Heart of the Hidden Wolf

Chapter 2: The Hunt Begins

Jayden barely had time to react before Ethan grabbed his arm, pulling him outside. The cold night air hit him like a slap, but Ethan's grip was firm, guiding him off the porch and into the dense woods that bordered his house. Jayden stumbled as they ran, his heart hammering in his chest, but Ethan didn't slow down.

Behind them, the growl grew louder, closer. Whatever was hunting them was gaining ground, and Jayden's blood ran cold. He didn't know what was happening or why Ethan had come for him, but the terror in Ethan's eyes was enough to keep him moving.

They ran deeper into the forest, the trees blurring around them as branches whipped at their faces. Jayden's breath came in ragged gasps, his legs burning with the effort of keeping up. His body was still sore from his father's last beating, and every step sent jolts of pain through his bruised ribs.

"Just a little further," Ethan muttered under his breath, his voice tight with urgency. Jayden could see the strain in his posture, the tension in his muscles as he glanced over his shoulder, checking the distance between them and whatever was chasing them.

Suddenly, Ethan yanked Jayden behind a large tree, pulling him close as they crouched in the shadows. His hand clamped over Jayden's mouth, and his breath was hot against Jayden's ear. "Stay quiet," Ethan whispered, his voice barely audible.

Jayden's pulse pounded in his ears as he pressed himself against the rough bark of the tree, trying to make himself as small as possible. His entire body trembled with fear, but Ethan's presence beside him grounded him, if only slightly.

The growling grew closer, more menacing, and Jayden held his breath. Through the dense underbrush, he could see the creature now—massive, wolf-like, with glowing yellow eyes that cut through the darkness. It sniffed the air, searching for them, its muscles rippling under its thick fur.

Jayden's heart felt like it would explode in his chest. He was certain the creature would find them, that it could hear the frantic beating of his heart. But after a few agonizing moments, it turned and darted off in another direction, disappearing into the shadows.

Ethan exhaled slowly, his grip on Jayden loosening. "We need to keep moving," he whispered, but Jayden could hear the relief in his voice. They weren't safe yet, but for now, they had escaped the immediate danger.

"Why...?" Jayden tried to ask, but the words died in his throat. Ethan looked at him, his expression softening for a brief moment.

"I'll explain everything," Ethan promised, his voice gentle now. "But first, we need to get back to the pack. You're not safe out here alone, Jayden."

Jayden could only nod, unable to form any more words. His mind was reeling, trying to grasp onto anything that made sense, but everything was slipping away like sand through his fingers. He wanted to ask a thousand questions—why was this happening, what was that creature, and what did Ethan mean by "the pack"? But the overwhelming fear and exhaustion choked him into silence. His legs wobbled, barely able to support his weight after the sprint through the woods.

Ethan glanced at him, sensing his struggle. "I know you're tired, but we need to keep moving. That thing isn't alone." His voice was sharp, cutting through the night's silence, but underneath the urgency, Jayden detected something else—concern. Ethan wasn't just dragging him through the forest out of necessity; he was genuinely trying to protect him.

But why?

The question gnawed at Jayden as they began moving again. This time, Ethan's pace was slower, more cautious. He kept a hand on Jayden's arm, guiding him through the thick undergrowth. Every step was a challenge. The uneven ground beneath Jayden's feet kept him stumbling, and his entire body was screaming in pain—from his father's beatings, from the thorns scraping his skin, and from the bruises that had never had time to heal.