Days stretched into weeks after their victory, but peace remained elusive. The pack remained on high alert, guards rotating and scouts lingering at the edges of their territory. The lingering unease rattled Maris’s heart like thunder, a constant reminder that danger was not done with them yet.
One evening, as the sun dipped low and bathed the forest in warm orange hues, the pack gathered near the edge of the forest for their routine meeting. Maris stood at the forefront, her chest swelling with pride for her family, though a heaviness lurked in her stomach.
“We’ve done well to push back the rogue threat,” Marcus spoke, his voice steady but marked with resolve. “But we mustn’t grow complacent. The dark forces won’t stay retreating forever.”
The pack nodded in agreement, expressions grave
