CHAPTER 6: THE STRANGER’S PATH

ROSELYN’S POV

The stranger didn’t wait for my answer. He turned and disappeared into the darkness between the towering oak trees as though he knew I would follow. I didn’t, I stood frozen. Smoke billowed above the forest where my home had stood only moments ago. The faint clang of steel had faded, replaced by an unsettling silence.

My heart clenched “But Roland…”

I took a step toward the smoke. A low growl echoed somewhere behind me, then another. It wasn’t just one wolf, It was several.

The stranger stopped walking but didn’t turn around.

“If you go back,” he said calmly, “you’ll die before you even get to the cottage.”

“But I have to help him.”

“How?” He paused “Face it…you can’t”

“You don’t know him.”

He was silent for a while before saying “But I know the men hunting you.”

His words made me hesitate. The pendant beneath my dress suddenly felt warm against my skin. I looked down instinctively. The silver glow was gone. Only the cool crystal remained. Had everything that happened inside the cottage been real? Or had I imagined it?

“Who are you?” I asked.

The stranger remained silent. “I asked you a question.”

“So did I,” he answered. “Will you keep standing here until they find you?”

Before I could reply, another howl pierced the night. This one was much closer. The stranger finally turned to face me. His sharp blue eyes scanned the darkness around us.

“They’re tracking your scent.”

I frowned. “I don’t have a scent.”

His expression changed ever so slightly. “Exactly.”

The answer confused me even more. How could someone track what didn’t exist? Without another word, he pulled a small leather pouch from his belt and tossed it toward me. I caught it awkwardly.

“Open it.”

Inside was a handful of crushed herbs mixed with dark gray powder.

“What is this?” I asked

“Moon sage and ash.”

“What am I supposed to do with it?”

“Rub it over your clothes.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

“Because they’re not only tracking you.”

His eyes settled briefly on the pendant beneath my dress. “They’re tracking that.”

A chill ran down my spine. I quickly rubbed the mixture over my sleeves and cloak. The herbs smelled bitter, almost smoky. The stranger nodded once. “Good.”

He turned and continued walking. This time… I followed.

The deeper we ventured into Oakridge Forest, the darker it became. The moonlight barely reached the ground beneath the thick canopy of ancient branches. Every snapping twig made me flinch. Every distant howl made my heart race. After nearly an hour of walking, I finally broke the silence.

“What’s your name?”

The stranger kept his eyes ahead. “You ask too many questions.”

“And you answer too few.”

For the first time, the corner of his mouth twitched. Not quite a smile, More like quiet amusement.

“Fair enough” he said but didn’t offer his name.

Instead, he asked, “How much did Roland tell you?”

I looked down. “Nothing.”

“He always intended to.” He said

“I don’t believe that anymore.”

The stranger glanced at me. “He was trying to protect you.”

“By lying to me?”

“By keeping you alive.” His answer stole my voice.

For years, I had wondered why Roland avoided every question about my past. Tonight… I wasn’t sure whether to feel grateful or betrayed. We walked in silence again. Suddenly, the stranger stopped. He raised one hand. “Don’t move.”

I froze. “What is it?”

He crouched beside the muddy ground. Several large paw prints were pressed into the earth. Fresh… His eyes narrowed. “They’re close.”

A cold breeze swept through the trees. Then came the sound, Leaves rustling, Branches breaking. Not in one direction… In several.

“We’re surrounded,” I whispered.

The stranger slowly drew two curved silver daggers from beneath his cloak, His calm expression vanished.

“They found us faster than I expected.”

Dark figures emerged from the shadows between the trees.

One,

Then three,

Then six.

All wearing the same black cloaks and wolf-shaped masks. The scarred leader stepped forward.

“I was wondering who stole my prize.”

His crimson eyes settled on the stranger.

“So…You’re still alive.”

The stranger sighed quietly. “I was hoping you’d forgotten about me.”

The assassin chuckled. “I never forget a traitor.”

Traitor? I looked at the stranger in disbelief.

“What is he talking about?”

The stranger didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped in front of me. “Stay behind me.”

The assassins slowly spread out, forming a circle around us. The scarred leader smiled.

“Hand over the girl, And perhaps… I’ll make your death quick.”

The stranger spun one of his daggers effortlessly.

“I’m afraid…” His voice was calm. “…that’s not going to happen.”

The forest fell silent. Then, without warning— The scarred leader lifted his sword.

“Kill them.”

The Shadow Hunters charged.