Alyssa and Kade moved swiftly through the dense forest, each step taking them closer to the rebels’ hideout. The towering trees whispered with the wind, their shadows stretching long and ominous under the fading afternoon light.
Despite her growing strength, Alyssa couldn’t shake the unease creeping up her spine. The idea of meeting a pack of wolves who didn’t follow the rules—who lived outside the Council’s reach—was both thrilling and terrifying.
“What if they don’t trust us?” she asked, keeping her voice low.
“They won’t,” Kade replied without hesitation. “At least, not right away.”
Alyssa frowned. “So how do we convince them?”
Kade’s lips curled slightly. “We don’t. We survive their test.”
She stared at him, her pulse quickening. “Test?”
Before he could answer, a sharp whistle c
