't handle them alone. Not this time."
He blinked, clearly taken aback. For a moment, his haughty expression faltered. I stepped closer to him, lowering my voice, though it was still laced with urgency.
"Listen, Stern," I said, trying to keep my frustration in check. "You're powerful, I get it. But we're not fighting these things alone anymore. You and I—this is a team now. If we don't get our act together, these wolves are going to rip us apart. One mistake could get us killed. You need to trust me."
He raised an eyebrow, his pride fighting to keep control. "And what exactly do you suggest, Held? That I follow your Alpha?"
I took a deep breath, calming myself, trying to reach him. "I'm the warrior. I'll hold the front. You back me up from a distance. That way, I can make sure none of these wolves get close to you, and you can focus on taking them down without worrying about burning my face off. Deal?"
Stern hesitated, the arrogance still lingering in his posture. But then, something shifted in his eyes. He studied me for a moment, his pride clearly at war with the logic of what I was saying. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, he nodded. "Fine," he said, though his tone still carried a hint of superiority. "But don't expect me to save you if you can't keep up."
I grinned, my fearless enthusiasm bubbling back to the surface. "Wouldn't dream of it."
The wolves snarled, inching closer, their glowing eyes locked on us. I could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the impending fight pressing down on me. But now, at least, we had a plan.
I stepped forward, positioning myself between the pack and Stern. My sword gleamed in the dim light filtering through the trees, and I could feel the mana coursing through my veins, ready to fuel my every move.
Behind me, Stern muttered another incantation under his breath, his voice steady but quieter this time. "Spirits of flame, heed my call, grant me power to burn them all."..
I smirked to myself. He was adjusting—learning to be mindful of me. Maybe we were starting to get somewhere.
The wolves suddenly lunged as one, their snarls filling the air as they charged toward us. I met the first one head-on, my sword swinging in a clean arc, catching the beast across its side. It yelped and fell back, but two more were already closing in.
"I've got you!" Stern called from behind me, and another fireball shot past my shoulder, this time well-aimed, striking the wolf to my right and sending it crashing into the ground in a burst of flames.
I grinned. "Nice shot, Stern!"
He didn't respond, but I could tell by the slight nod he gave that he appreciated the compliment—though he'd never admit it.
The wolves kept coming, their numbers seeming endless, but now Stern and I moved together, our coordination improving with each passing moment. I struck down those that got too close, while Stern blasted the ones trying to flank us with precise bursts of magic. We were still rough around the edges, but we were getting there. Slowly, we were becoming a team.
The wolves howled again, regrouping for another assault. I wiped the sweat from my brow, my heart pounding but my resolve stronger than ever.
"We're not done yet," I said, tightening my grip on my sword.
Stern, now standing firmly at my back, nodded, his eyes sharp and focused. "No. But we will be soon."
Together, we braced for the next wave. This time, we were ready.
The wolf in front of me leaped, its claws flashing in the dim forest light, but I was quicker. I sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as its claws barely missed me. My sword was already in motion, and with a swift arc, I landed a clean hit along the wolf's side. It yelped and collapsed, but I didn't stop to admire my handiwork—there were more coming.
Behind me, I could hear Stern chanting another incantation. "Spirits of flame, heed my call, grant me power to burn them all.!"
His voice rang out with its usual arrogance, but there was a sharpness to it now—less showy, more focused. I glanced back just in time to see a fireball soar past me, slamming into another wolf that had been creeping up on my blind side. The creature howled as it burst into flames, thrashing before collapsing into the dirt.
"Nice shot, Stern!" I shouted, pushing forward into the next wave of wolves.
Stern didn't reply verbally, but I caught a brief, smug nod out of the corner of my eye. I grinned. He was still as prideful as ever, but he was paying attention now—starting to see that we were in this together.
The wolves circled around us, their glowing eyes locked on our every movement. Each of them moved in perfect sync, like they were part of some larger, calculating mind. I could feel their hunger, their aggression, but I wasn't afraid. In fact, I felt more alive than ever. My blood was pumping, and mana flowed through me, making my body lighter, quicker. Every move felt sharp, like I was perfectly attuned to the flow of battle.
One wolf charged straight at me, snarling, fangs bared. I met it head-on, dodging to the left just as it leaped. With a fluid motion, I brought my sword down in a swift slash, severing its momentum. The beast collapsed at my feet.
Another wolf rushed me from the right, but before I could turn, another of Stern's fireballs streaked by, striking the wolf in the chest. It crumpled, its fur smoldering from the impact.
"Keep moving!" Stern barked from behind me, his voice full of his usual confidence. "I've got the flank!"
