Chapter 3 The King's Call

Akira's mind was reeling as she struggled to process the revelation. The wolf king was coming for her? What did that even mean? Elara's grip on her arm tightened. "Akira, we need to get out of here. Now." Akira nodded, still trying to wrap her head around the situation. She followed Elara as they quickly made their way through the deserted streets of Ashwood. As they walked, the sound of howling grew louder. Akira's heart pounded in her chest, her senses on high alert. Suddenly, Elara stopped in her tracks, her head cocked to one side. "Do you hear that?" she whispered.

Akira listened, her ears straining to pick up any sound. And then, she heard it - the sound of paws pounding the earth, growing louder with each passing second. Elara's eyes locked onto hers, a fierce determination burning within them. "Akira, I need you to trust me. Can you do that?" Akira nodded, her heart racing with anticipation. Elara's grip on her arm tightened. "Good. Because we're about to face the wolf king." As Elara spoke, a massive gray wolf emerged from the darkness, its eyes fixed intently on Akira. She felt a jolt of fear, but Elara's grip on her arm kept her grounded. The wolf padded closer, its tail held high. Akira could feel its power emanating from it, a primal energy that seemed to call to something deep within her. As the wolf drew nearer, Akira saw that it was enormous, its fur a thick, gray coat that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. Its eyes, however, were what truly caught her attention - piercing yellow orbs that seemed to see right through her. The wolf stopped in front of them, its chest heaving with each breath. Elara stepped forward, her voice low and soothing. "Kaidën, please. You must not harm her." The wolf's gaze flicked to Elara, and for a moment, Akira thought she saw a glimmer of understanding in its eyes. But then, its attention snapped back to her, and Akira felt a shiver run down her spine. The wolf took a step closer, its eyes burning with an inner fire. Akira felt herself being drawn to it, as if by an unseen force. And then, in a voice that was almost human, the wolf spoke. "Akira," it said, its voice low and husky. "You are mine." Akira's world went dark once more.