Chapter 20 — Blood on the Border
The forest was silent in a way that made Lyra’s skin crawl.
Not the peaceful kind of silence—this was the kind that screamed of waiting predators. The leaves hung motionless, the river beyond the ridge muffled, even the wind felt held back.
Kael’s hand tightened around hers. “Something’s wrong,” he muttered, low and dangerous.
Lyra didn’t need him to say it. The scent was wrong—the faint tang of blood drifting on the wind, layered over the familiar musk of wolf dominance.
The patrol had returned hours ago, all but one. Their leader limped into the clearing, armor scorched, furs matted. His silver eyes met Kael’s, wide with a mix of fear and urgency.
“Selene,” he rasped. “She’s moved. She attacked the northern border… wolves dead. Scouts missing. She l
