The estate did not return to normal after Selara and the Gamma unit crossed back through the gates.
Nothing about the night felt normal anymore.
Torches burned brighter along the inner walls. Guards who normally stood in relaxed pairs now moved in quiet rotations, their eyes constantly shifting toward the western ridge as though the forest itself had begun breathing differently.
Selara could feel it.
Not fear.
Awareness.
The pack knew something had shifted.
Draven walked beside her through the courtyard without speaking. The silence between them wasn't strained it was focused. Every step echoed faintly across the stone as they moved toward the main hall.
Behind them, the Gamma unit dispersed under the Beta's direction to escort the recovered scouts to the healers.
Alive.
But rattled.
Selara pushed the doors open and stepped into the hall.
Several members of the inner council were already there.
They had heard the horn.
They had felt the disturbance.
