The path stretched dark ahead, the mill looming somewhere beyond. Ariana felt the new strength humming in her veins—her mother's courage, maybe, or something older. Kaelen's presence beside her was solid, his power back in full.
"You sold us out, Dax?!" Kaelen's roar shattered the quiet of the Stonefang camp, his voice thick with rage as he shoved the wiry rogue against a tree. His fists clenched Dax's jacket, knuckles white, the air crackling with the threat of violence.
Dax's eyes darted, wide and panicked, his voice trembling. "I didn't—Kaelen, listen, it's not what you think!"
Ariana stepped in, her tone sharp and cold. "Not what we think? We found your tracks leading straight to Lucian's scouts! You've been feeding him our plans—don't bullshit us!"
The camp went still, wolves and shifters pausing mid-motion, their eyes locked on the confrontation. Ragnar pushed through the crowd, his growl low. "What the hell's going on, Draven? You're choking one of ours?"
