Serena's POV
The forest was quiet as I Walker back to the packhouse the next morning, the ground damp beneath my feet. The training from yesterday still weighed on my back, the energy I had unleashed hunting me in flashes.
Kael's unwavering belief in me was the only thing anchoring me, but I wasn't sure how long I could hold on to that hope.
The packhouse loomed ahead, its rustic beauty contrasting with the tumoil brewing inside me. The moment I stepped through the door, whispers altered and all eyes turned towards me.
Their distrust was a palpable thing hanging in the air like a storm cloud.
"Morning rouge", a woman's voice sneered.
I turned to see Lila leaning against the banister of the staircase, her expression dripping with mockery. Her sharp features twisted into a smile th
