The Forest Pact

aring, her breath coming in steady, measured intervals as she adjusted the strap of her backpack. The sun was setting behind the hills, casting a warm golden hue over the landsc

e to study

untamed, but there was something ancient about it too, something that whispered of secrets long forgotten. Aurora had always been drawn to the wilderness, to

r into the forest. The wolves were here. Somewhere in the distance, she could hear the faint so

understand how they interacted with the ecosystem. But the more she learned, the more she realized there was

e rumored to be guardians of the forest, but she had dis

Her instincts kicked in, and she froze, her camera still raised. Her eyes darted around, searchi

hroat as she noticed movement in the underbrush a blur of motion, too fast to be a deer, too

en in a deadly snarl. Aurora's heart stopped. She stumbled backward, her legs tangling in the thick u

on her, its growls reverberating through her chest. Her fingers fumbled for the flare

adow in the corner of her vision. Before she could process what was happening, t

eyes locked onto Aurora's, and for a split second, everything else in the world disappeared. He didn't hesitate

down as the creature struggled. His movements were fluid and primal, like he was more part of the forest th

ast cry before it collapsed, lifeless on the forest floor. The man stoo

e step forward. "Th-thank you," she stammered, still too st

ed, his voice deep and gravelly. "B

not just because of his rugged appearance. His clothes were worn and faded, his hair long and unkempt, and his body lean and muscular in a way that sug

line still pumping through her veins. "I was just studying t

body before turning his gaze back to her. His golden eyes seemed to gleam wit

ng them. I'm here to observe. To

her, as if sizing her up, before he spoke again. "They

n her chest. "I'm not just any stranger. I'm a

a half-smile. "If you're serious about protectin

ising even herself. "I'm close to understanding something important.

yes seemed to shimmer with a warning. "Trust me," he said, hi

e forest as silently as he had appeared. Aurora stood there, staring aft

and the strange man's words echoed in her mind. But something about the forest, and about

ay. There was more to this forest than she had realized, and more to the wolves.