Chapter 1 - The Father in the Snow
Daniel stood completely frozen in the brutal winter wind, pulling Emma tightly behind him.
His father, Richard, stood perfectly still in the harsh glow of the headlights.
He did not rush forward to embrace his freezing, terrified children.
He did not look surprised to find them wandering alone in a deadly, frozen taiga.
Emma peeked out from behind Daniel’s legs, her small face confused and hopeful.
“Daddy, you found us! Vera left us all alone,” she cried out, stepping forward.
Daniel instantly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, his eyes locked on his father’s hands.
Richard was holding a heavy, black iron flashlight, and his knuckles were completely white from gripping it so tightly.
“Daniel, let your sister go. Get in the car,” Richard said.
His voice was terrifyingly calm, lacking any of the frantic panic a normal father would feel.
Daniel took a slow step backward into the deep snow, his heart hammering against his ribs.
“Did you know Vera was bringing us out here?” Daniel demanded, his voice cracking.
Richard looked away for a brief second, the snow falling gently on his expensive wool coat.
“It is complicated, son. You wouldn't understand,” Richard murmured softly.
Those words hit Daniel harder than the freezing temperature ever could.
His own father had known. His own father had approved of the cruel abandonment.
Daniel realized they were not being rescued; they were simply being collected to finish whatever sick plan Vera had started.
“We are not going with you,” Daniel stated firmly.
He tightened his grip on Emma's hand and began to back away slowly toward the dark tree line.
Richard’s sad expression vanished completely, replaced by a cold, desperate anger.
“Do not make this harder than it has to be, Daniel. Get in the car right now,” Richard barked.
He took a sudden, aggressive step forward, raising the heavy flashlight.
Behind Daniel, a low, menacing growl suddenly vibrated through the freezing air.
The gray wolves had not left. They had been watching the entire time.
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But they were not growling at Daniel or Emma.
Two massive wolves stepped out of the shadows, standing protectively between the children and their father.
