The decision was made quickly.
Too quickly.
By the time they returned to the pack house, Kael had already given orders.
“We leave at first light.”
Lyra hadn’t argued.
She couldn’t.
Because now—
There was no running from it.
If there was a truth…
She needed to face it.
Morning came with a heavy silence.
No one said much.
Not the guards.
Not the warriors.
Even the air felt tense.
Lyra stood near the entrance, waiting.
Her chest tight.
Her thoughts louder than ever.
What if it’s true?
She pushed the thought away.
“You’re ready?”
Kael’s voice.
Calm.
Grounding.
Lyra nodded.
“I think so.”
Kael studied her for a moment.
Like he was trying to read something deeper.
“You don’t have to do this today,” he said.
Lyra shook her head immediately.
“No.”
Her voice was firmer
