The morning started like any other.
I woke before sunrise, dressed, ate something small, and made my way toward the healer's hut with a basket hanging from my arm.
The routine had become comfortable.
Comfortable enough that I no longer questioned whether I belonged there.
I simply did what needed to be done.
Lysandra had already prepared the list of herbs she needed for the day, so I spent the first hour sorting them, checking the dried bundles, and replacing the ones that had gone stale.
"You're getting faster," Lysandra remarked.
I looked up from the shelves.
"At sorting herbs?"
"At everything."
I smiled.
"I've had practice."
"That's the point."
She took the bundle from my hands and inspected it.
"Your patrol yesterday?"
"Quiet."
"Anything unusual?"
I shook my head.
"Not really."
She hummed.
"Good."
I knew what she meant.
Quiet was good.
Quiet meant no Shadowfen wolves.
No broken border markers.
No unexpected tracks.
No blood.
No trouble.
I finished my work and returned the empty basket to its place.
"I'll see you later."
Lysandra looked over her shoulder.
"Patrol?"
"Yes."
"Don't forget to eat."
"I won't."
She gave me the look.
The one that said she didn't believe me.
I laughed softly and left.
The training field was already becoming busy.
Warriors moved through drills, weapons clashing in the distance.
I stayed toward the smaller practice area and spent a little time working on the movements I'd learned.
Block.
Step.
Turn.
Again.
My body was slowly remembering what my mind kept forgetting.
I could learn.
I could improve.
I wasn't completely useless.
When I finished, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and headed toward the patrol station.
I had barely reached the edge of the courtyard when someone called my name.
"Elara!"
I turned.
A young scout was jogging toward me.
"Yes?"
"The Alpha is summoning all patrol members."
I frowned.
"All of them?"
He nodded.
"Everyone."
"Now?"
"Immediately."
Something in his tone made my stomach tighten.
I looked toward the main house.
"What happened?"
He shook his head.
"Didn't say."
That wasn't reassuring.
I followed him toward the packhouse.
The moment we entered the main hall, I knew something was wrong.
Too many people were there.
Patrollers.
Scouts.
Warriors.
Ranked wolves.
Everyone spoke in low voices.
I slipped toward the back like I usually did.
No one stopped me.
No one asked me to move forward.
Honestly, I preferred it that way.
I stood near the wall and waited.
A few minutes later, Alpha Roran entered.
The room immediately fell silent.
Callen followed him.
So did the current Beta.
I kept my eyes lowered.
I didn't want attention.
Alpha Roran stood before the gathered patrols.
"Thank you for coming on short notice."
His expression was serious.
"Over the past several days, we've received multiple reports regarding movement along our eastern and northern borders."
A murmur passed through the room.
"The situation has changed."
He looked toward the patrol leaders.
"I want every patrol to report."
One by one, they stepped forward.
The first patrol reported finding fresh tracks near the eastern boundary.
The second reported broken branches and disturbed soil.
Another had discovered that one of the old boundary markers had been damaged.
"They weren't wolves from our territory," one scout said.
"Shadowfen?"
The scout nodded.
"Most likely."
Another patrol reported finding unfamiliar scents near the river.
"How close?"
"Less than a mile from the crossing."
The room grew quieter.
Then another scout spoke.
"We found evidence that someone has been watching our patrol routes."
My stomach tightened.
Watching?
The Alpha's expression hardened.
"Did you encounter anyone?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?"
"The tracks disappeared before reaching the border."
A few wolves exchanged uneasy glances.
The reports continued.
More tracks.
More movement.
More unexplained signs.
Nothing had turned into a direct attack.
Not yet.
But there was a pattern.
And everyone could see it.
I remained silent.
My hands were clasped in front of me.
I had information too.
I'd been to the river.
I'd seen the tracks.
I'd felt something watching us.
But I didn't speak.
I didn't know if what I'd felt was important.
And even if it was...
Would anyone listen?
I glanced around the room.
Most of the patrol leaders were experienced wolves.
Warriors.
Scouts.
Ranked members.
They spoke confidently.
They knew how to command attention.
I didn't.
So I stayed quiet.
As usual.
