Serena pushed herself to keep up with the group, her body protesting every step as they raced through the dense forest. The sounds of the forest felt oddly distant, replaced by the pounding of her heart and the thudding of her feet against the earth. The wolves were close she could almost feel them tracking them, getting nearer with every breath.
Callum moved ahead, swift and sure, while Ronan's usual playful demeanor was gone, his sharp focus now on the task at hand. Ivy kept her position at the back, eyes scanning the woods with practiced caution.
"How much longer?" Serena gasped, trying to keep pace despite her burning legs.
Ronan glanced back. "Not much further. But we need to hurry."
The trees loomed taller, and the space around them grew darker, their path narrowing. Serena could sense the oppressive silence surrounding them, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
"Do you feel that?" Callum murmured, his voice low.
"Yeah," Ronan replied, stopping briefly to survey their surroundings. "Something's wrong."
Before Serena could ask more, a low growl sounded from the trees, sending a cold chill down her spine.
"They're behind us," Ivy murmured.
"Keep going!" Callum barked, not pausing for a second.
The growl deepened, and the unmistakable sound of wolves running followed. Serena's pulse quickened. They were too close.
Without warning, a dark figure darted from the trees, a massive wolf with glowing yellow eyes. It was faster than Serena could react, but Ronan was already in front of her, his hand outstretched, blocking her from moving further.
"Stay behind me!" Ronan growled, his posture defensive.
The wolf snarled, its teeth flashing. It was powerful, and its hunger was clear. Callum took a step forward, eyes locked on the creature, ready for a fight.
"We don't have time for this," Ronan muttered.
But before they could act, more growls sounded from deeper in the forest. A chorus of wolves began to emerge, surrounding them on all sides.
"We're trapped," Ronan said, his voice tense.
"The wolves are everywhere. We have to reach the haven now."
The wolves were closing in quickly, and Serena could feel her heart pounding in her chest. They were surrounded with no way out.
"Run!" Callum shouted.
And just like that, they broke into a sprint, racing through the woods with the wolves hot on their heels. Serena's body protested, each step feeling like it might be her last, but she pushed herself harder, desperation fueling her every movement.
The sound of wolves chasing them grew louder, more menacing. They couldn't stop now there was no turning back.
Finally, as if by miracle, the trees began to thin, and the sight of the Lycan haven appeared ahead.
"We're almost there," Ronan said, his relief palpable.
The haven, a massive stone structure covered in ivy, stood at the edge of the clearing. The shimmering wards around it pulsed faintly, a protective barrier that kept the wolves at bay.
As they neared the entrance, the pack of wolves halted, just outside the clearing, growling in frustration. They could go no further.
"We made it," Callum said, catching his breath.
Serena collapsed to the ground, her legs weak from exhaustion. They had reached safety for now. But she knew this was only the beginning.
The wolves couldn't enter, but Serena couldn't shake the feeling that the danger was far from over.