The air in the clearing felt heavier now, thicker with something more than just the scent of pine and wet earth.
There was a presence, an oppressive weight that hung between us. Aiden’s words echoed in my mind, the tension in his voice sending a chill down my spine.
“The real test has only just begun.”
I didn’t fully understand what he meant, but the look in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.
It wasn’t over. It wasn’t just about surviving Mara’s challenge or the fight against the rogue wolf. This was something bigger. Something that would change everything.
As the pack gathered around, shifting back into their human forms, the cold air seemed to swallow the sounds of the forest.
There was no celebration, no victory cheers. They were all on edge, their faces hard and focu
