AUTHOR’S POV
It was midnight but only stars filled the sky. The absence of the moon made the night even darker.
Most of the Bloodclaw pack had already surrendered to sleep. The paths between the buildings were empty, the usual murmur of voices long gone, and even the guards stationed around the settlement seemed swallowed by the stillness of the night.
Inside one of the numerous buildings, a figure lay awake.
They had been awake for nearly an hour, staring into the darkness and listening to the slow rhythm of another person's breathing.
Sleep would not come.
Every time their eyes closed, the same thought returned.
Tonight.
It had to be tonight.
The figure carefully pushed themselves upright.
For several moments, they remained still, listening.
The person beside them shifted slig
