*Shadow Pack —The Gathering Grounds, Dawn*
The drums of Shadow Pack did not beat that morning. Normally, at the first light, the wolves would gather in rhythm to remind the mountains they were strong, and united.
But when the Flame had stepped into the temple, silence had swallowed the pack whole.
Whispers were heard at every corner.
“They say the Flame is here.”
“I saw her last night, light was bleeding from her skin.”
“She will save us.”
“She will destroy us.”
Each wolf clung to their own version of the truth. Mothers clutched their pups tighter, elders shook their heads with unease, and younger wolves argued in the courtyards until their voices cracked.
Crystal had not seen any of it. They had arrived at the pack compound the previous night and she had remained unconscious.
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