I swallowed, keeping my voice calm. “Elias, Dane, stay with the wolf. Asher, follow me. We’re going to push forward just enough to see who’s out there.”
Elias hesitated. “You don’t want to do that alone.”
I shook my head. “Not alone. With Asher.”
Asher exhaled sharply. “Fine. But Trinity…” His eyes flicked to mine, the tension in his shoulders clear. “Be careful. Please.”
I gave him a small, firm nod. “I will. Follow my lead.”
We stepped forward cautiously, the forest floor crunching faintly beneath our boots. Then a figure emerged from the shadows. Tall, thin, and moving with deliberate grace. A mask of darkness concealed its face. But the wolf stiffened, hackles rising. Its growl intensified, low and resonant, and I felt the pulse in my mind hammering. Danger. This one… dangerous.
