The tension in the air was so thick, it felt like it might snap at any moment. The werebears had set up their camp along the western perimeter, just as Thorin had said, and our patrols had started working together, wolves and bears moving in synchronized sweeps around the territory. But even with the added strength, I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my gut.
It wasn’t that I didn’t trust the werebears—well, not entirely. They had proven they were willing to help, and I could see the strength they brought to our ranks. But there was still a sense of disconnection between us, a wariness that neither side could shake. It wasn’t something that could be fixed overnight. Trust needed time, and time was not a luxury we had.
The packhouse was quieter than usual, most of the warriors
