The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of burning wood and damp earth as Ava stepped out of her assigned quarters. The assembly grounds were already alive with activity hunters sharpening their weapons, elders gathered in hushed conversations, and new recruits undergoing rigorous training under the watchful eyes of senior members. The entire atmosphere buzzed with an energy she had long been accustomed to, yet today, it felt different. Heavier.
Ava wrapped her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her mind still clouded by the events of the previous night. She had barely gotten any sleep, tossing and turning as the weight of her double life pressed down on her. Damon’s face, his touch, his voice—everything about him haunted her. How was she supposed to focus on this assembly when all
