All Chapters of One Night,One Claim: Chapter 41 - Chapter 44

Stormfang CampDax’s POVThe sun hung low, bleeding orange across the smoke choked sky. Embers still glowed in the black skeletons of tents and trees, popping like distant heartbeats. The air was heavy charred pine, wet blood, sweat, and the faint sweet iron tang of victory that never quite felt like victory when bodies were still being carried away.Flame slept in a nest of furs near the central fire, guarded by two of Riven’s most trusted wolves. Her breathing was slow, green light dimmed to a soft pulse under her skin. She’d pushed so hard today her little body had finally given out.Kael knelt beside me silver eyes scanning the wreckage sword still in her hand, blade dark with blood.“She’s sleeping like she hasn’t in days,” she said quietly. “She pushed too hard.”I brushed a curl of dark hair from Flame’s forehead careful not to wake her.“She saved us. All of us.”Riven approached limping slightly, armor dented and bloodied but alive. He dropped to one knee in front of us head

Elara’s POV ​First light broke over the Obsidian Crown Citadel not with warmth, but with a harsh, pale glare against the ice.The courtyard was a sea of armor, steely breath, and restless wolves. Sleds were packed, supplies strapped tight, and two hundred of our finest warriors stood ready. Rico stood at the head of the line, his heavy black cloak draped over his shoulders, gold eyes cutting through the dawn mist. The fresh bite mark on his throat my mark was dark and swollen, a permanent crimson promise against his skin. ​I stepped down the stone stairs, my crimson mantle trailing behind me, emerald eyes scanning the ranks. The air tasted of bitter frost and ozone, the unnatural cold from the north creeping further south than it ever should have reached. ​Rico turned as I approached, his hand reaching out to capture mine. The moment our skin touched, the bond surged hot, thick, and demanding. His fingers crushed mine, his thumb tracing the pulse point at my wrist. ​"The vangua