Chapter 111

“Remember,” I whispered, my voice low but firm, “stay close to each other. Watch your partner’s back, and don’t engage unless you’re certain. We don’t need heroes today; we need a pack that fights as one.”

Ash gave a tight nod, his gaze steadying as he took a deep breath.

“We’re ready,” he murmured, his voice betraying both fear and courage.

“We’ll be right behind you.”

Elara was nearby, flanked by Osric and a few of our strongest warriors. Her eyes met mine across the line of wolves, and in that brief glance, I saw her trust, her confidence, and her resolve. She was a leader born for this moment, and despite everything we’d been through, I felt a fierce pride swell within me. She’d given her all to build this pack’s strength, to forge a unity that would endure even the harshest of trials. Today, we would put that to the test.

A faint rustling reached my ears, and I stilled, signaling to the others to do the same. The sound of footsteps—dozens, maybe more—filtered through the trees. Silas’s wolves were approaching, their movements cautious, careful. They didn’t yet know we were here, lying in wait, but they were close, too close to turn back now.

Elara raised her hand in a signal, her eyes scanning the treeline as she waited for the perfect moment. I gripped the earth beneath me, grounding myself, channeling the tension into a steady, focused energy. Every instinct urged me forward, but I held back, waiting for her lead.