Chapter 20

Devon ran through the forest with all the speed his small legs could muster, his heart pounding in his chest. The shadows stretched long and dark as the sun began to dip below the horizon. As he neared the village, his mind raced with the events that had just transpired. He burst through the door of Estella’s shop with a loud slam, startling her from her work.

“Devon!” Estella exclaimed, rushing toward him. The sight of her son, pale and sweating, his usually bright eyes now clouded with fear, sent a jolt of panic through her. She knelt at his level, her hands on his shoulders. “What happened? Where is Aris?”

Devon’s breath came in quick, shallow gasps. He took a moment to gather himself, then recounted the events in the forest. “There is a group of people… intruders in the forest,” he said, his voice trembling but clear. “They’re not ordinary people. They are very strong and they wear blue-colored uniforms. Aris said that they might be from a strong pack, and he stayed behind to dela