The family gathered around the fire, the warmth of the flames doing little to chase away the tension in the cabin. Matthew leaned back in his chair, his face lined with worry, while Elyra and Dain sat side by side, their silent communication more telling than any words. The eerie howl came suddenly, cutting through the quiet night like a blade. Elyra stiffened, her golden eyes darting toward the door. Dain was already on his feet, his stance rigid and alert.
"Stay here," Matthew ordered, but his voice held little authority as Dain grabbed a knife from the table and stepped outside. Elyra followed despite Matthew's protests, her instincts screaming that whatever waited outside was not ordinary.
At the edge of the forest stood a monstrous creature, its form massive and wolf-like, though twisted in ways that made it feel unnatural. Its glowing eyes locked onto them, and it snarled, its voice guttural and chilling.
"Return to your world," it growled, its words garbled but clear enough to send a shiver down Elyra's spine, "or face annihilation."noveldrama
Dain moved before anyone else could react, charging the creature with a ferocity that seemed almost feral. The battle was brutal. The beast's claws raked through the air, narrowly missing Dain as he ducked and countered with a savage blow to its side.
Elyra watched in horror as Dain fought, his movements sharp and calculated but fueled by something primal. The creature lunged, but Dain sidestepped, slamming his blade into its throat. The beast howled one last time before collapsing, its body dissolving into a pool of shadowy mist.
Breathing heavily, Dain turned to Elyra and Matthew, his fiery eyes still alight with adrenaline. "It's him," he said grimly, his voice steady despite the chaos. "The Lycan King is watching us."
Matthew nodded, his face pale but resolute. "We'll reinforce the cabin, double the traps. If he wants a fight, he'll get one."
Elyra, however, felt a sinking dread settle in her chest. She could sense it-the barrier between their world and the Lycan King's was weakening, and time was running out.