The forest was scarily quiet as Aveline and Gabriel led their tired group further from the troubles of the abandoned stronghold. The rogue elder, ever watchful, seemed lost in thought as he walked slowly beside them. The attack by the council's monstrous wolves had left everyone scared and shaken to the bone, but it also showed them how urgent their mission was to stop the creation of the monstrous wolves.
As they regrouped at a temporary camp further inside the forest, Gabriel sat by the fire, his jaw tight as he looked into the flames. Aveline approached, sitting beside him in silence for a moment before speaking.
"They're always one step ahead," she said softly. "It's like they know what we're going to do before we even do it."
Gabriel's hands turned into fists. "Because they've been planning this for years. Maybe decades." He looked straight into her eyes, his blue eyes filled with frustration. "We're chasing shadows, Aveline."
