The air was crisp and alive as Elena Hayes steered her old station wagon along the winding mountain road. It had been years since she'd felt this sense of freedom—a clean slate, untouched by the weight of her past. She glanced at the map spread out on the passenger seat, the name Blackwood Hollow circled in red.
"Almost there," she whispered, as if saying it aloud might make it real.
Blackwood Hollow was a quiet town nestled in the heart of a sprawling forest. It was the perfect place to start over, far from prying eyes and suffocating expectations. Her new job as the town veterinarian promised just enough work to keep her busy, without the chaos of the city she'd left behind.
As she rounded a curve, the first flicker of unease crept into her chest. The towering trees on either side of the road seemed to close in, their bare branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The dense forest cast deep shadows, even under the pale afternoon sun. Elena shook her head, brushing off the feeling. She was being ridiculous.
Her thoughts shifted as she spotted the town sign:
Welcome to Blackwood Hollow – Population 2,135.
The letters were weathered and faded, as though the sign had been there for decades. The sight made her smile despite herself. This was exactly what she needed: simplicity.
But as her car rolled into the town's center, the sensation of being watched returned. She scanned the quiet streets, lined with quaint storefronts and lampposts adorned with early winter garlands. Everything appeared normal. So why did it feel like someone—or something—was waiting for her?
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Elena shook off the unease and pulled into the gravel lot of her new home: a small, rustic cabin just outside the main town. The landlord had described it as "cozy with character," which she quickly realized meant old and in need of repairs. Still, it was hers, and it was a far cry from the cramped apartment she'd left behind.
She stepped out of the car, breathing in the scent of pine and crisp winter air. The silence was profound, broken only by the distant caw of a crow. Elena stretched, her joints protesting after the long drive.
"Home sweet home," she murmured, grabbing her duffel bag and heading for the porch.
The wooden steps creaked under her weight, a reminder to tread carefully. As she unlocked the door, she paused. The feeling of being watched prickled at her skin again. She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the edge of the woods that surrounded the cabin. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, but there was no one there.
With a shrug, she stepped inside.
---
The cabin was simple but functional: a small living room with a stone fireplace, an equally tiny kitchen, and a bedroom tucked to the side. A few personal touches—some throw blankets, her favorite books, and a picture of her late mother—would make it feel like home soon enough.
After unpacking a few essentials, Elena decided to explore the area. The woods, though a little unnerving, also held an undeniable allure. She slipped on her jacket and boots, stepping onto the back porch that overlooked the forest.
The sun was dipping lower on the horizon, casting golden light through the trees. She ventured down the narrow path that wound into the woods, the air growing cooler with each step.
It wasn't long before she heard it—a low, distant howl.
She froze, her pulse quickening. Wolves weren't uncommon in mountainous areas, but the sound was deeper, more resonant than she'd imagined. It sent a chill down her spine, though she couldn't tell if it was fear or fascination.
Another howl followed, closer this time. Elena turned to head back to the cabin, but stopped when movement caught her eye.
A shadow darted between the trees, fast and silent. Her breath hitched. Whatever it was, it was big—and it was watching her.
"Okay, time to go," she muttered, backing up the trail.
The moment she turned, she stumbled over a root, landing hard on her hands and knees. Before she could get up, a growl rumbled from the shadows behind her. She whipped her head around, her heart pounding as a massive, silver wolf stepped into view.
It stood at the edge of the path, its piercing amber eyes locked on hers. For a moment, neither of them moved.
Elena's instincts screamed at her to run, but something in the wolf's gaze held her frozen. There was intelligence there, something almost human in the way it studied her.
When it took a step forward, her breath caught.
"Stay back," she whispered, though her voice barely carried.
The wolf paused, tilting its head as if it understood her. Then, as quickly as it appeared, it turned and melted back into the trees, leaving her shaken and breathless.
Elena scrambled to her feet, stumbling back to the cabin as the forest seemed to close in around her.
---
Inside, she bolted the door and pressed her back against it, her thoughts racing. What had just happened? Wolves didn't act like that—or look at humans like that.
