LILA’S POV
Dawn broke across the horizon like a bloodstain on the sky, the edges of clouds tinged with red and gold. I stood atop a ridge overlooking the camp, wings folded against my back, watching as the rejected mates moved through the forest below. Their energy was raw but promising, determination flickering in every motion.
Nathan approached quietly, his golden aura dimly illuminating the mist. “You’ve barely slept,” he said softly, concern etched in every line of his face.
“I don’t have the luxury of rest,” I replied, voice tight. “Every moment we delay, Ryker grows stronger. Every day we waste, more packs suffer. I won’t let him dictate the fate of those who finally found a family here.”
He nodded, though I could see the worry in his eyes. “And yet… you can’t do it all alone, Li