I pressed forward, trusting that he had my back now. I could hear him chanting, sending blasts of fire and energy into the wolves that tried to rush me from the sides, while I focused on the ones directly in front. It felt… different. For the first time since this battle started, I felt like we were in sync. My sword and his magic moved together, cutting down the wolves one by one.
But then I saw it—the flash of movement behind Stern. One of the wolves had broken through our defenses and was charging straight at him. My heart lurched. I didn't think twice. Without hesitation, I turned and sprinted toward Stern, pushing my body to the limit. My feet barely touched the ground as I rushed toward the wolf.
I wasn't going to let it get to him.
Just as the wolf lunged at Stern, I leaped forward, bringing my sword down in a powerful arc. The blade sliced clean through the wolf's neck, and it fell with a dull thud at Stern's feet.
Stern whirled around, eyes wide in surprise. "You—" he started, clearly taken aback.
I flashed him a grin, panting slightly from the rush. "Told you I'd keep them off you."
For a moment, Stern just stared at me, his usual air of superiority flickering. Then, to my surprise, he gave a short nod. "I suppose… you've proven yourself useful." His voice was still tinged with arrogance, but there was something else there now—a hint of gratitude, buried beneath his pride. "Thanks," he added, almost begrudgingly, though the word still carried weight.
I chuckled, feeling a strange warmth at the realization that I was slowly gaining his trust. "No problem. Just doing my job."
We turned back to face the remaining wolves. There were fewer now, their numbers slowly thinning, but they were still relentless. Each one attacked with a ferocity that spoke of something unnatural, something driving them beyond the usual instincts of a normal pack.
"They're not giving up," Stern muttered, his voice a little more serious now, his usual arrogance muted by the realization that this fight wasn't over yet. "These creatures… they're more coordinated than I expected."
"Yeah," I agreed, wiping sweat from my brow. "Almost like they've got a Alphaer keeping them in check."
As if in response to my words, the Alpha wolf—the one that had howled earlier—let out another long, bone-chilling howl. The sound echoed through the trees, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
The remaining wolves immediately stiffened, their movements becoming more precise, more dangerous. It was like they were recharged, their aggression renewed.
I tightened my grip on my sword, my fearless grin never wavering. "Guess the real fight's about to start."
Stern, standing next to me now, glanced over. "Just don't expect me to save you if you get in over your head."
I snorted. "I'll be fine. You just keep throwing those fireballs, and I'll handle the rest."
For the first time, Stern didn't respond with some snarky comment. Instead, he simply nodded, his eyes locked on the wolves. His grip on his staff tightened, and I could feel the subtle shift in him. He was starting to trust me. Not fully, not yet—but there was a difference now. We were moving in the right direction.
The wolves began their assault once more, their Alphaer hanging back, watching. But this time, I wasn't worried. Stern was backing me up, and I could feel the fire of determination burning in my chest. Together, we were going to take them down.
I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and rushed forward into the fray once again, my sword gleaming in the fading light as I prepared for the battle ahead.
The wolf in front of me leaped, its claws flashing in the dim forest light, but I was quicker. I sidestepped just in time, feeling the rush of air as its claws barely missed me. My sword was already in motion, and with a swift arc, I landed a clean hit along the wolf's side. It yelped and collapsed, but I didn't stop to admire my handiwork—there were more coming.
Behind me, I could hear Stern chanting another incantation. "Spirits of flame, bend to my will!" His voice rang out with its usual arrogance, but there was a sharpness to it now—less showy, more focused. I glanced back just in time to see a fireball soar past me, slamming into another wolf that had been creeping up on my blind side. The creature howled as it burst into flames, thrashing before collapsing into the dirt.
"Nice shot, Stern!" I shouted, pushing forward into the next wave of wolves.
Stern didn't reply verbally, but I caught a brief, smug nod out of the corner of my eye. I grinned. He was still as prideful as ever, but he was paying attention now—starting to see that we were in this together.
The wolves circled around us, their glowing eyes locked on our every movement. Each of them moved in perfect sync, like they were part of some larger, calculating mind. I could feel their hunger, their aggression, but I wasn't afraid. In fact, I felt more alive than ever. My blood was pumping, and mana flowed through me, making my body lighter, quicker. Every move felt sharp, like I was perfectly attuned to the flow of battle.
One wolf charged straight at me, snarling, fangs bared. I met it head-on, dodging to the left just as it leaped. With a fluid motion, I brought my sword down in a swift slash, severing its momentum. The beast collapsed at my feet.
Another wolf rushed me from the right, but before I could turn, another of Stern's fireballs streaked by, striking the wolf in the chest. It crumpled, its fur smoldering from the impact.
"Keep moving!" Stern barked from behind me, his voice full of his usual confidence. "I've got the flank!"
