he clearing, once alive with ancient magic and tension, was now quiet. The Lycans had shif

d. She was leaving her village, the only home she had ever known, and stepping into a world she didn't understand. She had no idea

certain-there was

traveled in their wolf forms, were stretching and shifting back into their massive wolf forms. It was surreal, watching them

" a voice said soft

ght. He looked less imposing in this moment, though his presence still sent a shiver down her spine. He

trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm leaving everything I've

n't pretend this isn't a difficult path. But I

t like him or the others-she wasn't a warrior, she wasn't a leader.

ly, voicing the fear that had been haunting her since she fi

hoose wrong, Elara. You were chosen because you are strong-stronger than you know. The mark of the

up inside her. "But I don't feel powerful

in her chest. "True strength isn't always obvious. It reveals itself whe

ld as ever. "The horses are ready," he said, his eyes briefly flicking

dening as he turned to Kael. "We leave

alked off, barking orders

kling at the back of her neck. "H

een my second-in-command for years, and he's fiercely protective of the pac

that mean he doesn't

t the order we've maintained," Aldric said, his t

sily. But there were bigger concerns than Kael's disapproval. She had to focus on survivin

sturing toward the hors

-

ead of the group, her mind still racing with questions. The Lycans moved in a silent, disciplined formation, their wo

er them. Elara had traveled through the woods many times, but never this far. They were hea

tal?" Elara asked, b

el as swiftly as possible, but we'll need to re

that time. She didn't know what to expect, but she could feel the weight o

Aldric spoke again. "You're

people who will want me dead. How can you be sur

cautious. There are forces at work that would rather see the p

What do they gain fr

sents-a unification of the packs, a strength that cannot be challenged. They thrive

n there was darkness in the world, but she hadn't realized how deeply it ran in the k

ed deeper into the heart of Lycan territory. Elara's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rustlin

ldric's hand shot out, si

fensive formation, their eyes scannin

dric whispered,

mething was watching them. She could feel it-a presence lurk

silent. And then, without wa

-