The path between the stone ridges grew darker the farther they walked.
The trees here were older than anything within the pack's territory. Their trunks twisted upward like frozen waves, bark thick and blackened by centuries of weather. Moss covered the ground in deep layers, swallowing the sound of every step.
Aurelia walked at the front.
Not because anyone told her to.
Because the covenant expected it.
The watcher followed several paces behind now, no longer guiding the path directly.
Simply observing.
Recording.
Behind Aurelia, Mira walked close enough that their shoulders almost brushed.
"I don't like this one," she muttered.
"You didn't like the first one either."
"That was before I knew there were multiple trials."
The scarred wolf chuckled quietly.
"I'm starting to miss the stone monster."
Mira glanced at him.
"You're an idiot."
"Probably."
But his gaze stayed fixed on the narrow path ahead.
Even the bravest wolves felt it now.
