Thorne's hand tightened on his axe. She saw the impulse in him — the desire to charge forward and meet the threat head-on. "Easy," she said quietly. "We observe. Report back stronger."
He exhaled but obeyed. The moment passed. Small victory against his flaw, and hers.
They pressed on until dusk forced caution. No direct contact, but the feeling of being watched grew stronger. Lila called the return as light faded. The ride back was tense but uneventful. Frostfang's lights appeared like beacons in the gathering dark.
The bailey welcomed them with warm fires and concerned faces. Lila dismounted and immediately began organizing reports. Warriors shared what they had seen. Healers checked for injuries. The pack absorbed the news and kept moving — hunters sharing kills, families gathering children, elders offering quiet wisdom by the fires.
