Training became relentless.
Every morning Kael led Lena to the open field beyond the valley.
The wind followed her more easily now.
Leaves lifted from the grass as silver energy shimmered around her hands.
"Focus on control," Kael instructed.
Lena exhaled slowly.
The glowing light steadied.
Kael nodded approvingly.
"You're improving."
Lena lowered her hands.
"It still feels unstable."
Kael stepped closer.
"Power always feels that way at first."
Their eyes met briefly.
The moment felt strangely quiet.
Then a horn sounded from the valley.
Both turned instantly.
A scout wolf sprinted toward them.
"Alpha!" he shouted.
"Something's wrong at the northern ridge."
Kael's expression hardened.
"Witches?"
The scout shook his head.
"No."
He hesitated.
"It's worse."
Lena felt a chill run through her chest.
"What do you mean?"
The scout swallowed.
"There's another pack approaching."
Kael stared toward the forest.
"Impossible," he murmured.
Blackwood territory had been protected for decades.
Yet somewhere beyond the trees, wolves from another pack were entering their land.
And they weren't coming peacefully.