The journey back to the pack felt surreal, as if we had transcended mere space but were instead walking within a cacophony of emotions—the weight of gratitude tangled with the urgency of fear. Lila walked beside me, her presence grounding me in a way that soothed the chaos inside.
Marcus remained vigilant, determined to shield us from lingering shadows, though his expression reflected the toll the ordeal had taken on him. He carried the flickering remnants of worry, clouds hovering over his grey eyes.
As we stepped into the warm light of our home, the familiar sounds of the pack at work enveloped us—hushed conversations, the laughter of children, warriors training in the yard. For a moment, I thought we could return to what normal used to be; the dread and tension began to unwind, yet I
