Chapter 16: The Stranger in the Shadows

Solomon reacted to the noise before Layla had the chance to. He protectively pushed her behind himself and stood in a defensive position. Layla's heart was racing uncontrollably. Layla internally kicked herself. She knew better than to have raced off into the woods without making sure she wasn't being followed. The one time she slipped up, of course this would happen. Isn't that how it always worked?

"What do you want?" Solomon shouted aggressively into the shadows.

Layla clutched to him before remembering that she was a wolf. She could take on any monsters in the woods. She stepped out from behind him and called out, "reveal yourself now" with such power and authority, Solomon couldn't help himself to take a moment to admire it.

The snow crunched as the footsteps drew closer to them, both Layla and Solomon were ready to shift, their inner wolves both prepared for a fight. The hair on the back of their necks were standing alert.

"Wait, wait, wait!" A taller, younger, clean faced