The thick forest opened up to reveal a wide valley tucked in between the mountains. Here, the air seemed heavier and more tinged with an unidentified energy. The dread I'd felt since we met the scouts only intensified as Liam and I rode closer, the weight of the journey seeming to sink further into my bones.
"Is this it?" My question was hardly audible above a whisper.
Liam initially scanned the scene in front of him before responding. With a cautious tone, he finally said, "It's the pack. However, I haven't been here before. We must exercise caution."
We arrived at what appeared to be a settlement carved into the side of the mountain, and the scouts ahead of us motioned for us to follow. There were wooden structures all over the place, with a large stone building in the middle that was
