The aftermath of the battle left the air heavy with the scent of blood and ash. I stood still for a moment, trying to process the events that had just unfolded. Around me, the pack moved with purpose, tending to the wounded and ensuring that every last vampire was dead. The sense of victory was palpable, but so was the fatigue.
Carter came to stand beside me, his breathing still uneven from the fight. His face was smeared with dirt, but his eyes held a newfound sharpness. He had changed, that much was clear, and not just because of the bite mark. He had fought alongside us, shown strength I hadn’t even known he possessed.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and steady despite the exhaustion in his eyes.
I nodded, offering him a small smile. “We did it. They’re gone.”
Carter’s gaze
