Chapter 103

• As we led the search party into the dense forest, I could feel the situation pressed on my mind. The tall trees loomed overhead, casting dark shadows across the ground as if to remind us that the world we had fought to rebuild was still shrouded in uncertainty. Leo was walking slightly ahead of me, his posture tense, every step precise. I could sense the unease radiating from him.
• "We'll need to cover as much ground as possible before nightfall," Leo said, his voice clipped as he motioned for the scouts to fan out. His sharp focus and control over the situation should have comforted me, but something felt off.
• As we moved deeper into the forest, I found myself thinking about Marcus. He had been one of our staunchest allies during the war, loyal and fierce in battle, and instrumental in uniting the packs. If someone had managed to get to him, it wasn’t just a personal loss—it was a message.