Both Kaelen Darkfang and the hooded figure frowned and looked around, scanning their surroundings with intense suspicion.
Aether held his breath as he crouched behind the wall, hoping fervently that they wouldn't discover his hiding place. The tension in the air was palpable, and he could almost hear his own heartbeat echoing in his ears.
Kaelen, who had partially transformed with his long wolf ears, picked up on a sound that made him pause...
"Ba-Dump, Ba-Dump, Ba-Dump..."
Kaelen's eyes widened in surprise as he pinpointed the source of the sound. He motioned for the hooded figure to remain silent, and very slowly, with deliberate caution, began to move toward the origin of the frantic heartbeat, each step measured and precise.
Aether's mind raced through a myriad of possibilities. He knew he had inadvertently overheard something, and he suspected that Kaelen and his companion might kill him to ensure his silence. He had no choice but to prepare himself for a confrontation...
