~HAZEL~

"Ashton, what are you doing?" I demand, concern evident in my voice. I was worried about him. He was fighting back and refusing to comply with their requests, despite my earlier instruction for him to do so.

Now, there were numerous creatures hunting us—feral, snarling beasts with glowing eyes—and it felt as though we were being cornered, even though we stood in the midst of a vast forest that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions.

"Shh," he whispers urgently, glancing ...