The mist clung to the air like a suffocating blanket, winding its tendrils through the tall trees lining the road. The world felt suspended in time, the faint hum of Lena Woods' car the only sound in the stillness of the night. She'd driven this stretch of country road countless times before, on her way to work at the small veterinary clinic that she ran with her colleague Tobin. But tonight, something felt different.

The fog was thicker than usual, shrouding everything ahead in an eerie quiet. The headlights from her car sliced through the mist, casting long shadows along the deserted road. The atmosphere felt heavier than it should, as if the world was holding its breath.

Lena wasn't sure why she had that feeling. Perhaps it was the oppressive silence, or the way the fog seemed to have taken on a life of its own, swirling and shifting with every breeze.

Her hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as she drove, her mind occupied with the usual thoughts of work—patients to tend to, appointments to schedule, the usual veterinary tasks that filled her days. But the unsettling feeling lingered, brushing at the back of her mind like a whisper.

And then she saw it.

In the middle of the road, just a few yards ahead, was a dark figure. Her foot instinctively hit the brakes, the car screeching against the wet asphalt as it came to a sharp stop.

Lena's breath caught in her throat.

At first glance, it looked like a large animal. A dog, perhaps. But something about the way it lay there, motionless, made her stomach churn. It was almost as though the creature was waiting, waiting for her to get closer.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes narrowing in the dim light. The dog didn't move, didn't twitch, but the blood-soaked fur covering its side made Lena's pulse spike.

Lena's hands trembled as she turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, her boots crunching against the gravel of the roadside. The cool night air wrapped around her, and the fog, thick as smoke, seemed to swallow up the world around her.

As she approached the animal, Lena's gaze lingered on the bloodstains that marred its coat. She could hear nothing but the sound of her own breathing, the rush of adrenaline in her veins. The animal was so still, so lifeless in its pose, that for a moment, Lena thought it might already be dead.

But as she knelt down beside it, she noticed its chest rise, just the slightest hint of life. A shallow breath, barely perceptible.

A wave of relief washed over her, mixed with a deep, gnawing concern. There was so much blood. The dog's side was ripped open, and its fur was caked with dried, dark stains. There was no way it had gotten here on its own. Someone—or something—had hurt it badly.

Her heart pounded as she assessed the creature's condition. She had seen her fair share of injured animals—strays, wildlife, the occasional deer struck by a car—but this was different. There was a strange energy emanating from the animal, an inexplicable presence that made her skin crawl. She had the unnerving feeling that the creature was more than just a dog.

Her hand hovered over its body, but she paused before touching it. A low growl, deep and feral, rumbled from the creature's throat, sending a jolt of fear through her. The sound was primal, a warning that she understood on a gut level. But the growl wasn't a normal dog's growl. It was… more. Stronger. Raw.

Lena didn't move. She held her breath, her fingers twitching with the instinct to help, despite the fear building in her chest.

"It's okay," she whispered, her voice soft but steady. "I'm not going to hurt you."

The growl subsided, but the creature's golden eyes, glowing faintly in the darkness, remained locked onto hers. The tension in the air thickened, the weight of those eyes pressing into her soul. It was as if the dog was seeing straight through her, as if it was searching for something—an answer, or perhaps a reason.

Lena swallowed the lump in her throat and slowly, cautiously, laid a hand on the creature's fur. To her surprise, the dog didn't recoil. Instead, it let out a sigh, and for a brief moment, the fierce tension in the air dissipated.

Her hand moved gently, stroking the matted fur, seeking to calm the creature. But something about the situation felt off. She didn't know why, but Lena felt an undeniable pull toward this animal—like she had known it all her life. The sensation was foreign and strange, but it was there, tugging at the deepest part of her being.

Lena's gaze softened as she continued to stroke the animal. "I'll help you. Just stay with me."

Her voice was steady, though the weight of the situation pressed heavily on her. She knew she couldn't leave this animal here, not like this. No matter how dangerous it might seem, she couldn't just walk away. Not when it looked at her with such raw, helpless eyes.

She carefully scooped the dog into her arms, the weight of its body startling her. It was larger than she expected, and the deep, rasping breath it took seemed to send a shudder through her chest. As she lifted it, she felt the sharp outline of something under its skin, a shift in the muscle, something that didn't feel quite right. But there was no time to dwell on it. She needed to get it to her car.

Carrying the dog back to the vehicle was no easy feat. Lena's hands were slick with the blood that continued to seep from the wounds, but she didn't hesitate. She moved with purpose, determined to save this creature.

Once the dog was safely inside the passenger seat, Lena quickly hopped into the driver's side. Her mind raced as she started the car, the engine roaring to life. She glanced at the creature beside her, noting its labored breathing, the golden eyes still watching her intently.

As the car sped down the road, Lena's thoughts spiraled in confusion. What was going on? She had never encountered anything like this before. She had worked with all kinds of animals, but this—this was different. This was something else entirely.

A strange energy seemed to radiate from the creature, filling the car with an unsettling presence. Lena shook her head, trying to push the thought away. It was just an injured dog. Nothing more. She was probably just exhausted from the long day at work, her mind playing tricks on her.

But deep down, she knew that was a lie.

Lena moved quickly, her heartbeat thudding in her ears as she carefully carried the dog inside her modest home. Her vet's clinic was small, but her home was cozier, though cluttered with shelves of medical supplies, half-finished projects, and the remnants of her life as a healer. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, and the soft glow of a few scattered lamps illuminated the small, comfortable space.

She set the dog down on her couch, already rummaging through her medical kit. She had seen animals in far worse condition, but something about this one felt… different. It was as if she were standing on the edge of something dangerous, something she didn't fully understand.

She worked quickly, her hands steady as she cleaned the wounds. She applied antiseptic, carefully bandaging the worst of the injuries. Her movements were practiced, though her mind continued to race, every instinct in her telling her that this was no ordinary animal.

As she worked, Lena felt that strange connection grow stronger. She couldn't explain it. There was something familiar about the dog. Something… otherworldly.

His eyes flickered, glowing faintly as she tended to him. Lena froze for a moment, staring into those eyes, unable to look away. They were too human, too intelligent. Not like any animal's gaze she'd ever seen.

Before she could process what was happening, the howl came.

A distant, bone-chilling sound that echoed through the night. It was like nothing Lena had ever heard before. The howl was deep, resonating with a power that made her chest tighten, her breath caught in her throat.

Lena stood up, her mind spinning. The dog stirred beside her, his eyes flicking to the window, and for a moment, they shared a look. She knew, deep d