Elena
The young woman stands in the doorway, her face pale. "There are wolves at the border," she whispers. "Alexander's wolves."
My heart stops. My hand tightens around Ray's.
"How many?" I ask.
"At least twenty. They are not attacking. Just watching. Waiting." The young woman looks at Ray's sleeping form. "The alpha is gathering fighters. He says you should stay inside."
She leaves. The door closes.
I look at Ray. His eyes are closed. His breathing is slow. The bandages on his chest are clean, no fresh blood. Marta's stitching held.
He needs rest. He cannot fight.
I sit beside him for hours. The fire burns low. The room grows dark.
Then Ray stirs. His eyes open.
"Elena," he whispers. "What happened?"
"Alexander's wolves are at the border. They are not attacking. Just watching.
