Risk To Save.

Ace sits by the window, staring out at the darkened courtyard.

Torches still flicker, their glow barely pushing back the weight of the night. The pack is quiet.

He exhales, fingers tracing absent patterns on his thigh.

They did it.

They fought through the illusions, proved their strength, but it didn't feel like a victory.

Not when some were still trapped in their minds. Not when the real fight was still ahead.

Behind him, Kieran paces, his agitation vibrating through the room like a storm waiting to break.

"It's been days, and they haven't shown up," Kieran mutters, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sure whatever they're planning is really dangerous."

Ace turns, watching him.

Kieran hasn't stopped since the day the witches showed up. Even now, his body is tense, his wolf restless. He wants to fight. He wants this over.