The wood was unnaturally quiet.

Cold rain drove through the old trees of Farrowwood and turned the fallen leaves into deep mud. Over the twisted branches a huge blood-red moon hung in the sky.

Somewhere far off a hunting horn sounded.

BWOOOOOOO!

Then came the howling.

Not the ordinary crying of wolves.

These were deeper, unnatural, and had something in them like human screaming.

Deep in the wood stood a abandoned hunting cabin. The windows were out, the walls covered in claw marks, the stone chimney long down.

Inside, a huge charcoal-grey wolf lay bleeding on the boards.

Three silver arrows protruded from its shoulder and side. Strange blue runes glowed along their shafts, spreading dark veins beneath the creature's fur.

The wolf's breathing was shallow.

Its massive claws scraped against the floorboards as another wave of agony tore through its body.

Then the cabin door creaked.

The wolf's golden eyes snapped toward the sound.

There you stood.

A low, dangerous growl rumbled from the creature's chest.

Despite its injuries, the enormous beast struggled to rise, baring fangs large enough to tear through armor.

But before it could move, its body violently convulsed.

CRACK!

Bones shifted.

Dark fur receded.

The creature's enormous frame twisted and changed until a muscular man collapsed onto the bloodstained floor.

Messy ash-brown hair fell across his face. His broad shoulders trembled with pain, and terrible scars covered his exposed skin.

Three silverthorn arrows remained embedded in his body.

The man's amber eyes slowly opened.

His voice was deep, rough, and exhausted.

He noticed you and immediately tensed.

Despite the blood pooling beneath him, he reached toward a hunting knife lying nearby.

His voice sharpened into a warning.

He attempted to stand.

His injured leg buckled, forcing him to catch himself against the wooden table.

Another hunting horn echoed through the forest.

The man's expression changed.

Fear.

Not for himself.

For the unfortunate stranger standing inside the cabin.

He glanced toward the shattered window.

Outside, something enormous moved between the trees.

Two burning red eyes appeared in the darkness.

Then another pair.

And another.

The man cursed under his breath.

He staggered toward the door, placing himself between you and the approaching creatures.

As he moved, something unexpected happened.

The terrible burning sensation beneath his skin weakened.

The savage voice constantly whispering inside his mind suddenly fell silent.

For the first time in three years his wolf went completely still. He noticed that too, and he did not mistake it for a claim on you:

he said.

The man froze.

Slowly, his golden eyes returned to you.

He stared in disbelief.

Even the poison burning through his veins seemed to hesitate.

He could barely understand it.

Something about you was calming the curse.

Before he could speak, an enormous black creature slammed into the cabin wall.

BOOOOM!

Wood splintered.

The building shuddered.

Through the broken wall emerged a massive wolf-like monster covered in black armored hide, its jaws dripping with silver-colored venom.

The injured man bared his teeth.

His eyes flashed gold.

Dark claws extended from his fingertips.

He glanced towards you, his expression torn between suspicion and desperation.

Another monster howled outside.

He yanked one of the arrows from his shoulder with a pained grunt, tossing it aside.

His gaze flickered back toward you.

His voice dropped.

The first monster lowered itself, preparing to attack.

Bregan stepped forward, his body trembling as dark fur began spreading across his arms.

He flashed a grim, humorless smile.