Dilan, caught off guard by a wolf, stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding its teeth. His stamina was visibly depleted. If this continued, he feared he would become the wolves' meal before finding Ashley. He saw no way out.
"Dilan's in danger!"
Alina, Rhett, and Xavier arrived. Seeing Dilan surrounded, their faces were etched with worry. Unseen, a wolf had circled behind Dilan, jaws agape, aiming for his neck.
"Dilan, look out!" Alina shouted.
Dilan reacted instantly, slashing his stone knife across the wolf's head. Alina's cry, however, had alerted the pack to the newcomers. The wolf, its attack thwarted, turned and lunged at Alina. Dilan wanted to help, but he was barely holding his own.
"Ah—" Alina screamed, closing her eyes as the wolf closed in.
At the last moment, Xavier char
