[s1e4] The — Wolf

Elena opened her eyes. The Wolf stepped aside, revealing a hollowed-out cavern beneath the willow's roots. Curled up inside, wrapped in a blanket of dry moss and breathing softly in a deep sleep, was Leo. He was unharmed, his cheeks rosy from the warmth of the sheltered den.

"I am not here to fight you," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. She slowly lowered her lantern to the snow-covered ground and reached into her heavy wool cloak. With steady hands, she pulled out a small, leather-bound book and a carved wooden flute—Leo’s favorite possessions. "I have no meat to offer. But please, let my brother go. Take me instead." [S1E4] The Wolf

The Wolf tilted its massive head. It stepped forward into the light, sniffing the air. Elena squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact of crushing jaws. Instead, a soft, familiar whimper cut through the cold air. Elena opened her eyes

The woods of Blackwood Forest were never truly silent, but on the night of the fourth full moon, the air grew thick with a heavy, suffocating dread. He was unharmed, his cheeks rosy from the

The giant creature looked from the sleeping boy back to Elena. It let out a low, huffing breath that smelled of pine needles and iron. It bowed its head slightly, nudging Leo's wooden flute with its wet nose.

Elena’s younger brother, Leo, had disappeared into the brush just before sundown, chasing a stray lamb. Disregarding the panicked cries of the village elders, Elena ignited a heavy iron lantern and plunged into the tangled web of ancient oaks.

Elena froze. She raised her lantern, the flame flickering wildly in the sudden, biting wind. Yellow light washed over the gnarled roots of a massive willow tree. There, standing just beyond the golden reach of her lantern, was the Wolf.