Tiara’s POV
The journey to ForestHowl felt endless. My body ached from riding for so long, and my thoughts were just as restless as my limbs. I had no idea what to expect once we arrived. Would they allow me inside? Would they accept me? Or would I be thrown out the moment Nicholas decided he had done enough for me?
The warriors escorting us hardly spoke, but their presence was a constant reminder that I didn’t belong. Every time I glanced back, I saw them watching—not with anger, but with something else. Something unreadable.
When we finally approached the borders of ForestHowl’s territory, the trees grew denser, towering over us like silent guards. The air was cooler, fresher, carrying the faintest scent of pine. The moment we passed into their land, I held my breath.
Then, I saw the
