Rayne POV
Pain flared through my head as I came to, the taste of dirt and blood heavy on my tongue. The forest around me was unnaturally quiet, the air thick with tension.
I pushed myself up, wincing as my ribs protested. Memories of the attack came rushing back like a water wave, Xavier shouting, wolves snarling, and then darkness. My gaze darted around the clearing, searching for any sign of Mateo or Xavier.
"Mateo?" I called, my voice cracking up immediately.
" Mateo, where are you?" I called out again.
No response.
The silence was suffocating.
"Xavier?" I tried again, my heart hammering.
A low growl rumbled behind me. I spun around, my breath catching as I came face-to-face with a shadow wolf, its glowing red eyes locked on me.
It bared its teeth, saliva dripping from its jaws. I staggered back, my mind screaming for me to move, but my legs felt like lead.
The wolf lunged.
