The silence didn’t last long.
Lyra felt it before she heard it.
A shift in the air.
A presence.
Stronger than before.
“They’re not done,” she said quietly.
Kael’s expression hardened. “No. This time feels different.”
The forest moved again—but not like before.
Not hidden.
Not cautious.
This time, they didn’t hide.
They stepped out.
Three wolves.
Larger. Darker. More controlled.
Not just attackers.
Messengers.
Lyra’s body tensed, but she didn’t step back.
“Stay behind me,” Kael said.
Lyra shook her head. “No.”
A pause.
Then, without looking away from the approaching wolves, she added, “I’m not hiding anymore.”
Kael didn’t argue this time.
He simply adjusted his stance—beside her.
Equal.
Ready.
The wolves stopped a few feet away.
Watching.
Measuring.
Then one of t
