LILA’S POV
The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, but beneath it, tension simmered. Every rustle in the underbrush, every distant birdcall felt amplified, a reminder that Ryker’s shadow still lingered just beyond our territory. The forest around our pack had grown quiet overnight, but I knew better than to trust silence it was the calm before another storm.
I stood at the edge of the clearing, golden wings unfurling, energy humming faintly around me as I watched our pack move through the final drills of the morning. The rejected mates, once hesitant and unsure, now moved with precision, guided by Thea and Sara. They coordinated formations, tested defensive maneuvers, and even sparred under the watchful eyes of the quadruplets.
Nathan approached, golden au
