The cry of the wolf

Previously

…The mystery he had stumbled into was far greater, far more profound, than he had ever anticipated. He was no longer just a boy who had heard a strange howl. He was a part of something ancient, something vital. He was standing at the precipice of a secret, and the choice he made now would ripple far beyond the confines of his small town, far beyond the edges of these whispering woods. The forest’s plea had been heard, and Carter, the compassionate, curious boy, had answered. The path ahead was shrouded in shadow, but for the first time, he felt a strange sense of purpose, a quiet strength blooming within him, mirroring the ancient power of the creature lying at his feet.