The sun climbed higher in the sky, painting the forest with a golden hue as the pack regrouped. The battle had ended in victory, but the cost was evident in the tired faces and the injuries being tended by healers. Alex stood among them, feeling both the weight of their struggles and the promise of a new beginning.
Marcus approached, a bandage wrapped around his arm but a satisfied grin on his face. "We did it, Alex. We beat them back."
Alex nodded, pride swelling in his chest. "It was a team effort. Every single one of us played a part."
Sara joined them, her gaze shifting between the two men. "The Shadow's forces won't be coming back anytime soon, but we need to prepare for what's next. We have to report back to the council and make sure they understand the gravity of what's happening."
