Chapter Thirty: The Price of Truth
The captive wolf's story spilled out like fractured glass.
"They took my sister," he whispered, voice shaking. "The raven woman's forces. They want to break us by breaking us apart."
Rina's fire flickered with fierce resolve. "Where are they holding her?"
The wolf swallowed. "In the old mines beneath the eastern ridge."
Kael's eyes hardened. "Then we move at first light."
But Rina hesitated, her mind racing.
The mines were a labyrinth, dark and treacherous — and the raven woman's traps would be deadly.
"We need a plan," Rina said. "And we need to be ready to lose more than we can bear."
Kael stepped close, voice low but steady. "We'll face it together."
For the first time in days, Rina allowed herself to believe.
Together.
As dawn painted the sky in fire and gold, the pack prepared to march.
Behind them, the shadows gathered.
The true test was coming.