Morning came restless.
Not because of noise.
Because everyone felt it now.
The camp moved differently after Kellan’s warning. Conversations stayed quieter. Patrols checked the boundaries twice instead of once. Wolves who once slept deeply now stirred at the smallest sound beyond the trees.
Awareness had settled over all of them.
They were being watched.
Nyra stood near the western edge of camp as pale light filtered through the forest, her attention fixed on the distant tree line while cold air moved softly against her skin.
The presence was there again.
Faint.
Far.
But real.
Not close enough to threaten.
Close enough to observe.
“You haven’t stopped listening since sunrise.”
Darius’ voice came from behind her as he approached slowly, two cups of heated water in his hands. He
