Pack?

They went silent, watching her closely, as if waiting for her to understand on her own.

“You mean another pack of wolves?” Snow thought. The words carried a shaky laugh, though her trembling hands betrayed the fear twisting in her chest. Running was an option, but her feet refused to move. They felt anchored to the ground, heavier with every heartbeat. She had never seen anything like this before. Wolves that were not just wolves. Their eyes were too sharp, too knowing, too human.

For a long time, no one spoke. The forest filled the silence with only the faint whistle of wind through the branches and the damp, earthy smell that clung to the air. Snow swallowed hard, her throat dry, lips parting but refusing to form words.

Finally, Sirnala broke the silence. Her voice was soft, but there was a bite of doubt beneath it. “Are you sure we have the right one?” she whispered. Her glowing eyes narrowed as they studied Snow, searching for something invisible.

The others shifted uneasily, their paws pressing into the soil, tails flicking slowly in unspoken tension.

Saki lowered her head, voice barely audible. “We have to tell her… about him.”

Snow’s breath caught in her chest. Her heart raced so fast it felt like it would burst. The words echoed inside her head, sharp and urgent. About him? Who? Who are they talking about?

The question rose unbidden in her thoughts. Who are you talking about?

The wolves froze. Their glowing eyes flickered with surprise, ears twitching as though they had heard her clearly.

Surya stepped forward, her voice low and firm. “No. I do not think she is ready for it.”

Snow shook her head quickly, tears welling up. No, no, no, her mind cried desperately. Her hands flew to her temples, pressing hard as if she could block them out, stop their words from seeping into her. Her chest heaved with ragged breaths.

She turned suddenly, stumbling back, and then she ran. Her feet tore across the forest floor, tripping over roots and scraping against rocks. Branches clawed at her arms and face, leaving thin scratches that stung as she pushed forward blindly. She had no direction, only one desperate need: escape.

The forest darkened around her. Mist thickened, curling higher until it wrapped around the trees like smoke. Every shadow looked alive, stretching, reaching for her.

“You cannot run away from this.”

The voice boomed, deep and unshaken, shaking the ground beneath her.

Snow froze mid-step, her body stiff as ice. Her breath came out in sharp bursts, her chest tightening.

A rush of wind tore through the trees, sharp and sudden, pulling the mist aside. The air bent around her, humming with power. And then, standing before her, was Senar.

Snow gasped and stumbled backward.

A sound like the forest exhaling filled the air, a whoosh that echoed through the trees.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Your legs… they… how did you…?”

Because Senar was no longer a wolf.

Before her eyes, she had transformed into a woman. Her long white hair glowed faintly, flowing down her back like a river of frost. Her eyes still burned with that piercing light, but now they were set in a human face. Sharp, calm, and breathtaking in a way that felt more dangerous than comforting. She stood tall, her movements deliberate and graceful, as though she carried the weight of the forest with her every step.

Snow’s mouth parted. Her thoughts stumbled over themselves. You’re… human.

Senar’s lips curved faintly, but the expression was without warmth. “I can do this,” she said softly. Her voice was smooth, steady, filled with quiet power. She paused, letting the silence press down harder, then added, “And more.”

Snow’s hand shook violently at her side. She took a step back, but the ground was soft and damp. Her heel sank into the earth, making her feel as though the forest itself was holding her in place.

Senar moved closer, her glowing eyes never leaving Snow’s face. “You were brought here for a reason,” she said calmly, though her tone left no room for argument.

Snow shook her head furiously, tears spilling over her cheeks. I did not ask for this. I do not even know who I am here. Please… I just want to go back.

But Senar’s face did not soften. Her eyes stayed steady, unshaken by Snow’s plea, as though nothing she could say would change what was already decided.

Behind her, the others began to shift as well. Their forms blurred and twisted, fur fading into skin, until they too stood as humans. Their glowing eyes remained, watching her in silence, their presence pressing down heavier than words.

Snow’s knees wobbled.

Senar raised her hand slowly, every movement graceful, controlled. The air stilled around her, as though waiting for her command.

Then Surya’s voice cut through. “We will let you go.” Her tone was strong but heavy, as if the words weighed her down.

Snow’s breath hitched. Her heart lifted for a brief, trembling moment.

But Surya’s next words fell like ice. “…But remember, we will be back for you.”

Snow’s body went rigid. Her lips parted, but no sound came. Fear burned in her chest, sharp and consuming.

Then it happened.

Her eyes rolled back suddenly. Her head tilted upward, mouth opening in a sharp gasp. Her body stiffened, frozen in place as though seized by an unseen force.

Her breath came in ragged shudders. Her eyes, once dark, turned a blinding white, brighter than her hair. Her skin began to glow faintly, light seeping through her like fire under thin glass.

The wolves, now human, lowered their heads in silence. None moved. None spoke. It was as though they had been waiting for this moment.

Snow gasped again, louder this time, her chest rising sharply. Her face tilted toward the unseen sky, her lips trembling as if she might scream but no sound came.

And then, like the snap of a flame being smothered, everything went black.

Her body collapsed to the ground.

The forest fell into silence.