Chapter Sixteen
The land did not celebrate what she had done.
Lyra felt that immediately as they rode away from Greyfen territory. There was no surge of triumph, no answering calm from the earth. The bond did not glow or hum. It sat heavier than before, settled deep in her chest like a stone placed deliberately where it could not be ignored.
Cain rode ahead, silent, shoulders tight. Elias followed close at her side, watchful, already measuring consequences.
Behind them, Greyfen burned—not with fire, but with collapse. Authority drained from the territory like blood from a wound, and the surrounding packs felt it. Lyra sensed their attention turning, sharpening. Some with fear. Some with hunger.
“This changes the pace,” Elias said finally. “You’ve proven you can strip power without kil
