se undergrowth. He had been running for what felt like hours, his muscles burning with exertion and his lun

dn't risk being caught out in the open when the sun rose fully, exposing him to the dangers that lurked in the

ainst the forest floor. As he entered the clearing, he felt a sense of relief wash over hi

rifting back to the events of the previous night. He couldn't shake the memory of Lyla from hi

her, something he couldn't quite explain, that drew him in like a moth to a flame. His wolf, Ray, had b

nter had been f

barn. The rage had surged through him like a wildfire, threatening to consume him whole. He h

ge to unleash his fury. He couldn't afford to scare Lyla, not when she was already so vulnerable. So

beat of his heart. But Dranco knew he couldn't afford to dwell on her any longer. Ray n

nger gnawed at his stomach, a reminder of the physical toll his journey had taken on him.

coursing through his veins. He may be on the run, hunted like a common criminal, but he refused to let fear or doubt hold him bac

ged gasps. Ray urged him on, pushing him to run faster, to catch their prey before it could escape. But Dranco cou

ar, he transformed into Ray, his muscles bulging as he pounced on the unsuspecting animal

Dranco couldn't shake the nagging voice of doubt

his head. "Can't do anything w

when he noticed them – a pack of other werewolves, strange and disfigured, with scars marring their bod

him alone and vulnerable in his human form. Dranco cursed under his breath, w

his fur, stepped forward, his eyes filled with menace. "You dare trespass in

isn't your prize. Buzz off somewhere else bef

't having it as the

erve yo

ked tirelessly for that bull," he retorted defiantly. "If you want it, you'l

against a nearby tree with a force that knocked the breath from his lungs. "You

down. "I will not surrender to you or anyone else," he spat, his

had, using his own claws to fend off his attackers and protect himself from harm. Two of the wolves lurched at him, snarling and pouncing but he rolled away on the ground

rogue wolves fought with a ferocity that bordered on madness, their eyes filled wi

his mind, taunting him with his own weakness and inadequacy. But Dranco refused to give up. With a surge of adrenaline,

emerged victorious. The leader of the rogue pack lay

Dranco sank to his knees, exhausted and battered but triumphant. Ray's laugh

ad afterall." Dranco grunted

al by fire. But when he looked up, they were approaching him again, this time they were more in number. As he got r

orthy of us!" On

ed to us!" The

ng time before they surrounded him, marched to a chant and then bowed i

land, Your Majesty. We have