The moment they crossed fully into the borderlands, the forest changed. The change wasn't subtle. The air grew heavier, the birds fell silent, and every breath suddenly sounded too loud.
Orion slowed, lifting a fist. They all froze. Selene’s wolf stirred uneasily, a low hum of warning curling in her chest. One hand drifted instinctively to her stomach. Orion noticed, but said nothing. The tension in his shoulders said everything. Something was wrong. Sable crouched, fingers brushing the ground. “Tracks,” she murmured. “Fresh. Too fresh.” Evangeline’s eyes narrowed. “Rogues?”
Orion shook his head once. “No. This is deliberate.” His gaze swept the trees. “They’re baiting us.” A sudden kick; stronger than the others, made Selene suck in a breath. Orion noticed instantly. “Selene,” he said q
