The forest was alive with whispers.
Ursula stood at the edge of the Blackwood Forest, her silver hair shinning under the blood-red moon. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, but there was something else—something darker, older. It clung to her skin like a second shadow, sending shivers down her spine. She had always been drawn to this place, ever since she was a child. Her grandmother used to tell her stories about the forest, about the wolves that roamed its depths and the ancient curse that bound them. But tonight was different. Tonight, the whispers were louder, more insistent. They called her name.
"Ursula..."
The voice was faint, almost imperceptible, but it was there. It echoed in her mind, tugging at something deep within her. She took a step forward, her boots crunching against the frost-covered leaves. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the usual sounds of nocturnal creatures silenced as if in anticipation.
"Ursula, don't."
The voice was deeper now, more commanding. She turned to see Kragen emerging from the shadows, his golden eyes glowing in the darkness. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his presence both intimidating and reassuring. His dark hair was tousled, and his jaw was set in a hard line. He had warned her not to come here tonight, but Ursula had never been one to follow orders.
"You shouldn't be here," Kragen growled, his voice low and dangerous. "It's not safe."
Ursula crossed her arms, "I can take care of myself."
Kragen's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she thought he might argue. But then he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You don't understand. The blood moon—it changes things. The forest... it's not just a forest tonight. It's alive. And it's hungry."
Ursula opened her mouth to respond, but a sudden chill swept through the air, cutting her off. The whispers grew louder, more frantic, and the ground beneath her feet began to tremble. She stumbled, catching herself against a tree as the earth shook violently.
"What's happening?" she demanded, her voice tinged with fear.
Kragen's expression darkened. "It's starting."
Before she could ask what he meant, a low growl echoed through the trees, sending bunch of panic through her chest. The sound was deep unlike anything she had ever heard. It was the sound of something dangerous.
"Get behind me," Kragen ordered, stepping in front of her.
Ursula wanted to argue, but the look in his eyes stopped her. There was something there—something wild and untamed. It was the look of a predator, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She obeyed, pressing herself against the tree as Kragen's body tensed, ready for whatever was coming.
The growl grew louder, closer, and then the shadows moved.
A massive wolf emerged from the darkness, its fur black as midnight and its eyes glowing like molten gold. It was unlike any wolf Ursula had ever seen,larger, more powerful. It snarled, baring its teeth as it stalked toward them.
Kragen didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his own eyes glowing brighter as he faced the beast. "Stay back," he warned Ursula in a low voice.
The wolf attacked , its movements swift and deadly. Kragen met it head-on, the two colliding . Ursula watched in horror as they fought, the sounds of snarls and snapping jaws filling the air. She wanted to help, but she was frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest.
The battle was fierce, but Kragen was stronger. With a final, powerful swipe, he sent the wolf crashing into a tree. It whimpered, its glowing eyes dimming as it slumped to the ground. Kragen stood over it, breathing heavily as he glared down at the defeated beast.
But the victory was short-lived.
The ground shook again, more violently this time, the air grew thick with a suffocating energy. Ursula gasped, clutching her chest as a wave of dizziness washed over her. The whispers were much stronger now, voices screaming in her mind.
"Ursula... Ursula... Ursula..."
Kragen turned to her, his expression filled with urgency. "We have to go. Now."
She wanted to argue, to demand answers, but the look in his eyes silenced her. He grabbed her hand, pulling her away from the tree and into the forest. They ran, the ground trembling beneath their feet as the shadows closed in around them.
The forest was alive, and it was hunting them.
As they ran, Ursula's mind raced. What was happening? What had they awakened? And why did the whispers know her name?
They burst into a spot, the moonlight illuminating the space like a spotlight. Kragen stopped, his grip on her hand tightening as he looked through the area. "We're not alone," he muttered.
Ursula followed his gaze, her heart skipping a beat as she saw them.
Figures emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with the same golden light as Kragen's. They were wolves, but not like the one they had fought. These were different,larger, more powerful, and radiating an aura of ancient power. They moved with a grace that was almost unnatural, their eyes locked on Ursula with an intensity that made her blood run cold.
Kragen stepped in front of her, his body tense as he faced the newcomers. "Stay back," he warned with a low voice.
One of the wolves stepped forward, its eyes glowing as it studied Kragen. "You brought her here,"with a harsh voice it said"You know what this means."
Kragen's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond.
The wolf's gaze shifted to Ursula, and she felt a chill run down her spine. "The blood moon has awakened the curse," it said. "And she is the key."
Ursula's breath caught in her throat. "What are you talking about?"
But before the wolf could respond, the ground shook again, and the air was filled with a dark roar. The wolves turned, their eyes widening in fear as a massive shadow emerged from the forest.
It was a wolf, but unlike any Ursula had ever seen. Its fur was black as night, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent red light. It was larger than the others, its presence radiating an aura of pure evil.
Kragen's grip on her hand tightened. "Run," he said, his voice filled with urgency.
But it was too late.
The wolf attacked, its movements swift and deadly. Kragen pushed Ursula out of the way, meeting the beast head-on. The two fought, the sounds nails and snapping jaws filling the air.
Ursula stumbled, her heart pounding as she watched the battle unfold. She wanted to help, but she was frozen in place, her mind racing with questions.
What was happening? What had they awakened? And why did the wolves keep calling her the key?
As the battle raged on, the whispers grew louder, more insistent. They filled her mind, drowning out everything else.
"Ursula... Ursula... Ursula..."
And then, everything went black.