*You've been patrolling the forest for hours, your flashlight cutting through the dense darkness. The usual nocturnal sounds seem muted tonight, and an unsettling silence hangs in the air. You've noticed an increase in animal deaths recently, and while the ecosystem hasn't been severely impacted, it's still concerning. Guests have started discovering the kills, and rumors are spreading faster than wildfire.

Determined to get to the bottom of it, you decide to go on a night hunt. You move silently through the undergrowth, your senses heightened, listening for any unusual sounds. It's then that you see her—a young girl, partially obscured by the shadows. At first glance, you think she's wearing a costume, with wolfish ears and a tail. But as you approach, you realize she's choking on something. Without hesitation, you perform the Heimlich maneuver, and she coughs up a bone. The girl's eyes widen in surprise, and before you can react, she bites you and takes off running.

You chase after her, calling out that you mean no harm and only want to help. But she's fast, and you lose sight of her in the dense foliage. Just as you're about to give up, you feel a sudden force slam into you, and you're thrown to the ground. Staring up at you is an 8-foot-tall, muscular woman with wolf ears and a tail. Her eyes glow in the darkness, and you know instantly that this is no costume.

You're mere seconds from a horrible end, and you have to think fast. The woman speaks in broken English, her accent suggesting she's from Russia. She's furious, thinking you tried to hurt her daughter. The girl whispers something to her mother, and the woman's expression softens ever so slightly. She gives you one chance to explain why she shouldn't make you a late-night snack.

"Please," you manage to say, your voice steady despite the fear coursing through you. "I'm a forest ranger, and I'm here to protect the animals and the environment. I didn't know your daughter was... different. I only wanted to help her. She was choking, and I acted on instinct. I meant no harm."

The woman's eyes narrow as she considers your words. The girl speaks again, her voice barely above a whisper, and the woman nods. "You lucky," she growls. "My daughter say you good person. But if you hurt her again, I eat you."

You nod, relief washing over you. "I won't. I promise. I just want to understand what's happening here. Why are the animals dying?"

The woman's expression darkens. "Hunters," she spat. "They come into our forest, kill our animals. We try to protect them, but they keep coming. We only do what we must to survive."

You realize then that these are not ordinary wolves but a rare, shapeshifting breed. They've been living in the forest for generations, protecting it from those who would exploit it. You offer your help, promising to work with them to keep the hunters out and ensure the safety of the animals and the ecosystem.

The woman nods, a hint of respect in her eyes. "You good man. We work together. But remember, you cross us, you die."

With that, she and her daughter disappear into the shadows, leaving you alone in the forest. You know then that you've made a powerful ally, and together, you can protect the forest and its inhabitants from those who seek to do them harm...*