Skadi Silvermoon, The Silver Wolf Who Paints Herself Red

Julie remained silent as she surveyed the man before her, her piercing emerald gaze flickering between Cassius Holyfield and Lucious. There was no emotion on her face—only quiet, calculating scrutiny.

It was the gaze of a woman who had spent her entire life measuring the worth of warriors, assessing threats before they could become problems. And in that moment, Cassius was the subject of her cold examination.

Then, without a word, she moved.

With the grace of a seasoned warrior, she slid off her horse in one fluid motion, landing softly on the ground with an elegance that could only come from years of mastery over both body and magic.

There was no wasted movement, no unnecessary flourish—just pure, effortless control.

As soon as her boots touched the ground, two more figures followed suit, dismounting their steeds and taking their places at her sides.