Callie’s POV
The silence was worse than the pressure.
Much worse.
Because while the territory had vibrated, reacted, and contained that unknown presence with almost physical tension, at least one thing had been clear:
we all knew there was a threat approaching.
But now…
now there was nothing.
No resonance rippling through the ground.
No deep echo pressing against the borders.
No obvious sign of danger.
And yet, the fear remained.
Not human fear—chaotic and disordered—
but something older,
more instinctive,
spreading slowly among everyone present like a shared understanding no one wanted to say aloud.
The territory could no longer feel it.
And that meant only one thing.
Either it had gone away…
or it no longer needed to approach.
The Alpha remained motionless near the cen
