Chapter Nineteen: Close Call

Chapter 19: Close Call

Lyraeus’ POV:

The forest around me was blur as I raced through the underbrush, every muscle in my body straining to move faster. Aria’s scream echoed in my mind, spurring me on. I had seen the Shadow Stalkers drag her away, their swift movements almost imperceptible.

I reached the border of the Shadow Fang territory and paused, my senses alert. The scent of the Stalkers lingered in the air, a trail I could follow. With a growl, I shifted into my Lycan form, feeling the familiar surge of power as my bones and muscles transformed.

Every second counted.

The trail led deeper into the forest, winding through dense thickets and rocky terrain. I moved silently, my heightened senses picking up every sound, every shift in the wind. The scent grew stronger, mingled with the unmistakable odor of damp earth and decaying leaves.

I found the cave entrance, hidden behind a curtain of ivy and moss. The air around it was thick with the smell of the Shadow Stalkers. They were