I pressed forward, trusting that he had my back now. I could hear him chanting, sending blasts of fire and energy into the wolves that tried to rush me from the sides, while I focused on the ones directly in front. It felt… different. For the first time since this battle started, I felt like we were in sync. My sword and his magic moved together, cutting down the wolves one by one.
But then I saw it—the flash of movement behind Stern. One of the wolves had broken through our defenses and was charging straight at him. My heart lurched. I didn't think twice. Without hesitation, I turned and sprinted toward Stern, pushing my body to the limit. My feet barely touched the ground as I rushed toward the wolf.
I wasn't going to let it get to him.
Just as the wolf lunged at Stern, I leaped forward, bringing my sword down in a powerful arc. The blade sliced clean through the wolf's neck, and it fell with a dull thud at Stern's feet.
Stern whirled around, eyes wide in surprise. "You—" he started, clearly taken aback.
I flashed him a grin, panting slightly from the rush. "Told you I'd keep them off you."
For a moment, Stern just stared at me, his usual air of superiority flickering. Then, to my surprise, he gave a short nod. "I suppose… you've proven yourself useful." His voice was still tinged with arrogance, but there was something else there now—a hint of gratitude, buried beneath his pride. "Thanks," he added, almost begrudgingly, though the word still carried weight.
I chuckled, feeling a strange warmth at the realization that I was slowly gaining his trust. "No problem. Just doing my job."
We turned back to face the remaining wolves. There were fewer now, their numbers slowly thinning, but they were still relentless. Each one attacked with a ferocity that spoke of something unnatural, something driving them beyond the usual instincts of a normal pack.
"They're not giving up," Stern muttered, his voice a little more serious now, his usual arrogance muted by the realization that this fight wasn't over yet. "These creatures… they're more coordinated than I expected."
"Yeah," I agreed, wiping sweat from my brow. "Almost like they've got a Alphaer keeping them in check."
As if in response to my words, the Alpha wolf—the one that had howled earlier—let out another long, bone-chilling howl. The sound echoed through the trees, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
The remaining wolves immediately stiffened, their movements becoming more precise, more dangerous. It was like they were recharged, their aggression renewed.
I tightened my grip on my sword, my fearless grin never wavering. "Guess the real fight's about to start."
Stern, standing next to me now, glanced over. "Just don't expect me to save you if you get in over your head."
I snorted. "I'll be fine. You just keep throwing those fireballs, and I'll handle the rest."
For the first time, Stern didn't respond with some snarky comment. Instead, he simply nodded, his eyes locked on the wolves. His grip on his staff tightened, and I could feel the subtle shift in him. He was starting to trust me. Not fully, not yet—but there was a difference now. We were moving in the right direction.
The wolves began their assault once more, their Alphaer hanging back, watching. But this time, I wasn't worried. Stern was backing me up, and I could feel the fire of determination burning in my chest. Together, we were going to take them down.
I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and rushed forward into the fray once again, my sword gleaming in the fading light as I prepared for the battle ahead.
**Chapter 9: The Alpha Wolf**
The moment the Alpha wolf let out another chilling howl, a wave of dread settled over the battlefield. Its body surged with a thick, dark aura, like a shadow had seeped into its very bones. The other wolves reacted instantly, growing larger and more vicious, their eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
"This… is not good," I muttered under my breath, gripping my sword tightly as the wolves surrounding us seemed to become more frenzied by the second.
Stern stood a few paces behind me, watching the transformation with narrowed eyes. "They're being controlled," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and frustration. "The Alpha wolf… it's forcing the others into this state."
I glanced over my shoulder at him. "Then we need to take it out. If we keep fighting like this, we'll get overwhelmed. We're running out of time."
Stern scoffed, his usual arrogance creeping back into his tone. "I know that. But getting to it won't be easy. That thing has an entire pack guarding it like their lives depend on it."
"That's why I'm asking you to back me up," I said, locking eyes with him. "We've got no choice. I'll cut a path through to the Alpha wolf, and you handle the rest. You with me?"
For a moment, Stern looked as though he was about to argue, but something shifted in his gaze. His lips curled into a smirk, but there was a glint of respect in his eyes now—something more than just pride. "Fine. But try not to get yourself killed. I'm not in the mood to drag your corpse back to town."
I chuckled, adjusting the grip on my weapons. "Don't worry, Stern. I'm not going down that easily."
With a final nod, I took off, my body surging with mana as I dashed toward the Alpha wolf. My dagger was in my left hand, my sword in my right. The dagger was for defense, the sword for offense—every strike had to be perfect, every movement calculated.
