*River*
The heavy door creaks open, and the warm, inviting scent of roasted meat and fresh bread wafts over us. I pull Aloria closer as we step into the private dining room of the inn, my senses on high alert, scanning for any potential threats. The low hum of conversation fades as our pack gathers around a long, sturdy table, their faces lighting up at the sight of us.
Kellan stands at the head of the table, his broad shoulders relaxed but his eyes sharp. “I am happy to see you two, we started to worry. I took the freedom of ordering food.”
“Thanks, the walk back took a little longer than expected,” I admit. “And we had some long talks with locals, that had already made us late.”
“You found something!” Kellan declares, his voice booming with enthusiasm that cuts through the room’s amb
