The cold wind howled through the dense forest as Amara Winters ran for her life, her breath coming in panicked gasps. Her heart hammered against her ribcage, each beat a desperate plea for survival. She had been reckless, stupid even, to wander into the woods alone on a night like this.

What was I thinking? The thought screamed in her mind as branches scratched at her face and arms. Her flashlight lay abandoned somewhere behind her, its beam extinguished when she'd dropped it during her frantic escape. Now, she was left to navigate the suffocating darkness with only the silver slivers of moonlight breaking through the canopy above.

The snarling was closer now, the sound chilling her to the bone. The heavy thud of paws against the forest floor grew louder, faster.

It's coming.

Amara's lungs burned, and every muscle in her legs screamed for rest, but she couldn't stop. Stopping meant death. Her career as a journalist had taught her to push boundaries, to chase stories others were too afraid to touch, but tonight, she'd crossed a line.

She had followed whispers—rumors of strange animal attacks that have caused death near the edge of town. It had sounded like a thrilling headline, the kind of story that could finally get her noticed by her boss. She could already imagine her promotion if this story goes well, and so far it hasn't.

"You risked your life for what? A wild goose chase?"

She clenched her jaw. No. This was supposed to be my chance.

But now, she regretted everything.

A deep, guttural growl broke through her thoughts, closer than ever. She risked a glance over her shoulder, and her heart nearly stopped. The wolf chasing her was massive, its golden eyes glowing with predatory intent. Its teeth gleamed under the moonlight, sharp and ready to tear into her.

I'm going to die.

Her foot caught on a root, and she stumbled, barely managing to catch herself before she fell face-first into the dirt. The wolf lunged, its powerful body a blur as it leaped toward her.

"No!" The scream tore from her throat as she raised her arms instinctively, bracing for the impact.

But it never came.

A second wolf, smaller but just as fierce, collided with the first in mid-air, sending both tumbling into the underbrush. Amara's knees buckled, and she fell back onto the ground, her chest heaving as she stared at the violent scene unfolding before her.

The second wolf was dark, its fur almost black, and it moved with a savage elegance. It was fast, striking with precision, but the larger wolf fought back with raw power. Their snarls and growls filled the air, a terrifying symphony of violence.

Amara's gaze flicked between the two beasts, her mind racing. She should run—every instinct told her to—but her legs felt like lead, frozen in place by equal parts terror and fascination.

Then it happened. The dark wolf swung its paw in a wide arc, aiming for its opponent, but its claws caught her instead.

A searing pain tore through her arm as she cried out, clutching the wound. Blood oozed between her fingers, warm and sticky. The adrenaline flooding her system dulled the pain, but she knew she had to move. Now.

She forced herself to her feet, her entire body trembling. Without looking back, she ran.

The snarls of the wolves faded into the distance as she sprinted toward the edge of the forest, her breath ragged and uneven. The pain in her arm was sharp, but the fear coursing through her veins pushed her onward.

When she finally burst out of the woods and into the open, she collapsed onto her knees, her body trembling. She cradled her injured arm, her thoughts a chaotic jumble.

What the hell just happened?

---

The hospital's fluorescent lights were harsh and unyielding, making the sterile white walls feel even colder. Amara sat on the examination table, clutching her arm while a nurse carefully cleaned the wound.

"It's not as bad as it looks," the nurse said gently. "Just a scratch, really."

"A scratch?" Amara echoed, her voice hollow. She could still feel the heat of the claws raking across her skin. "It didn't feel like a scratch."

The nurse offered her a reassuring smile. "You'll be fine. No signs of infection or anything serious. We'll bandage it up, and you'll be good as new."

Amara nodded absently, but the doctor's words did little to calm the storm in her mind.

That wasn't normal.

The memory of those glowing golden eyes and the ferocity of the dark wolf flashed through her mind. She shivered, wrapping her uninjured arm around herself as though it could shield her from the memory.

---

Amara pushed open the door to her apartment, her body heavy with exhaustion. The familiar scent of coffee and vanilla greeted her, and she instantly spotted Maddie sprawled out on the couch with her laptop.

"There you are!" Maddie said, her voice brimming with curiosity. She set her laptop aside and sat up. "Where have you been?"

Amara shut the door and leaned against it, sighing heavily. "Don't ask."

"That bad, huh?" Maddie grinned. "Let me guess: another dead-end lead?"

Amara shook her head and trudged to the couch, collapsing onto it. She pulled back her sleeve, revealing the fresh bandage.

"Holy crap! What happened?" Maddie exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Wolf," Amara said simply.

"Wolf?" Maddie repeated, her voice pitching higher. "As in, big scary predator? Why do you always get the dangerous assignments?"

Amara shrugged, her exhaustion finally catching up to her. "I was out looking for a story. Found one, all right. Or maybe it found me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Maddie leaned forward, her curiosity piqued.

Amara hesitated, staring at the bandage on her arm. "I don't know. It just… it didn't feel like an ordinary wolf. There was something… different about it. One of them attacked me, but another one…" She trailed off, her brow furrowing.

"Another one what?" Maddie pressed.

"It saved me," Amara said softly, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Maddie blinked, processing the words. "Sounds like the beginning of a fantasy novel to me. A dashing, heroic wolf comes to the rescue. Classic."

Amara shot her a look, but despite herself, a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You have a weird imagination, Maddie."

"Comes with the job," Maddie replied, grinning.

As the night wore on, Maddie returned to her writing, and Amara curled up on the couch. But sleep didn't come easily. The memory of the two wolves, the scratch on her arm, and the strange feeling it left behind all lingered in her mind.

Something about tonight felt like the beginning of something much bigger, something she wasn't ready for.