Elara's POV
The dawn came grey and heavy, clouds pressing against the treetops like a held breath.
I stood at the window of the lodge, Selene cradled in my arms, her silver fur catching the weak light. She was so small, so perfect, her tiny paws curling against my chest. Lyra slept in the basket beside us, her hand still resting on her sister's paw.
Dorian appeared behind me, his arms sliding around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. "You've been standing there for an hour."
"I couldn't sleep. The dreams."
"Still the same?"
"Worse." I leaned into him. "The shadow on the horizon. The whisper. It's getting closer, Dorian. I can feel it."
He was silent for a moment. Then he said, "Then we face it together."
"Together."
---
The pack gathered that afternoon in the Moonfall Cle
