Farther from the glow of streetlights, the darkness grew thicker, pressing in on all sides. Only the wolf’s steady pace gave them direction. Each step heightened the sense that something urgent awaited them at their destination.
At last, they reached the edge of a dense forest looming like a great, silent sentinel. The wolf paused, turning her sharp gaze to the humans behind her. Her chest heaved, each breath a testament to both exhaustion and unflagging determination.