POV: Lyra

The summit ended at dawn.

I stood at the edge of the neutral grounds with the cold wind on my face and the first light of morning spreading across the valley like a promise. The Alphas had departed during the night and the camp was quiet and the only sound was the wind through the trees and the distant howl of wolves in the mountains.

Jaden appeared beside me with his bag over his shoulder and his sword strapped across his back.

"The packs have gone home."

I nodded.

"And the wounded?"

"Traveling with their families. The healers are with them."

I looked at the horizon.

"And the...