The mountains seemed to hold their breath.
No wind moved through the trees.
No animals called in the darkness.
Even the crackling campfire sounded distant.
Muted.
As though the world itself had paused.
Waiting.
The silver-haired woman stood at the edge of the camp, her black armor reflecting the moonlight in strange patterns that almost looked alive.
Nobody moved.Nobody lowered their weapons.
Silas stood slightly in front of Selene, every muscle tense, his Alpha instincts screaming that this stranger was dangerous.
Because she was.
Not in the way assassins were dangerous.
Not in the way rogue wolves were dangerous.
Something else.
Something older.
Selene could feel it.
The same ancient presence she had felt from the guardian beneath the compound.
Not identical.But connected.
The woman looked at the drawn weapons surrounding her and sighed.
"I mean no harm."
Kai snorted.
"That's exactly what people who mean harm always say."
Rowan elbowed him.
Hard.
"Ow."
