The trek to the Lycan haven was far more grueling than Serena expected. The forest was dense, with towering trees casting long shadows over the barely visible path. Every step seemed to get caught in thick underbrush, and Serena struggled to keep pace with the group.
Ronan led the way with ease, as though he had been navigating these woods all his life. Ivy, in her usual silent and alert manner, took up the rear, scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger. Callum was somewhere in the middle, his usual confidence replaced with unease.
"I thought we'd be traveling in something less… rustic," Serena muttered as she tripped over another root. "But no, here I am, hiking through the woods like I'm in some historical novel."
Ronan glanced back, grinning. "Welcome to the Lycan world. We don't do modern comforts."
"You mean to tell me you guys don't have, I don't know, a jet or something?" Serena asked, eyebrow raised.
Ivy chuckled from behind her. "A jet? Really? You're in a supernatural story now, sweetheart. Time to leave your modern expectations behind."
Serena rolled her eyes but couldn't help smirking. "Should I be scared or relieved?"
"Probably scared," Ronan answered, his grin widening.
As they pushed deeper into the forest, the mood shifted. The usual sounds of wildlife faded, and the forest felt unnaturally quiet. The stillness hung heavy in the air, and the dense trees seemed to grow closer with each step.
"Do you feel that?" Callum's voice broke the silence, his tone low.
"Yeah," Ronan replied, halting and scanning the surroundings. "Something's wrong."
Serena's anxiety spiked. "What do you mean, wrong?"
Before anyone could answer, a crack echoed from the trees, and everyone froze.
"What was that?" Serena whispered, her heart pounding.
"Stay close," Callum instructed, his voice tense.
Ronan's face hardened. "It's them."
"The wolves?" Serena asked, her stomach twisting.
"Not just wolves," Ivy said, her voice grim. "The pack's trackers have found us."
Without another word, Callum surged forward, increasing his pace. Serena hurried to keep up, adrenaline pumping through her veins.
She glanced back at Ronan, who now wore a serious expression, his usual playfulness gone.
"Ronan, what exactly are we dealing with?" she asked, trying to steady her voice.
Ronan glanced back briefly, his eyes narrowed. "The wolves are fast, but the trackers are something else. They can follow a scent for miles. We have to get to the haven now."
"Do the wards really work to keep them out?" Serena asked, voice shaky.
"They should," Ronan said, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "But the wolves can sometimes find ways around even the strongest protections."
The weight of their situation hit Serena as they continued to push forward. The air was thick with tension, and she couldn't shake the feeling that every step brought them closer to danger.
A sudden rustling in the trees froze them all.
Callum motioned for silence, and they stood still, holding their breath. For a few tense seconds, there was nothing. Then came a low growl, followed by the scraping sound of claws on bark.
"They're here," Ivy whispered, tightening her grip on her bow.
Serena's heart raced as she realized just how exposed they were. The haven felt like their only hope now.
"Run," Callum ordered urgently.
Without hesitation, they broke into a sprint.
Serena's breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself harder to keep up. Her eyes darted nervously around the trees, scanning for any signs of the wolves.
They had to make it to the haven.