The Blackwood pack returned to their camp under a sky heavy with clouds, the moon hidden behind a veil of grey. The air carried the scent of rain, and the forest seemed to mourn, its usual hum of life replaced by a subdued silence. Victory had been hard-won, but it felt hollow. The shadow totems were destroyed, and Kane’s forces weakened, but the shadow’s presence lingered a constant reminder that the battle was far from over.
Lyla sat near the fire, her body aching from the magic she had wielded. Every use of the forest’s energy left her feeling more drained, as though a part of her was slipping away each time. She stared into the flames, the flickering light reflecting the turmoil within her.
Dani sat down beside her, offering a plate of food. “You should eat,” she said, her voice gent
