Chapter 26

I turned my gaze to the horizon, where the faint glow of Talon Pack’s campfires dotted the dark landscape. They thought they were safe, that their unity could protect them. But unity was a lie. It was a fragile shield made of glass, and I would shatter it with a single blow.

POV: Elara

The night was quiet, yet the tension in the air was undeniable. Patrols had reported strange activity near the western border—wolves moving through the shadows, too fast and too coordinated to be rogues. It was enough to put the pack on edge, and the whispers of unease grew louder with every passing hour.

I stood at the edge of the clearing, my gaze fixed on the distant tree line. Osric approached from behind, his heavy footsteps muffled by the soft earth.

“You’re worried,” he said, his voice rough.

“I’d be a fool not to be,” I replied, without turning to face him.

“Silas is testing us. He’s waiting for the right moment to strike.”