Victory did not feel the way I expected it to.
There was no celebration.
No relief.
Only a quiet, heavy awareness that something had shifted and that whatever came next would not be simple.
The camp was awake long before dawn
.
Word of the successful strike had already spread.
Not loudly.
Not in reckless excitement.
But in the way wolves moved.
Straighter.
Sharper.
More aware of their own strength.
I stood near the central fire, watching as supplies taken from Red Hollow were sorted and redistributed. Food stores were replenished.
Weapons were inspected. Medical kits were carefully divided among patrol units.
Efficient.
Disciplined.
Exactly as we had trained for.
Tarek approached from the southern edge of camp, his expression thoughtful rather than triumphant.
“That didn