She shook her head, laughing nervously at herself. "You're just tired, Elena. Long drive, new place. Nothing to worry about."
But as she peered out the window into the darkening woods, the image of those amber eyes refused to leave her mind.
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Elena's POV
Her hands trembled as she pulled the curtain closed. She told herself she'd imagined it—that the wolf hadn't truly been looking at her like that. But the memory of those amber eyes burned in her mind, vivid and unrelenting.
She paced the small living room, trying to shake the lingering unease. The fireplace stood cold and empty, but starting a fire seemed impossible with how her hands shook.
Instead, she grabbed her phone and dialed the only number she had in town.
"Hello?" A warm, familiar voice answered after a few rings.
"Hi, Dr. Langston," Elena said, her voice a little steadier than she felt. "It's Elena Hayes. I just arrived in Blackwood Hollow."
"Elena! Welcome to town! How's the cabin treating you?"
"It's... great," she said, though the word felt hollow. She hesitated, unsure if she should mention what she'd just seen. "I, uh, thought I'd check in."
"Well, you're starting in the clinic tomorrow, but if you need anything tonight, just let me know. There's not much excitement around here—unless you count the occasional stray wolf or bear."
"Wolves," she repeated softly.
"Yep, the forests are full of them. But don't worry—they tend to avoid people. Just don't leave food outside, and you'll be fine."
Elena forced a laugh, thanked him, and hung up. But the reassurance did little to calm her nerves.
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Caleb's POV
From the shadows of the forest, Caleb Rowan watched the cabin lights flicker to life. He'd meant to stay away—hell, he'd tried. But the moment he caught her scent, curiosity had dragged him closer.
She smelled... different. Sweet, like wildflowers after a storm. Nothing like the humans he avoided at all costs.
When she'd fallen on the trail, it had taken every ounce of his control not to step closer. Her wide, terrified eyes had pierced through him like a blade. For a second, he'd been tempted to shift back to his human form and speak to her. To tell her she had nothing to fear.
But that wasn't true, was it?
"She doesn't belong here," Caleb muttered to himself, his voice low and rough.
Lila's voice broke through his thoughts. "You're slipping, Caleb."
He turned to find his younger sister leaning casually against a tree, her arms crossed over her chest. Her sharp features were illuminated by the moonlight, her expression one of amusement.
"I wasn't following her," Caleb said defensively.
"Really? Because it looks like you've been lurking here for the past hour." Lila pushed off the tree and walked toward him, her boots crunching softly in the snow. "Who is she, anyway?"
"The new vet," Caleb said, his voice clipped.
Lila's brows shot up. "The human?"
"Yes. And she's none of our concern."
Lila smirked, but there was an edge to it. "You sure about that? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you've got a little too much concern."
Caleb growled low in his throat, a warning, but Lila wasn't fazed. She never was.
"She's in our territory," Lila continued. "Victor's pack is already sniffing around, looking for weak spots. You think they won't notice her? That they won't use her to get to us?"
"I'll handle it," Caleb snapped.
"You'd better," Lila said, her tone turning serious. "Because if you don't, someone else will."
Caleb watched as she disappeared into the shadows, her words lingering in the cold air.
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Elena's POV
Sleep didn't come easily that night. Elena tossed and turned, her mind replaying the strange events in the woods. Every creak of the cabin made her heart race, and more than once, she found herself staring out the window, half-expecting to see those amber eyes again.
By the time dawn broke, she was exhausted but determined. She couldn't let a strange encounter—or her own imagination—derail her new beginning.
She showered, dressed, and packed her bag for her first day at the clinic. The morning sun filtered through the trees, chasing away the shadows of the night before.
But as she stepped outside, she froze.
On the porch, just a few feet from the door, lay a single white flower. Dew clung to its petals, glistening in the morning light.
Elena frowned, her heart pounding. She glanced around, but the forest was still and silent.
Had someone been here?
Her fingers hovered over the flower, then hesitated. Something told her this wasn't an ordinary gesture.
And for the first time, she wondered if Blackwood Hollow was hiding more than just wolves.
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