Max's gaze turned slightly distant as he tried to trace that origin, but it was faint, hidden far beyond his immediate perception.
'But why send these instead of coming directly?' he wondered.
The answer did not come immediately.
And just as that thought lingered, the situation changed.
Without any warning, the wolves stopped circling.
Then, as if some unseen command had been given, they began to leave.
One by one.
Group by group.
They turned away, their predatory gazes lingering for a brief moment before they retreated into the distance. The oppressive atmosphere that had surrounded the group slowly lifted as the horde disappeared just as suddenly as it had appeared.
Within a short time, not a single wolf remained.
The area returned to silence.
Only then did the group finally exhale.
Relief washed over them as the tension that had been holding them in place faded away.
