CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The forest breathes around me, a symphony of rustling leaves and distant calls. A few days have melted into each other as we patrol the borders, the Pine Pack shoulder to shoulder with our unlikely allies from River Run. I can feel Mark's presence behind me, a reassuring solidity that steadies my heartbeat even in the face of danger.
"Quiet tonight," Gem whispers, her voice barely louder than the breeze. Her brown eyes scan the darkness, alert and vigilant. I nod, my own senses stretched to their limits, searching for any hint of the Rogues.
"Too quiet," I murmur back. The silence is unnerving, a thick blanket smothering the woods. It's as if the forest itself is holding its breath, waiting for the storm to break.
"Keep your guard up," Mark commands softly, his dark gaz
