Lyra’s POV
We gathered everyone who was joining us, and the group was larger than I expected. Some of the rogues who stayed behind looked sad when they realized I was actually leaving. A few of the older women hugged me, and the younger kids held my hands, asking if I would visit again. I promised them I would. The promise felt unsure because I didn’t know what would happen once we reached Blackfang, but I didn’t want to leave them without hope.
Rook walked beside me as we left the territory with Kael leading us. The air was cool and the forest was quiet, and the group moved together in a long line. The people who chose to follow me didn’t look unsure or scared. They looked ready.
We had been walking for a while when Rook slowed down and looked over the trees ahead. “Feral wolves,” he s
