Irene's POV
The stronghold rose from the mountainside like a scar that refused to heal.
It wasn't the grand fortress Ken had described from the old days. That had been reduced to rubble years ago. This was something smaller. Rougher. A collection of stone buildings carved into the rock face, hidden from the world by ancient trees and defensive magic.
But it was alive.
Smoke curled from chimneys. Voices echoed from within the walls. And as we approached the main gate, I saw them gathering.
Wolves. Dozens of them. Men, women, children. All bearing the silver-touched hair and pale eyes of Dark Hollows bloodlines.
My people.
The thought felt foreign. Impossible. I had spent my entire life believing I was nobody. A Wolfless outcast. A burden to be tolerated, never wanted.
Now I was walk
