Adrian’s Arrival
Adrian stumbled through the portal, his legs giving out as he collapsed onto the forest floor. The damp earth clung to his hands, and the sharp scent of pine and moss filled his lungs. The air was unlike anything he’d experienced before—wild and charged, as though the forest itself were alive and watching.
He tried to steady his breathing, his body battered from his escape. The portal’s pull had been violent, and now every muscle in his body screamed in protest. The distant howls of wolves cut through the stillness, sending a chill down his spine. His vampire instincts warned him of the danger lurking in the shadows, but he pushed himself to his feet, determination overriding his exhaustion.
As Adrian trudged deeper into the forest, he felt the weight of unseen eyes following him. The howls grew louder, closer, and soon he was surrounded. Glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, the faint shimmer of fur brushing against the trees. Adrian stopped in his tracks, raising his hands cautiously.
“I’m not your enemy,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.
The wolves emerged from the shadows, their forms massive and predatory. Their snarls echoed in the stillness, a warning Adrian couldn’t ignore. Slowly, one of the wolves stepped forward, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. In a swift, fluid motion, it shifted into its human form.
The man before him was broad-shouldered and imposing, his amber eyes sharp and unyielding. “You don’t belong here, vampire,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Speak quickly before we tear you apart.”
Adrian met his gaze, refusing to show weakness. “I need help,” he said simply.
The other wolves shifted, their expressions ranging from curiosity to hostility. “Help?” one of them scoffed. “From us? You’ve got the wrong pack, bloodsucker.”
Adrian took a cautious step forward, careful not to provoke them. “I’m looking for someone who can help me protect two werewolves,” he explained. “They’re in danger.”
The pack leader’s eyes narrowed. “Why would a vampire care about werewolves?”
Adrian hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “They’re important to me,” he said finally. “And to your world.”
The wolves exchanged glances, their skepticism evident.
“Names,” the pack leader demanded, his tone sharp.
Adrian hesitated, knowing the truth could jeopardize everything. “I can’t say yet. Not until I know I can trust you.”
The leader’s lips curled into a snarl, his patience wearing thin. “Trust? From a bloodsucker?”
The wolves began to close in, their hostility palpable. Adrian’s heart raced, but he stood his ground. He knew he had one chance to prove himself, and failure wasn’t an option.
