As long as you love me

Another Escape

The moon hung low in the ink-black sky, casting an eerie glow on the dense forest as Lina sprinted through the tangled underbrush. Her heart pounded in her chest, matching the rapid footsteps of her two daughters, Anna and Lea, who clung to her sides like shadows. The leaves crunched beneath their feet, creating a haunting melody as they pushed deeper into the wilderness, the shadows of the Alpha's pack house fading into the inky darkness.

The fear that had gripped Lina back in that house lingered like a chilling whisper, urging her to move faster. She never believed in the supernatural world until she witnessed the monstrous transformation of the man she once loved. The memory sent shivers down her spine, a reminder that they were not safe there, and the urgent need to escape fueled her every step.

The moonlit forest seemed to close in around them as they weaved through the labyrinth of ancient trees and bushes. Lina's senses heightened, the rustle of leaves behind them signaling an unseen pursuer. They were being followed, and the urgency in Lina's voice reflected the weight of their precarious situation.

"Keep moving, girls!" she urged, her voice a desperate whisper that echoed through the darkness.

The trio pushed on, the darkness swallowing them as they navigated the maze of nature. Lina could feel the small hands of Anna and Lea gripping hers tightly, their collective heartbeat forming an unspoken bond of solidarity in the face of uncertainty.

"Mom, is Daddy chasing us?" Anna's voice trembled with fear, her eyes darting between the towering trees that seemed to hide unseen threats.

Lina cast a quick glance at her eldest daughter, a mixture of sorrow and determination in her eyes. "No. It's complicated, sweetheart. But we have to keep going, okay? We'll talk about it later."

Lea, the youngest, looked up with wide eyes, her innocence a stark contrast to the ominous surroundings. "I'm scared, Mommy."

Lina bent down, sweeping Lea up into her arms as they ran. "I know, baby. But we're going to get through this together. I promise."

As they ran, Anna spoke again, her voice carrying a mix of fear and determination. "Mom, I don't want Daddy to catch us. We have to be fast."

Lina nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. "That's right, Anna. We have to be strong and keep going."

Suddenly, the night exploded with chilling howls that echoed through the ancient forest. The pursuit was relentless, and Lina's heart sank as the haunting sounds grew louder. The moonlight cast fleeting shadows on the forest floor, revealing the hunters gaining ground, an invisible threat drawing nearer with each passing moment.

A sharp snap echoed through the forest as a branch broke under Lina's foot, causing her to stumble. Panic surged as she fought to regain her balance, the relentless pursuit of the unknown closing in like a tightening noose.

"We're almost there!" Lina encouraged, her voice tinged with desperation as the trio emerged from the suffocating darkness into the outline of a road that promised a sliver of salvation.

Through the trees, a glimmer of hope appeared as the moonlight revealed a group of men. Their faces, etched with the weariness of the night, were illuminated in the soft glow.

_

Jacob, the esteemed gamma of the pack, moved with a purposeful gait as he guided the pack warriors through the expansive territories that belonged to their kin. The moon hung overhead like a celestial lantern, casting a gentle glow upon the landscape, revealing the tapestry of the night.

The pack warriors trailed behind their leader in disciplined formation. The pack's safety rested on their shoulders, and their role extended beyond mere guardianship to a vigilant watch against intruders. In silent unity, they navigated the familiar paths, a vigilant force under the watchful moon.

As they ventured deeper, the howls of the other distant pack warriors echoed through the night. This territory was known to be frequented by rogue wolves, but the urgency in those howls hinted at a more significant disturbance.

Jacob matched his pace with Elena, a silent question lingering in his eyes. "Did you catch that?" Jacob whispered, his ears perked toward the distant sounds of howls that seemed to echo through the night.

Elena's fur bristled with curiosity. "Yeah, Marcus and Leona. It sounds like they're chasing someone. Should we check?"

Jacob's instincts kicked in, and he nodded decisively. "Let's find out. We can't afford to ignore anything unusual."

Before Elena could establish a connection through their pack links, a trio emerged from the shadows – a woman, clutching two children, her eyes wide with desperation. Jacob's trained gaze met hers, and in that moment, he recognized the fear etched on their faces.

"Please, help us!" Lina pleaded, the desperation in her eyes and the fear on the faces of Anna and Lea painting a vivid picture of their dire situation. "We're running from something terrible. Can you help us?"

The men, initially displaying a stern demeanor, exchanged uncertain glances when they observed the trio emerging from the shadows. Jacob, recognizing the trio as the Alpha's guests, couldn't shake the intuitive sense that something was awry. His countenance softened with empathy as he stepped forward, locking eyes with Lina in a silent exchange of understanding.

"Get behind us," Nathan instructed the woman, the firmness in his voice a promise of security amidst the unknown. "We'll protect you."

For a fleeting moment, hope blossomed in Lina's chest. The men formed a protective barrier as the pursuing unknown threat arrived, their menacing presence and growls filling the air.