The light of the grove lingered in Lyla’s mind, a fleeting comfort that seemed to dim with each passing day. The victory over the corrupted land had been a triumph, but it had come at a price. The forest’s whispers grew louder, more insistent, their urgency pressing on her like a physical weight. The battle with Kane was far from over, and Lyla knew that every step forward brought them closer to a confrontation that would determine the fate of them all.
Back at the Blackwood camp, the pack regrouped, their relief at the recent victory overshadowed by the grim reality of what lay ahead. The shadow’s corruption had been pushed back for now, but it was clear that Kane’s influence continued to grow. His retreat had not been one of defeat but of calculation.
Lyla sat near the edge of the camp
