Needing a space entirely isolated from the sleeping children, they escorted their Queen out of the Iron-Wood Manor. They moved through the frost-covered trees until they reached the rushing, icy waters of the stream.
The winter moon hung high and heavy in the sky, casting a pale, silver glow over the massive, smooth boulders lining the riverbank.
Roxy sat heavily atop the largest boulder, pulling her dark fur cloak tightly around her trembling shoulders. The freezing spray of the stream was grounding, a sharp physical reminder that she was still breathing. Surrounding her in a tight, impenetrable semi-circle were the most dangerous warlords on the Beastworld continent. Zarek, Kaelen, Torian, Caspian, and Syris stood in the snow, their respective glowing eyes locked entirely onto her face, waiting for the Matriarch to finally shatter the invisible glass walls of her existence.
Roxy took a long, shuddering breath, her soul bracing for the impact.
