The forest felt different on the third night.
Not quiet.
Not calm.
But waiting.
Even the wind seemed to move more carefully through the trees, as if it understood what was about to unfold.
I stood at the edge of the gorge, crouched low behind a jagged outcrop of stone. Below us, the narrow passage cut through the earth like a wound, steep cliffs rising on both sides, trapping sound and scent within its walls.
Perfect terrain.
Exactly as we had planned.
Behind me, twelve of our strongest wolves held position, their breathing steady, controlled. No unnecessary movement. No wasted energy.
They had trained for this.
Now it was time to prove it.
Tarek crouched beside me, eyes scanning the gorge.
“They’re late,” he murmured.
“No,” I said quietly. “They’re careful.”
There was a diff
