As the energy from the ritual lingered in the air, Maris could feel the unquenchable fire igniting within her. The pack around her began to murmur once more, their excitement blending into palpable tension as Elara took a step back, allowing the weight of the moment to settle.
“Now that we’ve begun the ritual, we must prepare for what comes next,” Elara continued, her piercing gaze sweeping across the gathered pack. “The guardians have answered, but the darkness is cunning. It will test you, Maris, and the bond you share with your friends and family.”
“What exactly should we expect?” Maris asked, her voice steadier than before, though anxiety threaded through her words.
“Manifestations of fear and doubt,” Elara said, a dark glint in her eyes. “It will try to unearth your insecurities,
