lizzie shut her eyes , burying her face into lucas back , tightly bracing herself for the impact and was relieved to feel his hand reaching out and grasping hers firmly ; squeezing her fingers as they waited for the impact but just as she was sure they were about to be swallowed she heard a deafening howl from all around and her eyes flew open to see a pack of the large wolf beasts landing on the path in front of her .