Kora’s POV
The plateau was quiet except for the wind and the rasp of our breaths. Everyone stared at the stone with my name carved into it. My stomach churned like I’d swallowed ice. I wanted to scrape the letters away with my nails, bury them under rocks, anything to erase that message. But it wasn’t just stone—it was a promise.
Edward didn’t move for a long time. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, his eyes dark and distant. Finally, he spoke, his voice like steel cutting through the air.
“We move tonight.”
Mara blinked. “Tonight? Alpha, the path ahead—”
“I don’t care about the path ahead.” His voice sharpened. “The longer we stay here, the more advantage we give him.”
No one argued. They just started packing up, silent and quick.
I stayed where I was, my arms wrapped tight
