I gave a tight, trembling nod, my fingers lacing through his. "Beside you. Always."
Together, we moved toward the heavy iron gates of the outer wall, the air around us practically vibrating with the collective anxiety of the pack. Behind us, Sam and Athena were already moving with silent, lethal precision, filtering their warriors into defensive positions along the inner courtyard, entirely hidden from the border line. Ezra followed close to Athena's flank, his sharp, analytical eyes scanning the higher ridges, calculating vantage points before the fight even began.
As we neared the massive stone archway of the main gates, the horrific scene finally came into view.
Standing just ten paces beyond our magic perimeter was a small, heavily armed vanguard of mercenaries. But they weren't the
