The wind howled through the dense forest, rustling the leaves in restless whispers. Alden crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit terrain. Shadowfang stood beside him, muscles tense, ears twitching as if listening to something Alden couldn't hear.
They were hunting.
Or rather, they were being hunted.
Alden and his team had taken on a mission—a high-level beast elimination request—to track down a rogue Bloodfang Stalker, a monstrous feline known for its speed, cunning, and lethal strikes. It had been terrorizing nearby villages, and the reward for taking it down was enough to fund Alden's gear upgrades for months.
But there was one problem.
The Bloodfang Stalker was an A-Rank beast, notorious for outsmarting tamers. It wasn't just a predator—it was a killer that had evaded capture for years.
And now, it was watching them.
Alden didn't move. He focused on his breathing, listening past the rustling trees and the chirping insects. His heartbeat was steady, but his fingers tingled with anticipation.
Where are you?
Shadowfang's fur bristled, and a low growl rumbled from his throat.
Alden barely had time to react.
The attack came from the left—a streak of crimson fur launched from the shadows, claws gleaming like steel daggers. Alden twisted his body, barely avoiding the strike as the Bloodfang Stalker skidded across the ground, its glowing red eyes locking onto him.
Fast. Too fast.
"Shadowfang, counter!" Alden barked.
His wolf lunged, fangs bared, aiming for the Bloodfang's throat. But the beast was quicker. It vanished—not through magic, but sheer speed—reappearing behind Shadowfang in an instant.
Alden's eyes widened.
It was toying with them.
"Damn," Alden muttered, rolling to the side just as the beast's tail whipped toward him, snapping a tree branch in half.
The Bloodfang Stalker was testing their reactions, learning their movements. It wasn't attacking recklessly—it was playing.
Alden grinned.
Then let's change the game.
"Shadowfang, switch tactics! Bait it in."
His wolf growled in response, lowering his head, pretending to show weakness. The Bloodfang tilted its head as if amused, then darted forward.
Alden was already moving.
With a swift motion, he threw a smoke bomb at his own feet, obscuring his position. The Bloodfang hesitated—not expecting a prey to blind itself—just for a fraction of a second.
That was all Alden needed.
From the smoke, he launched forward, dagger flashing.
The beast leaped to dodge—but Alden had anticipated that.
"Shadowfang—NOW!"
The wolf emerged from the mist, his entire body wreathed in black shadows, his abyssal power surging. The Bloodfang tried to retreat—too late.
Shadowfang's fangs clamped down on the beast's hind leg, dragging it down with incredible force. The Bloodfang screeched, its red eyes flashing with panic.
Alden didn't hesitate.
He leaped onto the beast's back, driving his dagger toward its spine—stopping just before piercing through.
The Bloodfang panted, struggling beneath him, but it had been caught.
"Submit," Alden said, his voice calm but commanding.
The beast snarled, its instincts telling it to resist. But Alden had fought too many creatures to be shaken. His aura flared, his connection to the abyss brushing against the Bloodfang's consciousness.
The beast stilled.
Then, slowly, its body relaxed, its crimson fur dulling slightly.
It was submitting.
Alden let out a slow breath.
He hadn't just defeated the Bloodfang Stalker.
He had tamed it.