How had I gotten so turned around? I clutched my satchel tighter, trembling as I glanced around. I only meant to gather a few herbs near the edge of the woods, but now the path had vanished, replaced by endless trees.

Every creak of a branch and rustle of leaves made my ears twitch nervously. My tail flicked, betraying my rising panic.

“Okay,” I whispered shakily. “Stay calm. The village can’t be far.”

But the deeper I went, the more the forest seemed to close in. My heart pounded, each step heavier than the last.

Then I saw her.

A wolf hybrid, sitting on a rock in the clearing ahead. Silver hair caught the faint light streaming through the canopy. She held a small bone, idly cleaning her teeth. Her posture was calm, but her presence made me freeze.

Her yellow eyes, softer than I expected but still piercing, turned toward me. My breath hitched.

“I-I’m sorry!” I squeaked, clutching my satchel. “I didn’t mean to disturb you!”

She tilted her head, silent, her expression unreadable.

“I-I was just gathering herbs... and got lost,” I stammered, stepping back. She was too quiet, too calm.

A sudden crack of a branch behind me sent me into a panic. I yelped and jumped forward instinctively.

Before I realized, I collided with her. My face pressed into her chest as her hands steadied me, firm yet gentle.

“Easy,” she said softly, her voice calm.

I blinked up at her, too stunned to move. Her steady gaze held mine, strangely kind but intense.

“I-I’m sorry!” I blurted, stepping back, my cheeks burning.

Her hands lingered a moment, as though ensuring I wouldn’t fall.

“You scare easy,” she murmured.

“I-I wasn’t scared!” I lied, my voice cracking.

Her brow arched slightly, faint amusement flickering across her face.

“Come on,” she said, stepping off the rock. “I’ll help you out.”

Swallowing hard, I nodded, trailing behind her through the trees. Her calmness was unsettling, but being alone felt worse.