An Unexpected Visitor

Leo and his team slept soundly through the night, the tension that had gripped him for days finally lifting. With Fiona back and the wolves keeping watch as always, there was nothing to fear.

For the first time in days, he didn't wake up in the middle of the night, his mind restless and full of worry. The gnawing unease that had accompanied Fiona's absence had finally disappeared.

Now, he could breathe.

As the first light of morning filtered through the broken blinds, Leo stirred. He shifted slightly, groaning softly at the lingering aches in his body.

The fight with the tree had left him battered, and even though his [Regeneration] skill had done most of the work, he still felt sore all over.

It was the kind of exhaustion that clung to his bones.

He was just about to stretch when he noticed something.

Someone was watching him.

His instincts kicked in, and his muscles tensed as his eyes shot open.

And there she was.