CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
The scent of smoke and earth grows stronger as we near our ally's territory, the air chilling with every step. My breath mists before me, a spectral dance in the crumbling twilight. I've walked these woods before, surrounded by the camaraderie of allied packs and the comfort of shared strength. But tonight, under the crescent moon's watchful eye, an uneasy silence blankets the forest.
"Lucy, keep close," Max's voice is low but firm, slicing through the quiet like a warning. His hazel eyes flick to mine for just a moment, echoing the tension that tightens my muscles. Despite the coolness between us, born of unspoken feelings and untaken chances, his protective instinct remains undeniable.
We breach the final ridge, expecting the welcoming howls of our brethren, the glo
