LILY POV
"The shadows are gone, but our real work is just beginning," Elder Iris said as the last of the fake creature's darkness faded away. Her words sent chills down my spine as I held Hope tighter.
Caleb was breathing regularly again, the shadow poison gone from his body thanks to Hope's healing power. But my daughter looked exhausted, her golden glow barely noticeable anymore.
"What do you mean?" I asked, though part of me feared the answer.
Elder Iris walked slowly toward us, her old bones creaking. "The shadow creature spoke truth when it said Hope would face this choice again and again. Every time she uses her power, every time she grows stronger, the darkness will try to influence her."
My heart sank as I understood. "So this never ends?"
"Not unless we change," Elder Iris responded. "The pack, I mean. We created that shadow through centuries of unfairness. Unless we become truly equal, truly united, more shadows will keep coming."
