---- He looked at me, his eyes holding an unfathomable emotion. "Because nothing is more important than you two. No pack, no status, no power... can replace my family." Family. The word stung. We had been family, until betrayal tore everything apart. "Kaelen..." I began, but didn't know what to say. "you don't have to respond," he said softly. "I don't expect forgiveness, nor do I dare hope to regain your trust. I just want... you and Orion to be safe." His honesty softened me. This once-proud Alpha was now willing to give up everything, just to protect his bloodline. Just then, Orion whimpered in his sleep, drawing our attention. "Does he do that often?" Kaelen asked with concern. ---- "Only when he's dreaming," I said, gently stroking Orion's small face. ''He seems to sense a lot of things." Kaelen moved closer, carefully observing his son." He has your eyebrows and nose." "But his eyes and chin are like yours," I said softly. "And that natural stubbornness." We shared a smile, briefly forgetting past hurts and present dangers. However, this moment of peace was shattered by a sudden wolf howl. Kaelen immediately tensed, quickly extinguishing the campfire. "They've found us!" I swiftly picked up Orion. Rhea and Lina woke with a start. "How many?" I asked nervously. Kaelen listened intently. "At least ten, ---- approaching from the west. We head east." We hastily packed, preparing to leave the cave. Just then, Lina let out a strange laugh. "East? No, we won't be going east." Her voice changed eerily. We turned to her in shock. Lina stood there, her eyes completely black, her lips twisted into an unnatural smile. "Lina?" Rhea recoiled in horror. "Lina is no longer here," she cackled, her voice distorted. "I replaced her the first day you entered the village. Did you really think you could escape so easily?" Kaelen immediately stepped in front of me and Orion, growling, "Who are you?" "Tam the Master's messenger," the false Lina replied, black energy beginning to flow from her fingertips. "And this cub is the key to opening the