_Lyla's POV_
The journey to the southern border was quiet, but tension sat thick in the air. Aaron drove in silence, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. I stared out the window, watching as the trees became denser. The familiar roads of our pack territory were fading behind us. My stomach twisted in knots.
As we neared the forest, a strange unease settled over me. The path became rough. The car was bumping over uneven ground. Aaron slowed the vehicle to a stop.
"We can't go any further by car," he said, glancing at me. "We'll have to walk from here."
I nodded and swallowed down the nervous lump in my throat. The guards stepped out first, scanning the surroundings. The moment I stepped outside, a chill ran through me. The air felt heavier. The forest seemed to be darker than it should
