Tave had visited this territory before, where the Shadow Wolves reigned supreme. Yet his purpose then had been singular: to find their leader. He needed that leader, because he required another sacrifice for the bloodline override.
And in that hunting, he hadn't been alone. Orion as did the others, cutting a path through the shadows and fangs of the wolves that tried to bar their way. They struck down the beasts. In the end, Tave had taken what he needed, left the forest behind, and turned away without a second glance.
But time passed. Months slipped by. And in the void of his absence, the surviving packs began to gather strength once more. They grew, multiplied, and reassembled their broken ranks.
Now, as Tave stepped once more into the edge of their domain, he saw with clarity that they had not only returned. They had evolved. Among them now prowled creatures of tier three.
And then, something far more ominous emerged.
