Fraeya set a demanding pace for Dior and Beluar behind her. The bear encounter hadn’t been unexpected. Everyone who traversed the woodland was prepared for the risks. They could have survived on their own without the wolf's intervention, but at what cost?

Fraeya's heart pounded in excitement and adrenaline. The elders needed to know.

The forest has provided us with a new guardian!

She broke through the tree line and sprinted across the open field. The gates to Unn Thalor, her home, opened and a swarm of Elven soldiers let the patrol pass before creating a defensive perimeter. Fraeya caught her breath and stood tall.

A village elder greeted her. “Welcome home, child. Why have you hastened your return? Are we in danger?”

Fraeya met Ciyradyl's eyes and smiled. “Our god has provided our people with a new forest guardian. We came across a mother bear, and a wolf who had been watching over us risked its life to engage the bear long enough for me to lead these two to safety.”

Ciyradyl nodded in understanding. “One elf in the guard tower thought he saw a bright light in the distance before you showed up.” The elderly woman raised her eyebrow and asked, “Any thoughts on this matter?”

Dior, Beluar, and Fraeya all shook their heads before being dismissed.

The following days grew hotter and longer. It had been several moon cycles since her first run-in with the forest guardian. Reports filtered in that claimed a new wolf took over the pack that roamed in their territory.

Fraeya thought it might be her protector.

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Today Beluar and Keerla joined her on a hunt. Signs of an unfamiliar predator roaming the woods had the elders worried. Keerla specialized in hunting with a bow and would be vital against such a strong opponent.

The elves always strived for balance and whenever a beast disrupted the forest, they removed it.

Fraeya outclassed both of her companions in tracking and took the lead in the hunt. She found wolf, bear, and deer tracks among other small wildlife. Keerla discovered the tiger prints at the same time as her.

They both looked at each other and grimaced. Beluar glanced over at the two crouched women and asked, “What is it?”

The female scouts stood and replied, “Tiger.”

After several attempts, Fraeya locked onto a fresh trail. They moved silently through the woods; weapons drawn.

Howl!

It came from behind them!

All three elves halted and reversed direction. Beluar moved in front, sword held in a defensive posture.

Howl!

It felt like an entire pack of wolves were charging toward them. Keerla raised her weapon and nocked an arrow. A strange energy flowed through Fraeya’s body and she lowered the hunter's bow then shook her head.

To her surprise, the pack parted around the trio and continued in the same direction as the tiger tracks.

It couldn’t be true, could it? Did the guardian become the new alpha so he would be strong enough to protect her people?

When they were alone again, she whispered, “We follow the trail. Keerla if you have a shot at the tiger, take it. That is our mission.”

Keerla nodded and the three of them returned to the hunt.

By the time they arrived, several wolves lay sprawled on the ground. The forest guardian faced the tiger alone while the others stood ready to engage.

The tiger lunged and clawed at the wolf who moved faster than any normal animal of its size should have been able to accomplish and dodged the strike.

Keerla fired two arrows in quick succession. Each hit its mark. The first struck its hind leg and the other to its head.

The pack pounced on the opportunity and charged at the wounded animal. Her guardian at the head of the attack bit down on the tiger’s neck for the killing blow.

“It’s time to go, Beluar and Keelra.”

With the forest in balance once again, Fraeya nodded to the wolf and the rest of his pack before turning around and heading back to the village to report.