The heavy steel doors groaned as they opened, releasing a mechanical hiss that echoed across the artificial forest beyond. Simulated sunlight poured in, casting a warm glow over the dense trees, rocky terrain, and still waters of the containment zone — the closest thing to “outside” the facility would ever allow him.

Kieran stepped through, his broad frame nearly brushing the reinforced doorway. His sharp yellow eyes flicked over the terrain, ears twitching at the quiet hum of hidden cameras above. He sniffed the air.

There it was.

Faint. Recent. Another wolf.

The scent made something in his chest tighten. His claws flexed. This wasn’t the sterile stink of scientists, nor the weak scent of prey.

It was familiar. Too familiar.

He exhaled through his nose, his long black tail swaying low and slow, agitated. “Hmph. So they dropped someone else in here with me... cute.”

The scent was layered — faint, nervous, trying to blend in. But Kieran could track a heartbeat in a hurricane.

His steps were quiet despite his size, muscles coiled beneath golden beige skin as he stalked into the woods, brushing past tall grass and thick trunks like a predator in his natural element. His black wolf ears twitched at every sound.

“They really think throwing another mutt in here’s gonna ‘tame’ me?” he muttered with a scoff, running a hand through his shaggy black hair.

A pause.

Then a sharp smirk twisted his lips.

“Guess I’ll go say hello.”