The first sign of trouble was the low growl of the sentries at the camp’s entrance.
I turned immediately, my body tensing on instinct. In the distance, I saw the silhouette of a wolf moving between the trees—staggering, dirty, its fur matted with dirt and sweat. Before it could take another step, three of our warriors intercepted it, slamming it down against the ground with ease.
The intruder let out a choked growl but didn’t fight back. He remained still, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling violently.
Ava was the first to react.
“Who the hell is this?” she spat, striding toward the group, her hand already gripping the hilt of her dagger.
Kael moved beside her, his expression carved from stone.
The sentries kept the wolf pinned to the ground, a knee diggin