The first wolf came at me with its claws raised, its maw dripping with dark energy. I parried its strike with my dagger, deflecting its attack just enough to open it up for a counter. In a swift, fluid motion, I slashed at its side with my sword, feeling the blade cut clean through. It fell with a pained yelp, but there was no time to celebrate. Another wolf lunged at me, and I barely managed to sidestep it before Stern's fireball came hurtling past, slamming into the creature with a force I hadn't seen from him before.
The flames engulfed the wolf, reducing it to ashes in seconds.
"Nice one!" I shouted, grinning as I continued my charge forward.
Stern didn't reply, but I could sense him watching my back, his spells weaving through the chaos to protect me. I fought through the wolves one by one, my dagger deflecting strikes while my sword found its mark again and again. It was a relentless onslaught, but we were making progress. Slowly but surely, we were pushing closer to the Alpha wolf.
Just as I was about to reach it, another wolf, larger than the others, charged at me. Its claws came down in a blur of motion. I barely had time to raise my weapons in defense, but the sheer force of the attack sent me flying backward. I hit the ground hard, sliding through the dirt until I came to a stop, my body aching from the impact.
"Held!" Stern's voice cut through the din of the battle. I could hear the concern beneath his usual arrogance. "Are you still breathing?"
I groaned, forcing myself onto my knees. "Yeah, yeah… still breathing." I shook off the dirt, wiping my face with the back of my hand as I rose to my feet, giving Stern a grin. "Didn't hurt as bad as it looked."
Stern narrowed his eyes, his lips twitching upward slightly in what could almost be considered a smile. "You idiot. Stop joking around. Focus."
"Right, right." I adjusted my grip on my weapons, rolling my shoulders as I got back into position. "Let's finish this."
Stern raised his staff, his expression more serious now. "I'll clear the way. Don't screw this up."
I watched as he began chanting again, this time his voice louder, more forceful. The air around him shimmered with heat, and I could feel the mana he was pouring into his spell. "Flames of judgment, descend and burn away all who stand in our path!" His fireball, much larger and brighter than before, shot forward like a blazing comet. It slammed into the wolves guarding the Alpha wolf, consuming them in a torrent of fire. The creatures howled in pain, their forms reduced to charred husks in seconds.
"That's my cue," I said, a surge of energy rushing through me as I charged forward with a battle cry, my sword raised high.
I moved through the last of the wolves, cutting down those that still stood, until finally, I was face-to-face with the Alpha wolf. Up close, I could see it more clearly now. Its body was trembling, its eyes glazed over with a mix of rage and… pain. It wasn't in control—whatever dark force had taken over it was forcing it to fight, forcing it to Alpha the others.
The Alpha wolf snarled, its claws lashing out at me in a frenzied strike. I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. It moved with the strength of a creature possessed, each swipe more desperate than the last. But I could see it was suffering. It was fighting not just me, but whatever was controlling it.
With each dodge, I struck back, my blade slicing into the creature's hide. Every time it came at me, I was faster, moving with precision and purpose. Stern's fire kept the other wolves from closing in, giving me the space I needed to focus on the Alpha wolf alone.
Then, as the wolf reared back for one final attack, I saw my opening. Gathering all the strength I had left, I raised my sword high, shouting as I brought it down in a powerful, final strike. My blade cut through the air, and with a sickening thud, it pierced the Alpha wolf's chest.
The creature let out a long, agonized howl, its body shuddering violently. Dark energy erupted from the wound, swirling around it before dissipating into the air. The wolf collapsed to the ground, its eyes finally clearing as the dark aura faded.
For a moment, everything was still.
The remaining wolves, who had been frenzied and bloodthirsty moments before, suddenly stopped. Their glowing eyes dimmed, the dark energy that had controlled them disappearing. Slowly, they began to retreat, their aggression gone. They were no longer monsters—they were just wolves again, confused and frightened. Without their Alphaer, they fled into the forest, leaving Stern and me alone on the battlefield.
I took a deep breath, wiping the sweat from my brow as I watched them go. "Looks like we did it."
Stern approached me, his usual arrogant posture softened, though only slightly. He glanced down at the Alpha wolf's body before looking back at me. "I'll admit," he said, his voice carefully measured, "I didn't expect you to pull that off. But… you did."
I grinned at him, my enthusiasm and confidence as bright as ever. "Told you I could handle it. We make a pretty good team, huh?"
Stern huffed, but there was no real bite to it. "Perhaps," he said, crossing his arms. "Just don't get used to me praising you. I still did most of the work."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Whatever you say, Stern. Whatever you say."
But even through his pride, I could tell—something had changed. He trusted me now, at least a little. We weren't just two people fighting side by side anymore. We were a team.