The forest was eerily silent that night, as though the snow itself had swallowed every sound. Even the wind seemed to hesitate before brushing through the pine branches. I moved slowly along the northern ridge, my boots leaving faint impressions in the frost hardened earth, each step deliberate, measured, and mindful of the wolves patrolling behind me. Tarek followed closely, his eyes scanning the treeline, muscles coiled in readiness, while Mira brought up the rear, her senses sharp, ears twitching at the subtlest disturbances in the snow covered silence.
The reports from scouts had grown more urgent over the past two days. Red Hollow had moved with calculated audacity, probing further into neutral territory, seeking weaknesses. Nightfang’s scouts were more aggressive now, their presence
