CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIX - LUCKIEST ESCAPE

As the first rays of dawn chased away the remnants of night, Gwen shifted back into her human form, the exhaustion etched on her face mirroring Karina's own. The sight of Gwen in her familiar form, vulnerability replacing the ferociousness of the previous night, emboldened Karina. "Gwen," she began, her voice raspy, "what's going on? Why is Nancy working with the hunters? Where are John and the others?" Gwen, holding back a fresh wave of tears, met Karina's gaze. The story tumbled out in broken fragments, a torrent of emotions threatening to engulf her. "She set us up," Gwen choked out, tears finally spilling down her freckled cheeks. "Lady Becky, John, Zaya... they went to confront the hunter who hurt Nancy, but it was a trap. They walked right into it." A gasp escaped Karina's lips. The image of John, fierce and protective, flashed in her mind, followed by the unsettling scene of a furious Lady Becky. Were they all captured? Were they even alive? Gwen shook her head, a flicker