LOGINElara’s POVNight had fully settled over Nightfall.The fortress was quieter than usual, but it wasn’t peaceful. There was tension in the air. Everyone felt it.The Warriors moved along the walls more often. Patrol groups kept leaving through the gates. Even the wind in the trees sounded different tonight.Like the forest itself was waiting.I sat near the window in my room, staring out at the dark mountains in the distance.Sleep wasn’t coming.Not after everything that happened.Rogues are attacking the border.Kael’s anger.And the strange heat that had spread through my body the moment the fighting started.I pressed my hand lightly against the back of my neck.The mark wasn’t glowing now.But I could still feel something there.A faint warmth.Like a quiet fire under my skin.You feel it too, the voice in my head whispered.I closed my eyes.“Yes.”For a moment there was only silence.Then the voice returned, softer this time.I am waking.My chest tightened.“You said that befor
Elara’s POVThe battle sounds in the forest slowly faded.At first, the air had been filled with snarls, howls, and the crashing of bodies through trees. Now there was only silence.Too much silence.I was still standing near the fortress entrance when the gates finally opened again.A group of wolves ran through first.Then they began shifting back into human form as they crossed the courtyard.Some looked fine.Others had scratches and blood on their arms and shoulders.My chest tightened.I searched their faces quickly.But Kael wasn’t there yet.Ronan appeared a moment later, shifting beside the gate. His grey wolf disappeared, and he grabbed a pair of pants that one of the guards handed him.There was blood on his shoulder.“Are you okay?” I asked before I could stop myself.Ronan looked surprised to see me standing there.“I’m fine
Elara’s POVThe sun had already begun to sink behind the forest when the first alarm sounded.I was in the council room again, pretending to read one of the heavy history books Kael had given me. But my mind wasn’t on the pages.It kept drifting back to the gathering in the courtyard earlier.Kael is defending me.The council is questioning me.And the way the entire pack had stared like they were trying to see through my skin.A loud howl suddenly cut through the air outside.I froze.The sound echoed across the valley.One long, sharp warning.Then another howl followed.My stomach dropped.I had heard that sound before.Border signal.Before I could even stand up, footsteps rushed past the hallway outside the council room.Voices filled the corridor.“North patrol spotted movement!”“Get the warriors ready!”&ldqu
Elara’s POVBy afternoon, the rumours had spread even farther.I could feel it everywhere.Whispers in the hallways. Curious glances when I walked by. Conversations that stopped the moment I entered a room.At first, I tried to ignore it.I spent most of the morning in the council room reading the history books Kael gave me. But even there, I couldn’t fully focus.My mind kept returning to the same thought.Marked.How could they smell something that didn’t exist?I rubbed the back of my neck again. The skin there felt normal now, but I still remembered the warmth that sometimes spread through it.Maybe Lyra was right.Maybe something about me was changing.A sudden knock broke my thoughts.“Come in,” I said.The door opened, and one of the young guards stepped inside.“The Alpha has called for a gathering in the courtyard,” he said respe
Elara’s POVMorning in Nightfall came with noise.Voices in the courtyard. The Warriors are running drills. The steady rhythm of life is moving forward like it always has.But something felt different.I noticed it the moment I stepped out of my room.Two servants walking down the hallway stopped talking when they saw me. One quickly lowered her head. The other forced a polite smile before they both hurried away.I frowned slightly.That was strange.Close to the steps, two young fighters stopped talking when I got near. A look passed from one to me, then he bent toward his companion, voice dropping into a hush. Quiet words followed.Again, their eyes turned toward me.As I walked farther down the hall, it happened again.Then quickly looked away.I kept walking like I didn’t notice.But I definitely noticed.By the time I reached the main hall, the same feeling followed me.
Elara’s POV That evening, the fortress felt different. Not tense like the night of the border howls. Not quite like the morning after. This time it felt... watchful.Servants moved quickly through the halls carrying candles and trays of food. Guards stood at their usual places, but there were more of them than before. Something important was happening.I stood in my room near the mirror, adjusting the dark dress a servant brought earlier. Simple but elegant, soft fabric fitted at the waist. Still felt out of place wearing it.A knock at the door. "Come in."Kael stepped inside. For a moment he didn't speak. His eyes moved over me quietly, taking in the dress and how my hair was loosely tied back."You look ready," he said."Hope so.""Sound uncertain.""I am."Kael leaned against the doorframe. "It's only the court."I blinked. "Only?"He gave a small shrug. "The inner circle of Nightfall leadership.""Doesn't make it sound less intimidating."Kael pushed away from the door. "They ne







