---
A few moments after the group teleported to Earth, Ciara followed—her body scorched, skin burned and cracked in places.
"Does it heal?" Liana asked, genuine concern slipping into her voice.
Ciara exhaled through clenched teeth. "Like I said… immortality perks." She straightened slightly. "Hurts like hell, though."
The others barely noticed.
They were too busy staring.
"So…" Zack muttered, poking a giant mushroom with a stick. It hissed at him.
"Is this Earth?"
"Don't touch anything," Liana snapped, slapping his arm.
Around them, the forest loomed—trees like green skyscrapers, trunks thick enough to crush buildings. Mist curled around their ankles. The air felt heavy. Alive. The silence pressed down on them so hard it made their breathing sound loud.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Guys," Alex said slowly, squinting, "this place… is breathing."
"Bro, are you high?" Kyle said, spinning in a circle. "It's just fog and trees."
Mia elbowed him. "Fog doesn't growl, genius."
A long, low howl rolled through the woods.
Everyone froze.
Zack raised both hands. "Okay, just throwing this out there—maybe we teleport back? Like, immediately?"
Before anyone could answer, shapes dropped from the trees.
Silent. Fast.
Wolves—but not fully. Half-shifted bodies, glowing eyes, exposed teeth, muscles coiled tight like springs.
"Uh…" Alex said weakly. "Friendly?"
One stepped forward. Tall. Scarred. Silver marks cut across his bare chest. His eyes were sharp and impatient.
"You're trespassing," he growled. "Speak fast."
Ciara sighed and stepped ahead of the group. "They're idiots," she said calmly. "But peaceful idiots."
The man studied them. Mia waved awkwardly.
He exhaled. "You're lucky she speaks for you. Welcome to werewolf territory." His eyes hardened. "Don't run. We chase."
Kyle immediately took a step back.
"Not joking," the man added, already turning away.
The forest closed in as they followed, swallowing the path behind them.
They all shared the same thought.
They were completely screwed.
---
They walked single-file through twisting paths. Branches clawed at their clothes. Vines shifted when touched. Every shadow seemed to watch.
Kyle stepped on something soft.
"Oh god," he gagged. "Please tell me that was a mushroom."
"It moved," Zack whispered.
"Why would it move?!"
"Because this isn't a park," Liana snapped. "It's a death jungle."
Up front, the werewolf didn't even look back. "Keep walking."
Ciara walked beside him, calm, ignoring the group like a tired babysitter running on pure willpower.
"I think I just saw a squirrel with fangs," Mia muttered.
"Cool," Zack said. "If I die, tell my parents I went out like a hero."
"You tripped over a root and cried," Alex said.
"Still brave."
Suddenly, something massive dropped from above.
A wolf the size of a truck landed in front of them and snarled.
The group screamed in perfect, terrified harmony.
Liana tried to climb a tree. Kyle froze mid-reach for his sword. Zack hid behind Mia—who was already hiding behind Alex.
Ciara raised one finger. "Down."
The beast instantly sat.
Silence.
"What the hell?" Mia whispered.
"She's a mom," Zack said in awe. "She just mommed a death beast."
Ciara kept walking. "Try not to get eaten before we arrive."
No one replied. Their legs shook too much to speak.
Ahead, the forest opened. Glowing lights flickered through the mist.
They had arrived.
---
They stumbled into the settlement like idiots on a school trip gone wrong.
"Uh… guys?" Zack whispered, staring at a massive wolf-man sharpening claws on something that looked suspiciously like a human femur. "Pretty sure we're not supposed to be here."
The forest had changed. Trees were shaped into towers. Rope bridges swayed overhead, connecting wooden huts built high in the branches. Wolves lounged on rooftops, watching them like entertainment.
Alex swallowed. "Just… act normal."
"Define normal," Liana muttered, dodging a glowing-eyed toddler who scaled a tree like it was nothing.
They passed sparring pits where werewolf teens slammed into each other with bone-cracking force. One challenger got clotheslined and didn't move for a full minute. The winner howled like he'd just scored a winning goal.
"So violence is the vibe," Mia said quietly.
They were finally herded into a massive clearing—part arena, part ancient coliseum. Stone walls were carved with deep claw marks.
At the center stood a man who looked like he could lift a car for fun.
Jack.
The Alpha King.
He wore leather and furs, his expression bored and dangerous all at once. His gaze swept over them slowly.
"You smell like burnt blood," he said flatly. "And fear."
Zack blinked. "...Thanks?"
Liana stepped forward. "We're not here to start anything."
Jack smiled—but it wasn't friendly. It was the kind of smile that promised pain.
"Good," he said. "Because here? If you start something…"
His eyes sharpened.
"You don't finish it."
Alex muttered under his breath,
"We're so screwed."
---