The air still carried the scent of blood and ash as we made our way back through the forest, leaving the sealed gate behind us. I couldn’t shake the feeling that we hadn’t stopped anything—just paused it. The Reapers weren’t done. They would return. And next time, they wouldn’t come alone.
We arrived at Black Fang territory by sunrise. I sent the wounded straight to the infirmary while I met Ronan on the steps of the war hall. His sharp eyes told me everything.
"Any movement?"
"No. Too still. It’s like the forest is holding its breath. But something's off in the northern ridge. The scouts say the air's gone thin there."
I clenched my fists. We needed answers. We needed a way to end this.
Inside the hall, Heather and I gathered the inner circle. Marek spread the scroll across the table
