Caleb's POV
The forest was alive with chaos as Caleb sprinted forward, dragging Elena behind him. The rogue's trap was closing in on them, and the ground itself seemed to fight their every step. Roots twisted upward, forming barriers that forced them to dodge and weave. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to shift into his wolf form, but he couldn't leave Elena vulnerable.
"Keep moving!" he shouted over the cacophony of snapping branches and rumbling earth.
Elena's hand tightened in his, her breathing heavy but determined. "What's happening, Caleb? Why is this happening?"
He didn't answer immediately, his mind racing. Darian's words echoed in his head: She's the key. The obelisk's power, the strange symbols—it was all connected to her, and he had to figure out why before it was too late.
"Darian's playing with something he doesn't understand," Caleb finally said. "And it's tied to you. We need to figure this out, but first, we need to survive."
The rogue's laughter echoed through the forest, chilling and triumphant. Caleb risked a glance over his shoulder and saw Darian standing atop a twisted mound of roots, his hands glowing with unnatural energy.
"You can't run forever!" Darian called, his voice mocking. "This forest belongs to me now."
Caleb growled low in his throat, his wolf clawing at the surface, begging to be released. But he knew this fight wasn't about brute strength—it was about protecting Elena and uncovering the truth.
They broke through a particularly thick patch of underbrush, stumbling into a small clearing. Caleb stopped, his chest heaving as he scanned their surroundings. They couldn't keep running blindly; they needed a plan.
"Elena," he said, turning to her. "We have to—"
His words were cut off as the ground beneath them trembled violently. Elena gasped, clutching his arm for balance. The air grew colder, and a deep, unnatural howl echoed through the forest.
"What now?" Elena whispered, her voice barely audible.
Caleb didn't answer. His eyes were locked on the trees surrounding the clearing. Shadows moved among them, too fast and too large to be human.
"Rogues," he said, his voice a growl.
---
Elena's POV
Elena's heart raced as she followed Caleb's gaze. The shadows in the trees grew closer, their forms becoming clearer. Wolves—large, feral, and unlike any she'd ever seen before—emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light.
"Caleb..." she whispered, fear tightening her throat.
"I see them," he replied, stepping in front of her protectively. His body tensed, and she knew he was ready to shift at a moment's notice.
The wolves circled the clearing, their growls low and menacing. One of them, larger than the rest, stepped forward, its eyes fixed on Caleb.
"You've led her right into our hands," the wolf growled, its voice rough but unmistakably human.
Caleb bared his teeth. "You don't know who you're dealing with."
The rogue laughed, a guttural sound that sent a chill down Elena's spine. "Oh, we know exactly who you are, Caleb. And we know what she is."
Elena's breath caught. What I am?
Before she could process the rogue's words, Caleb shifted. His transformation was seamless, his powerful wolf form standing between her and the rogues. He snarled, his golden eyes blazing with fury.
The rogue wolves lunged.
---
Caleb's POV
The first rogue came at him with teeth bared, but Caleb was faster. He sidestepped the attack and lunged, his jaws closing around the rogue's neck. The wolf yelped, but Caleb didn't let go, shaking it violently before tossing it aside.
Two more rogues attacked simultaneously, their movements coordinated. Caleb met them head-on, his claws raking across one's side while his teeth sank into the other's shoulder.
"Caleb!" Elena's voice cut through the chaos, filled with both fear and determination.
He spared a glance at her and saw one of the rogues breaking away from the fight, heading straight for her.
A surge of protectiveness overwhelmed him. With a snarl, he charged, intercepting the rogue just before it could reach her. He slammed into it with full force, sending it sprawling.
"Elena, stay back!" he growled, his voice deep and rough in his wolf form.
But Elena didn't listen. She grabbed a thick branch from the ground and swung it with all her strength at an approaching rogue. The wolf yelped and stumbled back, surprised by the blow.
Caleb felt a surge of pride mixed with frustration. She was brave, but she didn't understand the danger she was in.
The fight continued, brutal and unrelenting. Caleb's wolf instincts took over, guiding his movements as he fought to protect Elena. The clearing was a blur of fur, teeth, and blood, but he didn't falter.
Finally, the rogues began to retreat, their injuries too severe to continue. Caleb stood in the center of the clearing, his chest heaving as he watched them disappear into the shadows.
---
Elena's POV
Elena dropped the branch, her hands trembling as the adrenaline began to wear off. The clearing was silent now, save for the sound of Caleb's heavy breathing.
He shifted back into his human form, his body covered in cuts and bruises. He approached her, his golden eyes filled with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft.
She nodded, though her legs felt like they might give out at any moment. "What... what did they mean? About me?"
Caleb hesitated, his jaw tightening. "We'll figure it out," he said, though his tone betrayed his unease.
Elena looked at him, searching his eyes for answers. She knew he was hiding something, but now wasn't the time to push.
"We need to get out of here," she said finally, her voice steadier than she felt.
Caleb nodded, taking her hand. "Let's go."
As they left the clearing, Elena couldn't shake the rogue's words from her mind. What did they mean? What am I?
She didn't know the answers yet, but one thing was certain: she was more connected to the mysteries of Blackwood Hollow than she had ever imagined.
---