Cover of Day

The forest stretched endlessly before us, its dense canopy filtering the sunlight into soft, dappled patterns across the snow-covered ground. My paws crunched silently against the frost, each step deliberate as I followed Alaric's lead. The group moved in a tight formation, staying close enough to react if anything emerged from the shadows. Cohnal still carried Soren in his wolf jaws, his massive form cutting an imposing silhouette against the backdrop of towering trees.

We avoided the roads. The creatures that hunted us had proven their tenacity, and we weren't foolish enough to offer ourselves as easy targets. The forest offered cover, but it also brought its own dangers. Every rustling branch, every distant call of an animal, set my nerves on edge. The adrenaline from the fight still lingered, making my thoughts sharp and restless.

'Idalia,' Alaric's voice came through the mind link, his tone a low rumble of caution. 'We need to talk.'