~Lucas POV~
The highlands cave loomed like a black hole in the fog, its jagged mouth giving me the creeps as we trekked through the misty forest. Annalyn was beside me, her heat scent mixing with the damp earth, driving my wolf wild. Matteo, Calix, and Ezra trailed behind, all of us on edge after that scroll mentioned a "shadow council" meeting here. Gideon and Silas were still chained in the basement, but the idea of a cult pulling the strings had my hackles up.
"You sure about this?" Annalyn whispered, clutching her mom's journal. "This place screams horror movie."
I smirked, nudging her. "What, scared of a little cave? I'll protect you."
She rolled her eyes, but her smile was shaky. "Big talk, tough guy. Let's just find this council."
Calix snorted, adjusting his flashlight. "If it's a cult, they're probably chanting in robes. Total cliché."
Ezra chuckled, his runes glowing faintly. "Cliché or not, they're dangerous. Stay sharp."
