Aden trudged up the hill into the woods. The path now rote, widened by many feet. The clearing, the empty camp, bristling with spears. Animal energy crackled inside him. He tamped it down with careful breaths. His surly servant strode impatiently ahead, leading him the door of a heavy, wrought-iron cage, it's bars pocked with rust and, in places, blood.
"Ready?"
He nodded, stepping inside. The gate swung shut with a dull clang. A heavy padlock clattered.
His mind wandered to that firebrand of a girl. Fierce hazel eyes. Hope fluttered momentarily before he lost himself as the wolf emerged.