POV: Lyra

The eastern border was burning.

I ran through the trees with my warriors at my side and the smoke stung my eyes and the sound of fighting grew louder with every step. The Shadow Pack had struck without warning and they had struck hard. I could see them through the trees. Dark shapes moving through the firelight with weapons in their hands and snarls on their lips.

I stopped at the edge of the clearing.

The eastern border was a wide open field that separated our territory from the mountains. It was the first line of defense and it had already fallen. Our warriors were scattered and outnumbered...