The forest was quiet, tense with the silence before a storm. Every wolf in Kael's pack stood on edge, eyes sharp, muscles ready to spring. They were waiting for the enemy—Marcus and his army—to appear from the shadows.
Lyra stood next to Kael, her hand in his, her heart pounding with both fear and determination. She was ready to fight. She would fight for herself, for Kael, and for the pack that had become her family.
Kael squeezed her hand, his gaze steady and serious. "Stay close to me, Lyra," he said. "Marcus will do anything to get to you. But this time, we'll end it."
Lyra nodded, pushing down her fear. She looked around at the wolves. Some were in human form, tense and ready, while others had already transformed, their glowing eyes fierce, their fur bristling. They were ready to defend their pack with everything they had.
