As we step toward the gaping entrance of the Fourth Zone, a shiver runs down my spine. The cave looms before us like the mouth of some giant beast, waiting to swallow us whole. I gulp.

  Okay, okay, calm down, Arissa. You’re not a snack. You’re a brave little wolf. A very brave, totally-not-about-to-freak-out wolf.

  I take a deep breath and puff out my chest. I can do this. I will do this. No more running away. No more being useless. I am part of the pack, and I am going to act like it!

  …Then Bigger Sister Wolf walks past me without hesitation, and I immediately want to grab her tail and say, Wait! Maybe we should reconsider!

  But no. No backing out now.

  I wobble forward, my paws feeling clumsy against the cold, rocky ground. The moment I cross the threshold, the darkness swallows me. My heart pounds, and for a second, I think I am blind.

  I panic. “I CAN’T SEE—oh.”

  A blink.

  Then another.

  The shadows that had once been pitch-black soften, and everything around me becomes… visible. The cave isn’t actually dark at all—at least, not to me. I can see the uneven ground, the jagged stone walls, even the tiny droplets of water trickling down from the ceiling. It is dim, sure, but I can see.

  I blink again, confused. Then it hits me.

  Oh, right. I’m a wolf. Duh.

  I feel a little stupid for forgetting that. Well, actually I am, a little bit, yeah.

  I turn my head, glancing at the others. Their eyes glow faintly in the darkness, a soft, eerie shimmer that feels strangely familiar. That’s when I remember—wolves have special eyes for seeing in the dark!

  I stare at my reflection in a small puddle nearby, catching the same faint glow in my eyes. It’s kinda cool. Kinda creepy. But mostly cool.

  And then, just like that, a random thought pops into my head.

  Snuggly.

  My old cat from my past life.

  He had those same glowing eyes whenever he stared at me from the shadows, waiting to pounce on my feet for no reason at all. He was a fat, fluffy menace, but I loved him. I used to pick him up and snuggle him even when he tried to wiggle away.

  Do I… miss him?

  I tilt my head, surprised by the sudden ache in my chest. I haven’t thought about my past life much since being here. Everything has been too fast, too chaotic. But now, standing in this eerie, glowing darkness, I can’t help but wonder—what has happened to Snuggly after I left?

  Is he waiting for me?

  Does he think I abandoned him?

  My tail droops slightly, the weight of that thought pressing down on me.

  But before I can get too lost in it, a sharp nudge to my side nearly knocks me over.

  "Stop daydreaming," Bigger Sister Wolf huffs, already walking ahead.

  I stumble, barely catching myself. “I—I wasn’t daydreaming! I was just… thinking very deeply!”

  Bigger Sister Wolf doesn’t even look back. “Yeah, yeah. Just keep up, or you'll get left behind.”

  I huff, puffing my cheeks slightly but hurry to follow.

  Right. No use thinking about things I can’t change.

  I’m here now.

  And I have a cave to explore.

  As I trot forward, still shaking off my thoughts of Snuggly, Mama Wolf’s voice suddenly rings out.

  “Everyone, gather up.”

  Her tone is firm, but not harsh, the kind of voice that makes you want to listen. I quickly scurry over, nearly tripping on my own paws in the process (but let’s ignore that). The rest of the pack forms a loose circle around her. Bigger Sister Wolf, Brother Wolf, Mama Wolf…

  I blink.

  Wait.

  Something isn’t right.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  I count again. One, two, three…

  Where is Big Sister Wolf?

  Mama Wolf’s ears twitch. She must’ve noticed it at the same time I did because her sharp gaze sweeps over us, then toward the cave entrance. Her fur bristles slightly.

  “Where is Big Sister Wolf?” she asks, her voice calm but tense.

  Nobody answers immediately.

  Bigger Sister Wolf frowns, glancing around. “She was just here,” she mutters. “I thought she was walking behind me.”

  Brother Wolf’s tail flicks, his ears pinned back. “Did she wander off?”

  Oh no. That isn’t good. That’s very not good.

  I gulp, my paws shifting anxiously.

  Big Sister Wolf is missing.

  And we have just stepped into the Fourth Zone.

  Mama Wolf doesn’t panic. She doesn’t snap or demand answers. Instead, she takes a slow, deliberate step toward Bigger Sister Wolf and lowers her head, sniffing at her fur.

