Chapter 33:
THE CONVERGING STORM
The Shadowborn’s retreat felt a hole. Yes, we had survived the ambush, however, their leader’s warning echoed in my thoughts: “This is best the beginning.” The forest became unnervingly quiet as we made our way back to the percent house, the burden of what we’d seen and fought hanging heavily in the air.
Ethan stored a hand on my lower again as we walked, his steady presence grounding me. I glanced at him, taking within the hardened traces of his jaw and the fire in his eyes. His protectiveness turned into both reassuring and heartbreaking. I knew he could fight to his final breath to hold me safe, however, this war became bigger than us.
Once we lowered back, the pack became waiting, their nerve-racking faces lighting fixtures up at the sight of peo
