Alpha Black walked ahead of me, steady and sure, toward the pack house. He didn’t glance back, didn’t say a word. I followed in silence, a few paces behind, trying not to trip over the fact that my heart was still racing.
People watched us as we passed. Warriors paused, then quickly looked away, returning to the grim task of clearing the battlefield—piling rogue bodies, tending to the wounded. I didn’t know if anyone from our side had fallen. I hoped not. But no one was celebrating.
Dawn was just beginning to rise, pale light peeking through the trees. The sky was still bruised from the night’s battle.
As we reached the pack house, I saw the older women and children—the ones who had been hidden for safety—begin to emerge. They came out hesitantly at first, then faster, many rushing to e
