I wake up to the scent of rain and pine.

My back aches from the cold ground, and the fire has burned low. The others are already up. Lucien is at the edge of the clearing, sharpening his blade, and Jack is crouched beside the map spread on the dirt.

It’s quiet.

Too quiet.

For a moment, I almost feel peace. But the emptiness in my chest reminds me—it’s not peace. It’s fear. The kind that doesn’t sleep. The kind that comes from knowing your children are out there, scared and alone.

I sit up.

Jack looks up and meets my eyes. “We found a trail.”

I move to join him, brushing ash from my hands. “Where?”

He points to a narrow line leading west, deeper into the dark woods. “Lucien picked up their scent. The guards must’ve moved them after we left the ruins.”

Lucien doesn’t look up. “Victor is changing locations often. He’s afraid we’re close.”

Jack grunts. “He should be.”

I glance at the map. “How far?”

“If we ride hard,” Jack says, “we can reach them by nightfall.”

I nod. “Then let’s move.”

The forest grows darker as we ride.

The trees here are ancient—taller, thicker, twisted like they hold secrets. The path is narrow and winding, and even the animals stay hidden. No birds. No squirrels. Just silence and the sound of hooves hitting wet soil.

Lucien rides beside me. He’s quiet, watching the shadows. I can feel the tension in him.

“What is it?” I ask.

“I don’t trust this part of the woods,” he says. “They’re full of old magic.”

Jack, ahead of us, calls back, “That’s why Victor chose it.”

“Probably,” Lucien mutters. “Still doesn’t make me like it.”

I look around. The trees seem to move. I shake the thought away.

“How much farther?” I ask.

“Two more hours,” Jack says.

“I don’t like riding blind,” Lucien says. “We should stop and scout.”

“We don’t have time,” I argue. “My kids—”

“I know,” Lucien interrupts. “But we won’t help them if we walk into a trap.”

Jack pulls his horse to a stop. “He’s right. We take a break. Fifteen minutes.”

I sigh but nod.

We dismount and gather in a small hollow just off the trail.

Lucien kneels and presses a hand to the ground. “There’s movement ahead. Several wolves… and something else. Something heavier.”

“Guards?” Jack asks.

“Maybe.” Lucien frowns. “Or something worse.”

I pace. My fingers twitch. My wolf is restless.

“I should’ve protected them,” I whisper. “I thought I had. I thought we were safe.”

Jack stands and moves closer to me. “Eleanor, this isn’t your fault.”

“It feels like it is.”

He shakes his head. “You raised three children alone. You survived exile. You did more than anyone ever could.”

I blink back tears. “It’s not enough if I can’t get them back.”

Lucien rises. “We will. But we need to move carefully.”

Jack nods. “Let’s send one of us ahead. A scout. The other two stay with the horses.”

“I’ll go,” I say.

Jack frowns. “No. It’s too dangerous.”

“I know how to move without being seen.”

“She’s right,” Lucien says. “She’s faster than either of us.”

Jack glares at him. “Of course you’d agree.”

“Not because I’m trying to impress her. Because it’s smart.”

I step between them again. “I’ll go. Ten minutes. If I don’t come back, you’ll know something’s wrong.”

They both look like they want to argue more, but finally, Jack nods.

“Be careful,” he says.

I slip through the trees, my steps silent.

The forest grows colder with every step. The scent of wolves is stronger now. Smoke. Blood. Iron.

Then I hear it.

Whimpering.

I crouch low and creep closer. Just past the clearing, I see the camp.

There are six wolves standing around a cage.

And inside the cage—

Luan.

His face is bruised. His lip is cut. But he’s alive.

I press my hand to my mouth to keep from gasping. Tears blur my eyes.

Where are Lara and Leo?

One of the guards growls, “Keep him quiet.”

Another kicks the cage. “He bit me last time.”

Luan snarls and lunges at the bars. My heart swells. My boy. He’s still fighting.

One of the guards says, “Victor’s moving them tonight. Said the girl’s the key. She’s got the visions.”

Visions?

That must be Lara.

The guard laughs. “She screamed last night. Said the moon was angry. Creepy kid.”

I bite down hard on my lip. I can’t fight six guards alone. I need help.

I turn to move—but snap a twig under my foot.

The guards freeze.

“What was that?”

I duck behind a tree and hold my breath.

A wolf steps toward the edge of the trees, sniffing the air.

“Rogue?” one asks.

“Smells female,” the first says.

My heart pounds.

I slip deeper into the trees. Slow. Careful.

Almost there.

Then I run.

I burst into the hollow. “They’re close! One of my sons is in a cage. We can take them if we act fast.”

Jack draws his blade. “Let’s move.”

Lucien nods. “What else did you hear?”

“They said Lara has visions. And they’re moving the children tonight.”

Jack’s face hardens. “We don’t have time to wait.”

We ride fast. No more breaks. No more silence. Just speed.

By the time we reach the edge of the camp, the sun is low.

We dismount and move into position.

Lucien whispers, “I’ll take the far side. Jack, center. Eleanor, flank left. On my signal.”

We nod.

I sneak into the trees, heart pounding.

Lucien howls.

The guards turn.

Jack crashes into the clearing with a roar, knocking two wolves off their feet.

I sprint to the cage.

“Luan!”

“Mama!” he cries, tears in his eyes.

I break the lock with a hard kick. He leaps into my arms, shaking.

“Where are your siblings?” I ask.

“They took them,” he sobs. “Last night. Said they were special.”

I hold him close. “You’re all special.”

The fight rages behind me. Jack takes down another guard. Lucien slams one into a tree.

Luan clings to me. “Don’t leave me again.”

“Never,” I whisper. “I swear.”

The fight ends fast. The guards flee.

Jack limps over. “You found him?”

I nod. “He’s okay.”

Lucien wipes blood from his mouth. “We need to move. Now.”

Jack agrees. “They’ll report to Victor.”

We ride through the night.

Luan sits in front of me, his head on my chest.

He sleeps.

But I don’t.

Because now I know—Victor wants more than revenge.

He wants to use my children for something ancient.

And he’s already halfway there.

We make camp again just before dawn.

Lucien builds the fire. Jack stands watch. I cradle Luan, watching his chest rise and fall.

He stirs. “Mama?”

“I’m here.”

“Lara said the moon cried last night. She said something big is coming.”

“What else did she say?”

“She said… you’d have to make a choice soon. A big one. Between the light and the fire.”

I swallow hard. “Did she say what it meant?”

He shakes his head. “Just said the fire would hurt, but the light would leave.”

I don’t understand it. But it scares me.

Jack sits beside me. “He’s brave.”

“All of them are.”

He watches me. “I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I’m going to fight for them. For you.”

I nod. “I want to believe that.”

Lucien joins us. “We’ll reach Victor’s main camp by tomorrow night. It’s hidden in the Dead Valley.”

Jack curses. “Of course. That place is cursed.”

I look up. “We go anyway.”

Lucien looks at me. “You’re stronger than you think, Eleanor.”

Jack adds, “You always were.”

I close my eyes and hold Luan tighter.

Tomorrow, we face Victor.

Tomorrow, I might lose everything.

But I’ll go down fighting.

For them.

For us.