igan

y eyes fluttered open. My head throbbed, and my vis

put. It belonged to an old woman with wrinkles etched deeply in

naged to croak, my v

he healer of these woods, child. The o

stions, but she gently hushed

was filled with dried herbs, hanging from the ceiling, and strange-looking potions

my wolf

e looks

ang

, I have a lot on my mind, I wo

word again, I coul

e, lifeless and still, haunted me. He had been a pain, but I never

," she said, her voice soothing. "You were found in the middle of the fore

ip. The warmth spread through my body, and I sud

asked once more,

You were brought here by some good samaritans who found you. They told me they di

ck hazy memories of their voices, talking and

t he took his last breath. His lifeless body ap

g wisdom. She sensed my turmoil. I was beginning to realize there

s glassy eyes seemingly watching over the hut. This wolf pelt seemed to be more than just

suring, and I felt like I was in the presence of a wise sage. There was more to this hut and this

**

igan'

t coming and going had me baffled, her interactions with the villagers deepening my intrigue. Each

e in my direction. "You are beautiful," she would remark with a

he one Lucien often bore in his wolf form. It was an unsettling omen that sent shivers down my spine, and it did not escape Crystal, my vigil

is place, something's

smissive, maintained my

no need for panic. We're safe he

persisted, her fear

erous. That bag – it's a sign. W

ness refused to y

tal, but we need to trust the old

etermination. In doing so, I unwittingly silenced my onl

**

ld healer who had refused to reveal her name started moving about, placing

usement as she began gathering herbs and arranging her primitive tools. "W

in me and the disquieting sense that something extraordinary, perhaps even dangerous,

ce a mixture of intrigue and un

me. "A guest is coming. One who is both familiar

ers dancing with purpose, and I couldn't help but be drawn f

nger?" I inquired, the questions bubbling u

d with secrets held close to h

ed. We continued to work together in silence, and it wasn't long bef

, Crystal, whispered h

ight. Something is amiss

The old healer

to me like a shadow. And in the back of my mind, I couldn't

d me with stories of her life, her voice a soothing tonic for my frayed nerves. She

hts. Dante's face, his heart-rending pleas for help, replayed i

t a mix of relief and nervousness. My thoughts were all over

coming true, a dark and eerie aura surrounding him. It was as if he had e

in my mind, her voice was clear and haunting: "I warned you." The gravity

spered in shock,