The dawn broke like a muted drumbeat, pale light spreading across the horizon as the caravan pressed forward. The forest had thinned into rolling hills, the ground harder, less forgiving beneath the hooves of their horses. Olivia felt the shift in the air immediately—less of nature’s quiet and more of civilization’s weight pressing down as they drew closer to the council chambers.
Her hands tightened on the reins as she caught sight of Lucas riding just ahead, his posture rigid, his gaze locked on the road. He hadn’t spoken much since reading Emily’s letter two nights before. He was steady on the outside, every inch the Alpha his people expected, but Olivia knew better. Silence had become his armor, hiding the storm that churned beneath.
Marcus broke the quiet first. “We’ll reach the out
