CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR - THE MASK FALLS

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Freya's eyes met Anna's, a glimmer of approval in their depths. "Excellent point, Anna. You'll work with Nikolai to address the hidden passages. Your investigative skills will be crucial in identifying any weak points we may have overlooked." As the meeting progressed, Anna found herself fully immersed in the preparations. She worked alongside werewolves she had once viewed as intimidating, now united in a common cause. The next few days were a flurry of activity as the mansion was transformed into a fortress. Anna wiped sweat from her brow as she helped Nikolai secure a heavy wooden barricade across one of the hidden passages. "Do you think this will be enough?" she asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice. Nikolai gave the barricade a firm shake, nodding with satisfaction. "It'll hold. But Anna, I need to know – are you prepared for what might come? This isn't going to be pretty." Anna met his gaze, steeling herself. "I'm scared,"