The celebration had ended, but unease lingered. Iris awoke before dawn, sweat clinging to her neck despite the cool air. The dream had been brief but vivid: a forest of dead trees, a whisper in a language she didn’t recognize, and golden eyes—watching, waiting. She sat in bed, the moonlight casting silver shadows across the room. Aiden stirred beside her, instinctively reaching for her hand. “Another vision?” he asked, voice groggy. She nodded. “Something’s wrong. It wasn’t Vaelor. This was... different.” “Different how?” “Less rage. More calculation. It wasn’t trying to destroy. It was... studying me.” Aiden sat up fully, rubbing his face. “You think it’s tied to Elian?” “Maybe. But this presence felt older. Smarter. Patient.” She exited the bed and moved to the balcony, overlooking the still-smoldering forest edge beyond the pack grounds. Somewhere, in the distance, an owl hooted once, then fell silent. She tightened her robe. “It’s watching us.” Echoes in the Win
Last Updated : 2025-07-01 Read more