When the final patrol finished reporting, Alpha Roran looked toward his son.
"Callen."
Callen stepped forward.
"I think we're approaching this the wrong way."
Several wolves looked at him.
Callen folded his arms.
"We've been sending single patrols through the same areas, assuming that whatever is happening will remain small enough for one group to handle."
He shook his head.
"It isn't."
He pointed toward the map spread across the table.
"The reports show movement across multiple areas."
He looked around the room.
"Starting now, patrols shouldn't travel alone."
A few wolves murmured.
"Pairs at minimum."
Callen continued.
"And larger groups for the more vulnerable areas."
The Alpha considered his words.
"For safety?"
"For safety and information."
Callen tapped the map.
"If one patrol encounters something, they have someone else to confirm what they saw. We need witnesses, not rumors."
That made sense.
Even I could see that.
Alpha Roran nodded slowly.
"Agreed."
He turned toward the current Beta.
"Prepare the new patrol assignments."
The Beta bowed his head.
"Pairs and groups?"
"Yes."
"Effective immediately?"
"Immediately."
The room shifted.
People started whispering again.
I looked around.
Pairs.
Groups.
That meant I wouldn't be patrolling alone anymore.
Part of me was relieved.
Another part was nervous.
Who would I be assigned with?
Would they actually want me there?
Would I slow them down?
I immediately pushed the thoughts away.
I had proven I could do the job.
At least, I thought I had.
Alpha Roran raised his voice again.
"The Beta will oversee the assignments and determine which patrols are paired together."
Everyone nodded.
"The list will be posted before the next patrol."
He looked across the room.
"Until then, remain alert. No one crosses the borders alone."
His gaze hardened.
"If you encounter Shadowfen wolves, you do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Report immediately."
"Yes, Alpha."
The meeting was dismissed.
Everyone began moving toward the doors.
I remained where I was for a moment.
People gathered around the map.
Others discussed who they wanted to patrol with.
I heard names being thrown around.
Friends.
Experienced partners.
People who already knew each other's strengths.
I quietly stepped away.
No one asked me who I wanted.
I wasn't surprised.
I had barely spoken during the entire meeting.
Not because I had nothing to say.
I simply didn't dare.
Every time I thought about raising my hand, someone else spoke first.
And honestly...
It was easier to let them.
As I walked out, I caught sight of Callen speaking with the Beta.
Keiran stood nearby.
My steps slowed.
He glanced in my direction.
Our eyes met for a brief moment.
My wolf stirred.
I looked away immediately.
Not today.
I wasn't ready.
I continued walking.
Outside, the afternoon air felt colder than before.
I headed toward the healer's hut.
Maybe Lysandra would know what was happening.
Maybe she wouldn't.
Either way, I needed something familiar.
Something simple.
Something that didn't involve borders or Shadowfen or Keiran.
I opened the door.
Lysandra looked up.
"That was quick."
"There was a meeting."
"I know."
I blinked.
"You know?"
She shrugged.
"News travels."
I sighed.
"Of course it does."
She smiled faintly.
"What happened?"
I leaned against the table.
"They're changing the patrol system."
"How?"
"Pairs and groups."
Her expression became serious.
"Good."
"I suppose."
"You don't sound convinced."
"I don't know who I'll be paired with."
Lysandra studied me.
"You'll find out."
"Eventually."
She nodded.
"Until then, do your job."
I smiled.
"That's what I was planning to do."
She returned to her herbs.
I picked up a bundle and began sorting it.
The meeting was already becoming distant in my mind.
But one thing remained.
Shadowfen was getting closer.
The patrols were changing.
And soon, I wouldn't be walking those forest paths alone.
I didn't know who would be beside me.
I didn't know what we'd find.
And somewhere deep inside, a small part of me wondered if perhaps the Moon had a reason for putting me on that river patrol in the first place.
I pushed the thought away.
For now, I was still just Elara.
The girl everyone forgot.
The girl who stood at the back of the room.
The girl who rarely spoke because no one seemed to notice when she did.
But the forest had noticed me.
The river had noticed me.
And somewhere beyond Silvercrest's borders...
Something else had too.