The sun was setting when the last council wolf retreated, leaving us standing in the ruins of what we'd defended. Broken but not beaten. Exhausted but alive.

And somehow, against everything, still together.

I should have known better than to think it was over.

"Movement on the western ridge." Caleb's voice cut through the brief moment of peace. He pointed toward the tree line where shadows gathered. "Not council forces. Different formation."

My stomach dropped. Through the bond, I felt ...