Alyssa The forest blurs around me as I run, clutching Sophia's hand tightly in mine. My legs burn but I don't slow. We have to get away. Far away. Sophia's steps falter. "Mama, wait, please. I can't run anymore." I stop and kneel before her, brushing leaves from her hair. "I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry. Just a little farther, OK?" Sophia nods bravely but when I stand, her ankle gives out beneath her. She cries out as she tumbles to the ground. "Sophia!" My heart drops as I scoop her into my arms. She whimpers, tears streaming down her face as she holds her ankle. No, not now. We have to keep going. I carry Sophia over to a large oak tree and set her down in the roots. "Let me see." Gently, I remove her shoe and sock. Her ankle is already swollen, the delicate joint red and puffy. No doubt it's sprained. Sophia sniffles. "It hurts, Mama." "I know, baby." I stroke her hair and kiss her forehead, panic rising in my chest. We're exposed here. Vulnerable. "Let me wrap it. We'll get

AdamThe forest blurs around me as I race between the trees, my paws pounding the earth. My heart thunders in my chest, refusing to accept what my senses tell me - they are gone. Vanished like the morning mist under the glare of the rising sun. I stop, throwing back my head to howl in rage and grief, the sorrowful sound echoing through the empty woods.I continue searching. Exhaustion drags at my limbs, but still, I hunt for any sign to cling to hope. Their scent has disappeared, erased as though they were never here. I stumble on through the black of night, guided only by the light of the moon overhead.Finally, I return home as the pale glow of dawn brightens the sky. The pack emerges from their dens, wary of my approach. I shift back, standing before them with my shoulders bowed under the weight of failure. Murmurs rise around me as they take in my disheveled, haggard appearance. Their Alpha, broken and aimless without his mate and child. Helpless to protect them. Useless to lead a

Adam I bolt awake, heart pounding. Alyssa's screams and Sophia's cries echo in my head. I swipe a hand across my damp forehead, breathing hard. Just a nightmare. But it felt so real. My wolf strains against its cage, howling to go to them. I know they need me. I stumble out of the nest into the cool night air. The stars shine down, distant and uncaring. How did I let this happen? I promised to protect them, to keep them safe. But I left them alone, at the mercy of the threat I should've ended. Alyssa. Her fear reached out in my dreams, begging for help. But I'm too late. My rival won; he has her trapped, waiting to finish this. I abandoned her to that fate. I abandoned my heart. And Sophia. My little light, my joy. She cries for her mother, afraid and alone. What's going to happen to her if I don't do something? I have to go back. Now, before all hope is lost and the future is decided. Before the light goes out for good. My wolf snarls again, straining to break free. To hell with