d-breakfast, but sleep had eluded her. Her mind replayed the events of the previou

ide table. It was meant to be filled with stories of small-town charm and forgotten legends

the door st

d, her voice still h

wrinkled, and his face bore the faintest hint of a bruise al

he said, holding out a plate

she took the plate. "Thanks.

ed you might need some

etite nonexistent. "About last night... is it

s on edge right now. The curse is getting stronger, and Luka's challenge wa

if Luka comes back? What i

ned. "He will. Bu

nd in front of him. "You don't have to do this alone,

he might let her in. But then he shook his head. "This isn'

w," Emma insisted. "You

d through his hair. "You'r

ected, a hint of a smi

e. If you want to help, th

t is

hadn't explored. The trees were denser here, their branches intertw

lked, Kael

d we rely on each other to survive. But right now, the pack is divided. Some of t

g to keep up. "So

they should trus

a asked,

son Luka challenged me. If the pack sees that you're

eling the weight of what he was

. "We start by introducing

trees. When Emma and Kael arrived, the members of the pack were al

, the murmurs stopped, a

as she stood beside Kael,

is voice steady. "She's not

ed forward, his expression skeptical. "H

She's here to learn about the curse and the pack. If she

uman can solve something we've

ood her ground against Luka, and she didn't run when things

bristled but

stepped forward, her expression thoughtfu

elief wash over her,

, and Emma turned to see Luka emerging from th

eyes narrowing. "Humans don't belong here.

body tense. "That's enough, Luka. Y

rked. "F

palpable as Luka and his support

isperse, Kael turned t

. "I didn't

Kael said. "That's

ady racing. Luka's words lingered in her e

tly. "What happens i

arkened. "Then I'll

n Emma's spine. She realized then just how far K

e wondered if she was trul