The footsteps grew louder, and Anna's heart pounded in her chest. She exchanged a nervous glance with Georgia, who looked just as anxious.
As the footsteps approached, Anna could feel her senses going on high alert. She was ready to defend herself and Georgia if necessary.
But as the door creaked open, Anna's eyes widened in surprise. Standing in the doorway was a figure she hadn't expected to see.
It was James.
Anna's eyes locked on James', and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. They had found him.
But as she looked closer, Anna's relief turned to concern. James looked...different. His eyes seemed sunken, and his skin was pale.
"James, what's going on?" Anna asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
James hesitated, his eyes darting back and forth between Anna and Georgia. "I...I didn't mean to cause any trouble," he said finally.
Anna's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Why did you leave the pack?"
James took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Anna's. "I was approached by someone from the rival pack," he said. "They offered me a deal. They said they would help me...help me with my problems...if I joined them."
Anna's eyes widened in shock. "What problems?" she asked.
James hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. "I...I don't know if I should say," he said finally.
Anna's expression softened. "James, we're here to help you," she said. "You can trust us."
James took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Anna's. "I've been having...visions," he said. "Visions of the future. And they're not good."
Anna's eyes narrowed. "What kind of visions?" she asked.
James hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. "I've seen...I've seen the pack being destroyed," he said. "I've seen the alpha...I've seen him dead."
Anna's eyes widened in shock. "That's not going to happen," she said. "We won't let it."
James nodded, a small smile on his face. "I know," he said. "I just...I didn't know what to do."
Anna's expression softened. "We'll figure it out together," she said. "But first, we need to get out of here."
James nodded, his eyes locked on Anna's. "I know a way out," he said. "Follow me."
As they made their way through the dark corridors of the rival pack's den, Anna couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows.
But there was never anyone there.
As they approached the entrance to the den, Anna's heart began to pound in her chest. They were almost free.
But just as they were about to make their escape, a loud growl echoed through the corridor. Anna's eyes locked on the figure standing in front of them, her heart sinking.
It was the rival pack's alpha.
"You're not going anywhere," he snarled, his eyes locked on Anna's.
Anna stood tall, trying to appear braver than she felt. "We're not afraid of you," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
The alpha sneered, his eyes flashing with anger. "We'll see about that," he said, taking a step closer to Anna.