Lena's heart still racing from the stranger's ominous warning, she tried to shake off the feeling of unease. But as she glanced out the window, she saw Ryker's figure lingering at the forest's edge, his eyes fixed on their cottage.
"Mother, who is that man?" Lena asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Elara's expression turned guarded. "I don't know, dear. But we should stay inside tonight. It's not safe."
Lena nodded, though her curiosity was piqued. She couldn't shake the feeling that Ryker's warning was more than just a simple caution.
As the night wore on, the full moon climbing higher in the sky, Lena found herself growing restless. She tried to focus on her herbalism studies, but her mind kept drifting back to Ryker and his enigmatic warning.
Just as she was starting to drift off to sleep, a loud crash echoed from outside, followed by the sound of snarling and growling. Lena's heart leapt as she rushed to the window, throwing open the shutters to reveal a chaotic scene.
A massive wolf, its fur a thick, silver coat, was battling a smaller, darker wolf in the center of the village. The two animals clashed, their jaws snapping wildly as they fought for dominance.
Lena's eyes widened as she realized that the silver wolf was... Ryker. She was certain of it. The way he moved, the intensity in his eyes – it was unmistakable.
As she watched, transfixed, Ryker's wolf form gained the upper hand, pinning the darker wolf to the ground. For a moment, the two animals locked eyes, and Lena felt a shiver run down her spine.
Then, in an instant, Ryker's wolf form vanished, leaving behind only a faint trace of his presence. The darker wolf, meanwhile, slunk away, its tail between its legs.
Lena's mind reeled as she stumbled backward, her heart racing with excitement and fear. What had she just witnessed? And what did it mean for her, for Ryker, and for the village of Ashwood?
As she struggled to make sense of the chaos, a faint scratching sound echoed from the door. Lena's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Ryker – in his human form, she hoped – was waiting outside.
With trembling hands, Lena opened the door, revealing Ryker's imposing figure. His eyes, still gleaming with a hint of wildness, locked onto hers, and Lena felt her very soul tremble.
"Come with me, Lena," Ryker said, his voice low and urgent. "We need to talk."
Without waiting for her response, Ryker reached out, grasping Lena's wrist in a firm, yet gentle, grip. And with that, he pulled her out into the moonlit night, leaving behind the safety of her cottage and plunging her into a world of mystery, danger, and ancient secrets.