  Bigger Sister Wolf blinks. “Uh… Mama?”

  Mama Wolf doesn’t respond right away. Her ears twitch, then slowly droop as she takes another sniff.

  I tilt my head. What is she doing?

  Is she… tracking Big Sister Wolf?

  But why is she sniffing Bigger Sister Wolf instead?

  I fidget, watching intently. Mama Wolf’s nose hovers just above Bigger Sister Wolf’s legs, her expression unreadable. Then, she exhales softly and lifts her head, her golden eyes serious.

  “She was right behind you,” Mama Wolf murmurs. “Close enough that some of her scent clung to your fur.”

  Ooooh. That makes sense! …Wait, that means—

  I gasp. “You can track her!”

  Mama Wolf nods once. “Yes. Her trail is still fresh.”

  Oh, thank goodness. I’ve already started imagining all the terrible, horrible, no-good things that could’ve happened to Big Sister Wolf—getting eaten, getting lost, getting double eaten—so knowing that we can find her makes my tail wag a little in relief.

  Mama Wolf turns toward the tunnel, her eyes sharp. “Stay close. We’re going after her.”

  We move forward, following Mama Wolf as she tracks Big Sister Wolf’s scent.

  The path is weird. Really weird.

  It isn’t flat like a normal cave floor—no, it slopes upward. And not a gentle, easy incline, either. It’s steep enough that I have to lean forward with each step just to keep my balance. My little legs are already starting to burn, and we have just started climbing.

  “Whyyyyy is it uphill?” I whine, ears drooping. “Caves are supposed to be all flat and mysterious, not sneaky leg workouts!”

  Brother Wolf huffs beside me. “Stop complaining.”

  I shoot him an indignant look but don’t argue. Mostly because I need to save my breath.

  As we climb, I notice something else about the path—it’s narrow. Uncomfortably so. The walls on either side aren’t exactly squeezing us, but they’re close enough that I feel like something could jump out at any second.

  The thought makes my fur bristle.

  This is the perfect place for a scary, shadowy, horribly fanged monster to ambush us! I can already picture it—big claws, glowing red eyes, a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth just waiting to chomp me in half—

  I shudder violently and scoot closer to Mama Wolf.

  Nope. No thank you. Absolutely not.

  We need to find Big Sister Wolf fast before something else finds us.

  Mama Wolf keeps her nose to the ground as we climb, her sniffing growing more focused. Then, her ears twitch.

  “We’re getting closer,” she murmurs.

  I perk up, relief washing over me. Finally! My legs are starting to feel like jelly from all this uphill walking.

  But just as I’m about to celebrate, my ears catch a sound—a low, rumbling growl.

  My fur stands on end.

  That growl… I know that growl.

  It’s her.

  “Big Sister Wolf!” I gasp.

  Mama Wolf’s ears shoot up, eyes sharpening. She doesn’t hesitate—her posture stiffens with urgency.

  “Hurry!” she orders, picking up the pace.

  I don’t even think. I just run after her, ignoring the burning in my legs. The others follow close behind.

  We have to get to Big Sister Wolf.

  Before something else does.

  As we rush up the narrow slope, the path suddenly widens. The cramped, uphill trail finally opens into a much bigger area—like a cave chamber.

  And right there, in the middle of it all—

  Big Sister Wolf!

  Yay! We found her!

  But then I notice something very not-yay.

  A whole bunch of bats is circling in front of her, their wings flapping wildly. They aren’t just flying around randomly—they’re facing her, swooping in close, then darting back, as if trying to keep her trapped.

  Are they… squaring off with her?!

  Big Sister Wolf stands firm, ears pinned back, fangs bared, but I can tell she isn’t hurt—yet.

  Mama Wolf’s eyes darken. “Gloom Bats,” she mutters, stepping forward.

  I gulp. That doesn’t sound good.

  Mama Wolf lets out a sharp bark.

  Big Sister Wolf’s ears twitch, and she immediately turns toward us. The anxious look on her face melts into relief the moment she sees us.

  But at the same time—

  SKREEEE!

  The Gloom Bats screech, flapping erratically as they turn to face us. Some of them break away from Big Sister Wolf and shoot toward us!

  My fur bristles. My paws freeze. My first instinct? Hide behind Mama!

