The forest seemed to hold its breath as Elena and Liam stood in the clearing, the ancient oak tree towering above them like a silent guardian. The Alpha's cryptic words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning yet shrouded in mystery. *The true danger lies not in the forest, but in the hearts of men.* The phrase echoed in Elena's mind, a riddle she couldn't yet solve.
Liam's hand tightened around hers, grounding her in the moment. "We need to move," he said, his voice low but firm. "The pack's warning wasn't just a suggestion. Something's coming, and we need to be ready."
Elena nodded, though her heart raced with uncertainty. "Where do we start? The forest is vast, and we don't even know what we're looking for."
Liam's gaze swept across the glade, his eyes narrowing as if searching for something only he could see. "The Alpha mentioned the hearts of men. That means the darkness isn't just out here—it's in the town, too. We need to figure out who's feeding it, intentionally or not."
