Candice let out a long, quiet sigh as she stared out the carriage window, her fingers absently combing through Ash’s soft fur.

The small wolf was curled comfortably on her lap, eyes half closed, completely unaware of the heaviness weighing on her chest.

“What’s wrong?” Melva asked gently. She sat across from Candice, watching her with concern.

Candice usually rode ahead on horseback with Osman, always alert and stubbornly independent. Choosing the carriage today was already ...