  I nearly do, too. My legs are already moving on their own. But then—

  Papa.

  I clench my jaw. No.

  Papa Wolf fought so we could survive. If I keep running, if I stay scared forever, then what is the point of his sacrifice?

  I squeeze my eyes shut, take a shaky breath, and force my paws to stay right where they are.

  No more hiding.

  I spin around, facing the Gloom Bats just like my family. My heart pounds in my chest, but I stand my ground.

  The bats hover in front of us, their beady little eyes locked onto their targets. There are—uh… ten? Twelve? I’m not sure. I don’t have time to count!

  What I do know is that they strike first.

  SKREEEEE!

  A piercing screech rips through the air, and suddenly—BOOM!

  A shockwave blasts toward us.

  I flinch, my paws digging into the ground, but Mama Wolf doesn’t even hesitate. She steps forward, opens her mouth, and—

  A glowing circle forms in front of her snout.

  Then—AWOOOOOOOO.

  Her howl tears through the air, unleashing a counter-shockwave that slams into the one the bats hurl at us. The two forces collide with a deep, rippling boom before canceling each other out.

  That’s… That’s just like Papa’s magic!

  I barely have time to be in awe before Brother Wolf lunges forward. He’s already in the air before the last echoes of the shockwaves even fade. His jaws snap around one of the bats, and—CRUNCH!—he rips it apart like it’s nothing.

  Oh. They’re not really that strong.

  Bigger Sister Wolf follows his lead, pouncing onto another bat mid-air and raking her claws through its wing. The bat shrieks, but she doesn’t let up, slamming it onto the ground with a heavy THUD!

  This… this is a real fight! My family is fighting!

  And I—

  I clench my paws.

  I have to do something too!

  Some of the Gloom Bats have been knocked to the ground by Mama Wolf’s shockwave. They twitch, struggling to get up.

  This is my chance!

  I gulp.

  Okay, Arissa, you can do this! Just… just bite it like everyone else!

  I take a deep breath and leap at the nearest bat. My tiny paws land on its squirming body, pinning it down. Before it can screech, I lunge forward—CHOMP!—biting down on its face with all my might!

  …Ow.

  Ew, ew, ew, ew! Their skin is way tougher than I thought! It’s like trying to bite through old leather! How does Brother Wolf just rip through one so easily?!

  The bat screeches and thrashes under me. My teeth barely sink in! I clamp down harder, growling in frustration. My jaw aches, but I refuse to let go!

  I have to do this!

  For Papa! For the pack! For me!

  I hold my bite, clamping down as hard as I can until the Gloon Bat beneath me finally stops struggling. Only then do I let go, panting slightly.

  I stare at it for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest.

  It’s dead.

  I actually did it.

  I… I can fight! I can help!

  A small surge of pride fills me. I’m not just a scared little pup hiding behind Mama Wolf anymore!

  I turn to look at my family.

  Brother Wolf is still in the air, lunging at another Gloom Bat mid-flight, his jaws snapping down with brutal precision. Bigger Sister Wolf follows up, leaping at another with her claws extended, sending it crashing into the ground.

  Mama Wolf, on the other hand, is amazing.

  She’s not just attacking—she’s moving with a purpose. She leaps from one bat to another, cutting through their ranks with perfect control, all while making her way toward Big Sister Wolf.

  And Big Sister Wolf—!

  I’ve been worried about her fighting alone, but wow, she’s actually doing great! She dodges, she bites, she claws—her movements quick and sharp. Even surrounded, she isn’t overwhelmed.

  Okay. This is awesome.

  We’re winning.

  Or so I think.

  For a brief moment, I feel hopeful. We’re winning. We’re fighting together. I’m not just a scared little pup anymore—I’m part of the pack!

  But then…

  A chill runs down my spine.

  Something is behind us.

  Something huge.

  The air feels wrong. Heavy. Like the whole cave itself is holding its breath.

  And then—

  A low, awful clicking sound echoes from the darkness.

  I freeze. My fur stands on end. That sound—!

  Mama Wolf’s ears snap up. Bigger Sister Wolf stiffens mid-swipe. Brother Wolf growls, his tail puffing up.

  We all recognize it.

  The thing that has been following us. The thing that's hunting us.

  The thing that has killed Papa Wolf.

  The Green Stalker.

  End of Chapter 15