Elias stood over Eva, a silent guardian against the encroaching darkness. Her words, "It is not the moment yet," echoed in his mind, a stark reminder of the precarious balance they walked. He felt the raw, untamed power surging within him, a chaotic symphony of instinct and inherited magic, straining against the leash of his control. The whispers of the Wild Hunt were a constant hum beneath the surface of his thoughts, a chilling reminder of the forces arrayed against them. He knew, with a certainty that went beyond logic, that Lillith was not just aware of Eva, she was connected to her, drawing strength from their shared – though vastly different – bloodline.

The forest around them, once a sanctuary, was now a canvas of impending doom. Elias's newly enhanced senses perceived the subtle shift in the very essence of the woods. The trees seemed to weep, their leaves rustling with an almost mournful cadence. The scent of pine and damp earth was now laced with a metallic tang, the unmistakable aroma of approaching conflict. His “Visioning” ability, a terrifyingly clear precognitive sense born from the merging of his blood with Eva's, painted vivid images of carnage and destruction.

The cryptic prophecy, "What can come may never exist for what exists can never come," continued to haunt him. It felt like a riddle wrapped in an enigma, a warning shrouded in layers of meaning he couldn't yet decipher. But one thing was terrifyingly clear: the existence he knew, the life he had planned, was gone forever. He was at a crossroads, the path ahead obscured by mist and uncertainty.

He had to make a choice.

He could stay and protect Eva, guarding her with his life, even if it meant facing Lillith and her formidable power head-on. But even with his newfound strength, he knew he couldn't defeat her alone, not while she was drawing strength from Eva. His enhanced abilities provided him with glimpses of the future, terrifying visions of himself falling before Lillith’s wrath, Eva captured and her power twisted to serve the sorceress's dark ambitions.

Or, he could seek help. He could return to the scattered remnants of his pack, regroup, and find a way to confront Lillith with an army at his back. He could seek guidance from the elders, those who held the ancient knowledge of his bloodline and who might know how to sever the connection between Eva and Lillith. But leaving Eva alone, even for a short time, felt like an insurmountable risk. His Visioning showed him images of hunters descending on the mill, of Maggie Abernathy fighting bravely but ultimately falling, of Eva being dragged away, screaming his name.

The weight of these choices pressed down on him, heavy as the storm clouds gathering overhead. He looked at Eva's sleeping form, her face pale but serene. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her, of failing to protect her from the darkness that was closing in. But he also knew that the fate of not only Ashwood, but potentially the entire supernatural world, rested on his shoulders.

He had to act. And he had to act now.

A guttural growl ripped through the preternatural silence of the forest, followed by the snapping of twigs and the rustle of leaves. Elias stiffened, his senses instantly on high alert. He knew that sound. It wasn’t the sound of the Wild Hunt. It was far more dangerous.

It was the sound of hunters.

He peered through the branches, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. Three figures emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and silent, their eyes glowing with a predatory gleam. They were werewolves, but not like those he had encountered before. Their fur was a sickly grey, their bodies lean and wiry, their faces contorted into expressions of pure malice, driven by bloodlust and the scent of their prey. They were clearly not from Ashwood, and the aura of dark magic that clung to them was palpable.

He recognized the insignia emblazoned on their rough leather armor, a twisted symbol of a wolf devouring the moon. They were members of the Bloodmoon Pack, Lillith's personal guard, the most feared and ruthless hunters in the supernatural world and what they wanted was to find the gate to the power that could make Lilith be what she once used to be, her power and strength had faded, and they needed more magic.

He knew what they were after. Eva.

He glanced down at her, her face still peaceful in sleep. He couldn't wake her. Not yet. He needed time to formulate a plan, to find a way to protect her. He had to keep her safe, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

He moved silently, melting into the shadows, his movements fluid and graceful despite his immense size. He circled around the hunters, his senses tracking their every move. He had the element of surprise, but they outnumbered him, and they were clearly skilled warriors. He needed a strategy, a way to use his enhanced abilities to his advantage.

He noticed a massive overhanging branch, weakened by age and decay, just above the hunters’ heads. An idea began to form in his mind, a risky plan, but one that might just give him the edge he needed. Using his enhanced strength and speed, he climbed up the nearest tree, moving with a stealth that belied his formidable size. He reached the weakened the visions that her power had came all from a plan on how to protect, and every little step and action was now on another level of what could only be called to a werewolf.

Once her powers began to fade, everything would reset, so every action had a limit and consequences.

He reached the weakened branch, his claws digging into the rough bark. He tested its strength, his Visioning ability showing him the precise point where it would break. He positioned himself carefully, his muscles coiled, ready to spring.

The hunters below were closing in on Eva's resting place, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. One of them sniffed the air, their nostrils flaring.

“I smell her,” he growled, his voice a low rumble. “The Blood of Ashwood.”

“She’s close,” another hunter hissed, drawing their dagger. “We’ll take her back to the Mistress. Lilith will be pleased.”

Elias knew he couldn’t wait any longer. This was his chance, one small chance, to use his enhanced abilities to create a diversion and escape with Eva. It might not be enough, but it was all he had.

He took a deep breath, gathered his strength, and then, with a mighty roar, he broke the branch, sending it crashing down on the unsuspecting hunters.

The branch landed with a deafening crack, scattering dust and debris. The hunters cried out in surprise, their bodies scrambling to avoid the falling wood. It was enough.

Elias leaped from the tree, landing softly on his feet. He scooped Eva up into his arms, her body light and warm against his fur, and then he ran. He ran with the speed of the wind, his enhanced senses guiding him through the tangled undergrowth, his heart pounding with the thrill of survival.

He didn’t look back. He knew the hunters would be pursuing them, but he also knew that he had bought them valuable time. Time to escape. Time to regroup. Time to prepare for the inevitable confrontation with Lillith and all those who were once with him, those he was going to hunt.