HECTOR

My hind legs had begun to creak and cramp as I shifted from my hunch in the shadowed enclaves of the caves’ rocky exterior.

“Where are you?” I rumbled lowly, raking my wolf eyes over the shadowed lowlands that were lined with white orchid trees that overhung ominously over the winding dirt path.

It was empty, with only the wind whistling a soft lullaby through the leaves as they sashayed up and down.

“Dammit.” I hissed, baring my teeth as the hairs rose on the back of my head before I leaped down soundlessly, with all the graceless ambling of a newborn pup, to the rocky mouth of the...