They ran through the forest until the sounds of the witches faded into the distance.
Lena's lungs burned and her heart pounded as they finally slowed to a stop in a quiet clearing surrounded by tall pine trees.
"Okay," she said breathlessly. "You're going to explain what just happened."
The man nodded slowly.
"My name is Kael," he said. "And yes… I'm a werewolf."
Lena rubbed her temples.
"Of course you are."
Kael ignored the sarcasm.
"Those women were witches," he continued. "Rogue witches."
Lena looked down at her hands again, remembering the silver light that had exploded from her palms.
"So what does that make me?" she asked.
Kael studied her carefully before answering.
"I'm not entirely sure yet," he admitted. "But whatever you are… it's powerful."
Lena stared at him.
She had spent nineteen years believing the supernatural world only existed in old stories.
Now she stood in the middle of a dark forest beside a werewolf while witches hunted her.
"This can't be real," she muttered.
Kael looked toward the deeper part of the forest.
"Oh, it's real," he said quietly.
"And it's only the beginning."