All roads seemed to lead back to Bennett's manor. But if she went back with him, Holden's and Adrian's efforts would be in vain.

Ariana was angry, fixing Bennett with a fierce stare. "Start telling the truth, or I might just end you!”

It was unclear whether Bennett would take her threat seriously, but Ariana was eager for an answer.

Just then, a sharp exhale from behind Ariana made her pause. It felt like the breath of a large animal.

A wave of fear washed over her as she felt her legs shake uncontrollably.

Fighting the panic, she slowly turned to find a pack of wolves, about a dozen in number, lurking in the underbrush ten meters away.

Their eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger, ready to strike.

Gulping down her fear, Ariana's hand instinctively reached for the weapon in her pocket.

Since her encounter with Bennett, misfortune seemed her constant companion. Was he truly a jinx? Trouble, it seemed, was never far behind when she was with him.

"Bennett!" Ariana called out, her movements deliberate and slow, trying not to alarm the wolves circling them. Her voice trembled with fear. “This is your territory, isn't it? These wolves belong to you, right? Can you make them leave? They look ravenous. Surely, they haven't forgotten who their leader is, right?"

“No, they're not under my command," Bennett answered, his tone serious. "Yes, I do manage wolves, but not these. This forest is forbidden territory. I usually send people here either as punishment or to leave my enemies to their own fate."

A chill ran through Ariana as she asked again, “Has anyone ever survived this place?"

Bennett hesitated, his silence speaking volumes.

Impatient and anxious, Ariana pressed him, asking, "Well? Say something!"

“Why do you need to hear the answer?" Bennett replied, looking resigned. “If anyone had made it out alive, do you think I would continue using this place?"

Despair washed over Ariana.

Even though both of them were seasoned fighters, Ariana was weary, and Bennett was limping. They could possibly fend off one or two wolves, but a pack of them? It was hopeless.

A direct confrontation would likely lead to a brutal end for them.

“Wait, you're a beast tamer, aren't you?" Ariana suddenly recalled something, a glimmer of hope sparking within her. "Your animals are incredibly loyal and far more formidable than these wolves. You could manage a few wild ones, couldn't you?"

Bennett offered Ariana a gentle smile upon hearing her, yet it somehow felt colder than the smirks he had given before.